Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1873-02-06

the past year about fifty miles of road, from
Kala,na, thirty miles below Portland, on the
Columbia, in the direction of Olympia, on
the Sound, and within eighteen miles of that
city. This shows the importance it attaches
to an early union with this part of the valley.
The navigation interests of Oregon spread
out in all directions from Portland, and haye
been very thoroughly improved. The canals
at Oregon City will have cost, when COM
pleted, several millions, but they will secure
for Portland the already vast and growing
commerce of one of the largest and richest
agricultural valleys in the world. Boats
varying in size from twenty to three hundred
tons, ten or twelve in number, are constantly
employed in the business of this channel.
The Oregon Steam Navigation Company,
through their fourteen fine boats on the up
per and lower Columbia, running daily a
distance of 800 miles, have done the bust
ness of all that region, rs far as Lewiston,
on Snake River, for the past twelve or fifteen
years. The Pacific Steam Navigation Com
pany have line of ocean steamers which
leave Portland tri-week]y for San Francisco.
The capital engaged in steamboats, and rail-
roads, represented and mostly owned at
Portland, cannot be less than $50, ,0OO, Co.,
The well directed energy and enterprise of
these companies have built up a beautiful
city of 1900 inhabitants. In wholesale
trade it already completes successfully with
San Francisco, and furnishes a market for
all the settled portions of Oregon, Washing
ton and Northern Idaho. The large whole
sale establishments of Portland are not
whit behind those of San Francisco, and the
evidences of thriving business, both in the
wholesale and retail quarters, showing that
the rapid growth of the city has not exceeded
the demands of the surrounding country.
Several ships which had arrived from Eng
land with cargoes Of coal for ballast, were
receiving return cargoes of wheat, the large
surplus crop of the Willamette valley, which,
already large, will ultimately exceed that of
any other portion of the Pacific seaboard.
'l Portland is delightfully."- located, on an ele
waited plateau, which ovcrlooks for great
distance the surrounding country. 1t is laid
out in squares, and extends from the river
front back to a towering ridge, covered with
pines. From the summit of this ridge the
prospect is very extensive, embracing fine
view of the Cascade range, with Mounts
jefferson, Hood, and St. Heens in the fore
ground, and distant glimpses of Mounts
Adams and Rainier, far away in Washington
Territory. The break in the pine forests,
making the course of the Columbia is very
distinct. The .unilnproved country in every
direction is adense forest of pines. Alta dis
tancc of sixty miles, directly in front of the
city, Hood nlantled from base to summit in
snow, rises to the towering height of 14,250
feet 1t is the most majestic object in one of
the most ma ajestic landscapes in the world.
One constantly feels its presence and its
grandeur, while walking the streets of the
city, and such is the phenomena attending it,
that every fresh glimpse seems to increase its
attractions. 1t is terrible in storm and geor-
geous in sunlight, but in the softened light
and purpling hues of morning, its inspira-
tioral influence can only be appreciated by
those who have seen it. ST. Helens is only
visible from the upper. part Of 1.-The city.
More symmetrical than Hood, is ismor than
two thousand feet lower. 1t seems to rise
gradually from sea Of woods, as you ascend
the main street, like huge dome of alabas-
ter, and when revealed from its rounded sum
NIT to its base, its form is exactly like that of
the old fashioned sugar-]oaf.a 1t isvery beau
tiful On the distant northern horizon, the
Blended glories of Adams and Ranier,i bound
the vision. All these mountains are volca- 1
noes. Smoke is sometimes seen issuing from
the crater of Hood, and st. Helens, on one
occasion, belched forth ashes and smoke that
iaarkened the eiatmospherc for miles around it,
during period of four days. From the hill
or ridge where we are. standing, Portland
seems within jumping distance 9d 1t contains
many beautiful buildings. J41 The Custom
House, built'of free stone, will; when com
pleted, lie an oFnamentt 10 thecity. The Court
House, the Haass of the Afasons and Odd Eel |
lows, some six ar eight churches, uiAhy of
tke'large brick and iron bdaineas blocks, and
sc9re 81 ns66rsel elegant private residences, I
attest test 10 26'sssl Tie wealth and ad 81 ciah
@lAta nllW atoTH .aG .It5I 81 dIAaER OIL /. |
and that heme pride always tAe concpnitsnt co gas
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on b9iLsal Isi11UsSs1Ds& <n~s+.+ee4ss- BAG I
isq4sI gosiahe, Reporter mjsadxitnesslbe lbe
fore tho Grand Jury thess icodcetning slcat-
tls atealiug gcass, testified dfahatt he,nscogaisedf
~ brand OF q d6psrssiox a hisneiyhbor's.