The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-04-20
RIGHTS DEMOCRAT.
A1nANY.-One dav this week we took a

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New York Gold Quotations
ALBANr.-One day this week we took a
stroll round town, and were much g~ratiied
with the numerous improvements everywhere
met with in the course of our ramblings.-
A goodly number of houses are undergoing
sundry repairs, alterations, &c. and in the
front Of many dwellings shade trees have re-
Gently been set out. Gardening has COM
menced in earnest. We counted over sixty
houses that have either jast been finished, or
are in process of completion
One noticeable feature is the fact that all
this is a healthy growth. There is nothing
of the mushroom in it-nothing Of the ad-
ventitious. 1t is all natural. The country
Is pushing up and stimulating the town.
Unimproved lots sell all the way from 500
to $1,000, according to location, eligi-
bility, &C.,
The material for the College building is
being hauled on to the grounds.
Mr.. Markham has commenced building
'alarge warehouse, or more properly wharf
house, below Pierce's Ferry Landing. He
intends engaging in the wharfage business
again.
We would direct the attention of the City
Marshalto the condition Of some Of our side
walks. AS e general fact they are most ex-
e~ellent. and in good condition but some of
them have small pieces broken out of the
plank, thus making holes about large enough
10 eDtrap the foot of a pedestrian. We
know one gentleman who, one dark night
not long ago, stepped into one Of these aper-
lures and quite severely spraiped his ankle.
The city could be made to pay damages
should anything occur from this cause very
serious.
There has been considerable talk about
the Santiam Canal. Thus far nothing def.
mite has t~ranspired. Sundry surveys have
been made of as many routes, and other pre-
liminary steps have been taken; and no
doubt something definite viii soon be deter
mined upon. THAT, when constructed, viii
be very beneficial, not only to Albany, but
to all the country through which it may run;
particularly if it be deep enough to float
down logs from the mountains.
Ak OLD SErrLER.-one day this week We
were favored with a visit from Mr.. j. Knox,
an old resident of Linn cOunty-he having
settled on his claim, six miles east of Al
bany, twenty-five years ago. Mr.. K. isnow
seventy-nine years old and though his locks
are very white, he enjoys tolerably good
health and bids fair to live several years
longer. Until quite lately he could see to
read without glasses. One singular physio-
logical fact is, he is now cutting several new
jaw teeth. He complains, however, that his
memory Of recent occurrences Is becoming
much impaired ; and the sight of one of his
eyes is quite defective. In politics he is,
and always has been, q staunch, un~finching
Democrat. He is a hard-money man, and
50 cordially despises greenbacks that he
once refused to receive a small sum in paw
ment of a debt, though by so doing he lost
It entirely. He wanted the pure stuff or
nothing.
Dir. K. contends that the soil and climate
Of the country are gradually changing. He
narrates facts which seem to sustain his the
Dry. For example, when he took his claim,
which wns twenty-five years ago last March,
the grass and clover were fully knee.high
but now there will be no grass hat high on
the same ground for a month to come.
When he first settled on his claim it mas
nothing strange for wheat to prndHce sixty
and seventy bushels to the acre but it does
not do that now. He says he knew a neigh.
Dor of his who sowed a field to oats one fall,
and for nine years afterwards he had a fair
crop Of volunteer oats but oats won't do
that way now: they must be pIowed and
narrowed in yearly, just as is the fashion in
the States.
We love to converse with such a man and
as he extended to us an invitation to call and
and see him, and stay all night, we intend
soon to enjoy the pleasure of his society
again. HAY he live, and enjoy life many
years longer and may his last days be his
best days.
The Pubic SoUARE.-Linn county has