From Vancouver to La Center and Back
April 10, 1879

After remaining in Vancouver a few days, during which time the weather was clear and pleasant, I again prepared to set out this time to the northern part of the county. I left on Saturday morning. The weather had again changed, and though the rain was pouring down without stint, I succeeded in hailing the "Vancouver" at Lambert's landing, where I got aboard, comfortably sheltered from the storm, and borne down the Columbia and up the Willamette with all the ease and celerity so characteristic of that commodious little steamer.

When within sight of Portland I was transferred to the Latona, that beautiful and popular boat on the Lewis river trade. Here I found several old friends and acquaintances. I had hardly stepped aboard when a voice from away back at the engine cried out, "there comes that hungry man." It was Crawford, the engineer, with whom I had often dined. The purser proved to he John Gaither, recently of the firm of Miller & Gaither at La Center. 

The man at the wheel was none other than Capt, Weir of Hydra fame; and the man who superintended the culinary part was recognized as that happy and jovial bachelor Gus Greves. We reached La Center at 4pm. The new wharf and warehouse has added much to the appearance of that little town. Here I spent a few minutes at the store of John C. Miller, the only dry goods store there, and then proceeded to call on my old host and hostess Mr. and Mrs. McNab. 

Here I met with a lady friend, Mrs. Murray of Cedar creek, and with these genial and benevolent people the evening hours were pleasantly passed, Sunday morning came, and though the weather was not pleasant, I set out to visit other friends. In my circuit I called at the homes of Michael Kane, F. P. Saunders, Thomas Carroll, John D. Banzer, John K. Gaither and John H. Timmen. At the latter place I remained overnight.

School matters in this neighborhood have been languishing during the past year, but there are bright prospects of an early change for the better. They have a fine new frame schoolhouse nearly completed, that is admirably adapted to the purpose for which it was built, and a credit to its projectors. The people of the new district, recently cut off from this one, have gone to work with an energy and will worthy of the cause, and have a school building nearly completed and ready for school.

On Monday morning I started for the Eaton settlement, with the intention of returning from there direct to Vancouver. Through the kindness of my friend Ira Spencer, I was furnished with a horse to ride there. The rain poured down all day without ceasing, and about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, wet and hungry, I arrived at the residence of J. C. Downs. But supper was soon served, and a warm tire soon made me forgot the unpleasant journey of the day; I had been there before, and felt at home.

On the following morning I concluded to take my back track. The heavy rains had swollen the streams to a fearful height, and I concluded if I had to travel by water I would rather go by steamer than on foot. So I started for La Canter, but by a shorter route than the one on which I had traveled the day previous. Between John Eaton's and G. Graham's places I found it very difficult to make my way, even on foot. 

The storm of the 6th had filled the road for Some distance with huge trees, in several places three deep. Here I found Messrs, Graham, Burnham, Lewis, Joseph Eaton, John Eaton, McBride, Walden, Abbey and others  with saws, axes, etc., trying to clear the way. It seemed to me a Herculean task. almost equal to running a public school. But I returned to La Center that evening, and on the following morning was aboard the Latona and on my way to Vancouver.