The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-04-16
FROM UMATIllA COUNTY.

Ed. GAZETTE: While on my way from
Southern Oregon to the Palouse country,
in Washington Territory, I passed through
many splendid valleys, but none of them
that excelled, in my estimation, the splen-
did county of which Corvallis is the coun-
ty seat. From Portland we took one of the
o. s. N. Co.'S boats, and in due course of time
day, and under the care of the proprietor of
the Umatilla House, the fatigue of travel
was soon forgotten, and, for the first time
in our lives, we began to realize the true
hospitality of western people. After a rest
of twenty -four hours we bid farewell, for
time, to The Dalles, and taking the next
boat up the river, one hundred miles, to
Umatila Landing, where we arrived in the
midst of gale, or sand-storm, and not be-
ing favorably impressed with the outlook
on shore. we did not leave the boat until
next morning. when we bid farewell to the
old Columbia, taking the stage for Pendle-
ton, distance of forty miles. After a ride
of eight hours, we were landed at the Pen
ulCboAA AAooCi, hCPt ny 1Is 41ethCI-diiu u u uC
host is he-and no better kept hotel this
side of Portland. Here the traveller finds
true home, and in every department the
utmost attention is paid to the comfort of
guests.
Leaving Pendleton with many regrets, we
again take the stage for Weston. Twenty
miles further on, passing through the Indian
reservation the most of the way, we come
to Centerville, a young, but thriving town.
Here we halt for fifteen minutes and change
horses, when again the driver cracks his
whip. and call aboard" we are off for Wes-
ton, distance of three miles. And now
the scene that burst upon our view fully
established the truth of all we had heard in
favor of Eastern Oregon. Fine farms are
on either side, with well cultivated fields,
enclosed by substantial fences, good houses;
fruit orchards, and every thing that goes to
make home comfortable and happy, are
possessed by the farmers between Center
vile and Weston. But we are aroused
from the spell occasioned by the admiration
of all this loveliness by the harsh grating of
the brakes on the wheels we look ont, and
behold Weston, snugly slowed away i'll one
of the finest little valleys it has ever been
our good fortune to behold. As we peered
from the stage window, oh what a pano-
rama of beauty was spread out before us.
The cluster Of buildings, with Pine Creek
winding its way through the heart of the
city, the charming valley extending for
miles, until it loses itself in the Blue noun
tains, while on the other hand the eye is lost
in admiration of what it beholds far away,
as it traces the crooked course of Pine creek
through farms and groves, till lost to sight,
and, at a dead halt, we are brought in front
of the Weston Hotel. Here we meet with
hearty welcome from G. A. Robey, the
genial proprietor of the hotel
Here we halt for rest, and while strolling
around town, meet an old friend, R. M.
Powers, and enjoy a social chat. Was in
formed of the sad end of Charles Taylor,
one of Weston's former residents, and a
highly respected citizen, who left Weston
about one year ago for the lower country.
His death was announced in some of the
valley papers. The many friends of MIR.
Taylor will read this sad news with many
regrets that death should have robbed them,
SO early, of a true, friend and noble man.
A TRAVELLER.
Weston, March %, 1880.