The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-11-03
Something About
Our Fine Salmon.

The following very interesting arti
Gle sent to the Astorian by Joseph w
Collins chief Of the department OF
| fisheries at the Columbian Exposition
will prove of great interest to the peo.
pie in this city:
Among the fishing states of the
Union, Oregon has for more than thir-
| ty years taken high rank, due to the
fact that it's streams are literally alive
at certain seasons, with wealth of
salmon, which gave to the inhabitants
yond computation. Columbia river salm-
on have established a reputation all
over the world where commerce reach
es. A story told by traveller in the
sandy wastes Of Egypt will illustrate:
He was plodding along on his camel
one day, when a glittering object on
the sandy plain caught his eye. 1t
excited his curiosity, and he headed
his camel for it. Arriving at the spot
he dismounted and picked up the OBJ
| ject, which proved to be a tin can, the
upper side polished by the sand drift
| ing over it, but on the lower side the
remnant of the label told the traveller
that, at some time, the can had con-
tanned Columbia River Salmon
The fame that has come to Oregon
from the excellence of her fishery pro-
ducts has been appreciated and, though
the legislature of the state has been
somewhat dilatory in providing funds,
a suitable appropriation was finally
made, and Hon. George T. Myers was
appointed president of the World S
Fair commission of the state. Mr. My
ers has been prominently connected
with the fishing industries Of Oregon,
and under his management the work
of preparing the state fishery exhibit
was pushed ahead with great energy
and determination. The display, as it
stands today, is noticeable among the
state exhibits in the fisheries building.
AS a matter of course, it illustrates the
GtlllllOn lllQlOllJ dilIOol CAOluClNCly.
Four large pyramids of salmon in cans
brilliant in gaily colored labels-rise
above a pedestal, upon which they rest,
for some nine or ten feet, while along
the base of the pedestal the name Of
the state is prominently displayed. The
piles of salmon surround four posts
that support the top of the booth, on
top of which rests miniature Column
bia river gill-Ilet salmon boat. This
model is one-half full size, is COM
pletely equipped for use, even to the
sail, and is painted bright blue, with
numerous stripes of other colors. On
the front of the pedestal stands a male
fur seal, as if placed on guard, while
near by are magnificent specimens Of
Columbia river salmon-concededly the
best that are canned-mounted and in
alcohol. Just previous to the fatal fire
in the cold storage building at the Fair,
the Oregon commission sent on several
specimens of salmon frozen in solid
blocks of ice-an exhibit that attracted
marked attention, and one that was
never seen before, l believe, at an ex-
position. One of these fish weighed 50
pounds, and the others ranged from
70 to rs pounds-sizes that are seldom
attained, even by Pacific salmon.
On the screens that flank the exhibit
is painting of Astoria, which has
been built out over the river near the
mouth of the Columbia, and owes its
existence exclusively to the salmon in
dustry. There is also a collection Of
fine photographs, illustrating nearly
every phase of the fisheries of the
state. These are supplemented by salm-
on gill-nets draped here and there,
and various other devices used in the
capture of fish, including models Of
fish wheels, etc. Although not exactly
germane to the fisheries mention should
not be omitted of the finely mounted
groups of pheasants and other land
birds that serve to decorate the space.
In addition to the display that has
been described, Oregon has a large col
lection of canned salmon on the gallery,
shown in cases, and towers Of cans.
Altogether, the state has been active
in placing before the eyes of the mil
lions who visit the Fair, such an illus
thation of it's piscatorial resources and
industries as will make a lasting inn
preston upon all who consider the ques
ton of food supplies, and the relation
of our fisheries to the welfare of the
people"
All persons having claims against
the Young Mems Christian Association