, 1876-01-22

The following rough estimate was obtained
from gentleman closely identified with the
lumber trade of this region. Tic has been
II resi- lent Ii re for the last twelve yenrs.
Twelve years ago, the amount of lumber
cut and marketed on this river did not ex-
cecd 10, 100000 feet, the price then ranging
from $500 to 81 so per, NJ. The year just
past, no less than 100000 feet have been
cut and sold The :ncrrasr for the lust IL
years has been gradual, with the exception
uf 1872, when there WAS sudden jump from
The average cost Of labor in logging camps
10 yeas ago, Was from $1,000 TO $1,000 per
month Tor fair han Is. Wages the last year
raised from $4,000 to $4,000 for good met.
Nearly all logs cut this year have found
rrrdy sale at $500 per. NJ. Had it not been
for the hard times the last three yenrc, by
reason of which nearly every body here ran
behind hand financially. we should now he
enjoying flush times. AS it ia, many have
been lifted out of delt, and nearly every one
measurably relieved from the pressure Of their
liabilities Mill owners are more confident;
there isa ready sale for good lumber and
the prospect at present is that more logs
than ever before will be marketed the pres
ent year.
le years ago, all supplies were import
ed into the country; even hay and feet was
brought from California and Oregon rs well
a. most of the vegetables. Last year, not
only did our home farmers, supply a'l our
hay and vegetables, hut have exported their
surplus to Seattle and other potts on the
Sound We have been able also to partially
supply our camps with home raised beef,
pork and mutton. Our -four and ground
feed We have mostly imported for want OF
suitable mill to grind grain. OF course, all
our groceries come from abroad. With
good Touring mill. properly located ard ju
diciously managed, our up river farmers VIII
nut in wheat, while our marsh lands on the
lower river and other places will be
redeemed and made to yield not only
feed enopgh for all our teams, but there will
bea surrlusagc for export. When these
very desirable enterprises are coesumatcd we
shall he self.sustOining, independent com
muni,y. Money will pour in to us instead
of heing all paid to outsiders Our inform
ant 10 Of the opinion that for the next 70
years our numbering interest will increase
in the same ratio Il has for the last 10. II
80, 30 years from now we may expect to
market from 80 to 100 million II. OF
logs per. annum; and from the appearance
Of our forests we do not deem the estimate
vt AL eItrsvagant.
The opening up Of new logging camp p''
oneers the way fm half dozen farmre,
We have valuable groves Of alder, msp,e,
bearherry and cherry, all Ane woods, which
will yet he greedily sought after for cabinet
purposes Far mp on tho heads Of oor streams
are mountain cedars and susar pine. None
can doubt the perpetual richness vt our bot
tom lands. subject az they are to as annual
overflow, at aseason when the crops cannot he
injured Their only drawback is the great
labor Of clearing and mhjecting them IN cul-
tiyation. Besides these resources, croIker'
to the contrary Notwithstanding, we have
rich mines Of gold, silver, iron, lead and
coal, destined yat to contribute their quota
10 the wealth of nnr citizens. Who doubts
then our source Of prosperity.