Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-06-16
FAR-OFF FIELDS.
A Los Angeles Man Drifting
North.


arrived at Portland on the steamer
State of California, the morning OF June
9th. We mad an uneventful passage, al
though the sea ran very high, much
more so than ever saw on the southern
route. Eight out OF seventy-hve pas
sengers managed to get to the table alter
we had headed north. AS there were
lust enough walters to go around--we
had one apiece-we Jared we'll. We
reached Columbia bar at 8 p. m.-just
little too late to cross, as they never at
tempt the dangerous passage after dark;
consequently we drifted about outside all
night, and started in at in the morning.
The ocean was very smooth, and we
passed the Dire AIDED spot and were on the
way up the river before any were aware
of it.
The first thing that attracts attention
after entering the mouth of the river is
the fishing fleet. There must have been
hundreds of fishing smacks, and they
we're strung out nearly half the way to
Portland. So much has been written
about the scenery along the Columbia
river that the subject is thread
bare, but the view is beautiful,
indeed. The hills covered with green
foliage. and the mountain ranges, with
pine trees as thick as they can conven-
iently stand, with the enormous peaks
of Mt. Helena and Mt. Adams, each
with its white dome, made a grand pic
ture. Every turn in the river brings
change in the natural panorama. Moth
ing but woods and green grass knee
high, with occasionally thicket of some
low green shrub is seen on these hills
and mountains, the entire distance from
Astoria to Portland. We reached AS
toria at am. and the town was quiet,
about as quiet as at any other time, l
imagine from the looks of the place.
The only industry appears to be canning
salmon. Half the town is built on piles,
out over the water, and every house has
a boat at the side or rear door, with
steps leading down to the water. The
scene forcibly reminds me of my tour
through Venice, and the Italian fisher
men on every hand made the scene
more realistic.
We reached Portland about midday
and it wasn't raining either. l stayed
over night in hopes l would see some OF
the much talked of summer rain, but
was disappointed. Portland is a queer
looking city. T ere are many
old tumbledown, weatherbeateD houses
on every street, interspersed
with elegant residences and fine
brick structures. 1t looks like a place
that had gone plumb to the devil, and
when on the verge of dissolution had
been struck by boom and lifted sky
wards. There are many elegant brick
blocks and costly residences, and there
is general look of prosperity on every
hand, but there is great complaint of
dull times among the business men. IT.
does not require much care, | should
Judge, to keep up lawn in Portland, as
green grass is seen everywhere, and in
many yards it is three feet high. L went
out to the City Park it is located at the
head of B street. The lower end OF B
street is called Washington street. Why
Georges memory wasn't honored with
the whole Street can't imagine. The
park is located on hill above the city,
and 80 far is in about the condition in
which nature left it. Ii will eventually
be lovely place. The hill is thickly
covered with large pines, giving abund.
ant shade, and drives, winding up an
easy grade, will make it a popular resort
when finished. EI discovered lonely seal
in a pool of dirty water, dilapidated
dance platform and few rustic seats,
and that is about the extent of the i'm
provements. The dust was deep, 80 a
prolonged stroll was not desirable, but l
was afterwards told | had seen all there
was.
Leaving the Portland depot at 7 AS,
the road crosses the Willamette river
and follows along the Oregon shore OF
the Columbia until the Dalles are
reached. On this portion of the Upper
Colum bia great deal of fishing is done
by large water wheels, with dip nets at
tached. Wings are extended out into
the river, which steer the fish to the
wheel, when the revolving nets scoop
them high and dry. Some idea of the
number caught in this manner may be
imagined by the fact that Williams
Brothers. wheel frequently catches from
three to four tons in one night.
The scenery is most beautiful until the
Dalles are reached. Here the vegetation
has about run out, the hills grow smaller
and sagebrush makes it's appearance on
the rolling mesas. From here on to
Spokane the dust is the worst ever saw.
This stretch of country is rightly named
"the sands" Last week train was
held near Umatilla for thirty-six hours
by a sand drift on the track, and such
detentions are frequent.
About Spokane, the liveliest town in
the northwest, will reserve for another
letter. Il. A. q.
Spokane Falls, June 10th.