The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-07-31
Communication
PoRTIAND. Ore, July 3, 1891.

PORTLAND. Ore, July q, 1891.
Editor Cambria Freeman:
SHIT i one year since / left home and
friends in Ebensburg for sojouTn ia the
far West" After remaining in Spokane
Falls six weeks, left for Oregon and took
with me, in addition to my trunk and grip
sack. the germs of typhoid fever in my
system. The details of my subsequent
prostratiOn and misery i neec not note. IL
is enough to say that had l foreseen the
trying ordeal pending in the event of my
coming west. the trip would never have
been made. But L can truly say now-and
l have been waiting until L could say il be-
fore writing that having come through it
safely, with family all here. health re-
stored. strength increasing. and the hope
OF overcoming financial rcVerseS encour-
aging, have no regrets tocXpresS for haV-
ing come, except that attending the alb
50 nee OF familiar faces and pleasant aSso
Citations of old time friends. Our friends
in your town and county possess a sterling
worth that we cherish with an undying
feryOr.
As | am writing To a number of sincere
friends | cannot speak the full sentiments
OF our hearts without expressing our graf
itude for and appreciation of the SYM
pathy, kindness, confidence and aid so
freely extended during the period of our
sore trial. These are cherished memories
of Cambria county friends that no time can
ehace or distance dim In this connection
/ feel impelled To allude 10 the fortitude
and devotion OF her, whose opportune ar
rival was life TO me, and whose re-arrival
was the occasion of family reunion, the
JOY of which made all past trials but steps
70 present pleasure and added new yigor TO
life and hope.
cannot attempt in this letter de-
scription OF all the West have seen with
out asking too much space of We kind
hearted editor: will confine myself 10
some general remarks mostly about the
city in which we live.
Portland is the leading city in the North
west, Notwithstanding the loud claims of
Spokane Seattle Tacoma Ia
OF Chicago ii has no superior except San
Francisco, nor no rival in trade. business,
wealth and natural advantages north of
the Golden Gate. As a shipping point ii
combines all the advantages of a seaport
city and an inland metropolis. 1t is one
hundred miles from the ocean bv water,
but all sea going vessels can reach its
wharveS by the way of the Columbia river
eighty eight miles, then up the Willamette
twelve miles to its location. on both sides
of the river. AT Portland the depth of the
willamette is sixty feet and has an average
depth tromNhcre TO its mouth of forty feet,
and is half n mile wide. Since the 18th of
last month the population of this city has
been $1,000.
For beauty of environment Portland is
unsurpassed. The evergreen forest that
skirts the town along the higher ground TO
the west and creepS to the rivers brink at
either end OF the city, forms a pleasant
back ground, and which. with the green
landscape, makes a panorama that blends
in the urban picture with wonderful charm.
Portland is located at the foot of the far
famed and fertile Willamette Valley
which IS l25 miles long and - wide,
bordered on the east by this picturesque
Cascade range, dotted with its Snow-capped
peaks in full and charm inspiring view all
the year round. On the west the Coast
mountains separate il from the ocean and
check the velocity of the sea breeZes,
which make gentle and soothing zephyr
in the Valley.
1t is truly land of evergreens, cereals,
fiOwgrS. o. il