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[Illustration: Anchorage in Yaquina Bay.]
TWO YEARS IN OREGON.
by
WALLIS NASH,
Author of "Oregon, There and Back in 1877."
Straight mine eye hath caught new pleasures,
While the landscape round it measures,
Russet lawns, and fallows gray,
Where the nibbling flocks do stray;
Mountains on whose barren breast
The lab'ring clouds do often rest;
Meadows trim with daisies pied;
Shallow brooks, and rivers wide.
L'Allegro.
Turn, Fortune, turn thy wheel with smile or frown;
With that wild wheel we go not up or down;
Our hoard is little, but our hearts are great;
Smile and we smile, the lords of many lands;
Frown and we smile, the lords of our own hands;
For man is man and master of his fate.
Tennyson.
New York:
D. Appleton and Company
1, 3, and 5 Bond Street.
1882.
Copyright by
D. Appleton and Company
1881.
I DEDICATE THIS BOOK
TO
MY FATHER,
WHO, THOUGH SEVERED FROM US BY LAND AND OCEAN,
YET LIVES WITH US IN SPIRIT.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
It is my grateful task to recognize the marked kindness with which my
modest volume has been received by the public and the press. It is rare
that a second edition of a work of the kind should be called for within
three months of the first issue, and still more rare that, out of a
vast number of reviews by the leading journals all over the country,
but one newspaper, and that the one I deemed it my duty to the State of
Oregon to denounce (on page 216), has found aught but words of
commendation.
I desire also to tender my apologies to the esteemed Roman Catholic
Archbishop, and to the Sisters of Charity of Portland, for the error on
my part in ascribing to Bishop Morris, of the Episcopal Church, the
credit of St. Vincent's Hospital.
I ought not to have forgotten to notice the Good Samaritan Hospital and
Orphanage founded by Bishop Morris.
A single remark should be added about the price or value given, on page
70, for seed-wheat as an element of the cost of the crop raised from
it.
The wheat reserved by the farmer for this purpose, being exempt from
the charges and waste incident to hauling, storage, insurance, and
sacking, necessary in marketing, is fairly estimated at seventy cents,
though the marketed portion of the crop averages eighty-five to ninety
cents; the difference being composed, in part, of profit.
W. N.
PREFACE.
I send forth this book, as sequel to the sketch published three years
ago, with many misgivings--rather as if one who, as a lover, had
written poems in praise of his mistress, should, as a two years'
husband, give to the world his experience of the fireside charms and
household excellences of his wife. Perhaps the latter might more
faithfully picture her than when she was seen through the glamour of a
first love.
Be that as it may, it is true that the questions put from many lands,
as to how we fare in this Western country, demand fuller answers than
mere letter-writing can convey. I trust that those correspondents who
are yet unanswered personally will find herein the knowledge they are
seeking, and will accept the assurance that they are themselves to
blame for some of the more solid and tedious chapters; as, if I had not
known that such information were needed, I would not have ventured to
put in print again that which previous and better authors have given to
the world.
While I have striven to write what is really a guide-book to Oregon
for the intending emigrant, others may be interested in the picture of
a young community shaping the details of their common life, and
claiming and taking possession of a heritage in the wilderness.
No one can go farther West than we have done: it is fair, then, to
suppose that the purposes of the Western movement will be seen here in
their fullest operation.
Since 1877 a vast change has taken place in this, that Oregon now
shares with older States the benefits of becoming the theatre for large
railroad operations.
No apology to American readers is needed for the endeavor to show
things in a fairer light and different color from those chosen by
persons interested in causing all men to see with their eyes.
Transatlantic readers may not have the same concern; but even from them
I bespeak a hearing in matters which may indirectly, if not directly,
touch their interests.
But I do not wish to suggest that I write as having only a general
feeling that certain things would be the better for a more open
discussion than they have hitherto received. My own affairs, and those
of many friends, both in Oregon and elsewhere, and, indeed, the
successful development of this great Willamette Valley, largely depend
on our convincing an unprejudiced public that Nature is on our side in
the effort we are making to secure a direct and near outlet to the
great world.
I only claim in these particulars to be an advocate, but I add to this
a full and honest conviction of the justice of the views for which I
contend.
To turn again to more general matters, I have the pleasant duty of
thanking several friends who have contributed to the information here
collected.
To our shame be it said that there was not, among our English
immigrants, one naturalist who could rightly name the birds, beasts,
fishes, and insects in our Western home. But I was fortunate in finding
an American friend, Mr. O. B. Johnson, of Salem, whose complete and
accurate knowledge of these subjects only rendered more easy his kindly
endeavors to give me the benefit of all his stores.
I wish to acknowledge also the care with which, ever since our visit in
1877, the professors at the Corvallis Agricultural College have kept
the records of climate and rainfall, the results of which are now
published.
I trust that, if any sketches in these pages are recognized as
portraits, not one grain of offense will be taken by those who have
unwittingly served as models in the life-studio.
Or that, if any effect is produced, it may be as good and lasting as
that which followed on a fancy picture in the former book, in which
many stray touches were collected. Whether the cap fitted, or was
pressed on his head by too officious neighbors, I know not; but this I
know, that cleared fields, neat fences, new barn, clean house, and
fitting furniture, rendered it impossible for me to recognize a
tumbledown place which then served to point a warning. These
improvements, I am told, the owner lays at my unconscious door.
WALLIS NASH.
CORVALLIS, OREGON, _April_ 14, 1881.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.
Personal reasons for coming to Oregon--Plans of colonizing--Who
came--Who have returned--Who remain--Bowie-knives and revolvers--A
sheriff in danger--No tragedy--Our landing at Corvallis--Frail
houses--Pleasant welcome--The barber's shop--Its customers--Given
names--New acquaintances--Bright dresses--Religious denominations. 17