The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1893-07-14
DAKOTA CoLoNIsTs.


A few weeks ago Rev. L Mall
luchet, clergyman of the Catholic
church, came to Oregon in the interest
of number of families in North
Dakota, who desired to emigrate from
that state. Mr.. Malluchet visited
various parts of the state, and very
naturally came to the conclusion that
the willamette valley is the best part
of Oregon, and that it offers superior
inducements to the home-seeker of
moderate or ample means. The-gen-
tleman spent few days in Corvallis.
and while here was very reticent re-
garding his business, but it transpires
that he was very favor,bly impressed
with this particular locality. He
found that the Greenberry Smith
land four miles south of Corvallis
could he bought at reasonable
figure, and returned to Dakota to
make favorable report on this tract.
Those interested then appointed three
Of their number to come here and
make further investigations. These
gentlemen arrived here last week, and
after looking over the ground expressed
themselves as well pleased with the
situation. They arranged to purchase
2200 acres of the Smith tract with an
option on 1900 acres more, including
what is known as the island. These
gentlemen returned again to their
homes with maps and fund of in
formation regarding this climate,
growth of grains and other agri-
cultural products, markets, transpor-
tation, ETC., and final action will be
based on their report. There now
seems little doubt that the sale will
shortly he completed.
The colony is composed almost en-
tirsly of French Canadians who now
reside in the vicinity OF Wild Rice,
Cass Co., Oak, and thosc who may
emigrate this fall number twenty five
families, in which the trades and pro-
fessions are well represented It is
the intention to divide the land,
which they intend to purchase, into
small tracts and put it into high
state Of cultivation. The option on
the additional 1900 acres was obtained
for quite number of persons who
cannot at present dispose of their po-
sessions, but who will join their
friends as soon as possible.
Father Mailluchet states .hat MANY
of the people of Dakota are anxious
to leave that state for various reasons,
chief of which are the extremes of
cold aid heat, poor marketing fac;l-
tiles, ETC.. and, beside, the Oregon
climate is great attraction. The
reverend gentleman has been appointed
to the pastorate of Newport ard vi
cinity, and will therefore remain with
us. He will act as the agent for the
Dakota colony until it is we'll estab-
lished.
The breaking up of large holdings
of land such as the tract under dis
cussion marks an encouraging ira in
the history of this county, and if
other extensive land owners would fol-
low the example of Mr.. Smith, it
would soon add greatly to the general
wealth of Benton. In view of the
fact that similar land, similarly stu
ated, has sold for $50 to $50 per
acre heretofore, the price to be paid
by the colonists seems remarkably
low; out it may be considered a fair
price so far as Mr.. Smiths income
from 1t is concerned. The price of
land must be estimated mainly by its
income, and the income depends on
the state of cultivation. Upon this
theory very many of our large land
owners can well afford to sell por-
tion of their holdings at a price
which the farmer of limited means
| can well afford tc nov