, 1890-07-31
AFLOAT ON CHELAN.
Mr.. J. J. Browne Goes on an
Excursion.
ONE MAN OF A PARTY DROWNED
Beautiful and Mai estic Scenery
A Climb to the Snow
Line-Etc.

CHELAN, July 2i.--The steamer City
of Omaha went up the lake on the 18th
with the following excursionists: Hon.
J. J. Browne and son, of Spokane Falls;
John Carlisle, Mark Marcuson. Alvin
|. Woodin, Oscar Nichols, Earl Lara.
bee, l.. II. Woodin and Charles ID.
Woodln. At Waputue's Point they
met Mr. Carpen ter of the firm of Car
penter & Murdook, Wateryillc; also
Mrs. Carpenter and two others, who
were returning from acamping aud fish
ing trip.
While the steamer was taking on
wood about twelve miles from tho
foot of the lake, loud shouting was
heard indicating distress. Captain Gra-
ham at once ran the steamer to the spot
whence the sound came, and found four
men astride skill which had been cap-
sized. After rcscuing them 1t was
learned that one of tho party. David
Hogg, was drowned, and Henry
o. Harra. Joseph Yurgst Henry Von-
Etten and Charles l.awteryung were
rescued. All were members Of Conn
pany A, under command of u captain
from Fort Spokane. This Is the first
fatal accident that has occurred on Lake
Chelan. The fact that the lake mad
scarcely ripple on its surface at the
time of this accident would indicate
that soldiers know little about manag-
ing a boat.
Twenty-Five miles above Chelnn tho
steamer landed at "Merritt's Harbor."
II, NJ. Merritt Is one oil the original
pioneers and settlers upon the lake. lie
is u man upward OF 30 years of age, and
lives most of the time alone. Not long
att At
appropriated some of his cooking uten-
sils, whereupon the old gentleman pasted
upon the door of his cabin the following
notice: 'Bewarc about m0nkeying with
this door or window. A double-barreled
shotgun is set and well loaded inside,
awaiting all intruders. Ten dollars ro-
ward for the arrest and conviction of tho
low-lived thief who broke my door open
some time between the 9Th and 18th OF
July and stole a stove kettle, a stew pan
and several other small articles out of
this cabin. Any person who will steal
from two old men. who are both crippled
and have hard work to keep soul and
body together, such scamp needs
hanging to the netIest tree
I'll. n. MERRITT"
Mr.. Merritt's partner was also away
at the time.
From Merritt's harbor the little steam
er made rapid speed to Fish creek, some
eight miles from the head Of the lake.
Camping for the night the excursion
lists caught enough trout for two sumpt-
uous meals, and by the light OF camp
fire spent the evening in card playing
and telling tales of frontier life, in what
was once called the far West but now
is known as i"Down East"
The following morning the steamer
landed the mouth tho StpheEtn
river a stream some 300 feet wide, and
i've to ton feet deep, which enters tho
head of tho lake. During the day tho
party went up this river TO Rainbow
creek, about three miles from the lake.
Here the scenery is If possible more
grand and awe-inspiring than at points
further down the lake.
Rainbow creek enters the Stehekin
valley on tho northerly side and comes
down over n precipice some 800 feet.
Below the main fall are two other falls
of less magnitude but beautiful because
of the surroundings. The sparkling of
the clear water as it comes In contact
with the sunlight peering down through
the lofty FIR and pine trees which skirt
the rocky shore of this most beautiful
creek gave pleasing contrast. A mist
rises from the main fail and from various
points the beautiful colors OF the rain
bow can be seen. Hence the name
Rainbow falls" On the right bank of
the creek Immediately below the main
fall high cliff overlooks the scene
opposite and below which stand magnifi-
cent forest trees of evergreen. No lover
of nature can fail to admire "Rainbow
falls"
The following day was spent fishing
and hunting and rambling in the noun
tains. Castle rock. which rises like
great sentinel overlooking the lake and
surrounding mountains, was an object
OF much admiration. and many sugges-
tions were made as TO its height An
impromptu proposal was made by one of
the party 10 20 up AS far as the snow.
The proposal was ut once acted upon,
and party OF four, Messrs. A. l..
Woodin, Earl Larabee, l.. III. Woodln,
OF Chelan; and Master Guy Browne, of
Spokane Falls, started for the snow.
Crossing the lake under full sail and
landing ut the mouth of Bridal Veil
creek, the long tramp commenced. Up
deep gorges, over perilous trails made
by mountain goats, overlooking frightful
precipices, through tangled forests,
around and over great granite boulders
and moss covered rocks, at last the snow
was reached, The company all voted 1t
hard road TO travel, but after the re-
turn trip, they thought the down grade
far more difficult. At many points 1t
was impossible TO descend without the
help of each other. The return trip was
slow and the party did not reach tho
lake until the following day. They
reached point about 5000 ieet above
sea level.
Saturday, the 10Th, the steamer re-
turned and the Hon. J. J. Browne,
Master Gray Browne and others returned
to the foot of the lake. Mr.. Browne,
expresses himself as confident that
brilliant future of rapid development
awaits Chelan. With transportation
and the development of the resources OF
Chelan and vicinity he thinks 1t will
soon reach a population of 10000.
THE WORLDS FAIR.