The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-22
OPEN-EYED WONDER.
Displayed BY an Ohio Man on
Visiting Seattle.
FULL or HusTLINo YOUNG MEN.


SrAIILk, sept Z4.-d0y1ng made q con-
nnuous trip to this place, noting a went
along the various points and places along
the Line of the Northern Pacific railroad
which would seem to present attractions
g those who desire TO find homes in the
West, and obtaining from those who re-
side at or near those points information
relating to the nature, condition and ad-
vantages which they present to those who
intend to come out here, intend to make
my stops on my return sufficiently long to
enable me to speak with more accuracy OF
Information. and will commence my COR
responcence with the impressions which I
have gathered of this city and the portion
OF the Puget Sound country which sur
rounds and contributes to its growth and
business.
Seattle is the principal city Of the state Of
Washington, numbering as It does be-
tween 1900 and $4,000. It's population is
composed of people from all of the states
and most of the European countries, and
g far rs my observation enables me to
judge. OF the brightest. brainiest and most
energetic examples of the several countries
and states from which they came. The
most noticeable feature in the population
is the prevalence Of young men and men in
the prime of life, full Of the spirit of enter
prise, no task seems too great for them to
grapple. no obstacle too powerful for them
to overcome. Their Drawn and brain are
sufficient to manage the great advantages
OF the Puget sound with its I. 800 miles Of
shore line and ready access to the
Pacific ocean, the great waterway from
China and Japan to the thickly populated
countries of the American continent and
Europe, and thus control q shipping trade
which will in time rival if not excel the
shipping interests of our Atlantic coast,
and as well to develop the riches Of coal,
iron, silver and copper which are found
within the mountains of Western Wash
ngton. and the magnificent forests of fir
and cedar which crown their surface
The hills ct Seattle tower several hundred
feet above the Sound approaching SO close
that except for the tide flats in their natural
condition they seem to have formed the
natural shore, yet miles of water front and
wharves and docks have been built upon
ping, and in fact for some dis
houses. business buildings aud even
streets are built upon the piling, some Of
which streets have been and are now being
6lled in with the earth which is constantly
being removed in the cutting down and
grading for streets and buildings, so that
the streets which run north and south are
the only level rests in the rise of the city
from the water front to the high hills which
form the summit between the Sound and
Lake Washington limits Of the city.
Lake Washington is . magnificent body
OF fresh water, about three miles wide and
about thirty miles long, and is situated at
point opposite the city about three miles
from the Sound.
The business part of Seattle lies princi-
pally along the docks, the first five streets
running north and south parallel with the
sound for miles, and is filed with mag
nificant business blocks principally built
of brick ana stone, nearly ali of which
have been constructed since the great fire,
which about fifteen months ago destroyed
so large portion of the city; that portion
of the warehouses and business buildings
which have been built on the tide fats. be-
ing OF corrugated iron. which while not SO
heavy, affords safeguard against
repetition of that misfortune. These busi-
ness blocks ale occupied by wholesale and
retail stores equal in their stocks and in
their magnificent displays to any / have
seen, while the crowds of buyers and the
magnitude of the transfer business as
evidenced by the number of loaded drays
and wagons Of all kinds which fill the
streets, give evidence of the amount of
business which is being done. The climb
ing of these various raises in the city would
be an objection to one coming from . more
level country, were it not for the great sys-
TEN of cable and electric railways, which
afford to the citizens ready and rapid trans
portatiOn to and from all parts of the city.
there being i've cable and three electric
street railways, so that the business Dor.
ton of the city can be reached from any
OF the residence parts in less than twenty
minutes, and at q cost Of cents
There seem to be no idle men here.
there is great demand for iaborers of ali
kinks. skilled and unskiiled, in fact the
demand for the latter seems to be most
urgent, yet carpenters, bricklayers, stone-
masons and stone cutters, as well as men
OF other trades are in demand and COM
mand good wages. The first get $3.50 to
$500, bricklayers and stonemasons $500.
and common labOrers s.. % to 81. so day.
while the cost OF living, except for lodging,
is but little higher than it is with us. The
opportunities are no less favorable to those
who may bring with them money to in
vest.
To the man of small means equally with
the man of scores of thousands there are
all around openings for profitable invest
mentS. the rapid rise of property resulting
from the unparalleled growth of the coun-
try, benefits alike the small investor and
the one whose investments count up in
the tens of thousands. While the develop
ment of the iron ores, the manufacture of
lumber, the coal mines, and the silver
smelters present to the man whose means
count by the hundreds of thousands GER
tain promise of profits which TO the easy
going East seem almost fabulous.