, 1888-10-25
The First Season of Spokane's
Progress.
A Glance at the Many Import
ant Changes Since 1883.
what a Live Community Has Accom-
Interesting Rcminescences.

KANE FALLS WEEKLY REVIEW bearing
date Of December 30, 1888. and the acci
dent Of running across this specimen
sheet Of the early issues of this journal
must be taken as an excuse for our indulg'
ing in retrospection. The old resident
that is to say he who cast his lot with the
town half decade ago, would discover
much in the four pages Of this number to
interest him. In its columns his eyes
would encounter many names among the
merchants and professional men that we're
once familiar. besides the names of large
number who are sill members of tbi, COM
munity.
THE CHANGES OF TIME.
Few Of the old time advertisers are now
engaged in the same enterprises or occupa-
tions followed then, while many are miss
ing altogether. Some have accumulated
comfortable fortunes, and have either
retired entirely from business or only In.
dulge in speculations that do not tie them
down and confne them to the narrow pre-
cincts Of an Office; others, with that mer.
curial restlessness that Is a conspicuous
fastor in the character of the westerner,
have "moved on" in the delusive hope of
bettering themselves a few--.and peace
be with them---have dIifted out into the
shoreless sea, always remembered to be
sincerely regretted and sleep peaceful
sleep within sight and sound of the
bustling city, to the early history of which
they contributed their mite: others have
stealthily strolled away between two days,
leaving vacancy far preferable to their
presence. and also leaving behind numer-
GUS individuals who continue to hold their
memory dear to the extent of many dollars
in principal and interest.
But it was not for the purpose of dwell.
ing upon the names of well-known indi-
viduals that stare us in the face as we
glance over the columns of this compara-
lively ancient copy Of the REVIEW, that
interests US most particularly at this op-
perfume moment, is that the paper is FIVE
years old, or near enough that age to
make comparison between the Spokane
Falls or 1888 and the Spokane Falls of to-
day--a matter of considerable interest not
only to the early settler but also to the
newer arrival who has proven his appreci-
alton of the prospects by taking up his
abode with us as permanent fixture.
And, also, what is most absorbingly inter-
esting, and at the same time an exceed
ingly valuable feature of this stray nun
Der. is an article on the progress made by
Spokane that year, of which more pres
emily.
Few people, save those whose residence
here antedates that of this old paper, can
fully realize the extent and character of
the changes so short time has wrought.
Indeed 1t is bewildering TO look back over
the brief period embraced within only five
years and note the wonderful extent of this
transformation. How waste OF wilder
ness has been 6lotted out by the rapid
march of civilization; how the hand of
man has covered an open plain with a
thriving city; how the lndian--who erst-
while pitched his wig-waum where now
great mills tremble to the evolution of the
most intricate machinery. has been crowd.
ed out of his accustomed haunts by the
encroachment of the pale face; how the
roaring cataract has been curbed to do the
bidding of the white man; and how, with
dazzling rapidity, change has been work.
ed upon the face of nature almost as sur
prising as some clever performance of
pecromancer.
A WESTERN WONDER.
From the spring of 1888 down to the
present hour Spokane Falls has been stead.
lily growing advancing with prodigious
strides. And it is course that it is boand
to continue pursuing until it has gained
the proud distinction of being first among
the cities of the Northwest, and an inland
metropolis. "a marvel to the denizens of
the outside world. This is not wordy
pyrotechnic display, poetry prediction
Those who have witnessed the alterations
that Eve short years have brought about
will have no hesitancy in supporting the
declaration above made, and some of the
more visionary will even 90 further in
their prophecies as to the future of the
Falls. But one thing is certain, and that
is, five years more. with continued
growth comparatively as great as that
since 1888, and this city will count its
population by tens of thousands. and will
have stretched far beyond the outermost
additions so far plated.
Spokane Falls fingered along the path
way OF progress for several years prior to
'S3, with a hating and doubtful gait.
From rs to that year the growth was
erratic and uncertain. This was owing to
the difficulty of reaching the town, and
the fact that such a place was known only
to q small number of individuals few
miles beyond the present limits. 1t halted
as village and moved along spasmodically
for Q season or two. Confidence even
among the tirst arrivals was not fairly
established until after the winter of 1928.
The aureoia of promise was not visible TO
the naked eye until that date. The ad.
vent of the railroad opened the door of
Spokane to the world the year before. but
The pilgrims who sought its gates at first
we're few and far between. But gradually
/ dawned upon those living in remote
quarters Of the union that there was such
place az Spokane Falls, and soon people
yere attracted to the tender yOsngling
through curiosity. That curiosity was
instantly changed on arrival to q lively