The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-06-16

lumbia river, so much so that large
number of the people were engaged in
catching and canning it for export,
but through some short sighted policy
this fish was exterminated, and is now
extinct. Up to 1902 or 1903 fish
said to resemble the Columbia river
salmon, used to be caught in the coast
states OF what was formerly the terri
tory of Alaska, but that, too, has be-
come extinct.
The fishing business is, however, no
inconsiderable factor in business
here. Last year 1 am told 176 vessels
arrived here from the various north
Pacific fishing stations bringing ], ,257,-
356 lbs. of fish, which by the stearic
process is preserved and shipped
to all parts of the So states of the Un-
ion. The seal catch is also consider
able. The manufacture Of the seal
skins of commerce, which was trans
ferred from London to Astoria about
ten years ago brought about 1000
skilled workmen here, it being mani
fest that the proximity Of this city to
the source of supply gave it material
advantage in the preparation of this
costly material, which still holds high
favor in the marts of fashion all over
the world.
This afternoon 1 walked down
Central avenue and noticed over the
doors of massive business houses the
names of many former Astorians,
whose sons continue in the business
their fathers started.
The Astorians who lived here in
the eighties and nineties of the last
century deserve credit. They we're
impeded by many obstacles and had
an uphill fight, but their perseverance
has borne fruit. How well 1 remem-
Der their efforts in 1889 in building
their first railroad and the discour-
agements that they finally sur
mounted. They deserve honorable
remembrance and could many of
them see the proud city now teeming
with busy life they would feel that
their labors and efforts were not in
vain and that of surety their works
live after them.
I have written at greater length
than I intended, and must close 1
wish 1 had time to tell you OF the
great factory on the ancient site of
Ft. Clatsop, where 1,200 employees
manufacture the finest wares from the
immense deposits Of kaolin discovered
there some years ago; Of the immense
steel works that utilize the iron ores of
the upper Nehalem; of the paper
mills, the beet sugar factories: the
rows Of Touring mills: the cooper
atiye manufacturers union: hundred
other enterprises: and the busy
throngs that increasingly fill the
thoroughfares, but I must defer
further comment.
Much that have seen surprises me,
and all of it pleases me, and in a fu-
ture letter 1 may tell you further of
the life I SEQ here.
This twentieth century is progress
i've one, and by the end of its first
quarter We expect to see this slow bal
loon service which now often delays
travellers from the English Republic,
consuming three days from London
to Astoria, via st. Petersburg, short
ened to 48 hours; understand COM
pany is also forming here to compete
with the Arctic & Antarctic Telegraph
company, which extort the sum of
eighteen cents for a message from
Cooks Inlet to south Patagonia,
when every one knows the business of
the company would justify decrease
Of 80 per cent in the charges.
As OF old,
Your Friend,
ELIZABETH LESLIE ASHTON.