Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-08-24
g TRUTH, CRUSHED 70 rAarz.: WIZ .,.r AGAIN"
! 4. BURLINGTON, IOWA: SATURDAY AUGUST "a, 1914

tie here for cattle of the same kind, age
and sex, at Fort Vancouver. That cattle
can safely reach the Dalles, there is now
not the least doubt. Whether Wagon
route from there to the Willamette will
be discovered, is matter Of doubt. But
it is Of little consequence, for the simple
reason that families and wagons can be
sent from the Dalles to Vancouver cheaper
and in less time than they could be taken
across the mountains. There is large
body Of timber at the Dalles, out Of which
boats and canoes can be made, and the
navigation is not dangerous at the time of
the year the emigrants will reach there.
Canoes can easily be had there from the
Indians, and by the time the next emf
grants come along there will be plenty Ct
boats. W. !.
The trip can be made in four months,
although we have been longer. We have
come some fifty miles out Of our way to
come to this place, and have laid BY about
one-third Of our time. We had the road
to look out, and started about one month
too late. We ought to have started by
the LIST Of May, at farthest. Emigrants
should start early, come in parties Of about
80 or 40 Wagons and no more--should
lose no time, except when indispensable.
The Test manner 10 rest teams is TO drive
them reasonable distance every day.
When einigrants reach Burnt river, if
they would send a party of men ahead,
they could easily avoid most Of tie bad
place by selecting another route. The
road will be greatly improved.
As to the country, can only speak Of
what ! have seen in positive terms; and
in regard to the balance, must only speak
of what | have heard from others. Thus
far the country has exceeded my eApec-
tations. In the third or upper region, /
expected to see nothing but desert; but
was most agreeably disappointed. We
passed large bodies of splendid pine tim
Lers adjoining as rich valleys as the world
contains. The Grand Round is valley
intersected by numerous beautiful streams,
from about 80 TO 100 miles in circumfer-
ence and as rich as Missouri soil, and I'M
bosomed among tall hills covered with
pines. The grass in this section is exceed
ingly fine. In the Blue Mountains we
found beautiful country rich, well ma
tured and timbercd. We found pine grow
ing on richer soil in the Blue Mountains
than can be found in the Z. States. In
this the middle section, we find great
deal of very fine farming land, and it is
certainly the finest grazing country in the
world. have never seen cattle so fine
and fat in the United States as they are
here, except, perhaps, at your cattle shows.
The beef is far better than yours; being
sweeter and more tender. In this section
fine wheat and corn grow. DIR. Whitman
raised good crops, and have been inform
ed by Mr.. Lit,lejohn, and several Others
that Mr.. Spaulding raised, this year, 4OC
bushels Of corn upon four acres Of land
This and the upper section will literally
swarm with cattle and sheep in FIVE years
from this time. The Indians in this region
are raising great numbers Of cattle, and
have immense herds Of very fine horses,
which cost nothing. have Just seen a
Nez Perez, chief named Ellis, who has a
farm Of 20 acres in cultivation and owns
1000 horses and numbers Of cattle. The
Indians in this section exceed any Indians
in America in civilization, industry, econ
omy and intelligence. They raise consid-
cradle wheat, corn, peas and potatoes, and
are more commercial than any other Indi-
ans. You cannot imagine how fine the
grass is here. We, saw the hill sides
clothed in green, beautiful as q luxuriant
wheat field, in October, and the grass re-
mains so all winter; and the cattle are as
fond of it as they are Of blue grass. The
fish Of this country far exceed calculation.
AT the Salmon Falls any quantity Of dried
salmon could be had at price so low as to
amount to nothing. You could obtain
two large salmon for one small fish hook.
We found salmon-trout and speckled
trout very plenty in most of the streams;
also, ducks and geese. ~
As to the first region, the accounts
have, are most flattering. / have seen a
great many persons who have lived there
and they all agree in representing it as
a splendid region. Wheat can be there
sown upon new land, just broken up, as
late as the middle of May, and produce Is
bushels to the acre. Corn can be raised
in sufficient quantities, and Irish potatoes,
oats, barley, buckwheat, and peas grow to
great perfection. Labor is in great de-
mand, and ready market is found for
every thing. Goods are remarkably cheap,
and can be readily obtained at Vancouver.
Perhaps, there is no country in the world,
where man can live so well, upon SO little
labor. The climate here is much milder
than that Of Missouri, and it is the high
est and most pleasant climate l have
seen. In the lower section, Willamette, J
the climate is still milder, but much damper.
Provisions can Be had to any amount, and
emigrants need have no fears on that head.
They could readily live upon salmon alone,
any quantity of which can be had at the
lowest price. Beef cattle and hogs are
plenty. DR.. Whitman sold pork to us at
8 cents.
The Columbia here is about as wide as
the Ohio at Louisville, perfectly clear,
calm and beautiful. Allthc streams we
have seen this side the mountains are beau
tiful. Water power is abundant.