Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-01-14


Mormon Basin, Fort Boise mines, and
dozen other mining towns ] might emu
mernte. if necessary, that all equal, If lot
surpass Salmon River mines. Hundreds
are making preparations to visit these
new gold fields early in the spring, and
from the yield of these mines during the
past season, will ba able to try their for
tune with less risk of being disappointed.
That goIl in considerable quantities has
been already taken out of the different
mines lying north of here, is clearly
shown by shipments, through express
companies, besides the pounds of pre-
cious ore that has been carefully wrapped
in knapsacks and Blankets of rough
looking miners. Since the first Of April
Wells, Fargo & Co. have shipped over
foar million dollars, in gold dust, to San
Francisco, which has been taken cut Of
the northern mines.
Because Wells, Fargo d Co. have ex-
pressed this amount of the precious ore
from Portland within the past eight
months, it is no true indication that man
can make his fortune here at every turn
of the wheel. To any man that is
making even n respectable living IN the
States, wonld not advise him to emf
crate to this far-of' country. for in many
respects he might be sadly disappointed,
and then blame would attach itself to
your humble correspondent. But for q
Young man seekin. wealth and position,
even in these troubuIous times, | am con
WINGED that prospects arc brighter here
than in Wisconsin.
, Let us turn our eyes from these gold
fields to other features of the country,
aud remember that NIL is not gold that
gIitters.
Oregon is not m agricultural State ;
hor mountains are too numerous aud
rugged, while her valleys are too small
for extensive farming purposes. The
largest valley in Oregon is the Villa
mette, which is forty miles in width and
one hundred miles in length. IN this
valley are situated the principal towns in
the State, including Portland Salem, Ore
gon City and Eugene City. Although
the farming resources Of the State are
limited, what surface is adapted TO agri-
culture is of the most prolific character.
Forty - sixty bushels of wheat are rails
ed upon an acLe of land, and three to
four hundred bushels Of pototoes. APP
pies grow here in abundance Peaches
are not as thrifty here as in California.
Ounces, pears ana plums can be had for
a song.
Thre is one sad drawback to Oregon.
When Congress made her liberal appro-
priation of land, (n Al l Think giving
six hundred and forty acies to each fam
lily man" and three hundred and twenty
to each single man that would settle on
the same and make certain improve
ments; it gave nearly all the tillable
land away to half dozen men, fgura-
lively speaking. But land can be bought
here Mt comparatively low f,ures.-
There are but few substantial farmers
hero. They are too specializing, and too
confouudetI indoIent to devote their time
and attention 10 tie pursuits Of farming
The gold excitement has had a tendency
70 direct the attention OF the tiilers Of
The SOIL" from their legitimate pursuits,
and has Led them in frequent random
chasos in search of the hidden wealth.
The easy manner in which tho Oregon
farmer has accumulated landed posses
sions and personal property has led him
into Incidence aud luxury. A Pierce Co.
farmer, with his industry and frugality,
upon farm IN tho Willamette Valley,
would aston;ah the Web footers." |
viii digress from agriculture and and
give you q definition of % b-footers.''
This apPeliat;oa is applied to the PEG
pie living in thu Willamette Valley. The
origin Of the term is from young man
who visited this country in early times;
he was from California; and having ar
rived here at the commencement of the
rainy soaso0, which commences in No
vember and continues until March or
April, lie was heart-sick Of tie county;
the mud and water. the Iowery clouds,
and the blue atmosphere, all had a ten
deney to create eanuj in the young mans
mind. Being of a poetical turn of mind,
in his musings, he composed twelve stan
zas, dedicated to the ampbibious inbabi
tants of Oregon, and at the termination
of each line described them as the
Padding Web footers;" from the fact
that thew travelled so much in fha mud