River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-03-03

Just % years after this bout Win Cupu "en .t1
Washington commander-inchief OF the con1lneh'"l
armv occunied the Roger Morris mansion as headquar
ters the occupants having fed 1t was washington WIZ
formally confscated the property ana euIneu ~ o ~
the state of New York as contraDanu VI wal
The Morris estate of $4,000 acres was parceleo
out and sold by state of New York to settlers
It seems however that Roger Morris had only IRE
interest in the estate this legal poln SO me
that it was entirely overlooked in the JOY OF conhscon
John accidentally ascertained the tacts
He convinced the heirs could not be roopeo OF
their rights through the acts of leaseholder WHICH,
legally was the status of Roger Morris. Astor was
good real estate lawyer himself but he referred the point
to the best counsel he could find. They agreed with
him. hunted heirs ana DougnC tuelI quAC
claims for 100000
He then notified the parties who had purchased the
land and they in turn made claim upon the state for
protection.
After much legal parleying the tried accord
ing to stipulation with the state of New York directly
Astor and the occupants as plaintiffs
Daniel Webster and Martin Van Buren, appeared for the
state and an array Of lesser legal lights Aston The
case narrowed down to the plain and simple point
that Roger the legal of the estate
and that rightfu heirs could not be made to suffer
for the treason, contumacy and CONFIRMATION OF an
other Astor and a compromise the state issued
him 2year bonds bearing six per cent interest 1or the
neat of 100000.
Astor took deep interest in the Lewis and Clark
expedition. went to Washington to see Lewis and
questioned him at great length about the northwest
Washington Irving has told the story of Astoria at
length. 1t the one financial plunge taken by John
Jacob Aston.
And spite OF the fact that 1aled the WnOe
does credit to the prophetic brain of Aston.
"This country will chain of growing and pros
porous cities straight from New York to Astoria, Ore
gon" said this in reply to doubling questoner
He laid his plans before congress, urging line OF
army posts 40 miles apart from the western extremity
of Lake Superior to the Pacific "These forts army
posts will evolve Cities, said Astor when he called
on Thomas Jefferson, who then president OF the
United States. Jefferson interested, but non-com-
initial exhibited of the great lakes and the
country beyond. urged with prescience then not
possessed living that at the western extrem
ity of Lake Superior would grow a great city. Yet
in 1875 Duluth ridcued by the caustic tongue of
Proctor Knott asked What will become of Duluth
when the lumber crop is cut?"
Then Aston proceeded to that another great city
would grow up the southern extremity Of Lake Mich
gan Gen. Dearborn, secretary of under Jefferson
had Just established Fort Dearborn the present site
of Chicago. Astor commended this and said, From
fort you get trading post and from trading post
will get city"
He pointed out to Jefferson his map of the site
the Falls of St Anthony There you will have fort
some day. for wherever there is water power there will
grow up mills grinding grain and sawmills we'll
This place of power will have to be protected and
YOU will have post, which will eventually be
replaced by city" Yet Fort Smelling nearly so
years in the future and ST. Paul and Minneapolis
dreams undreamed
Aston your beginning of city the western coast is
great acquisition and look forward to time when
population will spread itself up and down along the