, 1881-11-11

seen all along the route. The distance
from Kettle falls TO SoOyOos is about l20
miles. About half The way OH the Amer
lean side, a large creek emptieS into Ket-
tie river from the south. Looking south
along its valley can be seen magnificent
country Two white settlers are located
OH the river in this vicinity, owning cat
tie and sheep. and at the time were harv-
esting good wheat and oats. About every
ten mites we pass an Indian SIranty with
some cultivation about If. At il distance
Of some 30 miles from SooyoOs lake is
Rock creek, 4 small mining town on the
British Columbia side. Here are about 40
Cinnamon at work placer mining in the
gravel and sand bars. making from two
10 eight dollars per day. They are tun-
nelling into some of the gravel hills and
there find gold. IL il tlume was constrmc-
ted here, | think it would pay hand
someiy,
We arrived at S0OyooS lake on the 10Th
of September, where iS stationed the Dep
MY Collector for Eastern Washington.
AT this point all the principal trails from
the head 0t navig cation Oh the Frazer river
meet. There is also plain wagon road
fl ON the DllleS OH the Columbia river,
mp the Okinakane river crossing the bouu-
dairy line at SnOvnOS lake. The entire
country west of this last mentioned road,
toward the Cascades, Is imptSSable AT
SnoyunS there has been for the last twenty
years. Il revenue officer OF the British Col
nmhia government. This official owns
2jOO hcaG OF cattle and 500 American hor-
SrS, which graZe during summer all along
the boundary line. Large herds running
stiIl further north, are also owned bv pri-
vatc parties in Victoria. Herds of cartle
are owned by both whites aud indians OH
this side OF the line. All this stock is win
tered iii the valley OF The Okinakane river,
on either sIle of the line. Valuable mines
have lately been discovered i'll this section
OF the country. aud general stampede TO
this locality may Le looked tor at any
time.
Leaving SOoy OOS on the 18th on Sep
tcmber. we started on our return trip bv
The same route, arriving at Port Town
send on the 18th OF Sept, having Travelled
Dy rail-. steamer and on horseback dist
anee ct 400 miles. The trip was very
laOorlOuS one, involving some considera-
BILE exposure. privation and hard riding.
| would remark that the productiveness
of the soil in Walla Waila district is some
thing wonderful. talked with one respect
able farmer near there. who informed me
that he raised on 40 acres of land 81 bush
els and % lbs. wheat per acre. He also
fiioe' iioii one grain OF wheat 50 heads,
containing over 1000 perfect grains A
nciShbor OF his raised 81 bushels per acre
Oh 200 acres. Here, also, | saw the finest
apples, pears and peaches. L have ever
seen anywhere
The who'e of the northern portion of
Washington Territory believe to be
rich mineral region, destined To he devel-
oped at no distant day, and it is para
disc for the sportsman. People of Wash
lnston Territory who have never visited
THIS upper country cannot realize the vast
wealth lying there.
In my opinion il would be the best
tliinS Tor the Territory. both for the ini-
iahs aud whites, to do away with the Ind
IAN reservations, settle the Indians upon
iariiis' aud throw open the remainder Of
Inc lands for settlement 10 the whites.
lie Indians in this section of the c0nntry
are much superior TO The average. and are
Inclined 10 agricultural pursuits.
This great northeastern country needs
direct communication with Puget Sound
III order TO prosper, anG the people both
east and west oil the mountains say the
road across the mountains can and must
be built, with which sentiment heartily
concur. \. w. BASH.
Port Townsend, Oct. %. 1881.