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MILES OF PHOTOGRAPHS
TAKEN FROM FLYING FLATCAR ON O. R. & N. ROAD.
Novel Method of Placing Splendid Columbia River Scenery in Reach of All.
Have you ever viewed the Columbia River scenery from a comfortable armchair on the quarter deck of a flatcar? If you have not, there is something worth while for you to live for.
A party consisting of General Passenger A. L. Craig, Thomas Nash, of Chicago; Edward Shields and an Oregonian representative left the Union Station over the O. R. & N. Friday morning at 8:45 on their handsomely appointed special train, consisting of the luxurious flatcar Imogene and an engine which has the unsavory record of four men killed. The engine was manned by Engineer MacIntire and Fireman Biblehauser, the train being in charge of Conductor U. S. Pendergast.
The purpose of the trip was to secure a panorama of the river for exhibition purposes, and Mr. Nash, who is one of the most celebrated photographic experts in the country, came on from Chicago, representing the Selig Polyscope Company, to do the work. Nearly 2000 feet of negatives were secured, and, from the favorable conditions which prevailed, it is practically certain that all of the views taken will be develop successfully. The pictures were taken while the train was running at full speed and at the rate of 20 per second. Mr. Nash, who has been engaged in the business for several years, says the result of the trip will be the finest series of views ever made by a moving picture machine.
The negatives will be developed within the next two or three weeks, and they will then be duplicated and reproduced whenever the polyscope is in use, a large order for the films having been received from Europe. Mr. Shields has arranged to put them on here as soon as they are completed.
The first work was done approaching Rooster Rock, when the Gatling camera was brought into action. The Needles, Multnomah and Horsetail Falls, Castle Rock. the cascades and locks and the magnificent views of river and crags intervening were taken as far up as Hood River.
At The Needles the train was sidetracked and the Chicago-Portland Special was taken in full flight, just as it emerged from the tunnel. To add realism to the picture, it was decided that the general passenger agent, Ed Shields and the reporter should be "discovered" in the picture fleeing for their lives from the approaching train. This turn was much more thrilling than had been planned, for, with the rumble of the oncoming express loud in their ears, Shields delayed the get-away by asking a village belle, who viewed the proceedings from a safe distance, if there were any more at home like herself, and other airy, trifling things. hind flirtation was abruptly broken off, the party "dug out" for a place of safety. Craig beat the world's amateur record for ten seconds, the reporter slid down a rocky embankment, out Shields remained on the track until the engine was within a few feet of him. The edifying spectacle of a distinguished railway official and the great impressario hot-footing it down the track will, fortunately, be preserved to posterity, for it won't happen again--not in a thousand years.
At various points along the route vast throngs Were attracted by the "photographic special," and loud calls were made for speeches. At Dodson particularly Colonel Shields displayed his versatility in a brief address touching upon good, citizenship, race suicide, the knockabout life, Sunday-night performances and a second term. As the train pulled out of the station, it was followed for half a mile by a large concourse of dogs and the cheers of their owners. Colonel Shields acknowledged these pleasantries by bowing and waving his hat. At Bonneville a stop for lunch was made at the wayside eating resort. "Billy" had been notified in advance, and his only remaining turkey was slain in our honor. Nash wandered off into the woods at this point on a sightseeing expedition, and met adventure with what he claimed to be a bear, but on investigation proved to be a China pheasant.
During the brief stop at Hood River Mr. Craig, in some manner unknown to the rest of the party, secured a crate of strawberries, and the return journey was a sumptuous banquet.
The O. R. & N. has placed an order with the Selig Company for ten of its machines, and the panorama will be used to exploit Columbia River scenery all over the country, this being the longest panorama of views along a railroad route ever made.
Mr. Nash, the expert, expects to remain in Portland for several weeks, and will do considerable photographic work in this vicinity.
The Sunday Oregonian, Portland, dimanche 31 mai 1903, p. 8.
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