White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1928-08-10
ANCIENT WAGON USED
BY L0GGERS IS FOUND
California Relic Was Built
About 1866.

Los Angeles, Calif.-Made in the
wilds of the Sierra Nevada mountains
about 1866. long subjected to unspeak-
ably hard service and finally aban.
doned 80 years ago, a remarkable log.
ging wagon has b4cn rediscovered in
the identical place where 1t stood all
that time-a unique monument and a
silent tribute to the sterling qualities
Of the wheeled carriers evolved by
the men who tackled southern Cali
fornia in the rough and began the
polishing process.
This example of sound early-day
workmanship is in the Mount Whit
ney region, and will be valuable mu.
scum exhibit for all the generations
to come If 1t can be taken out without
too much delay; but that's problem
But one old-timer had frst-hand
knowledge of its romantic history and
he died a few months ago in indie
pendence at the age of ninety-one. No
living human being links it with the
present.
To note the contrast between this
ponderous vehicle Of remote period
and the marvellous modern motor
truck does not detract in the least
from the worth of the former, yet H.
lustrates most graphically the worlds
mechanical advance.
Built In Forest.
The cumbersome implement was
built in pine forest at an elevation
Of $500 feet to convey the boles of
huge trees to large sawmll and was
operated solely over its own steep
roads, constructed ut enormous cost
of money and labor within an area of
about ten square miles. 1t was drawn
by three to six or even eight Jokes of
oxen. The bleached skull of one OF
these animals still lies beside it,
grim relic Of pioneer days and fearful
toll.
From the mill the sawn timbers
were shot down Cottonwood Creek
canyon through fve-mile nume,
transported by boat fifteen miles
across Owens lake, then dragged up
the high steep slope of the White
mountains and employed in the then
rich Cerro Gordo mine which produced
many millions in silver, zinc and lead.
Now the lake is virtually dry, the
Owens river waters that formed 1t
flow through the Los Angeles aque-
duct and the mine is little worked.
When the mill was shut down, grad
ually to succumb to the harsh ele-
ments of that altitude, the wagon was
forgotten, but remained intact, only
the wheels partially crumb!ing. Now
it has been found again by depart
ment of water and power engineers of
Los Angeles, which has purchased an
extensive site there for hydro-el
purposes. Thus the municipality ac-
quired the quaint rig also, and it is
hoped that steps will be taken to pre-
serve it as a prize specimen, the only
one Of it's kind.
Forty-Four Feet Long.
Its 1S-foot 1ron-bound tongue in
cluded, the wagon is a feet long and
weighs considerably more than a ton
The materials are hard white pine,
noted for enduring qualities, and
hand-forged steel-the latter wrought
by blacksmiths on the spot, where
were shops of surprising size.
The wheels are sections of logs 80
inches in diameter, s inches wide on
the running surface and 10 inches
thick at the hubs, beautifully heWn
and finished. There are two tires
three inches wide and ree-fourth
inch thick to each wheel. In front of
the rear wheels are huge brake blocks
lined with planking transversely
spiked on. The brakes are controlled
by lever at the back, and man
walking behind could hold a load OH
almost any grade. He had tremendous
purchase. By a rope arrangement.
driver seated atop could also supply
heavy pressure on the wheels.