The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-03-20
OREGON LETTER.
SALEM, Oregon, March 9, 1Ss


ED. GAZETTE: 1t is something over
three months now since I landed in
this country, therefore, no longer to
be considered tenderfoot-though
my feet may be tender, for if person
can endure and be satisfied with the
three winter months of this country he
is likely to become climatized and be-
come a "webbfoot" of the broadcast
type. l have been patiently waiting
these months hoping to have some
thing favorable to report in the way
of weather, for that is what this coun-
try is cracked up for, but so far unsuc-
cessful. The predictions were that
when the rain stopped we would have
nice weather, spring would open and
that we would see the fruit trees in
full bloom by the beginning of March.
The second week in February things
began to look as if the predictions and
our anticipations would be realized
but King Borealis soon usurped the
throne of the fair Goddess and held
undisputed sway for the next two
weeks, then more rain and to-day,
NJ arch 9th, there is two or three inch
es of snow on the ground with occa-
sional snow storms during the day, in
termingled with bright sunshine, so
we have put the fruit picking off for
few days. l find that we are all liable
to be too enthusiastic over the bright
side of things, or Disguised with the
dark side; for, on some of our fine days
I find men that will swear this is the
place, the best country in America and
they know it, for haven't they travelled
every state and territory, all through
California, never enjoying themselves
as we'll as they can here at this time of
the year. The next time I see them
there never was such country for
rain, etc. Also, that individuals rec
objections Of the number of rainy days,
amount of rain, ETC., is of but very lit
tie help to base all opinion on, as they
vary SO much. And SO that your read
crs may have better idea to judge
for themselves whether this climate
would suit them or not, I send you a
condensed form of the monthly report
for the last three months. the corre-
spending three last winters and the
average of the three for 20 years. taken
from the monthly report of Thomas
Pearce, of Eola, just five miles west of
Salem.
In December 1889, there were four
clear, three fair, 10 cloudy and fog
gy days. Rain fell on Is days to the
amount Of 526 inches of water. The
highest temperature 81 degrees on
the 5th and 9TH; the lowest 70 deg. on
the 18th. Mean for the month 36 deg.
Greatest daily range II deg. Least
daily range 5 deg.
January 1890, there We're four clear,
three fair and "a cloudy days; rain fell
on 20 days to the amount of 1853 inch
cs; highest temperature 81 deg. on the
9th; lowest II deg. on the 4th; mean
for the month 30 deg; greatest daily
range rs deg. on the 9th; least daily
range 3 deg. on the 31st
February 1890, there was one clear,
IL fair and l6 cloudy days; rain fell
on Ii days to the amount of 9.4S incl
es; highest temperature 81 deg. on
the It'll; lowest 7 deg. on the 10Th;
mean for tbs month 80 deg; greatest
daily range u deg on the 9th; least
range 4 deg. on the 18th.
The corresponding months last win
ter were December 1888, 16 rainy days
on which 2.95 inches of water fell; six
clear, three fair, 20 cloudy and two
foggy days; highest temperature 81
deg; lowest u deg; mean for the
month AZ deg.
January 1889, 10 rainy days with
3.O8 inches of water, eight clear, seven
fair and Is cloudy days; highest tenn
perature 5Odeg.; lowest 20 deg; mean
81 deg.
February 1889, 5 days on which rain
fell to the amount of 1.29 inches; four
clear, 13 fair and II cloudy days
highest temperature 81 deg; lowest
Il deg; mean AZ deg.
The average for the same months
for the last 20 years being for Decem-
Der, rainfall 6.0S inches; mean temp
erature 3S deg. January, rainfall sic
inches; mean temperature 81 deg
February, rainfall SIS inches; mean
temperature 40 deg. Total rainfall
for the three months this winter being
2237 inches; last winter 632, and the
average for the 20 years 1889. Your
readers can now s. this is an abnorm-
ally cold and wet winter.
I do not wish to discourage any OF
your readers from coming out here, MOI
yet to induce them to leave comfortable
homes back there, for there are great
many of the new corners leaving as
soon as they find the true condition Of
things and [ really believe if one hall
the immigrants that come here would
settle down and stay, this country
would be very thickly populated in a
short tune.
This country seems to be about 1OC
years behind the states east of the
| Rockies, or more particularly the
, Northwestern states. I presume the
Southern states are lacking in the same
: quality-energy-in their institutions
mode of living and doing business, also
in politics. Here it is away on in
March with no thought of caucuses O,
candidates, with the election of full
state ticket to come off in Jnne. In
) the way of vehicles they are away be-
, hind, not having seen nice buggy OF
carriage since here. Everything out
side of lumber wagon and road cart
is called hack. One of the Minneso
tians says they can't help but being
behind when they are two hours slow
every day, but that it helps him out