, 1853-01-29
For the Columbian.
Grey'S HarbOr GehaliS River Country
Schooner WilIiRIantiC, &c.

'52, and ! have endcavorcd TO gain alt the
information ofOregon Territory that could,
both by my own observations and by iniur-
mallon from o.h,rs. ! wish, through the
medium Of your valuable paper, to state a
few lucts 10 those in search Of new homes.
4 am thoroughly satisfied that Nothyrn Ore
gon Is far superior to that portion OH tic
south Of the Columbia river, in point of
rLeallh, stock range, soil, timber, and facili-
ties for navigation, and is not inferior il, any
respect. But at this time Grcy's harl or
and the Gehalis river country is decidedly
the best chance for good claims The har-
Dor is the most delightful place ever saw /;
1t is very commodious, has an easy channel
TO navigate, plenty ofwater for large vessels,
good anchorage, and enterance easy of ac-
cess. ! am thus informed by the captain
and mate Of the schooner Willimautc, and
they have had good chance 10 know.
will here state that this vessel came into
this har6or in dark and lowry time, the
captain nlisiaking il for the Columbia river
They were in a week before the vess,l went
upon the beach, and changed their place Of
anchorage several times. They lost one an
chor not far from the entcrance before they
went out. When they went out they soon
met strong head wind, and being almost
out OF provisions and water, were compelled
to return, and meeting such strong ebb
tide they could only come a short distance
in ana anchor. The heavy sea drove her
towards the bar until they were compelled
10 heave up anchor, hoist GremaSt sail, and
run her ashore as the only means Of saving
her. Being short Of provisions, the captain
and a part Of the crew lel the vessel, aud
the mate, steward and one other man staid
on board. The owner has procured assist
ancc and the probability is the vessel will
be got Off without much damage, A gen
tleman by the name Of Seammonds and my.
self have taken claiius on tie south side Of
Grcy's harbor, about II miles from the en-
trrancc, which call Columbia Cly it is
the best site for town on the harbor-has
a fine hard beach, splendid banks, plenty Of
guod springs and brooks Of fine fresh soft
water. The channel comes within about
p or 80 rods Of the shore. At tins place
a beautiful broad pojnt projects INTO lhp
'"'s"r About this point | expect soon to
see dally} steamers ard sailing vessels ia
maj site & andcur, laden with merchandise
and produce, or lumber and coal from our
forests. About mile from here MIR Brunn
is engaged with some hands in getting Out
timber and piles; he will soon have store
at Columbia City. expect 10 have my
family here in February. In the ncighbor.
hood of this harlor there is an abundance OF
the bert Of grazing for stock, winter and
summer, The timber is principally spruce,
cedar, and hcnilock, unsurpassed by any in
the country. The land is COOL, aboundng
with all kinds Of wild GuiI Sallal bushes
here grow from to Il feet high. The
weather is very mild There was no frost
here until the 10Th Of November The
Indians had several patches Of potatoes, the
vines Of which were as green, until the frost,
as in August. There was two more Light
lrosls about the 18th Of Nov.
About this harbor is the finest place that
] know Of for steam mills, and some water
mills. After you go up the Gchalis above
tide water, the timber is cedar and FIR, about
equal proportions. About 10 miles from
the mouth of the Gehalis the Winaehy river
emplies in up this river a short distance
there are some fine prairios-some claims
have been taken here but abandoned for
want Of ncighbors. About the same dis
tance above the Winachy you come to the
mouth Of the Satsup river, at the heod Of
tide water. The Indians tell me there is
an immense bed Of coal about 10 miles up
this stream some specimens ol IT have been
brought down here, and have been told
by tbpse who arc Judges Of the Article that It
is very good. The Indians also tell me
there are many praries all over The eoun-
try towards the heads Of these slrrams.-
Up the Gehalis, on the north side, about i
miles above the Satsup, there is a small
lake and fine prairie adjoining it short
distance above this there are two more.-
A few miles further up is another smaller
stream which has fall, aud Is said to be
good mill site. The Indians say there ale
Z prairies on this creek, aud another field
of coal. Above Ibis on The south bank Of
the Gchalis there are, near the river bank,
three praiies, which are very good OPP
posite the upper one, on the north side, is a
small one, near where Armstrong; saw mill
is in progress Of building, and will be in o?-
GRAFTON next spring. MIR. A. has sent for
the stone and machinery necessary for a
Touring mill. This know TO be The fact.
Two miles above this, Pruiries are far more
numerous. These prairics are some grayely,
with a good rich black loan, with clay
bottom, which is excellent for cultivation
They are sllrovcred with magnificent grass.
L pom one Of these prairies left my cattle
and horses about the 10Th Of Oclober-they
have greatly improved, and will be fat BY
spring. Tie bottom lands along the Geha-
lis are extremely rich, and We shah, ere
long, see great many fine arms along its
banks. No doubt but hcalIh Will be- as