The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., September 15, 1894, page 3

ACROSS THE COLUMBIA

     Captain Wallace of the Skamania Pioneer last week gave the southeastern part of his county a write up, and the following is an extract from what he had to say of our neighbors, the Underwood brothers:
     "The Underwood farm consists of a section of land, being 320 acres of government land and 320 acquired by purchase from the railroad. The owners of this magnificent body of land are the Underwood brothers, Amos and Edward, pioneer settlers who could have entered land as homesteads in almost any part of the state at the time they settled on their present home. The location of this farm is one of great scenic beauty, and must be seen to be properly appreciated. The view from the Columbia, while picturesque, would not be attractive to an agriculturist, as huge cliffs of basaltic rock line the Washington shore at this place. The White Salmon River, the dividing line between Skamania and Klickitat counties, empties into the Columbia at this point. The level plateau is reached by a good road up the hill on the west side of the White Salmon river. When the level is reached every indication of a prolific soil is observable. The view from the edge of the bluff which surmounts the river is grand. Looking south, across the Columbia, is seen the town of Hood River, while the valley of the same name stretches away with a gradual rise until it reaches the base of Mount Hood, towering high above the clouds, a white-capped cone of ice and snow glistening in the sun. A fine view of the Columbia river, for about ten miles east and for about the same distance westward, can be enjoyed.
     "Looking north, a fine view of White Salmon river is had, terminating at the base of the snow-clad peak of Mount Adams. It is seldom so many scenic attractions are to be observed from one point. The view from this point would happily repay the lover of nature for the trouble of reaching the elevation necessary.
     Amos, the elder of the Underwood brothers, is at present chairman of the board of county commissioners, and is a public-spirited citizen. Having crossed the plains in 1852, he came on directly to the Willamette valley, and from there to this county, where he at once took part in public affairs. At the outbreak of the Indian war he promptly volunteered and was in the infamous four days' battle at Walla Walla, furnishing his own horse, arms and ammunition. After the war was over he arrived in time to take part in the out-break at the Cascades, and garrisoned with others the Attwell house in the anticipation of the Indians crossing the river to burn and destroy; but after "holding the fort" for two days, the steamer returned from The Dalles with soldiers, who blew their bugle, and warning the Indians of their approach, the latter incontinently fled. In 1864, Amos Underwood settled upon his present farm, and twelve years later was joined by his younger brother Edward."

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer