[237] The Cascades, with their portage path, were to all early travellers the best-known features of the lower Columbia. See Lewis and Clark, Original Journals, iii, pp. 179-185; Ross's Oregon Settlers in our volume vii, pp. 121-125; and Townsend's Narrative in our volume xxi, pp. 291-293.—Ed.
[238] For the varieties of pine and other terebinthine (turpentine producing) trees of the North-west Coast, see Original Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, iv, pp. 41-57, 84, 85, with identifications by Charles V. Piper, a naturalist familiar with the region.—Ed.
[239] This project of a canal was undertaken by the United States government in 1878, when it was found that the difficulties were so great that the work had no counterpart. However, after numerous modifications, a canal was built on the south (Oregon) side of the river, with a great steel lock at the upper Cascades. The work was opened for navigation in November, 1896, but was not wholly completed until 1900. Over four million dollars has been spent on this important improvement. See the chief engineer's Report in House Docs., 56 Cong., 1 sess., viii, pp. 584-586.—Ed.
[240] For Dr. John McLoughlin, see our volume xxi, p. 296, note 81.—Ed.
[241] Probably the one now known as Trout Lake. Lewis and Clark speak of the "ponds" encountered in passing over the portage path.—Ed.
[242] The description of this place tallies well with that given by Lewis and Clark; see Original Journals, iii, pp. 178, 179.—Ed.
[243] Cyrus Shepard, who came out (1834) with the first missionary party (see our volume xxi, p. 138, note 13), was a valuable member of the Methodist mission, where he had chief charge of the Indian manual training school. In 1837 his fiancée, Susan Downing, came from the states, and they were married in July of that year. His death occurred at the mission in 1840.
Mrs. Elijah White came to Oregon with her husband, a missionary physician, in May, 1837.—Ed.
[244] Of the many beautiful falls on this part of the river the Horsetail, Multnomah, Bridal Veil, and Latourell are notable; probably the Bridal Veil is the most beautiful, but the Multnomah may be the cascade here noted.—Ed.
[245] For a brief sketch of Fort Vancouver see our volume xxi, p. 297, note 82. Farnham gives a detailed description in our volume xxix.—Ed.