TITE MORNING OKEGOXIAX. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1912.
ELGIN GEM CITY III
THREE SCENES AT ELGIN.
A Remarkable
vent at the Emporium
AGRICULTURAL EDEN
Sale E
Come here Wednesday. We invite you to
inspect the greatest garment values ever
offered in this city. You will be amazed.
Growing Eastern Oregon Town
Just Awakening to Won
derful Resources.
COAX
More determined than ever are we to clear
our racks at all costs. It's the chance of a
lifetime savings that are possible here now
SUITS
Entire stock (excepting Black and Navy
Serges) divided into 3 big lots,
1 timers
LAND REMARKABLY RICH
Lumber Industry ! 1-arjje and Soil
Is Adapted for Production of
All Varieties of Fruit.
Residents FrozreaalTe.
BT ADDISON BESNETI.
ELGIN. Union County. Ore (con. Jan.
IL (otafl: Correspondence.) The ordi
nary traveler In passing- tbrouirh Union
County to the east or west over the
0.-W. R. 4 N. railway and viewing the
Grand Ronde Valley In all of Its wealth
and beauty, may think that he has seen
all of that wonderful section. But great
would be the mistake made by such a
supposition.
From the point where the Grand
Ronde River flows from the canyon
of the Blue Mountains, a few miles
west of La Grande, to Its confluence
with the Snake, not far below Lewis
ton, la considerably more than 100
miles. For Ions; stretches of hls dis
tance the river winds through deep and
heavily timbered canyons. Occasional
ly It opens out Into fertile valleys, but
for perhaps TO miles of the 100 there
la bat a ribbon of lerel land along;
the shores of the stream.
Read Teaches Vomr Tcwu.
Leaving La Grande for the north, on
what Is now called the Joseph branch
or the above-mentioned road, but whic
for many years was known as th
L'lgin branch, the route lies across th
open country through the little town
f Island City. Allcrl and Imbler. Abou
Tour miles below the latter place the
road enters what may be called the first
canyon, which It winds up for flve
miles to the little City of Elgin.
I said this Is on a trip to the north.
rut the road bears almost as much
the east as to the north for the first
37 miles, to Rondowa. where It leaves
the Grand Ronde and swings off alon
the Wallowa River to the southeast
ending at Joseph, which is almost da
east of the starting point at La Grande.
And this letter Is to deal with Elgin.
with Its position. Its surrounding coun
try. its resources Its explanation for
being on the map. For very many years
this town was known simply as a lam
her ramp. The unthinking Imagined
that when the 4.000.000.000 or 7.000.000.
00 feet of lumber tributary to th
town had been eaten up by the II or
sawmills in the Immediate vicinity,
there would be no further reason
to maintain anything more than a post
orrice on the Elgin townslle.
feaatry Belasj Developed.
Like all successful communities there
were from the very beginning those
who saw with prophetic eye a tine city
standing on the Ligin townsite. Bu
even the moat optimistic did not see
the half of the future advantages
the embryo city. They could not, for
II has taken years to demonstrate the
fertility of the soil, to test the climate,
determine the annual precipitation
above all to learn what are the agrlcul
tural products best adapted to the
adjacent lands. And not the half
these labors have yet been acrorn
Vllshed. Every year there Is some new
.product shown to be more successful
than some one that was supposed t
be the best op to that time. New blood
Is coming In. new methods are being
tried out. new products planted 'or
sown.
When the land owners find them
selves, so to speak, the prices of th
lands will be double, treble, perhaps
quadruple what they are now. That I
why I say this Is a place the land
hungry should not overlook.
"Let not the reader conclude from
these few remarks that Lis In has not
found her stride. The people have
gone far enonrh to show that they have
here a tributary country that Is no
only now, but. from the geography
the section, must always remain solely
theirs. Some 300 square miles, with
Klgln lying almost In the center, are
so linked to the little city by grades
and water courses that their trade will
flow here as naturally and continually
as the waters flow to the sea.
The town Is situated In what la called
the Indian Valley, to distinguish It from
the Grand Ronde Valley In the I
Grande. Union, Imblr. Cove and In
tervenlng sevtlons. It takes this name
from Indian Creek, a stream flowing
In from the southesst. There are three
other streams flowing Into the Grand
Ronde aa It passes through Indian Val
lr. and op each of these streams is
found fine arable lands.
The citizens assert they have about
IS 000 acres of the choicest horttcul
tural and agricultural lands suitable
for diversified farming. and almost
twice that amount of bench lands In
their Immediate domain. The latter Is
now largely riven to the raising of
cereals and potatoes, and there are no
better potatoes produced In the world
than on these lands. Irrigation Is not
necessary on any of these tributary
acres, the precipitation here averaging
about 30 Inches yearly.
ttaew Prefects Crepe.
A large amount of this Is snow, which
almost universally covers the ground
to a depth of several Inches during
the cold weather, to protect the crops
from the frost and later to melt and
sink Into the soil for the nourishment
of the vegetation during the Summer
months.
One peculiarity of this entire section
la that scarcely ever do they have any
rainfall worthy of moment during the
months of June. July and August. But
the soli does not need It. II. H. Weath
ers poo n. Mayor of the town, and one
of the most progressive men here, took
me through, over or under a little pile
of potatoes. Just a small pile, only
11.000 sacks, which are stored In a
frost-proof fruit bouse here In town,
end almost all of these were produced
on these uplands without -a drop of
rainfall from the time the seed was
placed In the ground until the tubers
were dug. Mr. Weatherspoon Is Just
now sorting and grading these pota
toes for shipment, and he says those to
be sold for table use will bring from
10 to 10 cents more a 100 than any
others shipped to the Eaa Francisco
market.
And this Is a new Industry. Not
four years ago three or four wagon
loads of potatoes would glut the Elgin
market. Three years ago "a whole
carload" was shipped at one time
"and all Elgin wondered." This year
there will be shipments aggregating
7 5 carloads. And the price paid to the
growers will average a dollar a hun
dred. The varieties grown are the
American Wonder and the Burbank.
But you must remember even this busi
ness Is In Its very Infancy, In Its ex
perimental stages.
The day before I arrived two car
loads of apples were shipped to Ger
many, and another car la now being
li
, v." f --
.... ?
1
hip- ;-r;.-- a
V - ' 1 f
ABOVE, CITV H ALL CEMTER, VIEW OF TOWN BELOW, ELCIJ
SCHOOL.
UGH
prepared for the London market. These
shipments are not sent on consign
ment. They are sales made to former
rustomers.
Fine Aaplee Crown.
I rale lit go on and say that Elgin
can and does grow as fine apples as
any section of Oregon, and keep well
within the truth. I need not say that.
like all sections, there are certain va
rletles here that do not do as well here
as In other vicinities: on the otne
hand. I could say that some of the best
varieties, like the Rome Beauties an
Jonathans, come nearer perfection here
than anywhere else, because they will
remain at their best two months after
those of the same "breed" grown in
other sections are past their stage of
usefulness.
Oh. yes: I could preach a lengthy
sermon on Elgin's fruit, could tell of
enormous yields, wonderful profits and
the magnitude the Industry Is reach
lng. I might give the dimensions o
some of the largest strawberries ever
produced grown here In the Indian Val
ley. You might question ma It I said
ther are the best in the world, and
many have been seen that were more
than eight Inches in circumference,
four of them filling an ordinary quart
box. But is not the future of Oregon
more dependent upon diversified farm
Inr than upon the apple" The Elgin
people agree with me on this subject.
I know they do, for last night 18 of the
leading citizens of the place held
banquet at the Sommer House and
was an Invited guest.
The subject was talked over, and the
wise, enterprising and progressive
land owners of this section are not
going to put all of their products In
one basket not by a long shot. The
cow and the hog and the potato are
not to be simply by-products, with sp
pies and other frnlta as the chief In
dustry: they are going to diversify, di
versify and keep diversifying. They
know they ran excel In many products.
such as celery, potatoes and straw
berries. How many others they do not
know, but they are going to find out.
And then when, not many years hence.
the O.-W. R. N. Is extended down the
Grand Ronde to the Snake, giving a
water-level haul to Portland, and th
Panama Canal is finished, you will find
here one of the most prosperous sec
tions of Oregon.
Laad Prleea "let High.
Of all the places I have visited in
Oregon I find the land prices ths lowest
Wallowa county and here In the
Indian Valley. Wheat land that will
produce every year (remember there
are no off year, no Summer fallow
ing) from SO to (0 bushels of wheat an
acre Is selling for less than . 175
acre. I would be ashamed to tell you
the low prices asked for undeveloped
lands Just as good.
The shipments by rail from Elgin
during the year are approximately
500 carloads of lumber, twice that of
logs, a hundred carloads of grain, half
much flour counting fruit, pota
toes, hay. cattle, hogs and sheep, per
haps C000 carloads.
The population of Elgin la given by
the census as 1120. It is a splendid
tttle city. The water system Is good.
but must soon be enlarged, the city
avlng grown very rapidly in the last
two years. The electric light system Is
ot city-owned, but the service Is
much better than the ordinary, and
the prices very low. The city prides
Itself on having. as good a school sys
tem as there is in the Northwest. The
city superintendent. Professor E. O.
Bailey, is one of the most efficient In
fractors and organizers In the state.
The city Is Just now nnlshlnga mu-
Iclpal building, a large brick struc
ture. SO by 105 feet, two stories, whteh
will be a novelty, but a great adver-
sicg feature. The-city offices occupy
front part, beneath Is the library
and hose house, then there are other
fflces, and the rear part Is one of the
finest little theaters In Oregon. The
Sommer House Is one of the best
hotels east of the mountains. The pro
prietor is R. A. Greene.
But this letter must en a. no. How
ever, without saying mat t.. it. r iagg
s conducting a splendid country week
ly .here, the Elgin Recorder.
GERMS SPREAD FEAR
ti
the
Labor Federation Condemns
Carrying Around Bedding.
IMMIGRATION PERIL TOLD
Governor's Pentltentlarj Policy In
dorsed by State Body In Big;
Annual Convention at
The Dalles.
THE DALLES. Or., Jan. 16. (Spe
cial.) Practice of loggera and other
workmen carrying their bedding from
place to place was condemned today by
the Oregon State Federation of Labor,
which Is in ninth annual session here,
Labor men consider this custom endan
gers the health of the people of the
state, as it often results in spreading
contagious diseases, such as smallpox,
scarlet fever, etc. Many of these ail
ments, it Is contended, originate in
ramps, and are disseminated by work'
Ingmen carrying their bedding about.
A resolution Indorsing Governor
West's policy regarding the admlnlstra
tlon of the state penitentiary and con'
vlcts wa adopted today.
w. J. McConnell, United States Immi
gration Inspector and ex-Governor of
Idaho, addressed the convention on the
perils of immigration.
Reports of officers and committees
took up much of the delegates' time to
day. A public meeting was held to
night. State Senator Slnnott and Judge
R. R. Butler, of this city, and President
Daly and W. H. Fitzgerald, of the Fed
eraton. being the principal speakers.
WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE APPROVED
State Federation of "Labor at The
Dalles Is Unanimous In Opinion.
W. M. Davis returned Monday from
The Dalles, where he presented a reso
lution before the State Federation of
Labor. In session there. In favor of
woman's suffrage. The resolution was
unanimously passed. Ofnccis of the
Federation asked the locals to support
the measure and to work among mem
bers and individuals throughout the
state in its favor. The resolution as
presented was in part as follows:
That, whereas, the question of equal suf-
fraxe will be placed upon the ballot at the
aext election, in November of tills year, in
the following form: "In all elections not
otherwise provided for by this constitution,
every cltlsen of the United States, of the
axe of Zl years and upwards, wno snail
have resided In the state during the six
months Immediately preceding such election,
and every person of foreign birth of tbe
age of SI years and upwards, who snail
have resided in this state during the six
months Immediately preceding such elec
tion, and shall have declared his or her
mention to become a citizen of the united
States one year preceding such election, con
formably to tne laws ot tne l alien states
on the subject or naturalisation, snail oe
ntltled to vote at all elections authorized
by law": and.
whereas. There aoes not appear to oe any
reason why women snouid not nave equal
rights with men In voting: be It, therefore.
Resolved. That tne Mate Federation ot
Labor of Oregon, hereby assembled, recom
mend, and Indorse the Initiative petition
which has been heretofore filed with the
Secretary of State, giving women the right
of suffrage In tbe State of Oregon; and be
It further
Reeolved. That this body recommend to
every subordinate body in the Ktate of Ore
gon, that equal suffrage be Indorsed In the
tate of Oregon, and that every voter in
he State of Oregon, members of this body.
or any subordinate body, ase their utmost
FOR $17.50 to $21.50 SUITS
You'll be agreeably surprised In these
splendid Suits, all this season's best
styles, in pretty mixtures of grays or
browns. They're genuine bargains.
FOR $22.50 to $30.00 SUITS
A beautiful lot of the season's most
fashionable Suits in novelty mixtures
and cheviots in every wanted shade.
High-class Suits at the price of the
most ordinary.
FOR $32.50 to $40.00 SUITS
The woman of taste will find this lot
very much to her liking. Highest-'
grade, beautifully tailored Suits at
such a ridiculously low price.
$101
$132
$18i
Our entire stock in 3 big lots. Come choose
your Coat early.
FOR $14.75 to $16.50 COATS
Smart Coats in plain tailored, polo or
fancy styles in a big selection of ma
terials, all shades. A mos$ extraordi
nary offering.
FOR $17.50 to $21.50 COATS
At this price we have grouped a won
derful lot, every wanted style and
color of Coat. They're too numerous
to describe here. Just come in and
look at them.
FOR $22.50 to $30.00 COATS
All our highest-grade novelty Coats
are grouped at this price. Stylish
misses and women should not fail to
see them.
Navy Serge Suits
Entire Stock Less
Fur Goats
8121
$141
Half Price
$13.50 Satin Dresses, Clean-Up
A very charming style of Duchess Satin
Dresses, prettily trimmed with pointed
collar of contrasting shades. One
the very newest models. Sale price only
? $7.75
Big Reductions on Waists
$1.35 Tailored and Lin
gerie Waists
Of pure linens, madras, linene,
lawns and batiste in very dainty
styles, and exceptional bargains.
90 Cents
$4.50 to $6.95 Silk and
Net Waists.
In very attractive styles of mes
salines, taffetas and nets in all
shades. A real bargain at
Raincoats
$9.85 Coats t ? or
are now P J,OD
$14.75 Coats
are now ....
$19.50 Coats
are now ....
$23.50 Coats
are now
10.00
$13.35
$16.95
furs at half price
efforts, and vote for said initiative ballot
at the neit election to be held In November.
N. J. Slnnott and Judge R. R. Butler
have promised to campaign Eastern
Oregon for the cause of suffrage.
Salem Seeks Next Convention.
SALEM. Or.. Jan. 16. (Special.)
Mayor Lachraund today telegraphed an
Invitation to the State Federation of
Labor meeting at The Dalles to hold
Its next meeting in Salem during Jan
uary of next year, as the Legislature
will be in session here at the time.
EUGENE AFFAIRS HALTED
University Regents Adjourn Until
After Supremo Court Rulings.
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, Eugene.
Or., Jan. 16. (Special.) Assured by the
respective counsels In the Parklson
referendum case, involving the legis
lative appropriations for the State Unl
veralty, that the completed briefs are
about to be filed in the Supreme Court.
the University Board of Regents at
their regular semi-annual meeting to
day adjourned after momentary delib
eratlon to meet at the call of Presi
dent Campbell. Only the local regents.
Friendly. Dixon and Fisher, were pres
ent at the meeting. President Campbell
is hopeful that the present litigation
will have terminated at the end of
another month, when he expects to
rail the adjourned meeting of the
Board.
If he final decision is favorable plan
will be formulated immediately for th
erection of the new buildings, while if
the Galloway opinion la reversed emer
gency measures will oe outlined to
meet the current fiscal needs of the
university.
of Vancouver, and two sisters, who
belong to the order of Sisters of Char
ity of Providence. Sister Donalda ar
rived Saturday morning from North
Yakima, the other. Sister Dominica, Is
herself seriously ill in St. Joseph's
Hospital. John Steffan was a member
of the local council of Knights of
Columbus. The funeral will be con
ducted at St. Joseph's Catholio Church
Thursday morning at 9:30 o'clock and
burial will be in the Catholic cemetery.
The English
120 languHs.
prayer book is printed in
GIRL'S FRIENDS ARRESTED
Tacoma Academy Student Deceives
Parent and Relatives.
TACOMA, Jan. 1. According to the
police, a charge of kidnaping a 14
year-old girl will be placed against
Charles Parkhurst, age 19, a cashier at
a vaudeville theater, and Howard Cop
pock, age 20, a clerk in a cigar store.
The girl, who attends a school in
this city, bad been visiting her home
In North Taktma. An uncle in South
Tacoma received word she was re
turning and would visit him before
returning to the school. Instead of
going to her uncle she went to friends
and later attended the theater.
The Tacoma police traced the girl
to a hotel In this city, where they
found ber In a room occupied by Cop
pock. The police say Coppock bad
tried to conceal the girl.
He was arrested, as was also Park
hurst. The girl was taken to the
home of her uncle. The men will be
charged with attempted abduction.
CITY MAY PAY OFFICERS
Special Election Will Be Held at
Grants Pass March IS.
GRANTS PASS. Or Jan. 1. (Spe
laL) A special election will be held
in this city March 15 for the purpose
of submitting to the voters three ordi
nances, one of which is intended to
provide salaries for all city officers.
Another proposed amendment by the
initiative covers franchise privileges
in which a franchise may not be
granted without popular expression of
he voters, thus taking the entire mat
ter out of the hands of the Council.
The last proposition is to Issue 180.000
in refunding bonds, by redeeming the
outstanding warrant indebtedness.
Sawmill Foreman Loses Leg.
CAMAS, Wash.. Jan. 16. (Special.)
W. C. Bennett, sawmill foreman for the
Crown-Columbia Pulp & Paper Com
pany, suffered the loss of his left leg
today. Mr. Bennett was replacing a
belt on an overhead pulley when he lost
his footing. His leg was caught be
tween a joist and some drive gear and
was broken, the knee joint torn open
and the leg severed.
John Steffan, Jr., Dies.
VANCOUVER, Wash.. Jan. 16. (Spe
cial.) John Steffan. Jr., 23 years old.
a native of Portland, died today at 10
o'clock In St. Joseph's Hospital. He is
survived by his father, John Steffan,
. viiM
"ScUite in Brown Bottles' has a -
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the taste of trie barley and trie hops. WJW
It lias the sfarlde and life due to WMr J J
a perfect yeast. r fal
Tne freedom from germs snows
careful sterilization. 6
It does not cause biliousness or fer- v
ment m your stomacli, as it is properly ! '
aged before leaving the brewery. iwr;
M"Tie Brown Bottle insures 0 V
i - " A "
ute protection against the vs
ging effects of lignt. v
PKonesJMa . (0W .
Sfe iV Henry Fleckenstein & Co. fcs'O C " '
.W ' ' 204-206 Second St. V-?- - -
MwJS Portland, Ore, V jfw vf - :
7 -l
1 he Beer'
That Madfi Miiwaife Famous.
See that crown
or cork is branded
"Schlitz"