, 1883-12-29

1t is marvellous when we see the
number Of houses that have been
constructed in eight months. No
adequate idea can be formed with
out driving about the city. These
habitatiOns of man are not confined
to one locality. They show them
selves at every turn. Cannon's ada
dition is sOwn thick with them.
The fiat to the west, that was an
open common on the 4th Of July,
contains a dozen houses. Railroad
addition is Over-run with new edi-
fees. The center Of town is stuffed
full, and the eastern part Of the city
shows an equal increase in growth.
These buildings run all the way from
brick blocks costing thousands, to
the single room shake up costing
hundred. There are Onlya very few
Of the latter, the great majority be-
ing attractive A1rl cozy houses, Be
sides these there have been several
public institutions constructed.
Among them the Echo mill,
a carriage factory, a sash, blind
and door factory, the Spokane
College and the public school.
Our Population has more than
doubled within eight months,
and we can now safely claim 1000
inhabitants. Almost half a million
dollars have been spent in improve
ments during the summer, and most
of this enormous sum was made
right here. The sales Of real estate
have been tremendous, and while
outsiders may consider property
high, the prospects Of the place JUS
tifies owners in holding at the fig
ures they do. 1t Is safe for us to
predict that the growth Of Spokane
Falls next season will equal that Of
the year just past, If it does not sur
pass it. We hear of several parties
who propose to put up large and ex-
pensive brick blocks in the spring,
and it would be impossible to keep
track Of the residences that are to
be built, many Of which will be i'm
posing in appearance and luxurious
in their finish. 1t requires no elas-
ticity Of the imagination to see by
this time next year a city Of twice
our present size and population
crowding close on to 5000.
In manner we have endcavOred
to present reasons why Spokane
Falls is destined to be city Of
more than ordinary magnitude, and
that the idea has awakened respon-
ses in the thoughts Of others more
capable Of discernment that Ourself
is plainly evident. The march of
improvement has carried everything
else forward until an atmosphere
savOring OF metropolitanism prevails
everywhere. Our Board Of Trustees
have the contagion with all others
and next month will allow certain
parties privileges for lighting the
city with gas ami for the introduce
tiOn of water works. They have
done much toward advancing the
place, their best labor being the grad
ing Of our principal streets that
were, prior to May, in a deplorable
and shabby condition. Our mer-
chants are keeping up with the for
ward march. They carry enormous
stocks of goods, and have storerooms
equal to any in the territory.
Almost every branch of trade is rep
resented, and so far as we know all
are doing well. There is an air Of
Importance pervading everything
IN and about the place, borrowed
from this long unbroken fever Of
progress, and the name Of "city" Is
not out Of place in speaking Of the
Falls. We are pleased, more than
pleased, with the indications Of past,
present and future progress. A man
catches the infection and Is borne
along on the grand tidal wave Of vim,
and git-up-itiveness that permeates
the very atmosphere, and makes him
glad that his lot is cast among such
a people and that his fortune, for veal
or woe, is linked with such place.
We have no fears Of the steady and
continuous growth Of Spokane Falls.
We consider that the brightness Of
the past year is an augury of what
may be expected in the future. We
may be the victim of fancy, our eyes
may be daZzled by the gilt of the
present surroundings, prejudice may
blind us to htent difficulties which
we know not Of in our ecstacy over
the outlook, yet we now feel that at
some future day there will exist on
this spot a city of grand and mag
nificent proportions, te,rming with
life, great in its power and wealth,
noted for its manufactured prOduc-
tfons all over the broad land, the
centre of art, education, and COM
merce. We may not live to see it,
but the vision is before us as realistic
as though it already existed in its
entirely.
A Success, Of COurse,
The entertainment given in Can