How High the Bounty

by Lucille M. Wrigh Jessie Louetta; Catley

A personal story about the Umpqua valley region in the early 1900's.

473 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Thomas Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Book! The history of the Umpqua Basin from late 1800s to later 1900s. Takes place where I now live (Glide, Dixonville and Roseburg).
Biography of Perry & Jessie Wright, who homesteaded in the Umpqua National Forest on the North Umpqua River. Great tales of a great and beautiful place and hearty people.

[Danielle Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's just something I love about reading history and the human stories behind the places I've been. As an Oregon resident, the Illahee and Umpqua area already hold a special place in my heart. But reading about the work and grit that went into homesteading in that area is something else. The story telling is captivating even though it's based around their work, cattle driving, and living on the land. It's unfortunate that this is an out of print book that is becoming harder to come by.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When I reflect on my life as a mountain person, I feel full to the brim." p368

[Dawn Magnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I'm due to read it again, I still adore this book just as much as ever. Not only does this account mostly take place where I grew up, but the author is my great great great great aunt who essentially homesteaded family property that is still in the family today.

Jessie's story of being a woman in an exploratory time as a young bride is both invigorating and often delightful. The book can be tough to read due to the typeface chosen by the publisher, but you get used to it as you get wrapped up in a slice of true homesteading existence.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun adventure to share in the life of this spirited woman with a pioneering spirit. At first I thought this long book would get repetitive and boring but she has a way of telling stories and such a store of interesting experiences to relate it never seems to get old. Watching the area go from wilderness to roads, electricity, people, was fascinating and illuminating. We may not be able to go back to the wild but we can be thoughtful in our "progress".