Charles William Mallett
Oct. 25, 1921; Oregonian, p 6  (photo)
"Malheur Pioneer is Dead"

   Charles William Mallett of Ontario, 76 years old, pioneer of Malheur county and one of the leading figures in the development of irrigation in eastern Oregon, died yesterday in Portland following a general breakdown.

   Mr. Mallett was born in Lee, Me.  After an early life of adventure as a sailor, he came to California in the 60's.  He moved to Ontario in 1883 and took up a homestead in the Malheur valley between Ontario and Vale.

   With a view to the ultimate possibilities of the valley Mr. Mallett organized the Nevada Ditch Company, the first irrigation project in the county.  In the development of his own land holdings Mr. Mallett undertook the first sub-drainage system on irrigated lands in Oregon.

   Mr. Mallett, with Will R. King of the reclamation service and C.E.S. Wood, recognized the need of government aid in the development of Malheur arid lands.  He was one of the leading figures in the fight for government aid in the Warm Springs irrigation project.  During the winter of 1916, he and Colonel Wood made a special trip to Washington and succeeded in winning government recognition and a promise of aid for their project, but the ground gained was lost later.

   Mr. Mallett was recognized as an authority in practical irrigation work. During the development of the arid districts in the northwest, he had always been a delegate and speaker in the irrigation congress meetings.

   In private life Mr. Mallett was a striking figure.  Bearded, stalwart of frame, even in his advanced years he had a great deal of physical vigor and energy.  During the last harvest season Mr. Mallett took his regular place in the fields and worked from dawn till dark.  He had 800 acres of land in his ranch and farm holdings and with the aid of his sons did most of the work.

   Mr. Mallett is survived by his widow and nine children, four boys and five girls.  A fifth boy died from the effects of influenza, contracted while in the army during the war.

   Mr. Mallett's body will be shipped to Ontario today and funeral services will be held later in the week under the direction of the Acacia Masonic lodge of Ontario.

   Mr. Mallett was well known throughout the entire state.  His closest associates were:  Colonel Wood, the late Phil Metschan Sr., Will R. King and William Hanley, W. J. Cuddy, editor of the Weekly Oregonian, is a friend of long standing.

   Following are the member of his family:  The widow, Mrs. Mary W. Mallett; four boys, Albert, Howard, Harold and Stanley Mallett, all of Ontario, and five girls, Pansy Mallett of Ontario, Alice Mallett, Jackson, Mich.; Isabelle Mallett, Fall City, Wash.; Mrs. Paul Campbell, Falls City, or., and Mary Mallett, Ontario.