Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-01-09

rock whose height IS from 100 to $50 feet, the
dome great curiosity the lonely tower; Scots
Bluffs; Boiling, Sui phur, and Soda Springs
mineral waters &c. &c. Thence the road be-
comes more uneven to Fort Larima, only shor
distance, about 800 miles from St. Joseph's.-
Here our troubles commence our teams begin
to lag, and exhibit signs of sore feet and fail
The companies now begin to divide for their
convenience it becomes necessary to form com.
panies of about 90 wagons.
After crossing the Rocky Mountains through
the South pass, the next great curiosity is the
great Soda Springs, on Bear River The Soda
Steam boat, aud Boiling Springs, are very large
and interesting. To give description would
require pamphlet close lined Thence, or you
may say, from Fort Larma, the road becomes
very dusty, making the travelling very unpleas-
ant, causing the engrant to become petulent
and little iIl-natured inpatient of restraint. and
each family begins to look out for themselves.
A continued changing of companies takes
place. From the great Soda Splings the route
continues brok n, until you reach Fort Hall, sit
uatcd on the Snake River, about 25 or 80 miles
above the American falls. Fort Hail may be
said to be about half way to this point
Troubles increase daily. Many cattle show
sigrs of WEAKNESS, and fall off People begin
to throw away everything that they can possibly
do without. The feed is not so good, and haul
ing much heavier than the first part of the route.
We cross the Snake River twice by fDrdng, the
last time at Fort Bosee. There, through the
Beunt Hills, a very broken route, as well as dus
ty, to powder River valley, down said stream to
the Grand Rourd, lying at the foot Of the Blue
Mountains, delightful little valley, very rich,
probably large enough for two counties, well
watered and excellent grass
After crossing the Blue Mountains, we strike
the Umatllla, pretty valley, uniting with the
Grand Round, and The valley in which was stu
ated the late DR.. Whitmun's station, including
the Powder River valley, with Whitman's, the
the UmatIlla and the Grand Round makes an
extensive tract capable of cultivation and enjoy
ing good and heuthy climate
After leaving the Umatla, in one days drive,
we arrive on the bank of the Columbia, a noble
river, which would well compare with the St.
Lawrence above Montreal. Following down the
same, and crossing several respectable rivers,
we arrive at the Cascade Mountains, The eros
sing of which is the most difficult part of the
whole route. 1t is succession of very steep
hills, and frequent crossing of small streams,
mostly very heavily Iimbered, and at best bad
road with but little grass. In consequence Of
the cattle being weak and poor, scarcity of grass
and heavy hauling, many cattle nre lost on this
made as early as possible, before the fall rains
set in, say the latest if possible in the month Of
Sept. Should emigrants be late, it would be
best to come Ivy way of the Columbia River,
leaving the route at the DdlIs, i. c.. the East side
Of the Cascade Mountains. When over the Cas-.
cades you are i'll the valley of the Willamette,
and in the settlements 20 miles from Oregon
City, situated at the falls of stupendous by.
drauIic situation.
Now, in the valley, we will commence by first
stating as has been said, taking the "alIey be-
tween the attitudes of AZ and 400 North. 1t
seems to be divided by nature into three distinct
parts or settlements the South from AZ to Al l
90; the middle from A l-2 to AZ . ; and the
Northern might include portion of the British
possessions, SO as to reach nenr 81 ..
The Southern and Northern dlvlsi 1ns arc not
well known, not being as yet settled by Ameri-
cans. shall therefore confne myself to the
middle section, embracing the County between
A l-2 and AZ Of North Latitude, watered by
the Umphqua, Willamette aud Columbia rivers.
Of the extent Of this valley, it is about 200
miles long, its breadth is varousIy stated, (nevor
having been surveyed,) but from all whom |
place confidence in, they believe it would exceed
so miles wide.
In passing up the valley on either side of the
Willamette, Umphqua, or Columbia Rivers, at
short distances you keep crossing beautiful pnr-
ling streams of excellent water, few of which
run far without presenting to the eye good sites
for hydraulic purposes. Its minerals, fossils
and other geological substances are only begin.
ming to be known on the Umphqua WE find
gold, on Marys river silver, at the Cascades lead,
on the Coulitz stone coal, on the Luckiminke
and Sandy, iron. These are not entirely confn.
ed to these locations, but new discoveries are
daily being made.
In passing down the valley from the Umphqua,
you are bounded on the west by the majestic
Coast range of mountains covered with a thick
growth of evergreens, with at unequal distances
their snow topped submits adding a grandeur
nowhere else to be found while precisely the
appearances are on the lofty Cascades on the
east. In the valley between are innumeraoIe
little hills generally covered with stunted
growth of white oak excellent fire. wood, and
between these hills lay our settlements present
ing you with good soil, covered with carpet
of grass and flowers. By close observation it
will be found that in most of these vallies the
soil varies. | know of none in which it can be
called poor, but many in which the greater part,
If classfed) would be noted first rate; i. e.,with
very few exceptions, it Is good, and all well wa
tered.
In some of the larger vallics, timber for rails,
at the extreme points, would have to be hauled
from five to SIX miles.
Our staple productions are Wheat, Rye, Oats,
Barley and Peas in some locations, Corn gives
what you would call half crop but all of the
former an abundant All trials in tame grasses
have been successful, but our natural grasses
are perfectly cured, and make excellent hay
during the summer season,-say from the first of
August till the fall rains commence, which is