The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-12
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AN OLD TUNE HosTELRY.
The Ups and Downs of the Historic
UmatlIia House


The Ups and Downs of the Historic
Umatllia House.
The Dalles Tlmes-Mountaineer says:
"Thirty-two years ago today, Col: Sin
mott took charge of the Umatiila House
which he has owned and managed ever
since. The colonel came down from the
mines and stopping at the old hotel, COM
planned to the proprietor, Mr.. Newman,
that the bed-bugs had driven him out of
his room and that he had taken his
blankets and Sept in the hail to get
away from them. Mr.. Newman listened
patiently to the tale of woe and when
1t was concluded remarked: 'if you
think you can run this house any better
than 1 am doing you had better take
It," "All right" said the colonel, what
are your terms?" An offer being made
that the colonel thought reasonable, he
accepted 1t and although he had but $40,
he Closed the bargain and took possess
sion. In company with his brother he
had year or two before managed the
old Columbia hotel at Portland, but
which had been closed on account of the
property becoming too valuable to be
used for the purpose and other buildings
being about to be erected on it. The col
shipped up, taking the late Major Hand
ley into partnership with him. The hotel
under the new management soon took
the lead and became the headquarters
for the merchants and miners who in
those days comprised the travelling pub
lie. May 2l, 1879, while a new building
was being constructed and while nearly
completed the buildings both Old and new
were destroyed by fire, and nearly every
thing the firm owned was destroyed. The
embers had hardly cooled, however be-
fore the plans for the present building
were being prepared, and the wreck be-
ing cleared away for the present build
ing. Today it is the best known hotel in
the state, and could it speak, what
history of the northwest 1t could give.
Beneath its hospitab,e room many a
man who now boasts a long bank ac-
count found shelter when wealth was
yet but a hope At its table many
hungry man was fed whose pockets
were empty. and whose ability to pay
was measured only by promises. Inside
of its door the immortal Grant found
shelter while yet a lieutenant, and years
after when he had twice been honored
with the highest position within the gift
of the people, he stood within its portal
to grasp the hands of our citizens who
gathered to welcome him. There Presi-
dent Hayes, and later President Har-
rlson were greeted by our peop,e, ana
there the immortal Bakers voice was
heard. Dr. Mclaughlin, Nesmith De-
lazon Smith, Oregon pioneers, and Ore
CONS brightest inte.lects, were its fire.
quent guests. To-day 1t is still Almost
ike home to most OF our people. few
years ago, death severed the partnership
that had existed for a quarter of a CEN
tury and took the generous and tender
hearted Major Handley Since that time
Mr.. j. S. Fish has become a partner in
the business, adding to the prestige OF
the hote, by his genial disposition ana
excellent management, but the coionei
is stil in the harness, an active, Wig
orous man, despite his silvery hairs
and one who after S2 years of active
business, in which he has met almost
every man in the northwest, commands
the respect and friendship of all VINO
know him May Fate and Time dea!
kindly with him and may he retain his
health to celebrate the golden anniver-
sary in 1913, and may we be there 10
write 1t up"