Portland observer., June 29, 1978, Page 19, Image 19

Portland Observer Section II Thursday, June 29, 1978 Page 13
The Columbia River Gorge
M ount H o o d is glowing in the sunlight this morning, and the air is pleasant, with a
temperature o f 38°. We continued down the river, passing through a pretty green
valley, hounded by high precepitous rocks. . .
The canoe sailed smoothly down the river; at night we encamped upon the shore, and
a plentiful supply o f comfortable provisions supplied the first o f our wants.
We enjoyed the contrast which it presented to our late toilsome marchings; our night
watchings, and our frequent privation o f fo o d . We were a motley group, but all happy,
three unknown Indians; Jacob, a colored man; Mr. Preuss, a German; Bernie, creole
French; and mysetf.
. . , The wind rose to a gale after several hours; but the moon was very bright, and
the wind was fair, and the canoe glanced rapidly down the stream, the waves breaking
into a foam alongside; and our night voyage, as the wind bore us rapidly along between
the dark mountains, was wild and interesting. About midnight we put to the shore on a
rocky beach, behind which was a dark-looking pine forest. We built up large fires
among the rocks, which were in large masses round about; and, arranging our blankets
in the most sheltered places we could find, passed a delightful night.
, , . We glided on without interruption between very rocky and high steep mountains,
which sweep along the river valley at a little distance, covered with forests o f pine, and
showing occasionally lofty escarpments o f red rock. Nearer the shore is bordered by
steep escarped hills and huge verticle rocks, from which the waters o f the mountain
reach the river in a variety o f beautiful falls, sometimes several hundred feet in height.
Occasionally along the river occurred pretty bottoms, covered with the greenest ver­
dure o f the spring.
These were the words o f Captain Joh n C . Frem ont, who travelled down the C olu m ­
bia in 1843 on his way to explore southern Oregon and northern C alifo rn ia for the U .S .
Government.
This river had seen earlier explorations — each with its Black members.
The 1804-1806 Lewis and C lark Expedition was the first Am erican contingent to
travel down the broad C olu m b ia. Captain C la rk ’ s servant Y o rk , " a remarkably stout,
strong negro,” was a valuable member o f the party serving as an interpreter and trader
among the Indians as well as an accomplished hunter.
Nearly forty years later, in 1843, Moses " B la c k ” Harris fam ous “ M ountain M a n ”
led one o f the largest wagon trains down the Oregon Trail, bringing not only many o f
the future leaders o f O regon, but slave holders and their slaves (or servants as they were
usually called in non-slavehoiding territory). Harris remained to help and explore an
alternate route to the W illam ette V alley, the Applegate T rail.
Oregon's highest waterfalls, Multnomah Falls, is located thirty miles east of Por­
tland. The falls, discovered by Lewis and Clark during their expedition in 1805, tumbles
to the floor of the Columbia River Gorge in tw o levels. A footbridge crosses the falls at
the top of the lower level and a trail continues up Multnomah Creek.
Without quality, equality
doesn’t mean very much.
It’s a sad fact, but equality for millions of blacks, whites,
Chicanos, Indians and Asians means lives of equal poverty, ignor­
ance, disease and despair.
Our next and perhaps greatest challenge is to join with all
good spirited people to create a quality of life that encourages self-
respect and full personal development. Enriched lives through
quality education and worship. Satisfying and productive work
lives. And a strengtheningor family life and pride in the community.
United States National Bank of Oregon welcomes all 1
N.A.A.C.P. convention participants to Portland.
Best wishes for a good and productive session.
BANK
Member P.D .I.C .