Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-16

The lake was reached without furtbe,
mishap, but the Nooksack river. a mile
further on. In raging food today near.
~ half a mile in width, and it will be
several days before We can cross it
Many OF the settlers fnd their claims
under water, and the damage will be
large 70 them, especially those who
nave potatoes and other vegetables
barred along the low banks.
AS yet We have heard of no loss OF
iife, but the people at Lynden are
anxious about Mr.. Ham, their black
smith. They visited his cabin near the
river and found huge hole torn in the
roof, where the gentleman had made
his exit. but no further sign Of him
The surmise Ia that, being pressed by
the rising Hood. he climbed to the roof,
made raft and floated away. but moth
ing II certain yet, AZ no word has come,
though Mr.. Ham may be enjoying him
self at neighbours while the others are
curious as TO his Whereabouts.
The principal subject of interest in
this section at such a time AS this is
roads; which reminds me of an article
on the subject, which read in the PosT-
lNTKLLI0KNCKR few days ago. con-
cerning . road through the mountains
east of Seattle, which had been built
by the energy Of half dozen iudustri-
Gus settlers. while twenty Others, equally
interested, stood idly by and waited till
the highway was com yietsd for them to
use. While the above description would
apply TO tho conduct of some Of our SET
tiers, still the most of them are willing
70 aid in opening any road, in propor-
ton to their personal interest at least,
which will make an avenue of c0mmu-
nication between settlements. For in
stance, three men TO the south Of us be-
fore they bad cabins to shut out the day
light and cold. cut the trees from half
mile OF road, and are preparing to make
another half.mile. With such settlers
We hope to have road directly north
from Whatc0m 70 the Nooksack before
another year, which will give a better
avenue of communication nosthward to
British Columbia.
Thsre should be no subject in the
economy Of territorial government or
private interest 20 important az this one
OF roads, and more Of the future pros
perity and welfare Of WashinR9on and
her people rests on II than on any or al
others. We may have fine cities, rioh
men. and prosperous corporations, bat
solid growth will come and come more
quickly with good roads than With all
the other influences combined.
The story Of Wiser Lake comes TO my
mind to-day, a. told by ono Of the old
settlers, and Is may b Of interest 70
some OF your readers Who know the
Lake. but have not heard why IL 10 called
Wiser: Several years ago John Wiser,
who lived in Oregon, came up she Nook
0aok 70 make q home for himself and
bic large family Of little ones. When
be reached the neighboshood he heard |
Of the LAKE, and after beholdinQ tho
beauties Of mountain and water and
admisinQ them, deter mined 70 make . |
settlement, which ho did, being the ART |
ssttler on the lake, miles from nsigh-
Aor0 and In the midst Of great forest.
For months he labored alone among the
6sooe, clearing several aoreo, building . |
good log hoase, and planning out or
ohaSd and fruit beds. 4 good work |
man Was Wiser, and he had prepared . |
comfortable homo for his family, when
he retnYned for them 70 Oregon. And
tt Was lovely plaoe fos II miles away
rooe the dark foothills. like huge for
tres protecting old snowy Mount Baker |
70 the east, the Three Brothers south |
sast. and The British range ~ the nortk.
east, ali Of which Wers mirrored In The
boeom Of the lake, but . quarter Of .
mile from Wiser's cabin. He returned
70 Oregon, and without sending in an
abandonment Of his Homestead In old
Whatcom, took mp . claim there six
test bv three In size, on which it will
take him IN eternity 70 prove up. John
Wiser's wife soon followed him % his