Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-05-13
Letter from ID. Ncwsem Of Oregon, % his
brother L. News0m OF this place.
SALEM, Marion CO., o. T. Feb. 2y, ,52.

DEAR BROTHER: With the expert
ence Of a winter in Oregon, hav,
taken up my pen 10 give it TO you
which you will please have PLACED
before our numerous friends. Aftel
my first location last fall, was sur
prised TO see that no one went tC
work TO house up or cover cabbage
potatoes, onions and other vegetable:
as | had been accustomed TO see in
| Illinois; but letting them remain in
the ground where grown, when they
we're Iesorted to as occasion re
iquired.
| In December light snow fell oil
some two inches, which melted in
twenty-four hours after falling, in
stead of snow we had an abundance
Of rain. with the theomomster rang
ing from 80 deg. 40 4Sdsg. erfrom
freezing point t6sfg. above
Cattle in the WIFI valley, were
supported and sustained entirely and
exclusively on grasses growing in
luxurious abundance. have not
fed my stock the whole winter and |
am satisfied they have regularly i'm
proved since our location here. |
was surprised to see strawberry BIOS
SONS on the vines all winter and
now while | write the leaves aud
blossoms Of spring are rapidly put.
ting forth and gardens are being
made, we have during the winter
had few white frosts but not Of suf-
fcient intensity TO change the color
Of vegetation.
When Ipurchased the claim which
| now hold in pursuance and by
virtue Of law Of Congress granting
lands in Oregon TO actual settlers !
had no neighbors, nearer than one
and a half miles, but since then all
the vacant lands are taken up, and
within the year we shall erect
building for a seminary of learning
and a church.
Instead of feeding stock and haul
ing wood and making fires all win
ter, we have employed ourselves in
building a tolerable decent dwelling
house and the necessary out-houses,
and fencing about a hu ndred acres OF
prairie, preparatory to the culture Of
some OF the products Of the country
or tn Il Of pasture. All our curren-.
cy is gold and silver but our business
men find no difficulty in obtaining
Eastern draughtS. Portland twelve
miles up the Willamet valley from
theColpmbia is AZ the head-of tide
water, il may in truth be called the
emporium Of trades it is Cincinnati
or St Louis in miniature. Not long
since on business trip there, saw
Ocean steamers, schooners, brigs,
sloops and frigaies loading and un-
loading; for export they were taking
in wheat, -four, beef, pork, live stock,
lumber, butter, eggs, poultry, pota-
toes, onions and gold dust, these
products are shipped TO California,
Sandwich islands and even 10 China.
From my short experience | am
satisfied the valitudinarian would be
less liable to sudden changes in the
atmosphere here than in any portion
OF the United States east of the
Rocky Mountains. You ask me TO
state to whom are lands given by an
actual settlement. To which | will
inform you; all white native or
naturalized Citizens over the age of
eighteen years, if single or il mar
ried or marrying previous TO Decem-
Der lst, 1851 800 acres, which has
been extended TO December 1853
and now all coming in if single
males, as above l60 acres and they
who are married or marrying within
that time gets 800 acres and I60
acres 10 each male child.
Elisha and James Veazy, the two
men from Gallia, who accompanied
me, are well pleased and just now
are selecting their grants in my
neighborhood, each will get 320
acres OF land. enough TO make them
rich and independent Tor life.
Should any of our friends think OF
coming 10 Oregon, say to them that
| advise them TO go to New Orleans,
and on to Chagres, Panama, San
Francisco and up the Columbia; and
from Portland they will find it only
about 81 miles to my house, when
my latch string will always be out
when a friend or old acquaintance
approaches my domicil.
] will occasionally write, be sure
and do the same.
With respect your brother,
nAUIn NEXUC(NNT