The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-04

whether from lack of experience in cult
vating this plant or climatic difficulties the
product was very inferior. Like Forks.
Vniiiayute prairie has schoolhouse and
Eostofiice. The prairie is perfectly level
throughout its entire extent.
AT about p. IN. we passed into the TIM
ner again, and at 5 80 we ferried across the
Quiliayuie river, the longest and broadcast
stream in this section. This river and its
tributaries. the Soleduck and BogochieI.
constitute the highways by which the set.
tiers throughout The whole valley receive
their supplies, although many light arti-
cies come by the way of Pysht by mail
and pack horses
Lapush is situated at the mouth of the
Qaiilayute river, and consists of q store, a
house inhabited by whites and an Indian
village. A long and narrow point of rocks
runs out into the sea on either side of the
village site, forming small bay, in which
the water Is comparatively smooth. A
rock few acres in extent rises boldly out
OF the sea about 500 yards from the village,
Which is called James island The sur
roundings are rough and wild, snd being
exposed to the heavy sea logs, Lapush
would not seem to be desirable place OF
residence.
AZ Lapush we found ourselves compelled
10 reiinquish the idea of going UP the
Quiilayute into the northern part of the
with the difficulties of the country we
realized that in the short time allotted for
our trip IL would be impossible to accom-
plish anything Besides, our claims de-
manded attention; so the next morning We
started back for Forks, packing our sup
pies, and reached the prairie late IN the
evening.
COUNTRY OF GREAT PROMISE.
The country watered By the Quillayute
ifa fwfI L
promising section of Western Washington.
LII has magnificent possibilities, unexcelled
by any country on the Pacific coast. The
rich bottoms and prairies will grow great
diversity of crops, the pasturage for cattle,
sheep and hogs is excellent, and the never
railing abundant rainfall renders a crop
failure an impoSsibiiity. The slopes of the
mountains are covered by splendid timber
The existence of gold, silver copper, coal
and iron In the mountains in paying quans2
ue3 has been repeatedly proven by the
discoveries OF prospectors. The difficulty OF
obtaining supplies and the thickness of the
country. however, combine 10 make unusu-
ally hard work of prospecting. The seeker
alter minerals must pack his supplies and
tools on his back, and not being able TO
take much with him, must return for a
fresh supply before covering much ground.
Coal has been found by almost every one
no case where a prospector had sunk a
shaft Tor any distance. Should the pro-
Jected railroad through this country be
quilt, the Quillayute valley will become
celebrated for the amount and diversity OF
its products
The soil is either black or sandy loan,
and will raise almost anything. The high
land, though sometimes graveliy, often
shows rich soil in places. In the QuilIa.
yute country it is considered risky to take
up timber claim as such, as itcan be gen.
orally proved capable of growing a crop,
whether on high land or low.
The winters are long and wet but are
not usually cold, and a snowfall is rare.
The summers are cool and delightful.
Heavy dews fall in the summer season.
heard considerable complaint while in
the valley of men taking up claims for SYM
dicates, being provided by the latter with
supplies, and receiving few hundred dol.
lars for their claims after proving up. This
dodge was attempted some time since on a
section, which, it was understood, was to
be shortly surveyed. Information was
filed at the surveyor generals office OF the
crookedness of the matter, and as a conse-
quence the survey has been postponed for
an indefinite period, on account of which
there is much wailing and gnashing of
teeth.
There are still many good claims to be
taken up on the upper portions of the
soeduck. Bogochiel, Dickey and Quilla-
yute rivers, but 1t is probable that the end
OF the present summer will find the whole
country pretty well run over. 1t is esti-
mated that couple of hundred settlers
have located along the Quillayute and its
tributaries since January LIST. Good claims
are still to be had but the land-hunter
must move quick to secure one, as the
woods are full of cruisers. A person start
ing cut to find a claim should have plenty
OF time at his disposal and few hundred
dollars, otherwise he may return disap-
pointed, as many have this summer. The
intending settler will seldom get
pointer for nothing. A good many of the
settlers calculate to make their supply
and proving up expenses out of locating
strangers. and if they know of good piece
of land unclaimed expect tees rar ging from
$40 to 500 for guiding the stranger TO it
and finding his lines for him. Sometimes,
being familiar with the country, the time
and labor they can save the inexperienced
lard-hunter is well worth reasonable fee.
But the intending settler should beware of
trusting every locator who comes his way.
Many Cases are on record of men being
shown valuable claim. and then, being
ignorant of their Whereabouts, located on
a worthless one. These crooked locators
are late arrivals in the valley, ard should
the services of locator be required, one
who is recommended by the Old settlers
should be applied TO-