From the Daily Oreonian.
""' OREGON.
its OEoomriT, climate, lasm, timber, axi-
MAXaVOAMR, FRUITS, MARKETS, ROADS, A(iS,
AIL AKD SCHOOL. FACILITIES. CU1 KCHES, JIAS
CrACTlRKS, COMMERCE AI TRADE, P1UI.1C
IN5TITUT10SS, TAXES, ETC.. MISC KI.LANEOUS
fSKft'L INFORMATION.
Portlaxd, Orkon, Dee. 2d. 1869.
A goodly lumber of Oregenians have mad, the
trip to and from the State east of the Mississippi
all the war to the Atlantic seaboard, within the
past year, by the great overland railway, and in
whatever else they differ aa to what they have
seen or heard in the various sections they have
visited or tarried, they all unite in saying that in
nothing was their pride of home more wounded or
their ideas of the geographical intelligence of
their countrymen on that side more at fault than
in matters and information con-seruing Oregon.
Scarcely anywhere did any of them meet people
who kuew of the geographical location of this
State or its notable features, either aa to natural
resources or that which the labor and enterprise
and skill of man has developed. Even in New
England, so boasted tor the enlightenment of its
masses, almost nothing seems to be known of
Oregon, save it be apocrytical scraps derived from
poets, or the very imperfect sketchings of that
class of fashionable tourists who care more for the
harmonious flow of tropes and the graceful round
ing of keriodg in all they pretend to sketch, than
for facj"s, realities, and the pains-taking, earnest,
intelligent description of the country through
whicbTthey have passed. Theirs may well bo
termed birds-eye views," inasmuch as the
writers appear only to have skimmed over the
land without ever alighting from the wing to
mingle with the inhabitants, to learn of the trade,
business and labor industries ; or of the resources
and wants, and what has been done toward the
development of the one 01 the supplying of the
other. Yet New England forms no exception to
the ruleC 'North and South. Km and West, the
same want ef information concerning Orgati mas
discovered . Even in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri,
from which States the great majority of the pio
neer settlers of the wilds of Orcpou cmigratc i,
there , appears to be quite as much ignorance of
the country, as in other portions from whence
there has been but little or no emigration hither,
r In view of this condition of things on that side
of the continent, perhaps it will not be deemed
inappropriate, or labor lost, to here give, in sm-h
a wa as the- brief limits of a newspaper's col
nmns will allow, some fart pertaining to Oregon
in a general way.
Though sparsely populated, the State pros nts
throughout its whole extent, a weallii of resour
ces not excelled by any iu the Vniou. Oregon
has her 'rivers,' nuniorons smaller streams, ex
tensive and exceedingly lovely valleys ; vast un
dulating lands, mighty" forests of trees, valuable
for ship building, for lumber, aud for fuel, aud
high mountains, here aud there topped py gigan
tic peaks whose summits wear perpetual snow
as Bierstadf Mount Hood " grandly tolls the
world. She has rich mines of gold placer and
quarts, and also of irou and copper, and great
coal'Jbed(--eeTOe already developed which have
been profitably worked tor ten yeurs past. And
so she baa as fertile and proline farming lauds,
and an luxurious grazing fields as are known on
the habitable globe.
To illustrate the surpassing richness of the soil,
the product of her wheat alouu iu the past twenty
years can be instanced. There are fields in the
Willamette valley which have been sown with
wheat 'almost continuously for this many years,
and yet a failure of so little as a " half crop' has
never, been known ; and the average produce of
these fields has been fully thirty-five bushels to
the acre. Other crops hare succeeded as well,
and at this, day the same lan Is which have so
constantly and abundantly rendered profit to thuir
owners, seem as fresh and as fertile as though
they had been just subjected to the plow aud
harrow. It is in wheat and oats that Oregon
exiels: yet, excellent crops of barley, rye, aud
flax, good corn and tobacco, and superior hay can
he raised in every portion of the Slate ; and in
the hardy fruits apples, pears, plums and cherries
she has certainly no superior, if an equal, in
any part of the United States. Superior pine,
oak, ash, cedar, fir. maple, yew and laurel, arc
among her most valued woods ; and Cottonwood
and willow, juniper and tamarac, abound along
her rivers, or in her wildest mountain lands.
No country can surpass, few, if, any, can com
pare with Oregon in the variety, the quality and
the great aba. dance of wild game, whether wing
ad, or quadruped, or of the finny tribes of
mountain and forest, of valley or prairie, or of
tide or inland waters. Along tho banks of the
Willamette and to
caa readily bag eauvass-hack as fine as thoso
noted fowl of the Chesapeake, and, also, through
out the interior, splendid mallard, teal, red-bill,
and wood duck, wild geese, curlew, grouse.pheas
ant, jack-snipe, quai, and in Eastern Oregon,
prairie chicken and sage-bens. The hunter can
readily find black-tail and other deer, elk, brown
and black and cinnamon bear, jackass rabbits,
bare, squirrels, and, for peltry, otter aud bearer.
The salmon and sturgeon of the Columbia river
are noted among the most delicious of the species
found in any part of the globe, while the brook
sad mountain trout, the salmon trout, the smelt,
perch, and other varieties of small or pan fish,
are of excellent quality, and are found in une
qualled abundance.
The markets in every city and town throughout
the State present a very tempting appearance
In meats there are fat,: tender and juicy beef,
really superior in grain and flavor to most of the
4 tall-fed beef of the States, east ; excellent mut
ton, real and lamb, and pork of that first quality
-which has won for Oregon hams tho reputation of
being :th very best in the California market. In
game, can be seen, in the respective seasons, the
wild game mentioned above, together with fine
barnyard poultry. And in vegetables and fruits,
aa endless variety or every esculent, relish and
.species for pickle, from potatoes t cranberries,
and iron onions to horseradish, with luscious '
wild and cultivated strawberries and blackber- j
Ties, raspberries, whortleberries, sarvis and j
thimble aud salmon berries, wild and cultivated
grapes, and such apples aud pears as are rarely
or never aeon in the older States ; besides peaches,
quinces, plums, cherries and apricots of good
qualities.
, - The large and fine stock ranges of the Willam- '
tte, Yamhill and Umpqua valleys, and of the
Tualatin and Clatsop Plains, wore in early years
sorely subject to the ravages of jaguars (or pan- !
than), wolves, and other destructive wild animals; i
but ae thoroughly have tbey been hunted that it
is very rarely sheep are now-a-days molested in
the fold, and the horned cattle graze as free from
danger as if under their owners' s sheds.
Much attention is given to the breeding of
thoroughbred and good blood stock in Oregon
horses, .cattle, sheep, and hogs, and in the east
ern division of the State, to the breeding of
line mules also. Noted sires and dams have been
brought from Kentucky and other States to inr
prove the already good native stock of horses
and from these have sprung splendid racers, fast
trotters and roadsters, and carriage and draft
and work horses of such quality as to command
the highest prices in the horse markets of Cali
fornia ayMtevadav JJutbam and other Jamoaa
breeds of cattle have been brought from Illinois,
New York and New Jersey ; also the best breeds
of Spanish and French Merinos, Cotswolds, South
down, and other celebrated or favorite sheep,
a'rem) Vermont,. Jiow 1'ork, England and AoI
tralia, for wool and' mutton both ; and White
Cheshire, Essex and Berkshire hogs, are to be
found throughout the State, imported direct from
England or the East.
There are, generally, very good roads in every
section of the State, and nearly all are county or
"free" road. Toll gates, except in the 1 eg ion
of the mines in Eastern Oregon, are rarely en
countered, and at the few unfordable streams
which are not bridged, the ferriage charges are
eftrieted.to'lew rates by .the County Commis
sioners, the great highway which leads all the
way from Portland to Sacramento, in California
a total of nearly 700 miles, of which quite half
ja ia Oregon and over which the daily four
borne mail stage travel, has but one toll gate in
this .-360 aad odd miles. The character of the
road can be pretty well estimated when it is
known that daring eight months of the year the
whoie aatue. through between Portland and
Sacramento is made in five and a half days, and
daring the wet or winter season in from eight to
ten days, as the weather happens to be more or
less severe, by tho daily mail stages. From
almost every portion of every county to the
county seat, or to the marketing towns, there are
regularly JAM OW wa,spiui g jptr uy
h. Aintrir supervisors. ; . . .
Building material Is cheap all over the State,
riil obtained.' Good brick ean be made
ia almost ovary township,- and the faeUities for
"Mttlnjr good lulnot are scarcely to be surpassed.
Wage of . mechanics are high, compared with
those of any other class, and while farm hands
command kr better wages than in tho States
East, there Is a want of this elass of working
man, especially ia the grain harvest eaon from
July to Uctwtier. . , A. .
Tft,- .n nra accommodations through-
aat 0 reran are quit ample, and each supply
daily eonuauulcatitin Between an wv fnvir
towns within the State, and between this and all
the States and Territories.
Churches, , school houses and institutions of
learning of high grades, and numerous public
schools, are established in every city, town and
settlement. Almost " every Christian denomina
tion has its churches or meeting houses, and the
Jews their synagogues; and there are colleges,
academies, seminaries and high schools, under
the especial care of Methodists, Baptists, Presby
terians; Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Unita
rians and Jews for the education and moral
training of boys and girls, of youths and young
ladies. -
Of physicians, surgeons, dentists, of lawyers,
and other professional men, there is to use an
Oregon expression a multitude. In fact, the
professions are overdone of physic, for the lack
of patients, by reason of the extraordinary
healthfulness of the country ; and of law, be
cause the people are inclined to compromise diffi
culties of a civil nature rather by neighborly arbi
tration than in courts of law ; and the criminal
calendar of the wholo State is, perhaps, the
smallest in the Union.
In the matter of manufactories and similar en
terprises. Oregon has pursued the slow and very
sure policy in past years, and if she seemingly
has departed from that within the year just clos
ing and taken np the more go-ahead style, it is
not because her people have been lured from the
pursuit of substantial enterprises by the glitter
ing attractions of speculators, but simply because
the unprecedented progress of development of
her great and many resources has actually de
manded the surprising advancement noted, and
which has been fully sustained in every particu
lar by tbo gratifying exhibits of wholesome pros
perity . that bave accompanied these various
enterprises. It is n noteworthy fact, in connec
tion with this subject, that there has never oc
curred a failure nor an abandonment of any im
portant undertaking in Oregon, and that iu no
instance has there happened a failure of any large
commercial house, of any banking establishment,
of any capitalist, nor of any incorporation or in
dividual, whose business was of such a nature to
eause insolvency or disaster to any other house,
or a material loss to the community generally.
And yet, Oregon has her banks, local and Na
tional, her larir.e steam navigation corporations,
ocean shipping companies, woolen factories, lin
seed oil mills, iron works, engine and machine
shops and foundries, capable of turning out the
heaviest works, ship yards in which handsome
river steamers and large coasting vessels are built,
and various other incorporations and considerable
enterprises to say nothing of her numerous
flouring mills, some of which will vie with the
best in any other State, and the flour from which
i as the Imperial, the Standard, the Magnolia,
! Vaughn's, and the Salem mills has wou first
rank in tho New York market, under, shame to
! say, tho name of "California flour." And final-
ly. Oregon ba now the first twenty miles of the
j line of railway completed, and the engines and
j cars running, which is to be continued through
j the whole length of the State, thence through
j California to connect with the Central Pacific
j road, and thus place us in direct communication
I with our sister states of the Pacific, and the States
1 across the Koeky Mountains.
I There is an Insane Asylum for the care and
j safe keeping of that class of unfortunates, and so
j are there hospitals in several counties for the ben
I etit and treatment of tbo indigent siek or crippled,
but as the number of this class of patients is uu
j commonly small in Oregon, in contrast with that
'of other States, these public institutions cause
I only nominal tax upon the people And, as a
I general rule, the same remark will apply to the
j county jails. Nor is the State Penitentiary a
; crowded institution, because the administration of
; justice is generally so thorough that the evil dis-
posed are awed from the commission of crimes in
many cases, and consequently flagrant offenses
j and heinous felonies are comparatively autre
I qucnt. Burglaries and highway roblcries, and
arson, are exceedingly rare, and a " great rob
ibery" has never occurred in this State. The
' preservation of peace and good order is so easily
j maintained in all the chief towns, that such a
j thing as a ' police force" is not known, and Port
i land, with its population of thousands, its
i wharves teeming with sea-going men, and its
streets trod by persons of almost every national
ity, is under the surveilnnee of a police organiz
ation so small as to excite the remark and often
the ridicule of visitors from the States on the
other side of the continent ; and yet this force,
small as it is, is ample for the duty it is required
to fulfill. Without sumptuary or stringent laws
to restrain intemperance or enforce observance of
the Sabbath, throughout Oregon drunkenness is
rarely to be witnessed, and Sunday is everywhere
observed as that day of rest and of religious de
votion which the best moral sentiment of the
Christian world commands. And there is not a
poor-house in the State, because one is not
needed.
There are lyceums, debating clubs and libraries
for the entertainment and improvement in s'udy
of youths and men in the interior towns, and the
Library Association of Portland, though in the
very infancy of existence, has already by the
generosity of a leading pioneer citizen, W. S.
Ladd the handsomest and roomiest ball in the
State, and a collection of books, paintings, peri
odicals, etc, which does infinite credit to the lib
erality of tho donors, to the pride of the mem
bers, and to the judgment of the officers who
selected all which constitutes and adorns the
Library.
And in speaking of Portland, it is well to
chronicle the fact that while she basonly the pop
ulation of a large town, as reckoned in the older
States, she has all the improvements, conveniences
and elements of a city. Clear, pure, icy cold,
delicious water, is brought from mountain
springs to the great reservoir in the suburbs of
the city, and is thence distributed in mains and
small pipes throughout the whole place, into the
buildings wherever required, in generous plenty,
for all uses at very low rates. Gas lights up the
streets at night, at reasonable cost to the public,
and is supplied to the stores and dwellings, hotels,
theatres, and every class of pnblic buildings, at
fair charges. Good hotels, balls of amuseniert,
elegant stores for the display of goods and wares,
whole blocks of handsome business houses, beau
tiful and attractive residences in the prettiest and
grandest styles of modern architecture, imposing
looking churches, and Odd Fellows' hall which
would be a credit to a city of ten-fold the popula
tion of Portland : commodious, extensive and
we!l built and tishtlv roofed wharves and wharf
sheds; the grand wharf and warehouse of the
Oregon steam navigation company, wnicu ua
no equal in Saa Franeifeo, nor a superior in any
eity on the Atlantic; a Court House wbicn in
size, appearance and architectural display, is not
surpassed on the coast ; and fine publie squares,
eligibly located in different parts of the city, are
among the objects which invite the attention and
challenge the praise of those who come from other
lands to visit the metropolis of Oregon.
The city enjoys the protection of a large, thor
oughly equipped, very efficient Fire Department
of steam and hand fire engines, ample hose carts,
hooks and ladders, with commodious houses for
each couiDanv. and lofty fire towers ; and capa
cious cisterns are conveniently placed to afford a
plentiful supply of water at a moment's warning.
But ft res are exceedingly rare, and in tne penou
covering the whole existence of the city there has
never occurred a conflagration of more than two
or tnree buildings at one time. '
A beautiful drive extends from Portland to the
White House, over a smooth, broad macademized
road, a distance of five miles, and all the way in
sight or the Willamette river..'
. And ia one particular all will agree, come from
whatever section of tho Union they may : It is
that Portland has tho best paved and cleanest
streets of any town or city which can be named.
tne principal business thoroughfares are nudwitn
Nicholson pavement, and a svstem carcfullv ob
served, of even grading, of broad streets laid out
regularly as thoee or Philadelphia, with blocks
all of a size, wide, uniform sidewalks, and shade
or ornamental trees planted along the residence
streets-all combine to merit for Portland the
praise of being not only the best paved, but one
of the prettiest, neatest, most tastefully planned
cities in the country.
To give an idea of the trade the city enjoys, a
mere mention of the advantages is required.
Situated on tho Willamette, fourteen miles above
where that river pours its waters Into the mighty
Columbia, somewhat more than a hundred miles
above Calumbia riyer bar, it is reached by and is
the port for the ocean line of steamships which
run weekly between San Francisco and Oregon,
the weekly line of steamers from Victoria and
Puget Sound, and the numerous sailing vessels,
from full rigged ships to coasting schooners, wbioh
oyage regularly or on special charter from the
Atlantic, European, or Asiatic ports, the Hawaii
an Islands, California, or British Columbia. It
is the port also from whence start and to which
come the regular daily steam packets, carrying
passengers, freight, mails and express, to and
rrom Astoria and intermediate points on the Co
lombia river, connecting with the mail and pas
senger stages from Paget Sound via Olympia
overland to Monticello in Washington Territory ;
to and from Fort Vancouver and Caseades, the
Dalles and Umatilla and Wallula, on the upper
Columbia, fmn whence connection ia made over
land by daily mail stages with Idaho and Mon
tana and Utah Territories, and thence to the older
States by railroad ; to and from Oregon City and
thence on the upper Willamette and the Yamhill
rivers ; and to and from which point also go and
come the small steamer which plies on the Tual
atin river toward the Coast range of mountain).
The Oregon Steam Navigation Company ,of which
Capt. Ainsworth is President, control the steam
traffic of the Columbia from its mouth to Wallu
la, a distance of nearly 400 miles, and thence up
Snake river to Lewiston, Idaho, at the confluence
of the Clcarwator, 180 miles above Wallula; and
also that between Monticello, on the Cowlitz, and
Portland. The traffic from Portland, above on
the Wallamctte and Yamhill and Tualatin rivers,
is controlled by the People's Transportation Com
pany, A. A. McCully, President.
The climate of Oregon has been so frequently
misrepresented by transient visitors and reckless
tourists that justice requires a reference to the
subject hore. The nick-name of Web-foot Na
tion " has been applied to the State, as if to indi
cate a condition of perpetual rain. The truth is
that the annual rain-fall of Oregon is much less
than that of almost any State in the West, or in
the Atlantic States ; that it is equal to only a very
few, and is greater only than that of California
and Nevada, and, perhaps, one or two other
States. Judged from a California standpoint,
Oregon is a wet eonntry, but judged by tho
standard of Illinois, New York, or most of the
States, she stands very fairly in the general aver
age. " Rain is scarcely known during the summer
months or "dry season" in California. In Ore
gon there happens occasional, yet quite rare,
showers during the summer months, and in the
winter months, notwithstanding our high lati
tude, snow seldom falls to lay beyond a few days,
while rain may be called the staple winter cle
ment. But there is no mora healthful, more in
vigorating, more delightful climate under the sun
than is to be enjoyed in Oregon during the
spring, summer and autumn months. The hot
test days are then succeeded by refreshingly cool
nights, so that overheated and exhausted natizro
can be assured sweet repose and . sound sleep.
There are no dense, chilling, penetrating fog
damps during thoso months ;: no cold, ague-provoking
rains ; but instead there comes, once or
twice each month, grateful showers to prevent
the surface soil from parching, to purify tho
heated atmosphere, and refresh all animated na
ture. And it is remarkable that in tho very hot
test mid-days ever known there has never occur
red a case of fatal snn-stroke in the State ; nor,
it may be added, such a thing as hydrophobia,
even in the fiercest of the dog days. The ther
mometrical range for the whole year will not
show anything approximate to the extreme
changes which will occur in much lower latitudes
on the Atlantic coast and the first case of death
from excessive cold weather has yet to be chron
icled in Oregon. Indeed, the winter temperature
is so uniformly above the freezing range that
many farmers and stock raisers make no effort to
house or provide shelter for their cattle during
the inclement season, but allow them to graze or
browse in tho open fields or on the side hills.
Violent storms of wind, hurricanes, tornadoes,
or gales severe enough to blow down forests, throw
down barns or bouses, and to devastate lands,
have never swept this State. Three or four times
since its early settlement by tho whites, floods
have washed portions of the upper valley, and
the river bottoms, but the perils from such visita
tions are every year diminished.
The currency is gold and silver greenbacks
being used mostly for payment of Federal taxes,
revenue, Ac, and for the accommodation of those
who prefer to carry them rather than bankers'
drafts orcheckswhen goiug out of the State. But
in every day dealings, in shopping, marketing,
and all monetary transactions, gold and silver
coin is the circulating rAedium. The local banks
two in Portland and one in Salem are sound,
and hold high reputation not- only in Oregon but
all over the Pncifio coast, and at the great money
marts iu the East. The ordinary rate of interest
is from ten to twelve per cent. the former being
the rato fixed by statute.- There is very little
county scrip afloat, as nearly every county is en
tirely free from debt, and the State is in the same
wholesome financial condition. Tho aggregate
taxes. State, county and school will not exceed
fifteen mills on each dollar, and the State and.
county governments are administered on an ex
ceedingly economical scale. The Constitution
prohibits State banks of issue, and the -'irst Na
tional Bank of Portland is the only institution in
the State which has the authority to issue bank
notes.
Upon the scenery of Oregon it is not the pur
pose of this article to dwell. That task has been
quite amply aud very well performed by the tour
ists who have visited the State during the past
few years albeit they have done little else. It
will suffice here to remark that whether it be of
lovely landscapes, charming vales, magnificent
mountain views, picturesque hill and dale scenes,
grand and rugged river scenery, majestic snow
peak, or the gorgeous sunrise or sunset splendors,
neither Rhine nor Hudson, Ohio and St. Law
rence, Susquehanna nor Potomac ; not the valleys
nor hills, the mountains nor snowy summits of
the famed scenic regions of the country leyond
the Mississippi, can excel, in all these forms and
phases of nature's beauties and wonders, the
views presented on the Columbia and throughout
this State and we simply repeat what the tour
ists of the world admit in this respect.
As places for summer resorts for the rich to
pleasure in, for the million to taste the joys of a
few days snatched from toil, or for the invalid to
seek relief from ailings, or restoration of health,
impaired by disease, there are the noted Clatsop
Plains, near the mouth of the Columbia, or the
Yaquina Bay, coastwise from Corvallis, at either
of which places a grand view of the broad Pacific
can be obtained, and where sea-baths, oyster
eatching, fishing or bird shooting are to be en
joyed ; or the Warm Springs of the Molalla. or
of the Blue Mountains, the waters of which are
delightful for bathing and not unpleasant to the
taste, besides being so the doctors say emi
nently beneficial to consumptives, debilitated,
and those tortured by acute rheumatism and gout.
The catalogue of the loading and material fea
teres, characteristics and resources of Oregon
have now been sketched, although imperfectly.
That which the reader in other sections of the
Union (who might possibly purpose immigrating
hither) would care to know, perhaps more than
anything so far described, is in reference to-the
farming-lands, the cost of living, and other at
tendant details. This branch of our subject can
be treated in a brief but still quite satisfactory
manner.
A large portion of the Willamette, Yamhill,
Tualatin, Umpqua, Rogue River aud Illinoise
valleys, which contain the best farming lands in
the State, were taken up by early settlers under
the donation aw of 1850 and as snbsequcntly
amended and extended in ISS3 and, 18it by
which each settler in good faith, aud who had
himself occupied the land for four consecutive
years, was entitled to 640 acres, if he had a fam
ily, or 320 acres if a single man: By amendments
this law was so changed that any person could
purchase, after one year's residence, either 640 or
320 acres, agreeably to the condition he occupied
as married or single, at the rate of $1 25 per
acre. The law expired in IS 55, and since that
time, all lands taken up by settlers have been
occupied and granted agreeably to the general
pre-emption aud homestead laws f the United
States. Thus, in the portions of Oregon above
mentioned, a large proportion of the land is held,
subject to the old donation laws, in tracts of 640
and 3"0 acres. Unfortunately for the welfare of
the commonwealth, these large tracts are owned,
in many instances, by a elass of men who seem to
think the chief end of life is to obtain all the land
possible and never' to sell, rent, or alio w its use to
any other of their fellow men ; and to cultivate
only so much of all their vast possessions as will
secure them support from year to year say a
patch of from thirty to fifty, or, in rare cases,
one hundred acres, 4 It is the avaricious grasp
ing of rich lands, by this class of men, and
their dog-in-the-manger conduct in retaining
every foot they have located or have become
possessed of, which has done so much to pre
vent a healthful and needed immigration here
of the farming, working class of the old States,
and in this and other important respects, retarded
the growth, injured the prospects, and weighed
heavily down almost every beneficial enterprise
and project for the development of the natural
wealth of the State, and the advancement of her
citizens in the great onward march which so sig
nally characterizes the American people, as fore
most in all that invites blessings, creates wealth,
assures plenty, and aims at securing contentment
among every class.
Fortunately, on the other band, however, it is
manifest that, while this greedy and stubborn
landocracy will neither sell nor lease their exten
sive surplus lands, the possession ef them all must
before long, in the economy of nature, fall into
other hands heirs or assigns by reason of old
age tr infirmities which must inevitably carry off
these lingerers on the last step of the down-hill ef
life. And in that not far , off period a marked
change will ensue in the improvements and bene
fits of agriculture, r There are, notwithstanding
these difficulties jus recited, many available op
portunities presented for the benefit of the skill
ful, industrious, frugal farmer in the .valleys
named, and in others equally as fertile, but more
recently developed sections in the Klamath and
Goose Lake regions, and tbo extensive valleys of
Eastern Oregon. Farms, with improvements of
fair character, can ba bought for from $3 to $20
per acre tracts of from fifty to hundreds of acres,
and which will readily yield from twenty-five to
forty bushels to tho acre of grain, or the equiva
lent in other crops. --. Or, good farms ean be pro
eared on rent, at easy terms, by those who can
give a satisfactory guaraatoe of worth, and of
skill in farm pursuits. , .
To workingmen, who prefer to seek employment
In tho cities, at trades or other occupations, Ore
gon presents a field not surpassed on the coast.
Wages run from $2 60 to $5 00 per day for me
chanics and artisans, and laboring men are paid
$2 00 to $2 50 per day, or $25 to $35 per month
and board. Board is bad at the best hotels for
$10 per week, and at good boarding bouses atfrom
$S down to $4 per week. Comfortable dwellings,
with snug garden spots, can be rented in Ports
land at from $15 to $30 . per month, and persons
who desire to practice economy at an aggregate
cost, for rent, fuel, water, lights and everything,
of from $50 to $100 per month, agreeably to the
number they have in family. Firewood is cheap,
only $3 50 to $5 per cord for fir, ash, or oak, de
livered at the house. Clothing, dry goods, and
all kinds of articles for wear, for household use,
for consumption, or service in any respect, are to
be had in the retail stores at very reasonable rates.
The woolen fabrics of Oregon are equal to any in
market, for service as well as appearance, and are
better adapted to the requirements of the inhab
itants than the fabrics brought from abroad.
Oregon wants and her citizens cordially invite
immigration not of the idle or reckless or non
producing classes. There are from good to most
alluring attractions here for both capital and labor
for the man of useful enterprise who brings his
wealth of gold, or for the man whose only capital
is his mechanical skillfulness, bis knowledge of
the useful arts; his craft in all the branches of
farming, or his strong arms and willing disposi
tion to honorably earn the bread he eats by the
labor he can readiest execute. To any of these
we repeat Oregon offers conspicuous advantages.
She has, here iu Portland, a soundly organized
and admirably conducted Immigration Aid Soci
ety, whoso officers and members are prominent
among tho most substantial, the oldest, the most
enterprising aud best informed of our citizens,
and of this society any who wish general or
special information respecting any portion of the
tutc, or of any capital or labor interests, can
receive ready answers upon application either in
person or by letter.
Eugene City. Is situated near the
west bank of the Willamette river,
near the center of tho State, and is the
county seat of Lane county. It was laid
out as a town in 1853 by Eugene Skinner,
from whom it derived its name. The
chief resources of the county are farming
and stock raising, for which it is noted as
one of the best counties in the State.
Eugene City contains a population of
about 900, and has two schools well at
tended. The Odd Fellows and Masons
each have a flourishing lodge here; there
are six churches in the place, with four
Sabbath schools, a commodious Court
House, six fire proof buildings, nine dry
goods stores, two variety stores, one book
store, two tin shops, five saloons, a
brewery and distillery, three wagon shops,
six blacksmith shops, two hotels atid
restaurant, one bakery, three drug stores,
two jeweler shops, one paint shop, three
cabinet making shops, two boot and shoe
shops, one picture gallery, a tannery, a
saddle tree manufactory, two saddle and
harness shops, two meat markets, one
furniture shop, one gunsmith shop and
one cooper shop. Wc have iiine lawyers
and five doctors. Two weekly newspapers
are published here, each having a job
office. We have also three good livery
stables. The population of Lane county
is about 7,000. There are a saw mill, a
grist mill and a machine shop near the
city limits. Coats run to this point a
portion of the season, but during the
summer months cannot reach it Journal.
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
A Tale of a Cat. A short time
since a man cut down a tree ou the prem
ises of Mr. Augustus Prudhon, of this
Township. In the hollow of the tree
was found a nest of young squirrels.
The squirrels, which had not yet opened
their eyes, were taken to the house as a
curiosity for the young folks. A cat was
on the premises at the time with a litter
of kittens about the age of the squirrels,
and it was suggested that then a good
opportunity presented itself to play a
practical joke on Madame Puss. Three
of the kittens were sent to that bourne
from which 00 luckless kitten returns,
and three of the orphaned squirrels were
put in their place. Strangely enough
the old cat did not seem to discover the
deception practiced upon her, but took
her foundlings and nursed and petted
them as fondly as if they were genuine
felines. As her adopted children grew
in stature and began to exhibit a decid
edly squirrel-like appearance, Madame
Puss thought she "smelt a mice" about
those strange, wayward children of hers,
but just where the point to the joke was
hidden, or in what particular "clause"
of cat-dom was found a precedent for
such busby-tailed kittens, were mysteries
which beat the old cat. As they grew
older she tried in vaia to initiate tlem
into the mysteries of hunting; but alas!
the wayward wards were all unmindful
of that rarest of all sports for a happy
kitten, catching a mouse ! The little
rogues were as full of mischief as kittens,
but there the semblance ended. Great
was the alarm of Puss when her pets ran
briskly up a tall tree and leaped from
branch to branch as reckless of their
precious necks as if their poor old god
mother was not mewing them earnestly
to come into the house and act as good
little kittens are wont to do. As the
squirrels grew they became as familiar
in the house as kittens, and afforded rare
sport to those who watched the evident
anxiety of Madame Puss as she watched
the strange antics of her adopted chil
dren." Mr. Prudhon finally brought the
squirrels to Nashua and they are now
caged at the billiard saloon, while their
eventful history is being woven into this
singular tale of a cat. Xathua, -Ioxca,
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
m
-l-W WUUV lS
l EVERY VARIETY OF
1 Xr a"UtH a
riAR.C.ERCWMtAGT.J?SV-
NATIONAL LIFE
InKurance Company
OP the
UNITED STATES of AMERICA,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Chartered by special Act of Congress,
Approved - July 25, 1868.
Cash Capital,
jgi.oooood.oo
DIRECTORS :
CLARENCE II. CLARK,
JAY COOKE,
W. G. MOORIIEAD,
GEORGE F. TYLER,
J. IIOCKLEY" CLARK,
E. A. ROLLINS,
HENRY D. COOKE,
W. P. CHANDLER,
JOHN D. DEFREES,
EDWARD DODE,
H. C. FAIINESTOCK.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
6m
GILEERT ER0., ACENTS,
SALEM, OREGON.'
9a
OFFICERS:
CLARENCE E. CLARK, Philadelphia, Presi
dent. JAY COOKE, Chairman Finance A Executive
Committee.
HENRY V. COOKE, Washington. Vice Presi
dent. EMERLON AV. PEET, Philadelphia, Secretary
& Actuary.
E. S. TURNER, Washington, Assistant Sec
retary. FRANCIS G. SMITH, M. D., Medical Director.
J. EWING MEARS, M. D., Assistant Medical
Director.
THE attention of persons contemplating in
suring their lives, or increasing the amount
of insurance they already have, is called to the
special advantages offered by the NATIONAL
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.
THE ADVANTAGES OFFERED
ARE:
It is a National Company, chartered by special
Act of Congress, 1868.
It has a Paid-up Capital of $1,000,000.
It offers Loir rates of Premium.
It furnishes Larger Insurance than other Com
panies for the same money.
It is Definite and Certain in its Terms.
It is a Home Company in every locality.
Its Policies aro exempt from Attachment.
There are no Unnecessary Restrictions in the Pol
icies. Every Policy is Non-forfcitable.
Policies may be taken which Pay to the Insured
their Full Amount and Return all the Pre
miums, so that the Insurance costs Only the
Interest on the Annual Payments.
Policies may he taken that will Pay to the In
sured, after a certain number of years. Dar
ing Life, an Annual Income of One-Tenth the
Amount named in the Policy.
No Extra Rate is charged for risks upon the
Lives of Females.
Insures not to Pay Dividends, but at so low a
cost that dividends will be impossible.
ITS POLICIES ARE NEGOTIABLE.
By the Charter of the Company, certificates of
obligations will be issued, agreeing to purchase
its policies at their value which, when accompa
nied by the policy duly assigned or transferred,
are negotiable, and may be used as collateral se
curity, in raakiug loans from the Company or
from othor parties.
The lion. Jno. E. Sanford, Insurance Commis
sioner of Massachusetts, in his Report for 18fi8,
speaking of Dividends in Life Insurance Compa
nies, says , " The sooner such guarantees cease
to bo made, and such expectations created, the
sooner Life Insurance will come to rest on its true
motive, and men insure their lives for security,
and not for dividends. The best and the most
popular companies will then be those that prom
ise only equity, and render all that tbey promise,
and furnish the best security, with the most up
right and judicious management."
" By the Stock plan the full cash effect of the
premium is immediately secured to the insured,
the Company taking xlv the risk. By the Mu
tual plan, the full value in insurance of the pre
mium paid, is not secured to the policy-holder,
who takes a portion of the risk himself."
Policies Issued In
Grold or Currency,
VM. E. HALE, MANAGER.
WELLS, FARGO fc CO.,
GENERAL AGENTS
FOR THE PACIFIC COAST.
J. C. JTIEIVDEiVIIAsLsL,
TBAVEIWO AGENT '
For Oreffon and Washington Territory.
Albany, September II, 1869-1U
NEWS.
- : . O
Farmers Can Ride and Plow.
i by sscup.iso osa or thb
"GAT" PLOWS,
Manufactured ana soia lor tne very low price of
0SS and l&TG. '
THE simplicity and practicability of this new
Plow commends it favorably to the special
notice of every farmer. It possesses decided
superiority aver all other plows now in use. The
wheels are four feet in. diameter, and run on the
nnplowed land. Its entire construction is in no
way complicated. The plow ia managed in every
manner with ease, and requires only two levers
to bo ased in making any alteration. The supe
riority of the "Gay" Plow will be clearly shown
by the following certificate s
We, the undersigned, citizens of Linn county,
Oregon, baring purchased and nsed upon our
farms tho "Gay" Plow, hereby certify that the
same has given ns en tire satisfaction. Its facility
for adjusting to suit the depth of furrow without
moring from the seat, is simple and easy. We
like the plow for its draught, because the same is
brought to bear directly upon the plow-beam in
stead of the carriage ; also, because it is strong
and durable, all except the wood-work being con
structed of wrought iron no ea'tings are used.
The wheels running upon the solid land is an ad
vantage over other gang-plows, in strikitiit off
land and in plowing, not having to make the nec
essary ehanges in the machinery, and the seat is
always level, not throwing tho driver forward or
sideways as in other plows. Better work and
more of it can be accomplished by the nse of this
Plow than by hand.
We take pleasure in recommending the "Oat"
Plow to our broader farmers, as . one having no
superior in Oregon.
J. G. REED. W. P. ESHOM,
A. S. LOONEY, E. W. PIKE,
W. H. GOLTTREE. U. DAVIDSON. "
May 20th, 1869.
The "Gat" Plow is manufactured by II.
Goulding, Portland Machine Shop.
All orders will be promptly attended to by ad
dressing, C. V. GAY.
Portland, Oregon.
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
Albany Agents.
J. BARROWS CO., Agents
for Linn A Benton counties.
JOHN BRIGGS, Agent
for Linn & Benton counties.
May 22, '69-37
THB OLD
STOVE DEPOT!
J OH A BRIGGS,
DEALER IX
STOVES, COOK, PARLOR & BOX,
of the best patterns !
ALSO
Tin, Sheet iron and
Copper Wo,xo !
and the usual assortment of Furnishing Goods to
be obtained in a
Repair neatly and promptly errmted, "flH
't9ro reasonable term. "T5r.
"Short reckonings, mako long friends."
Front street Albany.
Next door to Mansfield & Co.
dec5'68-12
BLACKSMITH I NC !
PLOWS ! PLOWS ! PLOWS
THE undersigned gives notice to the general
public, that he is now manufacturing the
Cralesburg Patent Plow !
and any other style of plow that may be ordered.
Also, particular attention paid to
Hone Shoeing-, Wagon and Darrlage
Making,
and General Jobbing.
All work entrusted to me will receive prompts
attention, and be executed in the best possible
manner with good material. A share of publie
patronage is solicited.
Shop on corner Ellsworth and Second streets,
opposite Pie-ce Ferry. V. WOOD.
Albany, November 21, 1868-11
CRAFTSMEN'S
LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY
OW NEW YORK.
BUCEIAIYAjY Ac IttEARS,
OB5EiL AGF.!tTS TOO.
Oregon, and Wasriinpton, Idano and
Montana Territories,
PORTLAND.
, OREGON.
NEVA ENGLAND
MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO.
or BOSTON.
SaTUtlXAl.'
INCOEPOKATID 1835.
Cash Plan, Low Rates, Strictly Ittatnal.
All Policies Non-Forfeiting ; by their
Terms.
No Restriction on Travel, Residence or
Occupation.
Policies issued in Gold or U. S. Curren
cy, as desired.
No extra charge upon women.
All varieties of Policies issued.
Large Cash Value upon Surrendered
Policies. .
oct9-5
E. S. MERRIXI Agent,
Albany, Oregon.
For Sale.
Cash assets
Cash Dividend, 1867..
Cash Dividend, 1868.
r.t.l 1 1
XVMM IIUHUI U1T IUBDUh ..... a..,,.
Losses paid in 1888............
Total losses paid..........
income for 1887.,
No extra eharge for traveling to and from tho
Atlantic States, Europe, Oregon, or the Sandwich
isianns, , . ,.
$7,000,000
626.67S S
78,17 86
J, 41 2,771 ,
67fi,00 00
8,342,100 DO
2,863,031 41
All Policies non-forfeiting, and governed by tho
non-torieiting law of Massachusetts, ;
Policy holders the only persons who receive d It
deeds in this Company, which are declared
and paid annually ; first dividend avail
able at the payment of the second
annual premiums. All Policies
, remain ia force as long as
there is any surrender
Talne. - " - : -i '
KO FORFE1 TUBES I
This old and popular Company, (the oldest Ma
tual Life Insurance Company in this .., ,
eonntry) insures at the low- '''' '
- est possible rates, , r
HOUSE AK3 FPUS LOTS!
IN thia eity, a good new dwelling wita 11 too
necessary outbuilding., and four lots, about
twenty minutes walk from the steamboat landing.
For particulars inquire at tha office of the P.
T. Company, of J. B. MONTKITH.
Albany, January 30, 1868-
8B MURRAY'S IMPROVED MAGIC
Oil too King of Pain. Ju5-39tf
' The stability of this Company, with its past his
tory, increasing capital and business, and the sat'
factory manner in wbioh UJum discharged Its
obligations in the pastaTeguaran ees for tho
future such as far-seeing and earefal sua require
in their investments. (
Persons generally, who thoroughly understand
the workings of Life Insurance, are anxious to
avail themselves of its equitable provisions.
Full information will be given to those who
desire, at the Agency.
Home Office, 39 State Street, Boston.
, Pacific Branch Offices, .
30!i Montgomery Street, San Francisco.
1 : ' '
Room 3, Carter' Building, Portland, Oregon,
EVERSON & HAINES, General A&rto.
RlTSSEaLsL fc EliKIIVS, AgU,
ALBANY, OREGON.
Albany, September 19, 1868-2y
1809-70.
Albany Collegiate Institute.
THE NEXT TERM XST THIS INSTTTCr
tion for youth of both sexes, will open on
Monday, the 18th of October next.
It will be in eharge of the Rev. Edward R. .
Gfart and the Rev. Samuki. O. Irvine, assist
ed by a corps of competent teachers. .
, CALENDAR.
The first term will embrace IS weeks of tuition,
endiDg February 4th, 1870. .
The second term will embrace 20 weeks of tu
ition, from February 7th to July 1st, 1870. '
RATES OF TUITION"
(per quarter or tes? weeks.)
Preparatory and common branches.. .... .$5 00
Advanoed English 7 10
Ancient and Modern Languages, Higher -
Mathematics, Ac 9 00
Tuition charged from date of entrance to end
of quarter, and payable in advance.
Organisation of College Classes.
A Freshman class will be formed and a course
of study prescribed at the opening oi the term.
Principal Text Books. .
Wilson's Readers, Clark's English Grammar,
Robinson's Mathematics, Hooker's Natural
Science, Qnaekenbos' Khetorie, Ahbotfs Abee
crombie's Mental and Moral Philosophy, llark
ness' Latin Series, Fasquell's French Series, and
the most approved editions of the Latin aud Greek
Classics. -
- A Record ;
Of every recitation will be made, and an average
given in Quarterly Reports ; also, of attendance
and deportment.
Oowomment.
The aim will be to develop . in the student a
high sense of moral obligation, honor and integ
rity, and those wbo cannot be governed by sncb
motives, will not remain in the school. - ,
Board
May be bad in families at $4 per week, and
rooms procured where students may board them
selves. By order of the Board of Trustees.
EDWARD R. GEARY.
Albany, Aug. II, '60-40 President.
"ON TO HIT!"
WADS WORTH & KUHN
Are now ready to execute all kinds of
Fancy Painting !
-such
U1
Plain and
Signs, Carriages, Buildings,
as well as
Graining, Paperhanging, Calclmtnlng-,
and in fact all kinds and stylos of
PLAIN AND ORNAMENTAL : WORK,
that can be done with Paint and Brash, at -jar
FAIR, LIVING RATES.
Give as a call. Shop on Ferry street, over
Kuhn A Adams' wagon shop.
aog21-iw " -
ia GOOD AS COLD, j
BUY THE ONLY GENUINE IMPROVED
W 1 W W W, f AY Wfe ' WW. . MMWWW.M'
UliUllIU UUL1J HAXU1L5,
, MAftCrACTURED BT ,
THE OROIDE WATCH CO.
They are all the best make. Hunting eases:"
finely chased ; look and teear like fine gold, and
are equal in appearance to the best gold watehee
usually costing $150. Full Jeweled eter,Gent'e
and Ladies sices, at !& each. '
Our Doable Extra Refined Solid Oroide
Gold Hunting Cases, Full Jeweled Levers, are
equal to $200 Gold TPateke Regulated and
Guaranteed to keep correct time, and near and not
tarnieh. Extra Fine Came, at $20 each. ,
No money Is required lit advance. Wo
send by Express anywhere within the United
Slates, payable to agent on delivery, with tho
privilege to open and examine before paid for,
and if not satisfactory returned, by paying tho
Express charges. Good will be teat by mail as
Registered Packages, prepaid, by sending cash
in advance.
An Aqent tending for ix teatehe get an Extra
WATVH FREE, making term $U Wateketar
$90. or eeven $20 Wateke fnr $120.
Also, Elegant Oroide Gold Chains, of
latest and most costly styles, for Ladies and
Gentlemen, from 10 to 40 inches long, at $2, $4,
$6, and $8 each, sent with watches at lowest
wholesale prices. State kind and sise of watch
required,and to avoid bogus concerns, order only
from OROIDE WATCH CO.,
ISto : 148, Falton Street, New York. -
Dissolution.
THE CO-PARTNERSHIP heretofore existing
between Charles Meajey and William Plymp
ton, under the firm name of C. Mealcy A Co., is
this day dissolved by mutual consent. All moneys
due the firm must be paid to . C. Mealcy. All
debts contracted by the firm will bo paid upon
presentation to the undersigned, who will continue
in the furniture business at the old stand, eomer
of Broadalhin and First streets. '
CHARLES MEALEY.
WILLIAM PLYMPTON.
Albany, June 18, 'flO-sI ,
' Biao Charco ! .
ALL persons knowing themselves indebted to
the lata firm of C. Mealey A Co., sre re
quested to come forward and mako Immediate
payment to the undersigned. "A wortT tn , the
wise," Ac. . C. MEALEY. -
Juno 19, '69.