Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-03-01
FROM WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
Another Interesting Letter from Capt.
Williams.
VANCOUVER. w. T.. Feb. 6 rs.

VANCOUVER, w. T., Feb. 6 rs.
FRIEND ToMAN-Dear Sir:-The
BULLETIN has come to hand regularly
since my arrival here. The last %receiv-
ed contained my letter, descriptive Of
my journey from Independence here.
Its publication tempts my vanity to fur
Their presume upon your kindness, on the
presumption that the many readers of
your paper will be pleased to hear news
from this favored section. But, ere I
commence, | frankly confess my inabil-
ity to give any account descriptive of
the country at large, from personal OBJ
servation: But first, if you will allow
me, l will state my WI situation. [
am now permanently stationed here in
the u. s. Ordnance department. The
Arsenal is delightfully."- situated on ris-
ing ground over the town, surrounded by
primitive forests Of fir. Before us,
a mile distant, rolls the Columbia, a
noble river, bosomed in the richest
foliage along its banks, while II vision
all around is circumscribed by continu-
GUS ridges Of mountains, some of which
are of tremendous height. As | write
l can see n (Mount Hood) ~eternally
covered with snow, and $4,000 feet above
the level of the sea. 1t appears Is
miles distant, but it is really 100 miles.
The 21st Infantry, commanded by
Gen. Sully, is stationed at the Post Gar
rison. They were out with General
Howard, in his Nez Perces campaign of
last summer They lost heavily therein.
They are a splendid regiment. They
hoy n also n oort Lo-J e %
s%icians, who daily delight us with their
charming music.
Now | will change the subject to gen.
eral matters. By reason of the great
migration, which is continually TEEN
ing in here, this country is getting very
rapidly developed. Hundreds of thou
sands OF acres of tillableland are added
yearly to agricultural purposes. The
facilities for marketing the vast and
splendid surplus production of this pro-
ductive country, has been equal to the
demand as yet. But measures for it's
increase, and for a cheaper method will
have to be taken Immediately, amongst
which, first will be the clearing of the
obstacles at the Cascades on the Column
bia river, and building a lock, through
which steamers can go direct up or
down the river without necessitating. as
at present, to transfer passengers and
freight by railway, a distance of6 miles.
from one steamer-tO another. The 9th
err, and most important and benifcent
project to the whole country at large.
will be the completion of the y. p. r..
H., and its various contemplated
branches. When that happy event is
accomplished this portion of our coun-
try will have achieved all the known
necessary conveniences to make itself
great and prosperous. Improved land
is valued at present at from So to $40
dollars per acre, but there are millions
OF acres yet available, under the home
stead or premption acts. Walla-W alla
county, in eastern Washington, claims to
have produced more wheat in the past
two years in proportion, than any other
in the United States. The whole crop
averaged 80 bushels to the acre. The
climate of this country is of very even
and mild temperature. | would not
have known it to be winter here now,
only by the name Of it. Very many
birds which regularly visit your part in
summer are here in great abundance;
the woods are vocal with their sweet
music.
1t has been rather wet here lately,
but mostly at night. Farmers have
kept on ploughing the whole winter,
when not too wet. This country is bless
ed with great natural resources, which
add continually to it's wealth and devel-
opment. Amongst these are its fish
cries, lumber, coal and mineral, all these
are in inexhaustable quantities estimat-
ing their use only so far as the wants of
this country will ever need of them, and
| might also safely say for the outside
world for generations to come. Fruits
of the following kinds are especially
adapted to this country: Apples, pears,
peaches, prunes, plums, cherries, cur
rants, raspberries, blackberries, cram
berries and strawberries, and all the
most delicious of their kind. Apple
trees grow SO vigorously and bear so
prolific that they expend their strength
in Il or ID years.
Game is very plenty here. 1t is a
perfect paradise for the hunter. Tom
Hunt, and all the sporting fraternity of
your city, could find very profitable and
enjoyable employment here. Wild
geese and ducks are in almost number
less quantities; swans are also found
extensively on the Columbia river and
the various lakes,
l will now conclude with a cordial in
v%itation to any Buchanan county friend
that may come this way to call and see
me, Very truly yours,
ROBERT WILLIAMS.