INCENTIVE TO CLIMB.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 347, 1 January 1903, Page 5

INCENTIVE TO CLIMB.

Xy?tw4eoo Omm Shiißtei Stew Seated 117 White Baa.

Bsvftawftaw ***** «® Ba««wr*»sia «Bx»A*» aant e* Bccvcshb neefe, Osm Mass Waaaei ffaww wS BasMacM •t va** VAvisaer.

Fev untold ooaturias Beacon Boclte, or, as It k mora familiarly called. Castle Bock, situated about 30 miles from Portland aa the bird flies, has reared aloft its rugged contour, defying all but the bravest to scale its scarred and precipitous sides. So far as known no white man has ever succeeded fa reaching its summit, and probably a century has elapsed Stace the last of the great Indian chieftains was laid to rest on He summit, says the Portland Qregonian. What will eventually prove to be one of the moot exciting and interesting trips ever made in the Pacific northwest will be undertaken in the near future. At that time a party now being organised for the purpose will undertake the aseent. The party will consist of a limited number, and will be accompanied by a competent Indian guida, and will be under the leaderehip of Frank J. Smith and Walter T. fiewell, two old-time employes. &H She Begufetoe Skat of fibfe altyv* mama 80*% *ofeb 90 situated about IS raffles frssn Portland by the tents* routs* Si probably 1,000 feet in height, but ns no measurement of tha height hat ever been taken, it is Impossible to gtvo an accurate figure. Its bane cohere aa estest of ground equal to !•«£ aceaa, and at the top it sneaaurea ac toast aa acre in extent* Faroes thia it can readily be seen the* tna aides are presspftous and the perils tha ascent are great, Oa account of t&sl uawiltegase* of the Indians residing la the vieintty to Impart any information concerning the use of the rock fa past centuries as a burial ground, it has been impossible to get definite information concerning that site, which is held so scored anr>ng the red men. Vague rumor has it, however, that for ages the summit of this almost inaccessible rock was tha last resting place of all the great' chieftains of the tribe of the Gon&wanians, From Che base of Beacon Bock to the foot of the ruined abutment of the Bridge of the Gods ithe surrounding country is strewn wtth Indian relics end the bleaching bonee of the aborigines. This whole country is rich fa romantic legend, and one coo scarcely set foot at any point hereabouts that has not been drenched with ithe blood of the early settler or his savage foe. It is but a few miles from here fa one direction to whore Gen. Grant spent the earlier days of his hie, and fa 1856 the very ground was the scene of a terrible Indian massacre. At this time Col. Steptoe came to the rescue with two companies from The Dalles, and dashing Phdl Sheridan with one company from Vancouver. Sheridan Point, situated a short distance below the locks, ie named for him.. After the party has made the ascend of Beacon Bock it is proposed to extend the trip to take fa the ruins of the Bridge of the Gods. From the top of the ruined abutment the view is magnificent, the Columbia being visible for miles both east and west and the Williamette as far south as Eugene. The pa»iy will be made up of men interested in scientific research, and will be accompanied by photographers. CcramumcatSon with Portland will be attempted by means of the heliograph, and the p&rty will be thoroughly equipped with &M appliances both ior safety and oomlv ) rt. That a trip of such an unusua* mature is to be undertaken, coupled wtfh the fact that Portland lies.almoat in the shadow of this historical section, will lend an added interest to the outing, and when it is understood that the entire trip will not occupy more •than four days it is not to be wondered at thai; many eager inquiries are being made concerning it. It is a peculiarly interesting fact that a few miles north of the abutments on the Washington side of the Columbia is a mountain known as Star mountain. Near its summit are the remains of three distinct lines of fortifications, dating back to some prehistoric age, and probably erected by a race well advanced in civilization. Near the bajse of Star mountain is'a strongly defined trail worn in the xoek, at some pJaces to a depth of from one to itwo feet. It shows the route followed in the early days by the Indiana traveling from ihe plains of eastern Oregon to the lower Columbia and Williamette valleys.

IMrOQ»y toy Mr. Scvxmma. Mr. Scruggs is a large gentleman possessing great dignity, partly natural and partly gained through much experience as presiding officer in countless financial and charitable organization*. One sweltering summer day, as he dropped into hie seat fo the afternoor, > train which w*a to oecvy him dowr. to his country place, Jje noticed with much displeaswre thai imm«3iatelj behind him was the inevitable" .tirec mother with «fco usaaJ very email children. But the youngsters were quiet, and tha motion of the ear soon had its effeet. Mr. flcrugg'a chin sank upon his fereait, n&d he slept. Suddenly he becama acutely conscious that something warm w3 sticky had been violently inserted between his collar and «&e back of his neck. He lurched indignantly to his feet, just as a ohrili voice exclaimed, Tith great dlatinctnesi: "Oh, ma, that man's got my gum-drop!"— Magazine.