The Oregon scout., January 09, 1890, Image 2

UNION COUNTY, OREGON,
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND
Tlio valleys are of an average elevation of about 2,000 feet above sea level, tbo highest mountain
peaks lieing about 0,000 feet and continually covered with enow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Ih dry and healthful, there being a sufficient rainfall to preserve the moisture of tho soil and mature
crops. Snow seldom falls to the depth of one foot in tho valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to three weeks at a time.
Tho mean temperature for the winter months is about 20 degrees above freozing point, and for
tho summer months about 70 above zero, the heat of the day being offset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for tho fatigued
Tho winter season usually Itegins about the first of December and lasts till the middle of February
or first of March, when tho husbandman is given an opportunity to prepare for his springs seeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, the monotony of warm and dry weather is broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing suficient moisture to tho ground and tempering the atmosphere so as to assure tho
farmer an abundant yield.
During the months of July, August and September, which are tho harvesting months in this
county, tho weather is usualy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in tho autumn months to moisten tho ground sufficiently to permit tho farmer to
prepare the same for his fall grain.
Thero is no country in tho United States more blessed by a healthful climato than Union County,
as tho vigor and enterprise of in citizens will prove.
Tho various contagions prevalent in many localities are almost wholly unknown here, and aro
usually very mild in their attacks when thev do appear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County since its settlement, and chifls ami lover aro totlly unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay wasto the country, destroy property and tho lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Nor uo wo havo tho fogy and damp atmosphere which is found West
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
Thero is 1,407,000 Acres of Surveyed Land in tho County ; the rest is unsurveyed, tho unsur
veyed portion being valuable for Timber, Pasture and alounding in Mineral Deposits. The valloys
of tho County aro Grande Hondo, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Kagle, Pino and Starkoy. Tho
Hoil in these vallnva is well adnnted to tho raisinir of Wheat. Oats. Barlov. Rye. Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, Plums, Pears, Peaches, Chorrics, strawberries, and
in fact all of tho smaller varieties grow to perfection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 25 to 50 bushels to tho acre, Uarloy from 40 to 70, Oats about tho same
as Barley, with exceptions in boiiio localities, when as high as 100 bushels of oata has been raised to
tho acre. Tho Mountains aro covered with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of Pine, Tamrack,
Spruco, etc. Tlio most valuable is tho Pine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also Borne of
tho larger species of Tamrac, but this class of timber is UBed chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sufficient to supply tho surrounding country for ages.
The mineral resources of the County aro only partialy developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges of oro interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in tho general summary of
U'o wealth of the County. A more detailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will bo found further on.
1 of tlio county lor tlio year 18K8, shows that there were 21.710 head of horsed,
5,ri Head of Sheep, and '5,5711 Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
The assessment roll
m I'll I(..hi1 rif f!iiMl- Hi A
. ' ......... . nil. ' 1.. - 1 1 ... 1, .. , -I.. ..l.t...l 1. I.... ,-. n ........
IS fl grt'SlotOCK liaising IteglOIl. llioiusiuiua oi neuu ui hiuuk uiu jihuj million, uiiiik"k i me unucia
thereof a neat profit on their invoHtment. .... ...
In fact, the stock buslneHH has been nnd still Is the most paying of any in tho country and it
bids fair to continue to be such for many years to come. The hunch grass growing upon tho hills and
moiintnliiH in verv nutritious, stock fattening in a very short time, ready for market. Uaually stock hns
to be fed liar for "from ono to two moutliH during the winter, hut in many places horses will winter upon
the bunch grass and do well. Tho climato in such that stork raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, giving to work horaes a strong constitution and powerful muncle.
Th'i milk cow here attain perfection. Sheep are vory healthy and produce heavy lleeces. Hie
dairying business In the latt few years has developed into a large and profitable one, tho country being
specially adapted to the buxlneHS by reason of the milk producing qualities of the grassea and the ex
cellent range, the large quantity of hay and grain raised per acre, the licalthfulness of animals, the
large water supply ami tho quick market of Butter and Cheotte. Tho Jersey, Holstino nnd Durham are
raiudly taking the place of tho common breed of cattle, and dairymen are giving considerable attention
to the breeding of their cows. ,,.,, . n .
It is said more protlt can be realized per ywir from a milk cow in this country than any other In tho
United StaleH, one instance being given of a slnglo cow for one year, yielding a net protlt to tho owner
of ?175 heal s tho calf. , n , LX , ... . , r,w. . , ,
Two cp amerles are In operation at the Cove, In this county, which make 12o,C(X) pounds of cheese,
worth 1-1 i 'flits per pound, and 76.UO pounds butter, worth 25 cents per pound. ...
TIiIm year a creamery 1m in operation at La Grrnde, with what sur-cenH remains to be seen, although
no doubt can bo entertained but that it will prove to be a protltabla concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining Districts of Un'ou County are Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
In the K Mcrn portion of the County, and embrac" a section about ten nilleii square, within which there
aro about tWO nunrU locations. The formation la granite and slate; the ledges running in a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction. The tlrut. locations were made here in 1U84. Iho quartz contains Gold and
Silver, the gold predominating. Some of tho lodes arc free milling, hut they generally contain base
metal an in i consequence will havo to be treated in reduction works. Assay havo been made of ore from
the different groups, showing an average ylrlrt of from 25 to $110 per ton. When the proper methods
are employed to work these ledges to tlio best advantage, Cornucopia will be considered the New
'Kldorado of tho We.it." . r , , . , . , ,
The Or.gon Gold Mining Company, of Loulsv lie, ICy.. Is the only company presented in the dts
trlct. It has opened up tavernl of ita ledges, which were obtained nt from 10,000 1 to 20,000 each.
The Bed Jacket, belonging to this company, is a well define ledge, averaging alwut four feet in
thloknesH and when struck on the lowest tunnel, wbh found to he a mass of the golden metal. This
company has a -lO-Stamp Mill running night and day upon the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hundred lwninds of sulphurets were secured the tlrut month of thU spring a operations, besides
1 ....I. I.. ....l.l nannlil mum tllM Rill ui 178.111 tlUHS.
This romimnv'a exnenaes in buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
art) UtO. They have the Whitman, wiilcn nan a snau sunn over i,n icovijim nno iwuc.iib u o
t ie AlMl AO. 2. WHICH l UCVUIUpOll BUmilOUHJ uu iiiuivnvy oum.iwu ... ......
. . i . 11 n-i?...ltt. tm dlntilv iJaui.Mil will, Hia iim.nnfl Inr hla rniiiimnv
o present auporinienueni, i-no"i " """.v h"" "".Tt ,? -iy
u... 1 u,w-iii.. nt Pnriuiennla. Manv other ledtres of tho canin with 100 feet or moro
progresses;
ore. tii
..r .1......1 ... ......!.- utinivlt,,. 11 n until, miiniur w hlrh r tho Simmon irroun. coumriHintc the Key-
Ul IIUMIItMMIIL'.lb Hill rs " '.. . " , i ci l .1 ' I il . I
stone. Checkmate, l.mplre and Buckeye, a 1 altuftted on the Simmons M.untai,, am paid to be he best
grouti of mines In the camp, slso the flluo Bell, Little Caalne and Monto ChrUto, situated on the i-aine
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing samegrade and character of ore. alio Way
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the richest ore of any in camp and U no doubt an extension
of the Blue Bell and Simmons group. The Union. Companion. Last Cham e, Robert Lniniet, Ijorest
Oueen. Bed Boy, Ma Flower, Cox and Allen, Red Cross, Stcen groupe, fa ella, T ger Boy. Climax
and Queen of the We.t are all sufficiently developed to show them to be good ledges and contain paying
oro In great quantities. The Cornucopia or Pine Creek district is a rich one with an unlimited amount
of ore and only lacks capital to prove Its wonderful richness, It is destined to bo one of the richest
'"'"'nioSangtfr mines are operated by a San Francisco Company, which began Its operations , two years
ago, buying the ledges for 17,0O and now cleaning up on an average of 8,0,0(10 per month. riiee
minus are mi the road between Union and Cornucopia, alwut 30 miles east of Union, having a tn-weeklv
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In direct communication with Union, their trad-
lug point.
tw
le
The Sparta mines are about eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for the past
renty years, still yielding largo returns. The Snarta mines aro mostly placer, but quite a number of
ilgos have latelv been found which, as far as developed, Indicate good pay! ug ore. A mill Is being
built here and good returns are expected from its work
u
N
I
O
N
O
R
G
O
N
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractjre
Valley of Union County, is the Famous Grando Bonde, whoso beauty is becoming known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon which seems to rest the blue vault above. bercyer the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted hy our beautiful scenery- This valley embraces SOO.fXO acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as can bi found on the Pacific Coast.
The Grande Ronde River enters its boundary on the West and flows .Easterly through tho center
of the vaUey and thence Northerly and out at its Northern limit; 30x25 miles is its length and nredth
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of tho Grande Ronde. entering the valley at the boutli.
Mill Creek entering at the East and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Ronde Valley one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams affording abundance of watr the peason round.
The soil of this valley is principally a black, rich loam with clay subsoil, there being aNnit three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Ridge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to 60 buhels per acre of Wheat. 40 to 100 for Oata and Barley, and Hay from li to 8 tons per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th producing and eaportof gTain and hay from this valley is largo and growing in quantity each
year. Besides the production of grain and hay for export, an immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples. Plums, Pninei, Pears and srnalle fruits, also garden vegetables are raised in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Buttr and Cheese is abto one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engaged in largely and profitably; as fine stock may be seen upon the farms of Grande Ronde
Valley as anywhere, stockmen and farmers always securing the best bred animals for breeding pur
posos. Taxes are no higher on fine than poor stock. The lands of this valley have all been taken, but
choice places can te bought at from 315 to $30 per acre, which is comparatively cheap. Many largo
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of the best quality can be had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several (rood farms.
TIMBER.
The hills and mountains are covered with timber of the best quality for lumbering purposes and
easily reached. But little of the timber laud has been entered or taken up.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. R. & N. R. R. euterlng the valley at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the valley on the West, traversing the Southwestern bouinlary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
Tho Hunt Railroad system will be extended during the next year from Wnl'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountans to Summerville, in the northern portion of the valley and will then traverse tho en
tire length of the valley through its center to Union. Upon the building of this road the valley will
have the bent railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is tho terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of tho
Soimd in competition for the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evidenced by the building
of tlals second line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Ronde Valley, it can' be said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better opportunity is offered anywnere in the Northwest for the home
seeker or capitalist thau in Grande Rondo Valley and its vicinity. The resources of the valley and its
tributry sections will sustain manufacturing industries of nearly every kind, of which we now havo
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now lias in the farming and dairying I'usiness.
offering in this line advantages not to he found but in very few places. The raising of thorough bred
stock is a profitable business and there is hardly an individual here solely in that buiinesy at present.
To visit Grande Roude Valley and see it and to investigate its advantages, is tp locate here. In no
instance have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the best of reputation in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a gjod country.
The Grando Ronde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in tho southern end
of the valley, La Grande at the base of the mountains on the northwest, Summerville in the northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Elgin in tho extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
The County Sent of Union County, is situated in the southern portion of the Fertile Grande Ronde Valley, and has
the best Natural Location for a City of any town in Eastern Oregon. Situated, just nt the base of rolling hills on both
aides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure its nature ever distilled and held
suspended in her mountain reservoirs, furnishing immense waterpower Just waiting to be utilized by the hand of
man for all kinds of manufacturing industries. In fact the water power is amply sutlielent to make Union the Lowell
of Oregon if the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned In that direction, which will be the case when new
blood and Uastern capitalists come In, This Is one of tho best places lu oregou for the erection of miiuiifucturlcs.
A woolen mill is greatly needed now, anil sewne energetic capitalist who is engaged in such business would find
here the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right in the heart of a great wool-growing section of the country. No
high freights to pay, water-power in abundance, and in fact everything that such ii business would consume is pro
daced here in the valley.
Tho present population of Union Is abont 1,200, but when the O. A W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population Inside of six mouths. Eager eyes are watching to take advantage of the present low prices in property and
procure for themselves a home where they may live in peace aud plenty. Water works eun be put in at very little ex
pense by running a part of Catherine creek into a large reservoir on the hill back of town. This will give nil the fall
we want from 160 feet up; no expense ot keening k steam pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can be, made to run directly into the reservoir and all the waste can be utilized in furnishing power for machinery
found "t,e w",er worl" "re comPlettd there will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for uo purer drinking water can be
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We hare in our public school, a High School Grade. The school is supplied
with every possible convenience. Kvery thing is fnrnlshed by our liberal handed citizens, who believe in giving their
children a first-class education and that they can be educated in no better way thau by having a No. 1 bchool at home
The sohool at present Is divided Into four compartments, all thoroughly graded. Students on completing the pre
scribed course of stndy receive a certlncate to that effect. An addition to the present school building is iu contempla
tion, also several hundred dollars worth of apartments is soon to be added.
Morally and socially, Union is unexcelled and her hospitality is widely known throughout the surrounding conn
try. Vie hav four churches, all in a flourishing condition. There are six secret societies, doing much good to hu
inanity. e have a number of store of different kinds, all doing a profitable business, as they supply a great acrlcul
tnral district and the numerous miniug camps in the near vicinity. We are also supplied with several saloons bar
bershops, blackimithaliops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of tho
cpicurUii can be fully satisfied. We are also supplied with two first-class livery aud feed stables so that strangers
coining Jo this town will hare uo trouble in procuring a first-class team aud taking a drive out into tho exhtllerathnr
atmosphere and feasting his eyes upon the grandeur of our mountain scenery, and breathing in the llfe-Elviae exveeti
that cau be fouud nowhere so pure as in Union County. To the Hasten v, who is uot used to mountain seeuerr when
first beholding our beantlfal looatlon, his first and involuntary eaelamatlon Is, " Parad ise Kou nd a 1 1 as t " '
Our county Court House la well finished in every particular, having a large aud commodious hall, uinply sufficient
o accommodate any aud a 1 andlences. It also hasjn connection a allnum by the l'auley llros., will a their latest
Opera House is one of tbB largest this side ol Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains aud finished in s'utwrh
style One large and eommo3lous Flouring Mill, (nil roller process, with all modern imp ovemen s, J sltuatcVl idjoln.
tiuehfoTlnd hC ,umbinK 'ntereet abound to become .quItoafiS-
Taken all In all, Union is one of the best towns in Kastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept back on account
of poor railroad facilities, but w hen the Hunt System of Kallroad is completed Into Union, lli i litem : resources will bo
developed and it w l take it. place among the thriving cities of our and. We have on" of tho lovXst towns m
Oregon, aud a great deal of wealth is here already All that Is now needed is for people to come and take adviidago
of the great inducements soon to be thrown at the feet of every energetic man possessing either brai is or muscle
The pleasnre-.erker or the invalid cau flud no better place to while away the summer months 0v thremll..
away cau be found Hot Springs and Lakes reveling In medical virtues aud curative jo u-rs The tammw Kan-allot
S,,.rl"iVi' heu,ntlsm and such complaints disappearing as if by the baud of some magician. Tove l the . i scitoriSl
art will find the beauaiful sparkling waters of Catherine creek aflve with the gamy mounts and brook tro i It? tho
edge of the mountains largergatue may be fouud, while out in the valley along the (iraiid l! tide river are J... : .
swan and ducka in abundance. Iu the the grain field prairie chickens are quite plentiful Taking all IIu'sl tril
Mnce the much talked of Huut Hallroad is an assured fact, propertv Is beginning to adrann. in ,,ri,.. ti,i, o.
the present time city lota and blocks may be had at very reasonable rates. Ult,u,"t lo lulTaC'- u I'rices, though at
THE UNION REAL ESTA TE ASSOGATSON
Now has in its possession tracts of land suitable for small farms, or they could be laid off into blocks. This asso
ciation has started in on a firm basis, having within its power the means of handling property to a better advanta
than any firm in Union County. They already have numerous tracts adjoining the city; farms, blocks etc to
be sold on very reasonable terms or for cash. ' " 10
SOIU UIl Yviy ICUOUIIUUIv tVIIIIS VI ivfi v-MvJi ia
Parties desiring information of Union County can do no better than interview or address the manage nf h.
association, -. . m-,
rrrvioiv, oiegsoiv,
IS
Who will cheerfully furnish them with all the Information desired.