Learn about slavery in pre-Civil War Oregon
Author R. Gregory Nokes to speak at Astoria Public Library on Jan. 15
ASTORIA — For Astoria Pub-
lic Library’s next Library After
Hours event, R. Gregory Nokes’
will give the presentation “Slav-
ery at the End of the Oregon
Trail” at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15.
This event is co-sponsored
by the Lower Columbia Diversi-
ty Project. The library is located
at 450 10th St. Admission is free.
Nokes’ presentation is based
on his recent book, “Breaking
Chains: Slavery on Trial in the
Oregon Territory,” which tells
the history of slavery and racism
LQHDUO\2UHJRQ7KHERRND¿-
nalist for the 2014 Oregon Book
$ZDUG IRU QRQ¿FWLRQ IRFXVHV
on Holmes v. Ford, the only slav-
ery case adjudicated in Oregon’s
pre-Civil War courts. When they
were brought to Oregon in 1844,
Missouri slaves Robin and Polly
Holmes and their children were
promised freedom in exchange
for helping develop their own-
er’s Willamette Valley farm.
However, Nathaniel Ford, an
LQÀXHQWLDO VHWWOHU DQG OHJLVODWRU
kept them in bondage until 1850,
even then refusing to free the
couple’s children. Holmes took
YOU
R
RESTAU RAN T
his former master to court and, in
the face of enormous odds, won
the case in 1853.
A native of Oregon, Nokes
spent a 40-year career in jour-
nalism with the Medford Mail
Tribune, The Associated Press
and The Oregonian. He was a
foreign correspondent for The
AP in Latin America, with post-
ings in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He also covered the State De-
partment for The AP during the
Reagan Administration. During
his career, he traveled to more
Library After
Hours
than 50 countries on reporting
assignments. After retiring from
journalism in 2003, Nokes began
a second career as an author and
lecturer on Northwest history.
The mission of the Lower
Columbia Diversity Project is
to engage pro-actively with di-
versity issues in the local region,
educate the community on the
EHQH¿WV RI GLYHUVLW\ WROHUDQFH
and inclusion, and provide a fo-
rum through which individuals,
groups and organizations may
address concerns relating to di-
versity in the community.
6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15
Astoria Public Library
450 10th St., Astoria
503-325-7323
Free
Submitted photo
Author R. Gregory Nokes retired in 2003
after 43 years in journalism and now has
a second career as an author.
Library After Hours is a free
series of cultural events that take
place at the Astoria Public Li-
brary after regular hours of op-
eration. For more information,
contact library staff at 503-325-
7323 or visit astorialibrary.org
dinin g out
H ERE!
D IR EC TO R Y
3 8TH & L, ON THE S EAV IEW BEAC H APPROAC H
3 60-642-7880
BURG ER NITE W EDNES DAY S !
Ca ll your
sa les rep
toda y
NO RTH COAST & PE NINSU L A
ILIES
FAM OME!
C
WEL
503.755.1818
www.camp18restaurant.com
Favorite stop to & from the Coast
3 13 Pa c ific Hw y, Do w n to w n Lo n g Be a c h, W A
3 60-642-5555 • w w w.hu n gryha rb o r.c o m
COM E DIN E W ITH OUR M IN IATURE V IL L AGE!
Patty’s
Wicker
Cafe
Closed in December
for Remodel
Watch in January
for our
Grand Re-Opening!
Hungry
Harbor
GrillE
503.738.6403
maggiesontheprom.com
581 S Prom, Seaside OR
503.436.1539
www.cafesweetbasils.com
Cannon Beach
1157 N. Marion Avenue
Gearhart
503-717-8150
www.mcmenamins.com
On the Beautiful
Necanicum River
Breakfast & Lunch
600 Broadway Ste 7 & 8 -Seaside
503.717.1272
S he lb u rn e In n , Re s ta u ra n t & Pu b
4415 Pa c ific W a y, S e a vie w, W a
3 60-642-4150
w w w.s he lb u rn e re s ta u ra n t.c o m
January 14, 2016 | coastweekend.com | 13