Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 1887)
ft fig , '-MSW. P Sfc a ' A r t V f?f-r- pM'M'Mir.nwiiiiMn'HHflaiwwawiwwwN 4121 ""w .. VOL. XIX. SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1887. NO. 27 THE COWLITZ COUNTRY IU Immense Tlrabar Lands Other Products and Accessibility by Railroads, Zte. The following intorcattntf nrticlo on tlio Cowlitz country is from the pen of Mr. Frank Owodb utul is republished from the Oregoninn nmi wo are euro our rcadors will enjoy it and Mint it will bo of substantial aid to intondlng locators: Tlio Cowlitz is the lurgc.it and most important rivor in Wostorn Washington Its sourco of supply in tho everlasting snows of Mounts St. Helens nnd Italnlcr, nnd its ontiro courso to tho Columbia rivor is through a soil almost wonderful in its fertility nnd n region romnrknbly rich in timbor, coil and minorals. Tho vnlloy is not a nnrrow strip of bottom land along tlio wutor'Bedgo,butisii high and broad plateau oxtonding from tho Caacado mountains wostward and south ward till it imperceptibly merges into tho Chohnlis valley or ends at tlio Columbia river. Its width is from ton to forty milos, and its length nonrly ono hundred, comprising ovor half of Lowis count', and n strip along tho north and west sides of Cowlitz county from throo to twenty milos in width Immediately adjoining this is a strip of sandy loam nnd vegotnblo mold soil that is not only particularly adapted to all kinds of veg etable and root crops, but for all kinds of orchard, email fruits it has by actual test been provon to bo tho very host, whiio it is nlso just tho land dosircd for tho growth of hops, nnd is nleo iirst-clnss grain land. Skirting this, on both sides of tho river, is a bluff or bank from forty to sixty foot high, from tho top of which extends for miles an undulating plateau, which is for tho most part covered with forests of fir, codar, ash, oak, mnplo and alder, in about tho ratio horogivcti. Tlio Hurfaco is not hilly or rough, but is broken hero and thoro by swales nnd liv ing streams of water. There aro no marshes or stagnant ponds, hut all wn tor id cool nnd palatable. tim: sou.. As boforo stated tho soil of tho river bottom is a sandy lonni or vegotablo mold. It is never affected; by drouth, and is as doop as tho level of tho river. Anything will grow to perfection in it that can bo raised in this latitude, nnd for pardoning and fruit-raising it is peculiarly fitted by nature Early or lato frosts seldom injuro tho tendercst growths, nnd tho natural warmth nnd moisture of tho soil forces ovorything forward to early maturity. On such laud there is, in its natural state, a hoavy growth of small undorbrush, vino mnplo, alder, ash nnd cottouwood ; whiio it is very thrifty nnd thick it is not hard to get rid of, an tho brush and trees burn up clean after n good slashing, tho small stumps nro easily grubbed, whiio tho largoroncs soon rot out. Whonclearod such land is worth $100 per aero, as its products will sell for n profit to moro than reprcsontthnt investment, Of tho bench and tabic lauds thoro nro two classes, tho first and principal ono boing tho rlay loam of tho prairies and fir timber lands, and tho other a black muck. Tho latter is found in many of tho swales and email bottoms, and is covered with maple, alder and ash timber nnd Email brush. It is under laid with a bluo day subsoil which nets ns a recoptnelo for water, hooping tho toil moist through tho dro-t sou-sons. It is never nfl'ectod by drouth, and has by long UM) been provon to be of tho strongest nature, retaining its fertility through long years of continued crop ping. Tho many wator courses in all parU of tlio country leading to the rivor afford ample fall for drainage, and no matter how wot these swales mny be, they can soon bo drained and prepared for cultivation. Such soil is unexcelled for all kinds of grasses and oats, is good wheat land, and produces fine root crops nud vegetables when properly drained and cultivated ; for orchards it is not so well adapted as the ridge lands J and river bottoms. Tho prairios nnd (lr timber lands nro principiliyn clay loam Foil, rich and doop. Soil that pro duces forests of trees ten fct in diamc tor nnd U00 feet high bears its own evi donco us to its fertility, as does theprai rio Inud that tins borne good crops of whent for fifty- years in succession. Doth can bo seen here. Cowlitz prairie was settled over fifty years ago by the Hud son Day company, and fields nro now shown that since ISil'.l have almost con tinuously been put in wheat, liavo had not n pound of manuro, nud this year produced n good crop of whent. Somo of tho lictt orchards in tho country nro on soil whoro onco ginnt fir trees stood so thick thnt they would cover tho ground if chopped down nnd Inid sido by side. There is absolutely no poor or wasto land in tho country, even tho gravel ridges thnt oxist iioro and thcro produco fine pasture, and as good fruit lauds ns thoro is in this or any other country, So it is safe to nay that any lnnd lioro is worth the having, nnd tho child is unborn thnt will livo to sco it worn out. tim licit. Liko nil Western Washington, tho largo proportion of tho Cowlitz vnlloy is heavily timbered. Tho predominating growth is fir, after which si cedar, maple, ash, alder, oak, homlock nnd pine, is the ratio given. To now-coniors from prui rio countries tho immenso growths of timbor on most of tho vacant laud is disheartening, nnd tho task of clearing it off looks formidable to bo attempted. But what men have dono others can do again, under similar conditions, and whon situated noar river ot mill timbor will moro than pay for tho clearing. For building purposes of all kinds tho red nnd yollow fir is unexcelled on tho continent, nud it is in groat favor with ship builders becauso of its etrongth, freedom from knots, nnd extromo longth in which tho lumber can bo had. Cednr is quito abundant, and is much used in finishing on insido work, shingles, posts and piles. It is tho best shinglo timber in tho world nnd tho market is nover glutted , for posts nnd piling it is in great favor bocauso it practically 'never rots many instances boing known whero foneo posts nnd roofs nro sound from surfneo to coro nftcr fifty yours' ex posure to tho elemouts. Tho nsh, mnplo nud spruco is in domnnd nud particu larly adapted for tho mnuufneture of furniture, and tho alder is coming into favor for tho samo purpose. Mnplo at tains to n largo size, often u-acliing n height of seventy-five foot nud n dinm ctcrof five feet; usually tho butt is n lingo bnrr from six to ton foot in dinm etornnd almoht as high, thnt is almost a romplcto mass of "bird's-eyes," nnd tho finest wood in tho world for voncors nnd trimmings. Tho oak is not found in many localities or in largo quantities, but what thoro is is tall and straight and equnl 'to tho best eastern white. Pino is only found in tho foot hills, nnd has not yot been put on tho market. CO.U. ANO MINKItAL. Coal is found in ninny places in Cow lit, vnlloy, but has nover been mined enough to prove its valuo in tho market. Several oins hnvo beon prosjioctod enough to satisfy coal oxperts of its good qualities, but the capital is lacking to develop tliem Almost lene.ith fie t iwn of Toledo is at: immense vein .J mtu- minoui coal that is as good as any now in the market. The vein has beon loca ted, nnd oer a milo of ground leased by an experienced miner ; but with prover bial obtuscnoss the peoplo rcfuio to put money into its development, nnd no ef fort has been made to tocuro outside help, The .initio's location is excellent, being on a navigable stream whero its products can pe cheaply shipped, and in tho midst of an agricultural region whqro supplies aro convenient and cheap. This is an opportunity that will onrich he who is far-seoing enough to ssize it. No doubt in many other! places in tho valley tho coal is just as good as well as tho opportunity for a profitable investment. Gold nud silver nro found in varying qualities tho ontiro length of tho valley, and thcro is no doubt but thnt in sev eral places nonr tho houd-wators of tho Cowlitz and its tributaries exists rich leads of tho precious metals that must somo day bring wealth to tho fortunate prospector. VAOVST IANII. Thoro is considerable vacant land in Cowlitz valley, but there is no prnirio, nnd but little on tlio river bottom opon for KCttlomcnt under government pro visions, but thcro'is considerable choice railroad land on tho river that can bo bought for $3 HO to $5 per aero thnt is ns good ns any yet taken. Hack from tho rivor, from throo to six miles, in many localities, can bo found choice government lnnd that can bo had under tho hnmestoad or pre-emption laws, nt a small cost. Theo claims aro just us good ns any that nro taken, nnd when roads nro constructed tho distance will be no object ion. Let it bo understood thnt all tho vacant land on tho Cowlitz is timbered moro or less. A considerable portion of it is swnlo or brush land, but much of it is heavily timborcd. Thoro is about fiftcou milos from Toledo, on tho south sido of tho rivor, a largo scopo of unsurvoyed land that has but little lnrgo timber on it, but is covored with alder, mnplo nud small brush , it is ensy clearing and can bo prepared for culti vation nt a cost.of $10 to $20 per aero, but at trifling cost if tho settlor docs it himself. Thoro is also a great deal of similar land in various parts of tho country, hut in smaller bodies. Tho timber lands can bo cloared nt cost of $20 to $10, if tho work is hired, nud is fino soil when onco put undor cultiva tion. A favorite way with settlers to subduo such laud is to hnvo it woll slashed, burned oil, nnd then seeded down to gross. When postured a fow years tho small stumps rot out nnd tho larger ones cnu bo removed nt leisuro. Many n ninn with a family has gono Into tho heaviest timber almost without a cent, nnd in two years lind lnnd onniigh in cultivation to keep them conifortubly. This can bo dono ngain, in a thousand eti-m If a claim can bo secured in n milo or two of the river or a sawmill the timbor will HI for enough to pay for clearing tho land, and tho day is nthand whon a timbor elnim will bo n dcsirablo property for speculation. HOW TO OCT LANII. Thoro aro threo ways to gain titlo to tho vncnnt lnnd by homostond, pre emption, or purchasing timber land. Any citizen of tho United States, who is tho head of -a family, or nn umnrriod person over tho ago of 21 years, is en tittled to n homestead of 100 acres. Persons of foroign birth mny avail them solves of tho benefit of this law by do daring their intention to become citi zens; and this I hoy ciu do immediately after their arrival in this country. Tho lnnd olllco fees nro fiom $10 to $22, which must bo paid at tho time of filing tho application. Within six months af ter filing his application at tho land olllco tho sottlor must commenco living upon and improving tho land, thoroaftor for 11 vo years ho must mako this tract his actual home. Any person qualified to tako n home stead is also entitled to 100 acres under the pre-emption law but not nt the sumo time. Within ninety days after settlement on the Inud ho must file his application in the district land oilico whoro tho land is located, which will cost $.1, but ho must commence settle ment beforo making his application. At any timo nftcr six mouths residence, and up to thirty months after filing his application, tho settler may pay for the land nt tho rate of $1.25 or 2.50 an aero according to locution, and receive his patent from tho United States. Itailroad lands can lw taught of tho railroad company, They range in price from 3 to $0 per aero and can be had on fi vo or ton years' time, with inforcst nt 7 per cent., or by paying cash. I'KOM'CT. It is needles to specify what can bo rnisod in this country. Almost ocry kind of vegetables of uso to mankind is grown to perfection nnd in enormous quantity. Potatoes nro a standard crop nnd often yield 300 bitshols of nn Al nrticlo to tho ncro. Turnips, carrots nnd boots nro much raised for stock nnd yield from eight to fifteen tons. Clover nnd timothy is tho fnvorito grnss for hay, nnd throo tons to tho acre is com mon. Oats, whent nnd bnrloy nro suc cessfully grown everywhere. Orchards and berries grow oasily nnd in groat abundance nud perfection, nnd tho yield is always ns lnrgo ns tho trees or vines will Btund. Fruit is especially a good profitablo crop, nnd in this lino tho rais ing of prunes is beginning to receive n Bhnro of nttcntiou ; tho crop is a good ono and highly profitnhlo, while tho market is never overstocked. Ono prune orchard thnt tho writer knows of cost tho owner $10 four years ago to plant nn noro; it boro tho second yoar, and tho third tho profits on tho ono aero was over $.100, tho crop lieing sold grocn; if dried, it would hnvo cleared u pi oil t of n hundred more. Hops grow in profusion nnd perfection in this soil, and is a crop thnt always pays. TIlANSrOItTATIO.V. Tlio mattcrof transportation is always of importanco to tho fnrnior, business man nnd manufacturer. Tho Is. P. rail road follows tho Cowlitz rivor ns fnr ns Olcqun, thus giving to that point two trains a day each way to Portland, Or., nnd Tncomu, W. T., besides tho ndvnn fngo of water navigation. Joseph Kel logg it Co. own tho lino of steamers doing business on tho river nnd from Portlnnd a tri-weokly bont to Free-port and a semi-weekly boat to Toledo, nnd to higher points occasionally when freight offers. This company nlso ex pects to build a new light draft ateuni boat soon, to run ontiroly on tho river, which will go ns high us thoro is nny business tVo ontiro yer.r around. Kel logg it Co.'s steamers nro n fino class of rivor lxints nnd nro controlled by compe tent olllcors, who nover forgot to bogon tlomcn, nnd who nro always roudy to comply with nny reasonable request of their patrons. Tho compnny's freight nnd passenger rntes nro lower than nny othor similar lino on tho const, nnd whiio, liko othor concern?, their steam ers nro run to niiko monoy, tlioy never neglect or rofueo to perform such ser vice ns will host nccommodnto tho pub lic whon possible. In fact tho develop moot and p.ospcrity of this vnlloy is in a great measure duo to their liberality and enterprise, nnd their policy has over been Lnnd in hand with tho pro gross of tho country. Here, nt leant is ono locality in which is never heard curses on "tho grinding heoluf monopo ly," and hero is an instance where tho peoplo hnvo no wish for nn "opposi tion." No company could do tho work bettor, cheaper or moro to accommodate their patrons than does tho Joeph Kel logg Company, and immigrants will not only find tho stoamboat officers icady to do their businoss courteously and promptly, but to furnish full and relia ble information nbout tho country uud opportunities for work or business. Tlio Portland olllco of tho Cowlitz, liver steamers is nt tho foot of Yamhill street, whero immigrants should always apply for information ns to ways of reaching any part of Lewis or Cowlitz counties. Toledo. The town of Tolodo is situated on tho west bunk of tho Cowlitz rivor, ulwut forty miles from its mouth, and in tho heart of tlio richest and best Kittled por tions of tho fertile Cowlitz valley. It is about eighty miles from Portland, Or., and toventy from Tucoma, W. T. Tho steamer Toledo makes two round trips por week from Portland to Toledo, leav ing Portland Monday and Thursduy, and returning leaves Toledo Tuosday und Friday. The Northern Pacific rail road is seven miles distant, the nearest stations bning Winloek and Olcqun, about tho samo distance from tho town. Thoro is a daily mail nnd stngo lino to Winloek, which is tho best point for railroad tiuvolcrs to stop to rench here, unless coming on stenmor days, when thoy should get oil" nt Olcqun, getting hero nt less cxpenso nnd trouble. Dusincss lots in Toledo nro twenty-fio fret fronts residence lots fifty feet. Prices nro $110 to 00, according to loca tion. Tlio site is principally on gravol ly soil, high enough nbovo the rivor to preclude danger from overflow, nover gets muddy in tho wottcBt woathor, nnd is well watered and drained. A portion of tho torn is on n deep rich soil, which is being sold for residence lots, und on which eplondld gnrdons nro grown. Tho business houses include three large general mcrchandiso storo9, threo hotels, tin store, blacksmith shop, drug store, furniture store und factory, barber shop, newspaper nud job printing olllco, marble cutter, several carpenters mid two saloons. ThoGrnnd Army of tho Republic will soon erect a hall 22x50 foot for their own uso, or for othor organiza tions; tho Dnptist church is preparing to put up a houso of worship, nnd a splendid schoolhouso is being built on a haudsomo site donated by tho town site company. Tho townsito proprietors nro awako to the importance of encouraging manu facturing industries to locate hero; nnd to those whoso ntteutlnus aro good nud whoso business will justify it, will givo building sites free. This generous oiler has already boon takon advantage of by a (louring mill company and a sash and door manufacturer, both of which will commenco husino's this fall. Thoro is no bettor point on tho const for n shingle mill, or a largo furniture factory. Tho latter especially would ho a profitable industry, on account of the abundance of excellont limber near at hand, rival ing in beauty nnd usefulness tho finest woods of the Knst; tho mnplo nnd alder grow to immonso sizo, nnd tho wood is suscoptiblo of tho highest finish, tho lnt tor being equally ns hnndsomo as Span ish walnut t with tho ash, nnk, whito nnd red cedar right at hand nt a nomi nal cost. In this business alone ate fortunes to bo uiitdo easier nud quicker than mining somo now Eldorado. Toledo is also nu oxcollent location for a creamery or a oheeso factory, tho pro ducts of which aro always in demand nt profitnhlo rntcs, and no country in the world can furnish better mutorinl, water or climate. A tannery would nlso do a paying business here, thoro boing good bark for tanning near at hand nnd hides plentiful. Besides tho industries bore mentioned almost nny enterprise which would pay anywhere would bo profitablo here. There would bo no high rents, taxes or insurance, fuel cheap and abundant and freights ory low. Of course with tho advent of such institutions would come other industries and business enterprises, for which thoro is ample room und op portunities To parties Knst contemplating n olrmgo of location, Toledo olliirs us many advantages ns can Ihj found on the oast, fts situation is all thnt can be desired in nn inland town ; the sum mer nlr is loinj)erod by tho cool breezes from I'ugrt Sound, nnd in winter warm ed by the gieat Japan current, while tho Olympic range of mouutalds on the west and the Cascades on tho east shel ter it ('niplctcly from strong Windsor cold Mints. Abundance of pure water is obtained by digging fiftien or twenty feet, u lino little stream from living streams Hows through the town, while tho Cowlitz river, having its head hut sixty miles away in tho eternal snows of St. Helens nud lUinior, nnd (lowing swiftly through evorgreen forests ami shady bunks, is ull the jeur round tlio purest und best of water. And so, l sides being it good businos point, Tole do offers manifold attractions ns it nlueo of rcaidnnco, for which it already has muiiy advantages of older towns. A year ngo the resident imputation of Toledo was about 150; at present it is ovor !100. Tho private dwellings would bo creditable to any town, nud the In habitants are public spirited, whiio their morality is uncommonly good.