Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-10-24

Northwest-A Vast Tributary Country
and the World for "A Market-Western
Terminus of tine Northern Pacific Rail-
road.
ESPECIAL CoRREsPoNDENCE.l
TACOMA, Wash. Ter, Oct. 16, 1885,
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.
Che advantages growing out of this tact
Will be apparent The harbor cannot be
excelled both for security and facilities tor
accommodating the largest vessels afloat.
The Sound is open the year round. offers
hne 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 $4,000 to 100000 feet of timber to
Che acre. The agricultural lands yield from
IS to 60 bushels of wheat per acre. 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 temperature of so 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 lind the eli
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
larla, 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 living and
comfortable home on government land. and
secure title to 160 acres which in a few years
will make him independent. II Eastern
Washington the land is open and more easily
subdued, 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 a 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 resent les
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 GEN.
ter in the Northwest, and has a country
tributary to it that is pouring vast wealth
into its door.
Seventeen years ago pioneer located his
cabin on the town site of Tacoma In place
OF the wilderness which surrounded that
lonely home are now splendid streets. on
which are thousands of houses. The build.
ing OF Il couple of log cabins in that year.
and the erection of $50 substantial brick and
frame buildings in the first eight months of
this year will Indicate how the forest on the
shores of Commencement Bay has disap-
peared. and how great city has sprung up
as II by magic i'll its place. showing change
from towering trees to majestic buildings.
from trails and bride paths to broad,
smoothly graded streets and magnificent
avenues, paved and threaded with iron
tracks, from dim lanterns to flashing cleo
trio lights, from the canoe of the Indian to
fleet OF ships from all parts of the world,
from the stiffness of the forest to the busy
hum of commercial activity. The year 1888
will close with an addition of 1000 new
buildings.
The growth of Tacoma must continue
There is a vast tributary country fast filling
up with people, for whom this city is to be
the trade center and manufacturing and
shipping point. Some of the largest indus
tries IN the Territory are already here: one
sawmill alone will this year cut $4,000 900
feet of lumber. The car shops of the n. P.
Railway are here. and new factories are con-
stantly being added.
For many of these facts we are indebted
VIII 1ixad
years on this coast, and who selected Ia
coma as his home after mature inveStiga-
ton. He owns an addition to the city of
his own, besides carrying large sale lists of
other property. He considers inveStma nts
here as safe as in any city in the land. and
parties wishing to put money where it will
bring handsome returns will do we'll to
consult with him personally or by mail.
His long experience enables him to make
profitable investments. He furnishes am
pie reference as to his reliability. He also
owns an addition to the new town of Orting
which has been started at the head Of
Puyallup Valley, one of the richest stretches
of soil in the West.
Orting is on the main line of the n P.
Road from which branches are being ex-
tended to neighboring mines and forests.
The PuyalluD Valley is noted for its Won
derful crops of hops. an acre of which often
yields the owner an income as great as
that obtained from whole farm back East.
Fruit, too, is profitably cultivated; single
acre OF prun0S mas noIJeQ the grower D., OtO.
Apples grow abundantly SO, too pears and
cherries, and all kinds of berries. vege-
tables are produced in quality, size, and
quantity beyond anything known in the
East. Grass is green the winter through.
and flowers bloom out of doors at Christmas
time.
In no part of the United States is there
greater combination of resources, climate,
soil, water. timber. minerals, etc. in such
variety. and all possible of utilization by
man. The size and height of the forest
trees and the number growing on an are
seem incredible to Eastern men. This TIM
Der has carried it's own fame to all parts of
the world. In tho East Indies, in Egypt in
the maritime Suites OF Europe. in South
America. the Pacific islands. China and
Japan. the fir timber OF Washington Terri
tory is an article OF commerce. Next to fir
cedar stands second in quantity and then
pine, oak. maple and other varieties. The
scenery about Tacoma is superb, with vary
ing views of mountains, waters and forests.
Mount Tacoma is the highest peak in the
United States. and rises nearly three miles
above the city which bears its name.
DEATH OF GEN. SALOMON.