Introduction / by Stephen Dow Beckham -- Comcomly : Chinook Nation CEO / by John Terry -- John Jacob Astor I : "A most excellent man"? / by Robert Michael Pyle -- George Gibbs / by Stephen Dow Beckham -- Ranald MacDonald and Astoria / by Frederik L. Schodt -- Captain George Flavel and the building of Astoria / by William F. Willingham -- Bethenia Angelina Owens-Adair / by Jean M. Ward -- Silas Bryant Smith / by Stephen Dow Beckham -- Molding Astoria---the role of two editors / by Sandra Haarsager -- The salmon kings / by Liisa Penner.