Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 1889)
WEST S1I0KK. peril to life and limb. The passage is long and in places very steep in fact almost vertical. This feat lias been dono by a number of persons visiting the caves. For any party of explorers to enter these eaves without a guide, would bo a most risky piece of bus iness; for when once fairly entangled in the intricate labyrinth of rooms and passages, places of exits and entrances, it would be impossible to find one's way out to the ''open world." One might wander in helpless bewilderment through gloomy regions for days, weeks and even months without finding an outlet from this mountain prison. Thero is one man who, having very frequently explored these eaves, acts as guide to all parties who desire to enter. No traces can Iks found where human beings have at former times inhabited these dungeon-like abodes, or even visited them. Nor have they been used as dens by wild animals. Near one of the openings, in a small chamber, can lie found a few small bones of birds and small animals prob ably wolves or bears have killed their prey and de voured the flesh near the mouth of the cave, not hav ing the courage to penetrate far. Darkness in these caves is profound almost palpa ble, and tho Bilence is most solemn and oppressive; the very gloom seems weighted with an oppression that is awful at times. Human voices sound strange and sepulchral, while the flaring torches and lanterns cast Hashes of light between which Hit and lurk deep, sinister shadows like frowning spectres playing hide and seek. The moHt remarkable feature of the upper cave is what is known as the "Queen's Chamber," which is spacious and well worthy the appellation. Countless stalactites depend from the ceiling and projecting points of rocks, which, under the uncertain, unsteady glare of torches, present a wonderful sight reminding one of a huge arctic grotto, thickly hung with snow white ici cles. These stalactites have been in slow process of formation for years centuries perhaps. One thing that adds greatly to weird beauty of the view is the fact that at tho extreme tip end of each stalactite hangs a solitary drop of crystal water. Cnder the light each drop Hashes and confiscates with all the liery bril liancy of a huge solitaire diamond. This scene is il Itihtrated on the first page. Another very singular formation is called the "Ci ant's Tongue," which, in form, very closely resembles that organ. It is attached to, and protuding from the w all, and is several feet in length. On the floor of one "f the lower chambers in tho lower cove is a very sin gular formation caused by tho slow dripping of water from the ceiling. This formation bears a close rcsciu 'lance to petrified moss, or coal. The action of the water and docoiiiosed lime-stone has wrought out an infinite variety of exquisite forms of delicacy and beauty. It is very fragile and breaks with the brittle ness of fragile glass. Hut when broken oil' and exposed to sunlight and the open air these momt-liko forma tions soon turn to a dull unattractive color and lose their charm. The remoteness of these eaves and the great dilli eulties to 1m- overcome in reaching them, have prevent ed hundreds from visiting these natural wonders of Oregon, Before many years, however, a good passa ble road will probably Im opened from (! rant's I'assto the mountain, and then they will no doubt become favorite places of resort, and objects of interest and at traction to tourists. Speaking of the large shipment of Oregon made iron pipe to San Francisco, a local paer says: " It is a pleasing sight to Oregonians, who have so long watched their money flow into California collers, to see the tide now turned in the other direction." (! runt ed, but is it equally pleasing to see Portland money sent to St. Louis for pipe for her water mains, when a letter quality of pipe is made here and can be laid down at the same figure. If Portlandcrs are looking for something pleasing to gaze upon let them contem plate this for a while. : , ... Portland Hilicemen will cheer up a little when they read of the Kay Foster case in San Francisco, A crippled woman disappears from a house, but partially dressed, the indications Wing that she was killed by some one secreted in her riMini and her body carried away, and the police of the city know no more alxmt it than those of Portland do of the wherealHiuts of (iibhs. Then1 are more things than one that " no fel lah can find out." Two weeks ago the WVr Sihikk called attention to the fact that a two-ntory frame building had been erected in the business part of the city, which stands iih a menace to adjacent property. The uses to which it is put render it peculiarly liable to lire, and tl f- licials who have .crinittcd this violation of the ordi nance establishing fire limits should have their eon duet investigated by the city icil. " Joe the Turk "may his trilxi decrease -wants the accommodating jailers of Kast Portland to permit him to have his photograph taken with the prison walls for a back ground. When this is done he will nil doubt hawk them alioiit the streets with the II V Cni venders as " Joe the Martyr," and the good cause wiil again be on the ascendant. With an assessed valuation of taxable pnqn-rty nt tl'ilUVVtT'J, being an Increase in the year of nearly lift v'mt cent, the new state of Washington set her Keif up in business in a most promising way.