The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1889-11-15
PRATTLE.

Since my last dose of "prattle" l
have been to the metropolis of Ore
gon, and as result of the trip l will
say that tyo lonely bottles are perched
on the stand in my room here that
once contained xxx horse llniment.
The reason for using so much of this
stuff can be explained by saying that
my neck was overstretched trying to
see. the top of some of that city's lofty
buildings and my 'calves" were curbed
from pera,nbulating over the stone
walks and pavements, and my exquisite
eyes were made sore trying to find the
exact spot where l started from one
morning. Portland is rity, and is
growing every day, month, and year.
1t nearly q excels Panbany, the sit
down of Linn county. in the amount of
new additions and suburbans. It has
the first electric street railway in Ore
gon; only one Wetzel; and is the home
of the great daily. 1t has blind man
on every corner; peanut vender ON
every other street; and probably the
poorest policemen on the coast. But
then, that doesn't affect the average
Corvallisite more than twice a year,
and no one should grumble. There is
one thing, however, that did not miss
my notice in Portland, and that is the
condition of her streets. l thought
that the thoroughfares of Corvallis were
filthy and muddy, but i'll proportion to
the size and wealth of the two cities, 1
am glad to state that Portland can
knock US out. Her pavements along
each side are actually filthy and if one
who visits that city desires to enjoy
himself in stroll he had better leave
his olfactory department at home.
Some of her crosswalks are fearful
broken boards and mud seem to rule
the day. So much for the metropolis;
what [ have said is about like little
pup barking at St. Bernard.
Circuit court convened in the new
court house for the first time on last
Monday, and 1 could not help but
notice what change has come over
the Benton countyites from outside of
Corvallis in regard to the elegant mass
of stone and brick. A year ago there
was a general grumbling at the idea of
its being constructed, the enormous
tax that would have to be levied in
order to pay for IT., and other vague
ideas. Now, after it is all finished
and it's convenience alone is shown,
the very ones who raised the greatest
objections are now its greatest ad-
mirers. 1t is laughable, though, to see
some OF the jurymen trying the new
spittoons; in this respect the old build
ing was much handier-they could
let 'er fly onto the floor.
So there is talk of street railway
to he in operation in Corvallis within
few months, is there4 Hurrah! ! am
glad of it. Are not all of you2 Last
Monday 1 heard considerable COM
ment on the idea of "having street
car line" "Ha, ha, from 9th street to
Dixon creok," one man said, 'that
acould be long (D line" He could
not see anything beneficient in even
that. He did not realize that the city
coucil had to grant the rest of the right
of-way in the city. But since then
what has happened2 Read the coun-
Gil proceedings and it will show just
the right of way for the proposed route.
There is no doubt now that the line
will be constructed-$2,000 and over
has been guaranteed with the horses
and their feed ALREADY. Let's see;
from beginning on Monroe street just
follow the line with me, and hunt up
those who should help it: There is A.
F. Hershner, who does an extensive
grocery business, he should come up
with $50 as d starter; then comes
Joshua Mason, who has considerable
property on its southern border, he
ought to give $50 towards helping the
project; S. L. Henderson, see the
property he has on both sides, $l0G
more; Judge Kelsay, $50; Judge John
Burnett, a considerable amount OF fine
property close by, $50; NJ S. Wood
cock, the banker, half-block of splen
did building lots in close proximity to
it, $3.50; Judge Holgate, residence
property and building lots on north
side, $50; E.. w. Fisher, who has
property close by and whose income
from rents alone is over $3.50 a month,
$3.50 mere; E. E. Cooper, $50; J. R.
Bryson, at least $50; John Ray, 500;
Prof. E. B. McElroy, $l0O; w. A.
Wells, $1OO; L. G. Kline, who has
property at different points along the
route, 500; Dr. J. NJ. Applewhite,
at least $50; VIM. Crees, who will re-
ceive the greatest benefit, $3.50; A. W.
Scott, who has lately purchased con-
siderable property here and by this
route he will be greatly benefited, at
least $l25; and there are others who
will derive benefit from it in numer-
Gus ways who ought to subscribe
enough to make $1,000 or more. By
these small amounts, each person