The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-15
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Northern Faclnc Railroad, the abode Of
the Kalama Beacon, and the general
rendezvous for impecunious seekers
after corner lots and landlords bonan-
zas Kalama, the disappointed, doomed
aud dying city Of fizzled expectations,
was tie scene Of the visit or visitation
Of the author Of these peregrinations on
Wednesday Of last week. The good
steamer Emma Hayward" left her
dock at six o'clock on the morning Of
the day named, aud, journeying down
the tree-bordered Willamette to its
mouth, and from thence down the CO.
lumbia to the above mentioned city of
'decimation, We landed at 1880 A. NJ.
and proceeded to the Fulton House.
where arrangements were completed.
after much delay, for securing the NJ. +.
/ Church for an evening lecture. The
church Ia question sits, as it did 10 the
PALMER days OF the calamity-stricken
town, in a cUL-de-sac formed by the in
tersection of two spurs Of the oillowy
and abOunding hills, and opening at its
mouth beside a roaring stream, spanned
by slippery fool-bridge, safe enough
in daylight, but very bridge of peril in
the dense gloom Of rainy, moonless
night, when you couldn't see your hand
before you, nor hear the football Of your
equally night-blinded guide, because OF
the din Of the madly-roaring stream
beneath Us.
We were advised by Mr.. Conegys.
one Of the remaining merchants in the
once busy burg, to call upon the Auditor
and secure tue courtroom for the lee
ture, which is now the county's rented
property, and was once the dining-room
OF the then pretentious Kazano House.
Toe Auditor is "a mild-manuered, corpu-
lent and good-looking specimen of the
arlstocracy Of sex, who graciously in-
formed Us that the Commissioners
couldn't let the courtroom for any
thing but legal or political business, so
We went our way church-hunting, won
dering what he thought our business
was. Mr.. Nestal, as janitor, received US
kindly, and caused the long closed
church to be opened, warmed and light
ed for the use Of the public. But the
long-unused stove-pipe had rusted so
nearly oil at its base that little expan-
sion by fire sent il tumbling with a
crash upon the yet fortunately empty
benches. Had the accident occurred
fifteen minutes later, there would have
been chronicle Of broken heads to
render this column tragically interest
ing. Some gentlemen carried the hot
stove outside with ropes, the few citi-
zens gathered themselves together, and
the lecture was delivered amidst pro-
found aud respectful attention, the
County Commissioners themselves hon
oring US with their presence, and evil
IDENTIFY feeling crest-fallen because the
quiet, orderly political meeting had
been denied the use OF the courtroom.
We are sure they will be more cour-
teous with US next time. Men are not
half as selfish as they imagine them
selves to he. Aud when they under
stand that this woman movement does
not mean crusade against their own
individual rights, we have yet to see
one Of them opposing it, Their supreme
caution permits them to be frightened
without being hurt that's all
We had gone to the church, over the
foot-bridge, and through the gulches;
by the expiring twilight. On return
ing, the night was black as Erebus,
and there was that yawning chssm,
equally suggestive Of the gap at its fatal
mouth, that were 20 US no fable. No
body had lantern; the rain beat time
with the roaring waterfall, and beat a
silent symphony with the waves OF
darkness. What was to be donee Never
did the headlight in a hotel seem 50 far
away.
We not only have no dread of death,
but We have in later years had no desire
to escape il; but the idea of broken
bones and crippled bodies has long been
our pet horror.
a small boy caught an idea We had
with US few copies Of the NEW NORTH
WEST, and he said be would make
torches il he had match. Somebody
had matches, aud both small boy and
smoker are hereby blessed for their sa-
gacity aud providence.
The agony was soon over; but il was
long before your correspondent could
forget in sleep the memory Of that fall
ing stove-pipe, that slippery foot
bridge, that roaring waterfall, and those
( blazing newspaper torches.
Tue county Of Cowlitz boasts lady
, Superintendent Of its Common Schools
in the person Of Mrs Professor Hunt.
, iDgton, whose acquaintance we had
formed while yet a high private in the
, commercial aud domestic walks Of life
This lady has been for several month.
the principa OF the Kalama school, and
, is highly esteemed as a capable anC
! honest teacher aud oflice-holder. A.
, the time Of our visit, she was holding
public examination for the benefit o.
the teachers Of the county, the most o.
3 whom were present, with whom W,
formed very agreeable acquaintance
As usual, the large majority were ladies'
and, as a matter Of course, the largel
I salaries we're commanded by the minor
= ity, or men. But there were none o
2 the terrible and oft-predicted eonse
/, quences Of women holding office visible