The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-02-23
ABSOLUTELY PURE
Oregon.

The following is an essay read at the
teachers institute lately held at Dufur. and
is published by request:
Oregon lies midway between the equator
and the north pole, and is in the northwest
ern part OF the United States. 1t is go by
800 miles in extent, and he's an area OF &c.
O3O squsfe miles. Oregon was organized rs
territory in ls4s, and admitted into the
Union as state in 1859. There are two
'xtensive mountain ranges. extending from
north to south. in which are found rich
mines OF gold, silver. quicksilver and coal.
There is Mt. Hood. the monarch Of our
state, which rises over IL 900 feet above the
level OF the sea. and whose crystal mantle
Rlistens like diamonds in the noon. day sun.
There are Washington. Jefferson and Three
Sisters keeping silent watch, like sentinels,
over the picturesque valleys below.
Europe boasts of grand scenery. beautiful
valleys and lakes. cool. refreshing winds,
the grand Alpine mountains, with their
proud, cold heads lost to view in feecy
clouds. Oregon can boast Of grander aud
more beautiful scenery. She has her spark.
ling rivers flowing through fertile valleys
and rich. productive plains, turning the
busy wheels Of our mills and factories,
dashlng down mighty precipices, then flow.
ing on-on to the deep blue ocean. There
is the Columbia, the grandest river OF the
Pacific coast. 1t is l400 miles long. and
flows through deep canyons. between high
walls of solid lava. which Ia worn by the
river. The Willamette. a limpid. plscid
stream, sparkling like silver iu the summer
sunshine. aud the Snake. a large, rapid
river, dashing on at very rapid rate and
sweeping away everything 1t can. Oregon
has such fertile valleys covered with soft.
green grass and decked with fragrant flow
ers. with crystal streams, rejecting back
the flowers and tall, stately trees which
grow on it's banks. Between the Coast and
Cascade ranges lies the beautiful William
ette valley. which is about so by l2O miles
in extent. with the Willamette river flowing
through it. There is q great variety Of
lovely flowers, and plenty of fruit Of al
most every variety. The Willamette val.
ley is noted for its tall, stately fir and
maple trees. Tnere are many beautiful
lakes IN Oregon, with their deep. blue wat.
ers issuing forth in crystal river. We
have q very delightful and healthful eli.
mate, with cool. refreshing winds giving q
healthy cslor to the cheeks. This delight
fal clamate Is due TO warm current which
washes the western cosst Of Oregon. giving
1t much milder climate than that Of the
eastern states in the same latitude. Wh'at
is the leading staple, Of which Oregon yields
better quality and more per acre than
most OF the states. How pleasant 1t is to
stand and gaze at the ripened wheat fields.
swayed to and fro by the gentle breeze.
The Willamette valley wheat took the
prize at the Worlds fair. "a did Oregon's
fruit also. Oregon has great many streams,
which are adapted to water. power machin-
cry. enabling it 10 become great manufac-
toring state. The fisheries o. Oregon ar,
among the best in the world. We have
many varieties of valuable timber, includ-
ing pine, fir, cedar and ash. In summer we
haye many beautiful flowers; our skies are
blue and sunny. We have no cyclones or
earthquakes to destroy the peace and
quIetude of our minds; bat Oregon is
place where all may dwell In peace and
need not fear.
Where are such countless blessings as
here In Oregon? Where seasons come and
90. bringing such bountiful harvests OF
fruit and grain? Where does such perfec.
tiou come to light as IN fair Oregong Gods
smiles of love are all over our land. The
rich and the poor. the great and the small
should all be thankful to Him for his many
gifts Of love. ADA BELL.