Willamette farmer., September 21, 1883, Page 7, Image 7

X
WILLAMETTE FARMER: POitTLAiND, OREGON, SEPTEMBER 21, 1863.
THE FAR KOBTH-WEST-THE NEW ORDER
OF THING'.
The comp'etioti ot awl opening o' travel hy
the Northern Trans coutineutal railroad
places tho Par North-west on an independent
footing, ami emancipates it from the position
hitherto Bustaiued, of being dependent on the
Central Pacific route and tnbnlaiy to Califor
nia. Tho tuna lias at last come when the
North PacifioStates and the terr.tcry directly
south of the Bnti-di line, haveelirict commu
nication tast end west with all tho world.
The circuitous route that has been hitherto
follow ed across the Central or Southern rail
ways, and then an ocean vojage to Portland
or Pugct Sound, is dono away. A direct ana
shorter line of travel now takes the immigrant
to the newly opening field of Eastern Oregon
and Washington. Heretofore, alter reaching
Portland, ho had to turn again eastward and
travel hundreds of miles at considerable ex
pense, to seek his permanent lo ation. Now
he reacbe the reg'on west of the Rocky
mbunta'us iu.a three or. four day's travel from
Chicago, and when 750 miles inland, at Mis
soula, has the wide Pacific North-west before
him to choose frm. In other words, he
reaches tho Pacific slope in 1,000 to 2,000
milts leas travel, and with less expense and
loss of time, than, heretofore? The relief to
tho situation under this new order is sufficient
to cause much satisfaction and rejoicing
among all those directly interested. The
benefit to? aT wlio fc6md3! here 'is very
great. Inducement for immigration lias in
creased as travel now' involves 'less time.-ex1-pensa,
hardship aud danger. Instead of so
long journeying, so many changes, such ex
pense and loss of time, families or individuals
can come hcie with i comparatively little ex
panse or hardship. There is no ocean voyage
now necessary. It is true that splendid
steamers are on the ocean route, but there
was no possible satisfaction from ocean travel
under the molt favorable circumstance;, that
could compensate for the expense and delay.
We can now n ceive the world by our own
gateway and welcome the newcomer under
pleaaanter circumstances.
THE SHORTEST TRANS-CONTINENTAL LINE.
St. Paul is but four days run by regular
passenger trains, from Portland. It is only
two days run from the Atlantic sea board to
St. Paul. Six days travel by the fast trains
will convey one from the waters of the At
lantic to those of the Pacific. Connection be
tween St. Paul and all Eastern cities, is easy
and direct. Paisongers can easily reach that
'place and then take cars direct for Oregon or
Wasbingt n, with no further change or diffi
culty. Immigrant trains take more time than
regular passenger, and w ill be provided with
sleeping accommodations that will materially
adcTto the1 comfort of (travel. JNj'o shU soon
publish the co3t of passage from priucipal
cities of the Eastern States to points west of
the Rocky mountains. Our intention is to
show how the immigraut proceeds to reach
the Pacific Noith-w est and to descri'e the
country as he advances through it after cross
ing the continental divide. We invite the
reader to follow our description, and see what
agiicultural areas exist through Northern
Montana and Idaho, wist of the great divide.
We will Bhow hiin the wonderfully productive
regions of Eastern Washington and Orc-
gon.
NORTH fcATLKN MWIASa.
Debouching uon the plain wheieon Mis
soula stands, from the ti emend jus gorge
known as Hell Gate, tho railroad puses along
the northern verge of a praine district that
Governor Stevens named Hell Gate R. nde.be
ing the delta of tho Hell Gate anil Bitter Root
ricrs. The latter comes from the south and
its fertilo vnllej is settled for a long distance
among the mountains. The other stream is
sues from the mountains through an abrupt
canon that forms one of the striking object-)
of the route. This valley and prairie region
has been settled for many years. It is sur
prising tu find a temperate climate and rich
farming land b close to the great mountain
ranges that form the continental divide. The
elevation, however, is not so great as one
could naturally suppose. This part of North
western Montana has well proved its capacity
to yield abundant products and to support a
large populnti m.
Farther west the railroad passes through a
rolling hill counrty, across the Flathead reser
vation, and enters the Jocko country, on
which are some Indian and half-breed's farms.
Thence it follow sdown the Flathead river ti its
junction w ith the Missoula, where the two
-orm Clarke's Fork of the Columbia. There
s more or less good country through there
and many settlers, are already making homes
where they can locite clear of the Indian
reservation. Towards the British line, much
of the way from the Cascades to the Rocky
mountains, for 300 miles, there is more or less
fertile country that invites settlement. The
Flathead Lake region has good country within
easy reach. Tho winters are so temperate
that cattle large in the valleys without being
fed. The productiveness o! the soil has been
tested by those who satisfied themselves of its
quality before locating permir.anently.
NORTHERN IDAHO.
The road leaves Montanaandpassesthrough
Northern Idaho, follow ing the flowof Clarke's .
TV,fc fnr nn. hundred miles. The stream
then loses itself for 25 miles in Pen d' Oreille
hake. After crossing the lake, the road turns
(south and west, allthti time in, a mountain
fous country with dense, forests. B;fore
heaving Its limits of Idaho it touches Rath-
Idrum, 25miles west of Spokane rails, on the
Cpper portion of the Spokane plain. W e nav
k last reached the edge1 of the wide-spread
fbeat field of Eastern Washington. Tne
iw comer must be on tne " "" ,or D
here may be the spot where his future borne
fell be located.
f WATERS OI hNKANK RIVER.
Northern Idaho, as a glance at the map
,Wl show, runs north to a, narrowiog point.
to portion of the Palouse and Spokane re-
J 1? 1 ... .t-.... .I'Slna mnrn I
S lit VICW3 UiUCI tUClAIUCf U w..v u.vmm
i to the west, the headwaters oi me i a- ,
lruso form in among the range further south,
Thu Spokane liver o lines out of Lake Coutr
d'Alene, w hio'i i n beautiful body of wati r,
33 miles bng. West of it, in Idaho, isalaige
area of the bat farming land possible,
much of which is unfortunately within the
bounds of the Couer d'Alene Indian reserva
tion. To tho cost are the mountains fiom
which twn great rivets, St. Jo aud vJauerd'
Aleue, pour their flouls into the lako'and fur
nish tho fountain head i f Spokane rier. On
these rivers are fine natural meadows owned
by the Indians. Through tho mountains and
near the lake, on the east, there are extensive
forests of fir, pine, hemlock, etc., that are of
great value to the surrounding country.
FERTILE SOIL IV NORTHERN IDAHO.
South froit Rathdrum, is the beautiful
Rock Creek country, rrobably'all taken up,
or nearly so, as beautiful a region as any coun
try affords. It is extensive, as it lies partly
in both Idaho and Washington. Between
this and Spokano plain lies an open forest
country, well watered, with very fertile soil,
that oilers home-cpots for a large settlement.
Tins comes up to tbe Spokane plain, which is
a eravclly bed 3 to 5 miles wide and 30 miles
long What this gravel will produce is tbe
great question with many. Somo who have
tried it, say iis value has never bcu known
that it his wonderful productive capacity. ond
will all be utilized, especially for vegetables
Towards Rathd rum this grav.lly plain has
moie alluvial andjt is thought jt will be yery
valuable.1-' Settlement is constantly invading
this great pluiuaud its. actual worth as a farm
ing country willoon be determ ned.
AROUND srOKANE PALLS
North andsouth aid west of Spokane Falls
there is a wide extent of good agricultural
country tint is nearly nil taken up by actual
settlers., The tjwn itself is located where
the great Spokane river is separated by islands
into three streams and tbe three make a grand
plunge. In half a 'mile the river and rapids
shows 80 feet of fall. Tho great flowof the
river and, the extent of tho falls make it one
of -the most" Valuable water powers on the
continent. In every direction are fruitful dis
tricts that grow wheat in profusion. All cir
cumstances attending point to .Spokane Falls
as at no distant day to become the Minneapo
lis of the far west.
The railroad follows a southwesterly course
from Spokane Falls to the junction of the Co
lumbia and Snake rivers. AU this while it
traverses a parched aud forbidding region,
generally fallowing the bed of, some dried-up
water course, or coulee, which afford a con
venient and easy-grade but allow the traveler
no View of waiving grain fields or of homes,
orchards and gardens. These are often not
far off and support a line of towns along the
road, that one wonders to seo there, until tho
existence of good farming lands near by is ex
plained. TOWN'S ALON'O TUB NORTHERN I'ACIHC.
Rathdrum is the first of these towns; then
comes Spokane Falls, which, receives trade
from Col ille to the northward as well as a
wide region near at hand. Next comes Che
ney 16 miles below, a business place that sur
prises you', but it is centrally located to suit a
very extensiveagricultural patronage. Spragcc
s 24 miles still further down thu line and has
railroad workshops in operation. These
towns have grown up like magic and are well
supported by rich farming districts that sur
round them. It is true that the strip o'
rocky soil tho road follows is not alluring, but
good soil is in all cases very near. The coun
try is rapidly settling up and making a be
ginning towards production. Remember thu'
thice v,ears ago there was neither country noi
towns to attract att.ntiou er deserve notice.
There were few who theD had any coirect ilea
of thu fertility and natural rtsources of tho
Spokane region.
TOWARDS THE BRITISH LINE.
North of Spokane, some distance, in Ste"
vens couuty, is the Colville country, consist
ing of rich valleys and fertile uplands that are
beginning to attract notice and - immigration.
That couutry has been much of it set aside for
Indian reservations, but government has1 of
late, thrown large areas open for settlement.
Heretofore .North-eastern Washington has
been a pastoral region where flocks and herds
have been grazed. It was also known to pos
sess mineral wealth, and recent discoveries
prove that its value in that respect has not
been underestimated. Through all that north
ern belt of country near the British line ore
found native deposits of precious metals that
will be extensively worked. These things
must be taken into consideration, when we es
timate the resources of this reeion. Its ca
pacity for sustaining population is a great fea
ture, and the existance of mines that will cre
ate a home market for farm products has a
wonderful effect on common prosperity,
ARID LANDS TOWARD AINoVVORTH.
The Northern Pacific railroad kecpsa south
easterly course from Spokane Falls to Ains
worth, where it reaches the confluence of the
Columbia and Snake river?. Tbe 100 miles
from Ritzville to Ainsworth lies in Coulees
that are dry and barren-looking wastes, tree
less and waterless, but the stations have
wells and also plantations of joung poplars,
box elders and the like, are thriving well under
irrigation, proving that the soil will produce
unfailingly if it can be irrigated. It takes
tome faith to believe that this arid region can
or ever will become productive, but t
those who reason that with. settleme
there are
ment and
cultivation encroaching on this arid stretch.
climatic changes will take place and rainfall
will increase and enable farmers . to realize
good returns, f ,
THE WONDERFUL FALOUdE COl'NTRl.
South of the Spokane country and east and
south of the Northern Pacific railway is the
great Palouse region, which blends with the
Spokane country, as waters run north and
south from it. This area of excellent fanning
land south and east of the railroad and norta
of Snake river contains four millions of acre of
excellent land, lying close under the Couer d'
Alene mountains, extending west for an aver
age of 60 to "5 miles, and north nearly 100
miles. This magnificent region is all fertile,
even to tbe hill tops, and one peculiarity is
mat me mgnesi unci is most prouueuve,
Quite a ijree proportion of the Lower Palouse
L ... t . m t Cn.t. ...... 1 4a. .....1..
COUUIT Y, UUb !' IIUIU JUJmU- IITtl UU WNAIUI
ms ii .--u--- .mv-m-.,, ...-t..
numerous
settlements are being made on government
lanl and puichas s made of railroad land for
actual settlement. That recion is capable of
producing enormous crops with proper culti
vation and will support a largo p puta ion.
TOWNS IN THE I'ALOUSE REGION.
Through tho IMouse country important
towns bav-e sprung up and new ones are con
stantly being located. Colfax, at the junction
of thePalouse branches.isaplaco of importance.
Un the eastern edge ot this county, near the
Couer d' Alene mountains, are Moscow in
Idaho, and Palouse city and Farinington close
to the line. Settlements have been thickly
made near the mountains, because of the
abundant supply of water and timber. There
are a number of other towns in the Palouse
country, besides important business points,
on Snake river. '
PALOUSE nRANCH RAILROAD
At a point 50 miles above Ainsworth, a
branch road leaves the main Northern Pacific
line to explore the Palouse country as far as
ColfaX, then it forks and sends branches to
Farinington on the north and Moscow on the
south. This railroad will penetrate the cen
tral wheat fields of that rich ngio'n; it will
leave bnalte river, always navigable, on the
south, and on the no'th the Northern Pacific
railroad will afford transportation. In a short
while that pnition of the eastern couutry will
have all the facilities it reasonably can desire
for transaction of business.
THE DIG BEND COUXTRV.
Leaving Lake 1'en d'Oreille, the railroad
pursues a course to the south-west, whilo the
waters of Clarke's Fork of the Columbia turn
west and north and then south, in a great
bend to its junction with the Spokane, Vfter
that the Columbia bends west again, and a
little north, making a great circuit west and
south and curving east to a junction with
Snake river at Ainsworth, where the railroad
crosses to the south side by a eteam ferry.
Until of late, this region west of the railroad
and in the great bend of the Columbiiwas
not thought of as u farminir region. Now,
portions of it are well peopled and are already
farmed, snowing a capacity for production,
equal to any portion of the Pacific Northwest.
That portion nearest to Spokane and Cheney,
north and near.Sprague, is already settled and
has thriving towns in youthful stage. This in
cludes the Deep creek and Cottonwood dis
tricts and the headwaters of Crab Creek. Quite
lately settlements have been made further
away from the railroad and the exploration of
the country proves that much of the four
millions ot acres known as th Big Bend, is
Eood, arable land. Mr. Thielson, Chief En
gineer, puts it thus: Of the 4,000,000 acres,
one third is wen wooaea anci watered aim me
best of soil. One third is equally good soil
and not well wooded or with living water; the
other third is infeiior and much of it "scab
land," that is to say, hai a rocky surface, but
affords considerable pasturage. Those who
have been west of the Grand Coulee describe
tbe land in parts as equal to the beBt oi Illi
nois prairies. The Grand Coulee is a walled
valley, supposed to haye once been the bed for
the Columlia, which has since changed its
flow and makes a detour to the west. This
region is watered by Crab creek and its
branches, that flow into Moses lake, which has
no visible outlet.
.SOUTH Ot SNAKE RIVER.
Eleven miles below AinBWorth is Wallula,
the point whero the Northern Pacifio road
beuins. The road from there to Portland is
owned by the Oregon Railway and Naviga
Hon Coinpvny, From this point, (Wallula)
that company's road branjhes west to Walla
Walla, thenco to Waitsburg, 1'rescott, Dayton
and Ripiria on Snake liver, 300 miles from
Portland. There connection is mado with
liver steamers that navigate Snake river at all
seasons, to Luwuion in Idaho. From Wallula
to Levviston in a direct line west, is over 100
miles through Walla Walla, Columbia and
(iai field counties, vvhcie arable Ian Is extend
from the Blu mountain summits to Snake
river, with aveiace width of 30 to 40 miles.
Walli Walla was t.:e first set. led of all tho
upper country. Giadually thu percepti n of
the world was awaked bi a lealiation ot the
value of thosu lands. Settlers came and took
un lands, mado homes, planted orchauls
and meadow-B, made gardens and wheat fields
and now the counties ot Walla Walla ana Co
lumbia possess man;, beautiful country homes
and some as goed farms as heart can wish for.
Garfield county is somewhat newer Lut is
rapidly acquiring age, experienco and becom
ing a good farming country. It is discovered
that the neglected lands towards Snake
river have productive capacity as reliable
ai anv of the mot favored localities,
This season with its unprecedenteddrouth has
placed production on the dry lands of Walla
Walla county, as Eureka Flat, on par with the
favored foot hill region. A large extent
of these lands remain vacant south of Snake
river and have been rapidly settled upon with
in a year.
TOWNS SOUTH 01 hNAKE RIVVR.
Walla Walla is the best point for trade and
the most beautiful town in the upper country,
Its business streets are well built. Its public
buildings are handsomo and substantial. Many
private residences are really elegant and al'
combined show the prosperity of country and
town. Walla Walla aims to be a distribut
ing point and has considerable wholesale
trade.
Waitsburg, also in the Walla Walla couutry
is a beautiful though smaller place. It has a
fine farming region around it and is a good
trade center. These tonus all have water
power and thus flouring mills grind much of
the) wheatxrown, which goes to Europe in the
shape of flour. Waitsburg is on the fouchet.
The railroad follows tbe valley of thoTouchet
to Dayton, which is also on that stream.
Dayton is located on the forks of the Tou
diet and is a very beautiful place. Its flour
iul' mills and woolen factory, sawmills and
planing mills form quite an industrial element
willio lis uusiueoa sircci. icuccva mc i,mu uiu
energy of the people of that region. Tbe
country around Dayton is amazingly produc
tive and land commands a good price.
i'omeroy is another enterprising town in
Garfield couuty, where a large trade is carried
on. It is central to as gooa a farming country
as any country can lay claim. I'atana City,
close by it, is another active town and rival for
the trade of tbe surrounding country.
LEWI-iTON AND MIDDLE IDAHO,
Lewiston is located in the forks of tbe
Clearwater and Snake river and built under
the bluff mainly on the Clearwater shore. The
country north and south is much of it good
arable land, generally taken and somewhat
cultivated. North is the Genesee country and
Big and Little Potlatch rivers that are said to
be very inviting. Tbe Nez I'erce Indian res
ervation occupies a large extent ot good farm.
ing land that the Indians have no use for. Be
sides the reaervation there is good country
south of Lewuton that has considerable set
tlement. This country is too remote to be
available for wheat growing but is utilized as
a stock country aud has considerable wealth
in that direction.
Thus we have briefly reviewed all tho coun
try north and south ot Suiko river in Wash
ington Territory, with an aijricultural area of
more than ten millions of acres. A region ca
pable of sustaining a great population and of
shinning twenty millions of bushels of wheat
if only one acre in fifteen shsll be under good
cultivation.
MIDDLE ORECMN AND WASIIIMITON.
What may be ternud Mid lie O.-ogm aud
Washington consist of tho counties in Wash
ington vvtst of the southward bend of the Cj.
lumbia aud cast of the Cascade ranges, Also
that portion of Oregon south of the above
described, east of the Cascade mountains and
all north and w-est in Oregon, of the Blue
mountains. Thii district includes Klickitat
and Yakima counties north of Suake river,
and Wasco aud Umatilla counties iu Oregon.
Other parts of Middle Oregon are now too far
south from transportation facibtios to permit
settlers to grow ordinary product, save wool.
They are, tnerefoie, not enticing to immi
grants who, as a rule, wish to locate where
they can become practical farmers, or combine
stock raising with other husbandry.
UMATILLA COUNTY, OREOON
Following down the south bank of the Co
lumbia river to Wallula, the Northern Pacific
connects with the Oregon Railway and Navi
gation Co's road at that place, eleven miles
below Ainsworth and passes the northern
boundary of Umatilla county in Oregon over
fifty miles. Umatilla county is a magnificent
region that extend' along the Blue mountains
from Rock creek on the east to a point south
of Walla Walla on the west. Tho available
lands of the county cover a length of over one
hundred milqs east and west. Eastern Uma
tilla is being thoroughly developed by the va
rious branches of tbe O, R. S. N. Co'.s roads.
The Baker city branch goes through it from
Umatilla station to the Blue mountains, a
branch road from Walla Walla to Pendleton,
will soon be comp'eted and afford transit for
the products of the country between these
points. From Milton to Pendleton,
over thirty miles, the railroad will traverse a
district that is almost entirely under cultiva
tion, where this year (1S83) the farmers claim
to have fully average harvests though scarce a
drop of rain fell for 100 days before harvest
commenced. Riding through that country in
July wo saw a succession of grain fields occu
pying a belt of twenty miles or more in width,
vVe doubt if any region in the United States
can show a territory of equal size that will
produce as much grain. There could be no
more beautiful sight possible. The arable
lands of Eastern Umatilla extend from the
very summits of the Blue mountains to the
Columbia river, 3o miles and contain 750,000
acres. Of this half million acres must be the
best of soil and especially adapted to wheat
growing. It is probable that a surplus of a
million and a half bushels of wheat will be
shipp'd this season from land eastof the Uma
tilla river.
The towns inEvsteru Umatilla are Umatilla,
Castle Rock, and other river points, whilo
through the fertile wheat belt are Pendleton,
Centerville, Weston and Milton, all places of
business that rapidly grow as tlu countr II Is
up. Most of thn goo t Boil is claimed, but a
patient and watchful man who would hire,
out to wcrk or find Bomo temporary em
ment, can often find vacant Ian I or land that
is held under illegal tenure; smuggled iu some
way by greedj laud owners who cover up
choice spots by illegal pretense.
The mountain section of this county contains
much valuable timber and thera are pleasant
slopes aiiionc the ringcs that can hi cleared
and utilised for agricu tmal purposes. The
eiuumcr pasturage through the mountains ib
very valuvble surBhecpatid other stock, btock
oh litis drive great herds into thu mountains
in Buiiniicr and hav u their s parate ranges,
held by priority of possess on. Tho first man
w ho pistitrcs any rango has a right that is
r spieled until somo settler becomes actual
owiiir. Some of tlu so mountain vullcya have
become so valuable that permanent settle
ment has been attempted theie
VVSThR UMVTII.LA, IN OHM. OS".
The large area of land west of the U.natilla
river has, up to the present time, been used
as giaing ground for immense drovesof sheep
aud herds of stoc t. Umitilla is rich in stock
of all kinds nn J produces actually millions of
pounds of wool. The surface of this region is
not so smooth as in the eastern part of the
county. However, thero is inducement fcr
settlement and it is a wonder tint any portion
of its fertile territory remains unoccupied. A
prejudice has existed in many minds, which
stock men have taken pains to encourage, aud
the belief exists that tins region lacks rainfall
and moisture necessary to produce good crops.
This belief is weakening as actual experience
demonstrate i tbe capacity of this portion of
Eastern Oregon to sustain agriculture. The
results ot the present season, tliemoitdrouthy
and unfavorable ever known, show that good
farming is all that is needed to produco good
crops through all the lands couth oftheColum
bia. Settlements are being rapidly made far
south of the river, along tho foot hills, and on
the prairie stretches between tho various
streams. Towns on the river or railroad rep
resent crow th and settlement inland. Thus
Castle Rock, an entirely new town, has sud
denly come into existence ten miles east of
Willow creek aud will encourage tho settle
in lit of the extensive upland that lie between
Willow und Butter creeks, and all the way
back to Hepmicr and the mountains. It is 60
miles from Castle Rock to the Blue moun
tains. It remains to be seen what part of the
intervening country is worthy of agricultural
development. We confidently expect to see
the greater poriio i settled as farming lands,
that are yet vacant and waiting for claimants
and good workers.
WASCO count, oim.o.v.
This county extends from the summit of the
Cavcade ranges eastward to past John Day
river and presents a fac- of 75 miles on the
Columbia. It extends south nearly 100 miles.
The Dalles is tbe chief point and ii situated
near the commencement of the great gorge,
the river makes through the Cascade mount
ains. Along the riv;r are points for trade
that are only commencing to develop. Alkali
towards the eastern line is a place of consider
able trade. Other points will receive trade as
the country south become settled and is pro
ductive. Until lately home-seekers went, un
questioning, past everything that offered along
the Columbia river, and did not stop until
they reached Snake river. Now, later outers
discover that equally good farming lands can
be taken in Northern Wasco and Umatilla and
find themselves a hundred or more miles nearer
to market. Settlements are made along the
1 - l... 111... .. ..I ..! n ,ir. mwa.
Uaie (II W1V IIIUV lUUUUMIUI IUM UH gwv., ,
ble upland between John Day and Deschutes ,
rivers, and the foot hills of the Cascades, for a
LuLtlred miles south of the Columbia river.
Stock in n view with apprehension this con
stant encroachment on their ones domain.
It is asserted by competent authority, that
tho country from the Cascade mountains to
the Umttilli river, one hundred miles cast
a .id wtst, is the iiust desirable portion for
settlement at this time This wide territory,
reaching back fifty miles south, contains a
million aero, of which two fifths or 400,000
acres must be tho first quality of arable land.
Making every r e-is -m.iblo allow anco for rocky
surfaces and abrupt hills, a very largo pro
portion of all tho country south 200 miles to
the L ike region, is excellent soil and eapiblc
of rexolviiiL, itself into good farming lands
It is a region that has not been looked at
fiom the arable standpoint. Its flocks and
herds ai o ow ned by men who naturally c'is
courige tho idea of farming but there is no
good reason w hy that country should not be
possessed of good soil and be capablo of pro
duction; why settlement should n it go n and
a railroad be built down the middle of the iu
terval between the mountain ranges and so
induce the redemption of all Middle Oiegon.
It is c.r'ainl) true that this Middle Oregon
region off rs cicclloat opportunity for those
who wish to combine farming aud stock rais-
UNION, BVKER AND IIBANT COUNTIES.
The buildiug of the Baker City branch will
develop the eastern counties of Oregon. It
crosses the Blue mouutaius to Urauda Hmde
valley, that issurrounded by ranges, thus pausing
through Union aud Biksr counties will give
them every facility desired. Those cfluntjea
are now remote frmn travel but that will booh
coaso to be true. They will possess great ad
vantages, for the reason that rich mines exist
through these ranges, that railroad buildiug
will encourage, aud when worked, as they
will be, they will create a market for the pro-'
ducts of those valleys. There is already con-'
siderable settlement there, msde in 1862;3,
but there is always room for earnest seekers
aud workers.
Grant county is located on the west Eide.of
the Blue Mouutaius and also has value as a
mining region. On the south it has opjii
couutry that is high in altitude but may bo
capable of producing crops of hardy cereals.
Its value as a grazir g mntry is attested to the
tact that it contains gicat wealth of stock' of
all kindsjtliat thrive there summers and win
ters. ' A
Middle Washington.
KLICKITAT COUNTr, W. T.
The Simcoe mountains deflect from the main
Cascade mountains 25 miles north of the Co
lumbia river, and extends eastward about 50
miles. These mountains and a large area of
good territory ou the noitli, are included in
the Yakima Indian reservation. This minor
mountain range, and the Yakima river to tho
eastward, form the dividing line between
Yakima and Klickitat counties, that const!:
tute Middle Washington. Tho western por
tion of Klickitat, near the Cascades and
watered by tho Klickitat river and branches,
is a very fine eountry, settled very generally
and utilized for fanning and stock raising.
Goldendale,the county Beat, has become a
town of considerable importance, as it is sur
rounded by good country. That part of
Klickitat mutt have vacant lands and it is al-
-'ays possible for a nrin with seme means to
purchase a prior (settler's rights and improve
ments, very oft n ut less cxptnse thau they
could bo placed thero for. There aie Beverul
other towns and trading points on thu river
and tluougli the uouiity.aud excellent oppor
tunity is oileicd fur business openings.
EASTERN KLICKITAT I'OUNTV, W. T.
Eastern Klickitat extends from the Simcoe
mountains eastwaid to the junction of Snake
river with tho Co umbia, aud has known very
little settlement prior to the summer of 1882.
At that time the wiitci of tins met a well
known Willamctto farmer, who had lately
tiavelcd through 1'ibterii Klickitat, aul des
cribed it as follow,. Along thu river extends
a saudy ridge about tinea miles wide. Ho
crossed this and found beyond it a rollinu'
country that giadually aeends until it Hears
thn Yakniii river, then bioakB suddenly down
to it. Thu good land is 15 to IS miles north
and uou'.h and 00 miles cost and west. For
ests oxist in the mountains, and great quan
tity of drift can be caught ill high water along
thu Columbia. Lumber and tunbor vsn be
purchased at the railroad and river stations
The couutry described, faces south and hns a
pleasant climate. At that time, June, las'.',
there was not u Bingle settler in all "that coau
try, though soon after speculators locited
claims there, and some permanent locations
wero mado. Those who raised crops there the
uresent veal, did so under many ilisaUvantaecs,
bat make a good report of the yield. No
doubt that region is as attractive and desira
ble as any part of Eistern Washington, and is
accessible, as slcamnoats navigate me uoiuin
lua. The Northern 1'acifio is building a rail
road on the north side of that river, whilo the
O. R A. N. Co. 'h road is operated on the south
Bide. Eistern Klickitat is due north of the
wonderfully fortlle regions of Eastern Uina
tilla, only separated by the river aud seems to
possess equal value.
VAK11IA L'OUNTV, W.T.
Also in Middle Oregon, is Yakima country,
The river of that name pours its floods into
the Columbia a fow miles above the junction
with Suaku river, and its head waters drain
the Cafcadu mouLtains for a long distance.
These numeious alllucnts cause as many fcr
tile valleys, that have already attracted per
manent settlement. Though remote frum
orunary routes of transportation there are ex
tensive plantations of hops, that last season
greatly enriched the owners. Tho immediato
construction of the Cascade mountain branch
of the Northern Pacific system, will develop
the Yakima country, as the, road will pa-s di
rectly up tho Yakima river aud cross to J'ugut
Sound, With railroad facilities at command,
Yakima county will assume importance and
make rapid progress. It a'rewly has two
thriving towns - Ya'aitna and Ellensburg and
smaller places begin to attract t.ade.
lammi county lias numerous ricn eiui, nar
row valleys on the numerous streams Jtliat
feed the main river from the east and west as
well a from the Cascade mountains. The
foot-bill region must be" very attractive for
some departments of farming. In Eastern
Yakima, and where the streams open 'on the
great plains, there exist sloping district 'of
arid lands that are covered with 'sags brush
and buoch grass, with soil of the grestest pos
sible fertility. The value of these lauds ia
exciting great interest among men with means
at command. Many irrigation scheme J art in
progress and companies forming to take up
such lands of which Yakima must have a
million acres under thu desert land act. It U
considered that this character of laud is the
richest the upper eountry affords Besides
these thi i country hai great areas 'of uplinds
lying between the streams and experience
proves that the uplands are the very best
V erywhere through the cast.rn county fer
producing all kinds of crops.
On tho headwaters of the Yakima and other
livers of Middle Washington are found cold
mines that aro stt-adilv worked and will afford
market for p-oiuets as tho country is devel
oped, and those mines, among the rest, yield
riches tu the world. The wealth of so much
of this wide interior is in embryo, or not at
all understood, that its future cannot be easily
ovi lestimitcd
We hive thus taken a brief glance at the
Inlin I E npiro of the Pac'fio Northwest: have
auuompauicel the rcvy c liner down tho routes
nt travel unlit at last we have reacted the
gateway of commerce, through the great gorpe
of tho Columbia Wo hive taken him with
us to look at rcuious of Oreiron and Washing
ton, Moutau i anil Idaho, that have attrae
ti his tor new comers, with the hope to make
asier lor linn tue mailer oi selecting a no'ue
mil making a .permanent location. Now we
pass through the Gi;eat Canyon to regl ins
west ot the Uaseades, 'in botti Oregon anil
Washington ' ' '
, Till. LOWMi COLUMBIA. .'
A fow hours on the. swift fail takas.one
from the Dalle', oast of1 th'o Case id -b, to Port
land, on the Willamette. Or if the traveler
prefers to takef the river route, ho will fiiid a
comfortable sUamlio'at, provided with allliei-
n.i..AJ.4fKd.Ll.l l. L. I- 'I
cQoaijr ccuuiLiiuuaeiuu,skuu uitieu i,iiu juuruay
,n a short day from Portland to the Dalea,
with every facility for enjoying the grandest
river scenery on' the continent. ' '
Issuini: from the motm'taini on the west, we
come to forest shores with1, extensive bottoms
and occasioually wulUgfassed islauls that aij
ford in adow laud "of moll pasturao. Ihe
shores rise on the' iiorththo 'Washington e
ritory side, and inrfiHrcaina'aro IjcyonJ. There
are simply fnrosts o'uthn south, or Oregon
side. The soil, w.heh -cleared of woods' is
good for fruits or vegetables and,lmsa growing
market, as Portland is .witliiu easy distant!.
by boat or rail. All this country mustjSe
come valuable on that account. ."
Passing, oil down the Columbia, you "fijd,
continually, forest shores and bottoms albif;
the river, with occasional islands. Riv6r
come in from 'the north,' and tho WillameTte
from the south, afford 'fertile deltas, if the
woril is applicable to inland deposits of river
washings. The Cowlitz, ou the noitti, haa t.f
large extent of rich valley Had and is wtii
derfnlly productive There are larpo dviriee
along the rivers, a business th it needs the
best lands possible and must increase as citiesj
create demand. Passing by the interval that
represents the valleys that , are nestled be
tween the Cascade and Coast ranges, we co'me
to whero tho Columbia made its way tot)ie
ocean through tho Coast" fango; shores become
more or less monutanous and bottoms ai)d
islands less frequent. Thus we reach Astoria,
passing forest slioies that acquire almost fait-'
ulous value, as of lata the importance of lum
.her and timber has increased. Towards tbe
ocean lies Clatsop Point, that extends for a
mile or so iu width and 20 miles long, a sno
oession of old set beaches, aandy loam that,
favors certain grasses and permits of dairyiag
to good advantage.
Rivera coming in from the south near them,
give room for good dairy farms. Tho soil is
rich, but covered with tangled thickets of
dense growth. The shores of the Columbia
and the streams and valleys tributary to it.
permit of making valuutlo farms it tho settler
hoe tho urit and the muscle to do tho work.
AU thaticeieitilis near arket and cleared
lands will be more valuable thcrj t'lan any
where else.
Thero are rivem that empty into tho ocean
or ocean bays north or south oi tbe Columbia,
such as the JVhalcm ou the south aud the
Cliehalis and numerous others on thu north,
that have thu best of soil in thoir vallovB and
on tho first benches, that uru being settled up
and improved. Ouu great iidvautigu of vi
cinity to thu Bca is the euj ijnunt of moist sea
hiiiveB that keep vcgiutiou giuen slimmer and
wiutci, pieveiitiug thu li ats of July from be
ing npprcisivu w tho frosts of winter from
destiuying growing vegitatlou.
TIIK VVHI.AMKTTK VAM.KY.
From tho Columbia river to thu head of the
Villaniniuttu vallu' thu distanua is 150 miles
and the average width of ' the valley is 50
miles, at tunes widening to Over UO miles. It
's doubtful if iiny whero ou tliei wide, world's
surface there is anothor region of country
possessing such attractions for thu .eye, such
beautiful landscapes, such grandly romantic
rivers, combining with all that socms possible
(of natural variety and beauty, fcrti'ity and
productiveness of the highest order. 1'Voia
many a salient point can bo seen thu outline
and details of the great rungos that frame the
V-dley in, and sentinel peaks, whose snowy
summits have awed beholders since man be
gan, Tin so ro.icli fiom Mt Baker cl se to the
British line, tu the Three Sisters, a cluster of
snow points near tho head of the valley. The
mountains in this vinw extend through four
degrees of htitude and are the grandest Bight
known on our continent.
The Willamettu valley was Bottled early.
J is attractions drew many hero previous to
1850 It pnsiciso gio.t variety; theru are
broad prairies, rolling up'auds, fertile hill
ratiL'ox, and charming vailuys and font hills
urn found on both the east and Wist While
thu open country was long since taken, there
is still vacant forest laud aud foot-lull country
t he taki ii as government land or purchase!
at rcaioinblu terms and low prices of the O.
A O. Rulroad'co npiny. Thcfci are many well
improved tarim for sale, iu all directions, as
nany of thu old Settlors aro aumo.isto sell oat
and go east of thu mountains, wlicru land t
free or price lov and they can locate their
sons to advantage. Viflley farmers itrosr
wheat uw a staple, raisu oats, and all sorts of
vc-c'ctahlcs. keen hIuicii and stuck of all kinds
ami are beginning tu reajuj thu, advontigu of
mixed husbandry. ' ,
MIUrllHl.N OUKIIIIN, ,
South of the Willamettu valley is the Ump
qua, a beautiful region, devoted mainly tu
sheep husbandry. It has narrow valleys and
oak crowned hills; can produce all crops nata.
ril to the Willamette, aud has a very H-m
climate. Vacant lands lie alouj the forests
but the op jo country has long been taken.
Tlw O. k C. II. It. land grant extends to taw
State line south and includes a great deal al
eicellent laud in the foot-hills and in the ltw
est regions.
Itoirue River valley lies south of Unipqua
and close to tho California boundary. Thu
couuty has a beautiful valley and a wide
range of hills, and is capablo of producing
fruit to advantage. This county Jackson
enj.ys a climate that resemble California, ai
do the soil and rirola'uU. In' many resjweU
it is the most ijeain-able portion of Ori-gou. lb
rainy season is not so persistent and its Out
perature of winter, aud suminir is very tuj y
able. 1TheO,'AC."KallroaJd will reach therj)
this fall and with (acilitlus for rauajiortatioiV '