The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-08-02
Mason County.

oAAO "PPSA '
ing several of tie larger bays and
passages of the west side of that
beautiful sheet Of water, notably
Hoods Canal, which enters the
county from the north. It's pres
ent population is about 1900, but
the general census of next spring
will show up fully 1000. 1t en-
braces an area Of about 1000
square miles, comprising large
tracts Of the finest timber that
grows, besides a goodly proportion
of arabic soil, that can be brought
to the highest state of production.
That land found in tbs valleys OF
the numerous streams being fine
bottom land, which is valuable,
and when once cleared, a few acres,
will produce enough to support a
family the year around, and bring
a revenue. 4 large portion Of the
uplands when stripped of the tim
Der, is found to contain good pro-
ductive soil. being especially good
for fruit farms. The prairies can
be brought into cultivation, though
generally used for grazing pur-
poses. Among the farming set
Elements the Satsop Valley is the
largest, there being quite COM
munity formed about the several
forks Of the Satsop River, near
the western border Of the county.
They are cnltiTating their lands,
raising hay, grain, and roots in
great variety and good quality.
Nearer, and also tributary to Shell
ton are the Happy and Egypt val
leys, with farms and clearing dot
ted along their length.
On the shores of Hoods Canal
much good land is found, which
IS pretty we'll taken up, and gen
orally being cleared and cultivated,
a; as IN the other parts Of the county.
Inc route Of the Port Townsend
Southern Railroad follows the
shore, and will open up that and
the western part Of the county by
railroad, before many months.
The Skokomish River valley at
the mouth of which the Indian res
ervation is located. is noted for the
productiveness of its soil. Besides
our timber, iron and coal have been
fonnd, and with the extension Of
the Railroads, mining will likely be
added te our important industries.
The county seat is located at the
young and growing town OF Shell
ton, incorporated, which is, in
few yeals. destined to become ore
of the smaller cities or the Sound.
Two Of tho largest railroad con
Germs on the Sound have their ter
minus at Shelton, landing their en-
tire output into this bay. The full
capacity Of these roads, when the
demand for logs is good would
easily be equal to 100000 per day.
These, with the sawmill, which
supplies the local demand for
building material, constitutes, in
measure, the life Of the town, but
almost every branch of business or
trade is we'll represented. The
present population is about 500,
but is growing appreciably. The
work of clearing up property and
building is going on as fast as the
circumstances OF the people will
admit. showing that the citizens
have faith in the city of promise,
and have excmplifed their faith by
good works. About $500 was
spent in street work alone this
spring. A water service from a
large spring above town is being
talked of. Shelton is one of the
prettiest towns on Puget Sornd,
and has frequent visitors, who come
tor. Ilshlng ana hunting. which IS
excellent, in season. 1t has daily
steamer from Olympia. and tri-
weekly from Seattle, while newly
built fleet steamer, the C.ty OF
Detroit, will soon be on the route
Among the towns of the county
are Union City, Clifton and Ka.
milchie, and. two new town sites
will shortly be thrown on the mar
ket, one at the terminus of the Pu-
get Sound and Gray's Harbor rail
road at Oyster Bay, large part
OF which is already slashed and
plated !; and that of "Dstreit," on
North Bay, to be the trade center
of that region.