, 1880-04-08
Clalam County.

This county occupies the extreme north.
western portion Of Washington Territory.
1t Is bounded OH the north by the straits
OF Fuca, on the east and south by Jeiler.
son county and on the west by the Pacific
ocean. It has an an area OF about 1850
square miles, the greater portion Of which
is still unexplored. Although organized
At u comparatively early date (lS54l 1t has
not yet attained n population exceeding
45O, and Its taxable property was vaIned
IN 1879, according TO the report ofthe Ter
ritorial auditor, at sl54,35l only--being a
smaller amount than that of any other
county In the territory, except Skamanla,
and proving that IL las developed very
slowly in comparison with the rapid
growth OF other localities.
The northern shore line OF the county
extends from Port Discovery Bay to Cape
Flattery, distance of about so miles. It
Is indcnted by numerous bays, rivers,
creeks, etc, along which are the prin-
oipal settlements in the county and around
which arabic land is found IN various qHan.
titles.
The Olympic coast range OF mountains
extends from southeast TO northwest
through the entire length OF the county,
at about Its center, and occupy large
portion Of its surface. The more promi-
nent peaks Ia this range are covered with
perpetual snow, materially affecting the
climate by rendering summer nights so
cool that frosts lInger until April in the
Spring and frequently appear as early as
Septenberin the fall along the settlements
that border the foothills OH the one hand,
and skirt the straits OIL the other. Along
the numerous streams and water courses
that have their source in the mountains,
good farming land is found In small guam
titles, almost up to the SHOW limit. II eSe
mountains afford home for thousands of
elk, deer aud other kinds OF wild game,
and have never been explored to any
considerable extent, bur, as gold has been
fonnd In all the streams cmpiying from
their northern slope into the straits OF
Fpa, 1t Is believed that they will also ut
some future time afford profitable employ
ment to thousands Of miners by their lib
eral yield Of the precious mctals-so that
they will indeed be ''thing Orbeauty and
n joy forever" and be found practically
valuable besides adding beauty and solemn
grandeur to the scenery Of the country.
Along the straits, from the jefferson
county line at Port Discovery Bay, on the
east. to cape Fiattery on the west, we find
Seqnlm Bay, Dungcness harDor and river,
Mcdonnell creek. Morsu's creek. Port
Angeles harbor and creek. Ewhs river
Fresh-water bay. Crescent bay and creek,
Tyre river, Twin rivers, Deep creek.
Pyscht river, Clallam bay and river,
Hoko rivers, and Neal' bay. From Cape
Fhttery south along the Pacific ocean to
the Jefferson county line--a distance Of
about 80 miles--will be found: Wy-a-atch
creek. HOzette river, and the somewhat
noted Quieut river which flows from the
southern slope Of the mountains described
through an extensive aud fertile tract OF
land. most OF which Is suitable for almost
any kind Of farming aud much of which is
prairie.
SOIL, CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS.
Along the valleys and water courses the
soil Is principally y rich aluvia deposit of
black loan. In most places this rests
upon a clay subsoll. Where such Is the
case. drOnth Is never known, as sufficient
moisture Is retained through The summer
months to bring ont the strength OF the
soil for any kind Of growing crops. Such
kinds OF low lands are usually covered In
their wild state with alder and maple,
with fair sprinkliug of IeInlOck, cedar,
white FIR, etc. The mderbrnsh consists
Of elder bushes, vine mnplr. dngwoOd
hazel. crab-apple. goosebcrry. etr., etc.
When cleared and put in;o cultivation,
this lan'l Is exceedingly hriile. and amply
rewards the hardy pioneers for their toll
and patience in ncaimiug II from the
forest.