December.
THE WEST SHORE.
3
have been m nearly blown to pieces a we could
be. One of (lie engineer let the boiler get
empty; and just as he was going to let In u supply
of cold water I happened to see It, and shouted
out In time to save them from Quisling; built
gave me such a turn I have not yet get over it."
I, too, shuddered, and thanked God that the
danger wan post.
Slowly, we plowed our way homeward, having
continually to work the pumps; and very hard
and laborious work It was, In consequence of
their being so choked with the swol len wheat. I
noticed, too. that the captain and first mate
seemed continually uneasy. I at length ventured
to ask why, and learned, to my great fear, the
cause. They dreaded lhat the wheat would swell
so much from the water that had got among It,
that It would d miiage the ship.
Chriitmat AiyAl sea. All of us had fondly
hoped to hare spent this dity at home amidst
friends and relatives. That great home day of all
Christians. Alas! our good tidings of Joy were
sadly dimmed of their brightness, while we could
not but be thankful that we were so mercifully
spared to see another Christmas day at all. To
ward night of this day the wind freshened once
more Into a fierce Rale, The sea tossed the poor
ship frightfully, and we lost two of our bonis.
And our friends at home warmly sheltered over
the Christmas fire, watching the bright sparks of
the Yule log, partaking of the Christmas feast,
all the more comfortable from hearing lhe angiy
roaring wind outside their windows were, per
haps, at that very moment wishing us, their
nhsent friends, a merry Christmas; some few
breathing a prayer for those then out on the
raging sea.
Hlx long tedious weeks that Christmas voyage
lasted, and we were becoming In danger of falling
short of provisions. Many an anxious look hud
been cast for our arrival ; many a prayer breathed
from lips, the outpourings of hearts half fearful,
half hopeful. At length we sighted the northern
coast of Ireland, and the wild, rocky Islets which
bestud the Irish Channel. How thankful we
should have been but four weeks before to have
sighted the most barren of the lot ! We passed
the Mull of Cantyre, with Its light-house beacon
ing us homeward and gladly steamed along the
Frith of Clyde. Hern again the fog assailed us,
and became so dense that we had carefully to
feel our way along. Carefully, however, as we
went, we grounded forward. The steamer ran
tier bows upon a sandbank, and there we Blurk.
" At any rate, Old Dad," t said, " It Is not a case
of sinking this time, we cannot very well get
any lower."
" No," said the captain, who overheard the re
mark, M but she may break her back;" ordering
at the same time a boat to be lowered and sound
ings to be carefully taken all around her. To our
sat infection we found the water very little deeper
at the stern of the vessel ; but, though we waited
for high tide, and put on all power the steamer
had, we could not move. At length the purser
was landed In a boat, and, going to a farm house,
procured a horse, and rode on to Greenock,
where obtained a couple of steam tugs and sent
them to our assistance. At length we arrived,
and once more placed our feet oil the granite
pier at Greenock.
"Thank Oodl" was the exclamation fervently
uttered from one and all as we climbed the steps
and trod the earth with Joyful feet.
Thus for all the steerage passengers hod shared
all the dangers of the voyage; and we all agreed,
for the day or two we should be In Glasgow, still
to keep together; and so we did, much to the as
tonishment, yet evident gratification, of the land
lord or the inn to which we betook ourselves.
After a hearty supper, we drew one and all
around the Are, and, lighting our Pipes, talked
over the late perils; and to snow what Influence
our so recent escape still had over us, with the
exception of Brummagem, who very quickly re
tired to bed horn de combat from the effects of
Scotch ale and whisky, and Andy, who got, not
drunk, but exhilarated, and wanted to flght us
all round Just (or the fun of the thing, with
these two exceptions, we all retired very gravely,
soberly and thankfully to rest. Old Dad, stand
ing up lust are we were about to separate, said,
very solemnly:
" ' Then are they glad because they are at rest;
and so the Lord bringeth them unto the haven
where they would be. Oh that men would there
fore cruise th Lord for his rondnpss. and rinoUr
the wonders that tie doetn for the children of
men i "
Bo ended my Christmas voyage across the At
lantic, COLUMBIA COUNTY, W. T.
(Our Special Correspondent).
The task of giving a description of Ping
county after the Governor vetoed the bill
creating that county would be a useless
one. The same scope of territory and por
tion of Walla Walla county has now been
set off as a county by the name of Colum
bia, with the town of Dayton as county
seat. The new county, as it is now bound
ed, is a vast tract of excellent farming,
grazing and Umbered country, leaving the
old county of Walla Walla a large and pop
ulous one yet. The county of Columbia
is about sixty miles in length, and as to
width I am unable to state, but it embraces
the grand and fertile valley lying between
Snake river and the Blue Mountains, and it
is safe to say that the strip of actual farming
land, which will equal any wheat land of
Oregon or California, is at least thirty miles
wide, Thirty by sixty of farming land will,
if spread out on a map of equal distances,
cover the real farms of any two counties in
the State of California. As for the extent
of farming land in the counties of Oregon,
I cannot speak.
The natural features of this county con
sist of narrow creek valleys, or bottoms,
from one-half to one and one-half miles
w ide, the creeks being skirted with cotton
wood and other timber and high, rolling
prairies of black, rich-looking sandy land.
These creek bottoms, generally, are settled
with apparently old farms, while the high
prairie lands are scarcely touched as to
farms or settlement. The high lands, how
ever, have been thoroughly tested, and are
found to produce heavy crops of wheat,
barley and oats.
The town of Dayton is a beautifully situ
ated village. It is on an almost level plat
of sandy land at the junction of two
branches of the Tucia river or creek. There
are about one hundred houses in the town
proper, inhabited either for business or res
idences. The river running through it is
a rapid, clear stream, and capable of run
ning any amount of machinery. Run by
this water-power are a splendid flouring
mill, owned by Mr. Wait; a planing mill,
a large and profitable woollen factory, and
other valuable enterprises. There are two
large stores of general merchandise, one
stove and tin store, one drug store, one
large wagon-maker's shop, many smaller
establishments of the same kind, several
blacksmith's shops, one good livery stable
an excellent hotel, a butcher shop, two at
torneys and two physicians. Under the law
creating Columbia county, it is to be organ
ized on the 1st of January, 1876. The
election of county officers will take place
between now and that time.
We expect soon to have a paper pub
lished in Dayton, when we can exchange
views with more ease with you and other
papers,
With all we have heard of the large
pumpkin of the Sound country and the
great turnip of Oregon, the Dayton vicinity
is still in advance in the growth of enor
mous vegetables. We satisfied you that
our Ruta-Baga turnip beat yours in weight.
Now we have a common white turnip that
measures in circumference 3 feet 1 inch
and weighs 30 lbs. Beat that, and we will
look around and see if we can't come
again.
For the Wbst Shore,
WHATCOM COUNTY, W. T.
BY EDWARD ELDR1DGI,
As there has been a steady stream of
people travelling to the Pacific coast, both
from the eastern portion of the continent
and from Europe, within the last few
months, far exceeding the average number
in former years, most of whom come with
the intenton of remaining; and as many of
them will doubtless see your valuable paper,
will you permit me through your columns
to give a brief description of Whatcom
county, no portion of this coast offering
greater inducements to those in search of
home.
Whatcom county, the nonhwestem por
tion of Washington Territory, is about 50
miles from north to south, and about 1 50
from east to west. About one-third of this
(the western portion) is rich agricultural
land, unsurpassed in Washington Territory,
being a rich loam resting upon a heavy
clay subsoil. The eastern portion is in the
Cascade Mountains, covered with some of
the finest timber in the world, and rich
with coal, iron and other minerals. A spur
of the mountains reaches the water at Bel
ling ham Bay, south of which is the valley
of the Skagit, and north of which is the
Nootsack valley, or, more properly speak
ing, the valley of the Fraser, as the land
between the aforesaid spur of mountains
and Fraser river in British Columbia is
chiefly level table land.
The Skagit river is the largest river in
Washington Territory, and when cleared of
obstructions, is capable of steamboat navi
gation for seventy miles. About eight
miles up from its mouth is a jam of about
a mile long, which completely blocks the
river and retards settlement above the jam.
Between the mouth of the Skagit and Bel-
linghirn flay there are from forty to fifty
thousand acres of marsh land or tide flats.
A large portion of these lands have been
dyked and cultivated , and are now consid
ered as the garden of the Territory. There
are hundreds of thousands of acres of rich
agricultural land in this valley open to set
tiers, but, like other portions of lhe Terri
tory, it has the disadvantage of being with-
in the limits of the withdrawal for the
N. P. R. R., where a homesteader can only
have eighty acres and a pre-empt or must
pay $2 50 per acre. North of the spur of
mountains reaching to Belli ngham's Bay
this disadvantage does not exist, as it is
beyond the railroad limits, and while the
land is as good and easier of access, a
homesteader can obtain 160 acres, and a
pre-emptorpaysonly$i 25 per acre. This
part of the county is rapidly settling up, but
there is room for thousands more.
In addition to the advantages the farmer
can obtain here, no part of Washington
Territory has better fields for the invest
ment of capital than this. No county in
the Territory has more or better timber
than this, and yet there is not a saw-mill
within the county. There are some fine
water-powers here, and sites for steam mills
on the front can be had gratis. A grist
mill is greatly needed, and a woollen mill
would be a lucrative investment.
Three miles back from Bellingham Bay
is Whatcom Lake, about twelve miles long
and averaging over two miles wide, This
lake is 300 feet above the level of the bay.
It has but one outlet, which empties into
Bellingham Bay. There are upwards of
a dozen first-class water-powers along this
creek. The value of these water-powers,
situated on a stream emptying into a fine
narbor, when the Territory becomes popu
lated, can be imagined by any intelligent
mind.
There is a fine opening here for a manu
factory to make Sugar from sutrar beets;
also for a brewery or distillery. Every
kind of clay can be found here, and the
manufacture of earthenware would soon be
a profitable business. Shipbuilding will
soon be extensively carried on, on this
coast, and Bellingham Bay can compete
with any other place for advantages in that
line.
We have plenty of wood, plenty of water,
and the purest kind of air. Few places in
the world possess as many of the elements
necessary to constitute a pleasant home as
this.
INFORMATION FOR IMMIGRANTS
In order to enable immigrants arriving in this
8tate to obtain suitable lands and farms for settle
ment immediately after their arrival in Oregon,
the publisher of The West Shoes caused the fol
lowing advertisement to be inserted in all the
leading country papers t
Isnportsuat Net toe.
a " Fanners and others having improved or unim
proved firms to let or for sale can hare them ad
vertised free of charge in The Wist Buoil, an
eight-page monthly illustrated paper published at
Portlsna. State location of farm, what improve-
menu, price asked, name of owner, and where to
Inquire. Address Publisher West Bhoee, Port
land, uregon."
Below will be found the answers received to the
advertisement. The publisher of the West Shoes
is not a real estate or land agent, and therefore
in no war undertakes the sale or negotiation for
sale of any of these lands, nor does he verily the
accuracy of the statements made therein, but refers
puroiissers to the owners or agents of same.
I"i7" All bona U4 owners of lands, who wish to
sell or rent the same, can have them advertised
free of charge in these columns,
Railroad Loads ia Oregosu
The Oregon k California B. B. Company have
a large grant of land from the United States Gov
ernment, which they sell on very liberal conditions
at the low prices of 91.26 to if per acre, payable
in United States currency. The purchaser can
pay cash, in which ease he will be allowed a dis
count of ton per cent on the purchsse price, or he
can have ten years' time in which to make up the
the same by small annual payments, with interest
at seven per oeut. per annum. In thiscsee the pur
chaser mvs down one-tenth of the price. One
year from the sale he pays seven per cent interest
an the remaining nine-tenths of the prinoipal. At
the end of the second year he pays one-tenth of the
principal and one years interest on the remainder,
and the same at the end of eaoh successive year
unui ail nae been paid at toe end ei tne ten yeasr.
Government Lands.
Although surveys have been carried on for ma
ny years, vast tracts 01 puuno isnus still remain
onsurveyed. If ore government land is, however,
now in the market than is likely to be taken up
for a long time to come. There are three land
offices in the State, located respectively at Oregon
City.Hoseburg.end La Grande (in Eastern Oregon),
Which afford the usual facilities to settlers wishing
to avail themselves of the homestead and pre-emption
laws. Under the "Homestead Law," every
head of a family, male or female, or single man
over twenty-one years, a citisen of the United
States or having declared his intention to become
such, can enter, on payment of the registry fees,
ranging from seven to twenty-two dollars, eighty
acres of any of the lands reserved by the govern
ment within the limits of the railroad grants, ei
oepting lands bearing gold, silver, cinnabar or cop
per, and one hand rod end siity seres if the claim
is situated outside of the Utter. After live years
bona-faU residence upon and improvement of the
land, the Government will Rive the claimant a reg
ular title. Under the " pre-emption laws," persons
possessing we same qualifications ss claimants
uer the homestead law. mar "enter" at a la
office, on payment of a fee of 92.00, establish a pre
emption right, that is, a right to take a tract of
eighty acres, if within the limits of a railroad
grant, or one hundred and siity acres, If without,
whttiieter the land shall be offered for sale by the
government, at 92.60 per sere in ths former, and
at 910 per acre is tne latter ease.
LIST Or MM FOR BALK OR RKKT.
Stoat Cewaty.
fan Acres. 10 miles Mouth of ftmrallla wll im
proved; will raise fmm &JMI to SjuO bushels of
wneat annually. Terms, uue-qtierierUown. bal
anee in Installments to suit pun-hiuer. Add raw,
JAM &t UHVCK, Corvalll.
Vfi Acres, next to Monroe Comers, with lawn
site on the southwest. A comfortable location,
With llOIISe ami hnrn. TMfxi tiW nar ham tn-A
down, balance on time to suit purotier.
A. J. LU0M1S, Monroe.
181 Acres one-fourth mile south of Monroe.
House, barn and orchard, nesrlv all fenced : 100
acres of it under cultivation. Also 10 acres timber
land three miles east of Monroe. Terms reason
able. Enquire of Wm. Speor, on the farm.
1230 Acres five miles from Monroe. 400 of It
In Cultivation. thft hnUnr . rr l.t.,1 ith mI
soil. All fenced. Five houses and two barns.
Orchard with varied fruit. Well watered and
wooded; 600 of it can he irrigited. Price Sit
peracre. One-hBlfoanh.hnlnnretinte. Address,
ALBKltr HUMPHREY, Monroe.
364 Acres seventeen miles south of Corvallis
and one mile north of Monroe, on the stage route.
All of the laud under fence; 2-HI of it good tillable
land. With new twn.trv fntma hntiu tu.i.
ards and small viuevard. Plenty of good running
water and firewood on the piste. Price $10 per
sere ; terms easy Inquire on the premises, or ad
dress, SAMUEL tjTAN'NUS, Monroe.
Columbia County.
W6 Acres of iruod Uud t Suim,.,. In l"d,tmfcl.
Couuty, 26 miles from Portland, down the Colum
bia Kiver. All fenced, 60 acres under cultivation,
plenty of timber and good running water 111 per
acre. For particulars eiiuititx of the owner, on
the place, TIIOS. MoI'UERSOX.
320 Acres, school land. Vrttm S3 nr bom
Immire of EDWIN RUSSEL. t (link nf Hriii.h
Columbia.
Douglas t'oanly.
200 acres, ten miles north-west of Rosnhniw.
00 acres under fence. 90 acres, good level land.
nvnm i,w, inquire ot
8. W. CRAXE, Roscburg.
218 acres, elsht miles nnrth.wiwl nf TlnMhnp
200 of it fenced, and all of it good plow laud,
mm m kuw ium- range, suu ore nam. icrms
reasonable. Inquire ot
W. B. UKAHB, Jloseburg.
For rent or sale. Half section of lsnd. seven
miles north of Oakland. 200 acres under fence.
lw in cultivation. A irood dwelling house. Two
Block bams, with privilege of mountain range
Good water and lots of timber. Price 1800 per
WKSLKX ALLbn, uakiaud.
100 Acres, five miles from Drain Station on the
O. O. R. R., and seven miles from Yoncalla; AO
s oi good farm land, outside range for stock.
a water power sawmill on the plac. Pleutyof
timber aud water. Price. 110 per acre; terms
easy. J. F. BRADLEY, Drain.
640 Acres, on south side of the Calaooola moun
tains, known as Estes Station. Place Is well im-
' roved. Good two-story house, costing 1,000 1
tarn costiiia 9:160: orchard and meadows. The
entire farm can be bought for 912 per acre, or 169
acres of it for 910 per acre.
B. A, ESTES, Comstoek Mill.
Mnltaantak Conaty.
20 acres, 2 miles west of the oitv : suitable for
gardening and fruit raising. House and stable on
premiss, mot, i,tiw. inquire oi
UE, 4. 11. 1'1L,1UHU1UN.
160 Acres Ave miles east Bast of Portland, on hM
Hoe road, small house, all fenoed. Price 92,000,
r. o. OKAY, Portland.
SO Acres on Tavlor Ferrv Road, four and ana
half miles from Portland, suitable fur raising teg.
stables. Prioe 91U.00 per acre.
EDWIN HU8SF.LL, Portland.
16 Acres two miles east of Portlsnd. Pries. 97M
Address Use. W, TRAVER, Portland.
SO Acres nine miles east of Portland. Price 9600,
Address Uio. W. THAYER, Portland.
Pelk Ceanty.
A desirable stock farm, containing 800 acres,
si ( nnt od yt miles from Dallas and III from Halem
All under fence, with house, burn, orchard,
springs and running water. 100 acres tillable)
land, balance open oak timber laud. Price.
5,000; hairoash, balance on time.
U. II. LAM I) Kt WON, Portland.
660 acres, 6 miles north of Dallas, Polk county.
Price, 90,000. Said fsrm is situated on the head
waters of Esst Salt Creek, on the road loading
from Dallas to the Grande Ronde reservation ia
well watered by a nies brook runnine? Uirouvh the)
centre; also an Irrigation ditch, running water
into the door yard ; 600 select fruit trees, together
with a fine assortment of small fruits ; good barn,
etc dwelliug-bnuse ; plenty of tire-wood and rail
timber. If purchaser desires, he can boy ot the
Eroprietor horses, csttla and hogs raised on the
irm, together with farm Implements, wheat, oats,
oj, vio. inquire oi
Moid INN DODSON, Dallas, Oregon.
320 Acres seven north of Dallas, 60 tores of U fa
cultivation. Price, 94,00 per acre.
MARY H. BALL, Elk Hon.
WasklasjUa Conaty,
100 Acres In Washington County, 8 miles wetl
of Portland; 36 acres meadow laud, 60 in cultiva
tion, hslf of it fenced, good orchard, comfortable
house, bam and other outhouses. Prioa, 91,600.
Inquire of W, ORAY, corner of Fourth and
Jefferson streets, Portland.
66 Acres seven miles south of Hillsboro, 14 miles
from Portlaud. Price, 96.00 per acre,
Wm. DIUKSON, Scholl's Furry.
220 Acres, about 60 acres bottom lsnd, 40
acres improved, balance open timber. Price, 910
per acre.
160 Acres, about 60 acres bottom land and 9
acres beaver dam, in cultivation. Price, 92,000;
terms moderate,
100 Acres, unimproved laud; about 96 acres
bottom land and 7 scree beaver dam, balance)
open timber. Price, 96.60 per acre.
7 Acres, spienuia springs ana branch watorf
about 60 acres beaver dam, 30 acres in cultivation,
fair bouse aud barn. Prioe, 923 per acre ; terms
easy.
80 Acres, adjoining the above; about 40 acres
beaver dam land, 20 acres in cultivation, splendid
water. Prioe, 916.2A per acre; terms fair.
The above tracts of lend are situated from ten to
twelve miles from Portland, on the road to Davton.
D. C. HATCH, Oowego, Oregon.
Yamhill Cemty.
640 Acres, all under fenoe, IH miles from North
Yamhill depot ; 160 acres of It under cultivation,
200 acne rolling pasture land, 40 acres oak and
ash timber. Terms, 926 per acre, 9W00 down,
Balance time. T1108. BRUVVN, N. Yamhill.
Wasblnajtam Territory.
90 Acres, four miles from Seattle, W, T, Price,
91,200. Address, O.W.Traver, Portland.
20 Acres, In Camane Valley, W. T. Price,
9IM. Address, O. W. Travet, Portland.
11 Acres, one mile from Steilscoom. Prioe,
9200. Address, O. W. Traver, Portland.
200 Acres, 4H miles north-east of Vsnoooveri
19 acres in cultivation, 160 fenoed, with house sad
bam. Price, 92,000.
J. H. ALLYN, Vancouver,