Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-10-10
Visit to C0wlitz.
EDITOR EXPERIMENT:

Sir Leaving Winlock Station,
Northern Pacific Railroad, the seven
miles of wagon road forcibly reminds
one that Jordan is hard road to
travel" A few sguatters along the
road and the Grand Prairie OPEN
ing in the forest, argues that atten-,,
tion is turned toward the occupancy
of the land in that vicinity.
Reaching the old farming country
where the Hudson Bay Company's
post was established three-score
years since, stranger is surprised
at the extent and appearance of the
fine farms and comfortable residen-
ces. The homes of Mrs. Sharplee.
(who keeps the Travellers Rest,"l
that of Mr.. l.. Dubeau, Post Mas
ter and land agent, Mr.. H. HI. Pinto,
store keeper, Mr.. Herod, who is
erecting q steam grist-mill upon his
premises, and other we'll l-to-do farm
ers, cause a favorable impression of
the south end of the settlement; as
we wend our way toward the north
ern portion, we could not help ad-
miring the fine farms on ourleft-hand
and especially "the valley as it lay
smiling before us" to our right. In
front was the pleasantly situated
Mission Church, (the congregation
numbering over 4O0) and the commo-
dious Convent OF the good Sisters,
where We learned that nearly fifty
girls are receiving Christian educa-
tion, to prepare them for the duties
of life and happy eternity. The
Rev. Father Halibus was at the Co
lumbia and our "posting up" VS.
mostly by the " Village Blacksmith n
and Squire Dean, who is located to
tho north of the settlement and ~
fully reconciled to his prospects OF
Cowlitz. Adjoining his property is
Government land, to be had upon
reasonable terms. The soil is excel
lent.
East of Cowiitz river, and to the
south end of the settlement referred
to, is the homestead of Mr.. w. Fad
on, an intelligent cultivator Of the
soil. BY the way, when we offered
to pay Mr.. E. for felrying us over
the river, he refused to charge any
thing. This rather surprised us,
for notwithstanding it was known
that we were taking notes for publi-
cation, almost every person we have
met in Washington Territory seems
to think that no favors should be
shown to the press, either at the
hotels or along the route. This is
quite different from the Eastern
practice where desire does not
exist to grab every cent passing.
Perhaps the press is to blame for not
enlightening those who do not ap-
preciate what newspapers are doing
for the opening of the country and
especially in aiding railroads, steam
boats and hotels. OF course our
style is to pay whatever is asked and
pass along, but We thus express our
private opinion for the benefit of
other travellers upon similar errand
to the one we are on.
Having diverged from the subject,
we would now state that Mr.. Eadon
and his neishbors are progressing in
q manner that cannot fail to encour-
age other persons to settle upon the
Government lands, to be found con-
venient. No doubt by another
year quite an addition will be made
to the Cowlitz settlement. It is un-
derstood that boat will be placed
upon the Columbia river, when grain,
etc., can be shipped out and merchan-
disc brought in, as well as making it
easy tor travellers. A good deal Of
anxiety is felt respecting railroad
through the Territory. 1t is believed
that the next session Of the Legisla-
ton will elicit something definite
upon the subject. Certain it is, q
railroad through the district would
cause Washington Territory to be
greatly sought after for purposes OF
location. VISITOR.
Winiock, Sept. 27, 1879.