, 1881-12-31

This was very common even. betseen
the year 1888 aud up to the time Of the
completion Of the Union and Central
Pacific to San Francisco 1t vas a vast
undertaking to start with mans family,
plunder, stock and money, and strike out
into the vast wilds vest OF the Missouri
river, beyond law, civilization and white
settlements, and for a distance of two
thousand miles wend his way upon road
which was made by others in his condi-
ton He had to pass through country
Of dozen or more tribes of Indians who
knew no law but that Of interest or fear.
That those tribes ever suffered any fami-
lies to pass to Oregon or California Is a
wonder. II ever there was any condition
in life in which the true character of men
and women was fully developed, il was
upon that long journey Ct six months
with teams. Some persous, who, for pol
icy, before they started ON this Journey,
seemed to be quite moral aud religious,
when they were beyond law gave vent to
their true character. Others who had no
become very farorlbly known where they
had been living, shone forth in times OF
peril and trial as persons of noble hearts
and sound principles. In sickness they
were ministering angels-frm in their
course, heroic in danger, and. wise in
counsel. Many that had fair reputa-
ton at home became perfect outlaws ON
the plains. Selfshness re;Sued supreme
In some, while Others were noble and gen
erous Thus tired and worn down, much
reduced in wealth. those hardy pioneers
finally arrived on this coast, and have
given marks here OF the same character
which they evireed on the plains. The
immigrants Of those years scattered over
this country, and they and their descend
ents nov form quite considerable pro-
portion Of our present population. Ii is
true they l,ad the first choice Of the lands
here, under different acts of Congress,
but it Was dear lands to them Ny losses
of property and outlay in money, besides
six months Of weary travel, from the
time left Springfield, ILL.,, in 1857 until
| arrived in Portland, Oregon, were two
thousand dollars What the country was
through which We passed between the
Missouri river and Portland, and what it
is now, presents such a contrast that it
seems almost the work OF mage how
those wilds have been transformed by the
skill Of men into what they are now.
The iron artery of commerce now pulsates
from ocean 10 ocean. Mighty enterprises
are at york even on this cast, IN build
ing many and long lines Of railroads, and
dotting over seas and rivers with thou
sands Of warer craft which carry off our
fast growing commerce. Only at three
places between the Missouri river and
The Dalles did l see white settlers. and
part of them were soldiers. Scarcely any
white settlers were then in Eastern Was.l-
in.ton and Eastern Oregon. Powder
River valley, Grand Roude valley, all the
Umatilla country, and the charming Walla
Walla valley, and the vast grassy wheat
plains north and northeast of Walla
Walla, was wild and vacant.
But few settlers We're at or near The
Dalles, and Portland was a village of
about 500 persons. On this beautiful,
mild day-December 22d, lsSl-with the
bright orb of day sending down his hooa
of light, AIN l in the great city Of Walla
Walla. ! am almost bcwildered with
wonderment and can scarcely believe my
own senses
Thanks to the enterprise Of the \. p.
R. r. Co. and the 0. r. &; N. Co, this
vast wheat country is rapidly filling up
with hardy, enterprising people.
n,vIn Nrn.nnr