Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-10-03
WILLAMETTE FALLS, OREGON CRY,
Anil lQtb fQHe

WILLAMETTE FALLS, OREGON Clr7,l
April 18th, 1916.
MeSSrS. Shortridge and JVilkinS.-l send
you these few lines by the polteness oil
Capt. Hackcrman, giving lew facts in re-
atlon to this interesting country. | reside
in Oregon city, at present. have taken a
claim about 81 miles from this place, on
which have commenced building and ma.
king other improvements with the expecta-
ton of moving on to it soon. Claims
near this place are valuable, and must in
crease fast in few years. The most Of
our emigration has spread Throughout. the
valley, and with few exceptions are high.
ly delighted with their new homes.
The scenery is so grand and beautiful
with so many never failing streams OF pure
cool mountain water, that the admirers OF
natures works cannot fail to be pleased.
Every thing in this country is in high de.
gree Of prosPerity-peace and plenty,
with general observeance Of temperance by
| the great majority OF the community.
The settlements to the south have been
extended about go miles from the Falls in
the vicinity Of the ST. Mary's river, most
| ly by persons Of last years emgration.-
The Willamette i3 said to be navigable for
nearly one hundred and fifty miles above
the falls for large boats. All travellers TO
the south part Of the valley, pronounce the
country to be better and better, and much
more extensive than was supposed. Intel
| Iigent persons are well convinced that this
country is capable of containing 4 dense
population. The wheat of this valley is
equal, if not superior, TO that Of any other
part Of the world. This grain has been cul.
tivated for Is years or more by the retired
servants Of the Hudson's Bay Company,
and failure OF crop has never been known.
As the summer is dry with copious dews al
night, the farmer is always certain OF reaIi.
sing good harvest OF the Severa! kinds Of
grain and vegetables.
The British sloop Of war Modesty, has
been lying near fort Vancouver for nearly
year past. Her officers have been sur.
veying and exploring the country. Some
movements are anticipated BY the Hudson's
Bay Company. The business in the store
at this place is more limited, and no further
accommodations given to emigrants.
A man lately sold claim at Cape Dsap
pointment, on the north side Of the Colum-
bia, for one thousand dollars, TO Mr.. Ogden
one Of the chief officers al fort Vancouver.
The opinion of those in the interest Of
the company is, tina, the British intend to
hold on to the north side Of the Columbia,
which is by far the most important, on &C.
count of its great Commercial advantages.
the facility for forming harbors IN PugetS
Sound is said by some travellers not to be
excelled by any other part Of the world.
The country fit for cultivation il the vlcIn-
lty OF the sound, is very extensive, and the
timber OF the best quality in Oregon.
About SO persons died in the last emigra.
ton, which was caused by the pr,vatons
and Suffering endured on what is clled the
"Cut OFF,"
A person by the name OF Stephen Meeks,
pursuaded a large body OF the emigrants,
about $50 wagons, to follow him through
an unknown route, which lett the old road,
about 2 miles on this side of fort Bourg
near Snake river. The route was over rug
ged hills and mountains, and badly supplied
with water and grass. The agent at the
, fort advised the people not to take that
route; but Meeks promised to pilot them
through ia less than half the time required
by the old route. They were taken with Q
disease called the Camp fever.
The main body of the emigration pursued
the old route, and were generally healthy
until they arrived at the Dallas; portion
of them were detained waiting Tor boats, nj
Meeks, company came in and spread the
fever.
Emigrants for this country, would dc
we'll TO leave the United States, about the
18th of April, or sooner if The grass will ad
nit, and travel, in small companies. have
learned by experience, that oxen from tC
= 6 years old, will stand the trip best wher
e well broken, and are worth more at the enc
}, of the route. Good light wagons, well iron
e ed, with falling tongues, will be most suta
i bic for The trip. Sheep ought to be brough
G to this country in preference to cattle
r They are much more needed, and wortl
# more-a great deal more here. They car
0 be driven with less trouble than cattle.
: There is a great demand for all kinds o
y goods here especially joiners, and all kind
n of mechanics tools. Hollow ware and al
= sorts Of cooking utensils, school Books ar
J. very much needed. Farming implement
l. of every description, would meet with read
/. sale. Merchandise intended for sale her
d ought to be shipped by New Orleans.
}. Give my best wishes to all friends.
l. should be glad to see you in this deIightir
IS and healthy climate.
; Your friend, respectfully,
)l ANDREW HOOD.