Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-10-25
ESPECIAL ooRREsPoNDENcE.l

TACOMA. Wash. Ter, Oct. 16, 1888.
This city is situated at the head waters
OF Puget Sound and is the terminus OF the
Northern Pacific Railroad. the only trans
continental line which enters this Territory.
The advantages growing out OF this fact
will be apparent. The harbor cannot be
excelled both for security and facilities for
accommodating the largest vessels afoat.
The Sound is open the year round, offers
line fishing advantages, and vessels sail
without danger from reef or rock to the
Pacific Ocean. and thus to the markets OF
the world. More vessels load here with
wheat. coal and lumber than at all other
points ON the Sound and Portland combined.
The country surrounding Tacoma Is of
varied character. consisting of timber agri-
cultural and mineral lands. The forests
yield from 25.0 900 to 100. 600 feet OF timber to
the acre. The agricultural lands yield from
% to 60 bushels of wheat per aere. Hops
average 1000 pounds per acre, vegetables
grow tons to the acre. while fruit OF all
kinds can be produced In great abundance.
The mineral lands consist Of coal. iron and
the more precious metals. Building ma
terial Is abundant and cheap.
The climate of the Puget Sound country
Is wholly unlike anything experienced on
the Atlantic Slope or in the Mississippi VAL
ley. or, indeed, anywhere on the American
continent except in the Pacific Northwest.
The summers are cool and the winters sim
gularly mild. There is very little snow, but
considerable rain. between October and
April. A temperature of 80 in midsummer
Is very rare. and not often in the winter
does the mercury go much below the freez-
ing point. There are no especially preva-
lent diseases, Persons suffering from some
forms OF lung diseases do not find the cli-
mate suitable for them, and the damp win
ter weather is blamed for an occasional
case of rheumatism, but taken altogether
the climate Of Western Washington Is one
OF the finest in the world. There is no ma
aria, and outdoor exercise can be taken at
any time during the year.
There Is no vacant government land In the
vicinity OF Tacoma. Some miles back. how
ever, there is plenty OF land to be had for
the taking, most of which is heavily tim
bered and whose Improvement requires
time and hard work. But an industrious
man can succeed In making a living and
comfortable home on government land. and
secure title to 160 acres which in few years
will make him independent. In Eastern
Washington the land is open and more easily
snbdued, and quicker farm returns are pos
Sible. There is considerable vacant land OF
excellent quality in the Big Bend OF the
Columbia River which is now rendered ac-
ceSsible by the building OF the branches Of
the Northern Pacific through that region,
The growth OF Tacoma has been remark
able. Ten years ago it had population Of
about 700 people; the population now is over
1900, mostly English-speaking people
from the Eastern States, and the best kind,
too. Figures show that its ratio OF increase
is greater than that OF any city this side of
the Rocky Mountains. 1t closely resembles
Chicago in its early stages of development.
and like that great metropolis Is at the head
OF navigation OF great island sea, is fast
becoming the most important railroad CEN
ter in the Northwest. and has country
ssete leo doe-. ----.--