tance being but a very little more than to the Dalles, and it is said to be a better road.[1] It has been surveyed.
Mr Whitcomb wants us to go to Shole Water Bay, it is but 8 or 10 miles north of the Columbia, but I cannot learn that the country is worth much only by those that are interested, and I place but little confidence in what they say. This mans story about Pugets Sound I think is correct, for it does not clash with what others have told me about it. He sais he has two mills in Wisconsin and a plenty of land, and can do very well there, If the weather will admit, and I can get away, I shall go up there and see for myself.
Jan 3d /53 .... The snow has all gon an the Willamette is higher than ever. The Lot Whitcomb,[2] Steamer in coming from Oregon Citty new years day, was driven against the rocks in the river, about half a mile above this place and stove her in, smashed one wheel, and ran down ½ a mile below this found she was about to sink, and run ashore, and sunk there She will be fitted up when the water falls enough. It continues to rain a most all of the time. There has been some Cholera in Portland this fall. The late emegrants, or the poor people in Portland are about to starve, so we are told ...
Esther returned yesterday from Portland, she attend a New Years ball, she had a present of a brest pin, that cost $6. & a pr of dancing shoes, and she had an invitation left here to attend a dancing school in this place before she got home. .....
Affectionately Yours
Milwaukie 3d Jan 1853
Brother Levi & Sister Emma
Today I forwarded your letter, or rather, I put it into the Post Office, but I rather think it has not gon. Since sending that, I
- ↑ Probably the Naches Pass road. Lieutenant Arnold completed the military road across the mountains in 1854 and 1855. It had been commenced by immigrants in 1853; W. H. Gilstrap, in Washington Historical Society, Publications, II, 217.
- ↑ The Lot Whitcomb was launched on Christmas day, 1850, at Milwaukie, the second steamer to be built in Oregon, the first being the Columbia. The steamer was not seriously damaged by this accident and began running again February 3, 1851; Lewis & Dryden, Marine History, 29; Oregonian, February 5, 1853.
