Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1903-06-18
CRATER LAKE DISCOVERY
j. W. Hillman Tells How and
When II Was First Found.

see that former resident of
Southern Oregon in the early eos
claims tc have been with the party
that discovered Crater Lake. Mr..
CLARK dates his supposed discovery
many years too late.
Just 90 years ago this summer a
party of prospectors from California
came to Rogue river valley, stopped a
day or two, laid in supply of pro-
visions, and then left the valley as
they supposed, secretly, and without
having betrayed the object of their
visit; but while making their pur-
chases, one of the party drank, and
talked enough TO cause some of my
friends to repeat and speculate upon
the object of their mission, which
was soon declared to be the old
familiar hunt for the Lost Cabin
mine. If l remember rightly, there
were If members of the California
party, and just as soon as their object
became known, another party of
Oregon prospectors was formed to fol-
low them, and if the mino was re-dis-
covered, to share in the fruits of the
fabulous wealth that was supposed to
follow.
At this date | cannot recall the
names of the party formed to follow
the California prospectors, 1 think
our party consisted of 1l-just the
same number as the party we were to
follow. l think Benry Klippell, J.
L. Loudon, Pat McManus, a Mr. Lit
tie, and myself were part Of the num-
Der. know Boudon was there l am
almost sure Klippel and Little were
there, and am sure l was one of the
number. We made quick prepara-
tions, got some provisions together,
and started after the Californ ia
miners, who soon discovered that we
were ON their trail; and then 1t was
game of hide and seek, until
rations on both sides began to get
low. The Californians would push
through the brush, scatter, double
backwards on their trail, and then
camp in the most inaccessible places
to be found, and it sometimes puz-
zled us to locate and camp near
enough to watch them. One day
while thus engaged, and when pro-
visions had run very low, each party
d scattered out to look for anything in
the shape of game that could be found.
On my return from an unsuccessful
hunt, / passed close to the camp of
the Californians. Up to this time
neither party had spoken to one of the
others, but seeing young fellow in
camp, bade him good day, and got
into conversation with him. He ask
ed me what our object was in the
mountains, and why we hung so Close
on their trail.
frankly told him we believed theil
leader had certain landmarksT which
if found, would enable them to locat,
l. the Lost Cabin, and as we wer,
all pretty good prospoctors an,
hunters, we intended to stay will
them until the mine was found o
= Istarvation drove US back to thu
valley. After this a truce was dc
clared, and we worked and hnn e,
in unison. One day just before de
Gliding that it was no longer safe 4
stay in the mountains, with our YER
limited supply Of food and no gam
to be found, we campcd on the sid
of mountain, and after consulta
tion, it was decided that a few 0
each party should take what provis
ions could be spared and for coupl
of days longer hunt for landmark
which the leader of the Californi
= party was in search Of Of that part
was one. Loudon did not go wit
us, and who else did or did not go,
cannot remember.
, On the evening Of our first day
while riding up long, slopinI
mountain we suddenly came in sigh
of water aud were very much sal
prised, as we did not expect TO Sc
any lakes and did not know bat wha
we had come in sight Of and clio,
to Klamath Lake. aud not until IN
- mule stopped within few feet {
the rim Of Crater Lake, did ! loo
, down, and if had been riding a blin
mule | firmly believe l would ha,
/, ridden over the edge 10 death aud dc
= struction. We came TO the lake
very little to the right Of a sma
sloping butte or mountain, situate
in the lake, with top somewhi
hattened. Every man Of the part
glzed with wonder at the sight bD
90 fore him. aud each in his own pccl
90 liar way gave expression TO II
90 thoughts within him, bur we had /
time to lose, and after rolling son
10 boulders down the side OF the lak
we rode to the left as near the rim
possible, past the butte, looking tos
an outlet for the lake, but we cou
find none.
~ was very anxious 90 fnd a way
y the water, which was immediate
vetoed by the whole party, and as Il
leader Of the Californians had bocor
discouraged, we decided 20 return
camp, but not before We discuss
what name we should give the lab
There were many names suRgeste
bat Mysterious Lake aud Deep III
Lake were most fayoably receive
and on vote, Deep Blue Lake w
chosen for a name
:. We secured small stick about {
size Of a walking cane, aud with
knife made a slit IN one end. a pie