258 FORT HALL, ETC. 



It produces in such immense quantities, that the parent bush is not unfre- 

 quently tlattened with its superincumbent weight. 



The grizzly bear dehghts to revel among tlie thickets of this his favorite 

 berry, and is almost certain to make from it his last autumn meal ere he re- 

 tires to winter quarters and commences the long fast that follows. 



The valley of Bear river presents to emigrants many advantages. Pos- 

 sessed not only of a rich soil, well ada])ted to cultivation, and vast mineral 

 resources, with natural curiosities that must ever make it a central point of 

 attraction, but situated in the immediate vicinity of the prospective popula- 

 tion of the Great Salt Lake and upon the the direct line of over-land inter- 

 course between the United iStates, California, and Oregon, it must command 

 for its future inhabitants a sure source of prosperity and wealth. 



There is little doubt of its eventually becoming the most important sec- 

 tion of JSoutheastern Oreoon. 



In descanting upon the natural curiosities of this valley, the trappers ac- 

 companying me spoke of a spring further to the northward, which constantly 

 emits a .small stream of mineral tar, IVom the mountain-side, in no respect 

 inferior to the manufactured article. However, I am not certain in regard 

 to the locality of this interesting phenomenon. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



Fort Hall; its history, and locality. — Information relative to Oregon. — Boimdaries 

 and extent of the territory. — Its rivers and lakes, with a concise description of tliein 

 severally. — Abundance and variety of fish and water- fowl. — Harbors and islands. — 

 Oregon as a wliole ; its mountains and geographical divisions. — Eastern Divison ; 

 its wild scenery, valleys, soil, and timber; volcanic ravages; country between 

 Clarke's river and the Columbia. — North of the Columbia ; its general character. — 

 Middle Division; it-s valleys, prairies, highlands, and forests. — Western Division ; 

 a beautiful country ; extensive valleys of extraordinary fertility ; productive plains ; 

 abundance of timber, its astonishing size and variety. — A brief summary of facts. 



Our journey from tlie Uintah to Fort Hall occupied twelve day.^, and t(^ok 

 us a distance of about two hundred miles. Most of this time tlie weather 

 continued mild and pleasant; the only interval of inclemency was a single 

 bleak and cloudy day, succeeded by a slight fall of snow during the nigiit, 

 which the briirht sunshine of the ensuing morning dissipated in a few mo 

 raents. 



Along the entire route we found an abundance of green grass at sheltered 

 places in the valleys, and also large quantities of game, especially black- 

 tailed deer, bear, and elk. Bear are more numerous in this section tlir.n in 

 any other I am acquainted with. 



Fort Hall is located nj)(>n the left bank of Snake river, or Lewis' Fork of 

 the Columbia, in a rich bottom near the delta formed by the confluence of 

 the Portneuf with that stream, in hit. 43^ 10' 30" north, long. 112^20 

 64 west. 



