The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-09-15
ouHooo VALLEY.
ocHoco VALLEY, O'eS. I
AreIsST sl3 IS7i {

AUeUsr 3, 1871
Editor Democrat.
Your issue of July a1st is just in
hand in which very little mistake is
made by the correspondent, James
Wheelan, which permit me to correct.
He says "the Ochoco country is
nearly eaten out, and cattle are very
much poorer there than in many other
valleys in Eastern Oregon. | learn
that cattle are cheaper there than in
the Willamette Valley" Now, to
say the least, the above is very small
error showing lack of personal OBJ
seryation, or that prejudice and cred
ulity inspired the pen.
Had the gentleman not stopped on
Crooked River, indulging, perhaps,
in Crooked acquia and having q jolly
time on the glorious Fourth, but pro-
cceded up the ochoco valley, he
would have seen thousands of enclos-
ed acres teeming with golden grain,
nutritious grass, and vegetables, and
fat cattle and sheep grazing on the
hills ON the inexhaustible bunch grass
of the richest varieties, besides hun
dreds of tons of stacked hay, not yet
needed, being the accumulation of the
past three years; he would also have
seen, dotted along every quarter ora
half mile, comfortable houses, with
healthy, rosy-cheeked girls and boys
rolicking around gay and happy, and
would have imagined himself in the
sainted land.
To the compliment he pays to Will
low Greek and other valleys of East
ern Oregon no exception is taken; =
they deserve all, yea. more! but let
me say Ochoco needs no blowing;-
simple truth and justice are only re-
quired. She can, and will, and does
speak for herself This season has
proven beyond cavil that by irrigation
(which she abundantly commands) and
proper seeding, 30 to GO bushels Of
wheat, and other cereals and vegeta,
bles in corresponding proportion, can
easily be produced, per acre, annually
without fail. Can this yield be beat.
en- in any country?
A residence in this valley of over
three years gives me a truthful knowl
edge of this delightful country, and ]
do verify believe it was just such 8
country as this that Methuselah and
other patriarchs of old lived to have
attained such longevity. l write for
the general benefit of the community
particularly seekers of health, happy
homes, and fortunes, and truthfully
say that for healty climate, produc
tive soil, and inexhaustible stock
ranges this country cannot be beaten
ON this sphere.
Here an Esculapian or Pharmaceut
ist would starve, having no Other
means to obtain the "staff of life"
am creditably informed that our OBJ
liging store-keeper, Mr.. Hiesler, or
settling here, stocked his store Will
considerable medicine and found i.
truly to be "drugs on hand" he was
about to throw them to the dogs, but
effected transfer to our estimable
chief magistrate yanderpool, ]. p.
who, thus far. has had no use for salts
pills, and epacacuana to arrest dis
turbers of the peace and quietness o.
the community.
Seekers of homes, after enduring
the toll in crossing the Cascades, OF
arriving at Crooked River and there
viewing a wild and barren waste
should not be disappointed and turn
about face for home. giving an erron
eous description of the country o.
which they only touched the outside
edge. Let them enter into the hear
of Ochoco, taking time, being patient
and honest in investigating, and they
will soon find the things most sough
after, viz healthy climate, product
i've soil, and inexhaustible stock ran
ges, which will give happy homes ant
fortunes by taking off that "Webfoot'
coat and going to work.
I have no desire to depopulate you
beautiful and bountiful valley, but th,
truth must be told; it wrongs none
yet sometimes leaves sore to be pu
rifed. Yours truly,
HENRY T. SMITH.
4 JUBILATING.-We see by the Port