Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1903-01-01
0ls!RlC? OF LENA
Strictly a Stock Crow
ing Country
THE SHEEP IS KING
Hills are Dotted With ThouS-
ands of Hoofs.
VIEWS OF A BRIGHT WRITER
Butter Creek Country as 1t Appears
to One who Looks Oh the
Bright Side Of Life.
THE SHEEP is KING
VIEWS OF A BRIGHT WRITER

Localities worthy of q name, like men.
have some significance in the world, and
while it may be true that some are Of
more importance than others, yet 1t may
also be true that by accident or Incl
dent, one may be brought more conspic-
uouslv to notice than another, while all
alike fill place in the commonwealth OF
4 great country. This is strikipgly true
of the locality il is my fortune to repre-
resent. The traveller leaving Heppner in
an essterly direction up Hinton creek,
toward Pendleton. looking and longing
for the great wheat fields OF Umstills
county to break before him, is uncon-
ci ,psly passing country OF no less i'm
portance. This eastern portion OF Nor
row county is known by the precinct
name of Lena. Long years ago, an early
pioneer run Q store and postoffice where
the road crosses Little Butter creek, and
gave 1t the name the precinct now bears.
Season has succeeded season, the
SHOWS and flowers have had their inn
ipp, the grass has grown and withered
many times upon his bopored grave, but
we doubt if the prophesy of ell bis wor-
thy ambitions have been fulfilled, for
nothing but some gsunt poplar trees
remain OF what once was Lena.
Hsppner. fifteen miles distant, has ab-
sorbed ell towns in this part OF the coun-
trv. All roads, both public and private,
Roman like, leads to Heppner, and we
keep them warm all times of the year
We will gladly welcome the advent OF
aerial locomotion, but don't want the
automobile as with the "hoss" We would
have to work roads, climb hills, and dip
in canyons.
The creeks, with many an incidental
cascade and sylvan cataract, cut through
the country in deep canyons, running in
northwest direction many miles, para
ia khai lo n
either side mount rock trimmed and
skywsrd.
From these alpine hill-tops the scenic
al surroundings are not surpassed If
equaled in any other country on the
globe. Looking north ward is spread like
a checkerbosrd the wheat fields of Una
tilIa; to the south aud east, the gold
fields of Baker and Grant; to the sout b ),
Heppuer's coal mines are opening their
vsults, while the sun sets in the grain
fields of Sherman and Morrow.
But these upsssuming hills at our feet
rolled together as billow upon billow,
with their grazing herds Of cattle, horses
and eheep, are among Morrows richest
treasures. 1t was they who first gained
the euyiable Significance she now enjoys,
and are yet among the best although
many and varied have since grown her
resources.
The people live only on the creeks, the
bottoms Of which are narrow but exceed
ingly fertile, producing all the tenderer
fruits and vegetables. Under irrigation
these bottoms yield three heavy crops OF
alfalfa during the summer. In the win
ter this hay. with it's bright green leaves
and blue flowers, spread upon back
ground of beautiful white snow, pro-
duces most delicate and pleasing effect
on sheep. These evergreen meadows,
skirted with timber, copse Of cottonwood,
cherry, willow, quakenssp and thorn,
makes an ideal summer home for all tbe
migratory birds. From these tropic-like
groves, often dense with clinging vine,
the oriole sin gs and the mocking- bird