The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-13
IN FIFTY-NISE.
Judge b. +. Dennison Tells Of the Old
Territorial Days.

Judge and Mrs. b. f. Deunison, of Olympia,
were in the city yesterday stopping g. the Ar
HDgton hotel Judge Dennison came 10 the ter
ritory in 1889. President Johnson appointed him
associate justice OF the territory, and President
Grant made him chief Justice, an Office which he
held for some years Then he retired and began
the practice Of law at Vancouver: and he also
had an Office at Portland. A year or two ago he
moved TO Olympia, where be stin continues his
practice. ''I'n not in the rough and tumble any
longer" said he yesterday, ''but still have an
Office for consultation"
He Is one OF the most picturesque appearing
men OF the state, being TALL slender and straight
His smoothly shaven face and strong features
are set OF by his thick gray hair which is
brushed up from his forehead. He wears a black
irock coat, immaculate, though not stifiy ironsd
linen and high, ld-fashioned collar with
black stock, which make him look not unlike
the pictures Of the Duke Of WeIlirgton In man
neT be IS = perfect example OF the gentleman OF
In the course Of talk last evening Judge
Dennison said: ~ WAS one OF the
'Forty miners, coming to the Coast with the
breaking out Of the gold fever. For tan years
was in the A9rip0sa and other California mines
Then il isJ9 came 20 the North west. Nv first
experience on Puget sound was at Whatcom.
The place Shere the town now stands was then
city Of tents, and the people IN them were
bound for the Fraser river, where rieh discov-
eTies Of gold had been reported They were try
ing 10 md pass through 70 the river from
WhateOm, bat the attempt was not successful
and it was Necessary for them 70 20 to Victoria
and travel from there By water.
80 the population OF Waatcom gradually dis
persed and the city may be said to have vanished
Tor time.
The most important place On the Sound in
those days was steilaccCul, and YOU might
almost say IL wGs the only place that had any
reputation outside Of the territory.
The present site 81 Tacoma was a thick, IN
broken forest, fUlI OF game. ! used 10 De con-
siderable Of hunter Many a time have taken
my pack OF dogs down the beach whore Tacoma
Is toward the mouth OF The PuyalIup river /
could send them up the hill into TIE forest, and
they would drive down deer and other animals
which could easily kill On the beach The
region aboEnded in deer.
seattle was little Indian trading post where
the tribes from all along shc sound used 20
bring their furs and other strsff TO sell There
was wharf, where Henry Yesler had his mill,
and, except one OF two other landings. the rest
OF the sweep Of the bay was bare beach AZ
trading times the whole beach would be covered
with the Indian canoes and the little tents set
up near them. A few shops and houses stood
along where Commercial stree. nov runs
''elnee was az WhatcOm, in 1850, the city has
had many ups snd downs; but believe there is
DOW . city there that VIII stay and grow -
attic VIII become 4 great commercial center
aud good cities VIII be at Tacoma and Port
Townsend
"Had you been in my place to see this Sound
country 60 ahead. you would make no rres;ir-
ton too hopeful foT the future. | believe. in
iact know, that the man o. woman who Is On
Puget sound now = in the best place IN the
nlJeG States perhaps the whole world, ~ make
q fortune.
I'VE have everything needed 70 suxyo-.
large population everything 70 make ths
country commercially great. While Wasbfur-
Ton was s territory capital was t.rid. RI,
now capital 5 pouring into this country, ard
with u are coming men with the courage 10 in
vest u and the brains 10 handle il skilifElEv
Then, too. the government i now bound 70
spend much money n improving our rivers and
haFou-S, in building foTtiaCations and aeter,Ses
congress must do this The heado quarters 81 tre
bTlfish naysl and military strength lie INST
Gbovc Us AZ ESquimault. and 50 tie navy 49,
OF our Pacific squadron must lie IN p,7-er
sound. car biggest batteries and strongest fo--S
eountrV - 49,
YES. / lock for even swifter prcSress in the
future than VIC have had in the pest. YoT nd
where the chance 81 success j grestsst
Judge DenDisun, who came 10 tie ritv -,
legal business. le11 last evening on the Potter 81
his home az Olympia 80