The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-12-17
Letter from walla walla.
WALLA WALLA, Dec. 7th, 1870.

aiHayS SlaO 10 near Wor0 from our
friends in Albany, and hope that peace,
plenty and prosperity may e,or attend
her people and the REGISTER.
I have been almost deferred from
writing again to the REGISTER, as my
letter from the Dalles brought down upon
me the wrath o. both parson and people
of that city. However, I will again
venture to detail some news in reference
to Walla Walla and surroundings, trust
ing that the communication will meet
with better reception.
Walla Walla city il, situated on one Of
the many tributaries Of the Walla Walla
river, eight miles from said river, and
thirty miles from the nearest point of
navigation on the Columbia. The Blue
Mountain range lies about twelve miles
east, while spreading out in every dircc-
ton is the beautiful valley of ,Xalla Wal
la, with its many streams, brooks, foun-
tains and springs. The city contains at
present, as per census, a population of
about 500, with largo transient pop
ulation. The general health of the city is
good There have been and there are now
few cases of fever and other forms of
disease, very few. Of which have proven
fatal. This is decidedly the greatest
business point on the western slope, ex
cept the city of Portland, situated as it is
almost in the centre of the finest valley
east of the mountains, having a popula-
ton of about 5000 souls, most of whom
arc thrifty farmers, and at the converging
point of all the main thoroushfares of
this eastern country, furnishing good
market for all the products of the farm,
the lumber mills, and the stockholder.
The main body of the timber for the sup
ply of the market is on the Blue Nouns
taius, and large business is done (and is
still increasing) in furnishing wood, rails,
posts, shingles, lumber, etc., all Of which
fnd ready sale, at living prices. Hence
there are but few idle persons here. The
city is daily thronged with teams, some
loaded with produce, lumber, wood, etc,
others with freight either for the city or
some point in the interior. All kinds of
business is lively-merchants and me-
chanics all busy. Buildings are rapidly
going up, as those that are completed are
occupied, and there are none to rent
The lands in and around the city COM
lnand large prices. The population Is
becoming more permanent, and residen.
ces are being erected at considerable cost
for permanent homes, Farmers whe
have valuable, we'll stocked ranches, are
securing property in the city, and pre-
pairing to become permanent residents
[ might say with almost perfect truth
that all the available lands, lands adapt
ed to agriculture or stock raising, within
twenty miles of the city, have been Sc
cured either by pre- -emption or under The
homestead law. Large tracts have been
secured by capitalists for speculative
purposes, so that the land hunter must
go to the regions beyond to get land or
Uncle Sans terms.
Waitsburg is small town, situated on
the banks of the Touchct, about sixteen
miles east of Walla Walla, containing q
population of lbs. 1t has two or three
stores, good hotel, shops, mills, etc. L
is destined to make thrifty and business
village, and one where security from the
common vices of our larger cities may
be enjoyed, as the /. o. Of G T. have 8
lodge of about one hundred members
There is also good school house, with
upper and lower apartments, in which
there is now good school in successful
operation. Rev. j. HI. Adams, minis
ter of the NJ. E. Church, is stationed a,
Waitsburg, and the citizens have con
tributed literally to the erection of .
parsonage for his use, which, when fin
ished, will be one of the best in the
bounds of the Conference. The land.
Immediately surrounding the village ars
similar to other parts of this eastern
country producing all kinds Of grain
and vegetables in abundance. Freight
ing is dore by teams, which, by the way
is good business.
The next point east Of this place Of any
note is Union Flat, near Snake river
From information cleaned from person.
residing in that vicinity, I Judge thu
opportunities for securing home al
good, though the lands are being rap
| idly taken up.
| I must say, in conclusion, that th.
future of this eastern country, in my opin
| ion, is bright, and know Of no place thai
offers better opportunities to capital and
enterprise.
The health of your humble servant and
family is good. We have peace ane
plenty, and wishing you large dish o
the same commodity, with prosperity il
time and triumph in death, and glori
Gus immortality beyond the grave, l bic
you farewell for the present Fl. G. J..