The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-04-27


tween the Bear and Port Neun
rivers, thence on to Fort Hall, near
the site OF what is now Pocatello.
Ioaho.
the early days and for long time
was the farthest outpost OF civiliza-
tion.
The Trail closely followed the
Snake river for a long distance,
passing what is now American Falls,
Burley, Twin Falls, Shoshone Falls,
Salmon Falls and then across the
river to what is now Boise, Idaho.
The Trail crossed the Snake river
near the mouth of the Boise river,
Through what is now Vale, Oregon,
and on Burnt river canyon which
was considered as one OF the worst
pieces OF road on the entire trail.
The Trail took a canyon little
south OF what is now called Pleasant
Valley and wended its way across
tho low foothills to what is now
called the Virtue Flat, coming into
tho Powder river valley at the pass
near the old Flagstaff mine. A we'll
was dug at this point where the
thirsty travellers Stacked the thirst
OF themselves and their cattle. The
Trail Travelled the valley. coming
out at the present site OF North
Powder. The Grand Rondo valley
was reached by way OF Ladd'
Canyon, the way leading past the
present site OF La Grande and on
over the Blue Mountains, past
Moacham, on the Umatilla, near the
present site OF Pondloton, the Round
Up city.
Tho road over the Blue Mountains
has seen little change since the days
OF is52-b3. until the past year when
the road was graded from La Grande
to the summit. From tho top OF
Cabbage Hin on the Umatllla side,
the road has been graded and
graveled into Pendleton and the
State Highway Commission OF Ore
gon has promised to have the Old
Trail In oregon finished this year.
From Pendleton, the Trail led to
The Dalles on the Columbia River
where the pioneers embarked on
boats and barges and finally arrived
In the Willamette Valley, the goal OF
their ambitious dreams. The wagon
train OF the great migration OF 1852
was 500 miles In length and several
wagons In width.
IL extended In an unbroken string
further than the eye could reach.
Tho wagons we're OF the Prairie
Schooner type, wide and deep and
bowed at both ends and were used as
boats In crossing some OF tho deep
wide streams encountered In the
Journey.
Each wagon generally had two or
more yoke OF oxen. horses or mules,
milk COW or two and carried an
average OF Ave people.
Conseryatiyely the number OF
people on this great migration was
500 900 and the number OF cattle
greater.
AS the party progressed, many OF
the teams gave out and died and the
household effects and some proyi-
sions OF the party were left by the
wayside In order TO tighten the loads.
Then the cholera hit the caravan and
In 1859 over 5000 human beings
died by the way. Shallow graves
were made and the expedition moved
on. The sufferings OF the party
we're shared by all alike, the women
and children not being exempt.
When they left the Missouri river
they were beyond the pale OF the
civil law aud crude justice was meted
out by on organized court which at
tended TO infections OF the law in
manner all It own. The company
being SO numerous, 1t suffNed little
from Indian depredations. The Col
umbia Gorge was also a terror TO the
traveller. but now 1t is travelled by
the Columbia River Highway, one OF
the scenic wonders OF the world.
The Marking OF the Old Oregon
Trail by Ezra Meeker in 1905 is al
most as full of interest, hardships
and adventure as was the Journey OF
1S62-53. Feeling that the Old
Oregon Trail should be preserved to
history. Mr.. Meeker set out from his
home In Puyallup. Washington with
Prairie Schooner and an OK team
to traverse and mark the route
which he had travelled as young
man over so years before. Quoting
Mr.. Meeker:
"The purpose Of the expedition is
to perpetuate the memory OF the
nta n.o.o. m.an oua 10 honor fha