Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-08-03

In July of 1925 a group of dis
tinguiShed Americans, including
historians, authors, painters and
men and women prominent In the
greater channels of public life,
under the leadership of Great
Northern railroad officials, fol-
lowed the Lewis and Clark trail TO
the upper Missouri river country.
At that time such points as the
site of Fort Union, the site of the
battle of the Bears Paw, the upper
Marias river and Marias pass were
visited The program along the
route Of the expedition included
appropriate and picturesque cere-
monies and the dedication of mark
ers, the more important Of which
were the Lewis monument at Meri-
wether, Mont, and a statue Of
| John F. Stevens at Marias pass.
| Many of the same distinguished his
| torians, writer's and national leaders
who participated In the upper Missouri
river expedition were IN attendance
upon the tour of 1926 which led on
over the great Rocky mountain divide,
down the valley of the Columbia river
and to Trails End, at Seaside, Ore.
1t was vastly different trek-the
1925 Columbia river historical expedi-
tion-than that which eliminated when
across the roaring breakers, pleased
at the success of their enterprise
Of the greatest achievements Of all
times.
Capt. James Cook
1t was Capt. James Cook, the British
navigator, diScOverer of the Hawaiian
islands, who was indirectly responsible
for the discovery Of the Columbia river
by the American seaman, Captain
Gray. Cook also influenced the organi-
cation Of the Lewis and Clark expedi-
were the two important historical hap
penings which helped materially to
extend the sovereignty of the United
States over the rich Oregon country. |
Captain Cook sailed out from Eng |
band In 1776, his purpose being to seek
the northwest passage, the mythical
waterway that maritime men of those |
days were convinced existed. His in
structionS we're to land on the coast
Of New Albion, the ancient name for
Oregon. 1t was In March, 1778, that |
ne first observed the mountains of !
Oregon. Further north he sailed by the |
strait Of Juan de Fuca where he wrote
In his log his opinion that the story
Of the strait was myth. In Nootwa
sound he took on many furs. Then,
sailing on, he sighted Mount Elias, and
Asia from America He was forced to
turn back on account of heavy ice foes,
and his course took him to the Hawaii
an Islands, where a few months later,
he met death at the hands Of the ma
tives Of the islands.
In the spring of the following year,
ITO, his two ships In an attempt to
complete the task that had been as
signed their dead pilot, sailed north
csetdN a
this return voyage stop was made at
Nootka where cargoes Of valuable furs
were procured for practically nothing
Skins worth over 500, 1t has been
said, were secured for 10 cents each In
goods. The ships then sailed 30 Canton,
where the furs were exchanged for
valuable silks, which were marketed in
at a handsome profit.
LuckIess John Ledyard
In this famous cruise of Cook and
his successors was petty officer
named John Ledyard, New England
n Of some education. He was In Eng ]
and when the expedition was being or
yanized and went along wholly In the |
spirit of adventure. The potential fur |
,rade wealth Of the Pacific coast inn I
pressed him very much. During the !
:ruiSe he kept an accurate diary, but
his, being the best record OF the me-
4lOIcNAC NOydHC1 was tcACA AAOAAA AAAA
~ British naval officers on his dis {
.harge In England.
Ledyard then returned to Boston.
Still imbued with enthusiasm over the '
Of the coast trade, he en- 8
Ieavored to raise money to equip a 8
hip to engage In this Oregon fur 8
raffic. He wrote a pamphlet from
memory, and canvassed the financial 8
nen Of his home city. While the fl 9
lanciers were interested In his story r
( easy wealth to be made, they de- q
lined 30 embark on his adventure. The 4
arrative he told did, however, make Y
n impression and 1t bore fruits some {
ew years later. Il
Development Of the Chinese silk a
rade, In which many Boston merchants c
Tere interested, coupled with stories v
Did by seamen coming TO Boston port, q
ventuaIly stimulated interest in these
lregon possibilities and In 1851 q COM
any composed Of Boston merchants, q
eaded by j. Darrell, one Of the men o
! wh0xn TAxfwmrd had told his story "