The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-05-24

IN the east Is likely TO extend TO
some parts of Puget Sound, nota-
bly, the Skagit river region, where
the logs are floated down small
streams. There has not been near
ly the average rainfall in this sec
ton of the country during TIE
past winter, and tie streams are
consequently very low, too low for
getting ont any large logs. Many
OF the best logs in chat country and
the Nooksack and Snohomish conn
try will consequently be left in the
woods, unless this month and next
should be unusually wet. AL
ready prices are stiffening, aud logs
that conld have been bought a
couple OF weeks ago for 1915 to
Scare now fetching from SIS to $3.50
with a prospect OF going still high
err. OF course those concerns
which do not depend on water as a
means of transporting their logs
t. the sound are in no trouble, but
the logging railroads are likely to
have all they can do to supply the
demand. Many Of the small mills
aleng the line Of the Northern
Pacific railroad are likely to be
much more troubled than those To-
Gated on the sound, as they depend
entirely GA water transportation
from the end OF their skid roads.
Their only remedy will be to ex-
tend their roads to the mills
In case Of any serious shortage
and considerable advance in price
Of logs, however, there are still
available considerable bodies Of
timber along the sound and it's var
ions inlcts, which can be, and will
be, cut if the price becomes high
enough. This timber has been
held in reserve for inst such emer-
gencies as these. The fact that
this has been a dry season is likely
to stimulate the building of log
ging railroads even where there
are logging streams Of some vol
u,ne, SO that logs of any size can
be easily put into Puget sound
waters, which are always deep
enough to float five Or six Great
Easterns bniit on top of one an
other. 4 dry season here is very
unusual, and it may be that tho
companies will wait for another
year and see if there is still q
shortage Of rain before taking any
further steps in tins direction.
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When General ~ Winfield Scott
was on the Sound to qaiet the San
Juan disturbance in 1859, Lieut..
Il. n. Sect was detailed from Fort
Townsend to act as al aid on the
generals staff, of which Col.
Thomas was mem Der. Lieut..
Scott was uoted for his bright,
happy nature, and he afforded his
military associates much amuse-
ment by his manner Of relating
yarns concerning Puget Sound, s
fund OF which he had acquired dur
lug lis stay at Fort Townsend.
Among the tales he related to Col.
Thomas, according to James G..
Swan, Esq, was that Of tho crows
stealing CLANS fronu the hogs, the
current always running one way at
Skagit Head, the trees growing SO
tall that man had to look three
times before he could sec the top.
These stories seemed 50 mproba bic
to Col. Thomas hat he reported
the yonng lieutenant to Gen. Scott
as making sport OF his superior
officer The general sent for the
lieutenant and when he appeared,
said:
'Mr. Scott, l am informed that
you say the hogs Of Puget Sound
root out CLANS with their SHOUTS,
and the crows steal the CLANS away
from the hogs, and, flying up in
the air, drop the CLAIMS from their
beaks and they are broke en- by the
fall, when the crows cat them. Is
that SO, Mr.. Scott?"
y es, general"
"Mr. Scott, | am informed that
you say there is all enormous hol-
low cedar tree on the Chehalis river
into which one hundred tons of hay
have been slowed. Is that SO, Mr..
Scott:'
Yes, general"
''Alr. Scott, | am informed that
you say that trees grow SO tall in
this country that a person has to
look three times before he can see
the top. Is that SO, Mr.. Scottg'
"l es, general
''Mr. Scott, you may report yonr-
self to Major Haller for duty. Your
services are not required here"
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General Aiger OF Michigan cor
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