The Ketchikan miner., 1908-03-28
PROGRESS OF THE WEST

One of the most prominent charac- teristics of the American people is their energy and rapidity of action. The United States as a nation is but in i,s infancy in point of age, and yet it has accomplished more in the mat ter of advancement during the com- paratively short period that has elaps- ed since its organization than history records of any other nation. Especial ly is this trait characteristic of the Pacific coast. Fifty years ago, all the country west of the Rocky mountains vas vast, almost impenetrable for est, with scarcely a white person within it's borders. Today it is the home of millions. Its resources have been developed, great cities founded, industries of enormous value establish ed. and the time occupied in accom- plishing this result has been but half a century. Many of the pioneers of the coast, those who struggled across an unknown continent and laid the foundation of new empire, are still living. During the ceremonies attend- ing the driving of golden spike up- on the completion of the North Bank railroad, which follows the Columbia river on the Washington side, Geo. H. Hines, of the Oregon Historical society, spoke of the rapid progress that had made and recalled some of the conditions existing on the coast in the early days. He said, in part:
 'It is not my purpose to give much attention to the events which in due course have made possible the enter prise which we see today. but to re- call briefly some of the dreadful scenes that the first settlers at the Cascades were forced to endure 52 years ago his month.
 'iIt is not possible to estimate with any approach to accurancy the number of settlers scattered along both sides of the river between Vancouver and The Dalles in the year 1856. but as nearly as can be judged it is not prob- able that there were more than loo, including women and children, and pretty well scattered at that, the larg- est number being in the vicinity oi the Cascades. the remainder being about equally divided between the Hood River and White Salmon settle ments. The settlement at White s ,lmon was destroyed early in March, and every house burned, but no one was killed, so far as I know, the set tiers finding a haven of safety at The Dalles, although part of one family went to the Cascades, to visit friends by the name of Atwell, of whom more will be given little later. The Middle blockhouse" spoken of was built by Captain Wallen. United States Army, in November, 1855, and in March, 1856, was garrisoned by a sergeant and eight men. About mile and half above, the Bradford broth CTS were building a tram road, and had a lumber of men employed 1 About s 30 o'clock Wednesday morn ing, March 26, 1856, these were sud- denly attacked by POO or 300 Klickitat and Yakima Indians, one workman be- ing killed, number wounded at the l first fire. The remainder sought ref uge as best they could, all but three in the Bradford store, and returned the fire at every convenient opportun- ity. fortunately having nine United States rifles, with an abundant supply of ammunition.
 '''The fighting lasted the best part of th,ee days, the block house also having heen attacked. and most of the houses in the vicinity having been Iiutnsd. At one time there were 4f men, women and children in the Bradford store, four women and Is men that could fight. and IS wounded men and children. Every device that the Indians could employ was used to .et lire to the store or break into it,
 ,ut without avail, owing to the vigil lance oi its defenders.
 At length, courers to Fort Dalles and Fort Vancouver, having manageo to get through the Indian lines, Lieu tenant Sheridan, at the head of 40 regulars, appeared from Fort Van couver, on the second day, with t howitzer, and attacked the Indians. At first they were 100 much for his force, and kept him on the defensive. The next day, however. reinforce ments from Fort Dalles arrived and begn vigorous onslaught upon the Indians, the result of which was vic tory on the part of the whites, nine of the ripgleaders in making the trouble being captured and hung. Altogether there were l7 whites killed, three oi them United States soldiers, and F wounded, one of these dying from his wounds afterwards.
 ''The squad of soldiers in the block house defended it successfully against five times their number and received the thanks of General Winfield Scott. commanding the United States Army. from beaduiIarters in New York. in