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.