The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-11-21
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A Perllaus "trip In the cascade ssuasalns

A PerliauS Trip in the Cascade Mountains
S. W. Hinman, of Camp Polk, Vase,
county, dropped in on us unexpectedly las
Wednesday, aud gave us an account of ar
experience no has just had in tho Cascade
Mountains which Is the most perilous W.
have heard for long time. Mr.. d. Shatier
of Shedd's Station, started over the Lebanon
road across the Cascades on the 9TH inst.i
with four-horse team and light wagon. and
when he arrived at the Mountain House
broke one of his axles. knowing that Mr.,
Hinman was something of wagon maker he
went ON over to his place (ahout 80 miles
aud got him to come back and help him out
of his difficulty. They came back, and get.
ting tho wagon fixed, started mp Seven-AlilC
Hill early ON the morning Of the 18th. Al
Snow Creek they got into deep snow, and at
Haekloman's Pass found it about 3 feet deep.
From there to the Lakes their axles dragged
in the snow, and they didn't get in until
away after dark. aud tho distance was only
ten or twelve miles. Next morning as soon
as it was light thoy started up Sand Noun.
tain ia a snow and rain storm. Tho horses
labored very heavily in the snow and when
they had made about six miles it became
very PLAIN that it was only waste of valu.
able time to try to take the wagon further.
They thought if they could make it to the
open country around Big Lake about -four
miles distant, thoy would find less snow aud
could so ON to Camp Polk easily, so they un-
hitehed the horses and each mounting one
started on. The snow was then so deep that
it struck the large horses half way up the
sides, and the farther they went the deeper
it became The horses foundered so that
they soon tired and the men had to change
horses every few hundred yards. Not more
than mile aud half from the wagon had
been made until the snow became so deer
that further progress was impossible. Mr..
Humans horse fell with him and when hs
got of on his feet the snow struck him high
on his breast, which would indicate that il
must have been between a and feet deep.
They thea took the back track, and twenty
yards away found their trail entirely obliter,
ated by the falling snow. II it had not been
that Mr. Hinman was mountaineor of long
experience and perfectly familiar with the
country, there is no doubt but that they
would have perished there, but after severe
struggle of several hours they arrived at the
wagon. 1t was then almost covered with
snow. but not wishing to lose it they hitched
on their four horses and tried to turn it, but
in vain; the horses could not move it. Mr..
Ii. then dug in under the rear end Of it and
fastened chain to the hind axle, and hitch
ing the horses to it and clearing the snow
away from the wheels and pulling down hill
they started it BY this means they got the
wagon turned around, and getting the horses
hitched up in good shape started down the
mountain to the Lakes. Although they were
now going down hill their labor was dimi :
ished very little as it had showed heavily
aud caused timber to fall across their path.
Fourteen logs were cut out OF the way and
they did not get down to the Lakes until
several honrs after dark. There they took
charge OF the deserted Fish Lake House and
building fire thawed out their almost frozen
limbs They were 50 much exhausted after
their perilous tramp that their eyes were not
closed during the night. Another thing that
did not add materially to their peace Of mind
was that they still had one pass to get
through before they could strike the SantiAm
and two days before when they passed
through it the snow was , feet deep. The
next morning they left the wagon aud started
On horseback, and arriving at the pass they
were rejoiced TO see that it had been raining
there instead Of showing Arriving at the
foot of the mountain they hal to go into
camp one day to let the Santiam run down
as it was too high to attempt to cross. On
Sunday they got out Of the snow and arrived
at Mealey's, having been fighting their way
through the mountains for seven days, with
nothing to eat but potatoes. We have not
heard Of such severe struggle for life for a
long time, and are very much reioiced that
our TIVE friends got out of their difficulty in
such good shape. Mr. Shafer returned 70
his home at Shedds and Mr. H came down
here, four hundred miles from home with
only dollar or two in his pocket and suit
of clothing that would not bring much even
in second hand store He mas many friends
here though and they soon fitted him out.
lie will start for home ria The DalIes thia
week