The Oregon scout., July 03, 1890, Image 8

UNION
COUNTY
OREGON,
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
AND
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND,
The valleys are of nn average elevation of about 2,000 feet above sea level, the highest, mountain
peaks being about 0,000 feet and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
la dry and healthful, there being a sufficient rainfall to preserve the moisture of the soil and mature
(Tops. Snow seldom falls to the depth of one foot in the valleys, and never remains longer than from
two to three weeks at a time.
Thcnneiui temperaturo for the winter months is about 20 degrees aliove freezing point, and for
the 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 the fatigued
The winter season usually beginH about the first of December and lasts till the middle of Fohruary
or first of March, when the hiiBbandman is given an opjiortunity 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 suflcient 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 the harvesting months in this
county, the weather is usualy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in the autumn months to moisten the ground sufficiently to permit the farmer to
prepare the same for his fall grain.
Thero is no country in the United Rtates more blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as the vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
Tho various contagions prevalent in many localities aro almost wholly unknown hero, and are
usually very mild in their attacks when they do appear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County since its settlement, and chills unu fever aro totally unknown. Wo havo no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste tho country, destroy property ami the lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Nor do wo havo tho fogy and damp atmosphere which is found West
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
Thero is 1.407.500 Acres of Surveyed Land in the County; tho rest is unsurvoyed, tho unstir
red portion being valuable for Timber, Pasturo and abounding in Mineral Deposits. Th
le valleys
of tho County aro Grande Kondo, Indian, North rowder, liig Ureek, Laijlo, Tine and Ktarkoy. Hie
soil in these valleys is well adapted to tho raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa. Veuotnbles and Fruits, such as Apples, I'lums, Pears,.Pcaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of the smaller varieties urow to neriection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 25 to 50 bushols to the aero, Barley from 40 to 70, Oats about the same
as Barloy, with exceptions in somo localities, when as high as 100 bu&hols of oats has been raised to
the aero! The Mountains are covered with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of Pine, Tamrack,
Sprtico, etc. The most valuable is tho Pino, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also some of
tho larger species of Tamrao, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sufficient to supply tho surrounding country for ages.
Tlio mineral resources of the County are only partialy developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mining haB been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in tho general summary of
the wealth of the County." A more detailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of the
County will bo found further on.
(STOCK R.VISIIVOi.
The assessment roll of the county lor the year 1883, shows that thore were 21.740 head of horses,
28 12.1 Head of Cuttle, 55.B85 Head of Sheep, and 5,571) Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
is'a great Stock Raising Region. Thousands of head of stock aro yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat profit on their Investment. ... ,
In fact, the Btock business has been and still is tho most paying of any in the country and It
bids fair to continue to bo such for many years to come. The bunch grass growing upon the hills and
mountains Is very nutritious, stock fattening In a very short time, ready for markot. Usually stock has
to be fed liar for from one to two months during the winter, but in many places horses will winter upon
tho bunch grass and do well. Tho climate Ih such that sto-k raised Is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, idving to work horses a strong constitution and powerful musclo. ...
Tlo milk cow here attains porfectlon. Slioep are very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. The
dairying business In the last few years has developod into a largo and profitable one, tho country being
specially adapted to the business by reason of the milk producing qualities of the grasses and the ex
celleut range, the largo quantity of hay and grain raised per aero, tho hcalthfulness of animals, the
large water supply nnd tho quick market of But ter and Clieeso. The Jersey, Holstlne and Durham are
rapidly taking tho place of the common breed of cattle, and dairymen are giving considerable attention
to thelirfodlng of their cows. ...,, . .
It Is said more profit can bs realized per year from a milk cow iu this country than any other in the
United Statu, one Instance bolng given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net profit to tho owner
of fl75 besides the calf . ... . ,. , .,,. ...
Two m-amories are in operation at the Cove, in this county, which make 120,100 pounds of cheese,
worth 14 cents per pound, and 75,Uj0 iKiunds butter, worlh 25 cents per pound.
Thin year a creamery is In operation at La Gronde, with what success remains to be seen,- although
no doubt'ean be entertained but that it will prove to 1ms a profitable concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining Districts of Un'on County aro Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
in the K'Stern portion of the County, and embrace a section about ten miles square, within which there
are about 000 quartz locations. The formation in granite and slate; tho ledges running in a Southeartarly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations wero made here in 1884. The quartz contains Gold and
Silver, the gold predominating. Some of tho lodes are free milling, but they generally contain base
metal nu In consequence will nave to bo treated In reduction works. Assays have been made of oro from
tho different groups, showing an average yield of from !i2n to $P 0 per ton. When the proper methods
aro employed to work these ledges to the best advantage. Cornucopia will ba considered tho New
Hldorado of tho West." , n , .......
Tho Oregon Gold Mining Company, of LouUvllio, Ky., Is the only company represented In tho dis
trict. It has opened up evoral of It ledges, which were obtained at from fclO.OOO to 920,000 each.
Tho lied Jacket, belonging to this company, Is a well defined lodgo, averaging about four feet in
thickness ami when struck on tho lowest tunnel, was found to bo a mass of the golden metal. This
company has a 40-Stamp Mill running night and day upon the oro taken from this ledge. Soven thou
sand Ave hundred pound of sulphurets were aocured tho first month of this spring's operations, besides
iniineiiso quantities of free gold caught upon the amalgam pans.
This company's expenses in buildings, machinory, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
KMX) Out). They havo the Whitman, which has a shaft sunk over 1,500 feet and shows better as the work
progresses; the Alta No. 2, which is developed sufficiently to Indicate a well detlnod lodgo of high grado
oro. The present superintendent. Professor Smith, is hlahly pleased with the prospect for Ids company
and predicts a second Leadvillo of Cornucopia. Many other ledges of tho camp with 100 feet or moro
of development work aro showing up n ell, amoug which are tho Simmons group, comprising the Key
stone, Checkmate, Umpire and Buckeye, all situated on tho Simmons Maintain and fald to bo the best
group of mines in tho camp, Mso the Blue Bell, Little Casino and Monte ClirMo, situated on the same
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing same grade and character of ore. Tho Way
Up northeast of Cornucopia, bIiows some of the r!chot oro of any in camp and is no doubt an extension
of tho Bluo Bell and Simmonsfrroup. The Union, Companion, Last Chant e, Robert Ktumot, Forest
Queen, Bed Boy, May Flower, Cox and Allen, Bed Cross, Sleen groupo, Stella, Tiger Boy, Climax
and Queen of tho West are all sufficiently developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
ore in great quantities. Tho Cornucopia or Pino 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 be one of the richest
camps in existence. , , ,
The Sanger initios aro operated bv a San Francisco Company, which began Its operations two years
ago buying the ledges for $17,000 and now cleaning up on an average of 870,000 per month. These
initios are on the road between Union and Cornucopia, about !H miles oast of Union, having a tn-weekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their tract-
nl! Tho Sparta mine are about eight miles southeast of Sanger and havo boon worked for the past
twenty years, still yielding large returns. Tho Sparta mines are mostly placer, but quite a number of
ledges liavo lately been found which, as far as developeu, indicate good paying oro. A mill Is bolng
built hero and good returns are expected from its work.
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AGRICULTUR AL INTERESTS.
Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, is the Famous Grande Ronde, whose beauty is hecoming known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon which seems to rest the bluo vault above. Wherever the eye
gazes it cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces 800,010 acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as can b". found on the Pacific Const.
The Grande Ronde River enters its boundary on the West and flows Eaeterly through tho center
of the va'lpy and thence Northerly and out at its Northern limits; 30x25 miles is its length and bredth
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Ronde entering the valley at the South,
Mill Creek entering at the KaRt and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Ronde Val'ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named btrcams affording abundance of water the eason round.
The soli of this valley Is principally a black, rich loom with clay subsoil, there being avout three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Ridjie, 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 50 bushels 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.
Thn producing and export of grain and hay from this valley is large and growing in quantity each
year. Besides the production of grain and bay for oxport, at Immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples. Plums, Prunes, Pears and smalle fruits, alo garden vegetables are raised in great quantities and
marketed in tho neighboring sections. Butter and Cheese is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engaEed 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
poses. Taxes are no higher on fine than poor stock. The lands of this valley have all been taken, but
choice places can be bought at from $15 to 30 per acre, which is comparatively cheap. Many large
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 land has been entered or taken up.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The O. R. & N. P.. R. entering the valley at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the valley on the West, traversing the Southwestern bounriury of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Railroad system will be extended during the next year from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountans to Summcrville, 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 tho 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 Ronde Wiley, it cm be said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better oppot unity is ollered any wnere in the Northwest for the home
seeker or capitalists than in Grande Ronde Valley and its vicinity. The resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing industiies 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 Hisiness.
offering in this line advantages not to be 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 business at present.
To visit Grande Rondp Valley and see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
instance have people who liaVo visited this valley given it other than the best of reputation in regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a gxd country.
The Grande Ronde Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in the southern end
of the valley, La Graude at the base of the mouutains on the northwest. Summcrville in the northern
end of the valley, Cove about midway on the east side, and Elgin iu the extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
The County 8cat of Unlou County, is situated Iu the southern portion of the Fertile Grande Roude Valley, and has
the best Natural Location for a City of any town in Eastern Oregon. Situated, just at the base of rolling hills ou both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure as nature ever distilled and held
suspended in her mountain reservoirs, furnishlug immense watcrpowcr just waiting to be utilized by the hand of
man for all kinds of manufacturing industries. Iu fact the water power is amply sufficient to make Union the Lowell
of Oregon if the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned lu that direction, which will be the case when new
blood aud Kastern capitalists come in. This is one of the best places in Oregon for the erectlou of manufactures.
A woolen mill is greatly needed now, and some energetic capitalist who is engaged iu such business would And
here the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right in the heart of a great wool-growing section ef tho country. No
high freights to pay, water-power lu abundance, and lu fact everything that such a business would consume is pro
duced here In tho valley.
The present population of Union is about 1,200, but when the O. & W. T. railroad reaches here she will double her
population lusldo of six months. Eager eyes are watching to take advantage of the present low prices iu property aud
procure for themselves a homo whcrij they may Hvo in peace and plenty. Waterworks can be put In at very little ex
pense by running apart of Catherine creek iuto a large reservoir ou the bill back of towu. This will give all the fall
wo want from 160 feet up; no expeuso of keening a steam pump and tho necessary repairs. This mountain stream
cau be; made to run directly luto tho reservoir and all the waste can be utilized iu furnishing power for machinery.
When once waterworks arc completed there will bo no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can be
found.
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. We have In our public school, a High School Grade. The school is supplied
with every possiblo convenience. Everything is furnished by our liberal handed citizens, who believe In giving their
children a first-class education aud that they can be educated In no better way than by having a No. 1 School at nome
Tho school at present ls,livlded Into four compartments, all thoroughly graded, Studeuts ou completing tho pre
scribed course of study receive a certillcato to that effect. Au addition to the present school building is in contempla
tion, also Boveral hundred dollars worth of apartments is soon to be added.
Morally and socially, Unlou is unexcelled aud her hospitality is widely known throughout the surrounding coun
try. We have four churches, all in a flourishing condition. There are six secret societies, doing much good to hu
manity. Wo have a number of stores of different kinds, all doing a profitable business, us they supply a great agricul
tural district and tho numerous mining camps iu tho near vicinity. Wo are also supplied with several saloons, bar
bershops, blacksmithshops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes of tho
eplcurlau can be fully satisfied. Wo arc also supplied with two first-class livery aud feed stables so that strangers
coming to this town will havo no trouble, iu procuring a first-class team and taking a drive out iuto tlio exhillerating
atmospher" d feasting his eyes upon the grandeur of our mountain scenery, aud breathing iu tho lifo-glviag oxygen
that can bolound uowhero so pure as In Unlou County. To tho Enstenv, who is not used to mountain Bcencry, when
first bcholdlugour beautiful location, his first aud involuntary exclamation is, "1'aradiso Found at Last."
Our county Court House is well finished lu every particular, having a large aud commodious ball, amply sufficient
to accommodate any aud all audiences. It also has In conuectiou a jail built by the l'auley llros., with all their latest
improveed cells, thus making thiugs secure agalnsflhe escapo of any prisoners that may be confined therein. Our
Opera Houto is one of the largest this side of i'ortlaud, with handsomely decorated curtains aud finished in superb
style. Ono largo aud commodious Flouring Mill, full roller process, with all modern improvements, is situated adjoin,
iug the town. Also several saw mills in the near vicinity. The lumbering Interest is bound to become quite a fea
ture in our industries.
Taken all lu all. Union is one of the best towns lu Eastern Oregon. Heretofore she has been kept back ou account
of poor railroad facilities, but when tho Hunt System of Kailroad Is completed into Union, its lutein resources will be
developed aud it will take Its place among the thriving cities of our laud. We havo one of the loveliest towns In
Oregon, and a great deal of wealth is hero already. AU that is now needed is for people to come and take advantago
of tho great Inducements soon to bo thrown at the feet of every energetic man possessing either bralus or musclo
The pleasure-seeker or the luvalld can fiud no better placo to while away tlio summer mouths. Only three mile
away can bo found Hot Springs aud Lakes revellug in medical virtues aud curotivo powers the famous -'Kausas Hot
Springs," Khoumutlsm aud such complaints disappearing as if by the haud of some magician. Lovers of tho piscatorial
art will find tho beauatful sparkling waters of Catherine creek ullvo with the gamy mountain aud brook trout. In tho
edge of tho mouutains larger game may be found, while out In tho valley along tuo Graude Itoudo river are geese
swan aud ducks iu abundance. In tho tho gralu field prairie chickens are qulto plentiful. Taking all these natural
advantages for pleasure aud business, wo thluk people looking for a home cau find no placo supplying all their want,
better than the beautiful city of Union. " " ml
blnco tho much talked of Hunt Kailroad is an assured fact, property Is beginning to advance iu prices, though at
tho present tluio city lots and blocks may bo bad at very reasonable rates.
THE UNION REAL ESTATE ASSOCIATION
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 advantage
than any firm in Union County. They already have numerous tracts adjoining the city; farms, loc, etc., 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,
IWILSON & HACKETT
Who will cheerfully furnish them with all the information desired,
TJIVIOIV, OIKEGtOCT,