OREGON,
UNION
COUNTY
9
IS SITUATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE STATE
A. IV I
If
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY .TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND
The valleys arc of nn nvernge elovation of alxiut 2,000 feet above ecu lcvol, the highest mountnin
peaks being alxutt 0,000 feet and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous Btreains the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Ih dry and healthful, there being a sufficient rainfall to;proserve the moisture of tho soil and mature
crops. .Snow seldom falls to tho depth of one foot in tho valleys, and never remains longer then from
two to threo weeks at a time.
The mean temperature for tho winter months is about 20 degrees above freezing point, and for
tho fitimniGr months alout 70 alove zero, the heat of the day being odset by cool nights that ensure
refreshing and invigorating sleep and rest for tho fatigued
Tho winter season usua.ly begins alwut the first of December and lusts till the middle of Fobruary
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 weatlieriB 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 tho harvesting months in this
county, tho weather is usualy dry and adapted to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in thu autumn months to moisten the ground sufficiently to permit the farmer to
prepare tho same for his fall grain.
There is no country in tho United States more blessed by a healthful climate than Union County,
as tho vigor and enterprise of is citizens will prove.
Tho various contagions provalent in many localities aro almost wholly unknown here, and are
usually very mild in their attacks when thev do appear. There has only been one case of Smullox in
Union County sineo its settlement, and chifls ana lover tiro totally unknown. Wo have no tornadoes
or hurricanes to lay waste tho country, destroy property and the lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze tho life out of humanity. Nor do we have tho fogy and dump atmosphere which is found West
of the Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
Thero is 1,407,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in tho County; the rest is unsurveyed, the uiisur
voyed portion being valuable for Timber, Pasture and alounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of tho County aro Grande Hondo, Indian, North Powder, Hig Creek, Eagle, I'ino and Starkoy. The
soil in those valloya is well adapted to tho raising of Wheat, Oats, Hurley, Itye, Timothy, Clover and
Alfalfa, Vegetables and Fruits, such as Apples, I'lunis, Pours, Peaches, Cherries, strawberries, and
in fact all of tho smaller varieties grow to periection.
Tho yield of Wheat Is from 25 to CO bushels to the acre, Hurley from 40 to 70, Oats about tho same
as Hurley, with exceptions in some localities, when as high as 100 bushels of oats has been raised to
tho ucro. Tho Mountains aro covered with a Fino Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Sprtico, etc. The most valuable is the Pine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also some of
tho larger species of Tamrac, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is limply sullicient to supply the surrounding country for ages.
The mineral resources of the County aro only piirtiuly developed, but sufficient prospecting and
mining has been done to prove that great ledges ol ore interline tho mountain sides, which, when
sufficient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in tho general summary of
t'o wealth of the County. A more detailed account of tho Mines and Mineral Hesources of tho
County will Iks found further on.
STOCIv ivitsirsc..
The assesHinent roll of the county lor tho year 18&S, shows that there were 21. 7-10 head of horses,
'28,iii Mend of Cnttle, fifi.fiNS I lead of Sheep, and 5,571) Head of Swine, showing of itself that th County
is u great. Stock liaising Henlon. Thousands of head of stock aro yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
tlioii'Of a neat profit on their Investment.
In fact, tho stock business lias been and still Is tho most paying of any in the country and it
bids fair to continue to hi) such for many years to coinu The hunch gr.iss growing upon tho hills and
mountains Is very nutritious, Htock fattening in a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock Ins
to h foil Iiut for from one to two mouths during the winter, but in inanv places horses will winter upon
thu bunch grass and do well, l'liu climate is such tliat sio k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, itlving to work horses a strong constitution and powerful uiusclu.
Tho milk cow here attains perfection. Sheep are very healthy and produce heavy lleeces. The
dairying business In tho last few years has developed Into a largo and profitable one, the country being
specially niapted to the business by reason of the milk producing qualities of the grasses and thu ox
collont range, the large quantity of hay and gatn raised per acre, tho hcnltlifulnesw of animals, tho
largo water supply and tho ouIok market of Hut ter and Cheese. Tho Jersey, Holstine and Durham aro
rapidly taking the nlicoof tho common breed of cut'.le, and dairymen aro giving considerable attention
to (lie breeding of their cows.
It Is said more profit can 1)3 realized per year from a milk cow in this country than any other In tho
United Slates, one instance being given of u single cow for one year, yielding a net profit to tho owner
of $175 lirsi i us thu calf
Two ivamei les aro In operation at the Cove, In this county, whl' h make 12(1,(01) pounds of cheese,
worth II cents per pound, and 75,(H 0 pounds bill ter, worth 2" cents per puind.
This year a creamery Is in operation at l.a Grande, with what success remains to bo seen, although
no doubt can liu entertained but that It will provo to be a prolltablu concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining Districts of Un'nn County aro Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
In thu IS stern portion of the County, and embraces a section about ten iiiIIch t-quure, w ithin which there
oro about 000 quartz locutions. The formation is'granlto and slate; the ledges running in a Southearterly
and Northwesterly direction. The first locations were made hero in 1881. Tho quartz contains Gold and
Silver, tho gold predominating. Sonio of tho lodes aro free milling, but they generally contain base
metal an in consenuoneo wi'l havo lobe treated In reduction works. Assays have been made of oro from
ll'.irent groups, showing an average ylelu or rrom to ijfli u per ton. Wlien the proper methods
icuget to t lie oest advantage, cornucopia win Do consilium! tho New
thu dill
are employed to work those
'Khlnrmlo of tho West."
Tho Orgon Gold Milling Company, of LouUvllle, Ky , Is the only company represented In the dis
trict. It has opened up'ovornl of lit ledges, which weio obtained at from 810,1100 to $20,000 each.
Thu lied Jacket, belonging to thin company, is a well dullueU ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on thu lowest tunnel, wait found to bo a mass of tho golden metal. This
company has a 10-Stainp Mill running night and day upon the oro taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand five hundred pound of sulphurets were secured tho first month of this spring's operations, boMdes
Immense quantities of freu gold caught upon thu amalgam pans.
This company's expenses In bulldlngx, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
fltOO 0 0. They havo tho Whitman, which has a shaft sunk over 1,500 fuel and shows bottoms tho work
progresses; tho Altn No. 2, which Is duvolopod sulllelently to Indicate a well defined lodge of high grado
oro. Tho present superintendent. Professor Smith, is hivhly pleased with tho prospect for his company
and predict a second l.eadvillo of Cornucopia. Many other ledges of tho camp with 100 feet or more
of development work aro showing up well, among which aru the Simmons grr up, comprising the Key
stone, Cheekmu'e, Umpire and Huckeye, all situated on the Simmons Muuntain and aid to bo the best
group of mines In the camp, lso the llluu Hell, Little Casino and Monto Chrl to, situated on the Mime
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing funiogrado and character of oro. Tho Way
Up. northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the rlehct oro of any In camp and Is no doubt an extension
of the llluu Hell and Simmons group. Thu Union, Companion, Jut Chan e, Robert Kmmot, Forest
Queen, Hod Hoy, May Flower, Cox and Allen, lied Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Hoy, Climax
ami Queen of the West are all sutllclontly developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
oro in great quantities, Tho Cornucopia or Pine f'reck district is a rich ono with an unlimited amount
of oro and only lacks capital to prove Its wonderful richness. It Is destined to bo ono of tho richest
camps In existence. n ....
Tho Sanger mines aro operated by a Sun lranelsco Company, which begun Its operations two vears
ago, buying thu ledges for 17,000 and now cleaning up on an averaso of $70,000 per month. These
inlnos aro nn the road between Union and Cornucopia, about !l I miles east of Union, huvlng a tn-weoklv
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In direct communication with Union, their trad-
'"K 'Pho's'partn mines aro about eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for tho past
twenty years, still Yielding large returns. Thu Spuria mines are mostly placer, hut quite a number of
ledges havo lately been found which, as far ns dovelopcu, Indicate good paying ore. A mill Is being
built hero and good returns are expected from Its work.
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AGrHICULTURAL INTEREST.
Now to return to tho Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attractive
Valley of Union County, Is the Famous Grande Konde, whose beauty is I ecoming known far and wiile,
surrounded by lofty mountains upon which seem to rest the blue vault above. Wherever the eye
gazes It cannot help being enchanted by our beautiful scenery. This valley embraces rfOO.Ot 0 acres ol
as fine Agricultural Land as can ba found on the Pacific Const.
The Grande Ronde River enters Its boundary on the West and Hows hafterly through the center
of the va'lpv and thence Northerly and out at I s Northern limits: 30x23 miles is its length ancUiredlli
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Hondo entering the valley at the South,
Mill Creek entering at tho Fast and Willow Creek entering at the North, with numerous other small
tributaries, make the Grande Konde Val'ey one of the best watered valleys in Oregon, all of the above
named streams aHo'ding abundance of wntr the eaon rounn.
The soli of this vallev is nrlncinallv a black, rich lom with clay subsoil, there being a';out three
Townships of land having a sandy soil, known as the Sand Ridge, all of which prodiic
ices excellent grain.
The yield of Wheat. Oats, Harley. Rye, Timothv, Alfalfa and Closer is large, the cereals yielding
from 25 to E0 but-heW per acre of Wheat 40 to 100 for Oats and Barley, and Hay from '1 to s tons per acre;
frequently three crops of Alfalfa being cut in one season.
PRODUCTIONS AND EXPORTS.
Th produ-lng and export of grain and hay from this valley Is large and growing in quantity each
year. Besides the production of grain and hay for export, a ' Immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunes, Pears and smaile fruits, a!o garden vegetables are raided in great quantities and
marketed in the neighboring sections. Butter and Cheeoe Is also one of our staple products. Stock
raising Is engairert In largely and profitably; as fine stock may be seen upon the farms of Grande Hondc
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 lauds of this valley have all been taken, but
choice places can bo bought at from 815 to !)0 per acre, wh ch is comp.Katively cheap. Many large
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of tho best quality can be had at very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several irood 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. It. H. entering the vallev at the southern portion and following the foothills on the
Southwest, passes out of the vahey on the West, traversing tho Southwestern boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Railroad system will bo uxtended during the next year from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
the Blue Mouutans 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.
I'uget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this line, putting Portand, Or., and the cities of the
So"iidTn competition fur the trade of the Valley, the importance of which is eviuenced by the building
of this bocond line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Konde Valley, it cui lie said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better oppo-tun'tv is otl'ered anywnere in the Northwest for the home
seeker or capitalists than in Grande Konde Valley and Us vicinity. The resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing industiies of nearly every kind, of which we now havo
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the funning and dairying I usiness.
ottering in this lino advantages not to be found but in very few places. The raising of thoroughbred
stock is a profitable business and there is hardlv an individual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Hondo Valley mid see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
('stance 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 good country.
Tho Grande Hondo Valley has several considerable towns and villages: Union in tho southern end
of the valley, La Giande at the base of the mountains on the northwest Summerville in tho northern
end of the valley, Covo about midway on the east side, and Klgin in the extreme northern part of thu
valley.
UNION,
The County Beat of Union County, Is situated In the southern portion of the Kurt tie (iramlu Itonile Valley, and has
tho best Natural J.oeatlou for a City of any town In Eastern Oregon. Situated, just at the base of rolling hills on both
sides of Catherjno Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters uro pure as natiiro ever distilled and held
suspended in her mountain reservoirs, furnishing immense waterpowcr just waiting to be utilized by tho hand of
man for all kinds of manufacturing Industries. In fact tho water power is amply sulllelont to make Union the ixiwell
of Oregon If tho attention of her enterprising citizens wore turned In that direction, which will bo tho case when now
blood and Kastern capitalists come In. This Is one of the best places In Oregon for thu erection of mauufacturies.
A woolen mill Is greatly needed now, and soiu energetic capitalist who Is engaged Ih such business would find
here tho chosen spot for snob an enterprise, right in the heart of a greHt wool-growing section of tho country. No
high freights to pay, water-power in abundance, anil hi fact everything that such a business would consume is pro
daeed here in tho valley.
The present population of Union Is about 1,'JOO, but when the O. k W. T. railroad reaches hero she will double her
population inside of six months. Eager eyes aro watching to take advantage of tho present low prices in property abd
procure for themselves a home where they may live in peaco and plenty. Water works can bo put In at very little ex
pense by running apnrt of Catherine creek Into, a largo reservoir on the hill back bf town. This will give all tho all
wo want from IN) feet up: no expense of keeping a steam pump and tho necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can be; made to run directly Into tho reservoir and all the waste can bo utilized in furnishing power for machluery.
When once water works are completed there will be no need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can bo
found.
Our school facilities aro unsurpassed. We havo In our public school, a High School Grade. Tho school Is supplied
with every possible convenience. Everything Is furnished by our liberal handed citizens, wbo 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 home
Tho school at present Is divided Into four compartments, all thoroughly grmded. .Students on completing tho pre
scribed course of study receive a certificate to that etlect. An addition to tho present school building is In contempla
tion, also several hundred dollars worth of apartments is soon to bo added.
Morally and socially. Union is unexcelled and her hospitality is widely known throughout tho surrounding coun
try. We havo four churches, all In a nourishing condition. Thero aro six secret societies, doing much good to hu
manity. We have a number of stores of ill lie rent kinds, all doing a profitable business, as they supply a great agricul
tural district and tho numerous mining camps In tho near vicinity. Wo aro also supplied with several saloons, bar
bershops, blacksmlthshops, etc., ono principal hotel and several restaurants, so that tho most fastidious tastes of tho
eplcurlan can Isj fully satisfied. Wo aro also supplied with two llrst-class livery and feed stables so that strangers
coming to this town will havo no trouble in procuring a first-class team and taking a drlvo out into tho exhllleratW
atmosphere and feasting his eyes upon the grandeur of our mountain scenery, and breathing In thu lifo-givlag exygen
that can bo found nowhere so pure as in Unlou County. To the EasteuVt who Is not used to mountain scenery, when
first bcholdtugour beautiful lotnttiou, his first ami Involuntary exclamation is, "Paradise Foil nil at Last."
Our county Court House is well finished in every particular, having a largo and commodious hall, amply sufficient
to accommodate any and all audiences. It also has In connection a jail built by tho l'auley llros., with ill their latest
improveed cells, thus nuking things secure agalusfthe escape of any prisoners that may be confined thorelu. Our
Opera House Is ouo of the largest this side ol Portland, with handsomely decorated curtains and finished in suuerb
style. One large and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller proces, with all modern improvements, is situated adjoin
ing the town. Also several taw mills in the near vlclulty. The lumbering interest is bound to become quite a fea
ture In our Industries.
Taken all In all. Union is one of the Itest towns lit Eastern Oregon, Heretofore sbo has been kept back on account
of poor rallroa J facilities, but when the. Hunt Mystem of Hallroad Is completed Into Unlou, Its latent resources will be
developed aud It will take its place among tho thriving cities of our laud. We have ono of the loveliest towns In
urcgoii, aim n greui iieni 01 weniui ic uviu niii-wi; . au iuw hum nnu-n is iui c-oiuu 10 euinu auu late advantage
of the great Inducements soon to be thrown at the feet of every energetic mau nossesslnc either brains or muscle
The pleasure-seeker or tho Invalid can II ml no better place to while away the summer mouths. Only three'mllcs
away can bo found Hot Springs and Lakes reveling In medical rlrtues and curative powers tho famous "Kansas Hot
Springs," IHictunatUm and such complaints disappearing as if by tho haud of some magician, Ixiversof the piscatorial
art will find tho beaualful sparkliug waters of Catherine creek alive with the gamy mountain and brook trout. In the.
IHILFII III LI1I1 111(11111 1 HI II H lHlVer L?U 111U I11UV UU 1U11I1I1. IYI111U UllL HI Kill 1 111 ICJ IU UK 111U UTUIlllH Klltinn , VH.
swan and ducks In abundance. In the tho grain field prairie chickens are unite plentiful. Takiug all thesn ,,ftM-l
advantages for pleasure and business, we think people looking for a home can tlud no place supplvlug all their wants
better than tho beautiful city of Union. '
bluce the much talked of Hunt Kallroad Is an assured fact, property is beginning to advance In prices, thouch f
tho preseut time city lots and blocks may bo had at very reasonable rates. 6 Bl
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, .
I W JLJiWOrN JrL-VCJ JXii JL JL
TJJXIOIV, OKEGON,
I iviii Who will chnorfullv furnish thorn with all tho Information tnalrml. I