The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-08-30
OREGON AS A vERMONTER SEES 1T.
Resident. Consolation for
VermOnters.
WoopBuRN. OREGON. Aug. 16 1899


Editor Of Wdtchmdn:-I have been asked
to write an article for the WATCHMAN. about
this section of the country. We left Will
Jamestown, Vt, last November, for the Pa
cific coast In crossing the continent we
made two stops; one in Nebraska, and the
other at Denver, Colorado. We liked Den
yer lnnch. 1t is the metropolis OF the great
plain, and beautiful and healthful city.
Vermont men have held prominent posi-
tions and have stood high in the social cir
cles and business affairs Of the place. We
were we'll entertained there by Vermont
men who were school companions of our
youth.
After journey of about two days and
| nights, from Denver, we arrived at Wood
burn, situated in the Willamette valley,
about thirty-six miles south of Portland,
between the Cascade mountains on the
east, and the coast range on the west.
Mount Hood, one of the peaks on the east,
presents beautiful view, rising to a height
of about two miles. and with snow upon it
the year around. We have had chance to
see winter and thus much OF this summer
here. In this brief letter we will mention
some of the advantages and disadvantages
OF this section, as compared with the East
We should ay there is more of energy, en-
terprise and push, in the East, along the
the line of progress, than among the older
Oregonians; but there has been quite an
emigration from the Middle West to this
coast, and of course some from New Eng
land, and with IL has come enterprise. We
should say that the morals OF society in the
East were at higher level than here. Rail-
road rates are higher here than in the East,
and the highways, in some sections, mucn
poorer. After riding over the roads here
we know how to appreciate the good roads
made by Road Commissioner o. A. Blanch-
ard of Wiliamstown. Churches and schools
here compare quite fsvorably with those of
the East, though the schools here may be a
little Inferior.
In the line OF agriculture, we would not
advise a person TO leave good farm in
Vermont to come here, for the sole purpose
| OF lettering himself financially, and yet
there is money here in hop-rsising, and a
large quantity of hops is raised But there
is some risk in the crop, and in the prices
one year with another. This is good year
for hops and the price is high. There is a
good grass crop this season, and good clover
hay sold out of the field for about four dol.
lars per ton. There are large fields of
wheat and potatoes, and some corn raised
here, but the nights rs rule are too cool
for it to be very good corn section. 1t is
good fruit country, generally, but this
has been the poorest fruit season for years.
The average rain fall here is about forty
five inches. The average temperature is
about sixty degrees in the summer and
forty in the winter. The mild and health
full climate, and the exemption from severe
thunderstorms, heavy winds and cyclones
are two of the chief attractions of this sec
ton. The population of this State is in
creasing. The people of the Middle West
dread the severe thunderstorms, the ter
rible cyclones, and cold winter weather to
which they are subject and the tendency of
emigration is more toward the Pacific
| coast, because OF all this.
In addition to what has been said, this is
cheap section to live in. There is an
abundance OF fuel. Four-foot wood sells
for about So per cord -four. SO per barrel ;
potatoes, in the fall, 20 to 40 cents per bush
| ell; butter, some 10 cents per pound; the
great abundance of fruit makes it cheap as
| rule. Wages at present are low, and
| for mechanics, work is not plentiful, though
| perhaps on the increase. With the acquisi-
| ton Of the new countries west OF us, the
| outlook is that the time is co ming when the
| States on the Pacific coast-Washingto
| Oregon and California--will be largely pop
| ulated, and thus that good land, we'll To-
| Gated, will increase in value. But, when
| all is said, Vermont is good country and
| we love the old Green Mountain State,
though she is not without her drawbacks.
Neither is Oregon, nor California nor any
other country in this wide world.
May we realize the fact, with Gods SER
want OF old, that this world is not our per-
manent home, and that "here we have no
continuing city, but we seek one to come" I;
and IL we want to get to a land that is all
! sunshine, and that gives perfect satisfaction
we must aim for Beulah Land, the land be-
yond the clouds and the tomb.
dreams cannot picture land so fair
Sorrow and death may not enter there"
BARNEY ID. FLINT