The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1880-04-16

from an IxTHIIcEScvE correspasdentl
We left Seattle April 11tb, al PM,
on board the steamer Chehalis, bound
for the Sksgit mines. Six hours ran
brought Us to Stsnwood, where ne
tied up for the night. Started next
morning at daylight. and, on arriving
At Mann's Landing, found the river
had risen three feet since the last trip
Of the steamer, which was very en-
couragins. The captain intended to
ascend the river to the portage, it pos
sible. Taking on Fritz Dipper as pilet,
we again got under way and arrived at
Mount Vernon about noon. Here we
were all bssicged by rAen with batteaus,
canoes. &c.. who were anxious to get
loads for Goodell's. There seems to be
considerable opposition in this mode Of
travel. Their services were declined.
however. ss the passengers all preferred
going up on the steamer to padding a
cameo.
49, OFF FOR THE PORTAGE.
We now cast loose from Mount Yer.
non, the engineer opened the valve
wide. and the steamer SHOT by the town
with increased speed. while cheers were
given fer the Chehslis, "and her cap
tain, too" by the anxious gold seekers
on deck. Hencefor,h the business Of
the batteau men is gone, and we shall
have moro comfortable. cheaper and
quicker travelling to the mines. Tic
steamer plowed her way steadily on,
and reached Sterling in two hours
from Sterling around Little Mountain
we wero one. hour and five minutes.
The eurrent round Little Mountain is
very strong, and there are numerous
snsgs in the river. We soon passed
Mr.. Duffy's farm. which, l am told. is
very fine ranch.
THE sKAGIT RIVER.
have often heard the Skagit river
described 80 . raging and dangerous
stream to navigate, but was agreeably
surprised to find it broad and beauti-
ful river. much larger than expected
but it requires boat of very light
draught aud considerable power to as.
cend il at low water, as there are occs-
sional lars which divide the waters and
add force to the current. On each side
of the river are wide valleys. contain.
Ing e -
~ THOUSANDS OF ACRES
/ OF rich unimprovcd land, covered with
large, straight cottonwood trees, suffi
cient in quantity to keep the barrel
factory running for a score of years al
its fullest capacity. As the jam is now
removed from the river. aud it is open
to steam boat navigation tor over sixty
miles. no doubt hundreds of ms n will
soon g in there with families and erect
comfortable bomes
The steamer tied up On Monday night
two miles below the coal mine. 1t
rained hard all night and tie river
rose nine inches. We were off agaiu
next lnoraing at daylight. and soon
reached the coal mine, where we took
on large supply of wood aud coal.
Two uiles shove thu coal mine there
10 long shallow bars over which@ the
Chehslis was ucabls to get in her at :
tempt to ascend the river last January.
Then there was only 20 inches Of water
on the bar. but this time We FOUND 80
irchss, aud the steamer passed over il
without any difficulty. to the great de.
light Of all On beard. -
The next place of interest was Mink.
ler's aswmill. the h.yhess~poiht ever
before reached on the Ska9it river; the
Josephine having assembled to this point
last season. ~ this point the river il
divided by bar. The csptais first tried
the left. hand chAnnel, bur, owing 10
the sunken bouid-rs and swift current
he was not able to est through, 20 he
backed down shd tried the rizht hand
emanuel. which be passed though safely
Cheers agaia arose FROM all on deck
As we passed on up tie rlver the set.
tiers fock.d to the banks to welcome
the 81
8rsoKkxR srKAxBoAT
On the upper Skarit. They ired sa
lutes from their rifles, which were re
sponded to by the first steam whist,
that ever echoed through those forests
We rounded Gsps Hogt at o. o,cleck
Here. the captain told us, the Indian,
catch the finest favored salmon he eve
tssted.
At i2 o'clock son Tuesday We reached
the mouth OF Baker river. having as
osnded the Skagit SO. miles. At tn,
mouth of Baker river Mr. Everts has I
4 very fine farm on which be HISS built
neat cottage and oufhsases which wouls
iFefie0 credit on more accessible PLACES
a ~ Mills. above Baker river To,
4 steamer agsin landed. md asi hsnd
unpacks1 their axes snd vent ashore /,
cut wood Il did not take long. viii
the force we had. to put ON board
/ large supplys Here also the cock e. D
tured souoe Of the 6uea) nountain troa
ne ever saw They weis he'd i've pound
each. and the Indians say the river i
full Of them.
4 We do not know whether it il tn
i excellent csoklng Of Mr. Brooks sns
i What he gives us to eos. or the elimat
that makes everybody have such.an ap
petite.
/ We would advise all Of our Seattl
friends to take = trip up the Skasit thi
nsnsmnxnvr 3 II IL = hsssxtsf,,l ., paor. an,