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p. 2, col. 5
Letter from Oregon City.
A returned miner writes us as follows, from Oregon City, under date of dec. 10, 1861:
MESSRS. EDITORS: After numerous delays, I reached this place yesterday, safely. There is but one topic here now, and that the great flood. The papers will give you full accounts of the immense destruction of property in this valley by the high water. The wharves there very much damaged. Hull's new wharf is gone — all the others are more or less damaged. The mills at this place are all gone. The destruction here has been immense, the foundries, machine shops, and many other buildings are swept away. Linn City is all gone except two houses, and I have learned that Champoeg is no more, not a vestage of it being left. The destruction has been general along the river, buildings of all descriptions were seen floating down the river past this place. Dwelling houses were observed going over the Falls with lights still burning in them. The warehouses along the river are mostly destroyed, together with immense quantities of grain, and flour, and other produce stored in them.
Everybody is going to Salmon river in the Spring. The rich deposits of gold discovered there, and the dull times here, will influence every one who can possibly get there to go, either as miners or traders. It will be useless to advise the farmer or mechanic that they can do better at home — they will not believe it; they will point to A and B, who have made their "piles," while they forget that C, D, E, and F have made nothing. They are determined to go and they will go. So you may expect very lively times up there during next Summer: and in the fall you will see the victims returning home cursing their vile luck; not because the mines are a humbug, for we know they are very rich; but because there are not good claims for a majority of the people going there.
Your country will receive large and valuable accessions to its population during the coming season, from this valley and many other places. Many who have become discouraged from the loss of their property by the flood will seek homes in that new and rising country. Men have hitherto been deterred from going there with their families for various reasons, among which the apprehension of danger from the Indians and the enormous expense of getting supplies from this valley, together with the want of schools there for their children, were prominent. Those objections are now mostly overcome; the myriads of people who will flock to that country during the coming season will render the settlers secure from Indian attacks. Good mills will furnish them with bread stuffs, and schools will soon be established throughout the settlements; and in a few years the Walla Walla will be among the most wealthy and flourishing countries on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. Yours, WADE.
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Walla Walla County.
WALLA WALLA, Dec. 15, 1861
MESSRS. EDITORS: As great public mind hereabouts partakes of the general excitement relative to the rich gold fields that environ this locality, it behooves our farmers and trading men to prepare for the emergencies that are sure to come upon us. The great thoroughfares that radiate from this common center should be attended to. Too little attention has been bestowed upon our roads: many places want bridging that would cost but a trifle; which if a little timely attention be given them would tend much to increase the attractions of this favorite county.There are many imaginary townsites springing up around us, with the view of diverting trade and travel from here. A jealous eye is directed toward Walla Walla from all points of the compass. Our merchants should look patronizing; our hotel keepers should be obliging and accommodating, and our mechanics should be punctual, and last, but not least our farmers should be striving so as to be able to accommodate the drafts that will be made upon them for the products of the soil. It is proverbial that few countries can boast of more rapid improvements in an agricultural point of view than has been exhibited in this, Walla Walla valley, in the past three years.
Farms have sprung up, as it were, almost by magic; and what is encouraging the Farmer has met with remunerative prices. That is not all, we may reasonably anticipate a still more favorable result in this regard for the coming crops. — There is one thing at this time that causes some complaint; and that is, the price of flour has gone up while there has not been a corresponding increase in the price of grain. These things of course, will in time, be regulated; but it is a fruitful source of complaint at present.
To you, gentlemen of the press, we look for information in these particulars. It is your province to give birth to projects, as well as to give direction to praiseworthy efforts. Your argus eyes will be expected to cast about in all directions. Prospective town-builders will endeavor to thwart our purposes in building up your chosen locality. Your correspondent will endeavor to lend a helping hand.
It is given up that this valley is susceptible of a more dense population than any portion of the country east of the Cascades; and there is still much good land vacant and waiting the hand of the sturdy husbandman. The attention of those who mediate a trip here, with the idea of settlement, is directed to these facts. There is certainly here an open and inviting field for the farmer and stock-raiser.
In haste, yours, &c. S. J. D.
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SHOOTING AFFRAY. — An affray occurred at one of the saloons down town, on last Saturday, during which several shots were fired at man recently from California, one of the balls striking him in the hip and inflicting a wound at first thought to be fatal. He was placed under the care of Dr. Harris, who informs us that he is recovering. One of the parties accessory to the shooting, appeared voluntarily for examination, and was discharged. The other — and probably the one that fired the shot — fled from the place. It appears that the difficulty arose from an old grudge, but its direct origin has not been assigned.
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TWO MEN DROWNED. — Mr. J. M. Vansyckle, of old Fort Walla Walla, furnished us the following information, under date of Dec. 22d: On the 145h inst. two men were drowned at "Isle Pierrie," above Priest's Rapids. There were three men in the boat, which became unmanageable and got into a whirl among the rocks and upset. The third party came out save, and has just arrived here this morning in a canoe. The names of the parties lost are Thomas Hunt, of Marion county, Oregon, and Frederick Fisher, a sailor, of Boston, Mass.
[The name Vansyckle appears in my family tree as the surname of my great grand aunt's husband and descendants. — C. S.]
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p. 2, col. 6
More About the Flood.
The Corvallis Union in reference to the destruction by the late freshet in the southern part of the State says:
Mr. B. F.Dowell, who left Jacksonville on Sunday, Dec. 1st, says the destruction was great in Rogue River and Umpqua valleys. He says Evan's bridge on Rogue River is gone, Briggs' bridge on the South Umpqua, the North Umpqua bridge at Winchester, the bridge on Pass Creek, in Umpqua, near Mr. Drain's place, and several others of lesser note. He thinks that the freshet out South has been full as severe as in the Willamette valley.
From L. F. Mosher Esq. we learn that Markham's mill about a quarter of a mile above the Winchester bridge is gone with the houses adjoining the same, and about 300 head of hogs belonging to Markham. Also Kindal's saw mill on North Umpqua, Mulvany's saw mill on Pass Creek in Umpqua county is gone, and that all the bridges between Mulvany's and Estes' are rendered useless. Mr. Mosher came by the Pass Creek road, and represents it almost impassable by reaso of the quantity of fallen timber, logs and drift upon it. He came down the coast Fork, arriving December 8th, in Eugene City. The water in Eugene was then six inches higher than it had been the highest time of the first flood December 2nd. All the stores on the main Street could have been gone to in a boat. The highest part was opposite the barber's shop, and they went from that in boats and on rafts. The water was all around the Court House, and the bottom between the Willamette and McKenzie's fork overflowed. — From Eugene City to Coyle's on the river road, there is scarcely one rail on top of another except in drift piles. The loss of stock is very considerable. The grass is all covered up with mud and sand so that what stock has escaped he flood will probably starve to death for want of pasture. If anybody proposes to travel South Mr Mosher advises them to go with the expectation of working their passage and to take a life preserver along with them. Workmen were busily employed putting up a new bridge on Pass Creek, near Mr. Drain's place, as our informant came by.
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We learn that the Christmas ball, given at the residence of Mr. McWhirk, seven miles in the country, was pleasant and well attended. Owing to other engagements, and the scarcity of sleighs, we could not be present.
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Lieut. Hillyer, of Company A., 9th Regt. California Volunteers, stationed at the Fort, has resigned, and left last Sunday for California, to take his seat in the Legislative Assembly of that State.
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MEMBER FROM SHOSHONE. — It appears that Mr. L. F. Beatty, from Shoshone county, was admitted to a seat in the Territorial legislature.
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p. 4, col. 1
Additional Atlantic News
The Southern papers are advocatig the abolishment of the elecitive franchise.
The fight had not been resumed at Pensacola.
The Southern Planters are said to be destroying their crops, to prevent them from falling into our hands.
A conspiracy of Union men had been discovered in New Orleans, causing great excitement there. Many arrests had been made.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. — John C. Breckenridge was unanimously expelled from the Senate.
Kent, Captain of the Jeff. Davis, was on board the steamer when Slidell and Mason were taken.
The Sumter was at Martinique Nov. 5th, and the U. S. gunboat Iroquois was four hours behind her.
NEW YORK, Dec. 3rd. — Mr. Butterfield, who has been a prisoner at Charleston, has arrived and reports that the forts on Otter and Phoenix islands were vacated and blown up Nov. 12th. The greatest excitement prevailed at Charleston, and a meeting was held as to the propriety of burning or surrendering the city. The Mayor was for surrendering, and so were the people generally, but the Governor said it must be burned.
Special dispatches state that a resolution will be offered in the House punishing any officer of the army for returning fugitive slaves to masters.
QUINCY, Ill., Dec. 5th. — The New York Times' special dispatch, dated Washington, December 4th, says information was received this evening that the rebels are in possession of Anandale, Fairfax county, and have a large force of cavalry.
There are twelve forts around Centerville defended by field pieces. For regiments of the enemy lately left Centerville for Leesburg. There are 12,000 men there now.
At Greenville, Tennessee two Unionists have been hung by the rebels. Their offence was bridge burning.
Parson Brownlow is making himself felt. In East Tennessee, at the head of 30,000 men, he attaacked a large rebel force, and defeated them with great slaughter. He captured one of the teamsters, with their teams and freight.
The Federal fleet have captured a ship, having on board a large cargo of sugar and molasses; the vessel was trying to steal out of New Orleans when taken.
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