The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-02-09
From Eastern Washington.


CoLFAx, ". 7. Jan. 10Th 1878.
ED. INTELLIGENOER:-I have no
doubt the people Of Seattle would b
glad to know what is going ON in Whit
man county. AS have not been here
long my impressions may not be al
together correct. yet l will give them
for what they may be worth.
Colfax is located on beautiful pla-
teau at, or near, the forks of the Palouse
River near the center of Whitman couns
ty II miles almost due north of Almo-
ia, the steamboat landing on Snake
river. 1t Contains about 800 inhabi-
tants. two drug stores, two tin shops,
one hardware store, two dry good stores,
one butcher shop. two grocery stores
three blacksmith shops, two hotels
one livery stable, one steam saw mill,
one grist mill (water powerD three
public schools, three churches and .
saloon. The U. s. Land Office is loca-
ted here. Judge Sweet has just arrived,
and the office will be opened as soon as
the records can Re copici Som the
Wslla Walk District. The re"iic are
energetic. ssciabls. liberal and alive to
these interests.
Whitman county is one Of the finest
agricultural counties in the Territory.
It contains about 1.2SO.0 acres of
agriculturalland capable Of producing
about Is, go. 900 bushels of small grain
annually. It produced in the year 1877
over 200. 900 bushels of wheat alone.
Most of the land not good foragricultu-
raj purposes is excellent for grazing.
The prairiss are literally covered with
stock. Sheep do we'll and hogs are said
to live on camas root the year round
in some localities and prove profitable
There are large bodies of soft pine.
cedar and fir on our Eastern border.
within ten miles of Colfax. This timber
is run down the Palouse to the mills at
Palouse, 10 miles above US, and to
Colfsx.
The general surface of the country ap-
pears to be the foothills of the Cour
d'Alene Mountain, and assumes the
shape of very rough and stormy sea.
But the soil is deep-from Is inches to
20 feet-is covered with bunch grass,
aud will produce almost everything.
The Snake River is our southern
boundary, in the bowels of the earth
about 1900 feet below the general sur
face of the country, with but narrow
bottoms. which is not first.class agri-
cultural land, hut excellent for fruit.
peaches, apples, ETC.; and strange a. it
may seem, the climate down in this hole
in the earth is as mild as are the pleas
ant valleys of the Sacramento. 1t looks
as though at some time there had been
. great lake east of the Couer d'Alene
aud Blue Mountains. and it had by some
means burst its way through them, and
out pia the Columbia.
There is still much valuable land in
Whitman County subject to be taken
by Homestead and pre- emption. The
immigration has been immense during
the past year, andI predict that not a
foot of choice land will be vacant in
Whitman county at the expiration
twelve months. The mills cannot sa !,
lumber sufficient to supply the demaid.
Colfax would be double its present size
could lumber be procured for building.
Soft pine and cedar are worth from
$l2 81 to $50 per thousand feet. Set
tiers are preparing to build all over the
country ss fast as lumber can be pro-
cured. Every person appears to have
money Except myself. and business
men are doing we'll
We discussed the railroad question
last evening, as to whether it would be
expedient to vote $50, 900 to the Seattle
and Walla Railroad, provided the road
should be constructed to Colfax, which
resulted in decision favoring the
affirmative.
find the people all over this coun-
try generally in favor Of q railroad to
Puget Sound, and not down the Colum.
biz, and they are willing to do any.
thing reasonable to assist it.
I noticed some rumors in the Orego.
MAN that there Vas likely to be trouble
with Moss band of Indians. l have
taken pains to investigate the subject,
and find there is no danger whstever.
Some of Moss band declare they will
not be removed from their present
homes, but they are perfectly willing
to remain where they are, and l must
cay the Cnur d. Alene Indians are in a
very prosperous and healthy condition.
They farm, and it is not an uncommon
thing to zee two or three hundred OF
their ponies in our streets. loaded with
grain that they have raised and brought
to market.
forgot to mention the Palouse Ga
'ette. edited and published by Kellogg
& Hopkins. These gentlemen are ener.
getic, Trustworthy and industrious
young men, and are fast making the
Gasstts popular and influential paper
in the county.
Respectfully yours.
F. n. ELLswoRrH.