The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-02-19
CoLFAS, w, IT,, [
Ton OF 1871

Editor Democrat.
Will you please allow me a small
space in your most, valuable paper to
speak few words in regard to our new
country. I suppose it is generally be-
lieved throughout Webfoot that we
have all handed in our cheeks, My
reasons for saying this are founded on
the general expression Of letters re-
celved from different, persons residing
in the Willamette Valley. 1t Is. very
true, we are living, in cold climate
compared with the Willamette Valley,
but when we pass in our checks the
people of the Willamette will be hunt
ing warmer climate. We have had
the coolest weather this winter, every
where east of the Cascade Mountains,
that has ever been experienced by the
whites. Our coldest, weather began
about the 10th of this month and OH
the 10Th the thermometer showed S6
degrees below zero--a little colder than
we petitioned for.
The people as a general rule are well
pleased with the country. The princi-
pal complaint is that we have no
direct communication with the outside
world. Our supplies pass through the
hands of monopoly on the Columbia
River whose business it is to take the
last dollar man has, and gap for
more. But time is sure to bring a
change. We have q great farming
country, AMI when we get an avenue
through which to carry away our pro-
duce we can olive like fighting
cocks.n
The culture of flax is bound to take
the lead in this county as it brings the
cash, and the cash is what'we are most
IN need of at present. 1t will be tested
this year whether we can grow flax to
an advantage or not if we can raise
is bushels per acre it will beat wheat
at 40 cents. We think that we can
raise from Is to 25 bushels per acre.
Excelsior Grange is in flourishing
condition, having a membership of 70
or IS members. The following officers
were duly elected and installed Jan.
I'd, 1876: Master. P. w. Cox; o.,
j. Taylor; sec'y, o. NJ. Ddvis%L., A.
II. Gordon G., Jas. Waldfip S., Jas
jackson Asst s., s. w. Robbins; G.
X, s. L. Chrisman G., Emma Wal.
drip; p, Elizabeth Waldrip f., Eva
White ; L. A. S., A. V. Davis.
We have a grange store at Colfax
under the supervision Of Excelsior
Grange, which has reduced the price
Of dry goods to great extent and
we only hope that it may prove agood
success.
The flour mill at this place supplies
the country north of Snake River with
as good -four as is made on the Pacific
Coast, and is owned by J. z. Daven-
port, who also keeps dry goods store
at this place and is II very accommo-
dating and whole-souled gentleman.
We are blessed with tfi-weeklX
mail running through Colfax from
Walla Walla to Pend OReille La ke
from which we derive great amount
of benefit. We also have weekly
mail from Colfax to Lewiston.
had almost forgotten to mention
that the deepest snow we have had was
about one foot, and that stock of al
kind is doing pretty well. There are
few cattle dying, but moet of those
were brought here late in the fall from
the Willamette, and We're very poor.
Iwill close by saying send the DEM
ocRAT to me for another year. Times
are pretty hard, but nevertheless
can't do without it. Just chuck he
full Of Democracy as usual and all viii
be right yet. 0. W. DAVIS.
GOULD NUNC' SPEAKS RIGHT OUT II
NIEETIN'.
Interesting Items from sacehariferou
IIlihee.
SWEET HOME, Feb, /, 1875.
Editor Democrat:
Not having seen anything in you
last paper from the renowned "Sloshe'
Hanamer'' or from TIE pen of the tai
ented Gilliland, l thought few line
from your humble servant might NEE
with favorable consideration. The fac
Is, Sloshen Hammer has not entire'.
recovered from his former attack, bu
is getting much better. Mr.. Glllilan'
/ have not seeh but understand he j
still in very critical condition. Hi
being mental attack, Is liable to re
silt in concusslon Of the heel, in whicl
case it is sure to prove fatal.
The Chung Lung Ditch Compan!
have thawed out and are at work again
and will soon have their water ditcl
completed, there are some eight o
ten men employed on the work now.
A portion of our citizens are prepar
ing to have grand literary entertain
nient at the Sweet Home school hous
on the 22d inst, which will most likel
increase the demand for lampblacH
1t has already produced visable effec
\ III the market for that article as well G
for soft soap to remove IT, etiecti an
Dame Rdmor says the grluekS indl
vidual has not got 1t all Off yet.
Your fellow towpsmen Capt. Mnth
ews and Mr.. Rumbaugh, passe
through our valley to-day, on thei
way up the Santiam on a prospectin
trip. May success attend them.
QUID NUNC.
Nof CRt.DITAELE. We See that Oh
two Portland dailies of last Saturda