Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1865-09-20


them, coming down to the Columbia. Sa.
lem is the state capital, and is beauti-
fully located, thriving, inland town. Here
our party had state reception here [
met our old democratic brother editor of
Westfeld, Mr Asahel Bush, who has made
a fortune here, and welded large power
In the politics of the state, dethroning on
the Douglas breach Joe Lane as senator.
but falling to keep progressing in the
right direction, is now himself dethropcd
by the Union and republican possession
Of the state, and meditating eastern migra-
ton; here. too, Reuben Boies, of Bland
ford origin and Chicopee residence, has
grown into just distinction and is one Of
the supreme judges of the state but has
his present residence on beautiful farm
on one of the neighboring foothills, where
also he has erected and put in successful
operation woolen mill and from here,
also. we took steamboat passage, 80 miles,
to this town, the commercial and business
center of the state, and half rival to San
Francisco itself and the only other town,
indeed, ofprominence on the Pacific coast,
that shows signs of steady, uninterrupted
prosperity at this moment. At Oregon
City, on our way hither, we paid respect
to the original capital of the territory, >
inspected new and extensive woolen
mill that cost $4,000 in gold, and were
railroaded around the falls of the Villa
mette, which, though not brilliant fea-
ture in the natural scene, offers temtations
and almost inexhaustibe water power for
the manufactures that the agricultural
productions of the state invite, and the
enterprise Of its citizens is already
eagerly and wisely reaching forward to.
Portland, by far the largest town of
Oregon, stands sweetly on the banks of
the Willamette, IL miles before it joins
the Columbia river, and 100 miles from
where the Columbia meets the Pacific
ocean, Ships and ocean steamers of high
est class come readily hither; from it
spreads out a wide navigation by steam
boat of the Columbia and its branches,
below and above: here centers a large
and increasing trade. not only for the
Willamette valley but for the mining
regions of eastern Oregon, Idaho, Wash
ington territory on the north, and parts
even of British Columbia. Even Salt
Lake too, has taken groceries and dr.
goods through this channel, and ma9
yet find it advantageous to by more and
continuously; such are the attained and
attainable water communications through
the far, extending Columbia. The opopu-
lation of Portland is about 1000; they
keep Sunday as we do in New England,
, and as no other population this side of
the Missouri now does; real estate, as you
may infer, is quite high --$4OO front
foot for best lots 100 feet deep on the
main business street, without the build
ings; in religion, the Methodists have
the lead, and control an academic school
in town and a professed state university
at Salem; the Presbyterians are next
with beautiful church and the most fash
ionable congregation, and favor strug-
Cling university under Rev S. H. Marsh
(son of President Marsh of the Vermont
= university, located 20 miles off in the
: valley; and perhaps the Catholics rank
third with large Sisters of Charity es.
tablishment and school within the city -
= Gov Gibbs, the present chief magistrate
! of the state, resids here, and though a
: lawyer, owns and runs successful iron
. foundry that imports its material from
England, though undeveloped iron mines
0 are thick in neighboring hills; single
daily paper has 2500 circulation, with a
# weekly edition of 5000 more; and alto,
G gether Portland has the air and the part
Of a prosperous energetic town, with a
: good deal of eastern leadership and tone
: to business and society and morals.
: The Columbia river and the country il
s waters, its navigation and its scenery,
q already famous. though rarely seen by
b eastern eyes, must wait for another letter
n S. B..