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This newspaper page contains 11 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
La Grande Evening Observer
Location
La Grande, Oregon, United States of America
Date
Sep 17, 1906
Page
2
Union county’s varied industries drive prosperity in La Grande. Local mills, quarries, cold storage plants and a planned cannery promise jobs and steady output. fruit and berry culture thrive with high prices in coastal markets. A wholesale grocery hub may form, while coal and wood supply the valley.
The Grand Ronde Valley offers space for a large population, abundant electric power for manufacturing, and strong prospects for homeseekers in Union County. It highlights prune farming, a growing labor market, and investor opportunity with low living costs and fertile lands.
Union County typically leans Republican by several hundred votes yet local affairs attract a large independent vote. Historically vote counting yields offices distributed between the two major national parties.
The mountains of Union County offer big game such as boar and deer with abundant grouse and pheasants. Trout and salmon trout inhabit streams and rivers, while the region’s waterways support whitefish and other species. The area attracts anglers and hunters who observe game laws and enjoy the outdoor bounty.
The edition reports on a broad expansion of home print news offices across the state with improved equipment and facilities. It highlights investments in printing presses, newsroom staff, and infrastructure aimed at boosting local reporting capability.
The Grande Ronde Valley offers fertile soil and climate and the Central Railway of Oregon, a separate corporation, is under construction. The line will run 65 miles of standard gauge track in the valley with about 200 miles total, linking Hot Lake, Union, La Grande, and Summerville, with branches to Sanger and Cornucopia. The project aims to accelerate farming, canneries, mills, and fruit production, inviting investment and development along the route.
Goodnough Mercantile Stock Co of Elgin controls a large general merchandise business drawing trade from surrounding areas. The firm runs 22 by 160 foot main store with an implement warehouse, operates portable mills around Elgin, and produces lumber, bran, and chopped feed via the Elgin Milling Co. Key officers include F. J. Holmes, W. J. Dichmin, Frank E. Smith, and EB. P. Staples. Also noted is W. S. Dishman selling his stake to acquire the Elgin flouring mill, signaling a major local business shift.
J H Wills proprietor of the La Grande Cigar Factory in Gazette Building markets Otello and El Sune cigars. He touts hand made products with 11 and 1 cent price points, claims ethical labor standards, and urges locals to support the regional tobacco industry and buy L G Factory cigars.
The article profiles Dr. L. Corpe of Cove detailing his discovery of the appendix function in the Medical Seating journal May 1908. It praises his progressive surgery methods including Moray photography and early use of X-ray apparatus, noting his deep commitment to the Grande Ronde Valley and its people.
J A Russell becomes sole proprietor of the meat business after Grandy retires. He operates three retail markets in La Grande with substantial wholesale work in the city, nearby towns, and camps. The firm handles beef, mutton, pork, veal, lamb, sausages, bacon, ham, and picks, with a large slaughterhouse and in-house curing, serving a growing market in the valley.
La Grande area features St Louis Livery with 27 head of stock, rubber tires on some rigs, and four to five staff. The stable provides boarding for 14 to 20 horses, team and driver services for locals, and eight box stalls. The two story building spans 150 by 120 feet and is equipped for summer outings and winter high rides with runners. Records show improved post office receipts and support for free city mail delivery.
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