, 1879-07-31


Rocky Mountains with the first party OF
thirty-four men who came over after
Lewis and Clark. There is something
wrong about the statement, rs it don't
"hold water" when compared with facts.
Let us see. Lewis and Clark crossed over
in 1905, returning in 1906, and taking
with them noted chief Of the Mandau
tribe of Indians. In the following spring
lSO7J company OF soldiers was ordered
to accompany the chief back to his home.
They left st. Louis, MO- in barge, go
ing up the Missouri river. Mr.. William
Weir grandfather of the editor of this pa
per- and famous hunter in the Missouri
valley, took about thirty other hunters
and accompanied the soldiers with their
charge. The hunters had al outfit for
trapping, and .keeli boat. Before the
company arrived at the Mandau village
they were attacked by tribe of hostile
Indians. The soldiers fed down the river;
the hunters, after making spirited fight,
in which they lost seven Of their number
and had several more wounded. also re-
treated down the river. The whole party
returned without accomplishing their de-
sired object. The Missouri Fur Company
was shortly after organized, and, IN the
spring of 1908, they employed about 300
men principally FRENCH and sent them
out to hunt and trap on the Missouri and
its tributaries. Mr.. Wier and about 40
other Americans went out ''on their own
hook. and, in 1909, Weir and nine Others
crossed over the Rocky Mountains, struck
the head waters OF the Columbia River.
and followed them down, hunting and
trapping on their way. They spent the
following winter just above the Cascade
or Coast Range mountains. The same
winter another small party OF Missouri
hunters remained near the mouth of the
Columbia river. The whole party hunted
and trapped until the spring of 1910 when
they returned home by the route they
came. This, theh, was the first party that
came across after Lewis and Clark. The
Statesman says ex-Guv. Gale is now
seventy-six years old; so he must have
been born in 1903. and could have been
but six years old when the above de.
scribed party crossed. It may not be ont
of place to add that an old Missonriar re-
marked: "Weir often spoke OF the big
fir trees, the fine soil, climate, resources.
mountain scenery, &C., OF the great nntle-
veloped country out west; he thought it
would one day Out-rlval the world in beau
ty and value"
The HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF JEFFERSON
Co. "A meeting ofthis society was held last
evening when permanent organization
was effected. The Constitution and by
laws having been reported, were adopted.
Regular officers for the ensuing term were
elected as follows: President, ID. W.
Smith; Vice-P President. James Seavey;
Secretary, E. II. NicoIl Treasurer, G.
II. Haller; Historian. J. A. Kuhn. 1t Is
proposed to hold meetings of the society
on the last Tuesday Of each month. A
series Of questions has been prepared
which will be sent 10 the older residents
of the county, asking for items of interest
In regard to its early settlement, and any
information which may relate to the pro-
gress and developement OF this region.
1t will, 10 doubt. be seen that if our citi-
zens can be brought to take All interest in
these matters and thus second the efforts
of the Historical society, u vast amount of
information can be collected, which, to
say nothing Of its present interest, will, IL
future years, be of great historical value.
THOSE stupid fellows who make geo.
graphies will now have to correct their
work and represent Port Townsend rs be-
ing but sixty miles from the ocean, IN
stead OF abont 100, Ms heretofore supposed.
We are gratitied TO call the attention Of
all to this matter. now that local para
grapher, whose descriptive ability (?) bitls
fair to make him famous, has finally
made 1t clear and set all doubts at rest by
positive statement.
A telegram from Sydney states that The
bark Columbia from Melbourne to Bur-
rards Inlet, had put into that port on the
18th inst; with her Captain dead. The
bark belongs to George Howes & Co., of
this port. Capt. johnson was a young