The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-11-24
GROWTH OF OREGON.

| This western verge Of the American
continent is bound 10 60 ahead. The
Territory has advantages of sea coast,
good harbors, navigable rivers and bays,
salubrious climate rich soil, valuable for.
ests, extensive water power. market at
hand, and rich minerals, that cannot fail
to attract large emigration annually, and
soon make Oregon a hourishing State OF
the Union.-The Oregonian OF the 18th OF
September, published on the yellowest sort
Of wrapping paper, thus speaks OF the brief
past and the prosperous present:
We look back with establishment at the
rapid improvement Oregon has made in
few short years. Less than two years
ago we came to this territory. AT that
time the only steamer on the Columbia and
Willamette rivers, was the '.little Colum-
bia." which made weekly trips between
IClackamas rapids and Astoria, consuming
nearly forty-eight hours in performing the
distance between the two points. On en-
tering the Columbia we were greatly dis.
appointed at the size and appearance of
the world-renowned Astoria. AS we as
cended the river, the appearance on either
side. as far as st. Helena, presented nothing
but continued wilderness, with some two
or three exceptions. Mr.. Birnie's, now
called Calamet. Oak Point, and one house
just below St. Helena, were all the eviden-
ces of civilization that greeted the eye.
St. Helena, if we remember right. contain
ed three buildings, and Portland boasted
Of some twenty, in all, with about dozen
families, four or five small stores and one
saw mill. Astoria is much larger now than
il was then; the banks Of the Columbia are
skirted with the dwellings of new settlers;
81. Helena presents the appearance of a |
fourishing town-the buildings all new
and of good size; Portland has more than
quadrupled; many houses having been
built of superior order and style. We
have over twenty traders doing fine busi-
ness, besides mechanics engaged in almost
every mechanical employment usually
found in the large towns on the Atlantic side
We have three good churches well finish
ed, viz: Congregational, Methodist and |
Catholic; also. an Episcopal congregation
whs worship at the school house; an acade-
my under the direction Of the Methodist
Episcopal Conference, md large free
school; three saw and one,flouring mills
doing an extensive businesss-There are
four steamers constantly plying,below the
rapids at Oregon Cily-ihe Lot Witcomb.
Multnomah, Jas. P. Flint and Eagle; also
three above, Canemah, Washington and
Hoosier, and one more being built. There
are, also two weekly newspapers and one |
Monthly magazine published in this city.
which speaks we'll for the intelligence of
our citizens, II
We made a trip about the first of July !
last to the Pcget's Sound, and again few
days since. Therapid increase Of settle.
ments along the way was truly astonishing.
Nor are the places above alluded to the
only portions OF the territory which eyince
arapid improvement;ihe whole, Willamette
Valley is filing up with an intelligent pepu. |,
alton; and Oregon City, Salem, Lafayette. Ii
Scottsburgh. Jacksonville. and
many other towns are growing into impor- (
ance with a rapidity unknown, save in the .
Of California. ris,.s }s&sA
!. Last year the immigration did moi proa- |
,ly exceed three thousand, This year we r
ne assured, il will not fall short Of ten !
It will therefore be seen that i
'sr course must be onward, SO far at leas, q
4 Ne Increase oipopulation and business d
sshesrneds IN
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