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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 1889)
WEST SIIORK. SUTTER'S FORT. ON the last page is given a view of Sutter's Fort as it appeared at tho time of the gold discovery in 1848 and another of the ruins of the main build ing as it exists to-day. Tho movement now on foot to purchase the property and restore it ns nearly as possible to its former condition, as shown in the en graving, dedicating the grounds for a public park, ren ders these engravings of peculiar interest. In its issue of November 9, West Shohe gave a portrait of dipt. John A. Sutter, in connection with an article on tho gold discovery made at Coloma in 18 IS, and there re lated the circumstances of the founding of Sutter's Fort. On the twelfth of August, 183!), Capt. John A. Sut ter, with a party of bix white men and ten Hawaiian, two of whom were women, established himself on the south bank of American river, a few miles alwve its conlluence with tho Sacramento. Subsequently be changed his location a little inland and nearer the Sacramento, where was built tho fort shown in the en graving, standing on tho western edge, of tho present city of Sacramento. He called his settlement New Helvetia, in honor of his native land, Switzerland, ami his landing place on tho Sacramento, where the city sprang up in 1848-9, tho Embarcadero. It was known everywhere, however, as Sutter's Fort, and as such has taken its place in history. The buildings and surrounding wall were construct ed of adobe, or sun dried brick, tho material of which all California structures were made in those primitive days. The importance of this settlement can not I over estimated. The Mexican governor of the prov ince was glad to have it made, as it offered a bulwark against the Indians for tho Mexican settlements to tho southwest, and Capt. Sutter was given a large grant of land, of the greater portion of which, as well as bis accumulated property, ho was dispoiled in after years. This was tho parent settlement in Sacramento valley, and from it sprang many others. In the days of early immigration it was tho place whose hospitable x.rtals oKmed wide to receive tho bold men and women who made their way to California. It offered th.'iu shelter, protection, and even employment. In January, 111, Fremont found it a icrfcct haven of rest, after bis ter rible battle with the snows of tho Sierras, and two years later it was tho place that offered shelter to the starving survivors of tho ill-futed 1 onncr party. 1 be seed sown and nurtured into life by this settlement, bore fruit in the congest of California in ml 1847, and in the discovery of gold in 1K U Sutter's Fort was to the Argonauts of IHHaiid l'-' is a matter of common knowledge. Out of it has grown the splendid city of Sacramento, capital of California, and it is lilting that it should be restored and preserved forever as the chief figure of those stir ring times, and in it should U placed a statue of the heroic founder, the man who planted tho seed of civ ilization in the great valley of California, ami who, though not the erson who actually picked up the first piece of gold at Colonm, is entitled to tho chief credit for its discovery, the man to whom is due the greatest meed of praise of all the pioneers of the tlolden State. When it was learned that the remains of Sutter's Fort were alsmt to lie demolished to make room for tho march of progress, a cry of protest went up from tho entire I'acillo coast. Tho Sacramento Society of California Pioneers and the State Parlor of the Native Sons of the (iolden West immediately took active measures to raise means for tho purchase, of the site, which has now Im-coiiio valuable, and contributions lie gun to pour in from nil sides. The owner of the prop erty, Benjamin Merrill, offered to sell the two blin ks of land for I'JO.IIOO, and to donate l.MXK) to the fund for restoring it to its former condition, which offer was promptly accept! and a payment made, This negit tiation was brought altout by (ien. James (I. Marline, to whom is duo a large measure of the credit for the success of tlio movement to preserve the fort from de struction. Eugene J. (iregory, mayor of Sacramento, is treasurer of the fund, to whom all contributions should be sent. Col. C. F. Crocker and bis brother and sister, children of the late Charles Crocker and all native Californians, have contributed the total cost of the property on tho condition thai it I restored to Its former condition, and ihe fund now being raised is for tho purMiso of complying with that stipulation. Astoria is preparing to accommodate, the thousand of visitors cx"Ttcd to next year and every year thereafter. Since work began on tho Astoria .V South Coast railroad, and the railroad projects from Salem and Albany have been pit in hne for securing linan rial aid. wonderful Interest liaalwn mated in the city nt the mouth of the Columblo, and real estate has ad vanced rapidly in value. One of the great limit of the city is a good hotel, and Ihl Is recognized by every one. The new conditions will bring thousand lo the eitv, for whose accommodation there is now no ade nmit,. provision. To overcome this difficulty the cill Xe.,s have subscriM lfHI,iaNl for the erection of a large, first class hotel. The building will ll with all H-ssible sd, and will be os-ued for the re eeption of guest by the first of July If sihk If Kr.Tslmnge's wealth already reaches I MOOD, he will have to do some pretty Ut k skiing to get through the needle's rye when he honor St. Itr with a call.