The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1901-09-11
TO CLIMB BEACON ROCK
Parry Being Organized For This
Perilous Trip.
NEVER SCALED BY WHITE MEN.

A Limited Number of People, Accom-
panied by Indian Guide, VIII Soon
Attempt to Reach Top of nn Oregon
Rock Relieved to lie One Thousand
Feet In Height.
For untold centuries Beacon rock,
or. as II is more famllarly called, Cas-
tie rock. situated about so miles from
Portland as the bird flies, has reared
alort It's rugged contour defying all
but the bravcst to scale its Scared and
prccipltous Sides says The Morning
Orcgonian. So far as known, no white
man has ever succeeded In reaching It's
summit. and probably "A century has
elapsed since the last Of the great In-
dian chicftains was laid to rest on its
summit
What will eventually prove to be one
OF the most exciting and interesting
trips ever made la the Pacific north
west viii be undertaken IN the near
future. At that time party now be.
Ing organized for the purpose viii
hllNfl ANhf lllf NN'iHNs 4 NV lfAlA " ~
consist Of a limited number and viii
be accompanied by a competent Indian
guide and will be- under the leadership
OF Frank j Smith aud Walter T.
Scwcll. two old time employees OF the
Regulator line OF this city.
Beacon Rock. which is situated about
% miles from Portland 10y the water
route, is probably 1000 feet iu height
but as no measurement OF the height
has ever been taken II Is impossible 60
give an accurate figure. Its base Gov
ers an extent Of ground equal TO 1874
acres. aud at the top II measures at
least an acre In extent. From this It
can readily be seen that the sides are
prccipitous. and the pcrlls accompany
ing the ascent are great
On account Of the uuwillingness Of
the Indians residing in the vicinity TO
impart any Information concerning the
use of the rock In past centuries as
burial ground IL has been impossible to
get definite information concerning
that rite. which is held so sacred
among the red men. Vague rumor has
II, however. that for ages the summit
OF this almost inaccessible rock was
the last resting place of all the great
chieftalns of the TIRE Of the Coma.
wanians.
From the base of Beacon rock to the
foot OF the ruined abutment OF the
Bridge OF the Gods the surrounding
country Is strewn with Indian relies
and the bleaching bones OF the aborig-
ines This whole country is rich in
romantic legend and one can scarcely
set foot at any point hercabouts that
has not been drenched With the blood
of the early settler or his savage Zoe.
1t is but a few miles from here in one
direction to where General Grant spent
the earlier days of his life, and In 1886
the very ground was the scene OF a
terrible Indian massacre. At this time
Colonel Steptoc came To the rescue with
two companies from The Dalles and
dashing Phil Sheridan with oue com
pany from Vancouver sheridan Point,
situated short distance below the
locks, is named for him.
After the party has made the ascent
OF Beacon rock 1t is proposed 10 extend
the trip TO take In the ruins of the
Bridge of the Gods. From the top Of
the ruined abutment the view is mag
nihcent the Columbia being visible for
miles both east aud west and the VILLA
mette as far south us Eugene. The
party will be made up of men interest
ed In scientific research auG viii be ac-
companicd 10y photographers. Commu-
nication with Portland will be attempt
ed 10y means of the helograph. and the
party will be thoroughly equipped with
all appliances both for safety and com
fort.
That a trip OF such nm unusual ma
ture is 10 be undertaken, coupled with
the fact that Portland lies almost In
the shadow OF this historical section,
will lend an added interest to the out
ing. and when IL is understood that the
entire trip will not occupy more than
four days II Is not TO be wondered at
that many eager inquiries are being
made concerning II.
1t is IA peculiarly interesting fact that
a few miles north OF the abutments on
the Washington side OF the Columbia
is mountain known as Star mountain.
Near its summit are the remains OF
three distinct lines OF fortlhcntlons dat
ing back 10 some prehistoric age and
probably erected 10y a race we'll adyanc-
ed in civilization. Near the base OF star
mountain is a strongly defined trail
worn In the rock, at some places TO a
depth of from one TO two feet. II
shows the route followed in the early
days by the Indians travelling from the
plains Of eastern Oregon to the lower
Columbia aud Willamette valleys.
Census Enumerator Clawson,