The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-12-06
FROM MAINE TO OREGON.
Early Days Travelling From Coast to Coast.

In connection with the completion
of a through line of railroad from
New York to Portland, the Sun and
OregOniG91 have published some very
interesting facts in the early history
of Oregon and the means of commun-
ication between the Atlantic and Pa
cific coast.
The claim that now for the first
time they have continuous road from
New York to Portland, reminds me
that as early as 1874 there was contin-
uous road from Main to Oregon, over
which trains passed from ocean to
ocean. In those days all roads west
of the Missouri were trails. We then
had the Sante Fe trail made by those
trading with New Mexico, the Lara
mie trail leading to Green river,
where traders, trappers and Indians
held annual fairs for trade in goods
and furs, and the Oregon trail, blazed
by John Astor's expedition to Astoria
and followed by the early emigrants
to Oregon.
But the trains on that trail were
"bull-trains" and the cars were prairie
schooners."
I well remember one through train
starting on this Oregon trail from
Brunswick, Maine, in 1874 or 1S45, 1
am not certain which. The engineer,
conductor and brakeman was r. S.
Thurston, a classmate just graduated
at Boudoin college. There was but
one car in the train which served for
baggage car, dining car and sleeper,
and that was an OK wagon. The pas
sengers were Mrs. Thurston and fam
lily. They went through to Oregon
without change of cars.
Mr. Thurston was an active, ambi-
tious Democrat, and left his Yankee
friend with the assurance he would be
in congress ora worse place in two
years.
About two years after there were
no telegraphs then, no overland ex-
press even, the usual route to Astoria
was by Cape Horns-Mr. Thurston
left Brunswick, some of his friends
met in the postoffice, and while wait
ing for the opening mail, mutual in
quiries were made whether any news
had been heard from the hopeful
Democratic emigrant. One related
his parting boast and added: $50 we
must soon hear from him in congress
or prepare to mourn his sad fate"
But before they parted a letter was
opened announcing his election as
delegate to congress from Oregon.
The statement made by the San
that the Pacific Fur company" sent
its goods to Astoria by way of Cape
Horn reminds me OF another fact con-
nected with Mr.. Thurston's career.
1t will be remembered he died while
member of congress. His per diem
and mileage. then reckoned around
Cape Horn, gave his widow a snug
little fortune for those times.
Thurston went to Oregon by. the
first through train from ocean to
ocean, and he was the first represen-
tative admitted to seat in congress
from the Pacific coast, the first self
riser" who ever attained TO congress
sional honors. Only think of going
to congress from Oregon by Cape
Horn, or by an OK train, or of wait
ing six months for congressional
news, or to learn whether hard cider
had elected
"Old Tippecanoe
And Tyler too"
&. G. SICdlIOU, in Spokane F'GH Us
Chronicle.
Ii you have catarrh, you are ia dan
ger. as the disease is liable to become
chronic and affect your general health,
or develop into consumption. Hoods