The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-17
THE PASSING THRONG.
Talks With Travellers on Topics
of the Day.
a RAILROAD BY lnsTALLMENTs.
Louis sohns Tells OF yancouver's Ven.
ture-Reco1Iections Of Iturbide and
Diax by Lady.

The rush to the Sound from the East
continues, and the newcomers include men
and women OF all classes. rich and poor
families seeking homes, and CAPITALISTS
seeking investments, men who desire to
buy pleasure and property at the same
time all are ;unbled together in q little
world of their own in the hotel corridors
fair sample of the people of the United
States, whose occupation may be fairly de-
scribed as the race for wealth and the race
for pleasure run simultaneously on one
track.
While throng of the b est young peopl
of the city and among the visitors circied
in and out among the pillars in the ro-
tunda of the Rainier last evening to the Sc
ductive measure of the waltz, q gray -haired.
kindly old man looked on and enjoyed
seeing the young people enjoy themselves.
This was Louis Sohns. the banker, OF Van
couver, who came to Washington when an
Indian trail was a welcome sight to
the wanderer in the forest and
railroads we're not dreamed OF.
He Is now engaged with other citizens
of Vancouver in building railroad from
that city to Yakima and Goldendaie. They
began modestiy and have built twelve miles
nj standard-gauge track to Salmon creek at
Q cost of $I25o0o. They had a capital of
10000 and have put all their first years
earnings into construction. They have
paving business in carrying lumber from
Salmon creek 10 the Columbia river, and
rs they have no salaried officers, the proper
lion of net earnings is high. and they have
no water in their stock, though they have
plenty of sweat, of brain and sinew in it.
Thus they hope to have fund next year
to devote 10 the construction of another
section eastward until they join hands
with Goldendaie and perhaps Yakima.
Mr.. Sohns said that Vancouver is grow
ing steadily and thriving without any I'M
due excitement. He SAYS that matters
in regard to the fisheries are look
ing better and that peace has been
restored among the fishermen. He is
strongly of opinion that the privilege of
fishing in the Columbia sho2ld be re-
stricted to Americans, or those who had
been naturaiized or declared their inten-
ton to become citizens. This rsle would
shut out the turbulent Italians and Austri-
ans who have been trying to control the
fisheries.
Mr.. Sohns inquired particularly after
Charles Prosch ana other old citizens, who
with him, were among the frs. settlers in
the state. Mr.. Sohns will be remembered
as one of the delegates to the constitutional
convention.
In strong contrast to Mr.. Sohns is Mrs.
l.. H. Norton, of Washington City. She,
too, is at the Rainier. Mrs Norton is
representative of that aristocracy which
was planted in Virginia by the first settlers
in the Old Dominion. Descended from the
noble family of Fairfax, and of
the Revolutionary hero. Nathaniel
Greene, she is related by marriage to the
unhappy family of Macmillan. Prince
Iturbide. descendant of the emperor of
that name and Maximilian's adopted son.
having married her sister, and his son,
Lieutenant Iturhide. having been college
companion of her son in Washington City.
While there, the two young men matched
their horses TO trot at the Ivy City track
for 81 900 and a supper to their lady
friends. Mr.. Norton won the match, much
to Iturbide's chagrin. and the latter in
sisted on another match, which he also lost.
From Washington City Iturbide went to
the Woolwich military academy in England,
whence he was graduated in the unusually
ciio&h ttthc vi thence ne
went to the Berlin military academy, and
while there he accepted an invitation to re-
turn TO Mexico, where he is now impris-
oned. He is talented young man OF 2s or
20 years, and is the last of the line of the
native imperial family of Mexico, whose
dynasty began and ended with the execu-
ton of the Emperor Iturbide, in 1924.
President Diaz, who is now practically
dictator of Mexico, is described By Mrs.
Norton as a man of great culture and pol
ished manners. There is romance con-
nected with his marriage, similar 10 that
related of Peter the Great ana Catherine.
The wife OF President Diaz was
a chambermaid in a hotel when he
fell in love with her. He sent her to
a convent to be educated and in a few
years she came out. 3 talented and highly
educated lady, to be the first woman of the
republic.
Mrs. Norton is delighted with Seattle.
and looks forward with pleasure to making
this city her home with her daughter and
son-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Rawson.