The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-08-19

bany is one Of the leading towns Of
western Oregon aud has a population Of
1000 or 5000. Itis the county seat OF
Linn county, the crack agricultural
county Of the state, lying in the heart of
the Willamette valley. This county
turned off $2.200,OOO Of farm products
last year. The eastern half Of the
county is heavily timbered, with 100000
feet Of lumber to the acre and the county
has network Of streams, many of
thom OF high power.
1 think in former letter referred to
the rainfall of this valley, which varies
from 20 10 40 inches annually, depend
ing npon elevation, and Which comes
almost wholly in November, December,
January and February, varying a.
month either way in different seasons.
AS the summers in the valley are about
as hot during the lay as they are dry, It
is matter Of wonder to tho casterncr
how farm crops and fruit can mature
with no rain during the summer months.
The soil is Of a clay formation, which
seems to hold in just the right manner
the winter rains and to feed the moist
ure to plaut life just as needed. Wheat,
Of course, is all of the winter variety
and is cut and out OF the way before the
hot, blistering summer has come. They
raise good cats and barley, but no corn;
the nights are too cold for it. The rails
ing of hops appears to be a profitable in
duslry. All fruits mature to perfection;
mons Of us ever saw such cherries. All
this, mind with no ram after March, no
irrigation, dlst IN the roads six inches
deep, everything covered with it and the
mercury many days between 9a and 100.
Funny isn't it? But It's true.
AS the sun was setting We steamed
into Roseburg. We didn't like this town
a little bit, being dusty, dirty and
miscrably laid out, up hill and down
and around the corner to nowhere
1t took several hours to enable the
party to obtain rather poor layout at
the hotels, which the Ashland Record
mentions as follows:
Tho state committee having in charge
their entertainment, went down into
their private purses and paid the $3.50
exacted by the Roseburg grafters and
hold ups. They had blood in their neck
and saved the good name of the state.
When we awoke next morning we
found our train IN the yards at Ashland.
lovely Ashland, 3li miles south Of Port
land. Here the citizens of this enter
prising city had prepared 1ns OF the
! finest receptions We met anywhere, q
most tempting breakfast in a beautiful
grove located at the mouth OF a canyon
upon the edge of the town-tEa Chautau
qua grounds. The tables, il charge Of
scores OF ladies, young and we'll, mono
OF them were old were spread beneath
the massive trees, through the heavy
foliage of which the sun coutil scarcely
peep. and down the canyon rippled a
mountain brook from tho constantly
melting SHOWS OF the dlstaut hills. In
this charming spot was served hot mush,
fried spring chicken, roast beef right
from the Goals, baked potatoes. coffee
with pure cream, cream to drink, great
big red Iaspberries, and cherries to top
off with. Say, how was that for a break
fast in the woods to 400 people? Doesn't
it make you hungry to read about it,
Does me to write it. 1t was the first
time ever went to q picnic so early in
the morning.
| You can Judge Of Mrs. rs astonish.
ment and my own, when we were sitting
at table busily engaged with two big
dishes OF raspberries, to have Mrs
, Marietta Miller step up and greet us
Mrs. Miller is sister-in-law Of F. 4
Miller, formerly lived in northwestern
Aurora county, then III Mitchell, nov
making her home with her brother, j. II
Rogers, Coultervilp, Cal. Mrs. Miller
, happened to be at Ashland visiting hel
, aunt, Mrs. E. Crary. Grant Crary form
! erly of Mitchell, is running a snmme
J resort hotel about sixty miles from
: Ashland, where they tod me that 81:
! and eight pound trout were common
j. In proof o, it | was introduced to
!. young lady Oh the grounds who caugh
nine pound trout at the resort fey
days before. But viii tell Yon a big
i ger trout story than that later.
Q Ashland is situated upon tho Bea
n creek arm OF the Rogue river valley i
n Jackson county. 1t is 1900 feet abov
# sea level and said to be one OF the mos
9. healthful spots on this continent. Tha
i reminds me Of what tue porter OF on
8 car said to me one day going throug
n these valleys in Oregon. He had see
g. so many nice things to lcok upon All
u felt 50 many good things TO eat that j
v finally broke out with:
"a Say, they have showed us every.kin
II what anybody's got and aint seen
ID cemetery, not one; heats me-"
Ashland LIS 4 s@t1'ation of abo,
T. 1900 and is 81 miles irg,n tie Pacili
A. 1t Is noted for its fine stiiOols and 90
i, NAL school and college property. He
n grows the luscious Oregon peach in a
n its glory, the like Of which is produce
n in no other locality. The town is su
rounded with fruit farms and the cou
or try in high state OF cultivation.
tv From Ashland we started back to POI
is land, making the first stop Of note
n Medf0rd, where there was more feastin
speeches and good fellowship spre
ce thick and good We were taken to
". grove short distance from the stati
RI and rendered fine dinner. Afterwarl
CHI so many as desired were taken for
no drive through the surrounding count
N. and which tho Medford people may W
S,o maud IN chou, Tho cn,j nd ri nf