, 1879-10-18
Regular Correspondence.
WALKERs PRAIRIE, Oct. 5, 1879.

WALKERS PRAIRIE, Oct. 5, 1879.
EDITOR STATESMAN As the editor of the
leading newspaper in Washington territory
l know that You are glad to hear of progress
being made in even its most remote sections.
and for this reason l believe you will read
with pleasure your correspondents account
of what he has been able to notice in the way
of incident and advancement while travelling
as far as Walkers Prairie.
A drive of eighteen miles brought US to
the Touchet, where We were Hospitality en-
tertained by Mr.. Fleathers, and where We
encountered
GRASsHoPPERs INSUMERABLE-
These pests have collected along the river,
and it is to be hoped that like the locusts of
old, they will disappear beneath the waters.
At Snake river, twenty-threc miles further
on our way. We found Mr.. Markley ready to
"cross us DER the ferry" and We found him
an obliging and skillful pilot The river was
low and there were two rocks in the channel
with just enough space between them to ad.
init of our boat passing through. The next
water is that Of the Was teck-ney springs,
where Mr. Barrett, formerly of your city,
has taken a homestead. The springs furnish
water sufficient to irrigate a considerable area
of good land, and if energy and diligence
will accomplish it, Mr.. Barrett will III time
make for himself and family
PLEASANT AND COMFORTABLE HOME.
Coss' is the next ranch-nineteen miles from
Barrett's. Mrs C. is 4 good cook, and
kind and pleasant lady ''given to hospital
ity." From here to Eomaskeys, our next
landlord, it is twenty-five miles. Mr.. c. is
the best specimen of an old bachelor that We
know Of. He expects to be rich the sur
vey of the N P railroad is through his land,
on which there is growing wood, In MIR. c. s
estimation to the amount of twenty thou
sand cords, and as there is no other timber
within q radius of many miles, MIR. L. be-
lieves the railroad will have to buy Of him.
His ranch is situated at the head of pretty
lake about eleven miles in length, filled with
fish and covered with wild fowl. Camaskey
believes
DEPOT WILL BE ESTABLISHED
Here, for the trains will not be able to get
water for long distances either way. From
Comaskey's ranch on in this direction the
country improves in appearance, and the .it-
tie board shanties of claimants for land be-
come more numerous Quite number of
Californians have taken claims between VIII
low Springs and the lower bridge over the
Spokan river, and they give good account
of the land. From Willow Springs to the
bridge--sixteen miles-there is considerable
good timber, and more laud is taken up. SO
far as we are able to jndge, than in any other
of the sections over which We have passed.
We have met parties hunting for land they
complained of frost. In Oregon there Is
TOO MUCH RAIN,
In California there is not enough, and now
in Washington territory it is too frosty.
Where will these people be suited: From
Spokan bridge to Haines' ranch at the foot
of Walkers Prairie the distance is about
eight miles, Mr.. Haines house occupies. the
old site of the Indian mission established
over thirty years ago by the missionaries
Walker and Gels Near by runs brook
well stocked with trout. The ranch Is en-
circled by hills covered with thick growth
Of pine.
i learn that Bishop Morris is to preach to-
day at Fort Colville, and Monday evening
at Che e-we-lah Prairie, thirty miles from
here. ADIOs.