, 1873-03-27
Whatcom correspondence.


Whatcom Correspondence.
WHArcoM, March II, 1873.
EDITOR DIsPATcH-.As had business
over here at Whatcom last week, left
San Juan on the steamer Rose, Captain
Francis, on Wednesday, and after call
ing at several islands, arrived here the
following morning at 4 o'clock. The
snow began to fall when we landed and
by 7 O'Clock enough had fallen to make
the roads very muddy when it melted.
When the weather cleared up went out
and the first thing that attracted r1y at
tention was the magnificent Bay, un-
doubtedly by far the best harbor on Pu-
get Sound. Com. Wilkes in his report
of his explorations on Puget Sound.
says: 1.-THE shallowest of this wonder
full archipelago is Bellingham Bay; yet
the soundings at its entrance are from
thirty to twenty fathoms, and the regu-
lar decrease to the shore, east, south
and north. is from sixteen tathoms to
three"
Seahome is where the coal mine is To-
Gated, and everything around this mine
5etokens enterprise and thrift. The
mine is being worked night and day,
Sundays as well as week days. Ship
Lookout, Capt. Wagons, was towed out
by the steamer Favorite. on Saturday
last. bound for San Francisco, having
on board 400 tons of coal and few
passengers. The ship Germania took
the place vacated by the Lookout and
co mmenced loading before the latter was
out of sight. The Company's wharf is
constructed for loading all kinds of ves-
sells. and their coal chutes are so handy
it only takes few days to load the
largest ship. There are 70 men employ
ed in the mine, and the average product
is 100 tons day.
The town of Whatcom reminds one of
Goldsmith's Deserted Village; but see
evidence of late improvements and signs
of vitality are visible in every direction
in and around the place.
Capt. Roeder's residence is within q
short distance of the town, and his place
is more like comfortable farm home
in one of the Western States than any
place have seen in many years resi-
dence on this coast.
The residence of Hon. Edward El-
dredge is about one mile and a half from
the village, and as he is one of the old
est settlers in this section of the coun-
try, it is not to be wondered at that he
should have one of The most comforta-
BILE homes that can be found on Puget
Sound. His orchards, buildings, fences,
in fact everything in and around his
fam, show snmistakable signs of intel
ligence, taste, industry and thrift.
Mr.. Eldredge's next neighbor is Uncle
John Bennett, also pioneer in this
Territory, who has fine nursery, which
is kert in the very best of order, and is
as nice place as you would wish to
see.
The roads were so bad that it was i'm
possible for me to go back into the
country, where am told there are many
beautiful farms under high state of
cultivation.
There is one store and one saloon in
Seehome, and public school with an
averagely good attendance. where the
children are making good progress un-
der the careful and intelligent manage
ment of Miss Eldredge; also, foundry,
machine shop. blacksmith's shop, car
penter's shop, and in fact everything
needed in well regulated village.
At Whatcom there is one store, one
large and oommodious hotel. well fur
nished and decently kept, two saloons,
cooper shop, tin shop and saw
mill.
The harbor is land-locked, so that
when nearly all the other bays ON the
Sound are rough and stormy, this bay
is as smooth as mill pond; in other
words. am told that in the toughest
Gather the Indians cross the bay in ca
noes without difficulty.
When YOU take into consideration the
many natural advantages that this place
possesses, 1st. her land-locked harbor;
I'd. her coal mines; Sd, her stone quar-
ries; 4th, the site for city, which for
area and grandeur cannot be surpassed if
equalled in the United States, and 5th,
the largest range of excellent farming
and of ary county in this Territory.
who can prognosticate the future of
Whatcom county.
Three miles east of the town of What
com, is Lake Whatcom, 800 feet above
the level OF the bay, IA miles long and
from 2 to 4 miles wide, capable of sup
plYing a city of the population of New
York with as pure water as can be found
in the world. With this immense fall.
fire engines would never be required,
for hose pipes could readily be bro light
into requisition on every corner.
There are many other things of meta
BILE interest in aud around this section,
but l must pass them over for the pre-
sent. as have already extended this
beyond my first intention.
BARNEY O'RAGEN.
w The Merchants Transportation
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