Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-09-27
DAILY AND WEEKLY:
TWe p0SI-lMvel llceMcER PVb. CO
Seattle. June 10 1883
A New Csuasry ef Great Promise.
TVakiuua 2snuaI

NSW G00osby - SbGas
Yakima Signal.
Here lately great deal Of attention
has been attracted to that vast and
comparatively unsettled region known
as the Big Bend Of the Columbia. The
country included in this designation IL
70 very largo that one name 10 scarcely
sufficient. Within the past year or 30
the eastern portion of this great country
has been extensively settled and several
towns have sprung into existence, which
are now in q thriving condition. One
of these towns is called Cottonwood.
and another il named Brents, in honor
of our worthy delegate to Congress Who
has rendered the settlers there as we'll
a. in other parts Of the Territory vaiua-
ble assistance in securing needed mail
facilities, and who feels great interest
and pride in the growth ane prosperity
Of the great country he has the honor
TO represent.
while settlements have been hereto
fore confined 10 the outskirts of the Big
Bend, few settlers had until quite re-
Gently ventured into the heart of the
grand region included within this des-
iQuatiOn. A commencement has now
been made, however, and it Ia safe ~
predict that within one year from this
date thousands Of people will have se-
lsctsd that inviting country for their
home. From all accounts there IS no
country in the entire United States now
vacant or open to settlement which pos
sesses anything like as many natural
advantages as the Big Bend. The only
disadvantage possessed by the country
10 lack OF running water; but the en-
tire region il characterized by lakes,
With few small streams, and 1t is ap-
parent that water in great abundance
may be had by di0gin. II is q high.
lsvel prairie, covered with a iuxuriant
growth Of bunch grass, which comes up
early in the spring and continues green
until late in the fall.
Quite recently some enterprising and
taR.ightsd gentlemen have selected
nauiAeeut site and central location
In ~ midst Of this grand prairie) and
hsse commenced like Romulus and
kenius of old. 10 found a city. They
an p0aasaasd mot only Of the necessary
Boans, but also the required energy 10
make their undertaking grand succsas.
In honor Of the famous historical river
which empties into the Columbia about
twenty-five miles north Of them they
have named their new town Okanagau.
The names of the founders Of the new
town are John w. Adams, Walter Maun,
John Dickey, 4. w. Hadley aud Stew
art Barphart. They have made ar
raneements for establishing anew store,
q good hotel, a blacksmith shop, a land
once and several other business houses
there at onse. The town ia being laid
cut with wide &treets and trees will be
procured from stream not Tar away,
called Foster creek, aud set out in pro-
fusion % a to give the place cheerful,
pleasant appearance. From the new
town Of Okanagon settlement may
spread out for twenty i've miles in every
direction In almost uninterrupted CON-
paotness. The town site occupies
slight elevation from which is afforded
Q magnificent view OF the surrounding
country. One hundred and fifty miles
directly eastward IL Spokane Falls.
Svceping far around In the north Is the
Columbia river, into which empty the
Okanagan and the Methow. A few
miles westward il the beautiful Lake
Chslan. Owing to the "big bend" in
the Columbia the river is ON the west N
~sll as ON the north and little TO the
southwest is the mouth of the We
natchie. Far Of in the west may Be
peen the great suoS-clad peaks OF the
Cascade mountains aud not far in the
north lies the great mineral region re-
Gently surrendered by Chief Moses. All
things considered We shall expect to ses
the new town and its surrounding o0un-
try grow with great rApidity.