The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-07-16


done themselves proud on this occa-
sion by celebrating the raising of the
first flag and the preaching OF the
first Protestant sermon west OF the
Rocky mountains.
History OF the Pacific Northwest
Hidden behind a long line of
years of wondrous development, the
Pacific Northwest has history, un-
equalled In adventure for the early
discoverer and unsurpassed in tri-
umph for the United States. No ter
ritory within the borders of our great
country has been occupied and claim
ed by SO many different nations at
one time, and none can point with
more pride to sacrifices made by pio-
neers to save 1t as American soil.
None has been more buffeted about
by varying fortunes, and none has UNI
dergone more changes in area and
government. Perils Of long journeys
through desert wilderness and cruel
wars with the savage redmen were
endured that we might possess, as we
do now, this vast inheritance.
I'm 1887, two sailing vessels were
fitted out at Boston for the purpose
OF exploring the Pacific northwest and
trading with the Indians. One Of
them, the Columbia, was commanded
by, Captain John Hendrick, and the
other, the Lady Washington, by Cap
tain Robert Gray. Almost a year la
ter they arrived, and after a year
filled with thrilling adventure re-
turned to Boston. They came again
in 1871, and this time Captain Gray
discovered the place where some
large stream emptied into the ocean
from the interior country, and sue
ceeded in sailing his ship across the
bar and up the great river which he
named the Columbia, after his vessel.
Such are the beginnings Of history.
I'm 1905, the renowned Lewis ana
Clark expedition was undertaken, and
trudging overland, arrived at and
spent the following winter near the
mouth of this great Columbia river.
Six years after the John Jacob Astor
company invaded the territory with
it's fur traders. Between these years
the British Canadians began to grad
ually come into the country, and in
1914 England threatened to send a
war vessel to the Columbia compel
ling Astor's men to flee.
1.-THE United States during an in
terval of five years made no deter
mined effort to hold what she consid-
cred her northwest possessions. She
had been weakened by war and was
worried by more pressing troubles.
p,1t IN, OF hnr al iy,,x e,t,, nth
ened by treaty in which Spain relin-
pushed everything west of the Rocky
mountains and north of the forty
second parallel to her A few years +,
later the Hudson Bay company
reached out to include the Oregon
territory, as it came to be known,
and the grip Of Great Britain tighten
ed, although DR.. John Mclaughlin,
the company's manager, governed the
country with equal justice to both the
English and Americans.
Captain Nathaniel Wyeth first
came to the great northwest in 1882.
He drove overland and was to have
been met by a ship which never ar
rived. Two years later he made an
other trip, and 1T was on this notable
journey that he was accompanied by
the Rev. Jason Lee. Another charac-
ter of this period who is worthy of
is Captain B. L. E. Bonne-
Vile, who did much exploring and
who is responsible for practically all
Of the maps of the country possessed
by the American government at that
time.
"Mho does not know of the Rev.
Marcus Whitman and of his compan-
lion, the Rev H. H. Spaulding, those
,wo Presbyterian missionaries who
came across the plains with their
wives in 1886? Who does not, know
If the famous ride of Marcus Whit
nan to Washington and of his fam
Jus appeal to the government for
more soldiers and settlers? 1t is un-
necessary for me to tell you of the
inal sacrifice which he and his wife
made with blood upon the altar of the
great northwest.
"The United States, by treaty, Sc
cured title from three different ma
ions to this vast territory, but even
hen, congress, for some reason, seem
ID to care but little for the country or
is people who had braved innumer-
lble dangers. For while chaos ex-
sted. Congress gave no protection,
Tor organization and no laws; did
toward extinguishing the
title of the aborigines to any part of
he land, but left these few brave
'ioneers to protect themselves as best
hey could against an overwhelming
lumber of Indians. Not until sew
raj months after the massacre of DR..
Whitman did congress pass an act
rganizing the territory. This was
n 1848. Five years later the terri
Dry of Oregon was divided and that@
t Washington created. Not until
iarch 3, 1868, was Idaho brought in
Q being as territory, and she was
hen may times her parent size. Not
My was she given part of Wash
ngton but she included what is now
II OF Montana and part of Wyom-
lg, then boundless waste. First
ne piece and then another was taken
way from her, and in her present
orm she was admitted into the Union
$ state July-30, 1890.
Idaho
Idaho has accomplished more dur
lg it's years of existence than any
Their state in the Union. In all our
q ~ oA1 - 4. L.