The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-04-10
WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

KELso, WAsHINGToN, Mar. 80, 'S9.
To Forest and Clarion Co. Friends -
l thought perhaps that, as l am, as
the people of the East say, at the
jumping off" place of the United
States, l would send you a few items
for the benefit of the readers of the
REPUBLICAN, and my old friends. AS
said before, / have arrived at the
jumping off" place, and must say
that when 1 Jumped off" the cars at
this place ON the 18th inst. and looked
around me and beheld the country
lying on both sides of the Cowlitz
river, 1 was agreeably surprised.
Spring had put on her ever verdant
robe and all nature seemed to wear a
joyful smile at the return Of spring.
Kelso is situated on the Cowlitz river,
about three miles from its confluence
with the great Columbia. The Tacoma
branch of the N. p. r. r. also runs
through the place and the company
have very good and commodious
depot here. Steamers run between
here and Portland, Oregon, fifty miles
south Of here. Fare, including meals,
$3.50. The Cowlitz river is navigable
for good sized steamers for fifty miles
from its mouth. Kelso is new town
about three years old, and contains
about four hundred inhabitants. 1t
has three general merchandise stores,
one grocery, one hardware, and two
drug stores also two good churches
and two hotels. The land on the west
side of the river is level and well i'm.
proved, extending distance of about
seven miles to the Columbia; on the
east side it approaches the foot hills.
There is no doubt in my mind but in
the near future this will be great
grazing section, for the winters are
mild and stock requires very little
feeding, aud so far as raising hay here,
the world cannot beat it. Timothy
and clover are natural productions OF
the soil, aud it is DO uncommon thing
TO hear a man say that he cut from
three to four tons of timothy per acre
of his meadow last year. AS for fruit,
there is no end to it, such as apples,
pears, plums and cherries. One writer
here made the remark that "if the
whole Pacific Slope was planted TO
prunes, there would be a market for
them, as the prunes that are raised
here are world renowned for their del.
icate flavor" The streams here are
fine, no muddy bottoms, but the clear
and pure mountain water flowing over
pebbly bottoms. All the streams are
alive with fish, such as salmon, stur
geOu, salmon and brook trout, and
many other kinds, too numerous to
mention. Aud he who delights to
throw the fly can do so to his hearts
content, and receive rich reward for
his time and labor, by returning home
loaded with the shining beauties. 10
many places here you can look off in
the distance and see the snow.capped
peaks Of Mounts st. Helen, Hood,
Rauies, aud the Three Sisters. The
first of this week l took trip to Che.
halls and found our old friend Eb.
Russell and wife. They are well 10.
Gated, contented aud happy, aud say
that they have no desire whatever to
return to Pennsylvania. | am staying
at present at Aaron Roots, who is
likewise we'll located aud pushing
things right along. 10 fact all that
came here from your section are per.
fectly satisfied and have no desire to
return, and think that they have
struck it rich. AS regards the timber
in this country, it is almost too won
derful to tell about. The finest fir
and cedar the eye ever beheld is here
1t is not an uncommon thing to see