The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-05-31
Vancouver.
ITS LOCATION, HEALTH, WATER, ETC.

A few words for immigrants and
strangers generally, about Vancouver.
will not be out of place at this time,
especially so, in view of the large share
of attention which this part of the Ter
ritory is attracting in the East.
Vancouver, the County seat of Clarke
County, is town Of about 1000 in
habitants and is situated on the north
bank OF the Columbia river, eighteen
miles by wafer COLUMBIA and William
mette rivers) from Portland, the metrop-
oils OF Oregon. Its location is acknowl-
edged to be the finest on the River.
A broad plateau rises gradually from
the bank OF the river tor half mile,
then falls again, forming little valley
in the northern part of town. The sur
face, from the centre of the valley, rises
slowly and almost imperceptibly for
nearly mile. Adjoining the eastern
boundary of the town is the military
reservation, acknowledged by all army
men to be one of The most eligible and
beautiful locations in the United States.
The town supports both public and
private schools, three churches and one
newspaper; these comprise the educa-
tional and moral conservatOrs of the
place. Merchandising, and the different
trades and mechanic arts, market garden
ing land fruit growing constitute the lead
ing occupations of the people. The U.
5. Land Office for seven counties OF the
Territory is located here. Being the
County seat, here also are the various
county officers and the Clerk of the
District Court, which court holds two
sessions annually for the sub-distrct OF
which Clarke is the senior county.
Among the many other advantages
which Vancouver enjoys is the prevail
ing good health of the people. While
Portland, Salem and other towns both
in Washington Territory and Oregon
suffer somewhat each year from dip
theria, tyfoid and other fevers and mala-
rial complaints, Vancouver boasts almost
entire immunity from these diseases.
The situation of the town favors the
most perfect system of drainage, and
the soil being somewhat gravclly and
porus rapidly absorbs all waste liquids
and fluids of a delcterious nature.
Another reason why the town is so uni
formly healthy, is because of its perfect
system for supplying large quantity
of the purest spring water throughout
the greater part of town. The water
is brought in pipes from a point about
FIVE miles away. The pipes are lai,
under ground keeping the water both
sweet aud cool ali seasons Of the year.
About two miles of the main pipe is
composed of iron. Reservoirs with a
capacity of over 100000 gallons have
been constructed in connection with
these water works. This excellent
system of water supply has cost over
s25, 900 and we venture the assertion
that there is not another town Of the
size of Vancouver Oh the Pacific Coast
which has such quantity Of good
water for household and garden pur-
poses.
An examination Of the health regu.
lations Of towns periodically afflicted
with diptheria, fcvers aud kindred CON-
plants. reveals the fact that impure
water is nine times out Of ten, the prime
cause Of all such epidem ics. Wells in
the thickly settled portions Of town
are an abominalion, constituting a most
convenient rendezvous tor the insidious
enemies Of health. Partly on this
score, Vancouver claims exemption
from many diseases which afflict other
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