THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX, POIiTL.A'XD, FEBRUARY 12. 1922
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SIN'CE early manhood the author has experienced a keen and unabated interest in the mighty Columbia, the
great basin drained by it and the wondrously scenic gorge it ha3 carved for itself through the towering
Cascades. Four years of his life have been spent in the inland empire, the former bed of a once impris
oned sea, covering many thousands of square miles, practically all sections of which he has personally
visited and studied, including the fossiliferous beds of Wheeler county, the undulative, wave-formed topography of
central and southeastern Oregon, the prairies of the Big Bend and the picturesque, regularly molded hills of the
Palouse, in Washington.
The geodoty of the plateau, its borders, the bones and whole skeletons of prehistoric land animals which became
mired in the soft bed of the departed sea, the myriad sea-fish shells, the nature of the silt and the indelible marks
left by the action of waters, all are dumb but competent witnesses, testifying to the one-time presence of the
great lonesome sea.
Just when, during just what period of time the gigantic sea plowed its path through its mountain barriers, is the
problem, the solution of which the author has long sought, and to this end he has examined all available literature
touching the subject, including the excellent works of the following named writers: Townsend, Strahorn, Dye, Porter,
Muir, Lossing. Lyman, Hegardt, Ermatinger, Eusling, Lewis, Cox, Barnes, Elliott, Young, Vancouver, Williams (I. A.),
Williams (J. H.), Hana, Walker, Balch and Horner.
Some of the above named have written but little concerning the knowledge particularly wanted, the very nature
of their writings precluding such, while others have discussed, in varying degrees, the matter desired. It is note
worthy, however, that writers differ very widely on the origin, geologic ace, duration and outlet of the generally
acknowledged! inland sea. '
The "night" of Columbia's birth does not necessarily mean twelve hours or twelve weeks, or, indeed, as many
months; but it is believed that there is ample evidence to warrant the statement that its birth was very rapid, as
indicated in the poem.
Anent the matter of a former sea having covered the present Willamette Valley, authorities consulted have
made but slight mention; however, they who have particularly interested themselves on this subject, have found
abundant proof of the ancient body of water. The smoothly ground and polished "river stones" and the innumerable
water-animal shells found throughout the valley on elevated ground, tell a story that should be indisputably corrob
orative, if not conclusive.
Great Armies of humanity have wen
And felt the Inspiration, undefined.
White searching with the eye. the wondrous screen.
Through God and man, reflected on the mind.
Tet other multitudes, the songs of praise
Have heard from lips too full to be suppressed:
Lips, which mutt burst In speech, and tongue ablaze
With rapture of the full soul manifest.
For God's great handiwork Is here revealed.
Through magic touch of His reflected man:
Where earth and heaven mwt to be congealed
Into fulfillment of His mighty plan.
Unto this painted scene of mother earth.
We dedicate this song to all the world:
Where Beauty, Grace, and Rapture first had birth.
From lofty Hood fore'er shall be unfurled.
Announcement of Columbia's scenic way.
The Highway, in Its winding to the sea;
Peep chiseled through the granite walls, portray
The matchless splendor of her scenery.
Yet. words are powerless, the tale to tell.
Of that beyond the power of mortal man;
For inspiration has no voice, but swells
The heart to overflow, as full hearts can.
As from protecting parapet, which like
A sentry stands, the Vista House to guard.
Ten hundred feet above the silver tide
Of great Columbia's walls, so deeply scarred,
Thow rugged cliffs, a tale to me do tell.
Which neither script nor words could e'er explain
To mortal sense of human thought, where dwell
But things of earth, within the mortal brain.
II.
My eyes. I close: a vision comes to me:
A vision ne'er by mortal seen before:
I saw a mighty, surging, inland sea.
From south to north, five hundred miles or more.
And half as great, extending east to west.
A vast expanse of restless waters, chained,
Within their prison walls, do well attest
A thousand times a thousand years restrained, ..
Fermitted not. confining walls to si-ale.
N'or e'er their solitary role to flee.
Controlled, confined, their prison gates assail.
To pour themselves into a waiting sea.
Slow, dragging centuries had crystal streams.
Their waters poured within the studded walls,
Forever hopeful in their waiting dreams.
That Time would liberate them from the thrall
Of abject servitude to rock-bound shore.
With mountain chains encircling them about,
Defiantly, their pleadings to ignore.
And smile assurance of their own redoubt.
Yet Time, eternal, patient Time, doth change
All mortal, earthly things that are or were:
Though tiny insect be, or mountain range.
All must succumb, and die. and disappear.
t
Thus did the toiling, never ceasing flow
Of snow-fed rivers feed the hungry lake:
Combining in their efforts to bestow
Sufficient power, all barriers to break.
And set at liberty, the lonesome sea.
Determined, in itself, to overcome
Its stubborn prison guard, that it might be
Forever free, in sweet delirium.
So, louder, ever louder.- grew the plaint
Of waters, angry water.-, bound witnin
Those walls of stone, which held In dire restraint,
A mighty sea. with iron discipline.
Slow centuries, the scroll of Time unrolled.
The sentence of the sad sea to complete:
For ages, was the certain end foretold.
How conquering walls, at las, must reap defeat.
The leaping waves flash gratitude afar.
Reflecting strength and luster to the skies;
They seem to feel their prison gates ajar.
As each impatient billow testifies
To rapture of the soul, a soul set free
From bondage to restraining, stubborn shore;
Each waiting for its long sought liberty:
To share the song of ocean's soothing roar.
But Time, at last, his wondrous change hath wrought;
His forceful key, the pond'rous door unlocks:
Sweet liberty, the immured sea has bought.
And bores Its path through yielding earth and rocks.
Behold: a raging storm Is lifting high.
The furious billows of the angry sea;
Its former captors now must surely die.
While captive plunges to its liberty.
An unremitting wave of monstrous weight.
The long, unyielding sturdy wail has leaped;
The humbled, silent barrier meets its fate;
As o'er its crest, the conqueror proudly sweeps
" Adown the mountain side, by others pressed.
Enlarging, each. In turn, the channel made.
Each raging billow, bearing on its breast.
The earth and stone of former barricade.
The unabated storm speeds wildly on;
The wild, triumphant sea leaps to the fray;
An avalanche of furor. In its bound.
The very mountain peaks do seem to sway.
Before relentless charge of waters swept.
By giant winds with super-giant power.
The weakened forces now their doom accept.
And flee the awful fury of the hour.
On comes emancipated sea to pour
Its frantic waters through dissolving earth;
No mortal could conceive the deafning roar.
And labor pains of great Columbia's birth.
The Earth doth weep. The sun denies his light;
'Tis time for darkness, only, now to be;
Let all the world submerge into a night,
A night that seems to be eternity.
Continue on, thou welcomed night of old!
O, stay the dawn, haste not an early morn!
It is the night of travail, yet untold.
Of. mother Earth, when our Columbia's born.
A thousand times ten thousand tons, and more.
Of dashing, charging waters now attack.
Assault, destroy, remove all that before
Essayed, or dared- their strength to hold aback.
Let darkness reign supreme! Forbid the day!
Annul the sense to mortal eyes and ears;
'Tis only thought, that dares to find Its way
Into the realm of universal tears.
Draw closer yet, the veil of wanted night!
A rock-bound mountain chain's asunder torn;
The heavens tremble, as they feel the flight
Of mangled earth, upon the current borne.
Then deep into the contumacious stone.
The driving sea Columbia's gorge doth bore;
Jehovah hears the world's sad, plaintive moans,
As ruthlessly is. carved her bosom's core.
Within the vitals of the prostrate Earth,
A thousand feet the Master Workman drills.
Until completed is the river's birth,
And God's commands the fleeing sea fulfills.
The night has passed. Once more the gladsome sun
Illumines all; brings forth another morn,
Disclosing all the long, dark night has done.
Reveals the mighty river that was born.
The erstwhile sea, within that fearful night.
Removed, fore'er departed from its bed;
It bared an inland empire in its flight.
And cut the scenic gorge through which it fled.
A gorge full twenty leagues, through tow'ring crags.
Which like the dew before ascending sun,
Transformedi. dispersed, their massive weight is dragged,
And ground to atoms, ere the work is done.
III.
The unrestricted flow speeds wildly o'er
Multnomah's lowlands on the sloping west;
Strange waters surge o'er soil ne'er seen before,
Submerging all beneath its awful crest.
For long, long ages had Willamette wound
Her peaceful course from Calapooia's charms.
Contented in its own sweet silv'ry sounds.
Till gathered to Pacific's soothing arms.
But. when confronted by the rushing tide.
Bewildered like unto a maiden's shame.
In terror fled, as though her guilt to hide
Among the stately mountains whence she came.
Another shim'rir.g lake was quickly formed,
'Twixt green Coast Range and Cascade's giant trees,
Willamette's graceful valley, now transformed.
Becomes the silent bed of new-born sea.
Weep not. fair stream, nor flowered vale despair;
Not long shall forceful waters thus restrain:
Thy night shall pass, and day shall soon appear,
When flowers bloom and river glide again.
For. where had flowed so long. Willamette's Course,
'Mong crested green-clad mountains, on its way.
Through narrow walls, now'widened by the force
Of storming, rushing torrents to the sea.
Nor long were baffled waters caused to stay,
Impulsive, furious, in their westward race;
The deluge gored the banks of stone and clay.
And carved for struggling currents ample space. .
THERE is not a single point of interest in the entire beautiful valley that has not been personally visited
and studied by the author, it having been his home since infancy. It is believed that the Willamette
already had found its way into the ocean, through its own channel among the Coast range, before the
advent of the rushing tide of the liberated! inland sea; that the beautiful river was quickly submerged
and rushed back to its source, as told in the poem.
A personal and valued acquaintance with "Oregon's grand old man," the late Professor Thomas Condon, head of
the department of geology, University of Oregon, has been most helpful to and, therefore, most appreciated by the
author, in his search for information desired. Often have we walked along the cliffs of the sea at Nye Beach (New
port), Oregon, a soft, broad-brimmed hat partly coveringhis silvery locks, a heavy, dark cape about his shoulders,
a stout staff in his hand, readily and satisfactorily answering all geological questions addressed to him m his slow,
measured, kindly and confirming words. Here opportunity was had to learn -much, indeed, in furtherance of the
important solution required. A careful examination of his very educative geological collection, on display at the
university, supplemented by his highly instructive lectures thereon, added very materially to knowledge already
gained. ' -
In addition to the foregoing, the author many times has traveled through the great Columbia gorge by steamer,
on train, by auto and on foot, always endeavoring further to interpret "the hand-writing on the wall" of the mighty
chasm, and always with the intention of reducing the mental concept to the written page. There is much more than
beautiful scenery in the gorge. Here may be found the accurate history of past ages, ready and willing to give up
its secrets to them who have time and patience to read its rock-bound pages.
Late in 1915 the author wrote a prosaic sketch of "The Columbia Highway," transcribing the same into blank
verse, in the autumn of 1920, which same has never been offered for publication. During the summer of 1921 the
matter was reduced to its present form.
It is felt that no apology is due for the public appearance of SONG OF COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY, for a
place has been made for it to fill, rather than that it was made to fill some place. It is hoped, however, that its crit
ics will be not too intolerant and unforgiving, for it is the result of a soul filled with nature's scenic history.
Department of
September, 1921.
IV.
The battle 'tween the elements is done;
The great, completed river now Js free:
Twelve hundTed miles, unhindered, doth it run.
To lose itself into the western sea.
Again, Willamette, forth from her retreat.
Winds gracefully with former, queenly pride;
The beck'ning ocean, never more to meet,.
Except upon Columbia's rolling tide.
Once more, alluring valley comes to view,
Again the verdant woodlands' catch the breeze.
Once more, its sacred- flowers are bathed with dew.
And merry songsters flit among the trees.
Where once an inland sea had been restrained.
Until its steely gates were made to yield.
Released, it left a wide and fertile plain.
To man, bestowing home and pregnant fields.
V.
i
The ages of eternal Time sped on;
And- thorough was the workmanship of God;
For all the centuries that come and gone,
Refused to change the place where He had trod.
Thus onward did the noble river flow.
No ear to hear, no mortal eye to see; '
Its own, pure, silent universe to know,
And revel in its world of scenery.
Not any living man, e'er yet has told
Just how, or when Columbia had its birth;
But Nature will the narrative unfold,
When understood all secrets of the earth.
O, man, how little is thy boasted strength!
How trivial is thy most potential will!
How meaningless thy efforts are, at length, .
When measured) with divine and holy ski.lL
For who can comprehend, how ages long,
The great, majestic river, on its way,
Unto itself did sing, its own sweet song.
And frolic in unsullied, silver spray?
Beloved, pompous, lordly, master stream!
From Rocky Mountain canyons to the sea;
Our eyes, we close, to feel and see in dream,
The sway of thy perpetual majesty.
;-" V - vi.
Where" the gentle7 clear-. Willamette River,
i Like a blushing bride,1n-flowers bedecked.
Awaits the loving hand of God to give her
j. Into Columbia's arms with cKaste effect,
. j ,
i Was born and grew.. the "City of the Roses,"
Inception of Columbia's great Highway,
In her gladsome, -radiarrt smile reposes .
A welcome for the world to come and see
Creator's wondrous works, through man unveiled,
Where neither thought nor toil has met defeat.
Where human faith and patience have prevailed.
To make the will of God and man to meet.
'Long the Sandy, following her bending,
Feeling ev'ry song the river sings;
Feasting on the beauties, never ending,
Grateful are we for the peace they bring.
Pausing long with Crown Point's gorgeous splendor.
Beholding visions, heretofore unthought;
Marv'ling at superb and untold grandeur.
Bewildered at the work the Lord hath wrought;
Here, a magic power doth seem to bind us.
Here the Heaven and- Earth meet to embrace;
We look above, below, before, behind us,
And see, reflected, everywhere, God's face.
We see Lone Rock and Table Mountain,
The Beacon Rock and twinkling Silver Star,
Lifting high their peaks like gushing fountain,
Or the piercing heights of vessel spar.
The Sunken Forest, jagged Rooster Rock,
And Cape Horn in the vista may be seen,
" The guardians of the Highway do unlock,
To mortal sight, the glories of the scene.
Now, the Double Figure Eight descending,
Beneatji, among the Giants of the West,
Gliding, coasting, ev'ry moment rend'ring
Astonishment at engineering test.
Turning, reeling, curving, waltzing in descent.
To the level of the rolling river's swell,
Ev'ry object that we meet, an ornament.
Enhanced by Bridge and Falls of Latourelle.
Where angelic fairies meet at playtime,
With voices like unto a silver bell.
And each moment of their lives, a Maytime,
We see and love dramatic Shepperd's Dell.
'Fore us rises Mushroom Rock, imposing,
While nearing, now, the flowing Bridal Veil,
All the charms of maidenhood reposing,
In the cadence of the perfect water-fall.
C. LOUIS BARZEE,
History, Benson Polytechnic School, Portland, Oregon.
And. among the lofty mountains, tow'ring.
Amidst the whispering trees and flinty halls.
Breathe we fragrance of the shrubs, a-flowerlng,
Catch the banter' of secluded Coopey Falls:
"We are playful, elfish Nixies hidden,
Just smiling smiles and singing songs for you;
Come and find us, you are sweetly bidden."
We went, and found that all they said' is true.
Far above the dizzy heights, a-braving,
Angels' Rest doth live among the stars;
From its pinnacle, "Old. Glory" waving.
Flashing potent stripes and crimson bars.
Waukeena, "most beautiful," dazzling to see,
Leaps forth from its timbered and snowy retreat.
Caroling welcome, to all, in its glee,
Performing its seeming incredible feats.
"Benson" Park! Where Nature rules, supreme;
Where ancient purity Is undefiled;
Where erring man, from wrong may be redeemed.
By learning that he still is Love's own child.
Let mirth and laughter cease. Let silence reign.
Let spirit thought now hover over all;
Creative Godi! His face and voice proclaimed.
In great Multnomah's thousand feet of fall.
For nought but Spirit e'er could understand
The holy language of that soothing sound:
It breathes its love into the ear of man.
And purifies the place for miles around. '.
The Oneonta Gorge, in concrete drilled,
Forth from Larch Mountain winds its craggedi way;
Its cascades, hidden from our view, yet fills,
In harmony, tie soul, in rhythmic lay.
And roaring, foaming Horsetail's fearless leap,
One hundred' eighty feet, in steep descent.
O'er corrugated rocks, with spreading sweep,
Attention holds in silent wonderment.
Amazing structure of the age! Sublime!
St. Peter's Dome, fond inspirations hold;
In fancy, do we hear its mellow chimes.
As though its history it would unfold.
Cathedral Rock, and others, sternly steep,
Defenders of the ancient, hallowed tower,
Their solemn vigil, always bravely keep,
To guard a sacred spot, with mystic power.
In a pretty, sun-kissed valley, smiling.
Through which a pleasing, crystal stream is twirled.
Is found the far-famed Bonneville, beguiling.
Supplying infant fish for half the world.
From the snow fields of the" Cascades, gushing,
Through the ice-bound- canyons, wildly bleak,
Dashing down the gorges, ever rushing,
Speeds the sparkling waters of clear Eagle Creek.
Here the jaded multitudes assemble,
Divorced from harmful cares of worldly strife.
Seeking thoughts and comfort that resemble
Their Interpretation of a paradise.
On to where the river's turbid waters
Plunge o'er the fallen pass, by ancients trod.
As told- in legend, by the red forefathers,
And rightly named by them "Bridge of the Gods."
'Tis here Columbia's channel was denied
To commerce; caused by silent, stubborn- rocks;
Where man's potential powers were defied;
He answered with the perfect Cascade- Locks.
At Mitchell's Point, where jutting stone extends
As though best efforts, wholly to subdue,
Here, man takes up his work, where nature ends,
And bores a windowed tunnel quickly through.
From the creeping glaciers of the mountains,
Crashing through the caverns, deep and wi,de,
Grows Hood- River, from its many fountains.
And through its valley, flows with fructuous pride.
Eternal Hood, In robes of white and green!
Thy royal face, in altitude, sublime!
The great Pacific West, and' Highway queen,
And shall be to the earthly end of time.
VI I.
Still, is ever fed the 'noble river.
From its mother's ample, snowy breasts;
And still flows the ever-faithful river,
Unto its peaceful, cradled', ocean rest.
Roll on, thou great Columbia, roll on!
Forever in thy pathway to the sea;
For where that mighty, swelling tide has gone.
Is left a charm for all the world, and me.
In the rhythmic tones of all thy singing.
The song that thou hast often sung
Can be heard the invitation, ringing
O'er the world: "Oh, come and see,
for me,
come and see."
Copyrighted by C. Louis Barzee, Feb., 1922.