Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1889 — From the Far Northwest. [ARTICLE]

From the Far Northwest.

A LETTER OREGON. Oregon is crossed from north’to eolith by two mount»m ranges, the Cascade and Coast Kan go. 'The Coast mountiiias areV.ivided by several valleys of wnicit tee isest important are the iftpguc, Coquilla, Umpqua and Nhhalem. The region between the Coast Mid >. asc-nie mountains is traversed by the Willamette River. This beaptiful valu-v is jjdjeut litty miles wide and 120 long. AIL the country west of the Cascade mountains is called Western Oregon and as each state must haye a garden spot it is called the *'Garden., t Oregon.” The region east of the Cascade especially southeastern Oregon is quite barren and not at all adapted to running. r

Western Oregon has a very healthful climate. Owing to the sea breeze it is much milder and less cbangablo than in the eastern states. Snow seldom falls on the western slopes of the Coast Range. The Oregon and Cal. R. 11 crosses the stain from north to south and is nailed the Oregon short lino from Tortlaud Ip Sacramento. This affords the only railroad transportation of Western Oregon. Oregon abounds in natuial resources that only await development. Extensive deposits of gold are found throughout the mountainous regions. Silver, platinum and quicksilver are also found. At Coos Bay and elsewhere are valuable deposits of lignite coal. Valmountain slopes and myrtle lines the banks of the rivers. The. Willamette valley is mostly well adapted to farming. All kinds of grain arc raised. West of the Coast Ranges stock raising and dairy ing arc* the principal industries. Stock can te raised with very little cost for no feed is required during the winter. I have seen cattle driven from the mountains on April Ist that would make excellent beef. Fruits ot all kinds are abundant. Those most extensively cultivated are apples, peaches, pears and prunes. When crops are planted here the owneT is sure of a good yield for failures are unknown. Valley laud is valued at from §75 to §IOO per acre. The most prominent among the dis advantages of Oregon is the mode of travel. West of the Coast Range Ihe old settlers still adhere to the ancient mode of mountain travel and insist on packing everything on horseback Instead of building wsgon roads. Many settlers have lived bore from fifteen to twenty years and have never owned a wagon, but the settlers are now awakened to their interests and are improving their roads. It fe so muddy here that stages cannot run during the winter season. This is eaused by the winter rains.

Whenever enough euterpriseis awakened aud I be coast is connected with the interior by railway, then this country will receive its boom, for millions of feet of lumber and as uiauy tons of coal are only awaiting an easier mode of transportation. Besides these the stock, fruit and all other industries

would increase £is ; ,well.

C. G.H.