Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 13.djvu/80

 72 T. C. ELLIOTT Rather let me refer briefly to the early development of this particular part of the transcontinental route then traversed for the first time and to a few of the fur traders, American and Canadian, who were prominent in the exploration and trade of the Columbia River basin, of which this valley is a part. We of today have personal recollection of that sudden rush to Alaska almost within the last decade, of how men of cul- ture and of career took part in the isolation, exposure and dangers incident to that remarkable movement. Bearing that in mind it is possible to better appreciate the call in earlier years of the fur trade to the men of family name, of educa- tion and of marked commercial ability who undertook and en- dured the hardships and associations common to such a life. Be it remembered that it was the fur trade that brought the Cabots to the coast of North America; the fur trade that following the voyage of Capt Cook lured the Yankee trading vessels to the Northwest coast of America and to the discovery of the Columbia River; the fur trade that opened the first transcon- tinental way across the Rocky Mountains at the sources of the Columbia; the fur trade that saved Oregon to the United States (if such a term is ever proper) by the opening of this track across the plains and mountains and furnishing our gov- ernment with information as to the country and actually mark- ing the way for the pioneer. And this Valley is located di- rectly upon the Oregon Trail. First in priority of travel and trade to be mentioned is Wil- son Price Hunt, who led the way through this Valley and passed none too comfortable a night here just one hundred years ago. Search the pages of your biographical dictionary and you will fail to find his name, but the building occupied by the Central National Bank upon one of the principal business corners of the historic city of St. Louis marks the location of his family residence ; he had been in business there before being associated with Mr. Astor and returned to that city after the affairs of the Pacific Fur Company were wound up. Mr. Hunt was a gentleman and a scholar. He was born in New Jersey in the year 1782. and doubtless endured troublesome