, 1923-05-10

municipal rebuilding.
Here's a text on which a volume could be writ
ten. Astoria's history from 1911 to 1928 is a cross
section of American life during the century in which
we marched across the continent. Astoria brought
into being the "Oregon Country and the oregon
Trail. The Oregon Country" was in part re-
sponsible for the Monroe Doctrine. Through the
AStors we get a glimpse of the half century OF the
rise and fall of the American fur trade beginning
with the Lewis and Clark expedition; also Of
America as a land Of promise for the evolution of
II family beginning with a German peasant lmml-
grant and now the largest land owner In New
York city and holding n British title. And finally
the evolution of Astoria from a fnr-lung wilder
ness trading post to n thriving little city OF 10000
is financially typical Of nearly every frontier city
of the West since the Louisiana Purchase.
When Astoria's blockhouse and stockade were
built In 1911 the United States consisted of the
13 original states and Vermont, Kentucky. Ten
nessee and Ohio. The western boundary was the
Rocky Mountains. Texas and the Southwest were
Spanish. The Pacific Northwest was Russian. Brit
ish and Americana No-Man's Land.
Here Is a chronology that Is helpful:
lSn-Drake takes possession of coast In the name OF
England.
Russian explorer. sent out by Peter the Great.
r7eo-Russian fur traders begin extensive operations
i7ss.settlement at San Diego by spanlards, first OF
is-Cook confirms English title TO Oregon Terri
tory"
lD2-capt. Robert Gray of Boston enters mouth Of
Columbia and names river after his ship.
ls03-Louisiana purchase from France.
ls5-G-Lewis and Clark winter at mouth OF Columbia.
lsll-Astoria founded by Pacific Fur company.
1sl2-War with Great Britain.
lhS-Astoria sold to North West Fur company
Brltish).
Bay company Rritish) absorbs North
West Fur company.
1s1S-Country left open by agreement between tTnited
States and Great Britain to fur traders OF both nations
SSs-Promulgation OF Monroe Doctrine, referring in
part to respective rights of Americans, British and
Russians on northwest Pacific coast.
is29-Ftrst agricultural settlement at Astoria.
1S2-Methodist mission founded In Willamette valley
l36-Presbyterian mission founded by Marcus Whit
man at WaiiRtpu.
iS+0-LRrge immigration to Oregon over Oregon trail
ls4s-Ft Bridger. first 'reLt house for oregon i'm
migrants.
istG-"oregon question settled by fixing International
border line on forty ninth parallel from Rocky noun
tains to Fuca strait
lS4s-oregon made a territory.
1S59-Oregon admitted to Union.
John jacob Astor. the first C763- 1s4S). trudeeJ
from Waldorf to London With the traditional
bundle and stick and arrived in New York I'm l7S3
with a few musical instruments. He sold these
and engaged In the fur business. He made much
money and invested II In New York real estate.
He got out Of the fur business in short order the
minute the discovery of the process OF making silk
hats spelled the doom OF the beaver" Here Is
the Aston succession; John Jacob Astor II QTSs-
1890 John Jacob Astor III OS22-1So0) William
Waldorf Astor Us4s-l010) william Waldorf As.
tor US70-). The first william Waldorf Aston
was born In New York, was graduated from Column
bn and In 1890 succeeded his father as the head
OF the family, with n personal fortune of more
than SlO0.000.000. lie served In the New York leg
isiaturo 1ST1-S1. He was minister to Italy 1S9o-A