Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-04-09

ming direct from Tacoma to Whatcotn.
via Seattle and Port Townsend, thus
avoiding the Laconner slough.
The outlet to Whatcom Lake has re-
Gently been damned to retain the valu-
able water which would otherwise run
to waste. BY employing proper meth
ods Whatoom Creek never need run dry
III the summer season.
A. J. Atkinson. special custom officer.
captured five Cinnamon on Monday off
Point Roberts. They were provided
with "a boat and ample provisions for a
long cruise. When captured they
claimed to be heading for Langley, but
were III iking toward Whatcom.
Several real est .te transfers have
have taken place at Whatcom, New
Whatoom and Bellingham during the
past few days. Ii may be stated in this
connection that in each and every case,
the considerations have been an advance
OF from 30 To 30 per cent. on the prices
paid for tue same lots less than one year
ago. Whole columns of gush and boom
could not express more than the simple
facts contained in this item.
A company are about to open a new
stone quarry near the Chuckanut. The
people of Bellingham Bay would know
better how to appreciate this beautiful
and durable stone were they to see the
handsome buildings III Port Townsend
constructed of it. II they can afford to
ship 1t to the port of entry for building
purposes, surely We can afford to use it
when 1t Is quarrled at our own door.
Nothing gives a town an AIR of perma-
nency 50 much las stone or brick build!
ings.-Rereite.
The PUYALLUp INsIAN RESERVATION.
This reservation, as most Of our read
ers are aware, lies at the junction of
King and Pierce counties. and is partly
in both. Its area is 1900 acres. Il
comprises the entire north shore OF
Commencement Bay, and, AS originally
laid out, included the south shore also.
The reservation was subsequently cut
down. and that portion thrown open to
settlement on which now stands the city
of Tacoma. The greater part of the
land of which this reservation ia COM
prised IL of great fertility, and for apri-
cultural purposes IL extremely valuable.
The remainder of tho land fronts the
Sound, ana for commercial purposes,
including the building of \ town, has a
value that cannot DO stated. but which
is very great. Alphabetically the land
is worth 500 an rcre, and much of il
goo, and the entire reservation has a
valne today, at current market rates, of
$2,OOO.OO. 1t was the original inten-
ton of the government to parcel out
tais land to the Indians occupying it. of
whom there were Just about enough to
take the whole at the allotment intend
ed. The southern line of the Puyaliup
reservation now abuts the additions to
Tacoma, and the Land Company has
long had greedy eyes upon its 1900
broad and attractive acres. Some time
ago. &. b. Wright, the Land Company's
President, made u written proposition
TO the Secretary Of the Interior tn pur-
chase the entire tract. He informed
the Secretary that ii was practically
waste land: that there we're only about
$50 Indians upon II; that only 50 acres
Nere in cultivation, and that the Indians
could be pat off on another tract AZ well
as not. The Secretary made inquiry,
and learned that Mr.. Wri4ht's state.
ments we're not entirely true; that there
we're GOO Indians on the reservation,
and their number increasing constant
ly; that there we're 800 acres under cul-
tlvation, and that the Indians were
greatly opposed to removal. He also
learned that, SO far from there being a
land famine in that vicinity. the rsser-
Walton Was mere densely populated than
Pierce county, there being more inhab-
i,ants to the square mile on the reser-
Walton than elsewhere in the county.
The new light thrown upon the scheme
had the effect of squelchinc it for the
time bsin9. but that il will be allowed
by the avaricious L,nd Company to 90
entirely dead csnnot be believed. Tue
whole tract has been allotted to t65 In
dams, who are only awaiting the CON-
pletion of their titles to more fully en-
ter upon its occupation and improve
ment. The general government should
treat the Indians fairly in this matter.
II IL not their fault that q rising rail.
road town is bu lding up alongside of
them. and they should not be punished
Ihy taking AWAY their ones for il.
Fair treatment to the Indians might,
however. include the sale of a portion
OF the reservation, and the devotion of
the proceeds to their benefit.