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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017
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IN ONE EAR • ELLEDA WILSON
PIECES OF HISTORY
‘Y
ou know you’re from Astoria when you dig up a coin from
the Qianlong Emperor’s time,” Don Kelly posted on the
“You Know You’re From Astoria Oregon When …” Facebook
page. “This coin is older than the settlement itself.” If you will
recall, Astoria was settled in 1811.
Mr. Wikipedia says: “The Qianlong Emperor (September
1711 – February 1799) was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led
Qing dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China
proper.” (http://tinyurl.com/qingking)
Don found the coin in Astoria with his metal detector — a
hobby he’s pursued since he was 14 — but don’t bother asking
him where. “Exact site is a secret!” he declared.
Is the coin valuable? According to CoinQuest.com, a coin like
this one in great shape was worth around $160 in 2009. Rare
mints could be worth $1,000. However, coins that are heavily
worn are only worth from $2 to $10 (http://tinyurl.com/qingcoin).
So how did such an old coin wind up in Astoria? Especially
since the Chinese came to Astoria to work in the canneries
much later, in the 1870s (http://tinyurl.com/astchina). Two pos-
sibilities come to mind: Perhaps it belonged to a long-ago Asto-
ria coin collector; or, maybe it was brought here on one of the
merchant ships that passed this way, starting in the late 1700s.
Maybe even Capt. Robert Gray’s ship, the Columbia Redi-
viva, here in 1792 (http://tinyurl.com/capt-gray). After all, he
traded with both the local Native Americans and China. It’s fun
to speculate, anyway.
“It’s the second Chinese coin I have dug up in Astoria,” Don
recalled. “The first one I found was dated 1820-1850. The Chi-
nese had a major influence in this area, and I’m honored to find
these rare pieces of history!”
FINN FILMS
IT’S IN THE BAG
‘I
am trying to date this bread bag (pictured) I found
partially buried in the sand under Breakaway Lodge in
Gearhart,” Jeff Johnson wrote. “The sand under the build-
ing seems to preserve things well, and can mummify dead
squirrels. The structure was built in 1924 as St. Margaret’s
by the Sea Convent, a summer retreat for Holy Names Sis-
ters. It was built right over the dune vegetation, and the
roots are still well-preserved.”
A little research revealed the Butter-Nut Baking Co.
was owned by James H. Kelley and B. Rupert Koble-
garde, a name that can be found in Portland even now
(http://tinyurl.com/butterbake).
The Ear suspected the bakery bag probably dates prior
to the 1922 fire — which started under nearby Thiel Broth-
ers pool room, at what was then 532 Commercial St., and
wiped out most of downtown Astoria (http://tinyurl.com/
Ast1922). If so, 616 Commercial St. would not be the same
address now, as the city was re-platted after the fire.
“You are right,” Liisa Penner, archivist at the Clatsop
County Historical Society, said. “The numbers roughly
doubled. 616 Commercial would be about 1440 Commer-
cial today.” (Sweet Relief Dispensary is now at 1444 Com-
mercial St.)
“At 616 Commercial (the bakery) would have burned
in the December 1922 fire …” Liisa explained. “The 1920-
1921 Astoria City Directory lists Dixie Bakery at 626 Com-
mercial, close to the 616 address, maybe adjacent to it.”
After the fire, “in the September 1924 Astoria Phone Book,
the Oregon-Dixie Baking Co. was located at 221 Seventh
St., almost across the street from what is now the Flavel
Carriage House. … It is later listed at the southwest cor-
ner of Seventh and Duane.” So, the bag definitely predates
the 1922 fire.
Bonus history tidbit: Also before the fire, “in 1904,
Bridget Grant, who is noted for her shanghaiing activ-
ities, was living at 614 Commercial St., upstairs,” Liisa
noted, “and was still living there, according to the 1920-
1921 directory, almost over the Dixie Bakery.”
The only mystery remaining is how the bread bag
wound up in Gearhart. A picnic at the beach, perhaps?
LOCAL BREVITIES
N
E
very now and then someone posts a link on Facebook to the
series of short films, “Finns in the U.S. in 1948” (http://
tinyurl.com/finnfilm). Of particular interest, naturally, is the epi-
sode about the West Coast, and Astoria, specifically. A screen
shot from that episode is shown.
The film is narrated in Finnish, but never fear, there are
English subtitles, starting with: “Astoria is a center for Finns in
the West. The first Finns came here in the 1860s. About 4,000
Finns live in Astoria. You can go shopping in Finnish … ”
Scenes of the fishermen with their boats and nets, horse sein-
ing, both men and women working in a cannery and on the old
Astoria docks are all nostalgic glimpses of Astoria almost 70
years ago. For a history bon-bon, take the time to watch.
PULL UP AND TUNE IN
I
f you haven’t checked this out yet, and your Halloween spirit is
clamoring for some fun, try this: Mike and Teale Adelmann,
who own the Daniel Knight Warren house, 107 N.E. Skipanon
Drive in Warrenton (pictured), are putting on an amazing Hal-
loween show every night from 6 to 10 p.m. daily. It’s got a kazil-
lion lights, all synchronized to music — just pull up and tune the
car radio to 95.7 FM to get the full effect.
“As always,” Teale requests, “respect each other (and our
neighbors, who deal with our obsession).” Boo!
ewsy tidbits
from the Sat-
urday, Oct. 13,
1888 edition of
The Daily Morn-
ing Astorian:
• The individ-
ual with the dark
and roguish eye
who stole three
suits of clothes
from Flynn’s Tailor Shop last Thursday night is still at
large.
• Frank Surprenant has been appointed a trustee of
the Northwestern funeral directors association. They will
raise rates January 1st. If you want cheap burial, now is
the time to croak.
Note: Mr. Surprenant built a morgue on the first floor
of his “undertaking establishment,” F.H. Surprenant &
Co. in January 1888, the same year he ran for county
coroner on the Republican ticket. It was a Republican
victory all around, even the presidency (Benjamin Harri-
son), so he probably won.
However, in February 1885, he almost required the
services of an undertaker, himself. He left Fort Stevens in
a rowboat, but one of his oars broke. The current pulled
him toward the deadly Columbia River bar, but luckily
he was rescued by the crew of the Geo. S. Homer.
• Many of the Mishawaka people who realize the
need of good roads have organized in road district No.
13. … They have levied a $5 assessment as a starter, and
the intention is to build a passable road to Astoria as far
as practicable. When people take hold of a thing them-
selves, there is some chance of having it done.
Note: The town of Elsie actually began as Mishawaka
in 1876, but has been Elsie since 1892, according to “In
Search of Western Oregon,” by Ralph Friedman (http://
tinyurl.com/mishaOR).
• A San Francisco woman sued her dressmaker for
damages for furnishing her with a bustle which burst with
a muffled report when sat upon, and the court awarded a
judgment of $11.50 (about $286 now). A women may not
care how loud her clothes are, but she wants a still bustle.
Note: The bustle was a ridiculous fashion rage, a
cage-like contraption that attached at a woman’s waist
and extended out past her derrière, creating a most pecu-
liar profile (see drawing). One can only imagine how dis-
concerting an exploding bustle might be.
TREASURE TROVE
f you like any or all of these — books, libraries, Astoria his-
tory, treasure hunts — then I urge you to take a tour of the
library basement led by Jimmy Pearson, the Astoria Public
Library director,” Laurie Caplan wrote.
“Oh my gosh, what a treat! He and his staff — assisted by
archivists, John Goodenberger, other local experts, the col-
lege’s historic preservation students, and others — are discover-
ing, cataloging, and rejoicing in a treasure trove of furniture, doc-
uments and memorabilia.”
A Purple Heart citation is just one of the many treasures that
has been found, along with wills, letters, old photos and fisher-
men’s ledgers. Pictured, a 1728 family Bible, courtesy of Danny
Miller/The Daily Astorian. Interested in a tour? There are only
two slots left: At 11 a.m. Oct. 23, and at 1 p.m. Oct. 30. You can
sign up by going to the library or by calling 503-325-7323.
“And, Jimmy is a wonderful guide,” Laurie added. “I think
our tour of 10 would’ve stayed in the basement for way longer
just to share in his excitement.”
‘I
A CHALLENGING RIDE
A
storian Peter Marsh is back from his four-week bicycle
journey, having completed the second leg of his travels, the
“Kansas City to Salt Lake City” ride.
“I biked from Kansas City to Wyoming, and stopped in Raw-
lins (elevation 6,900 feet) for the weekend before revising my
plan because of early snowfall in the high country on the way to
the Tetons,” he wrote. “Instead I rode west along Interstate 80 in
Wyoming for 250 miles to Salt Lake City.
“Overall, it was a challenging ride along the historic route
blazed across the country by the wagon trains, Pony Express,
railroad, etc., with lots of small museums to explore. I didn’t pay
attention to the distance, but it appears to be about 1,100 miles —
the same as I rode in 2016 from Virginia to Kansas.”
Welcome home! By the way, Peter’s touring bike is now on
display at Bikes & Beyond.
THE OLNEY LOTTERY
id you know that in 1867, several Astoria families acquired
their land through a lottery? Judge Cyrus Olney (pictured)
had acquired the John McClure land claim, known as McClure’s
Astoria, which consisted of several lots around town.
The judge, wanting to encourage residential development,
came up with the scheme, known locally as the Olney Lottery.
Tickets cost $50 each (about $790 now), and entitled the ticket
holder to one Astoria city lot — which one, was a matter of chance
— plus a shot at winning the grand prize, two lots and McClure’s
original house. The lottery was considered a great success, and
several houses were built in the eastern half of McClure’s old
claim (http://tinyurl.com/judgeo1).
At Olney’s death only three years later in 1870, one biogra-
pher noted “he has accomplished much for (the Astoria) com-
munity, and there his loss will be deeply felt (http://tinyurl.com/
olney2).” Judge Olney is buried in Astoria’s Pioneer Cemetery.
D
COMMUNITY NOTES
SATURDAY
Lower Columbia R/C Society
— 8:30 a.m., back room at Uptown
Cafe, 1639 S.E. Ensign Lane, War-
renton. Local Academy of Model
Aeronautics (AMA) chartered radio
control model aircraft club meets for
breakfast and business. All model
aircraft enthusiasts are welcome.
For information, call 503-458-5196
or 503-325-0608.
Clatsop County Genealogical
Society — 11 a.m., 350 Niagara Ave.
New genealogy methods shared to
help get a family tree started. Steph-
anie Miller unveils a new book, “Early
Clatsop County Schools.” Informa-
tion on inexpensive autosomal DNA
testing is available. All are welcome.
Chinook Indian Nation Coun-
cil Meeting — 11 a.m., Netul
Room, Fort Clatsop, 92343 Fort
Clatsop Road. Meeting open to all
tribal members; attendees are re-
minded to bring a potluck item. No
refrigeration or cooking facilities.
For questions, call the tribal office
at 360-875-6670.
415-827-5190. Join online at http://
tinyurl.com/socialpugs
Sit & Stitch — 11 a.m. to 1
p.m., Homespun Quilts & Yarn, 108
10th St. Bring knitting, crochet or
other needlework projects to this
community stitching time. All skill
levels welcome.
Columbia Northwestern Mod-
el Railroading Club — 1 p.m., in
Hammond. Group runs trains on
HO-scale layout. For information,
call Don Carter at 503-325-0757.
Pug Socializing Club — 1
p.m., Carruthers Park, Warrenton.
For pugs and their owners. For
information, call Dave Kinney at
Spinning Circle — 1 to 3 p.m.,
Astoria Fiber Arts Academy, 1296
Duane St. Bring a spinning wheel.
For information, call 503-325-5598
or go to http://astoriafiberarts.com
SUNDAY
Cannon Beach American Le-
gion Women’s Auxiliary Breakfast
— 9 to 11:30 a.m., American Legion,
1216 S. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach.
33324 Patriot Way, Warrenton.
Group discusses issues facing re-
ligious faith in the modern secular
world. All are welcome. For informa-
tion, call 503-861-2421.
Line Dancing — 5:30 to 8 p.m.,
Seaside American Legion, 1315
Broadway. For information, call
503-738-5111. No cost; suggested
$5 tip to the instructor.
Chair Exercises for Seniors —
9 to 9:45 a.m., Astoria Senior Center,
1111 Exchange St. For information,
call 503-325-3231.
Seekers Group — 6 to 7:30
p.m., Pioneer Presbyterian Church,
See NOTES, Page 2B
MONDAY