davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1861-12-27
Portland Correspondence.

PORTLAND, Oregon, Dec 21, 1861.
MEssRs. EDITORS The regiment of cavalry
under Col. Cornelius, is progressing slowly. Or
Friday Conn any c, from Mutnomah county, con
slstlng of about 40 men, was mustered into ser
vice. There are some now who are about read,
to enlist, and presume the company will be filled
up ultimately. The regiment has done mucl
better than had anticipated; the gold fever haC
attacked so many of our citizens, that it seemed
almost impossible for any to be induced to enlist
in the service OF Uncle Sam for three years.
Those who enlist deserve the thanks of all good
citizens. We are so far removed from the scenes
of strife in the east, that the least which can be
expected of us is that we protect our own frontier
So far one company has been raised in Marion
county, and one in Jackson county; they are also
raising another in that county, and have good
many men enlisted in other places.
A rumor reached here few days ago, that the
Indians on the Siletz reservation, had driven agent
Biddle and his employees into the block houses
and an express had been sent to the commander
of the District of Oregon for troops
Last Monday night Willamette Lodge No. @
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, elected Off
GERS for the ensuing year-Cicero H. Lewis. w,
NJ James w. Cook, S. W Simeon G. Reed. ].
W.; Harris Seymour, Treasurer; Sylvester Pen
noyer, Secretary; and Allen c. Brelsfoard TYLER.
At the annual election of the Fire Department
Lewis NJ Starr was elected Chief Engineer; and
Massena NJ. Lucas and d. w. Hardenburgh. as
sistants.
There is very little news since my last. The
mails have not got down to their regular time yet
and we get no news from the east except by
steamer. The Brother Jonathan is hourly ex-
pected with something important from the east
The papers announce that Messrs. A. R. Ship
ley & Co. have sold out their stock of books and
stationery, to Messrs J. L. Parish & Co. 1t is
rumored that Messrs. Wells Fargo intend to start
an assay office in this place. The one now here
under charge of Mr.. Agrell gives satisfaction tc
all who have tried it. We presume there will be
work enough for both this summer.
pOpTT AM
, 1861-12-27
J. B. ROBINSON, Manager.
Sherif's Sale.
Territory Of Washington,
COUNTY, of Walla Walla.

IVIIIIUT y UI FUsUIUgtUU
County of Walla Walla, (SS.
TFTAKEN on execution issued out of the district
Il court Of Walla Walla county, on the 18th day of
December, A. D. 1861 founded judgment rendered
in SAID court on the 10th Of December aforesaid in
favorot Christ Kirtz and against Ohm Buseanger and
Henry Brown, for the sum of twelve hundred dollars
and costs taxed at one dollar andinterest the follow
ing property, to-wit:
Lot No. seven % in Block No. FOUR (4) according to
the plat Of survey of the town Of Walla Wala and all
the buildings and improvements thereon, and l will
sell the above described lot number seven in block
four at public auction to the highest bidder on Satur-
day the 25th day Of January D. 1862 at ten o'clock
thereof as may be necessary, and cost and interest
and all accruing interest costs and charges Sale to
take place on the premises.
JAMES BUCKLEY, Sheriff.
Dec. p, l86l.-4w4l By GEO. H. PORTER, Depy.
, 1861-12-27
Nore About the Flood.

The Corvallis Union in reference to the des-
tructOn by the late freshet in the southern part of
the State says:
Mr.. B. f. Dowell, who left Jacksonville on
Sunday, Dec 1st, says the destruction was great
in Rogue River and Umpqua valleys. He says
Evans bridge on Rogue River is gone, Briggs
bridge on the South Umpqua, the North Umpqua
bridge at Winchester the bridge on Pass Creek :,
in Umpqua, near Mr.. Drains place, and several
others Of lesser note. He thinks that the freshet
out South has been full as severe as in the Will
amette valley.
From L. f. Mosher Esq. we learn that Mark
hams mill about quarter of mile above the
Winchester bridge is gone with the houses ad-
Looming the same, and about 800 head of hogs be-
longing to Markham. Also Kindal's saw mill on
North Umpqua, Mulvany's saw mill on Pass Creek
In Umpqua county is gone and that all the bridges
between Mulvanys and Estes are rendered use
less. Mr.. Mosher came by the Pass Creek road,
and represents 1t almost impossible by reason of
the quantity Of fallen timber, logs and drift upon
it. He came down the coast Fork, arriving De-
cember 0th, in Eugene City. The water in Eu-
gene was then six inches higher than it had been
the highest time Of the first food December I'd.
All the stores on the main Street could have
been gone to in a boat The highest part was op-
posite the BARRIERS shop, and they went from that
in boats and on RATS The water was all around
the Court House, and all the bottom between the
Willamette and McKenzie's fork overAowed-
From Eugene City to Coyle's on the river road :,
there is scarcely one rail on top of another ex-
cept in drift piles. The loss of stock is very con-
siderable. The grass is all covered up with mud
and sand so that what stock has escaped the food
will probably starve to death for want of pasture.
If anybody proposes to travel South Mr.. Mosher
advises them to go with the expectation of woFA-
ing their passage, and to take a life preserver
along with them. Workmen were busily en-
ployed putting pa new bridge on Pass Creek,
near Mr.. Drains place, as our informant came
, 1861-12-27
Sports of the Season.

Every season has its enjoyments, and
every variety of temperature and weather
its uses. Winter, in this climate, is GER
tainly not the least useful and agreeable OF
the four great divisions of the year. Aside
from its benefits in an agricultural point of
view, its sharp frosts and chilling winds are
frequently the means Of rejuvenating the
exhausted bodies that long residence in
the land of Webfoot has relaxed. Taking
the frisky and fun-loving denizens of this
place as an indication of the effect OF our
dry, elastic atmosphere, Walla Wala is the
place of all places in point of healthiness
Fun is fun;" driving in Jumpers -
and "pungs" is fun; galloping around in
the frost is fun " now-balling is fun
but putting small cobble-stones in snow
balls and shying them at the heads of pass
ers-by, is no fun. Not only is it not FIN
it is just the contrary, when an unofending
stranger is smitten on the head by one OF
these missiles-which, like Doctor Benia-
min Smiths Sugar-coated Pills, hurt-a good
deal worse than one would suppose by look
ing at them
Well, we have had sleigh-riding, low-
balling-with small cobble-stones the
snow balls-theatricals by the no..
g Ingomar for the first time in this, .ce,
and ]. B. R. doing the reformed / ,rba-
rian, and dancing parties until the boys
and girls could notrest The general opin-
ion among newcomers is this Walla
Walla is very rapid place; and then the
query rises, can she go at this gait in fu-
ture. 1t is not the time to say how this
motion-socially speaking-can be kept
up; but we can easily fancy that in another
season, when the increase in the number OF
families here will quadruple our present
proportion of Gods best gift to man, that
we will have season of enjoyment during
Cu6 lIOAOu AOuGuS, IuhI Will SlldIIlG MANY q
community of ten times our years. In the
place of the sleighs which one hours labor
has constructed, we will have then sliding
yehicles-yes, and 2,4O stock in the place
of cayuses-on the most approved plan, and
sleigh bells, and bufalos all titivated off,
and any quantity of pretty girls instead of
the few who now grace the community.
In Imagination we see that good time
coming: now get up your 2.4O nag, we are
bound to blaze the sleigh-bells jingling,
and the pretty girls-why, Walla Walla is
necessarily bound to be the place Then
at the dancing parties, ten young fellows
will not have to dance attendance for an
hour to get chance to dance. Besides,
gentlemen who indulge in the sport OF
throwing cobble-stones concealed in snow,
will probably have to fork over about Xxx
for their fun, H
, 1861-12-27
ORC FINO PRICES CURRENT.

BACON-per b., 80 to 6Oc.
FLOUR-per 100 lbs, 25 to $50.
BEANS-per h., 25 to SOC.
SUGAR-per h., 40 TO SOC.
RICE-per h., 40 to SOC.
APPLES-Dried, per h., 45 to SOC.
BUTTER-per lb., 75c to 81.
COFFEE-per h.. SOC.
CANDLES-per h., soc to 81.
TEA-per To-, 1925 to $3.50.
TOBACCO-per h., 81 to $3.50.
, 1861-12-27
Oregon Items.

The dwelling house of Mr.. James Gore
near Albany, was destroyed by fire, on the
18th inst. Pretty much all the contents o.
the house were lost, entire loss $4,000
During the recent food in the Willamette
Mr.. Walker Humphreville, of Champoeg
saved the lives of some twenty persons, at
the risk of his own. THE last shin
ment Of gold dust from Portland to San
Francisco, was $77,7OO.-The stampede
from the Willamette to the mines, is said tc
be increasing. 1t is thought that the valley
will be nearly depopulated in the Spring
THE late rise in the Willamette wa:
TIVE feet higher thar the back water of 1859
and three feet above the high water O.
1852 and '53--Mr. L. F. Beatty, O.
Shoshone has been giving recitations il
Portland at the Willamette Theater, anc
has met fattering reception. The
Willamette at Oregon City, was IS fee
above low-water mark
, 1861-12-27

PERsoNAI.-Our friend MOssman, who
always has an eye to the interests Of the
press, as we'll as his patrons generally, has
placed us under obligations by obtaining a
good circulation for our paper in the mines,
, 1861-12-27
Territory of Washington.
In the District Court of Walla Wala County-First.
Judicial District.

III IHV DI2VIICO CUUiJ OF WaIa WaIIa UOunty-Firstl
Judicial District.
To JOHN MULLEN:
NOU are hereby notified that James r. Robbins
Il has filed complaint agains you insaid Court
winch will to be heard at the first term of the
Court which shall commence more than three months
afterthe 26th day of December A. D. 1861; and un-
less you appear at said term and answer the same will
be taken confessed and the prayer thereof granted
The object and prayer of said complaint is to recover
Of you the sum of two hundred and fitysix dollars
and fftyix cents debt and interest thereon from and
after the sixth day Of May, 1851 on Judgment rem
dered against you in the county court in and for the
county Of Wasco in the State of Oregon on the said
sixth day Of May 1861 and also for his costs in said
suit in said court, expended and paid amounting to-
the further of eighteen dollars and five cents and
for his costs and expenses in this action ana for ac-
crung Interests and costs. BRIDGES & GATES.
Dec. 27, l66l-5w4.I Attys for Pl'f.
, 1861-12-27
NoW-Year'S Ball F!
J. B. ROBINSON

MOST respectfully announces to the Ladies'
WI and Gentlemen of Wala Wala and vicn-
ity that he will give Grand New Years Ball at
the Theater, on
Tuesday Evening, Dec. 31st, 1861,
and solic.s the patronage Of the public generally.
GF COACHES will be in attendance, free of
charge.
]. B. ROBINSON, Manager.
057The next DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE
will take place on Saturday, 28th. A GOOD
BILL will be offered.
, 1861-12-27

RELIGIOUS Nouo4.-Mothods Ep $ opal Church,
First street, Wala Walla-Rev John Finn, Pastor
Preaching every Sunday morning and evening at the
usual hours. The public generally are invited.
, 1861-12-27

Two MEN DRowNED-Mr. J. M. Van
syckle, of old Fort Walla Walla, furnished
us the following information, under date Of
Dec. 22d: On the / 4th inst. two men were
drowned at elsie Pierrie, above Priests
Rapids There were three men in the boat,
which became unmanageable and got into
whirl among the rocks and upset The
third party came out safe, and has just ar
rived here this morning in canoe. The
names of the parties lost are Thomas Hunt,
of Marion county, Oregon, and Frederick
Fisher, sailor, of Boston, Mass.
, 1861-12-27

MEMBER FROM SHosHoNE.-It appears that
Mr.. L. F. Beatty, from ShOshone county, was ad-
mitted to a seat in the Territorial legislature
, 1861-12-27

~ Kyger 81 Reese are constantly receiving large
stocks of goods. Miners win find everything they
require-either in lie line ofdry goods supplies
at their store. 4wl
, 1861-12-27

~ Messrs. Kyger & Reese brought to this
office as a Christmas treat, jug of very fine
strawberry brandy. They have "a few more left
of the same sort" and for sale at a ve-y low
nrinn
, 1861-12-27

DIsoHARGED.-M. Bledsoe, who was ex-
amined before Justice Horton for the kill
ing of Harman, at the mouth of Slate
Creek, was yesterday discharged, it having
appeared that the act was done in selfde-
fense.
, 1861-12-27
Christmas.

The word mass is of Saxon origin, and
signifies feast so that the word Christ
mas signifies the festival of Christ-the day
on which his nativity is generally commem-
GRATED by his disciples throughout the
world.
Among the Jews, God appointed several
feasts to perpetuate the memory of certain
great events; such as the passover, the
feast of weeks, of tabernacles, and of trum-
pets, when the civil year was ushered in.
In the christian church the Lords supper
lis kept in remembrance of his death and
coming again; Easter Sunday in memory
of his resurrection, and Christmas day to
celebrate the wonderful event of his incar-
nation,
The first traces we find of the observa-
ton of this day, are in the second century
about the time of the emperor Commodus
That it was kept before the time of Con-
stantine we have melancholy proof; fol-
while the persecution ragged under Diocle-
sian, who then kept his court at Nicomedia
that tyrant, among other acts of cruelty
finding multitudes of christians assembled
together to celebrate Christs nativity, com.
manded the church doors where they were
met to be shut, and fire to be put to it
which soon reduced them and the church
to ashes.
Whether this festival was always OBJ
served on the twenty-ffth of December, is
point which has been greatly disputed
DIR. Cure is of opinion that it was first kept
by the Eastern church in January till re-
ceiving better information from the Western
churches, they changed it to that day.
All christians are agreed that when OBJ
served it should not be with "rioting and
drunkenness or in making provisions to
fulfill the lusts of the fesh," but with graf
itude and sacred joy The birth of Christ
was the greatest blessing ever bestowed on
mankind. The angels from heaven celebra-
ted it with joyful song.
, 1861-12-27

- Lieut.. Hillyer, of Company A., 9th
Regt. California Volunteers, stationed at
the Fort, has resigned, and left last Sun
day for California, to take his seat in the
Legislative Assembly of that State
, 1861-12-27

SUBJECT FOR GEoLoGIsTs.--Mr ], Me-
Craith, of this city, has brought to this office
singular collection of bones which were
found in strata of gravel mixed with crys-
talized substances and what appears to be
pyrites of iron. They were discovered while
sinking we'll on his ranch in the neigh
borhood of the Lone tree south-ea of this
town, and were embedded to the depth Of
twenty feet in the earth. The bones, al
though in most perfect condition of pres
ervation, are doubtless of great age, having
assumed the form of crystalization and be-
come cemented TO a cogulated mass of min
eral substance. We have not sufficient ge-
illogical knowledge to enable us to analyze
and discover its properties Possibly we
have here in this dull, strange compound of
matter, all the elements to constitute in
their reduction the grand result of the poet !:
Here silvery Selenite her crystal mOulds
And soft Asbestus smOOths his silky folds
His cubic forms phosphOric FluOr prints
Or rays in spheres his amethystne tints
Soft cObweb clouds transparent Onyx spreads,
And playful Agates weave their cOlOred threads;
Gay pictured MOchOes glow with landscape dyes,
And changeful Opas roll their lucid eyes
Blue lambent light around the sapphire plays, ,,-,
Bright rubes blush, and living diamonds blaze.
Naturalisrs and those fond of curiosities,
are invited to call and examine the speci-
men.
70 From the Oregonian we learn that quo
rum of both houses of the Washington Territory
Legislature have convened at Olympia, and that
the organization of the House has been effected
by the election of the following officers:
Speaker, James F. Ferguson.
Chief Clerk, Charles Eagan.
Assistant Clerk, VIM. Kapus.
Sergeant-at-arms, Thomas Warren.
Doorkeeper, Robert Frost.
The Council had not succeeded in an organi2,
ton, although quorum was present.
Gov. Tourney has appointed John M. Murphy
public printer.
PERsoNAL.-We have had the pleasure
of visit this week from Mr. Henry Miller,
for the past several years connected with
the Oregon press. Mr.. Miller, having re-
tired from editorial labors, is on his way to
Salmon river. We hope he may meet with
success in the mines, and that his retire
ment from the press will be but temporary
NEWSPAPER CHANaE.-H. G. Struve
has retired from the Vancouver Chronicle,
and is succeeded by John Arid g. Co. as
publishers, and Mr.. Urban E. Hicks as ed
itor The name of the paper has been
changed to the Vancouver Telegraph, and
it makes decidedly improved appearance.
NEw-YEAR's BALL.-See advertisement in an
other column of the ball to be given at the Thea
ter on New-Year's eve.
[R Our thanks to E. E. Kelly for late
, 1861-12-27
PORTLAND.
PORTLAND. Dec. %. 1861.

EDS. STATESMAN Il have received the frs
three numbers of your paper, and l find my ex
pectations in regard to its fine appearance more
than realized. The position you have taken, as
set forth in your sautatory, cannot fail to please
at least a majority of your readers here; and SC
far as l have heard opinions expressed-and they
have been quite numerous-the universal decision
has been that the STATESMAN is a weA conducted
paper In fact, its appearance leads to the con
cluson that no paper in Oregon or Washington
Territory was ever started under more favorable
auspices. Your success in increasing its circula
ton in the Willamette valley, will depend very
much upon your thorough and reliable mining in
teligence; and while your advantages in this res
pect are superior TO the best of your cotempora
ries, doubt not but your facilities might be in.
creased.
l see your Portland correspondents keep youl
readers well posted in regard to things transpir-
ing in this valley; and while" Honest John al
ways tells the truth, he cannot help speaking
plain, which, of course, touches somebody's "dig
nifty But, really, he treats matters in such q
good-natured manner, that no one can take Of
tense.
The principal topic of conversation here now is
the mines. In fact, the excitement in this direc
ton is so great that it has almost entirely taken
the place of the deep interest so lately felt in re-
gard to affairs in the east 1t is amusing to listen
to the many excuses advanced by men of all pro
fessions for going to the mines. Some seem con-
scious that the lust for gold is not a sufficient ex
cuse and have gravely concluded that their health
is poor and that they need a change of climate
The great food which has jus: taken place in
our midst is without precedent, even with ouI
oldest inhabitants and the loss of property is un
paraeeG in the history of Oregon. 1t is pitt
full to note the instances-and they are many
where people have been reduced from wealth to
actual poverty. This is indeed a severe blow fol
Oregon, and one from which she will not soon re-
cover Were it not for the advantages the Will
lamette valley will receive from the development
of the mines in the upper country, believe oul
citizens would despair of ever overcoming their
embarrassments.
At Oregon City, Mr.. Harvey, formerly propri-
etor of the Oregon City Mills, has already COM
menced rebuilding; and the repairing of the
warehouse, owned by Messrs. Kelly & Pentland
is under consideration Messrs Masters & Hull
of this city have also commenced rebuilding then
wharf
Old winter is paying us visit in the shape o
variety; now just snow enough to whiten the
Ground, and then little rain-sghtly freezing
Last Friday and Saturday the weather was colo
and clear.
Some of the knowing ones say we are going
to have half a dozen or more weddings during the
holidays. With the exception of two Sabbath
school celebrations-one at the M. E. Church anC
the other at the Episcopal Church-and ball ol
two, nothing is to transpire here to make Christ
mas different from the usual monotony of every
day life. MORE ANON.
, 1861-12-27

80" We learn that the Christmas ball,
given at the residence of Nj. McWhirk,
seven miles in the country, was pleasant and
well attended. Owing to other engage
ments, and the scarcity of sleighs, we could
not be present.
, 1861-12-27

SHOOTING AFFRAY. An afray occurred
at one of the saloons down town, on last
Saturday during which several shots were
fred at a man recently from California, one
of the balls striking him in the hip and in
ficting a wound at first thought to be fatal.
He was placed under the care of Dr. Har-
ris, who informs US that he is recovering
One of the parties accessory to the shooting,
appeared voluntarily for examination, and
was discharged. The other-and probably
the one that fired the shot-Aed from the
place. It appears that the difficulty arose
from an old grudge, but its direct origin
has not been assigned.
, 1861-12-27

"a We return thanks to our friends of
the editorial corps for the fattering notices
they have been pleased to bestow upon our
paper, and shall strive in the future to
merit their commentators.
, 1861-12-27

20 We wouldfeel greatly obliged to our
contemporaries in Portland if they would.
send us their exchanges by Tracy express.
At present, they fail to reach here in time
to be of any service to us.
, 1861-12-27

~ Those of our patrons who have promised to
furnish us wood will greatly oblige by bringing it
in immediately.
, 1861-12-27

pe~ The Portland Advertiser comes to
us with a new head dress, which brightens
the appearance of the paper wonderfully.
, 1861-12-27
Walla WalIa County.

WALLA WALLA, Dec. 10, 1861.
MEssRS. EDITORS As the great public mind
hereabouts partakes of the general excitement
relative to the rich gold fields that environ this
lOcality,t behooves our farmers and trading men to
prepare for the emergencies that are sure to come
upon US. The great thoroughfares that radiate
from this common center should be attended O
Too little attention has been bestowed upon our
roads, many places want bridging that would
cost but trfe; which if little timely attention
be given them, would tend much to increase the
attractions of this favorite county.
There are many imaginary townstes springing
up around US, with the view of dverting trade and
travel from here A jealous eye is directed toward
Walla Walla from all points of the compass Our
merchants should look patronizng our hotel
keepers should be obliging and accommodating,
and our mechanics should be punctual, and last,
out not least farmers should be striving so as to
be able to accommodate the drafts that will be
made upon them for the products Of the soil. 1t
is proverbial that few countries can boast of more
rapid improvements in an agricultural point Of
view than has been exhibited in this, Walla Walla
valley, in the past three years.
Farms have sprung up, as 1t were, almost by
magic; and what is encoura aging the farmer has
met with remunerative prices. That is not all,
we may reasonably anticipate a still more favora-
ble result in this regard for the coming crops
There is one thing at this time that causes some
complaints and that is, the price of -four has gone
up while there Aas not been a corresponding in
crease in the price of grain. These things OF
course, will in time, be regulated; but it is a
fruitful source Of complaint at present.
To you, gentlemen of the press, we look for in
formation in these particulars. 1t is your province
to give birth to projects, well as to give direc-
ton to praseworthy efforts. Your argus eyes
will be expected to be cast about in all directions.
Prospective town-builders will endeavor to thwart
your purposes in building up your chosen locality.
Your correspondent will endeayor to lend help
ing hand.
1t is given up that this valley is susceptible Of
more dense population than any portion of the
country east of the Cascades; and there is still
much good land vacant and waiting the hand Of
the sturdy husbandman. The attention of those
who mediate trip here, with the idea Of settle
ment, is directed to these facts. There is certainly
here an open and inviting field for the farmer and
stock-raiser. In haste, yours, &c. S. ]. D.