150 Years 1872-1886 The Dalles THE DECADES OF HISTORY PART TWO OF THE DALLES CHRONICLE'S TEN-PART SERIES. March 30, 2007 page 2 ICE HOLDS TRADE IN DEATH GRIP Neither locks nor portage rail roads, can cope with the rigor of our climate so as to prevent obstruction to business; then there remains but two other means of successfully meeting the difficulties presenter - a continuous rail road from here to Portland, or a wagon road. We dismiss the rail road for the present because it will cost more money than we have to invest in that kind of an enterprise, and if built, and when built, the capital to build it must come from abroad. What we now want is something that will meet the present business demands of the country with stock raising as its basis. A couple of hundred thousand of dollars judiciously expended will give us a good practical wagon road, from this place to Portland, with such an outlet our stock men can consult the condition of their stock and that of the market and drive accordingly, and thus save not only a large amount in cost of transportations, but a sum perhaps equal to the steamboat or rail road charge in shrinkage incident to shipping stock fresh from the grazing grounds. Let us look at this wagon road proposition from other than the stock growers stand point. This place is to-day in uninterrupted wagon road communication with all parts of the United States east of the Cascades range of mountains. The files of papers upon our table show no interruption between this city and all points east from Maine to Texas, which the registers of our hotels show that people from all points beyond gather here from all sections of the vast continent, and here they come to a dead halt by reason of the ice in the Columbia. From Kelton to this place is one uninterrupted sheet of snow, yet the wheels of the Northwestern Stage company roll over it with undiminished speed. From here to Grant county the gleaming whiteness of winter's mantle envelopes all, yet the stage comes and goes at its appointed time, freighted with mails, passengers and treasure. The treasure now accumulating in Wells Fargo's Express office awaiting shipment to parties below, mostly in Portland, where it was sent to liquidate liabilities and stop interest, remains here for an indefinite period. While we are more than friendly to the building of a railroad from here or by here to Portland, Salt Lake, or any other place, as preliminary thereto as well as to cheaply and effectually give our own producers and outlet to market, we urge upon all who are interested in the development of the Upper Columbia to unite in sentiment and action in constructing a good wagon road down the Columbia river, and thus enable us and those below who do business with us, in successfully running the ice blockade. The U.S. Mail is now carried on the backs of men between this city and Portland. The last mail arrived on last Thursday. December 13, 1873 Incoming and Outgoing messages protected by Trend Micro PC-cillin program