, 1876-06-10

water privileges Oh the SOUND. a large
stream Of water, have fall of sufficient
height for all mill purposes, flowing into
the bay at this place. This stream pre-
scnts a beautiful sight, as it comes foam.
ing and tumbling over the rocky lodges,
in it, sudden descent tC the let.l If tie
leach
i number of years ago this stream
furnished the power for SAW mill erected
at its mouth. This having been con
sumcd by fire no use is made of this
fine water privilege. 1t Is probably bet
ter adapted to the purposes Of a Touring
or wooden mill than for u saw mill. un.
less the gravel near the mouth Of the
stream should be dredgcd sufficiently 50
the largest logs could easily be tloatcd to
the mill.
Scheme is the town that has grown mp
around the works Of the Bcllneham Bay
Coal Company. l intended going into
| the mines, but did not have time. The
works are quite extensive. The mines
are some five hundred feet deep. The
Company owns three vessels, which they
keep employed carrying coal away and
bringing lack goods for their extensive
store, which supplies all kinds of mer-
chandiSe needed, both wholesale and re-
tail for large tract of country around
the bay. At this time there are three
pumping engines, and two hoistng en-
gnes employed in the mines, and one
pumping engine undergoing repairs.
The mines are situated within few
hundred feet of salt water. The old
wharf at Whatcom is broken down, all
the steamers land Mt the Companys
wharf at Schome. From the top of the
incline, where the coal is sent from the
track to the level of the wharf, are stairs
built for tootmen to use in going up and
down. Icounted over one hundred steps
in passing down them.
Sehomc Hotel is kept by William
Pitchiord. There is also saloon in the
town, and quite number of residences,
&c.
These two towns are situated too near
together Tor each to have local, inde-
pendent growth, yet too far apart, Tor
the citizens Of each to readily assist in
forwarding oil the worthy local enter
priscs of the other, without displaying
more self sacrifice than Is usual in small
communities
While the distance now seems great,
yet in reality it is so small, that what
builds mp one, must necessarily build up
the other; the two places will gradually
grow closer together, so that before they
contain n population of one thousand in
habitants, the two towns would be
merged in one, and all local opposition
would cease. There are sufficient local
resources at present unused, If properly
developed, situated near these towns, to
support population of at least one
thousand inhabitants in these places.
If the forces now wasted in jealousy
OF the Coal Company clique, or the
county Office clique as they are called,
were spent in a hearty cooperation to
develop local interests, we doubt not
that numbers Of our people wonld be
there within few years.
l reached the Bay Tuesday morning,
left Tuesday night At schome became
acquainted with number of officers Of
the Coal Company, was treated in very
gentlemnnly manner by them at What
com | made the acquaintance Of II.
RocCler, one Of the first settlers, who
came there in 1868; he is now County
Commissioner; also the Hon. Edward
Eldritgc, who settled there about the
same time; he has for years taken a
leading position in oil Territorial enter
priscs, and is among our most liberal
minded, intelligent. go ahead, public
spirited citizens. At present ho per.
forms the duties of the Office of County
Treasurer. failed to have time to make
the acquaintance fully Of the County
Superintendent, W. II. Fonts, or the
Probate Judge, ]. II. Plaster
N. D. Smith the auditor of Whatcom
county is liberal minded gentleman of
c extensive culture, fully up with the
most advanced thought OF the timea.
He gives excellent satisfaction as Il pub |