, 1868-06-26
4 ste,sh Of VAIN wanna vaner.

A correspondent OF the s. F. Pacific furnishes
the following sketch Of our Valley;
10 reading some Of the graphic descriptions Of
persons, places and scenery BY one Of the eds
tors Of the Pacife, have often wished that this
beautiful Valley could have the benefit Of one
Of his word paintings; for It is surely subject
worthy OF the artist. Bot dare not hope that
ever bis restless steps will bring him as far out
Of his regular beat as this place. May |, there.
fdfe-humbly begging the pardon Of S. v, and
all bis readers for my presumption-try my un-
gifled aud unpractised hand for once upon his
spesiki kind Of work. Standing where stood,
yesterday, upon the top OF one Of the Blue
Mountains, whittier / bad wandered TO while
away jAded minister's Blue Monday" ten
miles from town and ten hundred feet above it,
and looking down upon section Of country
some ifty miles in diameter, extending from the
Blue Mountains to the Columbia River, and from
the Umatilla TO the Touchet, felt like ehalleng-
ing the world to show a landscape that surpass-
es this iu quiet rural beauty, at this bright
spring time Of the year, and at this distance,
Just sufficient to lend euchautment to the view
II would like to withdraw the challenge when
the thermometer goes over 1902, and the grass
is burned mp, and long trailing clouds Of alkali
dust mark all the lines Of travel, as trailing fog
banks sometimes mark the courses of rivers,
which may te the case about two months later
With still more confidence would l make this
challenge for the smaller section Of country, EN-.
braeing the Walla Walla river, with its various
afluents aud their numerous tributaries. These
numerous, cool, clear streams coming out Of the
Blue Mountains, or starting from living springs
at their base aud running upon the very surface
of the ground as they do, cut the. whole land
scape into complete network, aud form
most perfect natural system of irrigation. And
all of these water courses being skirted with
trees aud sbrubbery, from the large cottonwood
to the gistening willow wands, give to the
whole scene charming picturesqueness. To
this aspect Of beauty is added that Of utility by
the broad belt of fne farms lying along the base
of the mountains, and the narrower belts run
ming from these down all the water courses,
with the open spaces between and the hills on
all sides as common pasture ground, upon which
Craze hocks of sheep, herds of cattle aud bands
Of horses.
THE WHITMAN MASSACRE.
This charming picture Of beauty and utility is
subdued and hallowed by the distinct view of
the old Whitman Mission claim, with its. sacred
association, as the spot where DR.. Whitman and
his wife, and some ten other persons, after ten
years of ef-sacrifcng toll for the Master, died
as heroes-fell at their post, in the fearful mas
sacte of l847 thus laying down their lives for
his cause who laid down his life for them.
THE TOWN OF wALLA wALLA.
Walla WAlla is faVorably located as business
center OF this whole section Of country, with the
clear rapid waters of Mill creek running through
its en1re leugtb. The town has about two thou
sand inhabitants-perhap somewhat less just
now, while its floating population are away on
their usual summer tours-And does not differ
materially, presume, from other towns, OF
similar age and scope, on this coast. Its bnsis
ness condition is healthy and hopeful, and its
educational, moral, social and religious condi>
tiou progressive and encouraging. 1t has four
chufches-Roman Catholic, Methodist, CongreS
gatipnalist, and United Brethren. II has good
public school, school under the control Of the
Roman Catholic Sisters aud Whitman Seminary
--erected ss fitting monument to the fallen
missionary and in very prosperous condition,
uuder the management of Rev Gushing Eells,
missionary associate Of DR.. Whitman and 9TH
ers The condition of the public school system
throughout the country is gratifying. We have
no Sunday laws and, unfortunately, in this res
spect our people are very lax law unto Them
selves. That there are few christian men here
who bAve.a mind to work is evidenced by the
fact that, last evening, the Executive Committee
of the Walla WallA Bible Society made arrange
ments for a man to begin at once, and explore
the whole of our large county, and endeavor to
see shat the word of God is placed in every
habitation of our scattered population.