Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-01-27
FROM OREGON.

ing letter from gentleman belonging
to the Methodist mission in Oregon,
from which we make the following ex-
tracts:
| am stationed at the Willamette
Falls. This il rather romantic spot,
yet many things conspire 10 make II
rather pleasant than otherwise Its
advantages for water power are very
little, if any, exceeded by those Of RI
chester. There are at this place now
a cooper's shop, two small stores, es-
tabished this season by Two Ameri-
cans named Briggs One is to he per-
manent if circumstances will justify.
1t is established by Mr.. Cushing OF
Newburypor,, Mass. l understand he
takes deep interest 10 the affairs OF
Oregon. We heve two mission build
ing-.
A saw-mill is raised, and q Touring
mill is in contemplation by milling
company. formed in the country for
the purpose Of Improvement. The
Hudson Bay Company have two nous
es far their convenience. So that we
have quite village.
What of The climate, wafer, soil,
timber,-in word, advantages and
disadvantages Of Oregon, and what en-
enlargement does The country hold out
to cn,igrani>? The climate is mild,
the summers generally fine, though in
the middle OF the day rather warm -
The nights are cool, and very little
rain in summer. Thi, summer. how
ever, we have been favored with some
rain; il has been difficult TO secure the
harvest; not much, however, will he
lost. This is prolific season here;
craps are very good.
There will be fifty or more thousand
bushels of produce in the country this
year. Last year the Hudson Bay
Company shipped probably 10000
bushels for the Russion dominions and
other places, at sixty cents bushel.--
The winters are generally rainy,
though there is some pleasant weather,
sometimes a little snow. Cattle, how
ever, keep fat all winter, without fod-
dering. This is destined TO be one Of
the best grazing countries in the world.
There are now large herds Of cattle
here, and more are annually being driv-
en- from California Beef and pork
are becoming abundant. Beef To 6
cents per pound; pork 7 10 10 cents;
wheat 60 cents to 81; peas about the
same: corn is scarce, 81 TO 81 so per
bushel. Garden vegetables are also
raised. know Of no country where
there are so many cattle and horses for
the population, as in Oregon. Some
Indians are said TO own $50 head Of
horses
This summer there have been six or
seven droves by my house 10 the SET
Element, to exchange for cattle
These are mostly from The upper conn-
try. These Indians will soon be rich
in cattle. SC. There are domestic an
finals, such as have already mention
ed, and cats. dogs, and hens, no tame
geese, or very few, though there are
thousands wild; also the swan, bald
and grey eagle, vulimre, buzzard, the
crow Of various kinds, fish hawk, hen
hawk, pigeon hawk, owl. black bird,
robin, wren, and various kinds Ui other
birds; some Of which have never seen
in the States. We have the elk, deer,
bear. panther, fox, raccoon, wild cat,
wolf. squirrels of different kinds. rats,
(hushy tail mice. moles, beaver, otter,
nluskrat, mink. weasel, snakes, rattle
snakes in some places. adder, lizards,
and creeping and flying locu>is OF varI-
Gus kinds and colors. Water is album
dani and good.
The streams are generally clear as
chrysia!; some which rise ia the noun
tains of perpetual snow, are cold all
summer. There are several snow
mountains in view from almost every
point, and greatly, in my opinion add
10 the beauty and grandeur OF the
country. The soil is generally good,
some dark loan mixed with clay. some
sandy, graveiy, red soil;all producing
+ very we'll as far as they have been iri-
ed. Wheat is spwed here from year
10 year. One man, it IS sald, has rais-
ed seven or eight crops Of wheat in
succession from the same ground, and
The last is sand 10 have been the best,
and all were good. 1t is frequently
the case. tha, hen wheat shells con-
sidersbly IN harvesting, what falls IS
left ON The ground and the next season