Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-02-17
THE PUGET SOUND COUNTRY.

date
The population of Washington Terrific.
ry is now close on to 10000, having been
largely increased by immigration since the
taking of the last census. 1t was then
estimated at about ~, 900. That portion
of the Territory kuown as the Puget SoSnd
Country, however, to which we shall con-
fine our attention mainly, does not contain
more than half that number. OF these, a
little upwards of G,000 are residents of the
towns and milling ports upon the Sound ;
the balance, being engaged in agricultural, I,
logging and mining pursuits, are scattered
about in sparsely settled districts along the
Sound, and the many streams emptying
into it, from its head to nearly the British
boundary line. This large area, which is
bounded by the Cascade Mountaias on the
cast, the Olympic chain on the west, and
line on the south including Thsrston
aud Pierce counties, constitute the Puget
Sound division of the Territory. 1t has
an average width, east ard west, of about
Il hundred miles, extends north and south
one hundred and fifty miles, and embraces
within it the great inland sea from which
it takes its name. All along on either side
Of this magnificent body of water-which is
dotted with islands aud pcuctrates the
land in every dircction-thc surface Of the
mainland has an elevation of from two to
three hundred feet above tide water, is
undulating, aud heavily .imbered with fir
aud cedar. These rolling table lands cx-
tend back a distance of about twenty miles,
where a greater and increasing elevation,
and more broken eoSntry, manifest
themselves in the foothills of the mountains,
which are likewise dcnscly clad with the
same kind Of timber, Through the table
lands, which are of inestimablc value ON
account of their timber, their beds Of Goa,
and other minerals, aud, when cleared, fot
their agricultural productions, several nav
igab!c and large number of smaller
streams find their way from the mountains
aud foothills to the Sound. They all fur
nish an abundance of water power, and arc
botdcrcd by rich bottom and bench lands
that are admirably adapted to agriculture
when cleared Of the growth of filaple, ash
and alder with which they are covered
Besides these soamy lands, there are large
bodies of tide and marsh lands which are
easily reclaimed, and also desirable tracts
bordering upon tho many lakes, in close
proximity to the Sound, which are equally
valuable for farming purposes. 1t is upon
these different lands on the rivers, along
the sloughs connecting lakes; hays aad
large bodies Of salt ard fresh water, and
in few cases upon the openings, or
,>r,;r;,, -, ,Lo L;ob I,,Js tbot :,
have been already made and farming sue.
ccssfully carried on,--and, of these choice
lands, which can be easily subjected to
cultivation, there are Thousands of acres
in small tracts yet open to settlement.
Their soil has been thoroughly tested, and
proves to be well adapted to tho growth of
all cereals, with the exception Of corn
of potatoes, onions and vegetables Of all
| kinds in profusion. and for the production
of every variety of berries aud fruit to
perfection, except peaches and grapes,
which, as general thing, do not flourish
in this latitude.
The chief minerals of the country are
coal, sandstone. limestone, croppings Of
galcna, and silver and gold OF these
coal is the princidal product 1t is to be
found almost everywhere, and exists in
inexhaustible quantities in King and
Whatcom counties, where there arc well
developed mines. which are extensively
worked. 1t is bituminous, but very
superior quality, corsmands ready sale
at the highest prices in San Francisco NJ
fast as it can be delivered, and is already
being largely exported there. Excellent
sandstone, ofseveral varieties, for building
purposes is abundant. The discovery Of
good limestone is as yet confined to San
Juan and Oreas Islands in the northern
part of the Sound-but it there abouuds
and can be easily obtained. Lead oar has
not yet been found in any considerable
quantities and the same may be said to q
great extent in reference to the precious
metals-yet quite number of nen found
claims on Sultan river from which they
have taken in fine dust from one to three
dollars per day to the hand !; and, within
few months past. several promising quart,
lodcs have been discovered and Opened
near the Suoqualmie Pass, about sixty
miles from this place, which will be thor.
oughly prospected ana worked during the
coming summer season.
But, however, much ,iiay be expected
and realized from an increased DEVELOPMENT
of our mineral resources, amongst which
coal stands foremost, lumber, as has been
the case, will for years hence continue te
be the great staple Of the COUNTRY and its
production will be of greater benefit, by
affording steady employment to greater
number of persons, than any other enter
prise which can ever obtain foothold in
the Territory. AS an uhfailing source o.
supply for this product, we have, as before
stated, a dense forest Of gigantic frs and
ceders covering the table lands on either
|side Of the Sound and reaching thence tt
Fthe eslmmits of the mountains, which nearly
enclose this great basin of untold natura
wealth and for its rapid production there
Iare a dozen extensive steam mills in