, 1889-08-22

creek, fourteen miles from It's mouth.
The inhabitants were busily engaged
discussing the sullivan Kilrnin light,
which had occurred eighteen days pre-
viously, but ncws of which had just been
brought In from Victoria the evening be-
fore.
''RED DoG BILL"
one of the features and claim owners of
the camp, had made this an occasion to
get on one OF his customary toots, and
was making the one saloon in town
lively. AS II. ID. Bill was an old ac-
quaintance of my travelling companion
we soon had tho freedom of the city
and had We desired, could have had all
of MIR. Bill's worldly possessions, as he
was In an excellent humor, which
speaks well for Rock creek whisky.
A number of well appearing gold leads
are taken up hero and considerable de-
yelopment work is being dono by the
Douglas Mining company and the pros
pectors. The great need of the camp,
and the whole country in fact Is trans
portat!on. The camp Is connected with
the outside world only by trail. Mail
arrives and departs once a month. The
postmaster receives Sl2 per year; "but, "
Inc remarked to me, ~ am an officer of
the British Columbia government
Early Saturday morning, July ~, Mr..
course was southerly. We took the trail
across the mountains, riding dozen or
more. miles through heavy timber.
Finally We sighted
AssooYos LAKE.
We emerged from the grateful shade of
the pines, Travelled six or eight miles
brush, and ut l;30 T., NJ. drew rein in
front of ii. Il. (Okanogan) Smiths door,
at his ranch on the north shore of that
beautiful body of water known as AS
sooyos lake, Mr. Smiths ranch is on
the reservation. lie settled there TWEEN
ty-nine years ago, and imagination
could scarcely depict a more beautiful
spot than his industry has caused TO be
made. on this sandy soil. Since the res
siderable trouble with Indian agents up
to Major Gwyders time, but he yet re.
mains in possession his of home, if his
government did try to oust himhnd turn
his fine farm and improvements over to
the dearly beloved children of the forest.
Sunday, July %, we rode fifty miles
over the Indian reservation. through as
fine bunch-grass and farming country
as | ever saw. We did not see single
Siwash, q hoof of stock or an improve
ment. All of this grand country Is held
but not occupied by tho Indians. Our
course was up Tewascut creek from
Asooyos. on the divide between Tcnas-
cut and Myrcs creeks, for tho first time
in my life had the pleasure of seeing
what the Indians call
"HEE IEE STONE"
This particular rock Is n portion of
slate reef cropping out of the ground.
The belief exists among the Indians
that If anything of value is left, then the
person leaving it will be blessed with
good luck. Mr. Savage, our guide and
myself rested by the rock and examined
the articles that the SiwasheS
had sacrificed to their Hee Hee god.
There was every conceivable article that
an Indian buck, squaw or pnppoose
could wear, hair from horses names and
tails, etc. Desiring to test the virtues of
the rock while Mr.. Savage make
prayer in Chinook | hung couple of
keys on pole and donated an empty
bottle that had in my coutinas.
1T DIDS'r WORK.
But alas for human cupidity. My
trunks and effects were burned in the
Spokane Falls fire week later.
Take it all in ALL the country described
is an interesting one. IL contains the
very finest soil and is well supplied with
timber and water Kettle river is the
natural artery for all immense section
tributary to it. When the reservation is
thrown open no one in search of u home
need look further. Mines of value are
known to exist, but cannot be worked
for the reasons stated. Two serious
drawbacks stare the intending settlers
in the face. One Is the land on the
United States side is held in reserve for
the Indian, and the other is the lack of
facilities.
II. II. KEMP.