On Tuesday, April 19th [1881], at 9 o’clock, General Joseph Lane quietly breathed his last, and the spirit of one of Oregon’s greatest men took its flight. For nearly half a century, General Lane has been closely identified with the interest of our State, and his name and public acts were familiar to all its inhabitants. Probably no man has done more for the welfare of the State or more enjoyed the respect and esteem of its people then he, and the news of his death was received with universal sorrow. Ever forward in his country’s service, General Lane distinguished himself in the Mexican war and in the many Indian wars on the frontier, and carried to his grave the scars received in many a hard-fought battle. He was Oregon’s first Governor and first Representative in Congress before it became a State, and was first chosen to represent it in the U.S. Senate after the State was admitted into the Union. General Lane was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina, Dec. 14, 1801, and at the time of his death nearly eighty years of age. He came to Oregon in the spring of 1849, and has been a resident of the State ever since. His funeral took place at Roseburg yesterday and was largely attended. He had shortly before his death renounced the Catholic faith and was buried by the Masonic fraternity, General J.W. Nesmith delivering the funeral oration.” Oregon State Journal (Eugene), Apr 23, 1881, pg. 5, col. 2.
