Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-09-22
THE ALPINE GIANTS.
Exception TO Rule That Familiarity
Breeds Contempt.

Breeds Contempt.
The Swiss Alps. known to the eau
easian race long before Hannibal and
Julius Caesar led the Carthaglnian and
Roman legions through their passes,
are an exception to the rule that Ia
miliarity breeds contempt Although
known for 50 many centuries, It Is only
within the last hundred years that the
chiefest OF the great family Of noun
tain monarchs crowdlng the Swiss con
fedeFacy have been conquered Ii was
aot until 1865 that the Matterhorn was
hrst assembled Thousands today make
the bumped up little republic with Its
hundreds Of peaks more than 10000
feet In height their summer play
ground. They never tribe with the
SUBMITS, however and the ascension
Of some OF the mountains today Is con-
sidered feat almost worthy or more
than local record
There are many legends told OF the
neIghborhood OF the Matterhorn. One
Is about the origin Of the name Of the
Theodule pass. which Joins Piedmont,
Italy, and the canton OF Valais, be-
tween the Matterhorn and the Brett
horn. at an elevation OF 10000 feet. Il
Is supposed TO commemorate the name
Of St Theodule, who lived in the fourth
century and was the first bishop OF
Sion, ruling for ten years, from 1881 to
3Ol. The remarkable manner OF his
passage, according to tradition, OF this
elevated gateway out OF Italy on one
occasion was the origin Of the name.
The pope had given the prelate fne
bell In recognition OF his efforts In OBJ
tanning the conversion OF the valley OF
the Rhone to Christianity. The bell
was for some time a white elephant on
his hands. He did not know how to
get 1t over the Alps into his see. At
this juncture Satan appeared and OF.
fered to carry the bell and the bishop
on his back over to Sion II the bishop
would agree to give over the dominion
Of his soul forever to the prince OF
darkness In the event of the compile
ton OF the task before cockcrow. The
bargain was struck and the journey
begun. Long before dawn the devil
had reached the city walls and was
about TO bound over when the bishop,
fearful OF the consequences, cried,
Grow. cocks, crow, or forever hold
your peace!' Immediately the ROSTERS
crowed and thus formed the habit of
Growing betimes In the morning. Sa-
tan. seeing victory slipping from his
clutch, became so angry that he hurled
the bell with all his force. ana 1t was
buried many feet IN the ground.
Unlike the Matterhorn, the Jungfrau,
In the Bernese Alps. did not rest so
long the efforts to reach its summit
In 1871 the Meyers OF Aarau climbed
70 the crest Of the slender, majestic
white mountain. While IN the course
Of the succeeding forty years the
ascent was made only four times, to-
day II IL accomplished not infrequent
w. The frownlng crest OF the Mat
terhorn was not attained till 1865
This feat was performed by whymper
OF all the peaks that surround the
picturesque valley Ia which Engelberg
lies none Is so captivating to eye and
mind as the giant form OF the Titlis
l0.d27 feet high. In the evening when
the village Is clothed in u cloak OF
shadows cast by the mountain chain
the SHOWS Of the Titlis flush In the aft.
erglow and the peak seems no longer
cold. but Illuminated by a hidden fire,
the flames OF which threaten to burst
from u at any moment II Is typical
Of the scenic beauties Of Switzerland
New York Tribune.