Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-08-10

having population of 600. The Isacon-
nsr bottoms, so famous for their fertili-
ty.lie adjoining on the north. They COM
prise about 1000 acres 1900 of which
are under cultivation. producing enor-
nous crops of oats. the average yield be-
ing about % bnshels per acre. From "a
acres are said to have been harvested
1900 bushels, and l25 bushels per sore
from a 40 acre fiaid by Mr. Dave Nc
Cormick. The Milne Bros. are erecting
& mill here for the manufacture OF Oct
meal. The Swiromish Indian Reserva
ton Of over GOO acres. lies upon fIdal-
60 islsnd, and embraces large tract cf
riah tide lands.
1FE sga0rT Valley
Is sae mcss important numbering, farm
ing and mining region in Western
Washington. Il extends TO the base Of
the c scads Range. varying In width
frcm three to eight miles, and contain
ing q large area of rich agricultural
lsnds. The rive, is navigabie for ~
miles from the mouth and bordersd by
extensive bodies of the CHOICEST timber
upon which several Of.she largest saws
mainly depend. Coal, iron and gold
mines have been discovered and are Do
ing developed with promising results.
Mosquitoes are reported very trouble
some, especially on the delta tide lands.
The 0vsF130w Of The 0kAcss issDansssnss
very destructive.
Ten miles from Laconner w round TO
Squaw's Bay on the northeast side OF
Fidal1o Island. This is remarkably
healthy and prolific locality. On one
side whits-ha,rsd, ruddy-faced vete-
ran came out in a small boat for his
mail, rowed In good style by young
daughter, one of twenty-one living
children, and on the other, Mr.. Monk
showed Us a field of wheat which be
saws will yield seventy-fye bushels per
acre. He settled at FidalgO twenty ono
years ago-the first white man IN this
secti0n-selected choice tract OF 40
acres, which he farms most Thoroughly
and successfully. undertaking his
most productive lands. His son says
that there are vacant jclaims-good
Government land-still left upon the
island. Four miles farther the steamer
touches at Anacorte5. consisting OF only
three buildings and situated at the DOrth
end of FidalgO Island, but is one OF the
most hopeful of the infant towns asplr
iuy 10 become the metropolis OF the
northwest coast.
Next at Samish on the mainland, tan
miles from AnacOrtes. near the mouth
of the Samish river, upon which there
is considerable logging and cultivation
of tide lands. Between Samish and
SeilOme there are inexhaustihle quanti-
ties of what is known as Bellingham
Bay stone. Seidd It Co. are Quarrylng
il about six miles from the bay. 1t IL
handsome blue sandstone, easily cut,
but quite durable. Several fine blocks
in Portland, Seattle and Port Townsend
have been built of il.
BsLi.INGHAM BAY, sRHoME. wHArCoME,
AND The NoorsAOK COUNTRY.
Abont 10 o'clock we reached Bellinz-
ham Bay, one of the most c0mmodiouS
and safe harbors on this coast. 1t is
fourteen miles in length and three
i'll width. with from eight to twenty
fathoms of water and good anchoraSe.
Sshome and Whatcom ara both small
villages of about twenty buildings each,
situated mile and One-half apart, near
the mouth of WhatcOm creek. They
hourished during the operations OF the
coal mines here, but since their suSpen-
sion in 1877, have been almost deserted
until quite recently. Whatcom is filling
up again. and now that the tide of i'm
migration is setting into the NOoksack
country, its future prosperity IS assured,
or Of some point upon the bay accessi-
BILE by deep draught vessels. Whatcom
creek affords an excellent water power,
now bein. improved with sawmiA.
That portion of Whateom county lying
between Mount Baker and tue Gulf of
Georgia probably comprises, all things
the most desiderable vacant
lands in Western Washing
ton. The climate is very healthy and
the water good; winters comparatively
mid; rainfall, moderate; soil rich, and
incoming people intelligent and indus
trious. saw apple and pear trees full
Of fruit, and fine gardens Of potatoes,
onions, peas, beans, gren corn, Q c.
This II rare field for sportsmen. Deer
ara numerous, and Whatcom lake ia
nous for its trout fishing.