The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-01

The Port Townsend Southern viii frst
touch the canal 81 Union City. point On
the southern shore about one mile east OF
the mouth OF the Ekokomish river, just
above the angie near It's head. This is one
OF the oldest postoEdces on the upper canal,
and has long been the trading point Of
the logging camps of that vicinity. IL
Is known as Sgokomish postofice, but
il is expected thai the name Of the post
Office viii soon be changed to Union
City. There was store started there in
1859 by z. A. Wilson, which was bought by
T.. C. Purdy in 1861. A year later he sold
q half interest 10 the Hon John McReayy,
who since 1872 has conducted the business
alone. Mr. McReavy is member OF the
House CT Representatives OF the present.
Legislature.
Union City has an excellent land-Iccked
haFhor and many other natural advantages
by which il expects to become the chief
port OF this important waterway.
IL is situated on the canal very much
as Duluth is upon Lake Superior. 1t has
no competitor on the upper canal, and il
now seems 10 be the heir apparent TO the
greatness that the development OF this vast
region tributary 10 the canal viii bestow
upon its metropolis. The SkokomiSh
river IS the largest aud its valley the widest
and most fertile of the rivers of the canal.
In the broad, fertile bottom land at Its
mouth, adjacent TO Union City, is large
tract OF as rich agricultural land as car be
found IN any country. About two miles
out is the well known ranch of Thomas
Webb, pioneer on the canal. who located
upon his donation claim in 1854. He
added 10 this by the purchase of university
land, and now has ranch of 400 acres.
This ranch is leased for term of years TO
Mr.. Jacob Hopley for rental of s., 000 per
year. An Eastern farmer unacquainted
with the produetiveness OF Puget sound
soil would not believe that the ranch would
pay the rent. There are only eighty acres
under cultivation. yet OFF from this and the
pasture land Mr.. Hopley manages to pay
his landlord and has enough over 70 make
HIM anxious to hold onto the lease. Last
year his first crop of hay was entirely de-
stoyed by ire. With his second crop, how
ever, he managed 10 pay bis rent and come
out whole. Adjoining Mr.. Webb's ranch
Is +. g. Purdy's. Mr.. Purdy is the oldest
settler of the canal now living. and posses
SIS much valuable knowledge of the
country and its resources.
On the north side OF the river is the Sko-
komish Indian reservation, occupying
49S7 acre S. The original reservation con-
sisted of ak sections, given to the Indians
BY the treaty made at Point-no-P Point be-
tween Governor Stevens and Colonel NJ. c.
Simmons on the part of the government.
and the Duke of York in behalf OF the
Clallam Indians. In 1856 patents in sew
crafty to the land were given, the allot-
ments varying from ten TO l64 acres, ac-
cording to the value of the land. Theallot-
ments, according to the governments pro-
visions. could not be transferred TO whites
unth the territory should become a state.
and law authorizing such transfer passed
BY the legislature and ratified by congress.
AS the reservation contains excellent agri-
cultural land that has long been coveted by
the white settler, il is probable that such
bill viii be passed by the present legisla-
ture. There are about 90 Indians now
living upon the reservation, many Of whom
are well advanced in civilized industrial
arts and have accumulated considerable
wealth. This year they have produced
500 tons Of hay and 700 bushels of yegesa-
bleS. They own lie horses and 100 cattle.
+. e. Foster, an appointee of the present
administration, Is now the superintendent
in charge and school teacher, and Or. Ed
ward Bailey, recently appointed physician
arrived there about three weeks ago from
Oregon. Rev. Myron Eells, the well
known Congregational missionary, has
faithfully served as spiritual shepherd Of
the reservation for the past fifteen years.
Mr. Eells has written many valuable his
torieal pamphlets relating TO the pioneers
of tha Northwest, especially concerning DIR.
Whitman. Mr.. Elells was born on this coast
the son Of missionary an associate OF DR..
Whitmanss. Mr.. Eells has in his church
fold about forty-fiye members from the
reservation.
A new road has been opened from Union
City TO the Satsop valley, making that rich
region tributary TO the growing town, The
upper satsop is valuable for IDS fancv lunl-
Der, sach rs maple and cherry. Union City
is also connected By road with Shelton and
Kamilchie, and could very easily have
railroad connection with the latter point,
as il is the Sound terminus Of the Gray's
Harhor road, and is only distant sixteen
miles For beauty and grandeur of its sur
roundIngs the location Of Union City Is
unexceIled. The townsite slopes gently
back from q level strip along the water
front To an elevated plateau. facing most
ehtrming prospect OF water, forest and
mountains, with three craggy, inaccessible
Olympic peaks forming the erowning fea-
ture OF the scene.
There il an abundance OF fish and game
Of al kinds in the vicinity. About three
weeks AGO hand Of eighty elk came down
from the mountains % Lake Cnshmaa,
where ten OF them were slain by the set
tiers. At the falls OF the North skoko-
usish the Indians catch immense quAnti-
ties Of 8 superior quality vi salmon.
The mineral wealth of the Oiympic range
adjacent 20 Hoods canal is probably
greater than IFS timber resources 4
mountain OF iron ore lies back OF Lake
Cushmsn and twelve claims have been
fisea upon il by Mr. McReayy. OF Union
CITY. and Others The assay OF this one
stowest il 70 De Of high grade. There Is
also a bed Of tog ore near By. Coal has
also been found and il believed to exist in
many pIaces. About four miles below
Union City J. p. Hanneezn has opened np
a kAoln mine. from which DC took out
aboas thirty tons last season
About eight mics below Union City j. q
magnificent lssge q Hnexceilea building
sandstone, extending along deep water for
\ rate. This quarry vii Re developed
nsxt season with large force 81 raen.
Samples Of this s3one we're tested hy the
architect Il the fgeassTy department IL
N ashlagtoa. im the presence 81 Judge John
y. Seost. ef Pesx Townsen3, when bids for
supplying the stone for TIE new casfeEn
house we're considered The stone net