Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1886-01-01

this year.
This is the finest and largest body Of
unbr0keu praIris land is the Territory,
and would undoubtedly be settled more
rapidly than any part Of the now vacant
land bat for tbs scarcity OF water, which
the settlers have thus far bsen unable
to obtain en- the largest portion of the
prairie owing to their limited msans Of
sinking wells. Many have bseR sunk
from 60 to 100 feet, failing to get water.
One well was sunk 30 feet with the same
result. The people desire that Congress
make an appropriation to be applied in
sinking one or two artesian wells on this
prairie, thereby testing the question
whether or not water oan be obtained.
IL this experiment. should be success
fully made, thousands of acres Of the
finest soil in the world would be cult
waited, and many immigrants Who are
nov turning away on account Of the
scarcity OF water, would find homes
here, and sales of land by the Covers
ment to actual settlers would, in q very
short time. return into the National
Treasury Q Tar greater amount Of moa-
ey than need be thus appropriated.
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Franklin county 10 nov In the second
year OF its existence, having been or
gsnizsd by the Legislature Of 1888. Ii
contains an area of about l,400 square
miles. Upon the east boundary hows
the navigable Snake river and on the
vest the Columbia river the CON
flsnce Of these two rivers being ct the
southernmost part Of the county.
The County 10 divided into two near
ly equal parts by the Northern Pacific
Railroad, which enters the county at
the southern boundary and runs almost
directly north. there being nearly SO
miles of railroad in the county. The
chief industry is the raising of cattle
and horses the immense area of bunch
grass plains afford excellent pasturage
for stock throughout the entire year. A
few farms have been opened on these
plains and experiments have been
IN ade in fruit culture which have been
attended with success.
The assessed valuation Of property Is
$l03. 159, exclusive of assessed railroad
property to the amount OF sass ,89O.
The e5unty tax is mills. and the total
tax for all purposes is l2h mills. The
County Auditor writes Two OF the
greatest benefits that could be con
ferred upon US IL the speedy opening OF
the Columbia river TO the ssa. and an
appropriation TO sink two or.three art
sian wells.
Ths county at present has but one
school districs and one school building
which cost $3.50. Number Of school
children 80. Attendance 35, and one
teacher at a salary Of $50 per month.
oARFrELD COUNTY.
Garfield Ia another Of Che important
grain ursdociuQ counties in the Terri
tory. II 4, reported that 1900 acres
h.ys been oultivsted to wheat during
tbs cresen, YEAR.
The nayioable Susks river forms she
northern boundary Of this county,
and greatly assists to develop its com
me,c4
Thers are number of l1tffbsf mills,
,la,.;oo r,il,s and other factories. afso
several fl,arinp mills each having q
canaeitv ~ ahout 100 barrels Der dst,
Stock raising is an important branch OF
hns,nsss
Osts. barley aud Indian corn, pots-
t,es sp.lss. peaohes, plums and pears
re prodused. Population Of the county,
M5i. Number OF school districts, "a ;
.ohool homes. ~. Total val1s OF school
housss klsOOO. Assessed value OF
property, 81, i3l 2OS.
ISLAND oousrr.
Island conaty comprises the ISLANDS
of WILDLY snd Csmsno. the former OF
which contains sn area OF iio,oo acres.
aud the latter u.oVV eefes- LOYAL pop
ulation, w.
Farm products are feisea IN eooo
quantities ana grow 70 niRo Nase OF
perfection. Msny Poruons OF the
islands are heavily tnoerso WIN mr.
cedaI, henlocs' sidef. spruce maple
aud ash. AZ otsaisdy Is located one 81
the largest savmilis OF tue foRes MIL
Company. cap tole or dHiy suspus OF
0,op feet of lumser. snipouiidina Is
also carried on 10 some extent ooope'
vile 10 the cousty seat. lne comma
nifty here consists OF active. thriving
people. possessing stores, hotels, mar
kets, blacksmith SHOES, manufacturing
industries, public buildings: enuIohes'
etc. lnefe are nine scnool uis,tcss'
eight school houses and sS children.
Daily steamers, carrying mail, CONNECT
With sll points on the Sound.
ApplQ, pears, plans, peaches, enef-
ries, prtIhes, etc, Of hue flavor, grow In
profession. Stock raising and dairyinR
are successfully conducted.
-
'hsoS o'oSii'
Jefferson county extends from Ad-
miralsy Inlet ON the ssss 10 the Psciae
ocean on toe vces lies peswceu OaM-
Ian county on the north and hitsAp
county on the south, and contains up
ward OF l50O square miles-
The western end Of the county. LYING
elona the ocean ABOUT niqway pessecn
Cape flsttsry and Gray's Haroor. q
ssiil bowling wilderness. and although
reliably reported TO be rich 10 sgrlcaitu
raj soil and valuable timber, sAs
never been even Thoroughly explored
The central portion OF the county
lies across the Olympic range Oh 'as'
msusisins. the highest peaks OF which
are clothed In perp<snai snov, YET nase
been explored sufnsiently 10 disclose
Ia rxya xalleye Valuable for stDCk ranges,