The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-10-26
An Overland Journey to Oregon.

Nr. isaac Constant, who has lately re.
turned to Illinois from Oregon, went GU,
:hr last year over land, IN company with
only two young men; and he had only
one wagon and team made up Of two
yoke OF steers and two yoke OF helirrs.
He says that the worst part OF the way he
passed over was between this point and
St. Joseph; that he met with no serious
difficulties brs ond, and no difficulties at
all which were not surmounted. Most
OF the road was fine-as broadly marked
in many places as our own streets.
There was occasionally beyond the
mountains, patches OF light sand or ashes
in which the cattle would SINK some in
ches, and which would cause very great
dust, but they did not often occur, and
scarcely ever extended over from five TO
seven miles. H. had never occasion to
stop a any place without water. but once
and that as beyond the pass between
thu Big Sandy and Green Rivers. Be
tween these rivers there is strel CHI of
nearly to'ly miles withou, water. In
the Centre OF the distance, however, tnere
is tolrrab'e grass. Over this portion OF
the route, they commenced thrlr journey
III the afternoon. fed when they arrived
at the grass. and the next day about ten
O'Clock rrac he'd Green river. In that ell
evated country, the nights being cool the
chttle did not suffer tor water. In fact
when they arrived at the Green river
and drove the cattle into It, they seemed
not greedy to drink. Mr. Constant lost
one OF his cattle on the Platte by drink
ing salera!us water, the Waterman hav-
ing fallen asleep.
In Oregon, the settlers had begun to
raise fruit in abundance. In the French
prairie, there was species OF small apple
called III" French appIe--that prodn
ced wonderfully. Peaches Succeeded
we'll, though the variety was small. A
gentleman from Iowa had carried through
successfully gratis of several varieties OF
apples, aud was then selling small trees
for one dollar each. All kinds Of pro-
ducr were high--tor instance, oats SO Il
bush-l, and sheaf oats $3.50 per dozen
bunuIrs.
The discovery ut gold in Califo
had interrupted regular farming opera
tons. Many farmers had left their busl-
ness and young men who had been sue
crsstul IN digging gold could not be in
ducrd TO work Still those farmer who
attended to their business We're teap'n1 a
golden reward, which seemsd to be- OF
service to them. IT was, however, appa-
rent that farmers do no, work in Oregon
AS they do in the States. IN consequence
OF tue long season, wheat could be- plant
ed at almost any time. As an evldens
OF the am unit Of wheat which can b.
raised by one man, it is stated that a SIN
gle individual raised and harvested niue.
ty acres with his own hands The SOW
ing OF the wheat took place during sew
eral months, and the fields rIpened in
succession, and thus was the farmer era
bled to cut and secure it. Thus the scar
city and dearness OF labor was overcome
Mr. Constant fully confirms the stories
that large quantities OF gold IS found IN
Oregon. HIS return to the states was
quite as easily accomplished as his jour
nry out He saws that with light wag-
on and suitable team, n can 90 from the
Missouri river to the Willamette easily in
three and ii half months, and would want
no longer time.