, 1864-07-01
Letter From Grand Ronde.
PHILLIPS RANCH, June 25, 1856

PHILLIPS RANCH, June 20, 1864.
EDS. STATESMAN Il am now travelling
through this part of Oregon, not to take "a
peep at Washoe," but to visit the different
mining camps in Idaho l propose now to
give your readers the benefit of few items
ID regard to my trip thus far and to those
who expect to take a similar tour, a few
perhaps, valuable hints left Walla Walla
on the 2lst inst, coming as far as the Walla
Walla river that evening. On the following
morning l started on my journey over the
mountains, by way Of the Linkton road
Making a short drive, l brought up, about
2 o'clock in the afternoon at the Charles
Hotel, on the summit of the mountain. This
popular stopping-place is owned and kept
by Mr.. Charles Besserer and lady; and here
let me say, although 1 do not intend puff
ing the numerous hotel keepers on this
road, that Mr.. B. makes model boniface
and Mrs. Besserer as landlady has no equal
-"sbe wears the belt" Taking my leave
of the Charles Hotel on the morning of the
23d, l came to Phillips Ranch, at the foot
of the mountains, in this delightful valley.
This preferable place, for the entertainment
of the travelling community, is owned by
Messrs. Phillips & McGoey, two young men
who seem to spare no pains in making their
customers comfortable and happy. 1 will
only add that persons leaving Walla Walla
IN route TO any portion of Idaho, west and
south Of the Blue mountain range, will do
well to travel this road, making the drives
as | have done
The road across the mountains is said to
be, by those who have travelled it, from the
time it was opened in the spring to the pres.
ent, in worse condition than they have ever
seen it, owing to late rains. However, !
do not think it bad one even at this time
The gentleman with whom l took passage
from Walla Walla, had his wagon loaded
with about 1900 pounds; and with one pair
Of horses, small ones too brought it to this
place without any trouble. The stage goes
or comes over the mountain every day and
makes good time
1t has been raining for the last few days
in this part of the country; and no Gore
gon mist" about it either, but in a regular
old Pennsylvania fashion, and from appear
ances now it will not eight up" for several
| days to come without some timely interfer
ence of the "weather clerk"
The emigration from the Atlantic side
has already made its appearance in this val
ley, Those who have already arrived, re-
port large numbers behind them. One
train has arrived which reports itself as
coming from the Missouri river this spring
and by the Reese River route.
Before this will have reached you, you
will be called upon to notice the crowded
appearance of the streets Of your city, with
Kootenai miners. 1t would seem that the
people of the Boise Basin have heard some
thing from that quarter more than we have
down this way; and, yet, those with whom
l have talked on the subject, have no reli-
able news, but are going because they have
heard that some man in Wala Walla has
received letter from some friend in those
mines, who states that gold has been found
in abundance there, and Of such quality
that it is worth twice as much per ounce as
any heretofore discovered
Mr.. Gordon and few others who live in
this vicinity, have recently returned from a
prospecting trip in the direction of the Ea-
gle Greek mines. They report finding gold;
but the streams were too high to allow them
to prospect thoroughly.
shall write you from time to time as
journey through this land of gold, giving
you some of the incidents of my trip
"ITEMS."