The Oregon scout., July 24, 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 yalloya are of an nvernge elevation of iilxnit 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
Is dry and healthful, there being a sufficient rsunfull to preserve .the moisture of the soil and mature
crops. 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. t " ;
The mean temperature for the winter months is about 'JO degrees above freezing point, and for
the summer months ulxmt 70 iiIjovc 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 usua.ly begins alout the first, of December and lasts till the middle of FoJiniary
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 weather is broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing suficient 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 mouths in this
county, the weather is usualy dry and adupted 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.
There is no.country in ,ho United States more blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as the vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
The various contagions' prevalent in many localities aro almost wholly unknown hero, and are
usually very mild in their attack., when thev do appear. There has only been one case of Smallpox in
Union County since its settlement, and chifls ami fever aro totally unknown. We have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste the country, destroy property and Iho lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze the life out of humanity. Nor do we have the fogy and damp atmosphere which is found West
of, the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1,407,500 Acres of Surveyed Jjuid in the County; the rest is unsurveyed, the unsur
voyed jKirtion being valuable for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of the County aro Grande Hondo, Indian, North I'owdor, Big Creek, Eagle, Pino and Starkoy. The
soil in thoso valleys is well adapted to the raising of Wheat, Oats, Barley, 'Rye, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa. Vegetables and Fruits, such as Annies, Plums. Pears, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of the smaller varieties irrow to perfection.
The yield of Wheat is from 2.i to f() bushels to the acre, Barley from 40 to 70, Oats about the same
as 'Barley, "with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bushels of oats has been raised to
tho acre. Tho Mountains aro covered with a Fino Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruco, etc. The most valuablo is the Pine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also somo of
thodargor Bpecies of Tatnrae, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is amply sufficient to supply tho surrounding country for ages.
jgy, " The mineral resources of tho County aro only jmrtialy doveloped, but sufficient prospecting and
''mining has been done to prove that great ledges of ore interline the mountain sides, which, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in the general summary of
' t'o wealth of the County. A more detailed account of the Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will be found further on.
STOCK TfcrVItSlNC.
The ttHscKHinent roll of the county tor the year 1888, shows that there were Ul. 740 head of horses,
28,12.1 Head of Ottlo, oo.firtS Head of Sheep, and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of itelf that the County
Is a great Stock lUlhlng Heiou. Thousands of head of stock arc yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat profit on iholr Investment.
In fact, the stock biiHiiicHH lius been and still in the most paying f any in tho country and It
bids fair to cpntluuc to bo such for many years to como,. The bunch grass growing upon tho hills and
mountains Is very nutritious, stock fattening In a very short time, ready for market. Usually stuck Ins
to ho fed liar for from one to two months during'tlie whiter, hut in manv places horses will winter upon
the bunch grans ami do well. J'ho climate Is such that sto k raised is of a hurdy and healthful charac
ter, Klvlngjo work horses a strong constitution ami powerful muscle.
Th) milk caw here attains perfection. Sheep are very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. Tho
dairying business In tho last few years has developed into a largo and profitable one, tho-country being
specially adapted to the business by reason of tliu milk producing (nialltles of tho grasses and the ex
cellent tango, tho largo quantity of hay and g ain raised per acre, the healthfulness of animals, tho
laro water supply and the quick market of Huttor and Cheese. Tho Jersey, Holstine and Durham are
rapidly taking the phiceof ino common breed of catMo, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to tlio n edlng of tlielr cows.
It Is Kalil more profit can hi realized per yenr from a milk cow In this country than any other In the
United S'Hles, one instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net protlt to tho owner
of 9175 hi'nitlos the calf
Tw ( rcamerles are In operation at tho Cove, hi this county, will h make 12(100 pounds of cheese,
worth I I cents per pound, and 75,01 0 pounds butter, worth cents per p unci.
year a creamery Is In operation at i.a limine, wun wnat surccHs remains to 00 seen, although
TliU vonr 1
no doubt, can bo entertained but that It wl
I prove to bo a prolltable concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining District of Un'on County aro CVrnucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
In the K stein portion of the County, and embraces a section about ten miles square, within which there
aro about IKK) quartz locations, Tho formation Ik granite and slate; the ledges running In a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations were made hero in 1884. The quartz contains Hold nnd
Silver, tho gold predominating. Somo of tho lodes uro free milling, hut they generally contim hsso
metal an in consequence will have to bo treated In reduction wrrks. Assays have been made of ore from
tho dlllVrent groups, showing an average yield of from 25 to $10 per ton. When tho proper moth'ds
are employed to work these ledges to tho best advantage, Cornucopia will bo considered tho New
"Kldorado of tho West." ...
Tho Or gon Hold Mining Company, of Louisville, Ky , Is the only company represented In the dis
trict. It has opened up several of lt lodges, which weio obtained at from 10,1'WI to O.OOO each.
The Red Jacket, belonging ti thin company, Is a well defined lodge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, was found to bo a mass of the golden metal. This
company has a lO Stauip Mill running night and tUy upon the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand five hundred pounds of sulphurets were secured the first mouth of this spring's operations, bet-ides
Immense quantities of free yold caught upon the amalgam pans.
This company's expenses hi buildings, machinery, roads, developments, etc.', has amounted to over
81100 0 0. They have the Whitman, which has a shaft sunk over 1,5()0 feot and shows better as tho work
progresses; tho Alta No. 2, which Is developed sulllclent.ly to Indicate a well defined ledgo of high grade
ore. The present superintendent. Professor Smith. Is hivhly pleased with tho prospect for his company
anil predicts a second l.eadvillo of Cornucopia. Many other lodges of the camp with 100 feet or more
of development work are showing up well, among which are tho Simmons grmp, comprising tho Key
stone. Checkmate, Umpire and Buckeye, all situated 011 the Simmons Mountain and 'aid to ho the best
group of mines in tho camp, i-lso the Blue Bell, Little Casino and Monte Chri to, situated on thei-nme
mountain and extensions of tho Shninons ledges, showing nime grade and character of ore. Tho V ay
Up northeast of Cornucopia, shows seme of the richest ore of any In camp and Is no doubt an extension
of the Blue Bell and Simmons group. Tho Union, Companion, Last Chan e, Bobert Hinmet, Forest
Queen, Bed Boy, May Flower, Co. and Allen, Bed Cross, Stoen groupe, Stella, Tiger Boy, Climax
and Queen of the West are all sulllciently developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
ore in gnat quantities. The Cornucopia or Pino Creek district Is a rich ono with an unlimited amount
of ore and only hicks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It is destined to be one of tho richest
camps in existence. ....
Tho Sanger mines aro operated by a San I'ranclsco Company, which began Its operations two vears
ago, buying tho ledges for eUXt) and now cleaning up on an averauo of $7,IXXI per month. These
niinos are on tho road between Union and Cornucopia, about !l miles east of Union, having a tri-weekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed in direct communication with Union, their trad-
.'"The'sparttt mines are about, 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
lodges have latolv been found which, as fur ns developed, indicate good paying ore. A mill Is being
built here and good returns are expected from Its work.
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AORICULTURAL 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 Konde, whose beauty Is I ecomlng known far and wide,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon which seems to rest the blue vult above. Wherever tho eje
gazes It canipt help being enchanted hy our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces a00,0t 0 acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as cn'b found on the Pacific Const.
The tirande Hondo River enters Its boundary on the West and flows Kafterly through the renter
of the va'lpy nnd thence Northerly md out at i's Northern limits; 30x25 miles is its length and bredth
and with Catherine Creek, tho largest tributary of the Grande Rondo entering tho valley at the South.
Mill Creek entering at the Eat and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Bonde Val'cy one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams afTo'dlng abundance of water the eason round.
The soil of this valley is principally a blark, rich lom with clay subsoil, there being awout 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 Cloier Is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to f 0 bushel- 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.
TIip produ-ing anH export of grain and hay from this valley is large and growing iu quantity each
year. Besides the production of giain and hay for export, a 1 immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunes, Hears and suiade fruits, also garden vegetables are raised iu great quantities and
marketed In the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheese is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising is engaged in largely and profitably; as fine stock may lw seen upon tho farms of Grande Ronrte
Valley as anywhere, stockmen and farmers always securing tho 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, bat
choice places can he bought at from 815 to $30 jsjr acre, which Is compJsatively cheap. Many large
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of the best quality can )e had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several good 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. B. B. entering the valley at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the yahey on the West, traversing tlio Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Railroad system will beoxtended during the next ear from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mountans 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 Porta nd, Or., and tho cities of tho
So- nd in competition for the trade of the Valley, tho importance of which is evit enced by the building
of this second line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Roude V Hey, it 0111 bo mid with
out fear of contradiction, t hat no better oppoMun'tv is offered anywnere in tho 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 industiios ot nearly every kind, of which we now have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the fsrinir g and dairying I usiness.
offering in this line advantages not to be found but in very few places. Tho raising of thorough bred
stock is a prolltable business and there Is hard) v an individual here solely in that business at. present.
To visit Grande Ronde Valley nnd see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
h'stance have people, who have visited this valley given it other than the best of reputation iu regard to
climate, soil and everything that goes to constitute a good country.
Tlio Grande Hondo Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in tlio southern end
of the valley, La Grande at the babe of the mountains on the northwest Summerville in the northern
end of the valley. Cove about midway on the east side, and Elgin iu the extreme northern part of tho
valley.
UNION,
The County Scat of Union C'ouuty, is situated in the southern portion of the Fertile Grande Koude Valley, and has
the best Natural Location for n City of any town iu Eastern Oregon. Situated, Just at the base of rolling hills on both
sides of Catheriue Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters are pure as 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 muuufacturlug industries. In fact tho water power is amply sumclent to make Union tho Lowell
of Oregon if the attention of her enterprising citizens were turned in that direction, which will bo the case when now
blood and Eastern capitalists come in. This is one of tho best places In oregon for the erection of manufactories.
A woolen mill is greatly needed now, and smne energetic capitalist who Is engaged Is such business would find
here the chosen spot for such 1111 enterprise, right in the heart of a great wool-growing section of tho country. No
high freights to pay, water-power In abuudauee, aud iu fact everj thing that such a business would consume is pro
daeed here in the valley. '
The preseut population of Union Is about 1,'JOO, 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 tho preseut low prices iu property and
procure for themselves a home where they may live Iu peace aud plenty. Water works can be put in at very little ex
penso by running a part of Catherine creek into a largo reservoir on the hill back of town. This will glvo all tho fall
wo want from 160 feet up; no expeuso of keening a steam pump aud the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can be, made to run directly Into the reservoir and all the waste, can bo utilized in furnishing power fur machinery
When once water works are completed thero 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. Tho school is sunnlled
with every possible convenience. Everything is furnished by our liberal handed citizens, who believe In giving their
children a first-class education and that they can bo educated in no better way than by having a No. 1 School at homo
Tho school at present Is divided into four compartments, all thoroughly graded, students on completing tho nru
scribed course of study receive a certificate to that effect. An addition to the picseut school building Is In coutemtila
tlou, also several hundred dollars worth of apartmeuts is soon to be added. '
Morally aud socially. Union I
, Is unexcelled anil her hospitality Is widely known throughout Hi
try. Wo have four churches, nil iu a nourishing condition. Thero are six sVeret societies, doing much good to hu-
great agrlcul-
inanity. We have a number of stores of different kinds, all doing a profitable business, as they supply a
uirai uisirici ami 111c numerous milling camps 111 1110 ucar viciuny, ttoaro also supplied with several saloons bar-
bershops, blucksmtlbshops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurants, so that the most fastidious tastes o'ftbo
eplcurfau can bo fully satisfied. We are also supplied with two first-class livery and feed stables so that KtriiiiVTr
cuiuiiig 10 hub tow 11 111 umu iiu iruuuiu iu iruuunuK a ursb-i;ius icaiii ami ia&iug a orivo out into the exhllleratiiiff
atmosphere aud feasting his eyes npou the grandeur of our mountain scenery, and breathing In the llfe-ci'viai oxvepn
that can bo found nowhere so pure as in Union County. To the Easteuv, who is not ssed to mountain sceuerv when
flmt beholdlngour beautiful locution, his first and Involuntary exclamation is. "Paradise Kounil at 1 "
to
Our county Court House is well finished iu every particular, having a large and commodious ball, ii'mnlv sufficient
accommodate any and all audiences. It also has in connection a Jail built by the Pauley Hros., with ill their latest
IlllliriMU-u iriiD, imio iiihttis limiso ercuic aKniun wic i-rLavui ttuj rifiUUVIK lliai may OO COUtlUCd tllorelll Our
-Opera House is one ot me largest tins stue 01 rortianu, witn natiilsomely decorated curtains and finished In sunrrh
style. One large and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller proces. with all modern improvements. Is situated ailfnlii
lug tho town. Also several saw mills in the near vicinity. The lumbering interest is bouud to become nulte fin
turu In our industries. 11 lKa
I'uI'.ki ..11 lii all ITn nn Jc nun nOlui Kn, tnurii. f.i L-u&tii.i n p..rr..it irn...lnt. . . n 1 i ,
in.lll MM Jli a vMV w n.- .'V c . wu.o ... I.nrutll ULihlll. llllCIUIUIt; Bllf I1NS I1CCI1 KCT1 OSCk OU I
of poor rallroa 1 facilities, but wheu the Hunt System of ltallroad is completed into Union, its latent resources
doveloped and it will take Its place among the thriving cities of our land. We have one of the loveliest 11
Oregon, aud a great deal of wealth is here already. All that is now ueeded is for iieonlc. in com,,. u,i ,..1.,. ...i
1 account
will bo
jwns In
of the great Inducements soon to lo thrown at the feet of every energetic man possessing eltherbraius or museh'
The pleasure-seeker or tho luvalld cau find no better place to while away tho summer months. Only three mHoa
1 Hot
rial
1 tho
swan and ducks iu abuudauee. Iu the the grain field prairie chickens are quite plentiful. Taking all these Tifttnrol
advantages for pleasure and business, we think people looking for a homo cau tlud no place sutilvluir all iliV.ir .T,,vi
lu.lti.r Ihnli tlio ln'initllll cltl" nf I'lflnii 11 """'""-" wains
fcdnco tho much talked ot lluut ltallroad lsau assured fact, property is beginning to advance In tirl ti,,.....i. .
the preseut time city lots aud blocks may be had at very reasonable rates. 1 I'rlcC8i though at
U..inr. IMinnmulUm mitt kiwli ixminln illy it I uu tnwt ri ntr mm IMiv tUn f 1 ' " BHH
art will find the beauaiful sparkling waters of Catheriue creek ullve with the gamv mountain and brook inH 1,
,wl, f ll.a i,i.i,.l.ihi l.n.,.m ,.,. Ii l ..Ml-,!,.. I, tin. ,.,11.... .1,,,,, .'l.,. ,,'"!. "OUl. 1 H
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, Ice, 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, ,
TJIVIOIV, OREGON,
Who will cheerfully furnish thorn with nil the information desired.
Of"