The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-07-24

his chosen abode. The bottom land seems
to widen as you pass up the creek. 1t is
covered with ash, alder and other small tim
Der; is easily cleared, and of extraordinary
fertility. The settlement is steadily increas-
ing in numbers. There are also some
changes being made. Mr.. Woodham has
removed, and the place is now owned and
occupied by Thos. Orwell, late of the firm
of Miller & Orwell, whom | found with
scythe in hand, and great drops of sweat on
his face, swinging away in spite of the ener-
waiting rays of burning sun. ID. A. McNab,
of La Center, has purchased place here,
where he now lives. Mr.. Skintaffer is liv
ing in his new house, which is the best in
that part of the county. The school is being
taught by Mrs. Johnson, an experienced
teacher, and is working in very satisfactory
manner. 1t is smaller than the average
The school house is new, and has been
erected within the past year by subscription
and volunteer labor. 1t is frame building,
very well adapted to the purpose for which
it was built, and reflects much credit upon
those who so literally aided in its construc.
ton.
| From there passed to the school in Dist
| 3S, which is about five miles distant The
land is open, and but sparsely settled be-
tween the two points. On ascending the
hill after leaving Cedar creek the first claim
| of much Importance noticed is that of the
Hagen brothers, which is in fine state of
cultivation and improvement Other claims
are passed on the way, but the owners are
not known to the writer The school is
taught by Miss Shintaffer, of Cedar creek,
who knows how to manage a school, and is
giving good satisfaction. This locality is
quite thickly settled, and shows signs of a
good degree of prosperity. Passing from
this school on the road to La Center you are
soon in the green timber again, which ex-
tends nearly to Lockwood creek, distance
of about three and half miles. Here, too,
the land seems to be nearly all occupied by
settlers, and the clearings are multiplying
and enlarging year after year. The soil is
good, and its due development is being
brought about by muscle, intellect and
time
During my journey found but two other
schools in session north of the East fork Of
Lewis river. One is being held in the Eaton
settlement, and is larger than the average.
1t is in charge of Mrs. Pratt, and judging
from the order, discipline and mental activ-
ity manifest on the part of the scholars, it is
safe to say that the people of that district
have been very fortunate in the selection Of
their teacher. This neighborhood, though
on the principal route to the new gold
fields, is still undisturbed, and working
away with an energy and harmony not
found in every locality. Joseph Eaton lives
right by the school house, and the writer
not only found him genial gentleman, but
a friend to the hungry and the poor The
other school is about three miles from there,
in what is sometimes called the Spencer dis.
trict. This is taught by Mr.. Pratt, mot Or
son Pratt of Mormon fame,) but genuine
Yankee, who, though many years out of the
school room, returns to the work with all
the energy and tact of genuine pedagogue.
This is also growing neighborhood, and in
opening up and improving claims and roads
are keeping pace with Aheir surrounding
neighbors. r.