, 1869-11-13
EIIloIIal CORRESPONDENCE.


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PoarLasD. Nov /, 1869.
DEAR STATESMAN: At the re-
quest and in obedience to the wishes
Of friends who thought that my post
Of duty was at Olympia. and not in
the sanctum, 1 left walla Walla on !
Thursday night, about 10 o'clock,
and behind a spanking pair Of bays,
the ribbons held by my good friend,
Thomas rierney, the best whip in
The land, l was rapidly whisked over
The road to Wallula, and reached
there 10 time to hear the steamer
blow her first whistle. The night
was dark, and occasionally we lost
the road, but with Tierney< for
driver there was no such word as
4'upset," and l felt just, as safe as
though / were in my own comforta>
,ble quarters at home, Summoned
10 make the trip at a lato hour and
with scarce moments notice, friend
Tom turned out bis best team and
put US through in gallant style. We
sshay live long and pass through
many advchtures, but never shall
we forget the midnight ride with
Tom Tierney to Wsllula, and can
best acquit our obligation by recon-
mending him to all thJso who may
want gallant team and skillful
driver.
THE TRIP DOWN.
Arrived at Wallula, we immedi-
ately repaired on board the steamer
Tenino, and cold and wearied after
our long ride, were most kindly re-
ceived by Capt. Stump and Purser
Grey, the gentlemanly officers of the
boat. In 1861 we made our first
trip up the Columbia to Lewiston on
the Tenino, and now, on her "trip
down, we found her just as good as
when we first made her acquaintance.
The o. S. N. Company is abused for
many things, but those who pass
over the line must admit that the
boats are good and the accommoda~
,tions most excellent.
UMATILLA LANDING.
With the first dawn of day, toe
steamer cast off her lines, and after
a run of less than two hours made
Umatilla Landing. The stay was
too short to admit of going ashore,
but as seen from the water the town
presents the appearance of having
gone into the "sere and yellow leaf" &"
All along the front street we could
see vacant houses, and everywhere
the eye turned was presented the ev.
licences of premature decay. At
one time Umatilla was the liveliest
town in the upper country, but now
she sits gloomy aud desOlate, with
her glory departed, and her streets
deserted. Like the superanuated
player she "lags superfuous on the
STAGE" and seems to be waiting for
the undertaker's hearse and the funs
'eral rites that are to cousign her to
oblivion. Vale Umatilla.
THE DALLES.
Continuing our journey on down
the river, we reached the Dalles at
an early hour in the afternoon. Like
Umatilla, the Dalles has passed uu.
der the rod of affiiction, but having
more of vitality, still survives, and
gives promise of a prosperous future;
the halting place for all the travel on
the Columbia River, it is impossible
to snuff the place entirely out; but
outside this advantage, the Dalles is
the natural depot of supplies for the
John Day country, as also the mag,
ni6cent valley Of the Yakima, and
as these districts are settled up the
town must resume at least a portion
of her former prosperity. Inhabited
BY an enterpriSiug and energetic
people, we are of those who believe
that the Dalles is yet destined to
witness a revival of her fortunes.
And here by way of concluding this
part of my sketch, let me say that the
Dalles has always boasted excellent
hotels, and chief of these is the Una.
tilla House, kept by Handley & Sin.
mott, who always extend a cordial
welcome to the weary traveller, who
under their roof enjoys all the com.
forts Of home.
10 THE CASCADES.
Leaving the Dalles on Saturday
morning. at 8 o'clock, we went on
board that magnificent river craft,
the steamer OaeOnta, commanded BY
our old friend, Capt. John McNulty,
aided By Purser George Kuaggs, the
two combined forming a whole team,
and justly universal favorites with
the travelling public. The Oaeoata
has recently been overhauled and
re6tted throughout, aud placed in
every respect in as good condition rs