842
WEST SHORE.
feet in length have been peddled about the streets for
fifty cents each. A little below here is the narrow
sluice, through which the smooth, oily-looking water
rushes at a frightful rate, and from which comes the
name " The- Dalles."
The unusual rain of June has assured splendid
crops in this county, liarley is headed full; wheat,
except occasional pieces, is in fine condition. The
cause of the few fields looking less favorable is in many
cases on account of baoadcast sowing. From conver
sation with a farmer, whose wheat spoke louder than
words of the successful operator, I learned that on ac
count of the gentle, but steady, breeze over the hills,
sowing broadcast with good results was an impossi
bility. He recommended that the seed should al
ways be drilled six inches into the ground, that the
roots might secure suflicient moisture. Watermel
ons are a sure and remunerative crop in this section,
one farmer two years ngo receiving $3,000 net profit
from three and one-half acres of melons. Grapes
grow abundantly on the hills.
Returning to tho town, there is much to interest
one in the pretty dwellings and the court house,
which is carpeted cheaply but judiciously with
about three inches of loose saw-dust. The new
opera house and other largo blocks give indications
of the growth of the town, although the traveler
passing through on the train might turn away with
tho impression that the place was bankrupt.
In 1800 n woolen mill was one of the industries
of Tho Dalles, but through litigation it became
starved out. The machinery was sold to Dayton,
Washington, parties, and is to-day humming indus
triously for tho benefit of the latter place. There
are excellent opportunities for manufactures on the
river.
More leaving The Dalles one should see the
great Hume to the west of the town. It is a credit
to the enterprise and grit of its projectors. Imagine
a logging camp in the trackless foreot of the moun
tain; from this camp a sixteen-mile flume brings
the logs to the mill where they are to be sawed into
lumber. A hundred thousand dollars, probably,
expended, but see the result saved in teaming. More
lumber can be shot down that path in one hour than
could be hauled out in one week, without speaking of
tho abuso of animals that must follow bringing out
the logs in tho old way.
The afternoon was growing old and my horse
weary, so climbing back to tho bluff we started for
the stable. My reception there confirmed my judg
ment of Lantern Jaw. I was used handsomely by the
hostler, who, without grumbling, agreed to drive me
to Hood River, which he did in fine ntyle in evident
appreciation of the honor he enjoyed.
COL. ENOCH W. PIKE.
5 HE commandant of the 2d Regiment, National
Guard of Washington, is Col. Encch W. Pike, of
Goldendale. Colonel Pike is an pld soldier, and
a gentleman who thoroughly appreciates the position
the national guard occupies as a support to the civil
government. He is a business man of Goldendale and
is highly thought of by all who know him in civil life
as well as the officers and men of his regiment. The
2d Reg. N. G. W. is composed of six companies locat
ed east of the Cascade mountains, one each in Golden
dale, Centerville, North Yakima, Dayton, Waitsburg
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COL. ENOCH W. I'IKB, COMMANDING D KKGT. N 0 W.
and Spokane Falls. A cavalry company at Sprague
is also attached to the regiment. This regiment,
about 3."0 strong, has been in camp the past week with
the 1st Reg. at Camp Ferry, on the shore of American
lake, near Tacoma. This was the first opportunity
Col. Pike had been given to have his entire command
together, and the occasion to give them much-needed
battalion instruction was improved to the fullest ex
tent, with the result of improving the efficiency of the
regiment fully a hundred per cent. Col. Pike takes
deep interest in promoting the welfare and efficiency
of his command.