Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-05
Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR


ON THE Cans, September 10.
Approaching the city of Tacoma, W.T., the
first object presented to the view is Mount Ia
coma, once Renter, which, as stated in pre-
vious letter, rears its lofty peaks IA, 444 feet
above the Level Of the sea. When we are dis
tant about sixty miles from the mountain it
does not seem one-ffth of that distance. All
OF the upper half Of it is covered with per-
petual snow Passing on we soon arrive at the
now somewhat celebrated city of Tacoma
I'VE, busting. thrifty, enterprising place of
about $4,000 inhabitants. No city in the United
states presents better opening for mechanics
than this Buildings are going up everywhere
and the sound of the hammer and saw are con-
stantly heard on every hand. The cry is for
more men-mechanicsa and laborers. They cam
not bulld half ms fast as they want to because
they cannot obtain mechanics.
HIGH PRICES FOR TACOMA LOTS,
Land in the city is very high, ranging in
price from o., 500 to &C., 900 per lot. found
no lot offered for sale within the city for less
than s1,6O0 Nearly all Of the lots are rs by 100
feet. The country extending back, probably
four miles, Is all divided into city lots which
sell for from $500 to 81 200 per lot. Not foot
Of land can be bought on the point OF land on
which Tacoma is situated for less than $500 per
acre, and out at American Lake, twelve miles
O.
Fortunes have been made In these lands within
the last few years. To illustrate. one man has
a tract OF l6O acres which he obtained from the
government as homestead, not paying one
cent for 1t, and now he refuses 5000 per acre or
$96 600 for the tract and this change of yalues
has occurred within the last seven years. There
are residents in Tacoma who Ave years ago
were poor men and now worth hundreds of
thousands Of dollars, all acquired through the
increase value of lands
The possibilities Of Tacoma are beyond e.
timation, it being the western terminus of the
great Northern Pacific railroad system, as we'll
as great shipping port, where ships from
China and Japan are daily unloading their teas
and other goods for transportation to the east.
REBUILDING SEATTLE.
At am. took train for Seattle, W.T..
where i arrived in two hours ride. The
business part OF this place before the fire was
upon wbarves, built on piles over the water.
and is being rebuilt in the same manner. II
10 now one OF the busiest places l have so far
seen. 1t seems though ten thousand
mechanics are at work and the streets are
filled with drays, trucks, lumber wagons and
other teams. presume there are about two
thousand buildings in course of construction at
this time. and such rush, jam and chaotic
struggle never before witnessed Mechanics
and iaboring men are in great demand and
cannot be obtained in sufficient numbers.
Brick have advanced in price from 81 to SIG a
thousand. The docks SO far as rebuilt are
hlied with vessels Of every description. It's re-
markable industry at this time is partly at
tributable to the enthusiastic attempt to re-
build the city right away. In any of these new
western cities there is abundant opportunity
aud opening for industrious young men, but
idlers are not wanted
Returning from Seattle by boat had de-
lightful sail on the sound, which 10 q beautiful
sheet Of water.
THE GROWING CITY OF PORTLAND, OREGON.
Continuing my iouIn}y from Tacoma !
crossed the Columbia river at Kalama and had
a sail up its channel, enjoying it's scenery as
fine as there is on the continent, and then hur-
RED ON to Portland, Oregon, which city is sit
uated on both sides of the Willamette river, a
beautiful stream affording an excellent harbor.
The city Is growing rapidly. Its commercial
and agricultural trade is large and the four
lines OF railroads that center there destine it to
be great city.
FROM PORTLAND TO SAN FRANCISCO.
Leaving Portland for San Francisco, CAL, by
the Oregon and California railroad, known as
the Shasta route, had an opportunity to see
some OF the finest scenery of the Pacific coast,
passing within ten miles and in plain view of
Mount Shasta, whose height is IA, 440 feet, or
just four feet less than Mount Tacoma-a nice
matter of measurement. The day was fine and
had an excellent opportunity to inspect and
enjoy its grandeur and beauty. Some of the
scenery in passing over the Shasta range is
wonderful in the extreme. The Rogue River
valley is charming, After passing the Shasta
range we crossed the Sacramento river and then
followed its bank for miles down into and
through the Sacramento valley, which is claimed
to be 1.-The garden Of California"
forgot to mention that in Seattle met an
old Washington friend-Mr. Graves-formerly
chief Of the bureau Of printing and engraving,
but now president Of the Washington national
hank Of Tacoma NJ