The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-09-28

the springs lies the big game country,
where many bears, elk and deer are to
be found. We then reach Collins
Springs, another resort at the base Of
/ Wind mountain and across the river
from Shell mountain, reminds one of
Alpine scenery. Journeying onward we
pass the mouths of the Little and Big
White Salmon rivers, and here are
located fine fruit and berry farms.
Thirty miles inland is Trout Lake, re-
sort far famed for fishing and summer
recreation. Directly across the river is
the town of Hood River, from which
point magnificent view of Mt. Hood
is obtained. In the Hood river valley
are raised the finest apples and berries
grown in the world. irrigation being
used extensively. Mt. Hood is thirty
miles away, although it does not look to
, be more than two or three miles, a
stage line carrying tourists to Cloud
Cap Inn, a resort located part way up
he mountain lie.
For nine miles the river is lined on
both sides by lava cliffs, curious in
formation and the eye never tires, the
scenery changing constantly, and then
comes Memaloosa Island, an old
Indian burying ground, where
thousands and thousands Of Indians
have found their last resting place.
The island is rugged rocks to the edge
OF the water, and the current is SO
swift that boat cannot land except at
one small point, and it is exceedingly
dangerous there. On top of the island
is noticed handsome monument, which
marks the grave of ali old settler and
trapper, "Vic Trevitt," who was buried
at his own request on the island with
the Indians, as he said they we're the
only honest people on earth, and he had
been their friend for many years. For
many years the island was regarded as
sacred ground and no white man was
allowed to set foot on it, but in recent
years, the Indians having left the local
| ity, the island has been visited by mer-
cenary persons who gathered many of
the relics buried with the Indians,
Still there are heaps of Indian skulls
and bones in the caverns which are said
to contain thousands. A pure white
seal has made its home among the rocks
of this island for many years, and no
one attempts to molest it. In
The balance of the trip to The Dalles
is marked only by towering cliffs, al
though gradually growing lower, and at
six o'clock in the evening we reach the
dock and go on shore for the night.
The Dalles is a fine county seat town of
about 5000 population, being the head
of navigation of the river, makes it an
important shipping point for wheat and
lumber. Across the river stands large
vacant building, which we were told
was built for shoe factory by a Boston
man, but the enterprise was failure.
After good supper at the hotel we
started for walk over the town. The
town is built in little valley at the
foot of the cliffs, and walking out. to the
y outskirts we were possessed with de-
sire to try climb SO up we went until
we reached the top, in many places be-
; ing compelled to cling to shrubs and
trees to get a foothold until we reached
the top, about 1900 feet high, out of
breath and dripping wet with perspir-
alton. But the view of the river and
; town below was one which we'll repaid
us for the eXertion, and when we start
ed TO descend to join the ladies who had
: remained below we found an easy foot
path, which had we taken going up
would have saved us considerable hard
work.
After a good nights sleep we again
took the boat at Z o'clock the next
morning for the return trip, and it
proved as interesting as the day be-
fore. On the trip down our boat
stopped to load sacks of sand which
were taken to Portland where the gov
ernment was experimenting in treating
it for gold which was found
in it in small quantities. The test has
been going on for several months, man
: and team being engaged all the time
lni hauling the sand to the landing
. place. The trip was one which will
never be forgotten and we are only
sorry that we could not have all of our
readers with, as this brief description
we feel sure will convey only to small
degree an idea of what the scenery
really is.