The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-05-31
Washington Territory.

Ward, formerly of this county but now
of Washington Territory, with the re-
quest that we publish. 1t was prepar-
ed by one of the papers in that Terri
tory, and is no doubt perfectly reliable:
Washington Territory lies north of
the state of Oregon, and extends north
to British Columbia; the Pacific ocean
washes its shores on the west, while it
reaches out towards the east about $40
miles. The Cascades, Coast Range
and Olympic are its principal chains
of mountains. The former range "a
continuation of the Sierras) runs paral-
lei with the coast, about 100 miles
from it, and form a prominent feature
both in the outline and natural advan-
tages of the Territory. This range
forms the great dividing line between
Eastern and Western Washinton and
on either side of this mighty bearer is
a country vastly different from the 9th
Ter in climate, soil, geological character,
and vegetable and animal productions.
Eastern Washington has dry climate,
with very warm summer weather and
cold weather in winter. 1t is an ex-
tremely healthy country. There vast
productive praries invite the herdsman
and the farmer; there, also, the less
fertile plains, covered with sage brush
the home of the wonderful sage hen
extends over large scope of coun-
try; there the man who is willing to
labor, earns and enjoys a luxuriant
home; there success generally follows
an earnest effort.
But it is necessary that we write
more particularly about Western Wash
ington. In this portion of the Terri
tory rains are of more frequent occur
renee than east of the mountains. The
average amount of water falling here
annually is about 80 inches, against 43
in New York and % in San Francisco.
1t is generally acknowledged that we
have a very healthy country; but it is
not so good for weak lungs and con-
sumptives as is the bracing atmosphere
at higher altitude east of the noun
tains. In relation to the seasons, we
Will notice that Spring is generally &C
companied with considerable rain, with
now and then a few days of sunshine.
Summer, with us, is delightfully."- pleas
ant and dry, with cool evenings. The
Summer days are not so Oppresively
hot between the Cascade mountains
and the coast as they are in the coun-
try lying east of the Missouri river,
and a goodly portion of the country
lying west of the river of golden wa
tiers. We have, as a general rule,
splendid weather in the Fall, with Oc-
casiOnally spell of gloomy dampness,
which is in strange contrast with the
brightness and splendOr of our lOveliest
days. Winter is gentle with us; it
rains frequently in this season, but the
thermometer does not often fall below
zero.
Among the natural resources of this
country are the immense forests of
timber which cover the greater portion
of Western Washington, where grow
the fir, cedar, hemlock, maple, alder,
ash, scrub oak, cottonwood, &C.; ex-
tensive coal mines, which are only de-
minutive representations of what we
can, with propriety, expect to see;
vast sheets of water for harbOrs and
commerce, and which furnish a home
for immense numbers of the fnny tribe,
such as halibut, cod, founders, dog-fsh,
salmon, sharks, herring, sardines, &C.,
and extensive beds of clans and oys-
tiers; comparatively fair mines of gold,
silver and lead /; and rich valleys that
will yield upa bountiful reward to the
tillers of the soil.
Government lands can be obtained
in this Territory at from 81 % to 81 so
per acre. Persons are also privileged
to exercise their homestead rights, and
settle ON agricultural lands. There
are some prairie lands to be taken up;
but they are generally a considerable
distance from settlements and schools.
Bottom lands, where vine maple, alder
and salmonberry bush grow, are the
best on which to make permanent I'M
provements. Although the work of
bringing these lands under control is
difficult and slow, yet the productive
ness of the soil will surely repay the
effort. The price for improved land
ranges from to SO per acre, accord
ing to locality.
The native tribe of Indians which
are scattered about the country are but
the remnants of a dying power and