The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-19
SNOW-BOUND IN OREGON.
Imprisoned for Three Weehs-Snow-BanI1s
as High as Telegraph Poles.

Alexander Mcdonald, formerly senator from
Arkansas, and Dewitt G. Wheeler, formerly
Police Commissioner in New York. were APP
pointed commissioners, In November last by
President Arthur, to examine and report on the
recently completed section of the Northern Pa
ciic Railroad between the Columbia River and
Satas in Montana. They left this city on Nov.
20, and have just got back, after having
been showed in twenty-five days
the Oregon Railroad and Navigation
Companys road in Oregon. In Seattle on Puget
sound, they gathered roses and ripe blackberries
and strawberries Dec. l, 1t began snow
ing on the 18th, and kept on showing on the l4th,
10Th and 10th, by which time they had returned
to Portland.
On the 10th Senator Mcdonald Mr. Wheeler,
Senator r. B. Langdon, of Wisconsin, and Cen
eral A. Anderson, the chief engineer of the
Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company,
took possession of the parlor car Yellowstone,
the private car of President Harris. The car
was hitched to the rear of a freight
train going east. The railroad runs from Port
land to Wallulu, where it connects with the
Northern Pacific railroad. They passed the
Monthomah Falls, 800 feet high, and had just
passed Bonneville, forty seven miles from Port
land, whep the train stuck in a snow drift. 1t
could not get ahead, and backed down to Bon
Neville which is only telegraph station.
Near by was Chinese camp of 100 railroad Sec
ton men. The Cascade Locks were four miles
east, and another freight train showed in
there, while eleven miles further east was stuck
the weSt-bound passenger train. The snow
continued to fall heavily all the 18th, and it
plain that there was little hope OF getting
through for some days. There were provision
enough for two weeks IN the cars, and there
were two servants to look out for things. There
were besides, some eight or ten train hands
Mr. Mcdonald kept diary of what happened,
and he read it this evening, with running COM
ments
Dec. liable to communicate up and down
the line by telegraph. Learned that five en-
gines were trying to force their way through
from Portland.
Dec. 2O--snowing Coal and wood running
short, and wood procured with difficulty from
the surrounding country.
The Cinnamon had run out of provisions, and
a locomotive had managed to force its way to
the Cascade locks, where some hogs were OBJ
tanned from the freight train there. Mr. Melon
aid and his companions were unable to leave the
cars because of the storm, and passed the time
playing whist and euchre. An old hunter named
Perry taught them various games of solitaire
Dec. 23.-Snow ceased in the morning, but be-
gan again at night. The Cinnamon worked at
the drifts and got the freight-cars side tracked.
They suffered great deal from cold, and blank
cts were taken from a and distributed among
them.
ION the oath, said Senator Mcdonald, 'smost
distressing news was received from the west
bound passenger train, which was showed in e
Vienta, fifteen miles to the east 1t was Sc
that many women and children were suferia
Tor WanU Oh lDOu we were IuU
sympathy but had no way of getting to
them. They said they must have relief at
once. Lieutenant Carroll, who was in charge
of the government works at Cockade Locks,
started fifty men on snowshoes for Vienta each
man carrying twenty pounds of bacon or -four
This was taken from the stores of the govern
ment contractor The carload of cattle WHICH
were in the freight train at the Locks were
slaughtered, and the meat was sent on in the
same way"
80 I
engine. Their bodies were nailed up in rough
planks and stuck in snow drift They were
afterward removed to Portland and turned over
to the Chinese company.
Dec. 29-Left the car for the first time and
went on locomotive to Cascade Locks The
government is building expensive locks at that
point. The water rises and falls fifty-two feet.
We are all in good health.
Dec. 3O-Still at Bonneville. Thermometer
three degrees above zero. We have just re-
Pacific road. had started from Helena with five
locomotives and 250 men for the relief of the
imprisoned trains.
Dee. 3l.-Snowing again. Very cold Buck
ley only twenty miles away but he has the
worst part to go through yet. Received a dis
patch from home. Ali we'll l feel very de-
spondent. Thermometer at zero. We made
ourselves some hot whisky and sat up all night,
drinking toasts TO see the old year out
Jan. 3.-At half-past l we heard whistling to
the east, and we knew Buckley was coming At
half-past 2 the relief train came in
drawn by four big engines / fairly
embraced Buckley on the platform. He
seemed the grandest man l had ever met
had met him before in Kansas The passenger
train from Vienta followed him and he sent IL
back to Vienta, where provisions could be OBJ
tanned There are now 600 men here and eight
cen engines.
Jan. AT 5 o'clock this morning chinook
wind with rain sat in. We can almost see the
snow melt. and it carries it away faster than
thousands of shovels could DO it. We tee
graphed to Portland for supplies, as we are run
ming low. The purchasing agent of the road
came sixteen miles over the snow in q sleigh
and brought US provisions.
sit now begins to look as If we might get
OUT Senator Mcdonald w1ote on Jan g. "a
train from the east has just passed US, and one
thousand men are working between Bonneville
and Portland"
JAN Left Bonneville; passed Cascade
Locks and Vienta The snow there reached TO
the top of the telegraph poles and fell into the
smoke-stacks of the locomotives. We arrived
at Wallulu that night, and were transferred TO
General Anderson's car. the Montana.
Jan. S--Arrived at Yokema City. Inspected
the new section.
Jan. Cleft for ST. Helena.
The two commissioners then came home as
fast as possible, and arrived in New York on
Friday night.
IF it hadn't been for the Northern Pacific
people we'd be IN that snowdrift now" said
Senator Mcdonald tonight ',Solid ice was
formed over the tracks, and Buckley had to
blast it out with powder to get to u.s."