, 1882-04-08
Across the Columbia

.b- n;,ch- -tsIs ed OF farming region "es' u
the Columbia river, give your rsaaefs
description Of what l saw IN the new Iiuo'
rado, it is probably the bestmeanS o, sa''IiSins
,,bTc curiosity 70 announce through the
columns Of a newspaper what | have been
asked to relate over and over again TO dine''
ent individuals since my return IL IS NOT
surprisiny that people should be anKious 10
re,-n something definite Of the region re-
ferred TO- which. in the event OF the PROOF
Of its richness helng satisfactorily es'ao-
lrshea. will tend To increase the cereal yieid
of the crest Northwest many millions 'i
bushels within the next few years
notwithstanding the fact that | was IN
formed by several reliable gentlemen who
had visited that section that the SOL was
well adap.el TO wheat 7aising, J determined
upon a personal inspection. which com.
mencei by riding to Wa!lala IN the midst o'
! the most terrific wiud and sand storm that
I has visited these parts for many years. anu
which caused the delay OF the trans between
/ Walla Walla ard The Dhlles for many hours
Arriving AZ Wallula, found shelter from
the pitiless showers of sand and snlad
! boufiers in the family Of Mr.. Perkins, there
being no hotel in the place. The prediction
! tha. Wallula would again become place OF
Importance when the n p. Il. r. should
PASS through it. seems to have Teen sadly IN
correct. There is not a single place OF bnsi-
ness IN the town. The post Office has been
removed 20 Wallula Junction, about 4 mis-
distant, at which place the railroad company
are erecting a lsrge hotel. The steam ferry
boat which was formerly run at Walluia by
the late u. NJ. Hodges, was long since re-
moved mp Snake river. where, | am informed,
il was afterwards sunk. The only means OF
crossing the river at Wallula at the present
time is afforded by an old scow, which Is
managed BY SIR. Perkins, more as matter OF
accommodation TO travellers than for the Pc
euniary profit it affords. 4 suitable ferry Is
socn to be provided in order to accommodate
the increasing travel consequent on the set-
tlemeut of the country on the west SIDE o.
the river.
On account of the prevailing high wind
10 crossing had b Ell effected for several
days previous to my arrival, snd was com
peIIed TO wait two days before | succeeded
in getting over. However, | had no reason
TO complain OF the delay, as nay stay at
Wallula was rendered very pleasant by Mr..
and Mrs. Perkins, who's. hospitality | 40
doubt appreciated th9 mc7e Tor the presence
Of their daughters Clara ami Lizzie, two
sensible young ladies who preside equally
well at the piano or Ill the kitchen.
Ascending the hills west Of the Columbia
the new farming region is entered at dis
tance OF about three miles from Nailula-
The ground is covered with magnificent
growth Of tunci. grass, while the sun flowers
that cover the hills for mites would no doubt
cause the aesthetic Oscar 20 weep for JOY
the presence Of sun flowers Is generally ac-
ctpLt|a is tkll l4NAI'-Lk1JLA "a A'N.A 9''''
are L rocks, aud tvo horses draw twelve
inch plow with apparent ease. lhe iaad Is
rolling, there being few deep canyons; nine-
tenths Of the ground cln be farmei
The question now most naturally arises,
why has this vast tract oi land, situated SO
near the great river OF the west, been pr
nlittei TO remain uniistUrbel these many
wears? There is but one answer the en-
tire absence OF water and sandy appearance OF
the surrounding country have naturally
caused the impression that the soil was too
dry and contained too much sand TO produce
grain. Judging from the appearance OF the
country as viewed from the river. one would
as soon think OF planting grain on the desert
of Sahara Water has been found in one
locality at distance Of four feet from the
surface Rev. II. W. EaSan and son, Dr.
Eagan, are sinking well, which at last ac-
counts was nearly forty feet IN depth, with
no very encouraging indications Of wafer.
The doctor feels confident Of finding water
and his intention TO ''see the thing through
Is evident from his declaration that he Will
.'have water, 20 to China, or bust The
progress now Lsing made toward the tOwtry
KINGDOM is slOw-about one foot per day
which is not favorable indication Of
speedy arrival at that place; and OF the two
remaining alternatives II Is 70 TIC hoped the
doctor Will had water, or be might be
tempted 10 repeat tie exclamation once
pgiGt1d on IN emIgra"t wagon bound Tor
Pixies Peak, the story Of which IS familiar.
went west from Wa,lala about eight
miles, the l.t;l becoming more even and fer
tile IS I proceeded. Whatever this land
may prove to lie in point OF value, there is
plenty of il; it is ali very nearly alike; il
any part oi 1t is good II is ali good No
very great amornt OF plowmg viii be done
until the proGuc.I. eness Of the soil has been
| tested :'if found TO be as fertile as many
persons are now inclined TO beIeve. It viii
be rapidly settled up, and one Of the most
magnificent gram Io-iUIS OF the west Will
spring into lie. the outlet 20 which viii be
/ tie railroad from the Columbia river 10 the
Sound, wi.Ich It Is 20 be hoped viii be baIlt
in the near future.
have given your readers description of
tins region as ! viewed II from an unpreiu-
diced standpoint. II viii probably be dis
( appointment to parties who have seen the
country IN a more favorable light, that my
I description consists Of PLAIN facts instead OF
! a glowing account OF the wonderful richness
Of country OF which 80 little Is yet posi-
! lively known. 1t is my first endeavor in
! writing for the press 10 give facts, allowing
/ those who are most Interested 10 take care
OF the results. The land which | have de-
| scri5ed Is vet to be tined Il Is ny opinion
that it viii produce good quality OF graIr,
and large amount 10 tie acre: II Il
viii produce at all the yield will be large.
/ To parties desiring TO learn more ct this re-
I cion, my advice IS TO give II a personal IN
vestigation one may tel you It Is land
Of blooming flowers and fertile soil, vhi.e
| from another you will learn that it Is an
/ arid waste OF sand. Il is not far distant
| and IS easy OF access Ii Il Is worth having
! Il Is worth visiting. You had best % and
/ see Tor yourself. Respectfully,
/ FRANK BOyp.
Walla Walia, April 81. lSS3