, 1889-03-21
CHENEY AWAKE.
Railroad improvements Stimu-
late Confidence.
Good Prospect of Becoming a
Live Business Center.
Ip,portsnt Facts Worthy OF Grafton
by the business Men Of spo-
kane Falls.

CHENEY, March IS, Correspondence
This little city, nearly half way bet ween
the northwest and southeast borders of
Spokane county, on the margin Of six
mie belt OF timber. which divides the two
sections named, Ia beautifully located on
the highest point on the line Of the North
ern Pacific railroad It's population is
1000; school children enrolled. 800. The
public school Is supported all the year by
special tax, the b. p. Cheney academy by
private enterprise and competent teach.
ers.
The country adjacent is better than the
general average of the county, and lands
are cheaper than at any point in Eastern
Washington, locality and fertility consid-
cred. The healthfulness of this locality is
largely above the general average. and
probably the best In the territory. There
are no running streams near the city from
which to obtain water supply. but there
are clear lakes within four miles that can
be drawn upon when the population is
wealthy enough to make the expenditure.
Little Improvement hse been made since
1884, until this season, when a very ma
terial change will be made in the appear
ance of things. A spirit of awakening
seems to have taken hold upon the people,
owing to the impetus given by the action
of the Northern Pacific railroad company
in making this place the cross roads for
the lines penetrating the Palouse country
and the Big Bend extension, which will
enable citizens of Nez Perce county, Idaho,
to ride on
A THkOUGH sLEEPER
to Tacoma via Cheney and Elensbura, and
the grain seeking tide water from all that
section can pass over this short line when
completed. Within few months past
the railroad company has constructed two
miles Of side tracks in the city limits,
have sunk mammoth we'll and laid pipes
to tap two springs, 80 as to furnish water
for two tanks, from which to supply their
engines; have constructed long house be-
tween tracks for engine stalls, and estab-
lished supply yard, Their traffic depot
is $50 feet long or the entire length Of
block. They are making additions to the
passenger depot for the accommodation OF
passenger ,unexcelled along their line. and
have completed long line of coal bins.
These improvements will be snpplt mented
by greater and more important additions
us their operations require. This is the
strategic point from which the company
propose to opeite north of Snake river,
which will in time make it quite lively
business center, and when the Spokane Il
Northern is completed the wholesale mer.
chants of the Fails City would do well to
KEEP THEIR EYE PEELED
on the quarter of million dollars of trade
done here and secure the lions share.
In addition to the improvements made
by the railroad company the N. p Eleva-
tor Company have the largest and best APP
pointed steam elevator on the Pacific coast
which can and will be utilised IN the
cleaning and handling grain for shipment
for all this section.
There il movement also on foot and
nearly consummated to reconstruct the
Cheney Honr mill and make it one of the
best all roller mills on the line. This Is
good property and can be made TO pay big
profits as the country contiguous to Che
ney can supply 100000 bushels Of grain
from wagons within two years il the pres
ent rate OF progress continues.
The railroad company have not yet
placed any of their large holdings upon
the market, and when they do-then look
out for boom.
At present property goes begging and
no one seems enthused with what they see
transpirihg under their vision.
The city authorities have contracted for
200. 900 feet of lumber to lay sidewalks,
and passed an ordinancet to grade the prin-
cipal streets this season. and there is u
strong feeling toward substantial brick
business houses, as every one now en-
gagged in business is in great danger from
fire. However, there are no brick nearer
than Spokane Falls, and now is good
time, and this the place for good mason
to get in his work.