Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1905-04-13
OREGON And THE PORTLAND EXPOSITION
otter from Former Resident of Union Countrywide Natural FEATURES
ProducveneSs and Opportunities of the Oae0OHe NO''0
on Portland and the Exposition.
Portland, Oregon,
March 90, 1905.

Editor COURIER:
In response to many inquiries by
friends and acquaintance in Union
County and elsewhere throughout
South Dakota, in regard to Oregon,
please permit me little space in your
columns in which to give a general
idea of this country.
The Cascade mountains divide the
state into Eastern and Western Ore
gon. The former division contains
about two-thirds of the total area OF
the state, but the latter includes the
greater part of the agricultural lands
now 10 use. With irrigation, however,
the farming area OF the eastern section
might be increased many fold, and a
system is now being planned for that
purpose. The soil is largely volcanic
ash, and vast amount Of wheat, alfalfa
sugar beets, sheep, horses and cattle
are raised. In the valleys of western
Oregon, notably those of the William
cite, Umpqua and Rogue rivers, the
soil Is rich, dark loan, while the hills
have heavier soil, yet are very pro-
ductive, excellent for fruit. Hop rails
ing, dairying and diversified farming
are the principal industries. Oregon
is the fret state OF the Union in hop
production. Marion county is the
largest hop producing county in the
United States. Its yield 10 1900 was
$3.50, 1888 pounds, or III per cent of the
total crop of the United States.
Oregon's fisheries are another valued
industry. Salmon constitutes the
principal item Of output, it being the
richest and most delicately favored o.
all food fishes. Artificial propagation
is resorted to for the purpose OF keep
ing up the supply Of fish, and hatcher
les are maintained on the tributaries
of the Columbia by the states of Ore
gon and Washington and the United
States government.
Oregon has more standing timber
than any other state in the Union.
The most densely timbered region is
west Of the Cascade mountains. Doug
las FIR, one of the worlds greatest trees,
represents 60 per cent OF the total stand
of timber. 1t makes one OF the best in
use for finishing purposes when properly
cut and prepared, and is very largely
used In finishing some of the finest
buildings put uDin the city of Portland.
Then we have the western yellow
pine, hemlock, spruce, cedar, sugar
pine and redwood. In hard woods we
have the maple, oak, ash and dog wood.
The young growth Of oak is equal to
the eastern hickory.
Portland has population of 1000,
cute 4OO, 000, 900 feet Of lumber annually,
and Ii the only fresh water harbor on
the Pacific coast. It Is one hundred
milesiuland, situated on the Willamette
river twelve miles from its junction
with the Columbia, and has a iobbing
trade OF sl75, OOO.OOO year. 1t manu-
factures 5000, 900 worth of goods a
year. has I63 miles OF electric street
railway lines, and an ocean commerce
averaging sl2,OOO,OOO a year. The
bank clearings for 1903 were sl76, OOO,-
OOO. II stands In the front rank OF
American cities for health, the death
rate being only 81 per cent. 1t is the
terminus OF the Union Pacific, Southern
Pacific and Northern Pacific railroad
systems.
Portland this year will hold great
international Exposition to celebrate
the one hundredth anniversary OF the
expinration OF the Oregon country by
Captains Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark, who were the first
Americans to reach the Pacific ocean
overland, i8O3-O6. AS many know the
expedition was planned and supported
by President jefferson, and was the
first land exploring expedition OF any
consequence In American history.
The gates open June 1st and close
October 10. The beauty Of the exposi-
tion site and the superb view to be had
from II, coupled with the artistic grace
Of The buildings, will be an agreeable
surprise 70 all visitors. Nesting at
the base q the heights north and west
OF the city, ON the gentle slopes and
terraces overlooking Guilds lake and
the Willamette river, with an unob-
structsd view Of sixsy-fiye miles which
embraces the sn0w-capped peaks OF
Mts. Hood, Adams, st Helen's and
Rainier, . picture IL presented never
70 be forgotten.
| The site embraces 4O2 acres, OF which
$50 are % The mainland and 60 acres
n the form oi 4 peninsula extending
Into Guilds lake, body Or water go
acres IN extent, which ii separated
from the Willamette river By narrow
neck ri land. This island Il the site Of
The goyernmant building which il In
course of construction. r. will be an
limposing structure. with Two towers
each $50 ieat N hight. Beside the main
buildings thsrs will ba several minor