The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-09-09

L.
this method hazardous at times. Be
tween tidewater and the ia lis, dis
tance of II miles, the principal I'M
pediments are to be found. The
people of that section are making
strong exertions to secure a congress
slonal appropriation of few thousand
dollars, the judicious expenditure of
which would obviate these disadvan-
tages. In the same connection it may
be remarked that repeated but una
vailing efforts, up to the time of my
visit in April of this year, have been
made by the people of the Upper and
Lower Als.a Valleys to induce the
authorities Of Benton county to order
the construction OF road from the
upper Alsea to the bay. Local jeal-
ousies, ] am inclined to think, more
than due regard for the convenience
and necessities of large and growing
portion of Benton county, had up to
that time defeated this just measure.
South of Alsea lies what is known as
the Five River country, as large as
the upper Alsea Aalley, and capable
of being made equally productive.
AT present it is sparsly settled by
race of hardy pioneers, who reach
their clearings in the primeval forests
in canoes, and by trails, roads being
practically unknown. This region,
Capt. Russell ir forms ire, is singular
ly rich in spruce, hemlock, cedar,
maple, and fir timber. Naturally
with proper facilities for transporta-
tion. the outlet for all this region will
be by way of the sea board.
BEAVER CREEK.
About five miles north of the A!sea
Beaver creek debouches into the
ocean. AT some former time the
stream has evidently been, as the
Yaquina and other rivers are now,
tidal estuary. It is no longer 80,
although quite respectable in size aud
navigable for skiffs and other light
crafts for several miles. The lands
along beaver creek are represented as
being fine, productive bottoms.
Twelve families have already found
homes along its banks, and it is esti-
mated there is room for twenty more
families. One settler, Mr.. Manning,
went into the unbroken forrest few
years ago and has with his own un-
aided labor make a wagon road three
miles in length to his place. lie
drives a fair trade in butter, eggs,
and other farm praducts, and presents
a fair example of what may be ac-
complished in this particular section
of the country by industry and perse-
verence.
NOTABLE LANDMARKS.
In this vicinity and extending
down the coast TO, and in front of
the hospitahle ranch and home of MIR.
G. w. Collins are the noted Seal
Rocks, with their surrounding reefs.
This locality is favorite resort with
the campers who seek summer hol-
iday on the coast. CLAIMS. crabs,
rock oyters and mussel<, besides ma
nv varieties of fish abound. Made
accessible by steam, few more attrac-
tive localities are to be found on the
ong coast line from San Diego to
Sitka.
ALONG THE BEACH.
The lands aligning the ocean beach
from the Alsea to the Yaquina are
settled either by pre-emption claim
ants or homesteaders. Much of this
and is of excellent quality. LOCAL.
lies were pointed out TO me where
The soil has yielded 400 bushels of
potatoes to the acre. Oats, where
cultivated do well. The owners of
shese lands are for the most part in
;lined to think that the true outcome
of these lands will be found in the
dairy. Some of the owners are SOW
ing portions of their land to Mesquite
grass.
American and Foreign Bible soci-
ETY. has engaged DIR. Thomas j. Con-
ant, who was one of the A merican
engaged upon the recent
revision ofthe New Testament, to
overhaul the old bible. He is to
receive $25, 900 for the work, and is
% have four years in which to COM
ple.e it.