The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-10-17
ESPECIAL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES


ESPECIAL coRREsPoNDENcE.l
PORT TOWNSEND. Wash. Ter. Oct 10, 1883.
For many centuries the Strait Of Gibraltar
was the western boundary of the old world.
All eyes turned to the East. Every dream
OF empire. every thought of power. every
mode OF improvement. every hope OF riches.
OF glory or of fame shaped it's way TO the
Orient. The gold and precious stones OF
India were in the East. the learning OF
Arabia and the mysteries OF Egypt were in
the East. Eastward the crusaders swarmed
TO take the Holy City. and even Columbus
was seeking the East when he discovered
the West. and turned the finger OF destiny
to the Occident.
For four hundred years now the sweep of
progress has been to the West. In the
Western world has grown up the greatest
nation in the worlds history. and there
seem no bounds TO the possibilities of the
future. So long as the natural increase OF
the earth exceeds the decrease so long will
the steady current from the East to the
West continue; the old world will continue
70 pour its surplus into the new and the
East into the West, seeking equilibrium.
The Atlantic region will become dense with
people, the Mississippi Valley will be filed.
and the Pacific coast grow rich and popu-
lous. Here and there great trade centers
will adjust themselves in an evenly bal
anced continent. Near the point where tho
Strait OF Fuca merges into that superb
stretch OF sea water known as Puget Sound.
nature has marked the site for city, where
one as large as New York can stand.
Port Townsend already has "A place on tho
map and recognition among men and in
trade circles. Nowhere do coming events
cast their shadows before in clearer outline
than in this little city of the Strait and
Sound. These are some of its advantages:
It is the first American mainland touch
ing point by water with Alaska, Australia.
Japan. China. and India; while on the other
hand it is the last house of call for outgoing
traffic. and whether it is the flow Of growth
coming in or the ebb of products going out.
Port Townsend. like the larded measure Of
Cassim, in the Arabian tale. retains a share.
IL is the port OF entry for the Puget Sound
collection district. and all vessels must stop
both coming and going. The Government
has already expended 100000 for a custom
house, and $4,000 has been appropriated
by Congress 10 make needed additions.
Here is the seat OF the foreign Consulates;
the United States Marine Hospital is here,
and revenue cutter sails in and out of the
port. doing police duty FOR Uncle Sam. A
military post is near by, and half million
dollars is given TO build Notifications near
the lighthouse, in an appropriation bill
now before Congress. More American tom
mage is registered in Port Townsend than
in any other port except New York. 1t is
the Pacific watch tower; the future Gibral-
tar of the Pacific Northwest.
1t has harbor capable of sheltering the
largest fleets. the only harbor in the North
west 10 which ships can sail TO anchorage.
saving expensive towage fees. The largest
ship can sail into il without ever hitting up
on unseen shoals and hidden rocks. and a
vessel can lay its broadside sheer up against
the shore almost anywhere, with no other
danger than that OF abrasion when lifted or
lowered by the tides, which vary from 10 10
ID feet. The harbor is three miles by six in
size, with a depth of from five TO fifteen
fatlOmS hpttpr unglOrnOR than
ports. and $1,000 will cover damage to ship
ping in thirty-tive years OF common use.
1t is nearest to the coming fisheries Of the
North Pacific coast, which must become an
ineNhaustible source Of wealth. New En-
gland fishermen have already made this
their headquarters. Salmon. cod. trout and
other food fish abound. and the finest hall
but in the world are taken along the shore
for Il thousand miles to Alaska. A schooner
recently caught 10000 pounds Of halibut in
a day; another took $1,000 worth OF seal
skins in "a short trip.
1t has at its door the only iron smelling
furnace in Washington Territory. with "a
capacity OF fifty tons a day. TO which is be-
ing added rolling-mill plant costing over
one million dollars, for the manufacture of
steel rails and plates for ship building, and
with iron, marble building stone. coal and
lumber within reach who will say the pc
ninsula city cannot be made "A great work
shop. It's immense timber resources are
and can be put to many uses. The Douglas
fir or Oregon pine Is the acme of fine tim
Der. In the tree IL is tall. often 300 feet
high. and straight, and g single tree has
been known 10 cut 10000 feet. II can be put
through the planer green, and come out as
smooth as Eastern or Southern pine that
has been in pile for year.
1t has picturesque location. Look which
way you will an enhancing view Of wood,
mountain and water meets the gaze. To
the east Mount Baker is seen, "a monarch of
the Cascades, whose snow-white summit
pierces the thin air of eternal winter. with
Jagged line of nowpcaks leading off "a
hundred miles to another sentinel-Rainier
while TO the west the Olympic range
throws its white caps against the sky which
the evening tints with "a charm beyond our
pen TO describe. To the north. across the
waters of the Straits of Fuca. the blue
mountains OF Vancouver Island-far be-
yond Victoria, the sleepy old capital of Brit
ish Columbia-fade away on the horizon. AT
our feet the busy town and wharves with
ships and steamers from far countries. while
here and there along the shores columns of
rising smoke tell us Of saw mills, fish can
neries and other industries.
To the south and west there is a wide
range of land capable Of producing all of
the crops OF the north temperate zone. an
area which, when brought under cultiva-
ton, will support thousands of families.
Washington Territory already leads the
country in the yield per acre of potatoes and
wheat, and 10 enumerate what is possible
in the way Of cereals. fruits. and vegetables
would be TO reprint seed catalogue. The
conditions are most favorable 20 fruit grow
ing: the trees begin TO bear early. and there
are no destructive insects. Cattle, horses,
and sheep are easily cared for: dairy farm
ing, poultry raising-nearly every feature
of agriculture-are possible near Port Town
send. For men who are willing TO work and
assist nature, this section certainly offers a
diversity OF opportunities.
The visitor will find Port Townsend no
mushroom place. no rough frontier or mere
seafaring community. but, on the contrary.
a well-built and orderly city of some 5000
people, with churches, schools. banks. free
reading rooms and library, two daily pa
pers, the Argus. morning. and the Call.
evening. publications, substantial brick and
stone business blocks. wel-stocked stores,
good hotels. fine residences, electric lights.
telephone. telegraphs. water works. board
of trade, a number Of manufacturing estab-
lishments. and n hospitable. intelligent and
enterprising people. The business part is
on a level with the wharves. while the resi-
dence portion is on wide plateau reached
by steps and easy roads. in which section
there is no call for expensive street grades
or sidewalks strung along on the top of
telegraph poles. 1t is n healthy place no
typh old fever or diphtheria has ever originat-
ed here. and fever and ague from local
causes has never existed. nor has epidemic
ever prevailed. In time this will become a
tx \. III Il