The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1891-05-08
A NEGLECTED CORNER.

One of the neglected corners of Oregon is
Alsea bay, I6 miles south of Yaquina, not,
however, because it is not contigous to a
a section rich in natural resources. The
bay is lined with rich tide lands, and along
the coast back of Waldport, small village
near the mouth of the bay, is long stretch
of fertile bottom land. Beyond this, in
land, the country is hilly and broken.
This bottom land is found for a number of
miles southwark along the ocean beach.
But little farming is being done, as it is not
easy to ship bulky articles to distant mar
kets. Shipping enters the bay only once in
a while, since there is no commerce to speak
Of. The entrance over the bar is deep
much as IL feet at high tide. The settlers,
who are found far up the valley of the AL
sea river, and up the Yachats southwark,
give their attention to the raising of cattle
and sheep, and two brothers, ten miles
from the bay, have purchased a blooded
stallion and are raising fine horses. The
out-range is green all summer, an advantage
that is sure to attract stockmen to the AL
sea country. Some of the farmers have
turned their attention to butter making
and with good results, yet, strange to say,
not enough butter is produced to supply the
twenty-five families that compose the viii
lage of Waldport. The trouble is that
many of the settlers take lite very easy.
Enough can be made to hold soul and body
together without much effoit, and what
more do they want? A half dozen varieties
of clans and huge crabs can be dug out of
the sand at low tide; founders and trout
are abundant in the streams, and salmon in
the bay, and bear, elk and deer, besides
smaller game, can be shot in the woods.
Why should the settler work blisters in his
hands? Besides, the climate is mild and
health full, malaria being unknown, and some
are busy all day enjoying it, unless they
are occupied in filling up, to which the In
dians here before them gave most of their
time, as the large shell beds near the beach
testify. There are some notable examples,
however, of persevering industry, and the
result is meadows beautifully green and
herds of sleek cattle. The row or sail boat
is the means of travel used by the settlers
on the Alsea bay and on the different
sloughs. Vehicles or horsemen travel on
the beach, which affords an excellent road
the year round
The timber on the bay and up the river is
sure to attract capitalists ere long. Fir
and spruce are abundant and of excellent
quality. In going through the woods your
eye meets on every side trees of majestic
proportions, free from knots and as sound as
nut. A capitalist who would establish
large sawmill on the bay to cut lumber for
export, would have to saw for number of
years before making serious inroads ON the
timber resources.
The fruit pests have not yet invaded this
section, and the apples brought by settlers
to the store of DIR. Diven, at Waldport, are
as sound now as when they We're picked
last fall.
Alsea bay is delightful place in summer,
and to attract the attention of those who in
tend to commune during the warm days
with the moaning sea and the leafy forests
these lines are written. It will remain a
back woods country until the boomer gets
there who will arouse the inhabitants by
townste plats, or the shrek of the iron
horse re echoes amo ng the trees.