C02
THE WEST SHORE.
exposes several fine prospects, rich in silver. Next
comes Conconully, which, like Loop Loop City, is the
center of iU camp. It is quite a pleasant town, and
may ho said to be the valley town, having a concen
trator with a capacity of fifty tons per diem. Among
the most celebrated mines here are the Tough Nut,
Homestake, Launa, Columbia, Lone Star and others.
Conconally is about six miles north of Loop Loop
City. When Kuby mountain shall begin to render
op her immense deposits of silver and gold to the
persistent miner, and the mountains around Concon
ully shall do the same, then this valley and the adja
cent mountains will count their population by thou
sands. Farther to the north and east are the Wanni
cot Lake, Lime Belt, Pine Creek and Similkameen
mines, in all of which good prospects are found, and
those are receiving much attention.
Conconully is the oldest town and takes the lead
at present Ituby City is not a mining camp proper,
but has been a diverging point for prospectors, and
expects to become the center for ore reduction. A
great deal of money is being expended in opening
mines, constructing roads, building steamboats, open
ing business and other enterprises, and everything
point to a rapid development and great prosperity.
The leading routes to the mines are from Kitzville,
Hprague and Spokane, on the southeast, and North
Yak ima and Ellensburgh, on the southwest; also a
steamlwat from Port Eaton to the Okanogan, the re
sult of tho enterprise of Ellensburgh. The present
railroad survey or proposed route from 8pokane west
will pass about twenty miles south of the mouth of
tho Okanogan. The road from tho railroad, when
built, will cross the Columbia a short distance from
tho mouth of tho Okanogan, and be the most direct
route to tho mines, Tho steamboat now enters the
Okanogan a short distance from its mouth and comes
up near tho ford. From this point, as also from the
jint below the mouth, tho road to tho upper conn
try passes up the west side of the Okanogan.
Unlike tho majority of mineral districts, this re
gion offers great inducements to the farmer, stock
grower and lumberman, admitting of a complete snd
well-balanced development The grandeur of moun
tain, hill and dale is no more striking and pleasing
to tho eye of the traveler in these limits of territory
than are the great possibilities the entire landscape
affords to the industry of man. If stock ranges are
wanted, they are here. If hay is wanted, it may be
had for tho cutting of it If farms are sought for
profitable locations are at hand. If timber is desired'
hero aro the yellow pine, fir, tamarack, alder, etc!
The extremes of climate are not objectionable. The
currents of heat felt during the early part of the
day in summer aro forced along by refreshing winds
in the after part of the day. Nights are cool
The winter climate is not as severe as is gene J
supposed. Snow falls to the depth of three feet U
the average is less. It drifts from the hillsides,
the friendly Chinook drives it away. Stock livei
all winter. The country and climate are well acW
ed to stock raising, and localities for its protects
are abundant The winter , of 1887-8 is known to
have been the coldest for years, and yet the ata
from Spokane to Conconully, a distance of one hnL
dred and sixty miles, did not miss a weekly trip all
winter, nor were teamsters on the route obliged to
forego their business during winter. Winters are of
short duration. Commencing in December, they find
relief in February. Miners are looking after their
prospects in these mountains in January on horn,
back, three or four thousand feet above sea level
Winter does not retard the work in the mines. These
ranges afford good beef and milch cows. Ranchmen
bring in a good supply of " garden stuff," poultry and
eggs. The peach, melons and other fruits are found
in several localities. As for game and fish, deer and
grouse are numerous, and trout and salmon are in the
water courses.
Population is scattered, but increasing with those
seeking mines or desirable agricultural or stock loca.
tions. It is only a question of a few years when this
will be a thickly settled region. This grand section
is a make-up of high, bare or rugged mountains, deep
canyons, picturesque coulees, rolling hills, plateau,
valleys, lakes, rivers, springs, creeks and mountains
richly timbered.
A GREAT LUMBERING ENTERPRISE. '
THE lumbering enterprise of the Northwestern
Lumber Co. is one of the most extensive on the
Pacific coast The company has its place of businca
in San Francisco, and operates large mills at Knapp
ton, on the Columbia river, and at Hoquiam, on Gray's
harbor. A. M. Simpson is president, Samuel Perkia
is treasurer, and George H. Emerson is general o&a
Bger of the extensive mill and mercantile interest! ca
Gray's harbor. Mr. Emerson was for twelve yean
manager of Simpson's large mill at Gardiner, on the
Umpqua river, Oregon, and in 1880 went to Graj'i
harbor to investigate the question of establishing i
mill there. He found a wilderness of magni-1
timber as yet untouched by the ax and saw, s
harbor, splendid mill sites, and everything that coali
be desired for the most extensive operations. Tt
next year he built a large mill at Hoquiam, bricf-l
all the timber necessary for the purpose in a icssi
actually importing the very material which he rJ