Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1913-12-30
ADVERTISING
POLK COUNTY
PORTLAND JOURNAL GIVES
POLK COUNTY A GOOD
SEND OFF
Correspondent Says A Great Oppor-
tunity is offered to Farmers.

A. D, Cridge says Polk County is
an old section of Oregon, and yet, it
| is within the memory of men now
living when it was an unbroken will
derness. In l847, an Indian known
as George" sold to the father Of
Judge James L. Collins, a section Of
land close to Dallas, then town of
perhaps so people. The consideration
was suit Of clothes with brass but
tons, a sack of white -four, side Of
bacon and a plug of tobacco. The
sale was made by declaration before
number of white and Indian wit
nesses, after conference lasting
nearly two days. Judge Collins, then
boy of Ia, drew up the deed as his
father dictated it, word by word. It
is believed that this was the first
deed in Oregon, which was then under
an independent government of its
own, George Alternately, governor.
While this may be regarded as a
very low price to pay for section
of land, Indian George and his tribe
were very well satisfied with it. They
had more land than industry, and
liked their white neighbors.
Was Trading Post
For many years Dallas remained
a trading point of small size, not
withstanding it was first settled in
1914 and made county seat in 1845.
The beautiful stretch of almost level
land for miles east to the Willamette
river attracted settlers slowly, and not
until the completion of the western
railroads did the county, named after
one of the presidents. begin to as
sumo the agricultural Importance its
fertility and mildness of climate de-
served. Now the great output and its
diversity of products make Polk Coun-
ty one of the banner counties of Ore
gon. Its western part is heavily tim
bered and extends to the Coast range.
On these hills and in the rolling lit
tie valleys the hardy settler of recent
times is rearing hocks Of the best
Angora goats the world has ever seen.
The vast timber resources support
many sawmills and the money that
is distributed throughout the county
by the checks of the payrolls from
the different camps Of loggers and
mills does much to create market
right at home for the product Of field,
factory, orchard and garden.
Proud of Sheep.
Polk County has reason to be proud
of its fine sheep. The finest English
Cotswold sheep here find home that
exceeds in every way their native
heath. Its dairy products rank
among the highest in the west. Its
cattle are becoming widely known for
purity of breed and health. Diversi-
fled farming is becoming more APP
preciated in Polk County every year,
but still it has its large and profit
able hop fields. Its spreading grain
fields, its hourishing prune orchards
and its large cattle farms.
Polk County needs more farmers,
and offers them some wonderful OPP
portunities. Some small farms have
paid for themselves with a single crop
Of clover seed. Tenant farmers have
purchased the land they rented with
the crops they raised in two years.
There are no sacks of gold to be
picked up at the foot Of any tree in
Polk County, but whosoever has the
means to buy a few acres Of Polk
County land, the industry to apply
himself and the wit to learn of the
booster" rather than of the "knock-
err" will find nature turning a kind
ly face toward him. and The land
is rich with possibilities Of future
development.
Dallas is a lively up-to-date pros
porous city of homes, wide streets.
many hard surfaced, electric lights,
splendid schools and well-stocked
stores.
Other principal towns in Polk Coun-
ty are Independence, Monmouth and
Falls City. In the vicinity of all
ihese places the home seeker will find
today that afford as
great possibilities for industry and
capital as ever Many who thought
Polk County was exhausted 20 years
ago now realize how mistaken they
we're.
The secretary of the Dallas Com
nereial club is working for the de-
Of the entire county. Any
inquiry will be cheerfully and truth
'ulIy answered, whether il be concern
ng opening for business. manufaetur-
ng. walnuts. hops. clover. goats.