Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-12-23

Gen. NRwsoM has furnished us the
} following letter for publication, from his
brother in Oregon: tt,...5
PLEASANT VALLEY. q. T,
Sept. l4,'5a.
DEAR BROTHER: Though l have not
much of general interest to write, yet to
keep up brotherly correspondence will
fill a sheet Of miscellaneous items for
your perussl. have now nearly passed
one year in this most delightful climate
Life possesses a charm here rarely
known in other portions Of North Amer
lea. The genial breeze, clear sky, and
charming scenery of Autumn are now
with us. The great potatoe crop Of Or
egon is nearly matured. IL that degree
Of industry and scientific culture were
used here as with you, the country would
overflow with abundance and wealth.
The soil is as productive here as the
bottoms Of the Nile. There is enough
farming land in Oregon to supply, il
well cultured, all the country west Of
the Rocky Mountains, including the is
lands of the sea. It may be supposed
that the grass will fail here in coming
day. But this will not be the case,
while the climate remains as il is. The
French Prairie in this county has been
settled Ia years, and there is no dimi
mutton ofthe grass. Clover and timothy
grow here in the greatest luxuriance,
and are ever green and fourishing.-
There are two crops of wild grass annu-
ally here. Gardens remain green all
winter. All manner of tame fruits grow
here in the greatest profusion. The at
mosphere is so pure, that fresh meat,
suspended ten feet in the air, will not
taint in any season Of the Year. The
gospel is with us, and there is Methodist
meeting every Sabbath in our house.
| am again in the Temperance cause
here; and | amuse and improve my mind
and talents in delivering public lectures
on Temperance, and have raised some
flourishing societies in this county.
In nv worldly affairs, | have been
most fortunate in my selection OF land
here. My land and what it contains
would now command ten thousand dol
lars. own the most valuab water
power in this county, and am highly
improving 1t. am laying out coun
try town at my mills, and already me-
chanics are settling in it. My stock is
fast increasing, and all my bull calves
command Se5,00 apiece, to the stock
raisers in the valley, at weaving time.
Emigrants are arriving in large mum.
bers, and are much worn down. Their
stock are all very poor, and much dis
tress has prevailed among them on their
long and dreary journey. The cholera
swept off hundreds OF them, and even
followed them on to Snake river.
much fear that there will not be provis
ions enough here for them, and the peo-
pie already here. More than 5000 wag
ons are yet on the road. Many are des-
titute of provisions, and will perish with
starvation, on the latter part of the trip,
unless supplies be sent out TO them. A
great number have gone TO California,
and provisions will be very high there,
as well as here. Already -four and
wheat have doubled in price here within
ore year. Wages do not keep pace
with the prices of provisions. and poor
men will have hard rowing to get along
here for a season to come. The larger
proportion of this Years emigration are
pushing for the great Willamette valley,
and the Tempqua valley. Yet there is
room for ten times the number in these
two valleys. The vast country lying
between the Blue and Cascade noun
tains will soon come into settlements by
enterprising white men. Cold abounds
in that district. In fact the resources Of
Oregon are but little known as yet
! Twelve miles from my mill have been
found recently immense iron and coal
mines, with indications of much gold
Camel coal has washed down as far as
our mill A most charming country
was discovered all round these mines,
and will no doubt be taken this year by
emigrants. But few Indians are now in
this valley. The few that are here work
well, dress in white mems clothing, and
are quiet, peaceable people. Schools,
mills and churches are fast increasing in
Oregon. ..s .r.,..- ..t..-.-
The rates of freight from the q. s. TO
Oregon are quite low, and our imported
goods are sold low. Farming, stock
raising, numbering and gold digging are
the main employments Tor profit here.
LAUNDERING, farming and stock raising !
follow, and these will afford me enough
for a good support. As | told you in
former letters, it costs nothing TO raise
stock here except to salt them and keep
them tame. In the absence of raising
corn and of dreary winters, what fine
time we have for other work. We have
had rain every month in 1852. We
could raise good corn here, if we chose
to do so. General good health prevails
now in this country. Elisha and Jas,
Veazy work on our mill. Their land
lies near mine, and they are doing we'll
4 DAVID NEWSOM.