The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-06-13
A Trip to Oehoco valley.
Editor State Rights Democrat.


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Editor State Rights Democrat
Having recently made a trip across the
mountains to Crooked river aud Ocheco Val.
ley, partly for pleasure and to ascertain a
more general knowledge Of the practicnbility
Of crossing the mountains at this season Of
the year. Accordingly, | in company with
Ave others, started from Lebanon on May
10Th ult. We found about Is miles Of snow
to cross over, most of which was about 8 or
4 feet deep, but sufficiently packed so that
our horses could, without much labor travel
on 1t. Had 1t not been for n fresh fall Of
snow, our journey would have been perform.
cd with less fatigue, but even as it was, we
were happily surprised to find ourselves
safely landed on the Eastern side Of the
mountains by only one days travel on the
snow.
There can be no trouble anticipated in
driving stock across the Mountains from this
time to the commencement Of next winter.
The Wagon Road Company have by the
management Of Mr.. John Gilliland entirely
opened the Trail around the fords Of the
Santiam river which avoids all necessity in
fording the Santiam river witt stock. The
fallen trees have all been cleaned out Of the
road so far as tho snow which extends rs far
as the Pass. From the melting Of the snow
ut the present, it will be nearly all gone by
the middle Of the present month, so that
wagons can cross with ease.
Arriving at Camp Polk, we found Capt.
J. A. White. A more entcrprising man
Linn county has not produced. lie was liv.
ing alone, taking care Of his oxen and horses
which be had brought from Ochoco last
April, when his company, who had settled
in ochoco last Fall, had left their winter
quarters TO return to the Willamette Valley.
The day after our arrival at Camp Polk
We started for 0choco, and in three days
safely arrived at the settlement.
The houses and all their fixtures were un.
disturbed, there having been no signs Of In.
dams or persons since they left. The gar.
den, wheat and oats which they planted the
first part Of last April, was growing ine.-
The oats and wheat, which had been sown
on newly ~ploughed ground, had grown about
6 inches high, and indeed the entire planted
crop bid fair for n good yield, despite the
frost which had visited it about the End Of
April last. On every side the tall grass
waved in luxuriant grandeur. having nearly
reached It's growth. | have never seen a
country 50 well set with grass as this, and OF
such easy access.
Messrs. Ciaypool. Barnes, Barkhart, and
Smith erected excellent houses, which be.o'
ken that they are in earnest about pcrma'
ncntIy locating in that country. From OBJ
scryation / am convinced that about 100 fam.
lilies can settle in the valleys Of Crooked riv.
or and 0choco. One thing especially i.
needed in this newly settled country, which
is a mail route running from Albany to the
Mountain House.
Grass is in abundance in the entire coun
try aifording one vast grazing plain for thou
sands Of stock.
We could not find any signs Of indiana
having been around tho ranches which th'
settlers had left, and indeed we were con
WINGED that no Indians will be about again IL
that country during this season but propa
bly, they viii again make their appearance
next Spring, when by careful means being
taken with the stock no danger may be an
ticipated. Many settlers are moving ut Thu
time for that country, and soon the entir,
country will be settled up.
The Mountains can now easily be crosse,
with stock, and in about two or three week
wagons can cross handily. Ocmoco.