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 .