the west shore.
103
land which is being rapidly settled upon. It rises in
benches Low the stream and is thinly sprinkled with
pine and fir, the altitude being about 1,(500 feet above the
sea. The soil is rich and deep and general farm pro
ducts thrive. Many orchards are being planted, though
its special adaptability to fruit has yet to be demon
stratod. The winters are not severe, though 25 degrees
below zero is occasionally experienced. Snow lieu on
the ground from November till March, completely pro
tecting it from frost This valley is fifteen miles in
length, and lies twenty-five miles west of Ellensburg and
100 east of Seattle. The Snoqualmie wagon road runs
through its whole length, also the most desirable of the
several routes surveyed across the mountains for the Cas
cades Division of the Northern Pacific.
Northwesterly from the upper Yakima valley, and
sixty miles from Ellensburg, have recently been dis
covered some promising quartz ledges. But little pros
pecting has been done, though the assays show the quartz
v to be rich in gold, silver and copper. Great confidence
is felt in the extent and richness of these ledges, and
work will be prosecuted upon them vigorously this
season. Coal croppings have been discovered over a
considerable extent of country lying between the Teana
way and Cleellum, but the extent and quality of the
deposits have not been ascertained. There are several
large mountain lakes on the eastern slope of the CaB
cados, well stocked with fish. They will soon attract the
sportsman, and their beauty will draw in later years those
who flee in summer from the heat and bustle of the city
to the pure air and grand scenery of the mountains.
The great disadvantage Ellensburg and Kittitas
County labor uuder is the distance from market and a
point where many needed things must be procured. The
broken surface renders the construction of roads a matter
of great expense, and no navigable streams exist within
the county. Priest Rapids, on the Columbia, is the
nearest shipping point. Machinery and freight have to be
hauled 100 miles, and stock is driven the same distance
to market, or across the Snoqualmie Pass 120 miles to
Seattle. This is the land of plenty for the consumer in
the home market Barns and bins are full, fat cattle,
fine horses, sheep and swine are increasing rapidly, and
there is no adequate outlet for the surplus. How quickly
this will change when a railroad is constructed across the
Cascades 1 Upon this the hopes of the people are cen
tered. It is the one thing needed by that growing
region. The citizens of Kittitas and Seattle have com
bined to build a wagon road across the Cascades from
Ellensburg to Seattle, following the Snoqualmie Pass.
Considerable work has been done on both ends of the
rood, and a mail route has already been established
This will be of great benefit to both parties to the pro
ject, but can in no considerable degree supply the want
of a railroad 'Isabella Mahteiihox.
" Johs," said the teacher, " I'm very sorry to have to
punish you." "Then don't; I'll let yon off this time,"
responded John.
NOTES OF THE NORTHWEST.
A pleasure stoamor will soon bo running on Flathead
Lake, Montana.
Telegraph communication has been opened between
Belknap and the Coour d' Alone mines.
A new town in the Big Bond country is named
" Brackon." It is situated at the northern end of Badgor
Mountain, and its site is well chosen.
This year Walla Walla appears as a hop producer.
Twonty-two acres of vinos planted last season on tho
Yellowhawk, a small stream near that city, are in good
bearing condition.
The People's Steam Navigation Company has been
incorporated in Victoria with a capital stock of 1100,000.
It is propoBod to put on a line of steamers Initweon Vic
toria and the mainland.
The Hoquiam A Chehalis Steam Navigation Company
has boon incorporated, to navigate tho Chohalis Rivor in
Washington Territory. A light draft stoamor will bo
constructed at Hoquiam.
Arrangements have boon made for erecting a largo
throe story brick block upon tho burned district in
Tacomo. The building will cost $100,000, and will bo
one of the finest on tho coast.
The Puget Mill Company, at Port Gamble, is ono of
the loading institutions of Puget Sound. In 18H.'I the
mill cut 41,000,000 foot of lumlor, 8,000,000 laths and
2,000,000 pickets, and loaded 77 vessels.
A grist mill, with ono run of stones, is being erocted
in Centralia, W. T. A planing mill was rocontly built in
the samo town. At Chohalis W. M. Urquhart has built
a store, 28x68 foot, and two stories high.
An analysis of tho iron ore recently discovered at
Sooke, British Columbia, shows 57 7-10 per cent of iron.
It is believed that when smelted tho oro will yield an
average of 85 per cent The ore is abundant and easily
accessible.
A railroad from Port Orford to Coquillo Rivor is
lMiing considered by parties interested in that jxirtioii of
tho coast of Oregon. When dovolood thoro is no doubt
that the great resources of that rogion would give such a
road good suport
Preparations ore being made to sink a shaft for
petroleum near Whatcom, W. T. Oil floating on tho
surface of springs and streams in that region lias boon
olwtorved for some time, and it is now proposal to see
where it ootnes from.
The sawmill of A. M. Hotter k Bro., which was de
stroyed by fire a few weeks Ago, has boon rebuilt It lias
now a capacity of 10,000 foot of I u rubor and 30,000
shingles per day. Tho mill is situated on the Missouri
River, not for from the Great Falls.
Three large companies of Eastern capitalist have
been incorporated to work the Snake River pbuvm.