IMMENSE CATTLE RANCHES IN OPEGON.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 32, 31 July 1880, Page 4

IMMENSE CATTLE RANCHES IN OPEGON.

We have come, unexpectedly, upon Dr. Glenn's Oregon ranch, about which so much was said during the recent campaign (writes an American paper). It is a stock ranch, and covers an area of seventy-five miles long by twenty miles wide. If it were not, Dr. Glenn, you know, would have nothing to do with it. The doctor has not seen the ranch, however, and probably lievcr will. He has a partner, Peter French, who stays at the ranch and runs the business. Mr. French was not at home, being absent in Portland, on some Government business, but we were taken in by his major-domo or overseer, and kindly and hospitably enteilained. There are two ranches on the range, the P. ranch here in this valley, and the Diamond ranch — so' called from the brands used — some twenty-five miles farther on in the valley of Z>igcr creek. These streams and valleys are so similar that a description of one is a description of both. The streams rise on the west side of Stein mountain, and flow in a novfch-westerly course, and sinking or spreading into broad marshes go to contribute to the waters of Lakes Mulheur and Harney. The valleys are thirty or forty miles long, and from sis to twelve miles wide. The soil is wonderfully fertile, the climate is not excessive, and fine grain and vegetables are produced in abundance every year, and of the best quality. The gentle sloping hills are covered with bunch grass, and the wild grass of the valley will produce a ton and a half of hay to the acre. Here are rich and beautiful homes for 500 families, with ample stock range for all. Glenu and French hold this vast body of land by the right of undisturbed possession. We were told by his bookkeeper that no part of the immense tract of land over which their 25,000 head of cattle roam_ has ever passed any kind of title. It is true it is unsafe for a single settler to go into this country and attempt to homestead, for all such are treated as interlopers, and quickly invited to emigrate. One man went and filed a homestead on the stock ranch of one Wallace, in Warner Valley, and before ha had time to put up his cabin, Wallace took down his Winchester and shot him dead, and the stockmen in the vicinity will cell you that Wallace is a " perfect gentleman." Nothing was ever done in the matter. All these large tracts of land are held by bluster and braggadocio, and it strikes me as being a piece of -unparalleled impudence for one or two men to spread themselves out over two or three hundred square miles of God's free heritage, and attempt, by threats and blows, to keep out the thousands of honest, industrious men who are seeking for homes and employment. These lands are, nearly all of them, subject to pre-emption and homestead entry, and men of nerve and pluck will come here and take it, and the time is not far distant when these rich and beautiful valleys will be thickly populated and covered with happy and prosperous homes.