Page:All Over Oregon and Washington.djvu/142

136 Baker County has several lumber-mills, and one flouring-mill; besides machine-shops, and all the necessary trades' and smiths' shops. Both in Union and Baker counties, great attention has been given to the establishment of schools. In the former, a common-school system is already in operation, supported both by subscription and taxation. Religious services are generally held with regularity, in the towns and settlements. In all that goes to make up the character of good, moral, and respectable people, the settlers of both Eastern Oregon and Washington appear to be ahead of most newly settled communities. The overland stage route is through this county, giving daily mail communication with the east and west. The roads are kept in good repair for wagoning goods from the Columbia River to the different mining-camps and settlements.

Grant County, embracing that central portion of Eastern Oregon where the Blue Mountains are highest, and extending southward to the southern boundary of the State, comprises altogether some of the most remarkable features of the whole country, including a portion of the wonderful "lake region." It was first settled in 1862, by a mining population; since which time it has contributed ten millions to the wealth of the world. The mining-camps are all on the head-waters and forks of the John Day River; where the placer mines are being worked out, only to be replaced by the discovery of rich quartz-leads.

This county, like those already mentioned, has become self-supporting, so far as farm products are concerned. It has under cultivation about nine thousand acres of land, chiefly on the North, South, and Middle Forks of John Day River, and a population of between two and three thousand. A good wagon-road from