Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-10-24
the posT.INTEllICENcER PUB. CO
Seattle. June 10 1888.
FROM TACOMA TO CARRoSAWo'
lOorrespondsnce s. F. Chronicle.

FROM TACOMA TO CARRoNA00'
Correspondence y. F. Chronicle.
CAEBoNADo, w. T., Oct. 6.-The trir
from Tacoma to Carbonate is an inter.
eating one. The scenery is not wild,
but subdued and picturesque. Leaving
Tacoma, We wind along the bluff, we
cross the mud fats of Commencement
Raw on piles, leave the Puyallup Indian
church and school buildings to the
rioht some three miles from the city,
with the muddy river of Puvallup to the
left. and speed into the forest of frs
and deciduous trees of the Puyallup In
dian reservation. This reservation en-
braces a large area of fertile river bot
tom land, easily cleared. The wood
from the alder, cottonwood, vine maple,
etc. would pay for the clearing. The
sOil ia deep, sandy loan, capable of
producinR in great abundance all farm
nroducts. Here and there in the reser-
yation little space Of an acre or 50 had
been cleared. Here was the little hovel
of an Indian, now deserted during the
hon. p.picking season. BY this time we
are ont of the reservation, have crossed
the Puyallup River and are in the town
Of the same name. Puyallup is eligibly
located, has population of about 800,
several mercantile houses, churches,
schools, depot, etc. 1t is surround
ed by the most fertile land in
Washington Territory. We are
of the western coast and this hamlet is
~ust hn-
the fortunes that were quickly made on
hops last year when they sold for 81 per
pound. The hop harvest, considerably
lighter than that of last season, is about
over. The picking is mainly done by
Indians, who come here from all points
Of the compass, even az far north an
Westminster, b. G. Some 1000 were
said to have been inand around Puyallup
during September. The squaws get 81
per box for picking, some earning as
much as $3 day; this is exceptional.
Many white ladies also picked hops this
season. The money finds its way to
stores in the town for clothing, trinkets,
etc.; hence during the hop harvest q
vast amount Of coin changes hands,
making times lively for few weeks.
Az the bucks do not work, they amuse
themselves by gambling, to which they
are as much addicted as the Chinese,
having a game of their own, PLAYED
with sticks Of wood on the ground.
Sunday Ia the gala day with them.
Then they may be seen in fall and
Raudy attire, fitting to and fro on their
ponies, two and three on each animal
The older squaws all ride astrida, with
q blanket thrown across the saddle in
front. The beautiful Indian maiden of
romance was not out on the Sunday We
we're there, nor have We met any one
who has seen her. There were many
hall. breed maidens who we're oomely in
features and neat in dress. These all
rode their ponies on side saddles.
At Puyallup the branch railroad di-
verQes northward to Seattle. This rail-
road, when completed about Novem-
ber 1st), will make an all-rail connec-
ton from Portland to Seattle. There
is little to attract the eve in running
through the valley to Alderton, the
country being sparsely settled and tame
in scenery. To the right is bluff,
bristling with beautiful and dropping
firs. Closer by the line, in striking
contrast to the everRreens, are the au-
tumn- tinted naples, while to the left
arc alder, cottonwood, etc., ON the riv-
er-bottom land. Everywhere are indi-
cations of former aqueous action, point
ING TO the remote period when this
whole Northwest was the bed of an
inland sea. Alderton, consisting of a
store, saloon and railroad station, is the
center of a rich agricultural country,
though by no means far removed from
A. An A. <sk saf
staple. Aside from tho profits Of hops,
even at 20 cents q pound, is the great
advantage that the producer does not
need much land to make good living.
In his little h0p-yard of few acres,
amid stumps, he will make more than
the wheat raiser OF scores Of acres.
Nowhere very widely extended, the val
ley has steadily converged till, by the
time We have crossed Carbonate RIVER,
above Alderton, and reached Wiikeson,
the mountain on our left rises abruptly,
covered with timber. Here are the
Wilkeson sandstone quarries, where a
number of men are now employed in
getting ont stone for the mammoth ho-
Tel Of the Tacoma Land Company at
Tacoma and the Anna Wright lnsti-
tute, at the same city. The Episcopal
Memorial Church, recently dedicated IN
New Taooma, il also built of this stone.
Il has peculiar qualities, being durable
and easily worked. The rock lies in
great masses in the quarry, close along
aide the railfoad track. A snort dis
tance from the quarries are the South
Prairie coal chutes. The coal mines
are about two miles distant from south
Prairie station, and connected BY q
branch line with the chates on the main
line. The product Of the mines Is l2Q
tons daily, in getting oat which some
Atty men find employment. The mines
are owned by company OF several gen
uemen, the meat of ,vhom live in Sc
attle.
At Wilkeson the lime burned in the
vicinity is shipped. 1t Is Of fine grade
white and excellent for building pur
poses. Branching OF at an acute angle
and gradually rising along the noun
tain side Is the eight-mile railroad x
Carbonado. We have been steadil,
rising since leaving Tacoma, the alti
tude at Alderton being GOO feet and a
Carbonate 800 feet above the sea
Winding along through the thick for
eat Of tall and small firs, now blackenes
~ sAAS &0oo&At AOAGoe AAA0of W NV
l30 feet 10 the mile. This renders haul
ing IN difficult and aids in export; ant
- the trade 10 all ont, this steep grade
q more an advantage than a drawback
Here, amid the forest and in a town o.
! N0 inhabitants, We halt at the "termi
nus" of the line in Puyallup valley ant
almost at the foot of Mount Tacoma
whoee snowy crown towering heaven
vArd y never failing object of beaut.
md admiration. The base Of the noun
Sain y twenty miles from this point
Irails from Wilkeson and Carbonad
nave been made to the mountain thi
.ommer. Operations have been sn1
nded on the trails for this season II
~ reanhinR the foot Of the glaciers, {
en elevation Of 10000 fest. Work vi
g neumed In the sprinR. We have e
no 19.Q of bomo Of tho Europeans OF "a
ylA1d party that Mount Tacoma IN Z
soeaeaoo, beauty. and magnitude, =
= Mont blano. Asonly thres =