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1872
1871 or 1872 Dr. Munson of Fort Klamath dies of a heart attack while climbing Munson Point, while looking for the Lake. Munson Point was named by Captain O.C. Applegate. Also included was Munson Spring, Munson Valley and the various branches of Munson Creek. The bluff upon which the doctor died was so steep that the body had to lowered by log sled down 600 feet to the basin below which the old trial to Crater Lake crossed. After the autopsy at the Indian Agency, Lord F. William Maxwell’s party returned to the lake, taking lumber, properly shaped, from which to construct a boat, carrying everything down a ravine. Using oakum and pitch, they fabricated a boat for lake explorations. The expedition named the two largest peaks on the West Rim, Maxwell Peak, (later Glacier Peak and eventually Hillman Peak.) and Bentley Peak (later changed to The Watchman by the Cleetwood Party).
Note that there is a discrepancy on the year of Munson’s death. An 1893 newspaper article indicated a death date of 1872. But the document retrieved from the National Archives indicates 1871, as apparently does his tombstone in San Francisco. So, knowing newspaper reporters as I do, I went with the 1871 date.
Todd Kepple Manager Klamath County Museum
From Stephen Mark, CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK:? ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
During the summer of 1872 another widely publicized visit of Crater Lake was undertaken by Lord William Maxwell of Scotland and A. Bentley of Toledo, Ohio. Accompanied by a Dr. Munson, the post surgeon at Fort Klamath, they headed toward the lake and established camp below Castle Crest. After Munson died on what is now Munson Point, Captain Oliver C. Applegate, who had gained fame in the Modoc War while commanding the garrison at Fort Klamath, led Bentley and Maxwell, John Meacham, and Chester M. Sawtelle to the lake. The men placed upon the water the first boat to make an extended lake inspection tour. After visiting Wizard Island, they boated around the perimeter of the lake, naming some of the prominent peaks after each other. [11]
Summer 1872 A Tragedy. Klamath Falls Express – In 1872 the Klamath Agency had for a guest genuine nobleman. Lord Maxwell by name, who was driving this part of the country fishing, hunting and sightseeing. Lord Maxwell was a kindhearted gentleman, easy of approach and withal, a though sportsman. At this time the wonderful gravure of Crater Lake was but little known outside of the Agency, Fort Klamath and to an occasional party of adventurers.
Lord Maxwell learning of this new world=wide famous spot and entertaining serious doubts of its genuiness determined to thoroughly demonstrate the fact by personal observation. Forming a little party composed of himself, a Mr. Bently, another wander from abroad, and Dr. Munson, the Agency physician, they left the Agency early one summer morning for Crater Lake with the avowed purpose of proving the reality of the lake’s existence as had been frequently described to them, or put in disgrace forever, those who had had the temerity to distort the truth at their expense.
Arriving in the vicinity of the lake late in the day, they went into camp so that they might be fully recovered from the fatigue following quite a hard day’s ride preparatory to their morning’s explorations. At dawn of day the camp was astir, and after a hearty breakfast their horses properly cared for, the trio bent their steps lake ward, and in a short time they stood upon the awful brink, fully satisfied in their own minds then that the truth of its majestic tranquil beauty had not been half told.
Thinking to gain a better view by ascending a precipitous rocky bluff several hundred feet higher than where they were, they started on their upward tramp, each one selecting his own path way. Maxwell and Bentley arrived at the rocky pinnacle almost simultaneously, but nowhere could the doctor be seen. After remaining more than an hour viewing the exquisite perfidious of nature, awaiting the approach of their comrade, they became alarmed at this non-appearance, concluded to descend and ascertain the cause of his delay.
Separating, they descended and commenced their search, which continued far into the day, but at last Lord Maxwell’s efforts to find their missing companion was rewarded, when slipping over a large fallen tree, he came near sliding down the upon the doctor dead. By repeated calls Bentley was soon on the tragic scene. Upon ascertaining beyond doubt that the doctor was really dead, they set about for some way out of the sorrowful dilemma, knowing that without delay. It was finally agreed that Maxwell should remain with the body, and Bentley to hasten to the Agency for assistance.
Late the following day a team and several men arrived from the Agency. Capt. O.C. Applegate being one of the number. A rude litter was hastily constructed, and all that was mortal of poor Doctor Munson was borne with tender hands and sorrowing hearts to the conveyance awaiting. Hence to the Agency, arriving there a little while before day break the following morning.
A post mortem examination was held by the Fort physician which revealed that Doctor Munson died of congestion of the lungs suprinduced by over exertion. Lord Maxwell’s recital of his lonely night’s vigil was truly pathetic, and it was not long after the occurrence of this tragedy and truthfully spoken that the find hearted and noble Lord Maxwell bade us all adieu, and returned to his home amide the Highlands of Scotland.
Article was found in the April 28, 1893, page 4, of the Ashland Tidings.
1872 William Steel and family move to Portland and young William enters high school. “We were met at the steamer landing by my brothers. Before getting over the dock I asked them where that sunken lake was, and found that they had never heard of it; then I was told that there was something of that sort in southern Oregon, but my informer was not sure. In nine years I found a man who had actually seen it, and gave me a good description of it that greatly increased my desire to see it.” Will G. Steel, from a speech delivered January 3, 1917 at the National Parks Conference in Washington, D.C.
1872 Captain Oliver O. Applegate names Dyar Rock for Leroy S. Dyar of Ontario, California, then Indian Agent on the Klamath Reservation and later a member of the Modoc Peace Commission. Dyar was the only commissioner who escaped uninjured when attacked by Captain Jack and other Modoc Indians in the Lava Beds on April 11, 1873. General E.R.S. Canby and Dr. E. Thomas were killed and Chairman A.B. Meacham was partially scalped and left for dead.
1872 Victor Rock named for Mrs. Frances Fuller Victor, who is one of the leading historians of the west. Mrs. F. F. Victor views the lake and briefly describes it in “Atlantis Arisen.” Sinnott Memorial is later built upon Victor Rock. The Rim Village meadow was known for a time as “Victor Heights”.
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