Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1896-04-10


every adverse claim, and at the same
time expand and develop the country,
and the commercial and political pres
tige and power OF the nation.
Irving, in his Astoria summarizes
the plans and expectations of Astor in
these words: He considered his pro-
jected establishment at the mouth OF
the Columbia as the emporium to an
immense commerce.; as colony that
would form the germ of wide civiliza-
ton; tfatS--sould, in fact. carry the Am-
erfcan population across the Rocky
mountains, and spread it along the
shores OF the Pacific, as Ii already anil
mated the shores of the Atlantic
IL was prompted by such impulses,
and with an aim to such results, that
the town of Astoria was established by
Astor in 1911
LEADERS CT NOBLE CHARACTER.
Though 1t can not be maintained that
every individual of this advance guard
OF American civilization was imbued
with the lofty philanthropic motives of
their principal, and though the main
body of the expedition was made up of
the usual daredevil violator of every
prohibition of the decalogue who seems
to be the chosen instrument of Provi-
dence in clearing pathways for better
men, yet true 1t Is that among the lead
ers of both companies of the adyentur-
ers were men of noble and infiexible
character and high social and scientific
position
The land party. the first white men
to explore large portion of this inland
empire and to navigate the upper wat
ers OF Snake river, travelled under the
command of Wilson Price Hunt. who
was Mr.. Astors appointed agent and
FACTOR to the colony and man. well
worthy and qualified for the many sid
ed responsibilities of the position.
one of the other partners in the en-
terprise, Donald Mckenzie. also ac-
companied these inland voyagers. He
had been 10 years in the service of the
northwest company, had the rugged
Scotch physique and character, and
knew the Indian and his country. hab-
its and character in every detail. and
was past maGter in the art of trad
ing with him,
Two scientists, Mr.. Nuttall, botan-
list of some celebrity, and Mr. Bradbury.
who was intent upon geological re-
search, also joined and accompanied
the expedition.
THE START FROM ST. LOUIS. 1910.
After much delay in the hereulean
task of prepar ring canoes, purchasing
necessary provisions for the Journey,
and cargo of goods for the incidental
Indian trade, and the still more tedious
and delicate task of recruiting the re-
quisite number of clerks, hunters, trap
pers. boatmcn. guides, Interpreters and
what not--a work requiring infinite
foresight and incredible travelling and
much clever n.anipula ton and election
eering against the opposition of rival
traders-the expedition finally made its
formal start from st. Louis on the 21st
of October, 1919. and proceeded UP the
Missouri 456 miles, where they went
into quarters for the winter and where
they were Joined by Robert Mcclellan,
remarkable and invincible character,
who joined as partner and became in
valuable to his associates, and also by
the famous hunter, John Day, the
handsome white Indian" from Vir-
ginia, afterward godfather to the
John Day river.
Mr.. Hunt returned to St. Louis from
this point and procured additional
hunters and plainsmen, and also Sc
cured the services of an autocratic half
breed Sioux, the accomplished and only
Pierre Dorion, who was fully sensible
to his own value as interpreter to the
white men through the country of his
maternal tribe, and who stipulated for
the transportation of his squaw and
pappooses along with the expedition.
So this mission, like that of Lewis
and Clarke, enjoyed the benediction of
feminine society, though this lady prov
ed a virago, intimidating and deserving
her lord, upc., occasion, and making
that naughty brave laughing stock
to his white fellow-travellers.
In April the company, now numbering
about so persons, broke camp and start
ed gaily UP the Missouri in four large
boats on the next stage of their jour
ney to the mouth of the Columbia.