The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1910-10-14

nous increase in population in the
southwest during the last ten years.
The northwest has also grown rapidly
In population. II one examined the re-
turns from the southwest and the
northwest without taking into account
the fact that the east has also in
creased its population within the last
ten years, he would be inclined to say
that the center of population would be
pulled a considerable distance west
ward.
A fact worth bearing In mind is that
the increases In population in the east
particularly have been in the larger
cities, and 1t is true, of course, that
there are more large cities in the
east than in the west. Another fact
that will undoubtedly have bearing
on the center of population is that
the millions Of immigrants who have
come in during the last ten years
have nearly all camped in the eastern
section Of the country.
By the census of 1900, the center of
population is in the following posi-
ton:
Latitude. 80 degrees. minutes, SO
seconds.
Longitude. IS degrees, 45 minutes.
"a seconds.
This particular spot, as is generally
known, is at point six miles south
east of Columbus, Ind, and is marked
by monument. In the ten years from
1890 to 1900, the center Of population
moved westward 16 minutes and Sec
ond, or about Ia miles, and southwark
2 minutes and 90 seconds, or about
az miles.
1t is a comparatively easy matter to
ascertain the center Of population aft
er the total count of the people Of the
country is known. This total count for
the thirteenth census will not be
known before the 1st Of October, and
possibly not before the LIST of Novem-
Der.
Center Moves Westward.
The center of population has moved
almost due westward since 1890, when
1t was at point some 2S miles east
of Baltimore. From 1890 to 1900, 1t
moved almost due west to point 18
miles west of Baltimore. In the next
ten years, from 1900 to 1910, 1t moved
westward and slightly southwark to a
point about 40 miles northwest by
west of Washington, D. G. That slight
deviation toward the south was ac-
counted for by the annexation OF the
territory of Louisiana. From 1910
to 1920, 1t took up its march westward
again, with another slight deviation
to the south, and brought up 16 miles
north of Woodstock. Va. In the ten
wears between 1890 and 1880. 1t con-
tinued to move westward until 1t halt
ed at a point about 10 miles southwest
of Moorefield, in what is now the state
Of West Virginia.
Between 1880 and 1870 there was a
slight movement nerthward and the
point" was located 16 miles south of
Clarks burg, In the present state of
West Virginia. In the next ten years,
1870 to 1850, 1t moved west and slight
ly southwark again and halted 2S
miles southeast of Parkersburg, In
what is now West Virginia. Between
1850 and 1850 there was second
slight bending toward the north, and
It reached point 30 miles south of
Chilhcothe. o.
The .sharpest turn northward was
between 1860 and 1870. when 1t reach.
ed point 4S miles east by north of
Cincinnati During the succeeding ten
years. between 1870 and 1880. 1t veered
to the south slightly again and reach
cd point eight miles west by south
of Cincinnati.
In the next ten years II moved back
70 practically the same latitude 1t oc-