New-York tribune., 1883-11-04
UP THE COLOMBIA.
THE CASCADES AND THE GREAT DALLEs'
tFRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRTBUSE

AINswORTH, w. r., Oct. 20.-The Cas-
cades OF the Columbia in about the cen
tire Of the Cascade Mountain range, ana Tue
rocky walls OF the river there tower to the helgn o
three thousand feet their sides clet at ih1e'S
by deep avlnes the rocky hedges Of which are hidden
by frs pines Above the Cascades the river stretches
out IN unbroken stiffness to where It comes punging
down the swift rapids that look much like those az
Niagara. solitary Indian out on rock fishing iOr
salmon and seals jumping about In the rapids on similar
errauds illustrate the wildness OF the scene oh
point Of land that s out above the Cascades sahaH an
old block house. where twentyseven years ago
Lieutenant "Phip Sheridan with hanoIuI
Of soldiers defended the settlers against inc
attacks OF Indians. The United States GOV
ernment is building lock at the Cascades so tna'
steamers ascend to the upper river About hait
million dollars have already been expendedj but II the
stories related here are true good deal of the money
has been wasted 1t the purpose TO build also cahai
around the Dalles and thus make the Columbia naWg
able from s mouth to Snake River and thence up 10
Lewiston. 1t will cost the Government seVeral muoh
dollars however to complete suoh a work
The word "Dalles," signifying "swift waters Is
appled as general term rapids on different points OF
the river But IL is generally understood TO
mean tie Great Dalles, five miles from Dailes
CITY. 1t is spot well repaying Visit
The river is now at a low stage, ana from
the train, which skirts the banks, 1t looks nom
half mile to mile ana more Wlue AZ PiaO"S
Reaching tae Great Daes, however there Is no river
visible but only wide explnse OF low rocks. But
climbing over the rough and rocky surface, the river Is
found confined in O narrow cut about sixty yardS III
width Through this cut the water flows In q tremen-
lous torrent of a depth that has never been fahomed
II s best described as river turned on edge. At high
water the river Is said TO rise at this point over 100
feet Then It Is greatly increased in width, and and
rTshes and foams through the main gorges WIZ WIZ
yrpat velocity. There are smaller cascades near
| Ghe Daes, where l saw number OF
indian nuts on the rocks and ponies were DroWslne
near nv on the scant herbage found among the sage
hrIsh The Indians were swinging spears or Wiedipe
scop nes over the Dds waiting and watching IOr hht
| salmon to ascend, this being their fall catch. a.,
There !s very little arabic land along the Columoi
The river for ts channel great gorge thrOug
The mountaIps which mako Its shores. OocaslOna!iy
tbers IA fertile strip Of bottom and some Demon Iah1
bn for the greater part Of the way there s no OWL
1at,on 10 speak Of aud no land TO cultivate The noun
tain Views we're obscured this trip by snOk
RON forest Urea At night these fierce nre reachhg
The crest OF the and lighting up the river pre-
se6ted a magnificent sight There were miles OF loges
ares 10 be seen along the river, and great desl 0
valuabe timber was being destroyed Ihese ntes ht
n%eVaIent TO an unusual extent this year In the forest
af Oregon and Warrington Territory.