East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1904-12-23


to their friends in the East telling
them of the advantages of Oregon
and of its matchless resources. St.
| Joseph's academy is the first to re-
spond. The Pendleton academy also
took up the plan of writing letters on
December 20.
| AT st. Joseph's academy 40 letters
We're sent To friends of the pupils re-
siding i'm the East. OF the 10 one of
the best was selected and sent to
superintendent Welles. As it Is the
first response to come i'm from his re-
quest, we take pleasure in reproduc-
| ing il herewith, and in commencing
to the consideration of all those who
have friends i'm the East this plan of
personal communication. 1t would
not be bad idea to take this copy of
the East Oregonian and mark the
article and send it to some Eastern
acquaintance or friend:
st. JOseph's Academy.
Pendleton, Ore, Dec. 20. 1904.
Hiss Edna Swartz,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Friend:-Now that the time
is approaching for the opening of the
great Lewis and Clark fair. ii affords
a grand opportunity for the people of
the East to visit our state Those
who come will soon be convinced
that Oregon is one of the most pro-
gressive states of the Union. and
thoroughly up-to-date in every par
tiCular.
We, the people of Oregon. Cand in
fact. all the people of the Union),
owe thanks for this beautiful place
TO three men: President Thomas JEFF
ferson, MIR. Meriwether Lewis and Mr.
William Clark. President jefferson.
before his administration. proposed
an exploration of the land beyond the
Missouri for an overland passage to
the Pacific ocean. This proposition,
known as his "pet PLAN was made
little of until II years later When.
at last. it was decided to make the ex-
ploration. Mr. Meriwether Lewis cap
tain of the L. S. army. was. on ac-
count of his firmnes of purpose and
undaunted courage. chosen to take
charge of the exploring party. Lieut..
William Clark of the T. $. army was
appointed captain. and with about a
dozen men. and plenty of provisions,
the two explorers set out ON their
journey. They embarked on May Il.
1904 After perilous Journey they
reached what is now Oregon. in the
latter part of August, 1905.
The scene which here met their
/
primeyal wilderness. Great herds OF
bison and horses were seen, tearing
across the prairies. The rivers teem-
ed with fish and there were all man
ner of wild fowl in abundance. About
three months later the explorers
reached that which they sought-the
Pacific coast. There was great dis
pute as to the ownership Of the Ore
son territory and the United States
claimed 1t by right of exploration. 1t
is not known from what our state re-
are given.
One hundred years ago Oregon
could truly be spoken of as the wild
West" There were great forests of
pine fir, spruce, alder. cottonwood.
oak and maple; broad expanses of
rich prairie land; much wild game
and fish; and every convenience for
prospering towns, yet no civilized peo-
pie to make use of these gifts of
Providence. The Indians. as wild as
the country itself. were certainly well
suited to their forest home; but 1t lay
in the hands of the white man to
make our state what it is today.
Its cities and towns are coming
rapidly into prominence and trans
continental railroads connect them
with the largest cities of the Union.
Schools and churches are to be found
in all parts of the state. Our beauti-
full homes are unsurpassed; especially
the country homes. Leaving the noise
and tumult of the city and it's impure
atmosphere. one finds relief in the
fresh. invigorating air of the country.
1t is true we have very few hospitals.
as compared to the eastern states.
The few we have are first-class, but
cur best and grandest hospitals are
the woods, the fields and the fresh
air. The industries. too, are making
great strides in the field of progress
The principal Industries of the state
are wheat. fruit and sheep raising,
and salmon fishing. Many an in
dustrious farmer has become wealthy
by raising wheat on our extensive
plains. There is mild weather. fertile
soil. good irrigation. and everything
that is necessary for good crop.
Our mild winter is due TO the warm
wind, or Chinook" which passes
over the Japan current and blows in
land. The great Columbia river, not
ed for its salmon fisheries. Is one of
the most picturesque features of the
state. No artificial scenery Of the
East can be compared to the beauti-
full pictures which Nature has painted
on either side of this river and its
branches. Another beauty is the
snow-capped mountains that can be
seen from any part of the state. These
mountains afford us healthful sum-
mer resorts. There is still much good
land here that needs improvement.
and we extend an invitation to all our
friends in the East to come and make
their homes in our beautiful country.
The Lewis and Clark centennial is
to be held in Portland, the metropolis
of the state The exhibit grounds are
at the north end of the city, on the
Willamette river. Not only the ex-