Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-09-20
Eastern w ashiB rton.

ticularly In crossing the Cascades trom
either into the eastern section, one is
very forcibly struck with the great
change everywhere and in everything
SO visible; especially is this the case in
going from the Puget Sound eastward
ly. The topography, climate, soil, TIM
Der, vegetation, and the whole appear
ance of the country is changed. The
forests, where they abound, are more
open, having little brushwood; the tam
arack, and the white, long leaved pine
taking the place of the stately cedar and
the noble fir. The entire surface, al
though bald in appearance, after leaving
the foothills Of the Cascades, is covered
with a luxuriant growth Of grasses,
everything presenting very inviting
appearance, although differing SO wide
~ IN contrast with the western or coast
sections.
The atmosphere is dry, as whole;
the lofty and continuous Cascades form.
ing an unbroken wall, running north
and eouth, proves almost an effeciual
barrier to the prevailing rains Of west
ern Oregon and Washington during at
least six months Of the year. We have
thought that this section presents one Of
the finest panoramic vi WIS anywhere to
be seen, especially 10 coming from the
east, with the grand and lofty Cascades
rising majesticaly before you, dotted all
along their line with the beautiful snow
capped peaks, rising from ll,0U0 to
more than 10000 feet; or IN travelling
over this section eastwar lily from the
Cascades you view long, continuous
succession Of hills aud dalas, all covered
with grass, the course of the numerous
rivulets and larger streams marked by
the cottonwoods and willows along their
banks, and the blue lines of distant
mountains away out on the verge Of the
horizon gradually fading out OF sight,
almost lend enchantment to the scene.
CLIMATE, HEALTu.
This region is marked by compara.
lively small amount Of wet weather, as
before stated, rain being scarce during
the Summer months. In September,
usually, there is quite spell OF wet
weather, lasting several days and some
times weeks, after which frosty weather
sets in; and from, say November til
March, occasional saows fall, which are
quite deep on the highlands aud noun
tains, but usually only few inches on
the plains and in the valleys, ana there
lying on the ground but few days at a
time. We do not think the ground can
be said to be covered with snow, each
Winter, more than month In the ag~
grsgate. There are exceptions, for dur.
ing the Winter of 1862 the snow fell
all over this section two or three feet
deep, causing great loss Of stock in the
Winter and an immense food the next
Spring aud Summer. There were not
many white settlers in this section at
that time, the stock mostly belonging to
the natives, who suffered themselves aud
lost much Of their stock. One Is fovci
bly, impressed with the robust, healthy
and vigorous appearance of the settlers,
the great healthfulness OF this climate
is still further proven in the superior
athletic and even majestic forms of the
natives. We doubt il a section can be
found with more saluhrious atmosphere
than this, and it is often resorted to by
those OF consumptive tendencies, with
beneficial results.
SToCk.
This portion of Washington, with
eastern Oregon and western Idaho forms
the largest aud most reliable grazing
region, perhaps, on this coast, being one
vast ocean of grass. with sufficient raius
to keep the feed good the year round.
1t is not subject to the drouths of south.
ern California; and ahoundiug in nun.
erous water courses fed by springs, it
offers great inducements to stock-raisefs.
It is not perfectly safe to rely upon mild
Winters; yet, for many years past, and
for many years at time, bands of 100
to a 1000 and even more, head of cattle,
have passed through the Winters with
but little care, and scarcely any feed, in
the more sheltered caves, valleys and
protected portions of this entire vast re-
gion and expanse of country.
VALLEYS AND STREAMS.
The Yakima river rises in the eastern
declivity Of the Cascades, about east OF
Seattle. Its general direction is east
ward, and its length about $50 miles
emptying into the Columbia just above
the mouth OF the Snake river. There
are some very fine bottom lands on this
stream. On the south side, between the
Big Rapids aud the Attannum river, is
large Indian reservation, containing
much very excellent agricultural land
aud used quite successfully in raising
grain and vegetables. The Indians on
this reservation have for long time
manifested a disposition to'eultiyate the
soil and maintain peaeeable relation:
with the whites. On the Yakima, aud
near the mountains, is kittiiash valley
very rich and line in appearance, but 81
near the mountains that snow falls TIVE
e. xar