, 1872-07-04

er bottoms are covered with a dense
} growth of Cottonwood, Alder, Crab
Apple, Vine Maple, etc. On higher
level the same of larger growth, and
also Fir, Spruce and Cedar, and in some
places excellent large timber reaches
to the river banks. There is an under
growth of briars, salmon berries, nettles,
goose berries and grasses everywhere,
and the soil is mostly alluvial sediment
mixed with vegetable and igneous
mould.
The valley Immediately above the jam
is perhaps 20 miles wide and is very
much like the country below. Two or
three claims have been taken up and
cabins built within five miles of the
Jam, but located, it seems, on the lowest
ground because easily cleared. they
were found to be too wet at kigh water
and have been abandoned.
The Nucachamas empties into the
SKagit from the south eight miles above
the Jam. Along this stream and around
the lake at its head there is an extensive
area of good land. Further up. the
banks are generally higher and the
country less liable to overflow. There
is one tract of good timber extending
over mile along the water and more
than half a mile back.
At the mouth of the Yeteche, twenty
miles up, is located Mr.. A. William
son, the only white man above the Jam.
He ent there last January and has al
ready four or five acres cleared and
planted with hops. From Williamson's S
up to the mouth of the Baker or Mech
ulum River the valley is not SO wide.
but there are many tracts of splendid
land for farming, and much valuable
timber.
"Skookum Charley" the petty Chief
of the Skagit Indians. has an old clear
ing Of about 200 acres. just below the
mouth of the Nichulum, upon which,
in their rude way, the Siwashes cultivate
a few patches of vegetables. Over the
place is dense growth of shrubs, briers
and nettles, which with very little labor
might be cleared of, and the place be
made one of the most valuable farms in
the Tel iritory. There is q large tract of
good land in this vicinity and the In
dams expressed themselves very anxious
to have the country settled by good
class of white men who would give
them employment.
There is fine country from the Baker
to the Sokh. The river is as broad,
deep and smooth as it is below the JAM
AS We 60 up. the valley widens out, and
around the Forks is broad level dis
trict of many miles in extent surround
ed by lofty snow-capped mountains,
amid scenery beautiful, magnificent and
grand as may be seen on this Cont
nent. We reached the Forks late on
the evening of June 21st.
THE CLIMATE
of this region is delightful. With Mt.
Baker between US and the Coast, aud
snowy peaks all around, the night was
warmer than any we have experienced
at Seattle for some weeks. Capt. Sheets,
who accompanied us, calculated the al
titude here to be not more than $50 feet
above the sea level.
A few miles above are the forks of the
Sokh and Suattle, and the Indians say
there is large prairie country there,
and that the land is excellent. There is
thea, around the head waters of this
great, navigable and hitherto unknown
river. large district unsurpassed any
where in all the natural advantages of
fertility. fine climate, and grandeur of
scenery, and when labor and time, art
and taste, shall have laid their polishing
touch upon it; when the latent beauties
and riches of this lovely region shall
have been developed by the industry of
an intelligent American or European
population, beautified bycultivated fields,
orchards and gardens, and by the homes
of civilized men, there may not be found
on the whole Pacific Coast more health
full or desirable place of residence; for
enclosed in this environment of noun
tains, where the air and water are ever
pure, are many spots of remarkable
loveliness and beauty.
TOWN SITE.
There must be at the main forks, OF
head of steam navigation. a town OF
considerable Importance. the future
commercial centre of the Upper Skagit
and its tributaries.
We have arranged with Mr.. Flicken-
ger, now with Capt. Sheets surveying
party, to examine further the country
above, to locate town site at the most
eligible point, and forward sketch of
the same. SO that if it should be thought
advisable, you can prepare map there
from.
RAILROAD ROUTE.
| Capt. Sheets, at his Camp No. Is,
had run 40 miles from his initial point
below the jam, over almost level ground,
and there seems to be an easy grade to
lxy n