, 1854-11-25
For the Pioneer and Democrat.
A Trip to Gray's HarbOr.

I
pany with three others on Sunday, Nov.
|, at uoon. We had fine weather, and pro-
ceeded down the river-water low AND ra-
pid in many places. We had two portages
over which we hauled our canoe, and night
coming on, encamped on the east bank Of
the river under FIR tree; came about ten
miles Wednesday 2-Got under way in
the morning, and at 2 o'clock, P. M. ar
rived at Armstrong; bendings, on the east
side the river Two miles east Of the bend
ings is situated saw mill on a small creek,
and tributary of the Chehalis, known as
Armstrong; Mills" This is about Is
miles from g. NJ. Prairie. Owing to some
preparations necessary to be made, we en-
camped, and having procured large ca
noe Of the Indians, and being joined by
Mr. Porter, we concluded to leave our two
small canoes, and all FIVE go down in one.
Thursday, 3d.-Got an early start The
day was fine, and we arrived at the head Of
tide-water about o'clock, P. M.-25 miles
from Armstrong; Mills-thence down the
river we arrived at Mr. Porter's house be-
fore sunset-dstance miles from the head
of tide~water, and at the mouth Of Satsupl
river. Mr.. p. has fine claim; has about
three acres partially cleared, and all done
without the aid of team. He has about
one acre of potatoes. The Indians had just
finished digging them, and we judged there
could not be less than 600 bushels, and Of
the finest kind, and what is little extra
ordinary, and speaks well for that section
Of country, they have had no frosts up to
this time, and the potatoe tops and veget-
ables show no signs Of frost.
There are several good prairies little
ways back from the river-one Of which
composes a part of Mr.. P's claim. Di-
rectly opposite, on the south side the river
is Mr.. Scammon's claim. He has a small
frame house, and two or three acres partly
cleared, which has also been done without
team. Mr.. S. has an excellent claim, and
it is supposed by many to be good site
for a town. This is about 10 miles up from
the head Of the bay, and consequently, on
navigablc water.
Friday, 4th.-Left Porter's at o'clock
P. ~, and went down the river with the
tide in our favor; arrived at James Pelkin-
tons little before sun SETS miles from
Porters and Scammons Mr.. Pelkintons
has timber claim-has very fair banks,
and good landing. He too, has town
site, according to the estimation Of many.
He has the best of land, and appears well
satisfied.
Saturday, Nov. 5.-Left Pelkinton's af-
ter breakfast, and, he joining us, went
down against tide to the head Of the bay,
which is two miles below Mr.. P's landing.
Here a river comes in from the n. e. called
by the Indians Wishtalr; about IL or Is
rods wide, fathoms deep, and is said to
hold its depth 90 miles or more up; we
went up about one mile; the banks arc
good, hne springs come out Of the banks,
and the timber is spruce, FIR, and cedar Of
the very best quality. The point Of land
lying between this river and the Chehalis
rises gradually, and affords a fine view
from the bay, and even the entrance Of the
harbor Thence we kepb the south side
the bay to what is called Roundtree's claim,
also q town site; it is good land, has fine
appearance, and is well watcrcd; situated
about ten miles from the head of the bay
At evening We arrived at Jno. Coles, two
miles S. W. from Roundtree's claim. Mr..
Mr.. c. has a snug little house; lives alone;
has very good garden which has not been
hurt by the frosts; he has been here some
three years or more, and is well acquainted
about the south side Of the bay, and gave
us much valuable information as to rivers,
&c. Three small rivers put into the bay
on the south side; one Of which puts into
the bay of a mile $. W. Of Mr. .C's; he
has taken his claim along its banks. There
is dry tide lands or prairie up on either
side this river, extending some six miles
from the mouth, and it is said there Is
good water fall at the head Of tide water,
or miles up. We went up this river a
few miles; the land is good back from the
river, and the timber Of the best quality;
but Immediately on the bank Of the bay
the timber is not so fne, being more scrub
by. We stopped with Mr.. Cole till the
next afternoon, when we went on 10 the
point at the entrance Of the harbor. Here
we stopped two nights.
Tuesday morning, sth.-The wind was
high from the north, we were unable to
cross over to the north side the bay. We
then followed the south channel up to the
timber land; found from to 6 fathom wa
ter at low tide. We sounded in many
parts Of the bay, and found no lack Of wa
ter in the channel. The south channel is
from to Of mile in width, and con-
tinueS good from the entrance up south
about two miles; makes a good lee for
crafts drawing four fatbom in any weather.
On the whole, Mr.. Editor, I am well
pleased with that portion Of the country,
It is certainly very fine body Of land. It
IS true, CHS region does not present all the
facilities to the farmer that some portions
do. 1t will require more labor to make
farms on the heavy timbered land than the
prairie, but when once farm is cleared, Il
is far superior to the prairie land: besides,
the timber on these navigsble rivers is very
| rnlnnhln and the land in rnnIiL.. !. urnrlh