ATHENS Some twenty-five miles above Astoria on the Columbia river, the state of Washington. It is just south of the Elokemin (Elochoman) river. Several thousand acres of table land blend with the valley of this beautiful little river of springs, and form the historic grounds on which Athens is located. This cite was selected for a city forty-two years ago by William Strong, a United States district judge. The location …rand the scenery enchanting, the soil extremely rich and the ground full of ice cold water. An intelligent person said the other day “I have been in every state and territory in the Union and Athens has the most delightful cite for a city I ever saw.” This place has been the camping ground of the Indians for centuries. At the Athens saw-mill relicts were taken out three feet under ground. It was here where James Birnie, William Strong and Capt. U. S. Grant would meet and talk for days. It was here where these young men planned and dreamed of the future, two thousand miles west of civilization. When President Grant went around the world he said there was one more place he would like to see and that was Cathlamet. There within a short distance, at twenty four miles of railroad, will link Athens with the Northern Pacific Railroad and all the trans-continental roads. A grand central Athens on the Columbia River. The great Northern and Union Pacific roads have examined and can find no place at all as suitable for a grand railroad terminus. Ilwaco is really at the head of the bay of Baker’s Bay which today is the best harbor in the ………...jetty is removing the last vestige of the ………. ………throwing the channel against the Washington shore, there to remain for all time. There where vessels can come without being … and lie in fresh calm water. It is here where ..ustable beds of coal, billions of feet of lumber and countless bushels of wheat will come and take cheap passage to all the nations of the earth. It is here where the wheat will come by rail and barge, from the vast Columbia basin and pour down into ships to be carried to the bread eaters of every clime. The Columbia River has no representative town. Athens is destined to become its commercial city. The timber is cedar, birch, yellow, red and white fir, spruce, hemlock, alder and maple, according to a Cathlamet Gazette, Wahkiakum County ……, eighty-two million feet of lumber last year, this can readily sell from five to six dollars a thousand in the lo.., an exchange says. The great timber resources of the Pacific Northwest can scarcely be realized by those who have not visited the immense forests of giant trees growing close together in many places that it is almost impossible to travel through the woods. Twenty million acres of land are covered with a growth of wood which will cut an average of 25,000 feet of merchantable lumber. Much of it will cut an average of 100,000 feet or more, while single trees will cut 3000 each. The Port Townsend Leader, estimates the quantity of merchantable lumber standing in the forests of Washington at 160,000,000,000 feet, sufficient to supply all the markets of America for generations and yet send fleets laden with ship timbers to every part of the civilized world. Oregon, in the Coast and Cascade ranges, and in the counties along the ocean from the Columbia river to the California line, has as much more timber, and these two great sister states, unless devastated by forests fires, will never run short of building material. Within a few rods of Athens are fifteen yellow firs, of the choicest lumber, which will average five feet in diameter and each, one hundred and fifty feet in length, how much lumber will they make? The Columbia river salmon have brought the people of Washington and Oregon millions of dollars. The sturgeon is also being caught in immense quantities, they weigh from fifty to 500 pounds and the catcher gets a cent a pound before dressed. In the mountains are elk, deer, bear, cougar, panther, grouse, pheasants, trout and black-berries. The half has never been told in relation to the immense crops of fruit, vegetables and grasses which can be raised here. Crops never vary ten per cent, and no place could a fruit and vegetables cannery do better than in Athens. The proprietors have a building which cost three thousand dollars, exactly suited in every respect for a cannery which they will rent for a nominal sum for that purpose. The climate is damp in winter and dry in summer, it is twelve degrees warmer in winter and cooler in summer than at Portland, Oregon. It is now the 15th, of December and I have seen no frost in Athens. Stock is living on the range and doing well. The people will come and take summer residences in these beautiful grounds instead of going to the stormy coast; they can ply between in hot days and have the advantages of both. The proprietors contemplate building this winter an institution of learning and maintain a free school for the people for several years. They will at an early day erect a large opera house and furnish the people with lectures and amusements at a nominal cost. The proprietors seek to build and maintain the town by co-operative measures, A. S. Douglas of the Athens saw mill employs only those who are owners and residents. This policy will be pursued in the factories and public works of the place. Any religious denomination can have a lot free by building on it a good church house. All reform thought will received a most cordial welcome. Athens will be a very suitable place for the organs and head centres of the different orders and societies. The opera house will give all deserving reformers a free hearing. The population of Athens is one hundred, by the first of May we expect to have five hundred and so on. There is a good opening here for all the different occupations of life if persons are willing to establish themselves in business, work manfully and wait a while if necessary. Athens has no post-office as yet and all letters should be sent to Cathlamet, Washington. Lots in Athens, at present, sell from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars, one fourth down and balance from twelve to eighteen months. Where persons buy without seeing them they will get the best vacant. Plenty of excellent lumber can be had on the town site from eight to sixteen dollars. The active and working proprietors of this place will devote the remainder of their lives in working for the prosperity of Athens and the policies they have adopted to make it worthy of its illustrious name sake. There are plenty of timber and homestead claims to be taken yet and the writer will be ready any day to ‘show lands’ to worthy settlers without charge. BRYANT Take the wings of the morning, Pierce the Barcan wilderness; Or lose thyself in the continuous woods, Where rolls the Oregon, and hears no sound save in his own dashing—yet the dead are there All millions was those solitudes, since first the flight of years began have laid them down, In there last sleep—the dead reign there alone. Aristides said to the Athenians; When I manage your finances with all the idelity of an honest man, I was loaded with calumnies, and now when I suffer them to be a prey to public, the robber I am, become a might good citizen, when Aristid was banished from Athens he made a prayer that the people of Athens might never see the day which should force them to remember Aristides. ATHENS SAW MILL A. S. Douglas the sole proprietor of this mill has worked in sunshine and storm to make his mill a success. It is turning out large quantities of rough and planed lumber, it has sawed the first board in this valley and the people will sustain it. They feel proud of this home enterprise. Mr. Douglas is building a cottage on the most beautiful lot in Athens, and with his accomplished wife and beautiful daughter will soon occupy it. MR. SEXTON The engineer, is ever at work; his whistle keeps the best of time and he and his energetic young wife occupy their new cottage in the grove. MR. BAKER The planer, is a faithful, intelligent mechanic. He never becomes discouraged, and his efforts are all seconded by his wide-a-wake little family. MR. BARRY Can be seen with his smiling, pleasant face measuring out lumber to the customers. There are other deserving persons connected with the mill but space will not permit a notice of them. CHARLEY MINOR Has just moved into his new house. He is a good carpenter and is building the Douglas cottage. THE TETROS The Tetros are carpenters who have had a large experience in different towns and cities. They will take the contract for building a house at the ‘drop of a hat.’ Fred is commencing a new house for one of the proprietors. GEORGE POTEET Is the still man of the place; he has faith in Athens on the Columbia. With a hotel at Forest Grove and money at interest, he is able to take care of himself. Mrs. Poteet, who is full of energy and tact will help build the town and keep the world moving around her. MR. CLIFFORD Is all day in his blacksmith and wagon shop. He is a specimen of strength and manliness, and says his chief ambition is to marry the ‘maid of Athens.’ His choice is a good one. REV. MR. DIXON And his enterprising sons have done much for Athens. He has suffered a severe stroke of paralysis and the people feel sorrowful over his affliction. He will soon commence building a new church and it is hoped the religious world will second his efforts without delay. MUSIC IN THE AIR The band is composed of the following persons; W. C. Clow, Charles Below, Fred Olsen, J. C. Whitney, John Dorcy, George Jackson, Val Peterman, Jeff Nelson, Robt. McMath, Ed Tetro, Fred Tetro, Ed. Burri and Pearl Peterman. It is said that seventy-five persons will become members at the nest meeting. When that priest of nature, old Phythagoras conceived the idea of the music of the sphores, he had never heard of Athens and Cathlamet brass band. They expect to carry the next ………… election. Send for them to come to your town for a few days, and give us a rest. TIN STORE AND SHOP The Cheney’s have the only one in twenty miles, and if they have no competition will make a snug little fortune in five years. Mrs. Cheney is the hard working woman of the new town, she will soon have a quarter block paid for near the babbling brook. J. BRUCE POLWARTH Is the district attorney of Wahkiakum county. His other is in the new court house. He is a good looking fellow with fine ability. When he gets married he will become one of the eminent lawyers of the state of Washington. He can be trusted with all legal work. O. M. HARVEY Is the auditor of this county. His ability is fine, and by nature will be adapted for a public officer. We take pride in mentioning his name. W. C. CLOW Is our jeweler, he keeps time for the people and the brass band, and owns six lots in Athens. He has faith in the new town and shows it by his work. MR. MUDD Sat down here about six months ago with a store doing big business. If they have no more mud in Missouri, we have plenty in Washington. Call in and make his acquaintance and see his goods. JOHNSON The butcher, is finishing his new residence, which is within twenty feet of Athens. He and his fair wife will soon take possession. DR. BOYNTON Doctors the people when they are sick and sells the drugs when they are well. He is a mathematition and a poet. MR. WARREN He canned enough salmon to sink a ship; he made more ……… emperor of China, …….. himself than any man on the river. Another se….. if he employs white labor his praises shall be sung in the temple of Minerva in Athens. SHEPHERD BROTHERS The Shepherd Brothers sell goods on the wharf. They have given credit to many an unfortunate logger or fisherman and sometimes have lost, but are still on accommodating terms with humanity. ALEX BIRNIE Has a genteel salutation and good word for every one and is the poor man’s friend. The commerce of this valley has passed over his wharf in Cathlamet until the memory of man runneth not to the contrary. Alex was born on the river and has been post-master here for twenty-six years. Call and see him. THE WEST FAMILY The West family is building a large wharf near the Athens line. They are the largest land owners in and around Cathlamet, and in time will become immensely rich. EX-SHERIFF ALBERT Is insuring the people’s property which insures him a good living and he well deserves it. He deals honestly with all men. (Sam Albert) DICK McGRATH Runs a large hotel which is always crowded. He intends to build on a large addition in the spring. His location is fine. When you come to Athens call and see him. FREDRICKSON Is completing a new hotel with forty-eight rooms. It is on toward Athens and will be filled. But let us say to these hotel keepers they cannot accommodate the people, they will not have the room. Athens needs a large brick hotel for health seekers and excursionists. Who will have the enterprise to build. (Asmus Fredrickson) THE CATHLAMET GAZETTE Runs down a shower of news on the people every week. It is ably edited by Davis and Cornwall. Subscribe for it and when you read it a month, you will want to start for the promised land. JUDGE PEARSON Administers law and justice equal to a superior judge. He owns two lots in Athens near the big spring where Capt. Grant often quenched his thirst. MISS JULIA LITTEN Miss Julia Litten keeps the public school, she is a California lady highly educated and the proprietors hope to be able to secure her to teach in their new school for the people. ATHENS IN GREECE Miss Lillian Leland who has just made a trip around the world says: You really don’t need to see Rome after Athens; the ruins of Athens are finer, the antiquities more antique than those of Rome. I have enjoyed Athens very much, and we have luxuriated in clean streets. The absence of dogs and fleas and the presence of a good brass band has contributed to our pleasure. We climb Mars hill and explore the Acropolis, the Parthenon Temple of Minerva and all the great old ruins. The ruins of Athens date back five hundred years before Christ and goodness knows how much longer. LORD MACAULAY To be a citizen was to be a legislator, a soldier, a judge, one upon whose voice might depend the fate of the wealthiest tributary state, of the most eminent public man. The common wealth supplied its meanest members with the support of life, the opportunity of leisure and the means of amusement. Let us for a moment transport ourselves, in thought to that glorious city. Let us imagine that we are entering its gates in the time of its power and glory. A crowd is assembled around a portico. All are gazing with delight at the entablature for Phideas is putting up the frieze. We turn into another street; a rhapsodist is reciting there, then, women and children are thronging round him, the tears are running down their cheeks; their eyes are fixed; their very breath is still; for he is telling how Priam fell at the feet of Archilles and kissed those hands,-- the terrible,--the murderous,-- which had slain so many of his sons. We enter the public place; there is a ring of youths, all leaning forward with sparkling eyes, and gestures of expectation. Socrates is pitted against the famous Atheists, from Ionia and has just brought him to a contradiction in terms. But we are interrupted. The herald is crying “Room for the Prytanes.” The general assembly is to meet. The people are swarming in on every side. Proclamation is made—“Who wishes to speak.” There is a shout and a clapping of hands: Pericles is mounting the stand. Then for a play of Sophocles; and away to sup with Aspasia, I know of no modern university which has so excellent a system of education. “The Athenians did not, like us, --employ their youth in the acquisition of words; they were engaged in persuits of a higher nature; in acquiring the knowledge of things. They did not spend seven or ten years in learning two dead languages, they employed their time in the study of nature. Their education had a tendency to improve the memory. Pliny tells of an Athenean who would repeat from memory the contents of a large library. A …………….to the Athenians: …………….. managed your finances w….. honest man, I was loaded with calumnies, when I suffer them to be a prey to p.olie ……………………am be..me a might good citizen. When Aristid…was banished from Athens he made a prayer “that the people of Athens might never see the day which should force them to remember Aristides.” Demosthenes uttered this oath in verse in Athens. “By earth, by all her fountains, streams and floods.” When Demosthenes fled from Athens he said Oh, Minerva! Goddess of those towers, whence it that thou delightest in three such monsters as an…., a dragon and the people.” Athenians made this indictment against Socrates; socrates, a criminal, inasmuch as he acknowledges not the gods, whom he republic holds sacred, but int…….other and new deities,---He is likewise criminal, because he corrupteth the youth. BYRON Maid of Athens, ere we part, Give, oh, give me back my heart; Or, since that has left my breast, Keep it now, and take the rest; Hear my vow before I go, My life, I love you. By those tresses unconfined, Woo’d by each Egean wind; By those lids whose jetty fringe, Kiss thy soft cheek’s blooming tinge By those wild eyes like the roe, My life, I love you. By that lip I long to taste; By that zone encircled waist; By all the token—flowers that tell What words can never speak so well, By love’s alternate joy and woe My life, I love you. Maid of Athens I am gone; Think of me, sweet; when alone.— Though I fly to Is’tambol, Athens holds my heart and soul: Can I cease to love the? No: My life, I love you. PEASLEE BROS., Job Printers 5 Oak St., Portland, Or., Are the most reliable and accommodating firm I have ever done business with. I take pleasure in giving them this unsolicited recommendation. This job comes from their office, well done. Persons wishing plats can have them and information by writing to, C. Beal Cathlamet, Wash. Research on this page done by Ralph Keyser: In the lower left hand corner of page, it speaks of the weather as of Dec. 15th, when this was written. A penciled date at the top of the page is 1892. So it was written Dec. 15, 1891 and then printed and distributed in 1892. Research by Evelyn Morris Huerd: Article is thought to be from the Cathlamet Gazette, which was printed in Cathlamet from 1890 until 1902. The article was printed during the period when Athens was first recognized as a separate community from Cathlamet. It was located in what now is recognized as the Flats area, just northwest of downtown Cathlamet. Transcribing the 115 year old newspaper article was difficult due to missing pieces from the article so there are missing words. There is a map as well and it is currently being scanned by the Washington Department of Natural Resources in April 2007.