1912 ❖ ELDER "BOSTON TOM"

From Turtleback Mountain overlooking West Sound
in the foreground, Skull Island, and Deer Harbor,
San Juan Archipelago, WA.
Low res scan from an original photograph by
professional James A. McCormick who began work in
the islands as early as 1904 in Friday Harbor.
He traveled the county by steamer
and also his personal rowboat to take thousands of
important images of early residents in the county.
Maybe research will reveal he even caught
"Boston Tom."
Photo by J.A. McCormick from the archives
of the Saltwater People Historical Society©  

"Coroner Reed, accompanied by undertaker Harpst, sheriff Boyce, and attorney Irwin, went to Orcas Island yesterday in response to a summons to hold an inquest over the body of an old Indian. Boston Tom was found dead in his cabin, at North Beach. He had been suffering from pneumonia and neighbors had attended him, but he had died unattended. The remains were buried on the lot where his cabin stood. He is spoken as the eldest resident of Orcas Island, having a residence there when the first white settler arrived."
Verbatim from the San Juan Islander. Oct. 1912. Friday Harbor, WA.
Courtesy of Saltwater People Historical Society.