The National tribune., 1883-02-15
THE FAR WEST.
And the Many Inducements it Offers to Settlers
From the East.


From the East.
Last November a letter appeared in THE
TRIBUNE from Mr.. Theodore Hoagland of
Palouse City, Whitman county, Washington
Territory, in which was given description of
the Territory. The article attracted wide atten-
ton among ex-s0ldierS, and since its appear
ance Hr. Hoagland has received many letters of
inquiry, which, owing to want of time, he re-
grets he is unable to answer. In lieu of it,
however, he sends US the following further de-
scription, in which is embodied answers to the
questions usually asked. at would fequire
volume" he says, " to give a full description
of Washington Territory, distinctly pointing
out both its good and bad features. Parts of it
are mountainous, parts of it are hilly, parts
timbered, parts prairie, and parts level. The
billy land near the mountains is the best soil.
The level land, Though rich is generally more
or less gravelly. Some parts are adapted TO
stock raising almost exclusively, others almost
exclusively to agriculture, and still others to
both. Wheat oats, barley, rye, potatoes, tur-
nlps, rutabagas, carrots, parsnips, onions beets,
peas, and many other things can be raised in
abundance. No irrigation is needed. Corn,
pumpkins, 5quashes, cucumbers, melons, beans,
tomatoes, and tender vegetables are liable to be
cut down by the frost almost any time in the
summer. Some years they are raised very sue
cessfully almost anywhere, and in favored
localities are raised quite successfully almost
any year. The winters are sometimes severe;
but no one of the seven winters experienced
by myself was as severe as winters ordinarily
are in central Illinois. Flowing has been done
this winter up to the 18th Of December. The
country, 80 far as know, is everywhere well
watered. Timber is plentiful in some places,
but scarce or altogether lacking in others. 1t
is very healthy. 1 have never heard of any
fever or ague, but diphtheria has at several
times been prevalent and fatal in Walla Walla
Valley, which is one of the best fruit regions
in the world. Some think the country above
Snake River will yet be as good. Others doubt
it. The majority of the people living here
think there is no better country on the globe
a few think there is no worse. We have the
North Pacific railroad, and many others are
projected, which will sooner or later be built.
Government land can be had by going some
distance from timber. It will all in time be
very valuable. Unimproved railroad land, /
am informed, can be bought at from three to
seven dollars per acre. Unimproved Govern
ment land in private hands little higher. In
proved decided land ranges all the way from
five to fifty dollars per acre, the price depend
ing upon the locality, the amount and kind of
improvement and the quality of the land. Any
description of this country, hewever accurate,
would be sure TO mislead, wrong interpreta-
tiOn being certain to be put upon the language
used, for the simple reason that it is unlike any
other country on the face of the earth. To all
old soldiers say, you must run your own risks,
as you used to when you went into battle"
A subscriber at Grangeville, Idaho Territory,
writes us: There are few ex-soldiers in this
vicinity, but more are coming in, and there is
talk of organizing a Grand Army Post here soon.
This is magnificent country. 1t is high
rolling prairie, with black rich soil, and pro-
duces the finest grains and vegetables in the
p
large herds live on the range the year round.
This is the natural home of timothy. 1t grows
ON top Of the mountains, down the slopes, and
in fact everywhere. The climate is nearly as
mild as California, and we raise fruit of nearly
every kind. l should be glad to hear from
any old soldiers who would like to settle in this
country."-D. L. Greene, Grangeville, Idaho
Territory.