, 1883-12-29

Of Improvement and prospect:
ty that has rolled over this section
Of Washington Territory, from which
Spokane has prOfited, for the purpose
OF showing the wisdom people have
exhibited in choosing the Falls as
thhir future home, and pointing out
tho fallacy of the reiterated charges
made from irresponsible sources that
there existed nothing in or around
spokane Falls to justify the further
growth Of the place. 1t is only with
in the last twelve months that Spo-
kane Falls, and the section known
as the Inland. Empire, embracing the
territory Of Eastern Washington, has
come eonspicuously before the peo-
pl2 OF the east and south. This
knowledge has been diffused through
IH medium of the press, the papers
alfstF Eays- doing much toward the
q tssct, and by the reports of indiI-
duals who have visited the country
and have returned to their eastern
homes singing praises Of the possible
future of the great northwest, the
development of which is yet in its
very infancy. BY these means the
flow of emigration has been started
in this direction. Another very i'm
portant motive has caused many to
turn their faces toward the setting
sun. There was a time, not 50 long
ago, when the Government owned
countless acres Of land open to home
stead and preemption. But through
a questionable system Of grants and
gifts the vast aera Of public lands
has been fritted away until of the
once grand possessions but a modi-
cum Of free soil remains. Washing
ton Territory being comparatively
new factor Of the body polite, there
still remains thousands Of acres Of
unOccupied governmentlands within
It's borders, and it is for the purpose
Of acquiring free farm that many
are now pouring into the country.
OF this large army Of travellers Spo-
kane Falls natural catches the lions
share. We do not claim that all who
stop here do so to remain, yet hun
dreds of land hunters are induced to
stop off on the strength Of the ap-
peaunce Of the place, and from here
make their pilgrimage out into the
interior. Besides the location of the
us land Office is an excuse for
them to visit Spokane for informa-
tiOn. And can we wonder at the
decision Of the intelligent emmlgrant
at wishing to learn more than can be
seen by n passing glimpse Of our
city? There is not to-day a single
station ON the Northern Pacific rail-
road between st Paul and Portland
tint presents so many natural attrac-
tiOns to the traveller, nor a city that
displays such unmistakable outward
signs Of life, hustle, activity, energy.
Looking from the car track one sees
scores Of new buildings, many Of
them paIatial in appearance and
costly Of construction. Such attrac-
tiOns are not passed hy without
awakening wonder in the behOlder,
andha desire to make further inves-
tig4tiOn. He investigates and re-
mains, satisfied that If there are bet
ter places he has no desire to go
further and stand the chances Of dis
Thus has Spokane
Falls thriven with a great big thrive
during 1888. The class Of people who
have come among us to remain are
intelligent, law-abiding GOd-fearing,
constituting an element, in conjunc-
ton with the warm-hearted, public
spirited, hOspitable older residents,
that is yet TO make the city noted
for its refined and intellectual soci-
ETY., and for the marked supremacy
Of law and order,
There Is vast contrast between
this new years day aud that Of a
year ago. Not in the day that is
fraction constituting our system Of
time but in the appearance
of the city. In 1882 Spokane Falls
was awakening into life. The place
was young, very young in years, and
but little known. The introduction
of communication by rail with the
In 1881 gave the place IL
slight start. In 's2 property adj
vanced some and the population was
swelled by additions from various
parts of the Union. Yet this was
but the spark that was to develop
into the great flgne Of 'S3. Last win
ter there was/but a small floating
in the city. The streets
lacked an appearance of life. The
hotels echoed only to the tread Of
the solitary proprietor, and the sign
Of his lean Golfers hung upon his
detected cOuntenance. There was
an air Of loneliness about the place.
But what a change Is to be noted in
the condition Of affairs now. The
streets are daily thronged with our
own people and strangers. Business
houses are crowded day and night.
Hotels are so thronged that it is al
most impossible for one to secure a
bed. The pfoprietors tip their hats
over their left eyes, looking happy
and contented, while a smile Of satis-
faction illuminates the physlognomy
Of all whom you meet. This very
desirable change came gradually.
As early a. February the tide Of i'm
commenced setting this