The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-22

seen beautiful, substantial dwellings,
streets well Kept, and miles Of sidewalk
Originally, this was a trading post and
a transient abode for miners, who, in
passing to and from various points,
came here to procure outfits and provis-
ions. But, with all the disadvantages Of
It's remOteness, a great change has come
over it. The stage has given place to
the iron horse, and a spirit Of enterprise
pervades all classes. Three newspapers
are here published. and well patronized.
Several hotels, as we'll ordered as any
Portland can boast, and several large
brick mercantile houses, are flOurishiDg.
a few hours stage ride northeast Of
Walla Wslla brings US to the village of
Waitsburg, a lovely little place nestled
down at the margin of the foothills, and
environed on one side by the COppai
and on the eastern suburbs by the swift
flowing Touchet. This village has its
share Of trade and patronage. Fine
school advantages are here. Our party
can eheerfully recommend good hotel
here kept by Mrs. Vsnsyckle, where we
halted for lunch. The country in these
parts is exceedingly fertile. Hills more
precipitous arise as we travel eastward,
yet on every hand farmers are plOwing
up their rich depths Of soil, which is on
an average Of two or three feet in thick
ness in some localities, and black as that
Of the Illinois prairies. This becomes
more universal as we approach Dayton,
some twelve miles toward the eastward,
and where the combined waters of the
Touchet and Patitt intersect each other,
and come pouring down through thous-
ands Of acres of arabic land. These
streams are invariably swift, deep in
some places, and shallow in Others
Their borders grow thick with palm
trees, and the waters abound 10 fish. At
the Junction Of the Touchet aud Patitt,
where the surrounding hills form a
crescent, sits the town OF Dayton, a
comparatively new place, but in popula-
ton and enterprise Outvieing many
older ones. This is the center of a large
and seemingly limitless tract Of agri-
cultural land, and over the endless range
Of hills In every direction are seen evil
dences Of the presence Of farmer and
stock-raiser. Many thousands Of acres
are now under fence and settled, so that
homestead seekers have to push their
way still further, many making Dayton
a thOroughfare by stage aud other means
Of conveyance northward and eastward,
where Spokane and Palouse country in
vite them. The interests Of Dayton
have increased proportionately with the
advancing tide OF immigration. Her
business houses, grist, and other mills,
and particularly the wooden mills, show
the thrift and enterprise of the inhabit-
ants. The beauty and texture Of its
goods are unsurpassed. Business in
every branth is here represented, and
considering the scarcity OF money and
the disadvantages Of high transporta-
tion, il is almost a marvel that this
Northwest region stands its ground and
lives without railway communication.
The farmer at present struggles between
the pressure Of freight monopoly aud
the merchant who has his own prices,
and whose wares the farmer must have.
The mOnopoly and merchants are well
aware Of these emergencies; this is their
golden opportunity, and will be so until
more independent transportation is
secured. These bills are capable Of pour
ing yearly millions OF bushels of grain
into the worlds market, to say moth
ing Of the inexhaustible cattle trade aud
the resources Of the hidden mines. The
tide Of immigration has fairly set in, and
soon men will come in with capital, and
the resources Of this inland empire will
have an outlet. II is only a question of
time, and, if we misjudge not, that time
is not far distant. l.
, Dayton, w. T., May ., 1879.