Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-31
THE FAR NORTHWEST.
A LAND OF MILK AND HONEY.
PerilOus Ride - Delights of q
Corduroy ROsd-BeautIes of the
SeashOre-Aeres UnknOWn-A Desd d
Town - The COunIry,s Varied
Charms.
From an Occasional Correspondent.

From an Occasional Correspondent
FORT c., MOUTH OF COLUMBIA RIVER. W.
T., July 19.-In my last described the wealth
of flowers and fruits in which we were revel
ing, and that was deep in the mysteries of
preserving strawberries, cherries, apricots and
making currant jelly. Nov 1 have just re-
turned from an expedition up the coast to the
city Of Oysterville, some twenty miles of
We left the fort at 10 a. m. in the post wagon,
the zee being H DR.. H, M and Mrs.
HI and Mrs. T, the gentlemen ION
duty, and the ladies to enliven the discharge
OF outy. From here to F1uaco, small settle
ment four miles away, the road is dangerous
at some points close to the edge of the bluff,
and barely wide enough for a wagon to travel it,
with water below, and the bluff rising ab-
ruptly higher on the other side. One feels
shaky in passing over these places At other
points the curves are very sharp and down
hill. Altogether, it is not a road to travel
over on a dark night. The leaders had
been sent ahead, and we made this
part Of the journey with the wheelers
only. The day was beautiful and very warm
for this part of the world, and no dust. The
dangers passed, the leaders were again put TO
.
until we struck ''th9 corduroy" when our
gayety ceased. There were about two miles of
it, and in the worst condition. A corduroy
road al it's best is not pleasant but when it is
broken and fuu or holes aud gaps it is awful
and good remedy for indigestion / should
think. Some of the hills Chey would be called
mountains Fast seemed never ending, and
when we reached the top of one we had clear
view around us over tops of trees the ocean
on one side and the bay and river on the other.
Descending, brakes we're put on and we held
our breath and grasped the sides of the wagon,
for it seemed as though we must fall over on
the horses. At last we emerged on the beach,
and what glorious sight there was! AS far
as one could see up the coast there was clear,
unbroken expanse of beach and ocean. The
breakers were very hgh. and way out they
were OF a peculiar green color never saw on
the Atlantic. 1t is heavy green, and the waters
looked solid rs if one could cut a piece out
of them. Near the shore the sea was
of 8 reddish hue, probably due to sand and
weeds, but the effect of the various shades
blended so perfectly was a picture. The
beaches here are not OF the dazzling white
sand common to our Georgia coast, but of a
broWnish red, and for that reason much more
agreeable to drive on. We saw one sett O.
ment, consisting of hotel and three shanties,
Gignif1ed with the name Of cottages - 1 think
they would make "Newporters'' stare The
people from Portland come here with tents,
and so forth, camp on the beach and take
their meals at the hotel. We passed myriads
of ''sandpiperS" and a number of "curleWs e"
ugly, brown, short-legged thin g, with long,
hooked beakS that just skinned the ground
uttering ear-piercing cries. We saw four bald
eagles, so tame that they remained p ssively
on a stump as we drove by They may be a
regal bird, but they are hideous to behold
Next we came at about midday to the farm
of MIR. L., who is at the head of everything in
these parts He has farm running from the
beach five miles, up and down, and extending
back into the woods, greater part of it un
der cultivation We asked Mrs L., who seemed
to be sound tempered, common sense woman,
how many acres they had?' She replied that
they knew nothing about acres in this part OF
the world, but that they owned five miles -
They had all the modern improvements in ag-
ricultural implements, worked nineteen horses
and sixteen hands, and only herself and little
girl to do the house work for all the men
she said they were willing to pay fifty dollars
month to cook, but could not get one" In
these regions house work, that is TO hire ont
is considered beneath the women While the
horses were feeding we sat under the trees and
lunched, hard boiled eggs, chickens sand
wiches, cheese, cake and chocolate, to which
Mrs. u contributed large pitcher of milk and
another of cream: so we Jared very well The
wind was the only unpleasantness as it sud
denly sprung up and was blowing violently,
but though nearly blown out Of the wagon
after we had again takeu to the road we were
all in good spirits and did not mind it, We
passed the wreck of veSsel, broken bach ed and
stranded, and, seen through faint haze which
hung over the water, it added to the scene The
beach is so hard and firm that heavily laden
as our wagon was. the wheels did not make an
impression on it deeper than the fourth of an
inch. Driving for ten miles thus we turned
inland, and taking to the woods for mile and
half made for ShoaI Water Bay, on which is
situated the city % of Oysterville. Alasl its
days OF grandeur are over. Time was when
the oyster trade built up the place, and put
fortunes in peoples pockets But now it looks
like 1.-THE Deserted Village;" the houses have
their eyes knocked out. and seemed to ask
strangers, What right they had to be there?'
Our arrival created commotion as we drove
up to the Pacific House " We walked into the
parlor. and there was the everlasting meIo-
deon, and the usual bead mats and card board
works. No one came forth to greet u.s. but we
waited patiently, knowing that we had been
seen, as we heard a scufflng In the back
premises. Soon, however, an old man ap-
peared; who proved to be the husband of the
could be accommodated with rooms he looked
at us severely, and said: "Well 1 guess so
You see, I've just been a setting down
on the wharf awhile, but 1 guess
you can have rooms. You see Mississippi
she've been a washing all day, and les gone to-
put clean frock on" Then he disappeared. We
all laughed, he was so funny. 1t is impossible
to describe his look and expression. Presently
MI Sissippi appeared and conducted us up
stairs TO some very nice rooms On asking
the hour for tea, she said mot before half past
five as though 1t was very late hour, but it
could not be helped. Sauntering out to look
around the town we went into it's one store
and tried to buy something as a souvenir but
the stock in trade seemed to be only rubber
to be the great article of trade have for the
past eight years been good for nothing Con
sequently the residents gradually went awav
until not two hundred persons are left There
are no signs of the cultivation of land the
few remaining having apparently resigned
themselves to their fate and mere existence
Returning to the hotel in time for tea. we
found it a most excellent meal Being evil
IDENTIFY regarded as distinguished guests we
had table to ourselves, but for the rest of the
people there was one long board covered with
white enameled cloth The men sat down to table
without ceremony, not thinking it necessary tn
put on coats and so forth. After tea we PLAYED
cards until bed time, and then enjoyed sound
sleep.
Leaving the next morning at eleven.
after delightful drive reached home at $3.50
p. m. 1t was charming pleasure trip to us.
and has broken nicely the routine of our quiet
lives.
This is to me wonderful country with its
luxuriance Of vegetation, flowers, fruits and
forests. l have collected thirteen exouisite
wood flowers new to me, of rare BEAUTY and
the violets and pansies exceed in VARIETY size
color and perfume any have hitherto seen
The roses are magnificent, and some unknown
to US in Georgia, particularly one variety of
white ground, streaked with delicate red lines.
resembling more a camellia than arose. and of
delicious perfume. We are in north latitude
4616 degrees, about Ia degrees north of Savan-
nah, and yet our climate is as soft as at Nor
folk, Virginia, and milder than the south of
England. M