The Oregon scout., August 07, 1890, Image 8

UNION
COUNTY
OREGON,
IS SITUATED IN THE NORT
TERN PORTION OF THE STATE
AND
COMPRISES ABOUT NINETY TOWNSHIPS OR ABOUT 2,000,000 ACRES OF LAND,
Tlic valleys arc of nn average elevation of alout 2,000 feet above sea level, the highest mountain
peaks being about (1,000 feet and continually covered with snow, which furnishes a water supply for
numerous streams the year round.
THE CLIMATE
Is dry anil healthful, there being a sufllcient rainfall to presorvo the moisture of the soil and matures
crops. Snow 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 tho winter months is about 20 elegreea alovo 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
Tho winter season usually begins about tho 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, tho monotony of warm and dry weathoris broken by frequent showers
of rain furnishing suflcient moisture to the ground and tempering tho atmosphere so as to assure the
farmer an abundant yield.
During the months of July, AugUHt and September, which aro tho harvesting months in this
county, tho weather is usualy elry and adaptetl to the successful gathering of crops. Generally
enough rain falls in the autumn months to moisten tho ground sufficiently to permit tho farmer to
prepare tho Bame for his fall grain.
There is no country in tho United States 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 are almost wholly unknown here, 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 and lover aro totally unknown. Wo have no tornadoos
or hurricanes to lay waste tho country, destroy property and the lives of people, nor blizzards to
freeze the life out of humanity. Nor elo wo have thu fogy and damp atmosphero which is found West
of tho Cascade Mountains.
SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS.
There is 1,407,500 Acres of Surveyed Land in tho County ; the rest is unsurveyed, the unsur
voyed portion being valuable for Timber, Pasture and abounding in Mineral Deposits. The valleys
of the County aro Grande Hondo, Indian, North Powder, Big Creek, Eagle, Pino and Starkoy. Tho
tl it. II : ,.11 I 41. . nf VU Hint I l..ftu !. r.i l?rt 1 'mml itr I nun. nnj
BOll III IIIOHU Vlllioyo IB well luiitpiuii w mu mining ui uncut, uuid, ij.iiiu, vi" mm
Alfalfa, Vewotablcs and Fruits, such as Apple's, Plums, Pears, Peaches, CherncB, strawberries, and
in fact all ol tho smaller varieties grow to perfection.
Tho yield of Wheat is from 25 to 50 bushels to tho acre, Barley from 40 to 70, Oats alout tho 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 e-ovored with a Fine Growth of Timber, consisting of Pino, Tamrack,
Spruco, etc. Tho most valuable is tho Pine, which is used in tho lumbering industry, also somo of
tho turgor species of Tamrac, but this class of timber is used chiefly to furnish wood ties, etc., which
is umply sulllcient to supply tho surrounding country for ages.
Tho mineral resources of tho County aro only nurtialy deve'lope'tl, but Bulllcient prospecting and
mining has been elono to prove that great leelges of oro intorlino the mountain sides, which, when
sulllcient capital is employed in their development, will bo a great factor in tho general summary of
t'o wealth of the County. A more dotaileel account of tho Mines and Mineral Resources of tho
County will bo found further on.
8TOCK KVIHIIVC.
The assessment roll of the county lor tho year 18, shows that thoro were 21.740 head of horseB,
28,12;? Head of Cnttle, 55,ftt5 Head of Sheep, and 5,570 Head of Swine, showing of itself that the County
is b great Slock Halting Region. Thousands of head of Hlock are yearly shipped, bringing to the owners
thereof a neat prollt on their investment.
In fact, tho stock biiHiiiesH lias been and still In the most paying of any in the country and it
bldK fair to continue to be such for many yearn to comu. The hunch grass growing upon the IiIIIh and
mountains is very nutritious, stock fattening la a very short time, ready for market. Usually stock Iihb
to bo fed liar for from one to two months during tlio winter, but in manv places horses will winter upon
the bunch grass and do well. The cllmatu Ih audi that hIo k raised is of a hardy and healthful charac
ter, kIvIiikIo work horses a strong constitution and powerful iiniHcle.
Th) milk cow hero attains perfection. Sheep are very healthy and produce heavy ileeces. Tho
dairying business In tho lat few years has developed Into a largo and profitable one, tho country being
apeclally adapted to the tni'dneas ty reason oi ino iiiiik producing qualities oi i lie grasses ami the ex-
by
cellent range, tho largo quantity of hay
large1
rapk
and g'aln raised per acre, the healthfulness of animals, the
Iho Jersey, llolHtine nnd Durham ure
'men uro giving considerable attention
large water supply and ttui iiulck market of Hut tor ami (jlieexe. Iho Jersey, llolHtine nnd Durham are
Idly taking the place or ino common ureeu oi catuo, ana uairym
to ino iin eiiiog oi tneir cows.
It Ih h.i Id more nrotlt can In realized per year from a milk cow In this country than any other in the
United S'utcs, ono instance being given of a single cow for one year, yielding a net prollt to the owner
of 9175 hfxidcH the calf
Tv reninories aro In operation at tho Cove, in this county, which make 120,000 pounds of cheese,
worth 1 1 cents per pound, and 75,0 0 pounds butter, worth 25 cents per p und.
Thin year a creamery is in operation at La Cirnde, with what succosh remains to bo seen, although
no doubt can be entertained but that it will prove to bo a prolltablo concern.
ITS MINING RESOURCES.
The Mining District of Un'on County aro Cornucopia, Sparta and Sanger. Cornucopia District is
in the It stern portion of the County, and embrace a section about ten mile square, within which there
are about MX) quartz locations. Tho formation In granite and slate; the ledges running in a Southeartorly
and Northwesterly direction. The llrst locations were made here in 1K84. The quartz contains Cold and
Silver, tho gold predominating. Some of tho lodes ure free milling, but they generally contain Ihho
metal an In consequoneo will havo to bo treated in reduction works. Assays have been mado ot ore from
tho dllinronl groups, showing an average yield of from 25 to 1' 0 per ton. When tho proper moth' ds
are employed to work those ledge to the best advantage, Cornucopia will bo considered tho New
"Kldorado of tho West."
Tho Oregon Gold Mining Company, of LouUville, Ky , is the only company represented in tho dis
trict. It has opened up overal of It ledges, which weie obtained at from 8 1 (I, I'M) to $ 20,000 each.
Tho lted Jacket, belonging to 1 1lls company, is a well dellned ledge, averaging about four feet in
thickness and when struck on the lowest tunnel, wan found to be a mass of the golden metal. This
company has a 40-Stamp Mill running night and day upon the ore taken from this ledge. Seven thou
sand live hundred pound of sulphurots were ttecured the tlrst month of thin spring's operations, besides
luimensu quantities of free gold caught upon the aina'gam pans.
This company's expenses In bulldlngH, machinery, roads, developments, etc., has amounted to over
8U00 0 t). They have the Whitman, which lias a shaft sunk over 1,500 foot and shows hotter as the work
progresses; tho Alta No. 2, which is developed sulllclently (o indicate a well defined ledge of high grade
ore. The present superintendent, Profe-sor Smith, Is htuhly plumed with tho prospeet for his company
and predicts a second Leadvillo of Cornucopia. Many other ledges of the camp witli 100 feet or more
of development work aro showing up well, among which are the Simmons grcup, comprising the Key
stone, Checkmate, Kmpire and Huckeye, all situated on tho Simmons Muuiitafn and Mild to Iks the best
group of mines In tho camp, Mso the Hluo Hell, Little Casino and Monte Chrl to, situated on the Mime
mountain and extensions of tho Simmons ledges, showing same grade and character of oro. Tho Vay
Up. northeast of Cornucopia, shows some of the richest ore of any In camp and In no doubt an extension
ot the Hluo Hell and Simmons group. The Union, Companion. Last Chan e, Hubert Knimot, Forest
Queen, Hod Hoy, May Flower, Cox and Allen, lied Cross, Steen groupe, Stella, Tiger Hoy, Climax
and Queen of the Went are all sulllclently developed to show them to bo good ledges and contain paying
oro in great quantities. Tho Cornucopia or Pino Creek district is a rich ono with an unlimited amount
of oro and only lacks capital to prove its wonderful richness. It is destined to be ono of the richest
camps In existence.
Tho Sanger mines are operated by a San 1 ranctsro Company, which began its operations two vears
ago, buying the ledges for 917,0C0 and now cleaning up on an averaso of 870,000 per month. These
mines aro on the rtiad between Union and Cornucopia, about : ) miles east of Union, having a tn-weekly
mall from Union on to Cornucopia, thus being placed In direct communication with Union, their trail
lug point.
The Sparta mines aro about eight miles southeast of Sanger and have been worked for tho past
twenty years, still yielding largo returns. Tho Sparta mines are mostly placer, hut quite- a number of
ledges have latelv been found which, as far as developed, indicate good paying ore. A mill is heiug
built hero and good returns aro expected from Its work.
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Now to return to the Agricultural Interests of the County, the Largest, most Fertile and attracti ve
Valley of Union County, is tho Famous Grande Honde, whoso beauty is I ecomlng 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 300,1X0 acres of
as fine Agricultural Land as can b- found on the Pacific Coast.
The Grande Ronde River enters its boundary on the West and flows Eafterly through the center
of the va'lcy and thence Northerly and but at lis Northern Hmita; 30x25 miles is its length and bredth
and with Catherine Creek, the largest tributary of the Grande Rondo entering the valley at the South,
Mill Creek entering at the East 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 streams affording abundance of water the 'eason round.
Tho soil of this valley Is principally a black, rich lom with clay subsoil, there being avout 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 50 bus heN 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 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, an immense quantity of fruits, including Ap
ples, Plums, Prunes, Pears and smalle fruits, also garden vegetables are raised in 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 be seen upon the farms of Grande Rondo
Valley as any where, 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 815 to 30 per acre, which is comp.Ratively cheap. Many large
bodies of land owned by single individuals and of the best quality cai be had at. very reasonable rates,
which could be divided into several good farms.
TIMBER.
The hills and mountains aro 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. R. 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 boundary of the valley
for a distance of 14 miles.
The Hunt Railroad system will booxtonded during the next year from Wal'a Walla, W. T., through
tho Blue Mountana 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
havo tho best railroad facilities.
Puget Sound, W. T., is the terminal point of this lino, putting Portand, Or., and tho cities of tho
So"ndTn competition for tho trade of the Valley, the importance of which is evidenced by I lie building
of this second line of road. In concluding this description of Grande Ronde Vslley. it can be said with
out fear of contradiction, that no better opportunltv is offered any wnere in the Northwest for the home
seeker er capitalists than in Grande Ronde Valley and its vicinity. The resources of the valley and its
tributary sections will sustain manufacturing industries of nearly every kind, of which we nuw have
but very few. It will sustain ten times the population it now has in the farming and dairying business,
offering in this line advantages not to be found but in very few places. The raising of thorough bred
stock is a prolltablo business and there is hardlv an individual here solely in that business at present.
To visit Grande Ronde Valley and see it and to investigate its advantages, is to locate here. In no
instance have people, who havo 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.
Tlie Grande Ronde Vailey has several considerable towns and villages: Union in the 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 the extreme northern part of the
valley.
UNION,
The County Scat of Uuiou County, is situated lu the southern portion of the Fertile Grande Kouiic Valley, and lias
the best Natural Locution for a City of uy town lu Kusteru Oregon. Situated, Just at the base of rolling hills ou both
sides of Catherine Creek, a beautiful, sparkling stream, whose waters aro pure as nature ever distilled and held
suspended lu her mountain reservoirs, furnishing immense watcrpowcr just waiting to be utilized by tho baud of
man for all kinds of manufacturing Industries. In fact tho water power Is amply sutllcleut to make Union the Lowell
of Oregon If tho attention of her enterprising citizens were turned iu that direction, which will be tho case when uew
blood and Kastorn capitalists come lu. This Is one of the best places iu oregou for the erection of manufactures.
A woolen mill is greatly needed uow, and soie energetic capitalist who is engaged, lu such business would And
hero the chosen spot for such an enterprise, right lu tho heart of a great wool-growing section ef the country. No
high freights to pay, water-power lu abundance, aud iu fact everything that such a business would consume is pro
daced hero in tho valley.
Tho present population of Union is about 1,200, but when tho O. it W. T. railroad reaches hero sho will double her
population lusido of six months. Kager eyes aro watching to take advautago of tho present low prices iu property and
procure for themselves a homo where they may live In peace and plenty. Water works can be put iu at very little ex
pense by running apart of Catherine creek Into a largo reservoir on tho hill back of town. This will give nil the fall
wo want from 150 feet up; no expense of keening a steam pump and the necessary repairs. This mountain stream
can be; made to run directly luto tho reservoir and all tho waste can bo utilized In furnishing power for machinery
When once waterworks are completed there will be uo need for wells, springs, etc., for no purer drinking water can be
Our school facilities are unsurpassed. Wo have in our public school, n High School Grade. The school is annulled
with every possible convenience. Everything Is furnished by our liberal bunded citizens, who believe in giving their
children a llrst-cjass education and that they can bo educated iu uo better way than by having a No. 1 bchool at liome
Tho school at present Is divided Into four compartments, all thoroughly grmded. Students ou completing the tiro
scribed course of study receive a certificate to that etlect. An addition to tho present school building is in contemnla
tlou, 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 tho surrounding coun
try. Wo have four churches, all In a nourishing condition. There aro six secret societies, doing much eooil t int.
...... .1... i. .....v....Af.iA..nf ,iiti..n..t ..it ..i.i.. .... ..' . " V'"1-" Sl'UU hi nu-
mam i. iivuaiL-n tiuiuuui ui onui-ii ui mtit'ii-ui muo, all iiuiuk a mwiiitiuiu MiiBiue.1.1. Its wiej SUppj J a great UliriCtll-
tural district and tho numerous mining cumps In tho near vicinity. Wo aro also supplied with several saloons bar
bershoiiB, blacksmltlishops, etc., one principal hotel and several restaurauts, so that tho most fastidious tastes o'f tho
I'lucurinu cii uu itim ptuisiii-u. 11 u nni uieu miiiihicu wiui lw 11 nrni-viiifs livery ana ieetl stamp ui that
coming to this town will have no trouble lu procurlug a first-class team and taking a drive out luto tho exhllleratlne
Mitiin'iitiii.r. Mini iiMiHiniir iiik i.vi'v iiTifin in. t-rMimf.nr nt mir niminiHiii Mr.ntit.ri utui i.r..u t ti I .... I.. t... lit.
that can la) found nowhere so pure as lu Union County. To the Kasteuv, who is not used to mountain seencrv w-lum
flret beholdlngour beautiful loiwtlon, his first and Involuntary oxolamutiou is, "Paradise Found at I ast "
Our county Court House Is well finished in every particular, having a largo and commodious hall, amply sufllcient
to accommodate any and all uudlences. It also has In connection a jail built by the Pauley llros., with all their latest
improveed cells, thus nuking tilings secure agalusrfhe escape of any prisoners that may bo couflued thareiu Our
Onera House is ono of the largest this side ol Portland, with handsomelv decorated rurta! tin nnii tltilal.uH I.. ... i.
One largo and commodious Flouring Mill, full roller procewi, with all modern improvements, is situated atlfoln
otown. Also several saw mills iu tho near viciultv. Tho lumberine interest U (uintwi in iu,... .: .' , "
.nr.. It. mir I tl.l ll.lrl... ' " - n let-
style.
lug tnotown
fleretofore she has been kept back ou account
.leted into Uuiou, Its latent resources will be
nnd. Wo havo nun nf tl,n l,...lr.,. rr
n. i. ,.ii I.. .. 1 1 T T ..(... . i- nnn i, v I .. I...... ..
iukvu nil in ail, umuii in yinv ui mu truBt lunus ill caaivm vivKlill. J
of poor railroad facilities, but when tho Hunt System of Railroad is comr
devcloiHHt and it will take its nlaco among tho thriving cities of our 1;
nm.ntl mill ... jl..ul rtt .oi.uttt. 1. K..r.k .InlaHp All that la .. .......
"".f" ' -" f - " "" """'J', ""' is mi iicupiu in conic ana lake advautare
of tho great inducements soon to lie thrown at tho feet of every energetic man possessing either bruins cr muscle
Tho pleasnre-seeker or tho luvalld cau rind no better place to while away the summer mouths. Only three miles
ua iu w iiiiiiiu jiui aiiriuK- mm uir ruveiiug iu nimieui iinuts ami curative powers tlio famous ''Kansas Hot
Spriugs," Kheuinatlsm and such complaints disappearing as if by tlio hand of some magician. Lovers of tho nlseatiVliii
art will find Uie beauaiful sparkling waters of Catherine creek ativ with tho gamy mountain and brook trout " in iim
edgoof tho mountains largerRamo may bo found, whilo out lu tho valley along the Grande ltoiute rlvur
swan ami ducks In abundance, lu tho tho grain field pralrlo chickens are quite plentiful. Taking all these iiftnrl
advantages for pleasure aud business, we think people looking for a home cau find no place supplying all their u',.t.
better lhau tho beautiful city of Union. ' ' '
blnre tho much talked of Hunt Itailroad is an assured fact, property Is beginning to advance in nrieei HinnM, .,
the preeeut tlmo city lots aud blocks may be had at very reasonable rates. ' ' ",u--u at
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,
WILSON & HACKETT
Who will choerfully furnish thorn with all tho Information elcilred.
TTJVIOIV, OREGON,