Connecticut western news., 1873-02-14
Correspondence.
PORTLAND, ORESoN, Jan. 2l, 1893

PORTLAND, ORESoN, Jan. 2l, lS.3.
 ME. EDITOR: When we take up an East ein paper the first thing that meets the eye is an account of the terrible cold weather in almost every state east of the Rocky Mountains, and the difference is SD great when compared with the temperature ou this coast, that l am constrained To give you an account of the mild, beautiful and charming weather We are enjoying here, say from the first of November to the pres ent date
 From statistics politely furnished me by the City Librarian, notice that the lowest point reached by the mercury during the last three months was 3l degrees above ze- TO, and even at that point only on three days-in November, December and January and the average for the same time is above 45 degrees. At the present writing, o'clock a. m., it is 60 degrees above zero. The city of Portland is on about the same degree of latitude as Montreal, m Canada, and the ground has not been froZn a par ticle, nor has ice been formed the thickness of window jslass During the winter roses and other flew, rs can be seen in many yards and gardens, and lady llving on the street above the hotel where we are stopping has picked several kinds of flow CTS that grew in her garden in the open air and made boquets every morning since the first of December. The buds on the cherry trees are already getting very plump and full and yesterday 1 actually saw a cherry tree in full bloom. This may seem incredible and impossible to people living in ice-bOund and snow-covered New Eng land, and 1, am almost led to believe that ny eyes are deceiving me, but it is literally true, 1 frequently stroll out of the city a few miles, among the farmers, and have yet to find the first farmer that has given his cattle the first particle of hay or grain during the winter. The stock is never housed, in fact not one farmer in ten has a barn or shed on his premises, and yet the cattle are looking thrifty and in good con dition. Farmers here are blowing theil land and sowing wheat, and will continue doing so until April. Buildings are being erected all about the city, and all kinds oi out door work is being done without any cessation or stopping on account of colo or unpleasant weather.
 The people here tell us that spring com mences in February and that then the coun try is beautiful and lovely beyond descrip tion. And now, permit me to say word about the city of Portland.
 was shown yesterday by one of tn, first men here the spot where few year ago he tied bis mule to a tree, and lay dowr upon the ground himself and enjoyed , splendid nights rest. Woods and thick forests all about him. and oaly two log houses in the town. Now the city has population of nearly or quite fourteen thousand and is growing rapidly. I know of several cities in the East with twenty and thirty thousand population that dc less than half the business that is now done in Portland. It is the termini of the two principal railroads in the state, and at the head of deep water navigation of the Go lumbia and Willamett rivers, and is at tho foot of one of the largest, lovlest and mos fertile valleys in the world. The cars or the Northern Pacific railroad will soon be here-probably in two years-and I sec nothing to hinder it being the largest anG richest city on the Pacific coast, excepting perhaps, San Francisco.
 intended to write something about the Indian war that the good people of Oregon have on hand just now, but think my letter is already too long. Suffice it to say, { battle was fought yesterday and our troops ~ came out second best The "War-like Mo docs. as they are called, fought like tigers But Gen. Canby has the matter in hand ant the Indians will be soon squelched out.
 My letter is already too long, but yor must excuse an old and former resident ol Salisbury for getting little enthusiastic over such beautiful country, with such [ lovely climate as this.
 Will you allow me to congratulate yor and the good people of Salisbury upon tnt completion through the town of the Con necticut Western railroad and for your en ergy and enterprise in establishing and SC successfully publishing so good paper ir their midst.
 Itender my most heartfelt sympathy te my old friends and neighbors for the los, one of their most esteemed citizens, tho lafe Hon. George Cof1ng, who was lon. my neighbor and friend
 CuAs E. BoTsFoRD.
 Tint Thousand Dollnr EiII.