Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1904-01-15
POLK COUNTY PROSPEROUS
Development Along All Lines of In.
dnstry in the Year Just Past.

The following article, setting
forth the progress and development
OF Polk County during the year
1903, was printed in the New Year
Edition Of the Morning Oregonian.
The article was contributed by
Oscar Hayter.
Judging from material evidences,
it is.no exaggeration to say that
the year 1908 has been the most
prosperous and most progressive
period in the history of Polk
County.
Probably the most important
development Of the year was the
construction Of the Salem, Falls
City & Western Railroad, which
was put in operation on June /.
In the southwestern part Of Polk
County, and in the nearby Siletz
region, in Lincoln County, stands
the finest body Of fir timber in
Oregon. The new railroad reaches
from the Southern Pacific line at
Dallas to the eastern edge of this
timber, and can easily be extended
as the demand for lumber requires.
The three sawmills at Fails City
and vicinity have been greatly in
creased since the advent of the
railroad, and have added materially
% the prosperity Of that part of
he county. The large sawmill of
he Johnson Lumber Company at
Dallas has also been greatly i'm
proved and enlarged during the
,ear, and in March the Inde-
of Independence, began
he operation of a mill Of 10000
eet per day capacity at that place.
number Of smaller mills in the
FOUNTAINS and foothills have been
INSTANTLY employed in supplying
local demand foTar lumber, and
wo new sawmilla, in addition to
be two already III operation, are
ngaged in the aiaetnre Of oak
In1har III
THE tendency of the times is to
iversifed farming. Hopyards,
airy farms and fruit orchards
bound, and farmers living in the
i'll lands find the raising Of Angora
oats especially profitable. The
ok County Annual Goat Show
as been held regularly since 1899 :
/ Dallas, and its displays are
mong the best in the United
IL
tates. For many years the goat
reeders have pooled their mohair
nd sold it at public auction, and ,
lie price realized last year, 38 5-8 !
'nts per pound is the highest ever !
aid for a pool of the county pro- I
lct. When it is known that :
I7,645 was realized from the 1903 :
ip from $4,000 goats, and that
$1,000 pounds of wool was pooled
I'd sold at II 3-8 cents per pound,
me idea Of the Importance of the
leep and goat industry of the
'unty may be gained.
"Polk County is fortunate in
aving a good number Of enter
Using breeders Of fine stock, and
vestock husbandry is rapidly
owing in importance. The num-
n of horses assessed increased ,
ON 1869 in 1902 to 4181 in 1908; ,
e number of cattle from 6511 to
;57; the number of sheep and
'ats from 36,721 to 4O,664, and
e number of swine from 1883 to
'26. In connection with stock {
Using and dairying, a much f
rger area is devoted to the growth
rape vetch, and clover, and new
ock barns and silos are to he
nnd in all parts of the county. g
Improvements generally are to S
observed on all farms. The
'erage price received for wheat =
Is rs cents per bushel, and hops :
ought from IS to 25 cents per y
Iund. These prices afford good r
oft to the grower, and the re- n
liant prosperity is reflected in fl
tier farm machinery and fences,
wly painted and newly erected
ildings, and an increased price .'
land. IL
OSCAR HAYTER. ii
Dallas, Dec. 19.