Askov American., 1943-11-25

and tracks often were sent down into
the chasms below years ago. We
noticed that our ears seemed stopped
up.
Reach Destination.
We now were nearing nightfall -
and soaked up the verdure of the
primeval forest and the beauty of
an occasional splash of red color
and the leafy underground and ferns
fit for any park. The curtains are
again pulled - and we study the
map of the ground we have covered.
The great train is going to stop for
one lone passenger. We say goodbye.
The train boy carries my luggage
clear into the little waiting room of
the depot in Junction City. The con-
ductor says, well, you are here
Will your friends be in after you?"
I say, mo, but I'll soon be able to
call them by phone" He says good
bye, and I feel as though the train
has been my home; the rest of the
family are going on to other destina-
tions.
The depot agent is a lady, who
helps put the mail bags aboard the
train, and is welcoming me as though
1 had been expected - I wondered
if she by any chance should know
me. 1t was good to have her call
up my friend of long ago, and let
me tell her that I would appreciate
lift. The world is not full of war
and preparations for war, only. Folks
live and let live - take care of the
work on railroads, farms, and stores,
shops, and many other family"
activities.
In Willamette River Valley.
The community here is situated in
rich valley along the Willamette
river, which again empties into the
Columbia. It seems like a prosperous
community Well-built homes and
barns, well-tilled fields, fruit and
nut trees - and herds. of black and
white hogs. Chickens are cooped up
now but there is evidence of much
activity around the feathered folk;
in the post office a lady tells the
postmistress she is expecting good
ly shipment of baby chicks. The
hatchery, a bit down the road, is
running the year round - custom
Matching millions of registered turkey
eggs.
Many of the younger folks here
have gone to the larger places, where
the high wages have lured them, but
with all the taxes, etc., they are just
making a living. They will be happy
some day to come back here, I feel.
Much seed is raised here, and it
gives these people good income
Rye grass and vetch, clover and beet
seed, and other garden seeds are sent
all over the Union. A carload had
just been shipped to Minneapolis
There is no money in milk cows, they
tell me, which regret to hear. A
man who can milk and help in a
dairy gets 5000 a month plus house,
garden stuff and dairy products.
Rainfall Heavy.
1t rains every day, and the day
is dark, though not dreary, for the
sun shines between showers and low
hanging clouds, and social visiting
is so much cosier in the well-built
and planted homes of friends. Red
apples adorn the branches as we'll as
the ground beneath - hogs and
chickens can have their fill of
we'll Favored fruit. Sweet corn
stalks fill the silos after a goodly
tonnage of ears have gone to the
canneries. Yes, truly a land that
flows with milk and honey. The
Willamette valley takes no back seat
to any soil that have seen. 1t may
have something to do with the con-
tentment of its people - who knows?
The vitaminS are still here in the
soil. People live long here, and keep
youthful.
I am reminded every hour of the
day of Askov There is train pass
ing through "a times around the
clock. We are glad we have had the
Great Northern through Askov -
here the Southern Pacific is the
artery, and very important high
way connects it with the rest of the
country.
will go to McMinneville after 10
days here - to visit two aunts on
my mothers side - and then to
Seattle and out to Enumclaw.
Work For All.
The blue contours of the noun
tains are seen to both sides of this
fertile valley, which to me lends it
an added charm. Many people go to
the logging camps and lumbermills
to work in the winter when crops
are in. The women and children
work in the cannery, pick fruit, nuts
and hops, in season. There seems
to be much work for all who need
it. Most homes are very well built
and surrounded by nice yards. Peo-