Oregon union. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1897-1899, 1899-02-10

attempt to give minute descrlp'
ton of this valley. Suffice it TO
say it is considered one of the ;: ost
beautiful valleys in Oregon and
perhaps the most productive, yield
ing rich harvests of golden grain
and fruit in abundance. The seem
cry is perfectly delightful; with her
beautiful valleys, the clear waters
of the Willamette flowing at, your
feet an in the distance the snow
capped peaks are plainly visible
with the tall pines clustering on
the mountain side. AS we look we
exclaim, Glow wonderful are thy
works, o Lord, and thy ways past
find ng out" Then as l witness
the clouds forming and rising in
the mountains, thus shutting them
off from view with the rain follow
ing in their course, [ say how
emblematical of human life, with
man representing the mountain,
the clouds of adversely, sorrow and
misfortune ever lowering over him,
and the rainfall representing the
tear of repentance and regret over
the mistakes of the past. Then
springs forth the glorious sunshine
of immortal hope, that when this
short life is over we shall find that
haven of rest SO vainly sought for
on earth. Truly 'once launched
upon LIES tempestuous sea all is
turmoil and confusion from the
cradle to the grave"
Corvallis is town of perhaps
1000 to 5000 inhabitants, county
seat of Benton county, 100 miles
from Portland and about go miles
from Yaquina bay. The town was
located many years ago and, un-
fortunately for the health, wealth
and general prosperity of the place.
many of the old antiquated build
ings are still standing along the
business streets, but the residences
are of modern style and will sur
pass Trenton in neatness and
cleanliness. Our city hall is a
little beauty, built of brick, two
stories, solid and artistic, and the
court house I am told is second in
the state in point Of architectural
beauty and convenience, costing
about $4,000. We have two -four.
ing mills doing business OF. an
extensive scale. One mill is now
unloading from the boats $4,000
bushels of wheat from one of its
ware houses up the river and
lI understand they have a few
thousand bushels scattered around
in other places to meet emel gencies
They grind about 100000 bushels
of wheat yearly, shipping about
| 100, 900 barrels of flour to foreign
markets. We also have a saw
mill on a large scale, running grea'
RATS of logs down the river to the
mill where they are handled en-
tirely by machinery; lumber pass
ing out into the dry house and th'
} slabs into stovewood. From the
pine forests they can get the log
any size or length they wish. Th,
top joists in the new armory build
ing at the college are 70 feet lol g
1Ox 10 and one solid piece 0
timber without a splice or wood
pecker hole. [ stepped into tn
mill to get few boards IL fee
long, double-faced, and they sawed
boards "a feet long to supply my
wants. We also have planin,
mill where they saw nearly every
thing along the line sof moulding
sash, blinds, etc., and a variety O
other business industries all in !,
flourishing condition.
Here also is located the Oregon
Agricultural College, one of tn,
largest educational institutions il
the state, over a half million being
invested in buildings and grounds
The last legislature appropriated
$25, 900 for a new mechanical hal
which is now under construction
1t is being built of native stone ane
if I quote correctly is SCx125, twt
stories high. The grounds are per
fectly delightful and it would seen
that the All-wise Being in distrib
uting mother earth hal taker
special pains to arrange this spo
for this particular purpose. Tht