The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1907-09-19
Carson, Wash. Sept.

Carson, Wash. Sept. 10, 'OI.
Dear Glacier AFTER a residence of
So years in my almost native state l
| find In rounding up sfsi preparato-
ry to leaving there comes feeEings OF
regret that are hard to put Into
words.
On the 26th OF this month another
birthday reminds me that In Sertem-
ber, 1S4S. after tedious journey et
six months across the plains, behind
a mixed team of milk COWS and oxen,
my father, with bis family of mother
and eight children. pitched tent on
Pleasant Hill, Lane county. 10 miles
southeast Of Eugene, where timber
and grass and wild game we're In
abundance and where lite to us chill
dren, In thinking it all over now, was
like a pleasant dream.
Nine years later, in 1857, we Ie
moved from Lane county to Polk, To-
eating at Monmouth, named after
Monmouth, ILL.,, where father, with an
unbroken family, took up the active
work of pioneer life again. Soon sf-
terward the icy finger Of death point
ed mother to the great beyond and
notwithstanding nesrly 30 years have
passed since that fatetul hour that
robbed me OF earth's most precious
friend, yet the face Of that dear moth
or Ia before me as write these lines,
and there is tugging OF my heart
string that beggars description, fan-
cy feel the gentle soothing tourh of
her witbered hand upon my head as
she said her last goodbye before CROSS
ing the river and going out into the
great unknown and untried beyond.
Then the sweet dream Of life faded
and the sober side took Its place.
Thirty seven years, the best part of a
life time, when spent In Polk county,
and even now as | write. see the
graves of father. mother, side by side,
two brothers and one sister, wife
and only daughter.
And now In recounting LIES VIC
tories and its defeats | sometimes
wonder whether after all the toll amid
the stsifes of life's battles, its pleas
ures and its sad awakenings, whether
or not its rewards of contentment
outweigh its troubles But remember
ing "that the post of duty Is the post
of honor" and with the beacon star
of hope beckoning us forward, we re
new the battle and await as calmly as
possible the results of the yelled fu-
ture.
Bat in turning my face from all, the
dear old state OF Oregon, state rich
in history and all aQlow with the
promise of great future, there is ore
comforting thought, to-wit, that a
two hours ride will bring us back in
to the second addition of the garden
OF Eden, the beautiful aad almost
priceless vale of Hood River, watered
and kept green by the life-giving wa
ters OF the mother OF mountains, the
snow crowned Hood.
Then again retaining 25 acres OF its
choicest apple land in the very heart
of the best apple belt In the world.
the thought that my home beyond the
great Columbia gorge will probably
only be transient, and 60 willingly,
with the determination that viii at
all times either with pen or tongue be
ready to say kind word for Hocd
River, where | trust leave behind
me many friends
After five years of strenuous work
here have always endeavored to
work for the upbuilding of our fair
valley. Just how far have succeed
ed along that line the future will de-
termine. One thing is sure, however,
that never a word spoken, days
work done or line written In behalf
of Hood River finds lodgment of re-
gret IN my heart and go feeling that
have discharged my duty to the best
OF my ability with the light | had and
II go with another fact deeply i'm
pressed upon me, that Hood River
has passed the experimental stage
that she stands unrivaled and alone in
class of her own.
People are coming and going every
day to and from this famous health
resort. Aside from its health giving
qualities, the scenic effect here is
charming. Among the tall timbers
that pierce the starry heavens by
night the large white building looms
u, aud with its smaller adjacent
buildings and the many tents under
electric lights, presents charming
picture. Many prominent people from
several states find rest and relief here
and they still continue to come. Elk.
oellent musical and literary programi
are rendered almost nightly in the
parlor. One evening last week 1t was
our pleasure to attend and participate
in one of these pleasant social events,