Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1909-10-01

like most Oregon wagon roads ex-
cept that more work is done on it
in proportion to the population than
any other county in the state. 1t
is very credltable highway in
summer, but in winter bears a strong
resemblance to the average william
ette Valley city streets of five years
ago.
The original west to which the
young man was advised to hike was
not a country Of auto roads, and he
that invaded 1t with benefit to him
self or the country, was more often
afoot than In carriage. This rich
and undeveloped country that lies
fartherest west of all has not reach
ed the wagon road period yet, and he
who would view its wealth must dis
card wheeled vehicles and take to
the saddle, for most OF Curry coun-
tvs highways are trails.
The writer spent month In Cur
ry county this summer without
camping twice in the same place, ex-
cept on two occasions, and though
the trip took in the county from
north to south, with side trips up
each of its fertile valleys, climbed
its highest peaks, viewed It's magni-
ficent forests of fir, cedar and red
wood, and visited its towns, the
time was too short to get more than
a passing idea of the great natural
wealth that within few years will
make 1t one of the richest counties
in the state.
The people are about the same in
most ways as in other counties ex-
cept that they never are troubled
with appendicitis or auto wrecks,
They are nearly all "old timers"
that is, when man settles there he
usually remains. One sarcastic In
dividual suggested that this was
probably because It was so hard to
get out, but | think It Is because n
man can produce good living here
with less labor than most any place
else. When | say they are mostly
old timers 1t must not be inferred
that they are "has beens" by any
means, for one great trouble Is that
each is looking strictly after his In
dividual welfare and not to the ad-
vancement of the community inter
est Everybody seemed prosperous
and the only men whom | discovered
working hard during my months
visit was road crew or two haulinl
gravel, and a bunch of hardworket
lawyers at Goldbeach during cour
week.
Twenty years ago Curry count,
asked the state for an appropriation
to build a wagon road down Rogu
river from the railroad and the legls
lature granted It, but Governo
pennoyer vetoed the bill Had tha
road been built this county woul
have long ago been the garden spo
of Oregon. Its development woul
Lere this have brought a railroad an
the whole west coast have prospere
TO an extent TO have repaid the stat
many times over. Had this roa
been built It would have long ap
opened mp the vast copper deposit
OF lower Rogue river that have r.
mained undeveloped because Of Il
impossibiity of getting supplies an
machinery to the mines
The time is not far distant whC
the scenes now attracting attentIC
in the Deschutes canyon will ae +
pcated on the Rogue and along Il
coast, The difficulties and cost
road Dr!tlius are small compar
with the Eastern. Oregon proje,
The writer speaks from person
knowledge Jf 10th sections, hnvi
counted r1r,lesnakes aud land
trout many Il summer day among I
present camp sites OF the warrl
railroads. The Eastern Greg
country to be tapped by the ri'
roads is a great section, bat, exec
the favored places where water c
be secured for irrigation, the ar
necessary to an individual for prot
re able farming must be large, IT
ce IL not true OF Curry county VIII,
al In the agricultural section 20 acl
as properly farmed will make any far
IN ly independent,
ed Curry county lands can be plaC
OF in three general classes: agrlc
ic' tural, timber growing and grail
lr- The agricultural includes the |
nd lands along the coast, unexcelled
en- dairy products and the benches q
q valley OF the numerous streams bI
OIL from the coast 20 an elevation Of
lp- proxlmately 1900 feet. While tn
'th is much steep and waste land be