Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Heppner gazette. (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1903)
9 COUNTY, ORE. THE HEPPNER GAZETTE, THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 1903. MORROW A Great Stock, Wool and Wheat Country Where Good Opportunities are Offered to Settlers Seeking Homes. LAND VALUES RAPE! INCREASING With the Development of Extensive Coal Mines, and the Many Natural Resources, Insures a Bright Future. Av. ' - : v 'V The faot tbat Morrow oonuty with over 1,300,000 acres of 1bd3, extending from the Columbia river southward (or a dutaLoe of G5 miles, with bo average width of about 35 miles, aod with a pop ulation of ouly from 5000 to 6000 people to the persoD not acquainted with the actual oooditioos, it would look like something was wrong. But such is not the case. Like u great territory of the Inland Empire in Northeastern Oregon, or in fact all that portion of Oregon ly ing Eist of the Casoade Mountains, we have been passed by by settlers and bbmcseekfTs who have gone to other Bcotiona that have had the benefit of more nysto'ruatio and better advertis-iatf . IN-opIc Well To Io. T j extreme isolation can be attributed tiie main oauee for this. People bate failed to oome here end investigate and good opportunities have been lying dor mant for all tbese years. People who did oome here have been successful and are very prosperous in all kinds of industry. Tbe people of Mor row county are, generally speaking, well to do. Tbe faot that the great commercial highway, tbe O. R. k N. railroad passes through tho extreme northern portion of the oouutry going through what is termed the sand country, it in a measure, or fit would be batter to say in former years, a barrier to immigration and especially trsangera, not from any fault of this splendid railway system wbiob follows the easy grade of tbe Columbia river, but from tbe desolate appearance of tbe country. Tbe Sand Country. For tbe entire width of the county there is a narrow atrip of arid land only about eight miles wide on an average, covered with shifting sands from tbe winds that sweep up and down the great Colombia. This disintegration caused by the waters of the great river which from tbe erosion of ages have gradually settled into a permanent bed aod left tbe sands, gives to tbe stranger as viewed from tbe river, tbe appearauce of a great desert. Thia arid district is deceptive to tbe eye. Thousands of head of sheep, cat tle and burses range in this sand and wax fat upon tbe luxuriant native grasses tbat grow in this sand. AH that this laud needs to become highly pro ductive, is tbe introduction of water, and tbe time will oome when this coun try will be irrigated with government aid, tbe movement for which is just now being started and agitated. With plenty of water this would become one of tbe greatest fruit distriots in the Northwest. The altitude ia such, coupled with tbe proper climate that it makes a very fav orable combination of conditions for tbe growth of Hoe fruit. Formerly Val Knnge. Twenty years ago, tbe .territory now inclnded ia Morrow county was a vast rarjge and was not considered, fit (or anything else. Ia tbe early 80's farm ing was introduoed by a few people in tbe Eight Mile and BUck Horse districts. The results were satisfactory and it was demonstrated tbat tbe bunob-rass land wbiob was heretofore considered worth less would produce cereals aid bay if properly cultivated. County Named. Prior to the year 1885, tbe territory of Morrow ooonty was included in Uma tilla, bat as tbe country beoame settled the inconvenience of such a large oounty became an importaut question, aod through tbe efforts of Hon. J. L. Mor row, who was a member of the Oregon Legislature, a division of the county was scoured, and by act of tbe legislature tbe present boundarifB or Morrow couuty were established. For bis untiring work, tbe oounty was named after tbis venerable pioneer. .Stock and Wool I'roduction. Io tbe matter of stock aod wool pro duction Morrow is o'oe of the principal oouoties of the state. Climatic condi tio! are most favorable. The natural adaptation to animal husbandry brings to tbe stockgrower a sure aud Ligb per oent of profit wbioe has stimulated the industry until tbe stock and wool busi ness has attained a high state of per- Cittle shipments amount to about 900 bead, and at the least calculation were worth 25 00 per bead. Tbe above shipments do not iuolude several crloads of boss, as well as the surplus 2-year-old cattletbat weredriven out for feeders. About 30,000 head of sheep were also driven out. WheD it is considered that a good portion of Morrow oounty is deeded land ar.ul nuder fenoe, arid that for the yearl902, the county produced 1,250,000 bushels of wheat, (his seerr.8 au enor mous output, no' ouly for the eizs of the territory but for the o rnpftrutively few people in tbe ccrjDty to handle. Natural Ailvuiifnjrrs for- Sl U. Such a stock output would not be pos sible if it were not for the peculiar ad vantages tbat tbe oonnty possesses for the growing of stock. Such a vast number of hoofs are not and could not be kept entirely within tbe borders of Morrow tbe entire year. A long aod narrow western spur of the Blue Mountains skirts tbe extreme south eastern portion of tbe county, nod to tbe east spreads out spider like into n great range of mountains wboi-e bigb peaks and bills pieroe tbe clouds at bigb altitudes. In this range of mountains covering a great territory, rests the s - IF ff . ate .v- 43w re fection. This is the home of Ibe cele brated bunob grass, and the wonderful amount of nutriment tbat it contains has given tbis Dative grass a wide repu tation. From careful observation and good authority a conservative estimate plaoes tbe number of stook in Morrow oounty as follows: Sheep, 225,000, valued at $500,000. Cattle, 6000. valued at $150,000. Horses, about 4000 head of work and range horses worth all the way from $10 to $100 per bead. It ebould be remembered that in giv ing the amount of stock at tbis time, tbe holdings of stockmen are not heavy for stookraisers have reduced tbeir flocks and herds to the minimum ic order to cut down as much as possible the cost of winter feeding. Stock Shipment. From reliable information tbe stock shipments for the year are as follows: Horses, 1600. These horses were mostly animals from the ranges unbroken. Such horses are worth from $10 to $25 per head. Sheep, about 60,000, worth at a con servative estimate $120,000. oret of the possibility of Morrow county making snob a great showing in tbe bus iness of stock growing. Tbis vast terri tory of mountain land is principally owned by the government. Tbe heavy snows of winter aod being covered witb timber makes a great reservlr tbat holds moisture all summer. Everywhere when not overstocked, there is an abun dance of native grass. In tbe spring stockmen commence moving fheir herds to tbe mountain ranges, where they are kept nntil late in tbe fall. Most of tbe ftockmen own larje rauches in the county. While the stock are being raDged in tbe mountains tbe grass on the home ranches ia allowed to grow during tbe summer, and when the berds oome in in tbe fall fat and sleek gras9 on tbe home ranch is ready for eood winter pasture, B0, after tbe stock man bas turned off bis surplus, there in plenty of range for the winter. Government land is now abont all taken in Morrow county, how ever there are a few claims that are still vacant that aro worth taking. NOBLE & CAMPBELL Manufacturers of Saddles and Harness. Being located in the heart of a great stock country we have an opportunity to study the details of scientific sad dle making. Years of experience enable us to make a saddle for ease to both man and horse, tha'. is unexcelled. Our trade extends all over the Northwest. Write for prices and photographs. Heppner, Oregon. THE BELVEDERE. The best brands of Wines, Liquors and Cigars. The Best Orchestra in the City. The Belvedere is situated in a new stone build ine with all the modern fixtures to make it comfortable. Obliging Mixolo gists on duty day and night. - lb Street Heppner, Oregon. J. J. ROBERTS General Contractor and Builder Stone fronts built and remodeled; Cottages put in up-to-date style; Plans and estimates given on all kinds of work ?QV SHORT NOTICB 1 Also does general repair work and guarantees the best of satisfaction. OFFICE ON MAIN STREET. W. P. Scrivnen General Blacksmithing and Repairing. Wood work and wagon making, and Special attention given to Horseshoeing. First Class Work Guaranteed. Shop oq Main Street, hjeppoer. low is time to Sn We
