Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-09-10

is published in the Milwaukee Courier
of the 10Th ult.,
"WILLAMEr FALLS, OREGON
October II, 1914.
l arrived here on the 18th day ofthe
present month, having been on the way
isl days from Independence, Missouri,
which was at least one month longer
than were the last years company OF
emlgrants. This was owing to the
unusual rains that fell during the first
two months after our departure from
Missouri. ...r
MY health is good, and has been
during the whole route. The health
of the small party that accompanied
me is also good. The last thousand
miles no interruption from the Indians
took place, nor did even shower of
rain fall to lay the dust. ..
None Of the families have yet ar
rived. The foremost are expected to
reach this neighborhood in about a
week. The last range OF mountains,
called the Cascades, have never been
passed with wagons. We were. five
days passing over this range of noun
tains, and found it by far the most diff
cult and fatiguing part of the journey,
both for ourselves and our horses. The
mountains extend to within a few miles
of this place. The range runs nearly
north and south. The Wiliametis on
the west side Of the mountains. The
Columbia breaks through from east to
west: it has a number of dangerous
passes, and two falls that cannot be
passed by the lightest canoe. Our
families, wagons and baggage were
carried around the falls; the portages
however are not lengthy.
The settlements Of this territory ap.
pear to be in a good and prosperous
condition. Even the last years emf
grants, some of whom have not been
more than nine or ten months on their
new farms, have plenty for themselves
and some to spare to their countrymen
on the way. Of bread, beef, fish and
potatoes of a superior kind, we have
plenty. The three first mentioned ar
ticles are exported. The brig Co.
lumbia is now freighted with wheat and
flour, and will sail in few days for
Sandwich Island. A profitable trade
with the Islands is already commenced.
From US they receive wheat, flour,
beef, pork, and lumber. In return we
receive from them British, Chinese and
American manufactured articles, and
molasses, sugar, coffee and rice, the
growth of the Islands.
Standing in the door Of my present
lodgings, | can count sixty-two bull
dings. They form the present village
of Oregon. Timber and lumber lay
scattered about for more buildings, say
eight or ten. Several other villages
Zone or two of them have SEEM have
some pretentions to future greatness,
but are quite small as yet.
The Hudson Bay Company transact
nearly all the foreign and domestic
trade. The company derive great
benefit from the business, and al the
same time accommodate the,inhabitants
Of the Territory, who are all agricultu,
rists and mechanics, without capital
sufficient for commercial pursuits. On
our arrival we found the country dry
and parched. Werecently had a week
of warm and rainy weather. The
grass has commenced springing up and
looks like your Wisconsin prairies in
May. The leaves of such trees as
shed their foliage are yellow and be-
ginning TO fall. The kinds shedding
the leaf are oak, specie of maple.
allow, lockwood, hazel, elder and alder
which grow qnite large. Notwithstan>
ding the ease with which the necessa-
ries of life are acquired, never saw a
more discontented community, owing
principally to natural dispositions.
Nearly all, like myself, having been oil
a rowing discontented character before
leavcing their eastern homes. The
long tiresome liip from the States, has
taught them what they are capable o.
performing land enduring. They talk
of removing TO the Islands, California
Chill and other parts of South Ameri
Gu with as much composUre as you ir
Wisconsin talk Of removing to Indiana
or Michigan.
Almost the first man met on my
arrival. was JIM. Weir. formerly o
lndiana, who served with me in the
Rangers. | also hear Of Lancaster
Clyman. who is married and settled
some 40 or so milessup the WilIanet
expect TO see him this week. 1t is said
thai he is doing well.
You recollect the large stories we
usedto hear respecting the immense
s!zc and height OF timber in this coua-
fry. "a inrSar+ -;c.kcr | have ssau