Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-05-19
WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
Letter from Rufus S. Clark.

SEMIAHMoo, W. T.
To the Editor Of the BULLETIN:
l am constantly receiving letters
asking me for description of this
portion sof the far west, and I have
thought that might answer many of
these enquiries by a communication
to the BULLETIN, which is q welcome
visitor to my household.
We are near the 49th parallel, the
boundry line between Washington
Territory and British Columbia, on
the Gulf OF Georgia. There is much
vacant land in this vicinity, many
thousands of acres of the best and
richest quality. The general pro-
ducts of the country are wheat, oats,
barley, potatoes, and all kinds of veg
etables, apples, pears, plums, apricots,
cherries, strawberries, and other fruits
which grow in great protusion, and
for which there is a good market
The lands are generally well tim
bered; i'll most places requiring much
clearing before farming work can be
done. This timber makes the finest
lumber in the world. There are IA
very large saw mills on Puget Sound
all of which are doing an immense
business. They are shipping lumber
to all parts of the world, a large
fleet of sailing vessels and steamers
being constantly at the mills taking
in cargoes. The finest ship spars
known are procured here. This To-
cality is a most desirable spot for a
saw mill. We have very fine har-
Dor and plenty Of good timber. To
any party or company DESTROYS of
building nall here 1 will donate
site free of charge, title us Patent.
Another blessing of this country
is an abundant supply of fish of all
varieties and sizes, from whale to
minnow. Hallbut, salmon, stur-
geon, trout, and herring sardines of
the finest quality can be taken here
by the ton, and at almost any time of
the year. There are but two large
fisheries in this country. The scenery
is most beautiful, and the weather
mild, not too hot in summer or too
cold in winter. We have some cold
weather, but not cold enough to JUS
tify the designation when compared
with Iowa winters. Our papers con-
tain no thrilling accounts Of people
being frozen to death. We have no
railroads as yet, but sail and steam
navigation to any part of the world.
There is much stock raised in this
territory. A group of islands in this
bay afford good range for sheep, of
which there are many on the islands,
with room for many thousands more.
This country abounds in stone coal
Of the best quality, which is shipped
to many ports an this coast. Our
vegetable products find a market in
the same way. Flour here ranges
from $3.50 to $3.50 per barrel, eggs
III summer arc % cents, and in winter
so cents per dozen, and other articles
of food in proportion.
| have not mentioned the oysters,
OF which we have hundreds of acres,
also crabs, clans, &c, Of excellent
quality. We have good settlement
of good industrious people, and l can
sincerely say to any of the readers of
the BULLETIN, whe are thinking of
making a home Ill new country,
that this is just the place for them
Washington Territory is yet in its
infancy, and there IS much room for
improvement, but SO also was indie
pendence when my father took up the
land on which it stands. I can now
see the mistake he made IN leaving
it, | should like to visit my old
home and birthplace once more, but
cannot. Fearing that shall tire you,
I close, thanking you for the BULLE-
TIN sent me.
Yours respectfully,
RUFUS S. CLARK.