Page:Emergence of Frances Fuller Victor-Historian.djvu/11

 had been giving an outline of my own sections of history. It is true, however, as you say, that "the theory underlying our respective works may be widely different; and from the fact of this difference, future historians looking back to us may be able to make philosophi cal deductions in support of the truth... . We, in our humble way may be serving posterity by presenting the several sides of an argument to the dispassionate criticism of another generation.

Then her native skepticism, so essential in historical writing, asserted itself: "Would it be impertinent of me to inquire if you are convinced by the evidence before us, of the complicity of the Hudson's Bay Company, and the Catholic Fathers, in the Massacre at Wailatpu?.. . I do not believe it, and am of course more or less curious to know what facts unknown to me have served to so convince you .... It would give me great pleasure, and profit also I do not doubt, to have an opportunity of conversing with you on these topics; but an Oregon winter is so full of horrors for me that I could not undertake to visit Olympia except after it is over."

Whereupon she departed early in December for San Francisco and did not return until April. There the Golden Era quoted her as the coming historian of Oregon who after traveling all over the state predicted that "Oregon will equal, if not surpass, any of the Pacific States or Territories in the future development of mineral wealth." Frances Victor now had good reason besides her enthusiasm for Oregon to publicize the resources of the state. In November 1865 she and Henry had purchased from Elizabeth Knighton her remaining part of the townsite of St. Helens, undoubtedly as a speculative venture. At this time the Victors had ample funds, for Henry had received a substantial amount of money from the United States Government for helping while on duty as an engineer with the Union Navy to capture a British prize ship attempting to run the blockade of Charleston. But he apparently was a visionary speculator with little business acumen. Not content to concentrate on the development of St. Helens he bought shares in Santiam gold mines and engaged in coal, iron and salt mining, all failures. His greatest