The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-06-08
"REMINISCENCES.
A Retrospective View of Times and Scenes
as They Were Thirty Years Ago
and Now.
ARLINGTON, Ore, June 4, 1895.


Editor TMEs-MoUNrAISEsE:
Having just returned from trip to
| the upper country, and having noted
some of the changes that have taken
| place in the last thirty years when you
and were boys will scribble them
to you as seen by your humble cores
pondent.
Thirty-four years ago last month l
took trip to Wallula on the steamer
Col. Wright, at that time the only
steamboat that ploughed the waters of
the mighty Oregon" above The
Dalles. Then Waliula was the only
place of any importance on the river
anywhere above the Deschutes, from
which point supplies were carried by
boat for Walla Walla, Colville, Grand
Ronde and all points east of The
Daiies, most of which went to govern
ment posts, and all the present Inland
Empire was comparatively uninhao-
tied. Nothing was raised here. and
flour, grain, bacon, etc, We're all
shipped from the big Willamette val
ley. So the change is beyond the
power OF my pen to describe, and must
be known TO be fully appreciated. [
will simply say the transformation is
almost complete. The noble river
rolls westward with the same irresist-
able force. The same, Or similar, sand
mixes with the sparkling water: the
bold bluffs that at intervals line the
banks OF the river are the same, and
in the same way bid defiance to time
or winds: the topography OF the coun-
try is the same-tne sands, gravel aud |
sagebrush are still here. but all else is !
changed. The waving bunchgrasS has |
been exterminated, except in small |
spots. the wigwam of the aboriginee |
is no longer seen along the banks of |
the river, and the old adobe fort has
crumbled to dust. The deafening
crack of the ox-driver's whip is no
longer heard, and we have no longer
any use for the boys in blue. though a
few still remain. The white sails of
the scow and schooner are no longer
seen, and even the steamboat has been
driven from the river except between
Riparia and Lewiston. Most of the
men who managed the business affairs
Of the country have passed on TO the
great majority, and instead we find
the country occupied by different
people. with different occupations, diff
terent intentions, etc, etc. The hills
ire covered with waving grain.and line
houses and heaVy ldC6n OfcnafOS Oc-
,upy the places Of the log hut and the
indian wigwam, to the extent of large
,ities and farms measured by the
thousand sections. The iron horse on
teel rails has taken the place OF the
* and mule team: the speed of travel
las been increased - per cent. and
he load of freight handled by one
nan about 100 per cent, while the ,
population has increased so that the
multiple would be hard TO calculate. |
wish ! could report the happiness
nd contentment OF the people had in
reased in the same ratio; but this is !
lot the case. The greed for wealth
las brought strife, contention and {
harps swindlers, and the frontier hos l
itallty and freedom have gone too,
Mr.. Editor, if we live to see the next {
hirty years roll around the changes J
ill be still greater. Then men will |
6 more content with this life, the f
reed for wealth will be supplanted by q
sincere desire TO see all men happy; \
ne necessaries of life will satisfy men,
nd as for means OF travel each will f
wn his own flying machine and go g
hen and where he pleases and
trough the air at that: corporations e
i'll dissolve and individuality will as t
,rt its supremacy. Yours, etc. "
OLIVER OAKUM. S