The Van Buren press., 1874-12-29
Description Of Grand Round Valley il
Oregon and its Surroundings.
DECEMBER Sth, 1874.

yet with the country and its surroundings,
feel very incompetent to the task. however
will endcavor to give the small amount OF
Information that have.
Grand Round is quite small valley In
northeast Oregon; it Is 81 miles long and
IL or I6 in width; its altitude Is 5000 feet
above the level Of the ocean. The mountains
that surround 1t. range in height from 1000 to
lG0O feet above the level of the valley, conse-
quently snow can be seen at most any season
of the year. The first settlers came to this
valley in the years of '6l and G2-very few as
early as that. Within the last few years
immigration has flocked from all parts of o a
egon and California to this part Of the State
But few migrants from the States ever stop
with us before making general survey ii
the coast. We have but very few citizens
among us that seem to be dissatisfied with the
country. The little town in which have To-
Gated is rather small to be called a town al
though it is a beautiful situation for one and
am of the opinion that 1t will be one In the
course ofa few years. The valley lies north
and south. The little town Union lies In the
south end. which Is near the center Of the
County which also entities us to the County
site. Since We succeeded in obtaining it from
our sister town Legrand. which lies IA miles
west Of us, we have improved rapidly in the
way of buildings. AlreaSS we are doing
quite nice business. We have dry goods
establishments, confectionery store Is bill.
lard saloons. drug store, saddler store, |
shoe shop. hotel. / lack smith shops, liv-
cry stable, church and one in the course of
erection, | school house, Touring MILL and
saw mill within I miles of the town. There
are five Touring mills and six saw mills in the
valley. Lumber is worth from $15 to SIS per
1000. We have timber within few miles OF
ts-the mountains that surround the valley
are covered with beautiful timber pine, furr,
and tamrack are the principal growths-eX-
cclcnt for all building purposes. There are
two other towns in the >alley-Summervile
and Lcgrand. Summerville lies in the north
end of the valley; Legrand lies II miles west
of Union. Population OF Legrand, 400 or 500,
Union, 200; Summervile about the same.
All flcurishing little towns. The valley Is also
well settled up. All good farming land and
pretty well all taken up. We have some good
farmers amongst us-all live well. But very
few poor men in the valley-what we cal
duces well; from 20 to 30 bushels Of wheat to
the acre and other small grain In proportion
Corn We cannot raise to any degree OF perfec-
ton as our seasons aIc too short. Vegetables
do very well and only excelled in California /;
potatoes have seen weigh four and five
pounds; bcets nine and ten pounds and other
varieties equally as well; all kinds OF fruit
grows well that has been tried except peach
es all kinds Of berries do fine; grapes have
no. been introduced chat | know Of Farm
ing is carried on by igrgating which Is easily
done and at but very little expense. Several
nice streams of water running through the
valley and no better water on the coast. Our
sport in fishing is excellent and can't be beat
we have the salmon. the mountain trout
and several other varieties. Most Of the
streams of water are supplied by springs
the country is full OF springs both lot and
cold and | m told some of the warm springs
arc proving to be beniicial as medicine. The
best of water can be found in any part of the
valley from 10 to 30 feet underground. This
Is also one of the best game countries In the
west: we have all the varieties Of the grouse
the common prairie chicken, the sage hen,
the pheasant and what Is calico the mOutaif'
,,,I, e. In cpta
that flies; also other gamc-all kinds in abun-
dance from the jack ass rabbit to the @
bear; deer, antelope, elk bear, mountain
sheep, all eau be found within thirty miles o
the valley. This is, | am informed by Ole
settlers who have been on this coast since 40
the healthicst part of the State and am salts
fled this Is correct, although we have som'
sickness here and occasionally one dies. Th'
people are very reckless here in some things
especially In regard to their hcalth--they ex
pose themselves great deal. Our climate !
subject to sudden changes; during. the winte
season--I shall not attempt to describe it--al
almanac would be pronounced aperfect nuis
ance. though we have three seasons that ar
beautiful--spring, summer and fall alwav
the same and never change. | will say thi
however in conclusion in regard to climate
that man can find any Kind of clirnat
that he wishes In this State. This part Of Or
cgon Is also excellent for stock and presum
cXce's any part of the State; horses, cattle
sheep and hogs can be raised with but littl
trouble and expense. Our stock men are In
PRODUCING some very fine stock Into the coun
try. But little attention has been paid l.
stock raising until within the last few years
Stock can be purchased Mt reasonable figures
COWS and calves from Sl5 to $25 good Ameri
from IS to S25. Everything In the way o
eatables is reasonable in price -four Of tn
best article il worth 50 per l00 potatoes
cent per pound and all kinds Of grain cheap
The wealth Of our country Is IN our mines
Our mines have been profitable In the pas
and no doubt will be in the future. Last sea
son they were not worked, consequently,
times are rather dull. Prospectors seem Il
think that next spring will produce wonders
In our mining camps-great preparations
have been made for the opening Of spring
There are several mining camps within IL"
miles of this valley. Some Of them hav'
proven to be very rich. Wages: Miners re
cciyc frem three to four dollars per day ; me
chancs from three to five; farm hands, stool
tenders and teamers receive from tlirty-hv
to seventy Ave dollars per month. Our cur
rency In gold silver and gold rock. But yer.
little grecnback in circulation-worth ninct
cents on the dollar. Walla Walla valley lie