The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-10-11
FROM WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
IA Native of Anderson County Tells OF Some
OF the Disadvantages of the Country.
WALLA WALIA, W. T.,
August 25. 1888.

WALLA WALLA, W. T.,
August 25, 1888.
EDITORS INTELLIGENCER As I have
promised to give your mauy readers a
few dots from this valley, my present
temporary home in the Northwest, I now
undertake to give a brief description of
the valley, together with its advantages
as compared with the old Eastern States.
The valley is completely surrounded by
mountains and hills, and is nine hundred
feet above the sea. Tt might properly
be termed bason about forty miles in
diameter, and has several large streams
flowing through it, all of which empties
into the Columbia, the only outlet to the
valley. The largest portion of the valley
presents the appearance of having been
covered BY water. The strongest evil
dence is shown by the stones in the
valley, away from streams, being smooth
and round, and look as though the
ocean waves had beaten upon them for.
ages. This idea is sustained by the
oldest Indians, having been handed
down from generation to generation
They claim some unfriendly spirit visited
them, and bursted forth through the hill
at the point now called "the Dales," and
inflicted a great curse upon them BY
destroying their fishing grounds. There
is no history of this wonderful and imag-
mary phenomena, but viewing the geo
graphical position of the Valley, it is
not at all impossible, but these are
hidden mysteries, with no possible medi.
um by which the facts can ever be
brought. to light. It will be observed
that this valley is eleven degrees farther
North than the Northern part of South
Carolina, aud strange, it is about eleven
degrees hotter, the thermometer register
ing one hundred and thirteen degrees.
This is attributed to. the dry season, as.
there are no rain scarcely from June to
October to cool the atmosphere, which
becomes very much rarifed, and entirely
destitute of moisture. The longest days
ars about sixteen hours, but this is not
the longest day, as many Of your readers
know !; there are days of six months
duration-Q drop thisas a thought for
your readers to investigate.) Leaving
the description Of the valley for your
readers to search out more fully for
themselves, ! now. will give some of the
resources of the valley, together with the
advantages and disadvantages as com.
pared with the old worn out States, with
nothing but the negro and mule and the
akiug cotton" as our own staple to real.
ice money and livelihood. Before ]
close I hope to be able to show the
advantage the Eastern people possess
over the Western, instead Of the reverse.
I only propose to set forth facts as
they present themselves to my immediate
observation, and find this the only way
to arrive at any definite conclusion as 10
the advantages offered in the Northwest
to,the emigrant. Let me say, readers, in
the East, at present, there are not many
advantages to be realized in the West at
this day and time, and those who emigrate
must necessarily. subject themselves to
many disadvantages, and nine cases out
of ten the emigrant never will be able to
survive and overcome these difficulties,
and will have to work as laborer the
balance of their days. write from
observation, and see many cases to estab.
lish this fact. This may seem strange
to many who have read such favorable
reports of this Western country, but it is
none the less true. If any one is dig
posed to ignore this fact, and wishes to
realize the position the emigrants are
placed in, let them come braced on the
bright hopes Of realizing a fortune in a
few years, and they will be SO completely
disappointed they WILDE ready to concur
with me, and confirm everything have
said. Every emigrant fully expects to
homestead or preempt piece ofland on
their arrival. Yes, these land agents Tor
land sharks ] deem them) and the rail-
road companies send out circulars Undue.
ing the people who are doing we'll in
their present locations to emigrate and
accept the superior advantages they offer
in rich and cheap lands, which are sub.
ject to entry, aud offered on such favora-
BILE terms. Let me earnestly warn the
people against such pcrsuasions, as the
finest lands of the West have long ago
been taken up, and can not be bought at
any living price, some being sold for slO0
per acre, and the most of the land that
can betaken by presumption is not worth
anything, but to assist in holding old
earth together aud in her natural posi-.
ttion. see many men who have taken
Hand on some of the places offered, and
still have to work at some public work as
a laborer for a living. 1t is true there
are many rich farms, and would produce
enormous crops if there we're seasons
sufficient, but there is scarcely no rain
from first of June until October, and the
earth becomes as dry, and resembles
ashes, aud a great deal of the soil cou-
tains large quantities Of alkali, which
completely kills many wheat crops before
they reach maturity. There is no corn
raised, except by irrigation. Fruit Of
all kind and gardens yield prolific crops
where they can be irrigated, but there
are few farus accessible to water, and
consequently but few can engagein these
| enterprises, but those who have irriga-
!, tion facilities can realize large income
from fruits and vegetables, as there is
such large territory destitute, aud must
be supplied by .sw growers. Wheat,
barley. oats and rye, are the staples of