Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-10-11
For the Tribune and Telegraph.
Letter from Oregon.
ALBANY, Linn CO., Oregon, I

ALBANY, Linn CO., Oregon,
August 20, 1855
MEssRs EDs.-It is over three years since
trod the soil of your state. But have not for
gotten your beautiful city its enterprising cit
liens, and have not given up what have al
ways wished to accomplish that is, making your
city my home. OF the many papers am in re-
ceipt of consider the Tribune & Telegraph the
best and most interesting to me, but in that as in
all other papers l see little about this territory
They arc filled with California news and think
nothing about this isolated spot.
If the reports in regard to new mines being
discovered on the Columbia River be confirmed.
Oregon will be soon be rival to her sister state.
We have not received reliable news in regard to
the richness extent of the late gold discoveries.
In a few weeks the reports will be in, and Twill
write you their distance from here, also from the
States together with their richness, extent and
prospects. They will be considerably nearer the
old states than any yet discovered on this coast
The effect thus far in this territory has been very
deleterious, as farmers in some cases have left
their crops standing, and men of all classes have
left their business and followed after flying re-
ports. The news of new gold discoveries exctes
the people to the highest pitch, and think the
people of this coast easier excited than in the
older states. But must say something in this
letter about the crops and market.
The wheat crop has suffered very much for two
years with smut, and in the southern part of the
territory grasshoppers have in some cases des-
troyed entire fields of wheat, and have eaten the
grass off There will be large surplus of wheat
in this territory the present year, and in conse-
qucnce of the low price and want of workmen,
there will be but little wheat sowed this year in
comparison with last year Wheat is now selling
at from 75cts to 81 per bushel. The Farmers
have their wheat and oats all cut and good ma
ny of them have their grain threshed. You can
by that the difference in time in regard to har-
ting here and in your state.
Flour is six dollars per barrel, butter % cents
per h., eggs Is cents per doz. Good cattle one
hundred dollars per yoke. Cows from forty to
fifty dollars per head. Spanish cattle can be
bought less than the above prices. Indian horses
from forty to seventy dollars each, American,
from 800 to $200-Spansh, from $50 TO 800.
Now l come to something which all are interest
ed in-Fruit How would your citizens like to
pay one shilling piece for small apples, and
from ten to fifteen dollars per bushcl for poor
quality. Peaches are the cheapest in the fruit
line, common ones 50 per bushcl Pears and
plums are very scarce, and there are no prices
for them, as those that have them do not want to
sell, only having enough for themselves.
Farmers have grumblcd considerably the past
year on account of the low prices. The buyers
of produce have given all they could afford, and
a good many of them have lost more than they
have made. Mechanics generally have plenty of
work. Prices range from So to S5 per day and
board themselves. Common laborers 81 per day.
Board is from $o to 81 per week. Lumber from
$l2 to $50 per NJ. Shingles So per NJ. Lum-
Der in time will be cheaper here than in your
State, as there is plenty of timber and saw-mills
on most every little streams. Steamboats, navi-
gate the Columbia as far as the Dalles and Will
lamet to Oregon City, the whole year. Above the
Falls at o. City, they have to lay by about five
and sometimes six months in the year.
But must close for this time, hoping that this
will interest you enough to pay for your time
while you are reading it, and also, wishing your
self and family health wealth and long life of
usefulness, remain, Yours, Respectfully,
JOHN BARROWS.