The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-04-15
Resources of Eastern oregon.

Resources of Eastern Oregon.
From the Ia Grande Democrat of
March 22d, we copy the following..briof
sketches of Union and Umatilla counties:
UNION COUNTY
Although much has been said of the
resources of other counties east of the
Cascade Mountains, great injustice has
been done to Union county. Even in the
| report of the United States Commissioner
OF Mining Statistics, west of the Rocky
Mountains, we find that it has claimed
but a small portion of his attention. He
merely mentions the fact that each a
| county, of considerable mineral and agri-
cultural resources, exists east of the Cas-
cade Mountains. That Union county is
Que Of the most productive. counties OF
| Oregon will be established beyond
doubt. Her chief source of wealth is of
an agricultural nature. There exists,
however, quite an extensive aariferous
district in. this county. The principal
mining camps are located in the Eagle
Greek Mountains. Metals of various
kinds-namely, gold, silver and copper
abound in these mountains. When these
mines become opened and developed they
will perform no inadequate part of ad-
vancing the interests of the people.
Notwithstanding the mineral resources
of Union county are very extensive, her
agricultural facilities far exceed them
Her pasturing lands are simply imperial
in area, and the grass growing upon these
lands is of the most nutritious quality.
Horses and cattle will fatten upon it in
an incredibly short time. The soil of the
farming lands is of the most prolific
character. Vegetables of every variety
are cultivated, and fruit has also been
cultivated with considerable success.
The United States has yet to produce a
better country for raising grain. V ater
facilities are of an extensive nature, and
timber is in great abundance. Mountain
streams come rushing from dark rsvines,
bearing with them alluvial washings
which help to increase the fertility of the
/ soil. The climate, which is an important
/ feature, is salubrious and healthy.
The population of Union county at
present is not SO numerous as it will be as
| soon as its vast agricultural and mineral
resources become better known. 1t is
moving steadily on in the path of pro-
gress to wealth and prosperity. The
slumbering resources of mountain and
valley will awaken Union county with
its dense forests and picturesque moun
tains, its delightful valleys and fertile
plains, is destined to becume the banner
county OF Oregon. The time will come
when IFS vast extent of pasturing lands
will be covered with herds of horses and
cattle, feeding upon the far famed bunch
| grass when its remarkable water facili-
ties will furnish power for manufactures
of all kinds. and when many wealthy and
Rapulous cities will spring up.
UMATILLA COUNTY.
In the point of natural resources, there
is no county in the Eastern portion of the
State more wealthy than Umatilla county.
The extent of its agricultural lands is
nearly unlimited, and in the event of the
Umatilla Indian Reservation being
thrown open for settlement, it will boast
of an extent of farming land that would
sustain large population. The soil is
very rich, and Of the character that will
last forever. The amount of small graf,
it will produce to the acre is about
Wheat, forty bushels oats, seventy five
barley, eighty. Vegetables grow we'll
and all varieties flourish in a manner tha
speaks loud. in its favor. Besides, it pse,
sents many fine opportunities to stock
raisers, and its endless rolling hills fur
herds of cattle and horses. AT the pres
ent time this branch of industry is yer.
profitable to those that engage in it, ant
will continue SO for many years.
The climate is very fine and healthy
and sickness very rare. Many immi
grants that have settled in the county
who were afflicted with disease of tn
lungs previous to their locating, hav
been cured by the climate, and now ad
wise others iii with lung affections to Wis
it their county and find relief.
But Umatilla needs population, and lik
the other counties of Eastern Oregon, ha
. many resources undeveloped, that, put i
operation would increase its wealth to
great extent. Though the likelihood {
an outlet by railroad in a few years
, growing stronger each day, and it
thought that, in itself it will bring til
relief prayed for it has an outlet at th
present time sufficicnr To satisfy all d,
; manls, in the Columbia river, if it ha
: the population to develop its wealth.
! n eds population as much as railroa,
; for railroad would only bring that
the end that would come faster by raj
road, but it is not the lacking of raj
} road that prevents the county from rapl
: ly increasing in wealth. 1t has natur
: outlet, but not the people to build up
. fiourishing trade with the outside worl
e
Sketches of Lane County.
The Eugene City Journal is giving i
: teresting brief sketches of districts an
towns in that county. From it we COZ