The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-06-30
OREGON CORRESPONDENCE.
FOREST GROVE, WASHINGTON Co., }
OREGoN, June 9. 1871.


OREGON, June 9, 1871.
A. q. BALsLEY, Ed. JOURNAL:
DEAR SIR: This village, Forest Grove, of
seven hundred population, twenty-five miles
west of Portland, is situated on elevated and
undulating ground, in grove of oak, the
trees of which, at distance, look more ike
well grown apple orchard than an oak forest.
On the north and about ten miles distant, is
seen the low range of mountains, which stretch
along the Columbia River; on the west rises
the Coast Range, which also are low not ex-
ceeding $500 feet should judge, and about
twenty miles distant. On the south winds the
Tualatin River, some three miles distant,
with a long range of low mountains on the
south side, following it to the east into the
Willamette Valley. AS the eye leaves them
and we turn to the east, 100 miles away tow
ers Mount Hood, in all its majesty, $4,000 feet
above the sea, its pure white form, shaded by
the shadows of dark ravines and high ridges,
which make it in appearance not unlike
huge boulder of variegated marble. little
farther to the south, and farther In the dis
lance, we see in similar texture Mount Jetfer-
son, nesting its symetrical head down among
the evergreen peaks of the surrounding noun
tains. In the north and beyond the Column
bia Range, is seen st. Hellens, and IN the
northeast Mount Rainier. These are grand
sights, and form a strong contrast with the
level plains of Ohio.
Forest Grove is situated on the west side OF
a rich prairie, some fifteen miles across, and
almost encircled by mountains, which like all
the mountains in Western Oregon, are thickly
clothed with stately evergreen trees, which
everywhere fasten their roots with rich soil.
The soil here is of a dark chocolate color, COM
posed of clay, and sand so fine that it would
almost do to apply to a razor strap, and, when
well TILED, good for thirty or forty bushels
wheat per acre. Spring and fall wheat do
equally well in Oregon, and ara SO near in
quality that no distinction is made in the
market The climate of Western Oregon is
considered hard on consumptive persons, and
also those afflicted with rheumatism, while
Eastern Oregon is favorable to both
Oregon has good water, and plenty OF 1t.
Also, good timber and plenty of it. 1t has
now fairly entered upon its day of railroads,
which will doubtless modify and change its
old business cente1s, and raise the value OF
real estate two to four fold. The day Of
Hcorner lots" is now ushered in. Each town
and every mountain gorge is to have its rail
road. 1t seems mistake in the .. S. Gov
ernment in giving such large donation farms
to the first settlers, not that it gives them too
much, but iniudiciously. Only think of but one
family on mile square. How it has retarded
the district schools and a hundred other i'm
movements. The evil bids fair to continue
for time to come, for many of the farms have
changed hands and some several times, with
out reducing their size. Had Government
donated to each settle but 80 or 100 acres, and
given to the pioneers some other compensa-
ton for the balance, more intelligence and
better improvement would now be seen. In
Forest Grove is located the Pacific University,
which has a cash and other endowments of
$4,000, and is out of debit 1t lacks, however,
in buildings, which will come as required. Its
President, F. h. March, D. D., a graduate OF
Vermont University, four Professors and other
teachers, make up its working staff. Not a
drop of spurious liquors can be bought OF
begged in Forest Grove, and have not yet
heard the reverberation of gun on the Sab
bath day, although the woods are full of small
game, and only last week huge Panther was
killed, not four miles distants.
W. H. CURTIS.