The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-10-26
RICHMOND, WAYNE CO., IND,

over Trinity mountain, distance of
fourteen miles. We passed over Scott's
mountain, the worst of the two, in the
night These are the celebrated noun
tains over which Colfax rode, and can
assure you he did not over-paint the
picture.
Now we are at Ureka-the last town
in California before entering Oregon,
and soon we shall leave it. You have
had my opinion Of it-such is the sur
face and natural appearance Of the
State that has made SO much boast-the
State that has swallowed the interests
and advantages Of Oregon up to this
time. She has stolen our -four, grain,
fruits, lumber and fish-resacked, mark
ed, branded, shipped and sold them as
her own. She has stolen our mineral
products and called them hers and,
worst of all, she has stolen our repu-
respect is about over. The inhabitants
of the United States are beginning to
learn that there is such place as Ore
gon and what her national advantages
are; but of this you may judge as we
progress. As we leave California and
approach Oregon. the timber grows tall
er and more plenty-the water is better
purer, and more abundant The dust
disappears, and the air is cooler. The
first place of interest is Jacksonville,
fiourishing town Of some two thousand
Inhabitants. From thence we pass thro'
the Rogue River Valley. which was
wild prairie and forest when was in it
in 1853, fighting Indians. Now, large
and well-ipmroved farms meet the eye
at every turn. As we are leaving this
Valley, to 60 to the Mupqua, we pass
through the celebrated Kenyon, IL miles
long-a mountainous gorge with
stream running through it-no habita>
tions-heavy timber on either side
road just wide enough for teams to pass.
In '53, we crossed this mountain stream
over 40 times in going through the Ken
yon; but now there is a splendid turn
pike road the entire distance, and the
stream is bridged at every point. At the
mouth of the Kenyon, some enterprising
'tYank'' has dared to dam the rapid tor
rent and made it s1bservient to his wish.
es in grinding grain aud saving lumber.
"The Mupqua, is small but rich and
fertile valley, covered with good farms
and surrounded with low hills, which
make good grazing lands. Next comes
the Calaporia Mountains, which are COW
cred with dense forests of fir, pine,
spruce, hemlock and cedar. Once over
this, and we enter the beautiful valley Of
the Willamette, which is the heart and
pride of Oregon. 1t is about two hum
dred miles long and fifty miles, upon an
average. wide. This seems like God 9
country. Here water, prairie and tim.
Der are distributed as though it was in
tended for the habitation of a civilized
race. Here found nice farms, fenced
in with good fences; nice orchards; one
vast expanse of wheat and oats, and
vegetables-aod thus it was the entire
length of the valley. Twenty five miles
from the foot Of the Caloporia Mountains
is Eugene City, at the head Of naviga-
ton of the Willamette River, As miles
from its mouth, it has 1000 Inhabitants.
Forty miles further on is Corrollis, 1900
inhabitants-forty more is Salem, 1000
inhabitants--ffty more, and we arrive
at Portland-plenty of small towns in
tervening. Portland has some $4,000 to
10000 inhabitants; four ocean steamers
visit it each month; seven steamboats,
leave and return daily-sail vessels OF
different sizes and numbers, some from
Van Couver's Island, some from Japan,
China and New York. directive
steamers also run between Victoria and
Portland, and two Railroads will shortly
be in operation.
$50 here I am in the land of my
adoption, and am thoroughly con
vinced that Oregon is the best country
have seen--the most even and healthy
climate-the richest soil--the best nat.
ural advantages-all we want is popula
ton, labor and capital to develop Oul
resources. But, strange to say, the hu.
man family is never satisfied; and the
people in this country are no exception
to the general rule. A great many farm
ers want to sell out--they want to take
ride over the Pacific Railroad to visi,
their native countries, and are Offering
their lands low Good improved lands
averaging from 85 to S25 per acre; the
+ latter figure will buy the best-but th ey
know not what they do-they will curs'
the day they leave this country-right
now is the best time there has ever beer
in Oregon, for investments in rea
estate; especially lands. Property, it il
true, is high in and around Portland
+ l>< ,.o% <oo hiuh for tho Of hr,,