Daily national Democrat., 1859-01-28
Description of Portion of Washington

OescrlpuOn OF q Portion OF W ash1ngtOn
Territory.
Mr.. VIM Morrow, writing to the Olympia
Pioneer, gives good description of that part
of Washington Territory, west of the southern
portion of Puget's Sound and Hoods Canal
After describing the boundaries of the tract
minutely, he says;
Within these limits are to be found exten-
sive tracts Of productive lands, not inferior to
the lands in other portions of the territory.
1t will be found in tracts sufficient in extent
to afford a heavy population. For instance,
the valley of the Skakomish river, emptying
into the elbow of Hoods Canal, averaging
some three miles in width and from twelve
to fifteen in extent, containing at least thirty
six square miles of as fine and equally pro-
ductive lands as is to be found anywhere in
the territory. 1t is covered with underbrush,
consisting of vine maple, alder, elder, bear
briers and rushes, of the most luxurant
growth. The larger timber, consists of fur,
cedar and maple-mostly the latter-from
one to six feet in diameter There is only
about twentyor thirty quarter sections as yet
taken up in this valley. About ten or twelve
miles west from the head of Skookum Bay
commences an extensive tract of country,
bounded by Grays harbor and the Pacific
coast, that is very little known to white men.
Enough Is known, however, to know that it
is a very rich agricultural country, mostly
heavy timbered. On the western slope of
this section is situated the celebrated Que
noith Lake and river of the same name, in
which is found immense quantities of fish, in
clnding salmon, not inferior in quantity or
quality TO any other portion of the territory
On and around Skookum Bay, is found one of
the most desirable locations for settlements
that can be procured; beautifully situated
for orchards and fruit growing-a branch of
business in which the citizens are taking great
interest. We look forward to the time. at no
very distant day, when our fruit farmers will
be justly celebrated for their quality and
quantity.
This bay, for eight miles in extent, is more
like river than otherwise, being on an aver
age, not more than one fourth of a mile in
width, opening to near mile in width to its
source, containing some twenty five to thirty
miles of coast, containing quantities of fish,
oysters and clans Emptying into this bay,
we have hive good mill streams. of which one
only is improved, except by the beaver trap
ptrs, who have carried their system OF inter
nal Improvements in slack water navigation
to an extent and perfection that renders them
Justly celebrated for industry and enterprise.
They have ever been distinguished for their
fine furs, so suitable for the hatters to manu-
facture and put on to the "block hats" for
'blockhcads' to wear. But in this country.
more so from the extent of their slack water
improvements, for miles in extent, covering
extensive tracts of low lands, made remarka-
bly, rich by the decaying of a new and luxu-
RANT growth of vegetable matter every year
Whenever these gentlemen are driven from
their homes by the intrusion of the whole
Yankee nation, then extensive tracts
Of land will be improved and made valuable
for hay farmers and vegetables.
Oyster Bay is much larger in size and ex-
tent, and, like Skookum Bay, contains hume.
rous beautiful and very desirable locations
for the farmer of lands of an excellent quail
ty This bay contains large fields Of excel
lent oysters, not inferior to any other oyster
fields found in the waters of the Sound, and
offers inducements to oystermen rarely to be
'ound on the coast. 1t contains some vaua-
Die mill streams, as yet unimproved. Little
Skookum Bay, emptying into Oyster Bay on |
he west side, is celebrated for its rich agri- |
cultural lands-beautifuly situated for the |
amer, mechanic, or man Of pleasure II, too
las its good mill privileges unimproved-
Squakson passage about sixteen miles in ex-
ent, to the head of North Bay, where is stu
lted excellent cav mill, turning off its 5000 |
eet of lumber daily. Along this passage
will be found many desirable locations. In
! portion of the country will be found gray
ely prairies and OPEN grass lands, excellent
or the raising of stock. On all Of these is
ands, bays, aud main land, is to be found in.
quantities Of the finest timber for
ships spars and for lumbermen, and very
many desirable and valuable locnt ons
steam saw mills open to men of enterprise
Every portion Of the county has its good ma
-uNl advantages for important places of busi
ness, and when the county becomes settled
and improved, will, as natural consequence,
be made manifest The head of Skookum
Bay is the geographical centre of the county
proper, having ship and steamboat nayiga.
tion opening out to the main Sound on the
east. Hoods canal is not less than sixty
miles in extent, from its entrance into or near
the Straits of Fuca to its source, and is, on an
average, from two to three miles in extent
Vessels of the largest class can sail in to near
Its source, and out to sea once in every twen-
ty'four hours: its situation affording at all
times north or a south wind The elbow
of the canal is only ten miles from the head
of Skookum Bay, the centre of the county
proper.