The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1880-06-25


across the river. the work now in pro-
gress of constructing . canal aud locks.
which. in view of the early completion
of railroad from Portland to Walla
W.lla. looks like an unnecessary ex .
penditure of labor and money. but it
will doubles, be nsed by steamers. il
it ia ever completed. long after the rail-
road is finished. Between the Upper
and Lower Cascade, 10 the first stretch
Of turbulent seething watsis which Gem
prise one Of the interesting features of
the Columbis.
Passengers again board q steamer Ut
the Upper Cascades and proceed thence
to the Dslles. which is said to contain
three thousand Inhabitants. The most
noticeable feature of this town is the
two large hotels. the Umstilla and
Cosmopolitan, both new frame build.
ings. painted white and on the water
front, in fact, partially over the water.
The Umatilla. the largest of the two,
contains 100 handsomely furnished
lodging rooms, besides spacious BAR
room with four billiard tables, an ele-
CANT par!or. an Office. sample rooms. an
immense dining room. kitchen. &c :.
in all numbering about 40
apartments. 1t is the largest
hotel north of San Francisco, cost
when furnished $4,000. and would
be credit to larger towns than the
Dalles. The town contains many fine
stores. most of them brick and stone,
and their trade seems to be extensive.
1t also has three newspapers and
monument to the prodigality of the
Federal Government in an unfnished
mint. one story Of which was built of
stone upwards Of fifteen years ago. at .
cost Of thirty thousand dollars. Work
upon it was then suspended and is not
likely to be again resumed. The first
three streets parallel with the river are
occupied by stores. also the streets
intorsecting them beyond these are
the dwellings,. some of which are quite
pretty. The streets are probably the
worst 10 be found in any town or city
on the coast
Cello. l41 miles from Portlsnd and
20 miles from the Dalles. is q baulet
composed of half O dozen sheds and
workshops. one or two very humble
dwellings aud floating warehouse. Il
was never designed for o town, and
never can become one. 1t is reached
by rail from the D.lles. but through
clouds of white sand which is blown
by the winds hithsr and thither until
it forms huge drifts or mounds on both
aides of the track, which is only kept
free from it by the constant shovel,ng
OF large force Of men. Bat this same
short railroad ride of twenty miles is
one of the most exciting portions of the
trip mp the Columbia. From the car
windows can be seen the waters of the
river as they come furiously rushing
down from above. forcing their way
through the rocks in mid. channel. toss
ing to aud fro, kissing. fosming. roar
ing. boiling, bubbling. until they can
be likened only to two armies engaged
in ssnguinary conflict. 1t is q thrill.
ing spectacle, and one worth going far
to see.
From Cello up the scene is entirely
changed Save few stunted willows
on the sides of the river. aud these
only at long intervals. no trees are seen
and but little else that is green. The
hills aud mountains near the river are
gradually fiattened. and present vast
expanse Of seemingly barren land.
upon which no vegetation is visible
but dust covered sagebrush yet sheep,
horses and cattle in good condition are
occasionally seen there in considerable
numbers. Jack rabbits aud coyotes are
said to be Qrite numerous ia this region.
Wherever there is . small clump of
stunted willows may be seen q number
Of jsckdsws. which are more ravenous
aud mischievous than crows. Woe
betide the unhappy horse or mule with
9 sore back who strays among these
jackdsws. They Immediately slight
upon bis back and .clinging to him iena-
ciously with their sharp claws. eat their
way into his vitals. Kicking will not
avail the mule in this instance. When
once the jackdaws get at the sore ON
his back. his hours are numbered.
Umatilla. the next regular stopping
place for steamers. is 217 miles frem
Portland. II 10 q towa Of one store,
Ave or six shabby dwellings aud q
stable. Here passengers take the stage
for Pendleton and vicinity in Oregon
A long string Of emigrsnt and new
farm wagons was seen ut this place.
Walluls. % miles further, 10 the
place at which those bound for Walls
Nslls leave the river. taking the cars
there On the road built BY DR.. Baker
81 miles long. The train usually ar.
rives sOen after the steamer. ), and con.
veys the passengers t. Walla Walla the
same night. Wallula has two wretchsd
hotels, two restaurants. two saloons
two or three dwellings and several
dilapidated adobe buildings. Immense
quantities OF freight are landed here
for and from Walls Walla and adixcsni
country. and at pressnt there are housed
there three or four steamer loads of
grain waiting for shipment down the
river. This 10 virtually the head o,
steamer navigation on the Columbia
though steamsrs sometimes 60 20 or &C
miles further TO Priest Rapids. Eleven
miles beyond this points the nsv rail
road town Of Ainsworth, on Snake
Isiver and near its junction with the
| Columbia.
As the foregoing is long enough for
one cDamueieation. ap account Of thu
trip up Snake river Is reserved fol
another. C. p.
PORTLAND. Juns q. 1850.
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