The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-08-28
ON THE sANTIAM RIVER.
Mrs Stephens Describes the Trip From
Albany to Gates.

Mrs. Stephens Describes the Trip From
Albany to Gates.
GATES, Or, Aug. 49,, 1897.
ED TINES -MoUNrAINEER:
You, no doubt, will think me negli-
gent correspondent, but l have been
moving around visiting in different
places. waiting for a quiet time when |
could write you, and such an oppor-
tunity has presented itself.
Mr.. Stephens arrived Sunday at
Tangent where I was, and on Monday
we took the train for albany, and
Tuesday came out on the o. G. q E.
railroad to this place.
Gates is about forty miles northeast
of Albany, on the o. c. q E. road, ana
is situated on the north side OF the
Santiam river, in Marion county, and
one has to go but few yards to the
fine new bridge and cross to set foot on
Lynn county soil.
This place is the headquarters for
the Lawler Quartzville mines which
are about 20 miles above here. Since
our arrival, we saw eeveral miners with
their pack horses heavily burdened
starting for the gold fields, where al.
ready quantities of the much coveted
metal has been discovered.
This is timbered country, and the
finest numbering country perhaps in
the United States. There is large
steam saw mill at this place. and an
other on the road above within 20 miles
of here. Lumber is shipped out of
here to numerous points, prominent
among which are Chicago, Denver,
China, Japan and several car loads to
South America. Building material
is of the finest quality. and is very
cheap. Now am going TO give you
description of at least one log which
was 81 feet long, and about feet in
diameter and contained 6212 feet of
lumber.
Last summer, while corresponding
for the Mountaineer, party told me
they always'enjoyed reading my COM
muuications for they knew them to be
correct, so l trust your readers will
notsdoubt any statement make In this
communication, for the Mountaineer
is frequent visitor here. and it would
be no credit for me TO exaggerate.
Since my visit here two year ago. this
place has developed into quite little
town. There are two good hotels.
three stores, two livery stables, one
photograph gallery, one post office,
one blacksmith shop, one church, one
school, two saloons and numerous other
buildings, and is quite little busi-
ness point.
The Sartiam river affords ample
sport for anglers, as the "speckled
beauties" are numerous and of fine
flavor. Four men went above here a
few miles and enticed 800 from their
wattery homes during stay of two
days. Now get those figures correct,
for on them this story is based, for
it is true fish story"
The o. C. & E. r. r. terminates at
Detroit, 1s miles above here. and many
spend the summer there for recreation.
The train employees are very oblig-
irg on this road, and the ride is made
very enjoyable by their courteous man
ners to travellers. We enjoyed the
trip immensely. looking out upon the
large fields of golden grain and the
ne timber along the rou.e.
We arrived here Tuesday evening. !
and after supper took an evening stroll,
visited the large saw mill, walked on
the new bridge, and looked down into
the depths of the Santiani river, but |
our pleasures soon came to close.
There is an old saying, "There is al
ways bitter with the sweet" and your
writer tasted the bitter unfortunately. |
In descending some steps. l fell on my
right foot in such a manner as to re-
ceiye a severe sprained ankle. and |
have since been prisoner 10 my room.
no bones were broken and
T am at present not suffering much
main. but fear it will be some time be-
fore fully recover, but with the aid
~ a rosewood ''staff," which was