Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-21

was the eon or farmer ana was porn at
Holland, VT, In 1895. In his early life he
taught school during the winter months
and worked on his fathers farm in the sum-
mer. During his entire life he was a great
reader and buyer of books, and for twenty
four years gave quarters rent free to the
public library in one Of the best business
locations in the city. From the farm he
went to freight house of the Concord and
Montreal railroad in Boston, and in 1851,
the year of the arrival of his colleague he
reached Portland and opened small store.
A few years later he started a private bank
which became one Of the most powerful in
situations on the Pacific coast and is still
conducted by his family Its interests ex-
tend from the Canadian to the Mexican
boundary in every state west of the Rocky
mountains. Mr.. Ladd died in 1893
Other Notable Men.
To these four men, as 1 have said, more
than to any others the wealth and pros
perity of Portland is due, but many others
co-operated with them and followed their
leadership.
The present mayor of Portland George H.
Williams was Attorney General during the
second term of General Grant as President,
and served six years in the United States
Senate Although eighty-two years of age,
he is still vigorous in body and mind and
has the satisfaction of looking back upon a
career of unusual usefulness.
The late Senator Dolph was for many
years the leader of the bar in this section
and his family still reside here His prac-
tfce has been inherited by his sons and SON
in-law, Richard Nixon.
Senator John H. Mitchell who has been
prominent In public life for forty years,
lives at Portland, and has seen the city
develop from village of sawmills to it's
present wealth and influence.
There is now about $4,000 population,
which is increasing at the rate of 10 per
cent year, while the volume of trade and
g. nd mo- "a
Lumber wheat and -four are the three grea t
staples, and constitute the principal exports
that find their way to the sea through the
Columbia river. Portland has steamship
lines to Europe and ASIA and ships enor-
nous quantities of wheat and -four by sail
Ing vessels to the eastern states. Last year
the shipments of wheat amounted to nearly
100000 bushels.
The Commercial Club.
The Commercial Club is now the exponent
of the spirit of the people and the leader
of all movements of progress in the state.
Since its organization twelve years ago 1t
has been the center of interest and activity
and the meeting place of the business men
of Oregon. 1t is social as well as a pro-
motion enterprise. 1t occupies the top floor
of the chamber of commerce building, the
largest office block in the city, and has din
ing room and cafe, drawing rooms, reading
rooms. libraries, card and billiard rooms. a
bowling alley and all of the conventional
features of a social club The admission
fee is only SO and the dues are limited to
s.. 80 month that every business man
in the city, however humble his means, may
become a member and assist in the EFFORTS
of the organization to promote the public
welfare.
All public movements are developed under
the shelter of this club, and it maintains
permanent bureau of information and ad-
vertiSing under the direction of Tom Rich-
a r6S W
gagged in promoting public enterprises in
different parts of the country. He was
brought to Portland from New Orleans be-
cause the board of directors recognized his
genius for this particular phase of public
work. 1t is his duty to make the advan-
tages of the state of Oregon, and the city
of Portland in particular known 10 every
reading and thinking man in the world
His plans and methods of work are unique
and original. The expenses are paid from
a special fund contributed by members OF
the club. He has enlisted the school chill
dren of Oregon in the work of building up
the state and Is uniting and securing the
cooperation of all industrial, commercial
and social interests in what Is called the
Oregon Development League which recent
ly held its first meeting in this city. Many
novel schemes have been devised by Mr.
Richardson to stimulate state pride and
patriotism The Commercial Club has re-
Gently offered $3.50 in money and a gold
medal for the best story of Oregon for pub
LEGATION In papers outside of the state.
The club unites with similar organiZa-
tons in the Pacific states in securing con-
ventions and other public gatherings for
this part of the country, and co-operates
with the transmississippi congress, the Ma
tional Irrigation Association and other or
CARNATIONS of like nature throughout the
country.
Beauty of the City.
Portland is called the Rose City" and
YOU would Immediately detect the reason
if YOU would. take a ride around the resi-
dence section where the dooryards and
lawns and gardens are filled with roses the
wear around There is a noble city hail.
MANY fine business streets and park that
is literally set up end. The steep slopes
of one of the wooded mountains that sur
round Portland have been laid out with
serpentfne drives and walks and connected
with a boulevard which runs along the
river side upon the bottom land.
Olmstead brothers of Boston have devised
a magnificent park system Tor Portland,
more unique than any other in the country
because it utilizes the wild and rugged
grandeur of mountain canyons and ancient
forests full of trees that are centuries old
1T will cost a large sum OF money TO carry
out their bold designs. but the citizens or
Portland have the means and the enter
prise, and it is almost certain that the
scheme will be carried through. The pres
ent park although of comparatively limited
area gives a faint idea of what the great
park will be when the entire slope of the
Cascade range within fifteen miles of Port
land will be added to the system.
From the present park may be seen one
of the grandest landscapes in the world,
stretching eastward for forty miles and in
GLIDING among its features the Columbia
and Willamette rivers and the four most
beautiful mountain peaks in the United
States, which stand detached from each
other. each with its own individuality
Mount Rainier Cor Tacoma, as it is often
called. Mount Hood, Mount st. Helens and
the sublime Shasta.