Page:Atlantis Arisen.djvu/125



cisco, connecting with the Oregon Pacific Railroad, greatly to the relief of the central and southern portions of the Wallamet Valley on the west side, which were without means of transportation. Corvallis labored energetically for twenty years to bring about this improvement in its business facilities, the reward of which determination it is beginning to enjoy.

The Oregon Development Company, concerned in these improvements, owns one steamer, the “ Willamet Valley,” and charters another, the “Farallon,” both drawing, loaded, about fourteen feet. Of course, they can enter only on full tide.

A steam-schooner, drawing eight feet, was employed last year in coasting between Yaquina and the river ports south, namely, Alseya and Sinslaw, carrying salmon, shingles, wool, hides, etc., to Yaquina, and taking general merchandise as return cargo. She made twenty-five trips, carrying fifty tons each way.

The total amount of imports by the company’s vessels during the year ending June 10, 1890, was eight thousand and three tons; and of exports, thirty-two thousand and eight tons, or forty thousand and seventy-four tons total carriage. The San Francisco line carried seven hundred and seventy-eight incoming and four hundred and fifty-six outgoing passengers, and had but one accident on the bar, when a heavy sea boarded the “ Farallon” and wmshed overboard five men, two of whom were lost. The steamer’s fires were put out, and she suffered damages which compelled her to return for repairs. A small steamer runs upon the waters of the bay.

I have been thus particular in giving the result of an enterprise which at first seemed unpromising, only to show what opportunities remain for development in a country so rich in resources. The Alseya Valley, in Benton County, has its own little seaport at the mouth of the Alseya River. The lower portion is heavily timbered, but where cleared produces abundant crops. It has, besides, mineral resources—coal in the mountains, and gold in the back-sands. The upper part of the valley, from one to three miles wide and twelve long, is mostly settled up with thrifty and industrious people.

The pass through the Coast Range, by which the Oregon Pacific comes to Corvallis, perceptibly affects the climate of