Governor Releases Man Upon His Word As Security

The following article was published in an out of state newspaper on January 19, 1912.

"Honor bound to return to serve out his life sentence as soon as he had earned money to pay off a debt owed his father-in-law, William Mack is back in the penitentiary after an absence of six months.

Mack is serving a sentence for the slaying of George Carter at Grants Pass.  In order that he might have money enough to defend himself at the trial his father-in-law mortgaged his home.  Governor West learned that Mack's family was in destitute circumstances after his conviction.  Bidding the prisoner to go out and earn enough to pay off the mortgage and provide for his family.  West released Mack with the man's word of honor as security."

I wasn't able to find out what happened to William Mack or his family, or the family of the slain George Carter, but Governor Oswald West's actions are still felt in Oregon today.

 Oswald West was Oregon's 14th Governor; he served from January 11, 1911 until January 12, 1915.  He was responsible for establishing our beach highway law, which keeps the beaches undeveloped and allows motor vehicles to drive the beaches between low and high tides.  This law remains in effect today.  He is also considered responsible for establishing Oregon's highway system.

He worked hard to preserve our natural resources, and during his one term as governor, the Fish and Game commission and the Bureau of Forestry were created. 

Now that I know where Oswald West State Park got its name, I can stop looking for Oswald East State Park.