Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-23
Baby &enr,fbef Journal.
Aagnsta, Wednesday Morning, March %.
A Word Of Warning about Emf
grafton.

We publish below facts Of interest to all
who are thinking of going West to the
new countries near the Pacific. They
come to us in letters from a gentleman
who has resided in Oregon several years
In the region which he describes, and
with which he is familiarity acquainted.
We often see flaming notices of the adj
vantages of this and most Of our new ter
tory West, but as is stated by our inform
ant, these are to deceive the public and
induce immigration for the benefit of
landholders and transportation companies.
There are thousands Of men now in the
countries beyond the Mississippi, who
had they been content 10 live in Maine and
work and fare as hard here as they have
been Obliged to in their present locations
would have been much better of had they
remained in this State. But marvellous
stories OF the richness Of TIE country to
which they emigrated reached them and
lured them away to become the prey OF
land and other spectators. In letter
dated Feb. 9th. our correspondent says ):
To the Editor KenaeJee Journal:
DEAR SlR-Allow me to call your attention
10 large number Of extras Of various local
papers which are being issued in the North
west. for distribution in the Atlantic and
Northeastern States. representing the remark
able business resources which are to be found
along the line If projected as well rs esfab-
lished Railways. the most Of which have
received from the general Government or
from States grants of land which have made
the stock Of such road Of anv value.
Let New England men who become rest
less. or decide to go into new locations for
business, study well their points from practi'
cal settlers who will not misrepresent for the
sake Of selling. before they leave good homes,
or decide to take chances in what is repre-
scented by most Of these issues.
I do not wish you to conclude, from my
word Of warning, that I Ould detract from
the fruitful character of many portions Of
this great Northwest it justly deserves it.
But the highly colored showing sent East in
various papers Gin some instances 10000
copies per week. wants to be accepted with
large margins.
The two last years were dry ones, followed
this winter by from one to three feet Of snow.
At this point there has been II IT. ) inches Of
snow since December list, and now there is
IS inches. This represents belt along both
sides of the Columbia river, forty miles wide.
South or North Of this, less snow. Half
to three-fourths of all stock dead. Many
exposed Ranches all persisted.
In another letter he speaks more par
ticularly of facts within his knowledge, and
repeats his warning against deceptive cir
culars and statements in newspapers. en-
closing one of the latter to us in which its
misrepresentation are noted upon the
margin. He says:
To the Editor Of the Journal
DEAR SIR: Much of the peculiar re.
sources are strange to New England farmer,
n stock raiser, and are really worthy Of espec-
ial notice. Yet have failed to find an aggre-
gate Of superior advantages. 1t is true that
in a favorable year one can raise 40 to SO
bushels of prime wheat to the acre, upon fa-
vorable localities. and these localities are
heralded, and the products heralded 500
times, as typical of all else. or other locali-
ties. To be sure we have no barns, and feed
only domestic cattle, and not often them or
horses, hut once in 10 years. or less. lose
uuiI VI WI ytdTs ttu tuous-
and sheep, sheared pounds average wool
per sheep. fed none, but those years wool
brought IS cents. | lost about per cent.
in number. by wolves, old age, &C., &C..
next two years no feed dry no grass
lost 80 per cent. Of all wool worth 90 cents.
NY neighbor across the street had IL, 900
head of cattle; has lost this winter 20 per
cent. has 1000 cows up feeding; had 900
tons bench grass hay. and yet lost 10 per
cent NV near neighbor, on same street, is
n stable keeper; has 500 acres wheat within
sight. No account for wheat, only for cut
ting for hay lin bloom). because wheat
would not paw to place on boat to go to Port
land, 100 miles. Boat passes all in sight. within
one mile. Transportation eats all up; Sl5
per ton up river, and IS per ton, gross freight
down. DO you wonder stock of such
roads and boats stand ut sl.62?
A few men started the Transportation Com
pany on this river, by boats; capital 80. 0OO,-
900; got rich!; sold out for $4,000 cap
ital stock doubled up to $40. 1000, OOO-now
worth in New York sl.47--snd this week
hare purchased controlling interest in North
Pacific. So you can see that all these rep.
RESERVATIONS that go East are to get settlers on
TO railroad lands. and to make business along
their roads. without much reference to truth.
I enclose a slip from paper printed here.
copied in the s.Daily Advocate" at Astoria.
mouth of Columbia river, Such papers gen.
orally get from to 10 cents per copy, and the
railroad companies forward them.
The enclosed represents the Blalock Com
pany. II Is n speculation. The o. r. n.
Railroad was laid up close to the river bank.
from Portland to Walla walla. This Bla-
lock Company -four or Ave mem assumed to
take up 10000 acres along the railroad. and