The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-09-11

EDITOR INDEPENDENT:

EDITOR INDEPENDENT:
/ regretted, as did the friends of the IL.
DEPENDENT in Klickitat, that you and Capt.
Smallwood did not accompany me upon my
annual visit to Klickitat last week. The
little town of 6oldendale, now the County
seat, has much improved since last year
when we made our flying visit. At least
| fifty new buildings, stores, residences, etc.,
have been erected; n new hotel lin addition
| to two there last year., a new church, on.
E), another in process of erection near Gold
endaie, another shortly to be built. Rev.
Mr.. Thompson, of Olympia, presbyterian
has been making the place a visit, organized
a church of thirty members and intends soon
to build church, so that the spiritual well
fare of the community will be well cared for
The spiritual (ardent) welfare of other
members of the community is diligently, if
not solictously, cared for by two establish
lishments.
There are now five saw mills in the vicin-
ity, and two grist mills Johnson is doing
a good business. Schuster, ''old Schuster"
| should call him, or ''everybodys FRIEND"
Wellington De Boots as he is known. is in
the butcher business, as well as the duties
of sheriff, which office he has for so many
years faithfully filled. They have a new
Court house nearly completed and new
Jail, both of which from appearances afford
a strong hint to Clarke county that ''com-
parsons are odious." Altogether the town
seems hourishing. Much to my surprise
upon entering the town | found the streets
well sprinkled, and soon discovered a veri-
table watering cart in slow but solemn
grandeur parading the streets. At sight of
this modern evidence of progress | felt an
almost irresistible inclination to cry, hurrah
for Goldendale
After completing official business, next
morning was invited to accompany Johnson
and several gentlemen, with Seitz of the
kGckftat Sentinel, chicken shooting. Went
some miles below town. | soon discovered
that the mysteries of chicken shooting or
ratHcr mummy over Ine punch grass anu
boulders of Klckitat prairie was not quite
in my line, for while "Barxis was willinN
| failed to find victims for my murderous in
cGnations, while johnson, (who. by the by,
should be designated the Nimrod of Kleki-
TAFT with rapid strides. soon disappeared
across the prairie, while the bang of his gun
in rapid succession indicated the funeral of
many an inoffensive bird, while | by turns
walked, stood, hunted, (but mary shoot, y
swearing (ro,cing | mean.) that if only one
of the aforesaid inoffcnsive, innocent prairie
chickens should cross my path | should slay
him; aye! if | risked my life in the encoun-
ter. johnson soon returned with seventeen
scalps. So murderous had my pent up. I'M
stated ambition become, that felt no other
alternative than to shoot Johnson--law and
order, prudence, prevailed. The editor, (by
accident shot one bird twas aiming at
dove on the fence and shot poor chicken
down by the creek;) helped Sears shoot
another. A conflict for the honors of that
battle became imminent between them |
johnson, las befit worthy chieftain,, aided
by my self-asscrted hcutenancy, decided III
favor of-Johnson and the Lieutenant. |