The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-05
rnE oLrMpics OPENED.

Va print this morning . record Of En-
plorasions IN The Olympic Peninsula. pur-
susd during the past winter by Ex-Lt-Gov-
srnof Gilman. Of Minnesota. and his son
Mr. 8. C. Gilman. which clears away the
mystery in which this region has hitherto
bsen shadowed. No more important work
Of the kind. indeed no work o. equal inn
portancs and value in practical sense. has
bsen accomTJishsd on the American CONT
nsns IN ne past quarter Of : century. It
opens up the last remaining bit Of unknown
country within the limits Of the United
States (sxcepting Alaska) and answers
questions and speculations which have long
interested eeographers and the public At
lsrsa Itis a:singuiar fact that Il has re-
ualnsd for two intrepid adventurers, act
Ing solsly upon their own motion, employ
ins only their own resources and prompted
only b motivss Of laudabls enterprise. to
aooomplish task about which millions
have TALKED and woadsrsd Tor many years.
The record which vs present this morn
ing shows he exploration to have been
most Thorough = 70 It, general lines. The
0flmans nrss entered the unknown region
from ths West By following up the course
81 tho ouinisult rivsr. which emptiss into
the Pacific north Of Gray's Harbor. They
reached the sources Of this stream and far
TO the east climbed summit Of the Olym-
pie chain from where they could view the
land in al directions to the ocean at the
west, 70 Puget Sound u the east and to
the HtfAiti of Fucs ct the north. Return.
ing over the route By which they came.
they again reached the ocean. Proceeding
northward. thsy again entered the .'un-
known country" this time by following up
the course OF the Pysht river which flows
northward into the Straits Of Fuca. The
results Of this second exploration are given
In the record printed elsewhere.
The practical advantages Of these dis
coveries are certain to be Of the greatest
value. The unknown country" Is
found TO b fertile, we'll watered
and broken into fine valleys II is
rich in timber. coal. iron. and prob
ably In precious minerals. II is described
- \ beautiful region. where the mountains
tower In grandeur and where the valleys
are pleasant and fertile. wanting only
human population to make them smiling
aud bountifui.
Now that the mystery has been cleared
away. that the trail has been "blaxsd. :"
that there is neither difficulty nor danger
in the way and that the country is assrae-
tive In all its features. ii Is reasonable to
expect = rush OF immigration. There is no
great hazard in predicting that within five
years the unknown country" OF the
Olympic Peninsula will be as well popn-
lated productive aud rs easily accessible
ss any part OF Western Washington.
The official record OF the explorations
given in the story printed elsewhere. Is =
suecinet. masser-of-fact statement which
demonstrates that the work has been done
with tAoroaghness and intelligence. II is
sdccament rather important IS the first
complete and authentic narrative of a
cuuntry destined to be the seat Of great
wealth and population. Tn. GIlmans.
father and son. have made for themselves
ar<rmanens and honorable place in the
history Of Washington. oshere win come
after them. bat 10 them belongs the hoaor
Of .shsasinss trail through untrcd wilds.