The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-06-03
ALBANY To PRESIDE.
An Albany Boys Graphic Account
of His Trip as O Soldier.

Oi MS ATIp as y oOiQlers
AZ sit here in my tent at the Preside
and look back over the exciting exper.
ieuees that have attended O trip like
mine, it is hard to realize my position.
1t all seems like some strange dream
from which shall soon awake and find
myself happy and contented in my old
home. But / ielt It my duty to answer
my country's call for volunteers; and 20
on April 30th. 1888, left my home and
loved ones for Portland. There Co. 2 /.
and Hospital Corps OF 2nd Regt. o. n.
G.. went into quarters with hundreds OF
other "boys in blue" assembled there
from all parts OF Oregon. and commenced
soldier life in earnest.
And quite q pleasant life too, for in
Portland we had beautiful weather and
plenty to eat; THE latter quite n i'm
portAnt item with boys.l But the pleas
ant experiences came TO very abrupt end,
however. on May ii, when three OF the
Corps boys. including myself. we're mus-
tered into c.. G. and with the first Bat
tailion were ordered TO Frisco. Inmed-
lately tents began to go down and soon
Camp Mckinley was decreased to half its
former size. After being supplied with
two boxes OF hard tack, g can OF corned
beef, and one Of beans-rations for three
days-we, with the remainder Of camp,
marched through the streets Of Portland
to let people have q farewell Iook At us.
AZ q. N aspecIal . train Was boarded
and We we're soon speeding south ward
Crowds met and cheered az ~ every sta
ton and each boy, whose home Was not
yet reached. was anxioG~ly scanning the
helds 10 note any familiar spot that
would tell him he was nearing his home.
Then when this excitement vas over and
The train Was again speeding on its way,
we we're little sad ior perhaps re have
said goodbye for the last time. So with
prA, ere for the blessing OF our parents
and protection OF ourselves, we sought our
beds and ~ere soon Lost in dreams.
The booming canous and cheering
crowds awoke us bright and early next
and we learned that Roseburx
wrs reached. Here ne saw the frst of
the hills aud beautiful scenery OF Oregon
After Q few minutes stop ne sgzin sped
along.
From one side Of the car is seea the
solid wall Of mountain while from tue op-
posise window, far, far below the track
may be seen . tiny stream. At Glendale
another engine joined ns to help pull the
heavy load Of "boys in blue" through the
Gov Greek cAnyoa. Just while Aimiring
the beautiful scenery we were somewhat
surprised TO find ourselves in utter dark
mes, having dashed into . tunnel 2S00
feet long do not doubt it, length in
the least for it seemed an age before We
again saw the sunlight OF 9 perfect day
The little shscks tha; dotted the hills,
and the large fumes here and there con-
drmed the opinion that Southern Oregon
10 mining coantry. Finally Rogue
River 10 reached and ronsing cheer
went up from $50 threats when pea mis-
sion was given 70 take . bath in the river.
and before the train bad hardly stopped
there was general scramble for the bank.
Upon gazing into the water one weuld
think he bad struck "a La Clondyke"
sure, for the sand eparkles with gold.
After 6fteeen minutes employed in the
delightful pastime OF bathing, We again
boarded the train and looked for some
thing new. With the coming Of hunger
swiftly we sped into the city OF Ashland,
where we were given q genuine surprise.
Baskets OF tempting lunch and large cans
Of coffee were fieeiv given with many
kind words and sender goodbyes.
From here two monster engines take
place Of the one, but even their great
strength can only take us mp the steep
climb very elowly. The scenery here is
very grand, and the construction OF the
rail- road q marvel. Far below ne We
may see the track traverse but ten min.
uses before; and equally far below that
il the same track again winding among
the tall trees aud suddenly disappearing
in the face of the mountain. The loop
too il wonderful The end of the tunnel
is almost directly above but fifty feet
higher than the entrance.
Summit was reached at o'clock and
in o short time We had crossed the
boundary line and were in California.
The 6rst great view on entering the state
was that ms jestic Shasta, its dome reach.
| ing to the dark clouds, which explained
very plainly, that soon it would rain, the
| first time for weeks in California. Before
we arrived at Dunsmuir, the thunders
| we're raining about old Shasta'e crown
and the rain was falling in torrents.
Here also we saw the first OF the Sacra'
mento, q tiny stream tumbling among
the rocks hundreds Of feet bslow US. Al
Sissons we began the descent nom tbs
hills and after crossing many bridges
running around the sharpeet curves, anc
doubling on our course many times, w
found ourselves at Shasta Springs, who's
beautiful scenery and health giving wa
ter is very desirable spot. Here VI
stopped and replenished our cauteen from
the the pretty fountain erected there
By this time our trip was nearing ii
close, and as We crossed the eighteet
bridges that span the beautiful Sacra
mento between Shasta and the bay, VI
could hear little more than the roar o
the stream beneath us.
At Redding we retiaed and knew moth
ing more until we crossed the bay
Porta Costa. After the distance of feS
more miles, we left the train and marches
the elk miles to camp in drizxling rain
that was thoroughly "oregon." Havin
reached Preside, the tents were soon a
and camp life began again; each soldie
ever anxiously awaiting the call 10 tn
Philippines. Will V. MERRILL.
II