, 1890-03-06
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.
Spokane Falls in the Year
1875.
THE SITE AS SEEN BY BURTON
The Only Log Cabin Was oocu-
pied by Physician and
Companion.

Burton, n mining expert. The latter
and the reporter met 10y chance and
the two soon became quite init
mately acquainted.
Burton IL II man who, once seen,
will never he forgotten, He is of
medium height and wears mus
tachc which Is coal black. His hair
Is of the same color, worn rather
long, and Is inclined to he curly.
These, with his piercing gray eyes,
give him u rather striking appear
ance. While walking along River
side avenue Burton stopped In front
of the REVIEW Office and calling the
reporters attention to the Dodd
building across the street, said:
al started In to tell you IA few min
utes ago about my visit to the site Of
this city fifteen years ago.
Well, in August, 1870 |
passed through this country
looking for II cattle range. One day
| stopped at about where we now
stand. | picketed my horse out
where the Crescent block now
stands and prepared to camp where
that building across the street l.
now being erected. Then I looked
around me. Back short distance
from where | had stnked my horse
out was lone log cabin, the only
one in sight.
"Thinking It strange that "a per-
son should select this place above
all Others, approached the rude
cabin. Judge my surprise ON be-
holding within man tnshionubly
attired, whose companion was u
woman of evident refinement. She
WIS the handsome-t creature, | be-
lieye, | ever set eyes upon. She was
of medium height and splendid
form, the latter being shown OFT to
good advantage by II clOscl cly.tltting
tailOr.madc suit. The sight of these
two people nearly took my breath
away, The man, ! believe, was the
first 10 speak. He said:
"'I am physician and my name
Is DR.. -. Who are you, may | In.
quire'
al replied, giving my name and
business. His manner seemed very
strange, and | wondered what
physician could be doing there
with no patients nearer than Wplla
Walla, hut | Kept my own counsel,
nevertheless thinking n good deal.
The woman showed her beautiful
self at rare intervals through the
few days that ! camped within
stones throw Of the cabin.
"When | commenced my prepar.
atoms for departure, the man whom
we will call DIR. Jones approached
me and said In substance, Young
man, you are foolish TO leave this
place. Where we now stand VIII
some day be great city, and " you
stay here, some day you will be a
rich man. This Immense water
power is bound To bo developed
GLOW true were his words. The
force of them never struck me until
| arrived in this city yesterday for
first time since / left its site III
teen long years ago. IL makes a
man feel kind of queer to think of
what might have becn,' but, then,
! have made lots Of money at times /.
during my time and lost 1t, but |
can aud will make more. The
after my conversation |
awokC with the sound of the falls in |
my ears and took my departure. |
Never until to-day did l set eyes on
this Dr. Jones
sPoKANE's PIONEER SETTLER.
"Rcturning here rs ! did after So
long AN absence, my first thought
was of the doctor aud I determined
to So" him II hc still remained here.
"After very little trouble ! dis
covered that my man had stuck to-
the falls and had amassed II large
fortune. found that he was liv-
ing short distance out of town and
so yesterday morning | took II buggy
and drove out Ia his residence. My
reception was not what | expected,
position | would probably have
done the same ms he did.
"When | made the object Of my
visit known the doctor fclgncd SUR
prise and said | must be mistaken.
! was sure Of my ground, however,
and told him so,but he declared TINT
physician bearing his name
had resided here years before but
had left the city. Although posi-
tive that the man before me was the
same that gave me the advice to-
stick TO the falls fifteen years ago,
all doubts, II had any,
were removed when the woman
| had silently admired years ago
stepped into view. ! instantly rec
oglized her, but did not let the
doctor know II. Instead of which |
took my leave and came back to
town.
"Why did Dr. Jones refuse to
recognize your" the reporter asked.
~ will tell you privately, hut not
for publication. One of his reasons
probably was his pride. Fifteen
years ago he and his companion
came here without means, and now
they are wealthy. In many cases
where persons become wealthy and
occupy high social position they
do not care to have ali of their past
history blaZoned to IA heartiess pub
lie, as you would do would l permit
you. But no; let the past bc forgot
ten. My curiosity has been salts
fled, and II DIR. Jones does not care
To recognise me that Is his business,
not yours or mine"
So ended the rather strange re-
cital.