The Republican journal., 1899-08-17
Letter from Oregon.

WILLIAMSON RIVER CAMP, Klamath
Indian Reservation, Oregon, July Is, 1899.
We are camped in the heart, almost, of
the Indian Reservation, taking rest and
resting the horses. 1t is wild country
in the midst of forest of pines, fir and
juniper, and the nearest people are Is
miles away, but all is quiet and serene,
and we are as safe as any where in the
United States. We like the country very
much, what we have seen of it. 1t is the
most like the old home of any country we
have ever S, en-. We have seen and heard
the robins nearly all the time since we
came into the Oregon timber, and that
makes us wander back to the old home
State in spite of everything.
Since my last note we have travelled
over and through the Sierra Nevada Noun
tains, and have had some good roads and
good deal of hard, rough, rocky, billy
and crooked roads to pass over. Some
of the roads are more crooked than any
snake ever was; and at some places it
made me dizzy to steer four horses and
two wagons through the trees and rocks
and around the curves and corners.
We have seen some beautiful country,
and much desolate country as we'll We
have passed through grand scenery and
some very enchanting places. Two
weeks ago to-day we were in the very
heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, at
a place called Tamarack, wild and ro-
mantle spot. We are going by easy stages
and will move along to- morrow, as the
water is bad and the flies torment the
horses almost to death. We aim to drive
20 miles per day, but there are places
where water is scarce and we have to
make the journey longer. Last Sunday
we were in dry place called Mud Lake
and had to drive about 81 miles to Tule
Lake, stopping at noon for water at a
place called Dry Lake, where we had to
pay 10 cents per head to water the horses
We are over about all the dry places now
and have only about 260 miles farther to
go on our journey. We are all well and
enjoying our trip. 1t is worth great
deal to make such journey; it is great
educator.
DEsCHUTTEs CAMP, July %. We are
camped on the Oeschuttes River, still in
the forest of pines and fir. We have made
81 miles this week and have to make short
drives on account of the feed for the
horses. There is plenty Of grass and va
ter, but it is 50 divided we cannot make
our drives longer The water is fine,
in most places being springs.
Last Tuesday we picked wild straw
berries, the first | have had since leaving
dear old Maine This country is very
much like home. | was out and caught
two salmon trout, and lost two big ones,
which took a hook apiece.
The 21st we were camped at an eleva-
ton of about 5000 feet. There was very
heavy frost and the water in the pail froze
over, and the ground froze where we haG
| thrown water upon it. We have Travelled
| for 125 miles now in the forest, and are
not yet out of it, and for IS miles no one
! lives on the road, and all the people WE
see are those we meet travelling, and there
is never day but that we meet one o.
more teams.
| The trip is fine, and the farther we &c
/ the better l like it. We have about 2O(
miles yet to go; and we have travelled now
about 1,O3S miles, according to my reckon
ing. We will soon have to cross over
corner of the desert country of the State
i which is lava district
| TROUT CREEK CAMP, July so, 1899
We are camped in hot dry country to
day. 1t is small valley among the hills
and is called Trout Greek, but there is NJ
water in the creek at this time of year
! We left the fine timber road last We'd
nesday morning and crossed part of the
lava desert. For IS miles there was moth
ing but lava rock, sage brush, and scrul
cedar trees to greet our eyes, and the last
rs miles is a rolling country, fit mostly
for sheep ranges. There are little valleys
where water can be had, and lots of hay,
such as it is, (mostly rye) is raised, and
some vegetables. 1t is a hot, dry region,
not very desirable to live in, though many
do we'll catering to the travelling public
and freight teams.
Most of the roads this week have beer
rough; not much like our Eastern roads.
1t is up hill and down all the time, and
half the time nothing but rocks or sand.
We have one more weeks travel, and
with no bad luck next Sunday will be al
our journeys end. We are all well and
enjoying our trip, for we have learned
much of the country and the people from
San Diego, Calf, to the Washington line
l will mail this tomorrow as we come tt
Antelope post office.
| CLARENCE Fl. LUTHER,