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From: "Earline Wasser" <>
Subject: [ORHOODRI] Ice Holds Trade in Death Grip part 1
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2007 07:20:01 -0700


150 Years 1872-1886 The Dalles

THE DECADES OF HISTORY

PART TWO OF THE DALLES CHRONICLE'S TEN-PART SERIES.

March 30, 2007 page 2

ICE HOLDS TRADE IN DEATH GRIP

(Text Only)

Photo: Pictured is Second Street in the mid-1880s. On December 18, 1884,
in blizzard conditions, a Union Pacific Train left The Dalles with 148
passengers. It was to arrive in Portland later that same day. Just west
of Hood River it was trapped between two avalanches. The train finally
arrived in Portland on January 7, 1884 - three weeks late.

THE DALLES AND SANDY WAGON ROAD - Another ice blockade of the Columbia
river, suspending all business between the population residing in the
Upper Columbia, and that of the Lower and sea board; brings us face to
face with the question of a more reliable medium of communication
between the two sections of our country. The solution of this problem
has from time to time engaged the serious consideration of the best
minds of the North Pacific slope, evolving in its theoretical treatment
numerous schemes and suggestions, many of which if put into material
form and practical operation, would, if not wholly obliterate the
climatic and physical impediments that naturally obstruct free and
uninterrupted communication and exchange of commodities between the two
regions, greatly modify such hinderances. [sic]

Taking the problem with the conditions it presents, under the present
state of affairs, climatic, social and commercial, we deem it best, for
the immediate wants of the upper Columbia that we concentrate our
energies upon the plan which is most compatible with our present ability
to put into successful and early operation.

Were the waters of the Columbia never frozen so as to present a surface
as impervious to water crafts of all kinds as a lava bed, then but one
class of improvements would be thought of and required, that is cheap
and efficient portage either by locking the Cascades and the Dalles or
railroads. But, however ample and costly the works may be to evade these
points of obstruction in the navigation of the river, the most
formidable impediment remains unmitigated. [sic] The seal of winter will
as effectually close navigation when millions have been expended upon
locks and portage rail roads, free to all, as it did in the past poetic
ago.

"When rolled the Oregon

And heard no sound save its own splashing."

The climatic condition of the problem must not be overlooked, and it is
worse than idle to ignore it, and predicate business as vast and
increasing as that of this region, upon the hope of exceptional mild
winter. We are dwellers in a high northern latitude, a fact we must
recognize in preparing for the actual business of life. The history of
this river admonishes us that at sometime between November and March,
the river will be closed by ice. This interruption may be of only a few
weeks duration but it is liable to continue for months. It has and may
again extend to a period of near one quarter of a year, and that at the
very part of the year when transportation and communication is the most
required by our stock interest which for some years to come will
continue to be the grant productive interest of this region about which
we write.



[to be continued]





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