COUNTY
OREGON,
NION
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
IV 13
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND,
The valleys nreof an averages elevation of about 2,000 feet above pea level, the highest mountain
peaks being about ((,000 feet and continually covered with nnow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is -dry mill healthful, there being a sufficient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and maturo
crops. iSnow seldom falls to the depth of one foot in the valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to threo weeks at a time.
The mean temperature for the winter months is about 520 degrees above freezing point, and for
the summer months about 70 above zero, the heat of the day being ofl'set by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for the fatigued
The winter season usua'ly begins about the first of December and lasts till the middle of February
or first of March, when the husbandman is given an opportunity to prepare for his springs seeding.
From March 1st to July 1st, the monotony of warm and dry weatiier is broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing suflcicnt moisture to the ground and tempering the atmosphere so as to assure the
farmer an abundant yield.
During the months of July, August and September, which are thn harvesting months in this
county, the weather is usualy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in tbu autumn mouths to moisten the ground sufficiently to permit the farmer to
prepare the same for his fall grain.
There is no country in the United States more blewed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as the vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
The various contagions prevalent in many localities are almost wholly unknown here, and are
usually very mild in their attacks w ben they do appear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County sinco its settlement, and chills ami lover aro totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste the country, destroy property and the lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Noruo wo have the fogy and dump atmosphere which is found West
of tho Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1, -107,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the County j the rest is unsurveyed, tho uiisiir
voyed portion being valuable for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. Tho valleys
of the County are Grande Konde, Indian, North I'owdor, Big Creek, Iiagle, Pino and Starkoy. Tho
soil in these valleys is well adapted to tho raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Hye, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, Plums, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, Btrawberries, and
in fact all of the smaller varieties grow to periection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 25 to 60 bushels to tho acre, Barley from 40 to 70, Oats about tho same
as Barley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bushels of oats has been raised to
the acre. Tho Mountains are coverod with a Ftno Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruco, etc. Tho most valuable is tho Pine, which is used in the lumbering industry, also some of
tho larcer species of Tamrac, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sulllcient to supply the surrounding country for ages.
The mineral resources of the County are only jmrtialy developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sudiciont capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in the general summary of
t'te wealth of tho County. A more detailed account of tho Mines and Mineral Keeources of tho
County will be found further on.
STOCK R.VISIjVfcf.
Tim RHeHNtiit!iit roll of the county tor tho year 18&S, shows that there were 21.740 head of horses,
28,l!2a Head of Cattle, oG.fWo Head of Sheep, and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
Is great Slock KalninK llouion. Thousands of head of stock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neut prollt on their Investment.
In fact, the Htouk buslneHH lias been and still Is the most paying of any in the country and it
bids fair to continue to be such for tnauy yoara to come. The bunch grass growing upon tho hills and
mountains in vury nutritious, stock fattening in a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock h:is
to be fed liar for from one to two months during the winter, but in many places horses will winter upon
tlie bunch grass and do well. The climate Is such that st k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, uivlnglo work horses a strong constitution ami powerful tnubcle.
Tho nillk cow here Attains perfection. Shaep are very healthy and produce heavy fleeces. The
dairying business In the lat few years haw developed into a largo and profitable one, the country being
specially n'apte.U to the bulnfsa by rean.n of the milk producing qualities of tho grasses and the ex
cellent lango, the large quantity of hay and grain ralard per acre, the healthfulness of animals, tho
largo water supply and tha nulett market of Butter and Cheeee. Tho Jersey, Ilolstine and Durham are
rAiidly taking the place of Uiecnnnon breed of cattle, and dairymen are giving considerable attention
to (he lirfedieg of their cows.
It is Maid more profit can b rtaliced per yar from a milk cow in this country than any other in the
United StMlos, one Instance being given of a single now for one year, yielding a net profit to tho owner
of $175 bt nhles tho calf
Two . ivaniei irs are in operation at the Core, in this county, nhMi make 120,100 pounds of cheese,
worth 1 1 cents per pound, and 75,1X 0 pounds butter, worth 25 cents per pcund.
TIiIh year iv creamery Is in opcrolUu at La Gmndo, with what nuec remains to be seen, although
mi doubt can be entertained but that It will prove to he a profitable concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
Th Mining District of Un'on County are Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
in the K Mini portion of the County, and embracrw a section about ten milei square, within which there
are about 1100 quart?, locations. The formation ii granite and slate; the ledges running in a Southenrtorly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations were made hem in 1884. Tho quartz contains Gold and
Sliver, the gold predominating. Some of the lodes are free milling, but they generally contain bane
metal tn In consequence will have to bo treated In reduction works. Assays have been made of ore from
the ditlVront groups, showing an average yield of from 925 to $1KJ per ton. When tho proper methods
are employed to work theso ledges to the bust advantage, Cornucopia will be considered the Now
"Hldorado of the West."
The Or gon Gold Mining Company, of l.ouUville, Ky . is the only company represented in tho dis
trict. It has opened up "overal of ll ledges, which wore obtained at from 810,000 to $20,000 each.
The Bed Jacket, belonging to this company, Is a well defined ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, wn found U bo a ninns of the golden metal. This
company has a tO-.stamp Mill running night and day upon the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand five ln'iidred pounds of sulphure.ts were secured the first mouth of thin spring's operations, besides
iuiinensu quantities of free ynld caught upon the amalgam pans.
This company's expenses in bulldlne. machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
$:i(X) IM). They have I ho Whitman, which has a shaft suak over 1,500 feet and shows better as the work
progresses; the Alta No. 2, which Is developed tmtilclautly to indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
ore. The present superintendent. Professor Smith, Is hltrhly pleased with the prospect for his company
ami predicts u second Lcadvilloof Cornucopia. Many other ledges of the camp with 100 feet or more
of development work are showing up well, among which are the Simmons gr. up, comprising tho Key
stone. Chcckma'c, Kmplreaud Buckeye, all situated on the Simmons Mountain and "aid to be the l est
group of mines In the camp, lso the Hluo Bell, Little Cashm ami Monte C'hrl to, situated on the mine
mountain and extensions of the Simmons lcdues, showing hanuigrado and character of ore. Tho V. ay
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the richest ore of any In camp and is no doubt an extension
of thn Blue Bell and Simmons group. Tho Union, Companion. Last Cham e, Hobert Kininot, Forest
(Jueen, Bed Bov, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Bed Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Boy, Climax
and Queen of the Wot are all sulllolently developed to show them to be good ledges and contain paying
ore In grat inutntitlu. The Cornucopia or Pine Creek district is a rich one with an unlimited amount
of ore and only lucks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It is destined to be one of the richest
camps In existence.
Tho Sanger mines are operated by a San l-ranclsco Company, which began its operations two years
ago, buying the ledges for $U7,00 ami now cleaning up on an average of 70,0(0 per month. Tho-o
minus are on the road bet ween Union and Cornucopia, about. 'U miles east of Union, having a tri-weekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their trad-
'l'ho's'psrta mint s are al'out, eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for the past
twenty years, still Yielding large returns. Tho Sparta mines are mostly placer, but quite a number of
bulges have lately been found which, as far as developou, indicate good paying ore. A mill is lieing
built heio and good leturns ate expected front its work.
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AORICULTURAL INTERESTS.
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the CountT, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the Famous Grande Bonde. whose beauty is I econiing known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon which seems to rest the blue vault above. Wherever tho eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces oOO.OCU acres ol
as line Agricultural Land as can hi found on the Pacific Coast.
The Grande Itonde Hiver enters Its boundary on the AVest and flows Easterly through the center
of the va'loy and thence Northerly and out at lis Northern limits; 30x25 miles is its length and hrcdtli
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Rondo entering the valley at the booth,
Mill Creek entering at the Fast and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Itonde Val'ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams affording abundance of water the eaon round.
The soil of this valley is principally a black, rich loom with clay subsoil, there being a'-out three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Itldge, all of which produces excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat, Oats, Parley. Hye, Timothy, Alfalfa and Clover Is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to 60 bunhels per acre of Wheat. 40 to 100 for Oats and Barley, and Hay from 2 to 8 tons per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th producing anH export of grain and hay from this valley is large and growing in quantity each
vear. Besides tho production of grain and hay for export, an immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunei, learn and sinalle fruits, alo garden vegetables are raised in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Putter and Chee.e Is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engsuroa in largely and profitably; as fine stock. may be seen upon tho farms of Grande Itonde
Valley as anywhere, stocamen and farmers always securing the best bred animals for breeding pur
poses. Tozss arc no higher on flue than poor stock. The lands of this valley have all been taken, but
choice place can he bought at from $15 to 930 per acre, which is comparatively cheap. Many large
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of the best quality cau be had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several pood farms.
TIMBER.
The hills and mountains are covered witli timber of the best quality for lumbering purposes and
easily reached. But little of the timber land has been entered or taken up.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. It. & N. B. R. entering the valley at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the uhey on the West, traversing the Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Railroad system will be extended during the next jear from "Walla Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountaus to Summerville, in the northern portion of the valley and will then traverse the en
tire length of the valley through its center to Union. Upon the building of this road the valley will
have the best railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, "W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of the
Send in competition fur the trade of the Valley, the. importance of which is evidenced by the building
of this second line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Bonde ViUley, it etui be said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better oppo'tunitv is offered anywnere in (lie Northwest for the home
seeker er capitalist than In Grande Roude Valley and ita vicinity. The resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing industries of nearly every kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the farmiug and dairying I usiness.
offering in this line advantages not to be found hut in very few places. The raising of thorough bred
stock is a profitable business and there is hardly an individual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Roade Valley and see it and to investigate Its advantages, is to locate here. In no
instance have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the bestof reputation in regard tc
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a good country.
The Grande Roude Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in the southern end
of the valley, La Graude at the bate of the mouutains on the northwest. Summerville in the northern
end of the valley, Cave about midway on the east side, and Elgin in the extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
The County Seat of Uuion County, U situated la the southern portion of the Fertile Grande Itomle Valley, and has
the belt Natural Locatleu for a City of any town In Eastern Oregon. Situated, just at the base of rolling hills on both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure as nature ever distilled and held
suspended iu her mountain reservoirs, furnishing Immense waterpower just waiting to be utilized by the hand of
man for all kinds of manufacturing Industries. Iu fact the water power is amply sullicient to make Union the Lowell
of Oregon If the attention of her enterprising citiiens were turned iu that direction, which will be the case when new
blood and Kasteru capitalists come in. This is one of tho best places In oregon for the erection of mauufacturles.
A woolen mill is greatly needed now, and swne energetic capitalist who is engaged iu 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 a business would consume Is pro
duced here iu the valley.
The present population of Union Is aboat 1,200, but when the O. A W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population inside of six months. Eager eyes are watohing to take advantage of the present low prices In property and
procuro for themselves a home where they may live In peace and plenty. Water works can be put in at very little ex
pense by running apart of Catherine creek into a large reservoir on the hill back of town. This will give all the fall
we want from 150 feet up; no expense of keeping a steam pump and the uecessary repairs. This mountain stream
cau be, made to run directly into the reservoir and all the waste cau be utilized iu furnishing power for machinery
"- - i-.iu "... uo uw umu c.i, iuuSS cil-., lur uii purer uriuitiug water can be
found.
Our school facilities are uusnrpassed. We hare iu our public school, a High School Grade. The i-chool is supplied
with every possible conreulence. Everything is furnUhed 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 than bv having a No. 1 fechool ut home
Tho school at present U divided into four compartments, all thoroughly graded, s'ludents on completing the pre
scribed course of study receive a certificate to that eilect. An addition to the present school building is iu contemnla.
tiou, also several hundred dollars worth of apartments is soon to be added. 1
Morally and socially, Uulou Is unexcelled and her hospitality is widely known throughout tho surroundlug coun
try. We have four churches, all In a dourUhiug condition. There are six secret societies, doing much good to hu
manity. e have a number of store of different kinds, all doing a proiitablo business, as they supply u great sgrlcul.
tnral district and the numerous iiiming camps in the near vicinity. We are also supplied with levers! saloons bar
bershops, blacksmlthshops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of tho
cpieur.au can be fully satisfied. e are also supplied with two llrst-cluss Jlvery and feed stnbles so that strangers
coming to this town wll have no trouble in procuring a tlrst-claks team and taking a drive out into the exhllleratlinr
atmosphere ami feasting his eyes upou the grandeur of our raountalu scenery, ami breathing in tho llfe-glvla- exvgen
that can be found nowhere so pnre as iu Union County. ToU Kastenv, who Is not used to mountain sceiiury, wlieu
tlrst beholdlugour beautiful loiwatlou, his hrst and Involuntary exclamation Is, 'l'anidlse Found at Last " "eu
Our county Court House Is well finished in every particular, having a large and commodious ball, amply suflleient
o accommodate any and a 1 audiences. It also has In conuectlou a jail hulltly tho Pauley llros., with 1 the r latest
improyeed ce Is, thus making things secure a-,'alnrrthe escape of any prisoners that may be confined thurelu. out
Opera House is one of th largest this sldtud ortland, with haudsomely decorated curtains and finished In superb
style One large and commodious Flouring Mill, fnll roller i.roces., with all modern improvements, is situa csl aXlu
ng the town. Also several saw mills In the near vicinity. The lumbering interest Is bound to become oiVite a fia
lurtf in our l n i.i um tries. 1
Taken all Iu all, Union Is one of the 1" sr towns in Eastern Oregou. Heretofore she has been kept back on account
of poor railroad facilities, but when the II tint System of Uailroad Is completed into Tnion, It latent resources will bo
developed and it wil take Its place anions the thriving eitles of our and. We have one of the lovX-st to vns m
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth Is here already. All that Is now needed Is for people ci ne ' and take a. vaiuaio
of the great Inducements soon to be thrown at the feet of every energetic mau possessing either brail s or mus ele
The pleasure-seeker or the invalid cau find no better place to while away the fcutniner month" O ilv three mile,
away can h. found Hot Springs and hales reveling in medical virtues and curative po vers l c mnm?s ''KaMa? Hot
Springs, Kheumatlsm and such complaints disappearing as If bv the hand of some magician. iSm"? fUie piscatorial
art will flint the hcaualful sparkling waters of Catherine creek alive with the gumv mounts i ii brook tro In tho
edge of the mountains largergame may Iks found, while out iu the valley aloiig the Oram " nde rivli i're ireese
svyau and ducks in abundance. In the the gram field prairie chickens are quite plentiful. Tak i g all thJse Tmturai
K.V 5? T.1?;? Z tXX?AbX:. lhiUk ,,C0I,le 'S d Vlce ISMSA" all their "win?.
Mure the much talked ol Hunt liallroad Is an assured fact, property Is begluulMg to adrnurn in nrii.,.s n. i, .
the present time city lots and blocks may be had at very reasonable rates. uiMumMK IO 'ivauie ' l'f'ies, though at
THE UNION REAL ESTA TEA
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 powerthe means of handling property to a better advantage
than any firm in Union County. They already have numerous tracts adjoining the city; farms, locks, j tc to
be sold on very reasonable terms or for cash. ' "
Parties desiring information of Union County can do no better than interview or address the managers of this
association.
WILSON So HACKETT,
Who will cheorfully furnUh thorn with till the information tloBirod. 9 Vi. ,