Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-05-20

Ofe8Ons
The following interesting letter handed US for
publication by Hon. James P. Milliken of Dearborn
county. The writer, Mr.. Wesley shannon was former
ly citizen of Henry county, In this State We knew
him WELL and vouch for the truth of his assertions
MARION County, O. T., Feb %, 1882
Hon. Jas. P Miiliken-Allow me, dear sir, TO renew
partial acquaintance. Although localities in the
States distant from each other yet your reputation
public man, was, to me, quite familiar desire to
acquaintance, by calling attention to our
country In doing this, permit to contrast the ad-
"antages OF young Oregon with those OF the Western
States
The first essential item will mention, is the climate
Of this country. Our winter has just passed by-t IS
now the 2Sth February-and we have scarcely had any
freezing nights-I weather cold enough to sink
the mercury the freezing pont-very little rain, and
all. We have had warm sun shine, the most
beautiful ina inabe. think the has shone about
six DAYS per week all winter Grass has grown finely,
we have crops of grass per year. Stock OF every
description looks fat and beautiful; all the farmers
are required bestow upon their horses cattle sheep,
and hogs is to Just let them at large This, you
know is not the case in old Indiana. There while your
farmers muied their cloaks dividing the time be-
tween choPpng wood building nres, and ieeding their
stock the farmers of Oregon occupying their time
in reading books and the of the day. where they
can look their windows and their stock feeding
upon the uxurant meadows, untouched by the hand oil
cultivation.
The next thing will notice is the soil, its productive
powers, Sc. Believing do, that upon these depend
the permanent wealth and prosperity of the country and
compare with any State in the Union. In the growth Of
wheat for ineness Of article and abundant yield, she
will surpsss any Of the States The crop last season,
or summer following, gave return OF from 40 to 90
bushels per acre; this not all uncommon. For
vegetables, il is good could desire We had
two splendid crops Of potatoes last season, one in the
and in the fall and for cabbage, and beets,
and the like, it is scarcely to be equalled. Cabbage
stands out all wnterwe cut the heads of in the fall
and new again. have been crediby INFORM
ed that 81 heads have been taken from cabbage
stalk.
FRUIT IN OREGON.
This country stands unrivalled for fruit growng-ap
pIe-trees heavy laden with fruit year; bloom
buds are swelling now. Fruit trees make perhaps as
rapid growth in this country any other. have Guilt
waited apple trees from nursery owned by Lewelling
& Meek from Iowa. Some Of these trees growed six
feet, from the bud, in season, and some of them
formed quite head They bear at three years growth
Pears peaches cherries, currents, &c., all do fine
the apple.
About the timber / will say merely q word The for
Of unsurpassed beauty; beats anything on the
continent. Some trees have reached altitude Of 300
feet This however common but from $50 to 200
is not at all uncommon. The timber most in use here,
is white yellow and red FIR white and yellow pine, ash,
oak alder, maple and CEDAR though there are other tim
Der in the country.
WATER POWER.
Our country for advantages in water power is not
equaed by single State in the Union; every water
course in the country affords mill sites OF the finest
quality; in fact water power sufficient to propel any
kind Of machinery desirable is abundant all over the
country The water Is 6ne pure, and healthy.
The health of our people is everywhere good, and
their spirits buoyant and hopeful with the haterng
prospect before them Of many holiday in the future.
Our population is composed chiefly of hardy ndustri-
Gus, intelligent and enterprzing peoplean orderlov.
/ ing and aw-abidng community.
Religious sentiments are, perhaps, as general and
widely difused they among the same number Of
inhabitants anywhere in the States. Villages, towns,
and cities sprirgn up Seminares Of learning and
school houses of education adorn the face OF
the country. In fact, friend Milliken, know of no
country that holds out many inducements to enter
prize and settlement this If any Of your neghbors
friends desire to emgrate to Oregon you may assure
them that when they arrive here and try the country
their expectations will be fully realized emigrated
to Oregon in as. What write TO you is the result OF
long experience and close observation have care
fully reaned from overestimating the advantages OF
Oregon for decidedly prefer that emigrants should be
favorably disappointed, il disappointed at ALL
/ Emgrants cannot bring with them too much stock
especially American mares. Farmers labor under C.
great disadvantage account Of scarcity Of horses to
work.
Here will close for the present. If you friends
desire any information that have not given in this
write 10 me and will serve you with pleasure.
Most truly, yours,
WESLEY SHANNON.