The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-06-29
THE CHEHALIS VALLEY.
Seattle Chronicle.

SFutLic OnTUulcic.l
The Chehalis valley and Gray's
Harbor country is probably richer in
agricultural resources than any other
part of the Territory. Notwithstand-
Ing this fact 1t is a SECTION of country
of which very little has heretofore
been known. From Mr.. Perry Clouser
we have been enabled to obtain some
important facts con rcerning this valley,
its soil resources, etc.
The Chehalis river is magnificent
stream of water over 100 miles in
length, and Ia navigable for ocean
steamers for a distance of twenty-five
miles eastward from Gray's harbor
It's valley averages q miles in width,
and although settled with class of
thrifty, industrious farmers, yet it has
been until quite recently isolated from
commercial intercourse with the out
side world. At present there are but
two villages and trading posts in the
valley-Elma, 81 miles southwest
from Olympia,an MOntesano, twelve
miles still further down the valley.
The latter point is only l2 miles from
Gray's harbor Both these villages
are destined to become commercial
centers of considerable magnitude and
ilHDoTttiiCe. lucy uTc suIIouHucu
with industrious, law-abiding people,
who have faith in the country, and
have settled in the valley for the pur-
pose of making permanent homes.
They have already erected and liber-
ally maintained those two institutions
most essential to the good and welfare
of society
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are already Is or 20 good COM
nIOdious school houses in the valley
and good church buildings have been
erected at Elma and Montesano.
Hence 1t Is reasonable to conclude
that the people of Chehalis valley are
not behind in that spirit OF progress
iveness that characterizes all western
communities. A prominent journal
of the sound, that ought to have known
better, recently stated that Chehalis
valley was peOpled with class Of old
fogies, professional frontiersmen, etc.
This is mistake. In nearly every
log cabin in the valley altar-fires of
generous culture are brightly burning
and delicate sense of the beautiful
and ideal goes hand In hand with the
realism of pioneering. Many Of the
settlers have already vacated the
primitive log hut and are comfortably
Quartered in neat frame buildings.
| The
| GENEROUS, HOsPITABLE
Manner In which visitors to the val
ley are entertained by the farmers
down there Is a matter of general COM
ment. They encourage immigration,
and are anxious to have their rich val
ley peopled with an Industrious and
| intelligent class of citizens.
| No part of the Territory can excel
Chehalis valley and Gray's harbor for
varied charms and natural scenery. 1t
is beautiful, bewildering picture
from one end of the valley to the
other Visitors to the valley, whose
finer sense has been touched with real
visions of that beautiful valley, have
paid glowing tributes to its unrivalled
native splendors. There is no tame
ness, no loneliness, no bleakness in
the ever changing landscape.
The climate Is all that could be de-
sired. The winters are mild--warmer
than those on the sound-but the rain
fall during the winter and early spring
months is said to be greater there than
here. Snow Is rarely, If ever, seen
down there, and the summer months
are cool and pleasant. A gentle breeze
adds an additional charm to the sum-
mer climate.
THE SOIL OF THE VALLEY,
As we have before stated, Is very rich
and productive, as the bountiful crops
raised each year since 1850 will testify.
The expense of clearing land on the
valley Is not SO great as on Puget
Sound, for the reason that greater
part OF the land IL covered with vine
maple and alder. There are about 100
settlers IN the valley, and they have
clea red farms ranging from 10 to $50
acres each. On these farms they have
sufficient produce and live stock to
keep them in circumstances, but owing
to a lack of transportation facilities to
good markets, the farmers have not
| endeavored 10 accumulate fortunes.
However, 1t is only question of a
few months until they will be provided
with abundant outlets to good mar
kets--one of which will be via the
SEATTLE AND GRAY's HARBoR
Railroad, and the other via increased
| steamer service on the lower valley
aud the harbor. The building Of the
proposed railroad Is an enterprise that
| the farmers down there will hail with
gladness. They want direct cosnmu-
nication with Seattle, the sound me-
trOpOlis, and when this IL isnccomplisled
the valley will Immediately become
peopied with 1000 families. In fact
Il fs capable Of sustaining = much
larRer number, and Il requires no great
stretch of Imagination TO look for