Page eight.
ASTORIA, OREGON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21.
WEBFOOT FOR
SIXTY YEARS
Augustus C Wirt, of Clatsop
Plains, One of Oregon's
Oldest Settlers.
WILL BE NINETY TOMORROW
Hale and Hearty Pioneer Still
Cares for His Farm aud Is
Enjoying the Best
of Health.
Augustus C
Wirt, of Clatsop
Plains, who will celebrate his 90th
birthday tomorrow, arose very early
yesterday morning. milked his . cow.
attended to his poultry and did .his
other chores, including the grinding of
a few bushels of apples for cider, and
walked a mile to Warrenton to take
the train for Astoria, where he at
tended to business as alertly and ap
pearing as- hale and hearty . as the
average man of 50 years.
Mr. Wirt , disputes with Robert
MacEwen the honor of being the old
est resident of Clatsop county. He
came here in 1S45, having arrived in
Oregon City the year before, and
claims also to have been the first tailor
In Oregon. At the time of his arrival
in Astoria with Mr. Welch and some
others, Mr. McClure and Mr. Shively
were the only white settlers here.
; This worthy old pioneer is a living
' testimonial to the healthfulness of
Clatsop county, as he says he has
never been sick since he came here.
Following is a sketch of his career:
Augustus C Wirt was bora in Co
lumbia City, Lancaster county, Penn,
October 22, 1814. While an infant,
his parents moved to Wrightville,
Tork county, Pennsylvania, where his
boyhood days were spent At the
age of seventeen he decided to strike
out for himself, going to Holidays
burg and from there to Pickerlngton,
Ohio. Here he learned tailoring,
which he followed for a livelihood
until coming to Oregon, when he
learned the art of farming, and to
day at ninety years of age his garden
la the envy and admiration of all who
aee it During his stay in Ohio be
cast his first Vote for Harrison, in
1834. A barbecue was held in honor
of Harrison's election, which Mr.
Wirt remembers distinctly.' The ox,
weighing about one thousand pounds,
was paraded through the streets of
Columbus at 10 a. m., and by 2 p. m.
was roasted and ready to eat Some
of the beef sold at fifty cents per
pound, the heafl alone bringing five
dollars.
In 1837 Mr. Wirt returned to Wright
Ville, Pennsylvania, and remained two
years, when he again decided to go
west, this time going as far as Bloom -tngton,
Iowa. Here he met ' and
married Miss Jerushy Brannan in
1840.
.Jn 1843, in company with Cline,
"Welch and others, he started for Ore
gon, but owing to the leader of the
party taking the wrong route they only
traveled as far as Council Bluffs. As
It was then too late In the season,
they returned to Savannah, Missouri,
and In the spring of the following
year started again for Oregon, reach
ing Portland Nov. 10, 18. Portland's
sole inhabitant at that time was a
man by the name of William Overton,
who afterwards sold his claim to
Couch and Pettygrove for $300, and
started for Texas. One day while
Overton was travelling along a
lonely road he was pursued by In
dians. In order to escape them he
drove his pony over a steep preotplee
and both rider and pony were dashed
to death.
The winter of 1S44-1S45 was spent
In Oregon City. At that time the one
store was owned by the Hudson's Bay
Co. Gov. Abernethy owned a flour mill
the capacity of which was rather
limited. That winter Mr, Wirt
wanted to get an extra sack of flour,
and upon his request for it Oov.
Abernethy replied, "Your nelRhbor
must have flour as well as yourself."
In the spring of the sme year
(1845) Mr, Wirt moved to Clutsop
Plains and took up a donation land
claim. Upon the discovery of gold
In California he went In
small sailing vessel, with several
other men. the trip lasting sixteen
days, t. the mines and remained sev
eral months, making a considerable
sum in mining, running a ferry boat
and In other ways. A short time
after his return home his wife died.
leaving him with the care of five small
children in a new and sparsely settled
country. In 1850 he married Lusa
Kimball, who is now 74 years of age
and In feeble health.
Mr. and Mrs. Wirt still live
at their home, which was built
at SRipanon In 1850 at great
expense of time, labor and mon
ey. The house, a two story
frame structure, required one whole
year to build, Mr. Wirt and a man
by the name of Walker being em
ployed all the time. The lumber
which was used In its construction
was brought from a mill at Seaside
and was then dressed by hand, and
cost 375 per thousand feet The
bricks used to build the chimney
were brought around tne Horn ana
cost $50 tier thousand. The lime was
brought from Oregon City In a sail
boat and cost $9 per barrel, and the
man who built the chimney was
paid $75 for his labor.
Beef In 1845 brought seven cents
per pound on foot Two years later
dressed beef brought ' 25 cents per
pound. The hides were tanned and
each farmer was his own shoe
maker. While crossing the plains the
party which Mr. Wirt was with was
twice surrounded by Indians in the
most dangerous places along the
route. In order to escape them they
formed a barricade with their wagons
and as they possessed rifles the In
dians, having only bows and arrows,
concluded that the white men were
too smart for them and so left In dis
gust Another Interesting Incident of the
trip was an immense herd of buffa-
Lloes which required an hour's time to
pass In (ront of the emigrant train.
Three of the members of the party
hunted buffaloes, killing seven. The
meat was hung on the wagons to dry
and was used tor food for the re
mainder of the trip. Antelope were
also very plentiful along the rqute.
Mr Wirt being a fine shot was " al
ways able to get his full share, of
whatever game was to be had. One
night in rounding up the' cattle- it
was found that an immense buffalo
had become separated from the herd
and had made himself at home with
the cattle. After considerable effort
his lordship was finally killed, and
later was eaten.
Mr. Wirt has five 3ons and three
daughters living, with several grand
children and great grand children.
The sons are Andrew Wirt of Oyster
ville, Norse Wirt of San Francisco,
John Wirt of Astoria, O. B. Wirt of
Portland, and Phillip Wirt, now in
Southern Oregon for his health. The
daughters are Mrs. Huttle Reamea.
of Portland. Mrs. Ollle McOuIre and
Mrs, Annie Stephens of this county.
Mr. Wirt uses neither spirits nor
tobacco and thinks there is no reason
why. with care, he may not round
out a century.
CONTESTS AROUSE INTEREST
Friends of Atpirsnti for Priits at ths
Catholio Pair Are Hustling for
Those of Their Choice.
Last night's attendance at the Cath
olic fair was even larger than that of
the previous evening, and until ncurly
mklnlght the spacious . hall wns
crowded. Interest centers In the var
ious contests. Two new contests for
the most popular young lady and the
most popular school teacher were in
stituted. The Finnish Brotherhood Is
now leading In the contest, fpt the silk
flag offered by the ladles. The vote
last evening was as follows! Finnish
Brotherhood, 59; Red Men, 64; Elks
4Q; Eagles, 32; Masons, 2li Foresters,
17. County Clerk Clinton l still lead
ing In the most-popular-offielal, con
test, but Judge Anderson Is trotting
him a rapid heat, with Sheriff Llnville a
close third. The vote Is as follows:
Mr. Clinton, 52; Judge Anderson, 44:
Sheriff Ltnville, 34; Chief Hallock. 19.
The chiefs supporters arj said to be
withholding their votes for the last
night, but this has not frightened the
friends of the other candidates, who
say they are prepared for any politi
cal emergency which may , arise. The
young ladies' contest shows the fol
lowing result to date: Miss Mary
Gramms, $1; Miss Hilda Brunold, 29;
Miss Bessie O'Connor, 23; Miss Madge
Sovey. 1; Miss Lee. 5. This contest
is being conducted at Miss Rallies'
booth. The teachers' contest bids fair
to be one of the most Interesting of
all. The vote thus far Is as follows:
Mrs. Josle McCormack, 29; Miss Sin
nott. 23; Miss O'Nell, J; Miss Shively,
3; Miss Blim. 5; Mr. Fulton, 2; Miss
Morgan, 1. The teachers contest Is
on at Miss Laws' booth.' The vote In
the most-popular-boy contest Is as
follows: John Belan, 100; James
Kearney, 20; R. Kinkella, 10. Last
evening another pillow ' contest was
held, the participants being John
Kearney and Joseph Kinkella. The
contest resulted in a draw, which will
be settled this evening. Last night
the Helm children, through the kind
ness of Manager Gevuttx. of the Star,
put on an excellent turn. Tonight
Manager Hager, of the Unique, will
provide the illustrations' for a pictured
melody. Last evening Mr. Scott, of
the Star, added to the' excellence of
the program with a delightful rendi
tion of "Good-night, Beloved, Good
night" Dinner will again be served
between 5 and 7 this arternoon, and
tonight the program at the fair will
be of more than usual interest
ONCE AGAIN
IN TROUBLE
Louis I. iierz, Formerly of This
City, Arrested for Embezzle
ment at Idaho Town.
REFUSED TO OPEN THE SAFE
Notice to Water Consumers.
The water will be shut In all mains
east of Thirty-first street from 11 a. m.
to 2 p. m. on Friday, October 2L 1904.
J. H. MANSELL,
Superintendent.
Removal Notice.,
Dr. 3. A. Fulton has moved from
bis old office to rooms' 4, 5 and 6 In
the Star theater building, corner Elev
enth and Commercial streets, on the
second floor.
Orders taken for . Brown Bros."
nursery stock at Kauunm s canay
store. ' !. . i
Experts Uenort Shown Shortage
of $800, Which Was .HK
. More Thau His Dofulva,
tiou i This City.
Louis I. Hers, who left Astoria two
years ago after acknowledging that he
had embessled several hundred dol
lars from his employers, Elmore A
Co, has again gone wrong, this time
lp Idaho. Hers left Astoria to accept
thj position In Idaho, his local em
ployers having consented to not prose
cute him upon receiving his note for
the amount of the defalcation, about
$500. A few payments have been made
on this note, but the balance remuln
Ing. unpaid., is not regarded as a valu
able asset.
When Hem left Astorlu he went to
Mountain Home to take a position and
soon .became secretary, treasurer and
manager for the Charles R. Kelsey
Company, of that place. Recently Mr.
Kelsey died and a new president was
chosen to succeed him. When he as
sumed charge of the affairs of the com
pany Hers declined to furnish him with
the combination of the safe and give
him access to the accounts of the com
pany. When the safe was opened by
an expert and the books examined It
was found that Hers was $800 short.
His arrest for embeixlement followed.
.Whether or not 1800 covers the real
amount of the shortage has not bean
learned. This Is the third time Hers
has been in similar trouble, and the
company will, It is understood, press
the esse against him. Hers'l home
Is in Portland.
4TIIIIIIIIIMMITITTTTTTnrrrTTTTll TTTllfTTTTTVtV
ALL CLOTHES BOUGHT AT
WISE'S KEPT PRESSED
FREE OF CHARGE. : : : :
MC
.White Star and Cunard line tickets
for Europe sold at Kallunki's candy
store. .. .
1
44 Best
by test"
A trans continental trav
eler savs: "I've tried them
all and I prefer the
North
Western Limited
It's the best to be found from
coast to coast" .
It's "The Train for Com
fort" every night in the year
between Minneapolis, St.
Paul And Chicago.
Before staitlng on a trlp-no mHttor
where write for interesting informa
Uou about comfortable trawling.
It. L SISLEK, General Ajtnl
132 Third t Portland. Oregon
T. W. TKMOA hf..
General pMienirer Agent,
HI Paul, Won.
Fine Entertainment
at the
ST. MARY'S FAIR
Good Clothes at
HERMAN WISE'S
iiiinmniminnnmmiiMiiiiinmmrrrrt
Try .theiNcw Size
LA 1MI1AIL
Made from the cream of Havana crop
We sold 20,000 in September; the largest sate
of any Cigar- onlhe market.
Manufactured by
JOHN V. BURNS
ASTORIA, OREGON
There is no iise YlHUk BILE, JHU1YJ& FURSI FURS!
Taking chances by
paying $500 for a pair
of shoes of some other
kind, when you can get
the same quality by pay
ing only $3.50 and $3.00
for fine Brown Shoe Co.
Shoes. Other prices
$1.40, $1.50, $2.00,
$2.50, $2.75. $3.00.
For School Wear
There is nothing like
"Good for Bad Boys
Shoes" and "District 76."
They save you money.
merlcan lady
Approved by fashionable
women. We have In stock
all the latest styles and'
shapes. Prices from
$1.00 to $2.25
The Place to Save Money,
THE BEE
HIV
Just Arrived
An elegant assort
ment of new fall Purs.
liable, Canadian
Fox. Bear, Martin,
Chinese Fox,
Mink, Etc.
High in quality but low
In price.