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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1881)
October, 1881. THE WEST SHORE. 259 Conference of this State. This institu tion of learning is worthy of special mention, being ably conducted by Prof. L. L. Rogers, and in no small degree contributes to the material prosperity of Ashland. The people of Ashland point with just pride to the fact that there is not a single saloon in their town, containing 84a inhabitants, it being impossible for a saloon keeper to obtain a license, by reason of an overwhelming public sentiment against the traffic, the people holding the opinion that the tax thereby saved is better applied in beautifying their homes and educating their children, The mineral resources of Jackson county, although its mines have been continually worked for 29 years, are far from being exhausted, and, indeed, it is only within three years that efficient hydraulic machinery has been intn' duccd. The Sterling mine, owned by . Capt. A. P. Ankeny, of Portland, and Mr. Frank Ennis, the latter gentleman being superintendent, is without doubt, the most valuable placer mine in Ore gon. It was opened several years ago at an outlay of $100,000; although its yield is not definitely known by the public, the property is valued by its fortunate owners at $1,000,000. The mine is situated on Sterling creek, about eight miles south from Jacksonville formerly one of the richest mining camps in the county. It is estimated that 50 years will be insufficient to work all the ground owned by the company Another large hydraulic mine, paying handsomely, is owned by a Chinaman on Applcgate Creek ; and still another owned by the Squaw Lake Mining Company on the same creek will soon be in working order, and promises handsome dividends. The aggregate yield of gold dust in Jackson county since the discovery of the mines i8m, is estimated by the best authori tics at about $30,000,000, and it is said that by the aid of modcrr. appliance and powerful machinery the mines wii produce quite as well in the tuturc, The fine stock of Jackson county 1 noted throughout the State as well a California, a number of horses having been told at prices ranging from $1,000 to S1.000. Wool is one of tne cnie exports, and wine, not inferior to the very best vintage of California, finds it. way to the tablet of those desiring it at a price not exceeding that of New ork cider 5 and grapes, remarkable for their flavor and excellence, arc a rii on tlv mirfcet. The nilr-wl, however, within the next year will tap this, the garden of the State, and an outlet for all its splendid products will enrich its population and inspire them with renewed industry. Some df the grandest scenery on the acific Coast is to lc lound in the Cas cade Mountains, which lot in the east ern boundary ol Jackson. Crater Lake, Annie's Creek, Canyon, Rogue River Falls, and the Squaw Lakes, with their floating islands, are among the weird and wonderful spots that have inspired isitors with admiration, and which, when better known and more access! ilc, will be as much the objective point of tourists as the grandest peaks of the Tyrol. Wo present to our readers in this issue a number of beautiful sketches and engravings of buildings in Jackson county, the original photographs of which were kindly furnished us by Peter Hritt, Esq., an nrtist of nature and education, and to whom we arc under lasting obligations. There arc three paper published in Jackson county; the Oregon Sentinel at Jacksonville, the oldest published In the State except the Oregomau, i Kc publican in politics; the Democratic Times also published in Jacksonville and the Tiding (neutral) published in Ashland. Outside of Multnomah there it not another county in the State which ha three such well gotten up and ably edited journals a the above mentioned. One of Jackson county greatest curiosities it tho Great Sunken hake, situated in thcCaicadc mountains, alxuit seventy-five mile northeast from Jack sonvillc. This lake rival the famous valley of Sinbad the sailor. It i thought to average Jjoo feet to the water ai round. The wall are almost crpen dicular, running down to the water am leaving no lcach. The depth ofthe wa tcris unknown, and it surface imoot and unruffled, a it lie o far below the surface of the mountain that air cm tent do not cflcct it. lit length i estimate at twelve or fifteen mile, and it widt ten or twelve, and there i a mountain the center having tree u;m it. It I! stilt, silent and mysterious in the b.om c gone by, and around it tho prime al forest watch and ward are keeping. PpcrnMyn pry wh'lr !!; bl pit tired a rifle several time Into the atcr at an angle of forty-five degree, and were able to note several seconds f time from the report of (begun until the ball struck the water. Such a state ment seems incredible, but It I vouched for by very reliable pcron. Tho Jackson county assessor fur ishe the following regarding: the wealth of that county t Acre of land, 19,6785 total value, $816,149; average nine, $3,555 Improved land, 113,000, aloe, $67010 j ; average value, $5.93', unimproved laud, 1 16178 value, $145, 17; average value, $1.15; town lot, ital value, $55,911; Improvement, $7J53 merchandise and Implement, $3X5,56.1 ; money, note, accounts, hare of Mock, Ac., $550,550; house hold furniture, carriage, watchct, Ac, $75,106; No. of horse and mules, 4,841 J ital value, $163,4; overage value, $33.77; No. of cattle, 9,0395 total value, S6,8io average value, $9.60 No, of beep, 31,331; total value, $36,115; average vaiuc, $1.15; No. of twine, 9,5155 total value, $17,711 average value, 1 1. 65. Gro value of property, $161,361; indebtedness, $59rV eemptions, $131,619. Total taxable projwrty, 1,633,851. Number of polls, 1,050, The county' annual production are a follow! Wheat, 3ooo buslicUj oats, 350.000 bushrU; barley, 100100 bushcU; rye, 3100 bushel ; corn, 40, 000 bushel; potatoe, 6oxx bushel; apple, ioom bushel; acbc, 15000 bushel; pear and plum, 15 m bush el; bay, 30,000 Ion; wwil, 1 50wo jx.uiuU; grapes, 150,000 pound; witter, 16no pound; cheese, y pound J onion, lory) poim.l bacon, 4 pound; lard, 8oio pound. The amount of land passed from the government to Individual in the county It lout jomo acre, and there yet remain in the band of the govern merit a large amount of land susceptible of profitable cultivation. No place In Oregon ofTcr to good a chance fr rapid increase in value of land a Jckon county. Government land winch can be had to-day almost free of charge, will I worth from 1$ to per acre In Irs than two year from now when the railroads, which are cer .1 ! . r w W II t HI ii"i tte miw ofthe everlasting bill, I'kca huge well . , j t,)ir),,tcted by that time, fur scooped out by the hand of the giant uh, outlet (t the turptu product trcnii ofthe mountain, in the unknown J of the county.