A Baron Among the Sawmills
A Westphalian nobleman trades the Old World for a homestead in the Grays Harbor country, hoping to bring his new bride to a bustling frontier town.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The visitors to Aberdeen yesterday included a distinguished nobleman from Westphalia, Germany, Baron Von Graes. For some time the baron's cousin, Baron Von Disfenbrook, has been in western Washington, having secured several hundred acres of land near Aberdeen. He came to this country three or four years ago and tried a business venture in San Francisco, which turned out badly. Baron Von Disfenbrook had heard a great deal of western Washington's resources and concluded to invest his money in the Grays Harbor country. A few months ago he visited Germany and there became engaged to marry a beautiful baroness. His property investments near Aberdeen have been successful, and Baron Von Graes, his cousin, was so pleased that he also concluded to come to America to locate. Baron Von Graes arrived by steamer via San Francisco, but found himself stranded in Seattle and struggling to navigate the language barrier. He eventually made his way to his cousin's home near Aberdeen. Baron Von Disfenbrook is currently busy readying a large farm for his permanent residence, where he intends to bring his bride. If Baron Von Graes finds the area as agreeable as he expects, he plans to build his own country home nearby. Both men are noted to be quite wealthy.
“Baron Von Disfenbrook is busily engaged in putting a large farm in shape for his permanent home, whither he will bring his bride.”
In the 1890s, Aberdeen was actively courting outside capital and 'distinguished' settlers to legitimize its boom-town status. Today, while the lords are gone, the city remains a site for real estate investment and the ongoing search for an economic identity tied to the landscape.
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