Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/235

234 Prehistoric Inscriptions on the Columbia. The oldest human accounts of Oregon, as far as known, are the rude inscriptions in stone made apparently by some prehistoric race. Similar inscriptions are found in many places in Oregon. Some of them are as unintelligible as were once the letters and symbols carved on the walls and pyramids of Egypt, many of which have since proved to be the records of wars and other events of national interest described in the Bible. Although the Oregon stone records are at present meaningless and mysterious to us, it is possible that some Rosetta Stone may yet be discovered from which a

HIEROGLYPHICS NEAR ARLINGTON, ON THE COLUMBIA

key will be found to decipher its inscriptions and that they may cast light upon the history of a race whose intelligence surpasses the conception of the most credulous now living. Hence these inscriptions are worthy of careful study. They are so numerous, however, in Oregon, that brief mention can be given here of but one locality where they are found. This is the ledge along the bank of the Columbia River opposite Arlington.

The Arlington Prehistoric Stone Inscriptions are apparently of three classes or groups, which may belong to as many periods. Group one seem to have been made with a firm instrument driven by a mallet or hammer. Group