River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-05-07
Entering Clusters country awoke

Fort Keogh took every eye, and
the long line of soldiers on the run
to the depot excited our company
somewhat, and when small squad
in full uniform under commanding
officer was stationed at the car steps,
with muskets ready for use, we won
dered which one of us was the de-
serter wanted. Evening was slowly
| creeping over us as we left the old
fort, and as we rode along by the
Yellowstone the stories of old DAYS
came thick and fast to our memory.
The express messenger kindly gave
us many interesting notes, and in the
evening took us through binding
snow blow into his car, and opening
side door showed us the bridge as
we crossed the Big Horn. The fire.
arms in this car were numerous and
one of the company began inquiries
as to danger from robbers, and he
told us of the way the train was held
up and the mail and passengers raid
ed several years ago and ofthe battle
which was ended by five being shot,
and announced the places as we
passed where these horrors were
perpetrated. Standing there with
locked doors and listening to these
tales of robberies and Indian raids,
we felt our hats lifting lin imagina-
tion); at least we were in the mood
for wishing it were once more day
light.
Thoughts of Bozeman Pass over
the burning mine kept our eyes
widely open and it was with thank
full heart that we saw from our win
dow the first rays of morning and
knew that we had not broken
through.
Into the mountain country now,
and Helena is soon reached in one
of the grandest snow storms | ever
saw, and as we go out to mail our
cards and letters | wondered if this
were not the beginning of the block
ade, for our wheels were standing
deep in the snow and were full of its
fleecy whiteness; but we soon out
ride the storm. The Pass through
these mountains is one of enhancing
interest. | like the blue, white
capped Rockies, they make one feel
so secure in their solid high might
ness, and when we go hurrying up
the long grades over the high tres
ties, some of them over 200 feet
above the ravines, we sit on the plat
form and look up at the grand rocks
above and down into the depths be-
meath us, with a feeling of awe at
the magnificence. How glad we
are that s'the God of nature and the
God of revelation are one and the
same"
After long climb we enter tun-
mel and as lamps have been lighted
we sit down, thinking it may be a
long one. and Sc long one it proves to
be. Fifteen minutes it takes to find
our way out, and we learn that it is
more than two miles through. Again
we go outside to view the wondrous
scenery, and again and again are
driven back by the sight of the open
ing of another one ahead, until at
last we rest at Skyline, so rightly
named, for we are up in the clouds
and snow.
The curves, grades, and trestles
we have passed over, and the beauty
of the white snow covering the ever
greens on the mountain sides and
the grandeur as a whole, has tired us
So that the brief rest here is relief.
This is the country where one can
see s'the cattle upon thousand
hills" digging through the snow for
the bunch grass hidden beneath.
We could but be glad of the thus
far open winter on their account.
The herder's hut i'll the cliffs above
caught our eye. From his eyrie he
gets long glimpses of his wandering
herds.
The coal mining section is inter-
esting, and now we are leaving the
snow gradually behind us and are
again entranced by the wonders of
the rocks down whose steep sides
come the tiny waterfalls, frozen as
they fall. We go out for an hours
ride along the Columbia and through
canyon of such wondrous grandeur
and beauty that to again go inside
the close car is to come down to a
level of common life in no way pleas
ing to any of the campany.
We stay to catch the last glimpse
of the snow-clad Rockies, and as we
gaze, the sun, heretofore hidden by
the depths of the canyon, lights up
the high mountain tops and we get
magnificent view of Idaho's golden
sunset.
We cross the Columbia where it
enters the Lake Pend D'Oreille over
the highest bridge on the line-226
feet-and darkness once more sur
rounds us.
A large part of our company leave
us at Spokane in the night and we
sit up to bid them good bye. We
go off the train with them and then
| return, sad at sight of their vacant
seats. Many pleasant acquaintance
are formed on these long journeys,
eships that pass in the night,
And speak each other in passing;
Only light, and voice,
Then darkness again, and a silence"
The night was broken by the wild
outburst of a young man with de.
lirium tremens. He had been on an
extended spree in St. Paul and thi:
was the outcome. He was soor
taken away, but not until the horrors
of the scene were stamped on every
heart, banishing sleep for the re
naming hours.
Morning finds us in the Cascade
Mountains and we cross again the
beautiful Columbia river, wind ii
and out through Eagle Gorge, won
dering at the delights of the greer
after the whiteness of the snow.
| We enter Yakima valley, noteC
for its peaches and hops, and for ;
long time follow the windings of thu
river by the same name whose wind
| ings, abrupt curves, over rocks anc
through green glades, form a pictur'
| for an artist; one could almost hea
it laughingly shout: ''Here an
| again" as we came upon it suddenly