Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-04-10
WEST WONDERLANDS.
Mr.. d. Z. Chaplin Talks Entertain
ngly of His Recent Visit to
Washington State.
Thriving Cities of the Far West
Astonishing Material Pro-
greSS-1he Glory of
Puget Sound.
Chicago Evening journal.

Chicago Evening journal.
Mr.. H. D. Chaplin, the well-known book
man OF this city, has just returned from a
two months trip through the far west,
and has many interesting things to tell
about what he saw In the new and rapidly
developing regions of Washington and
Montana. In conversation with a Jour
nal reporter Mr.. Chaplin gave a rapid
sketch of his wanderings and among the
first things that interested him was
HUNTER S HOT SPRINGS
IN Montana. That these springs said
he, were known to the Indian tribes is
a surely established fact. for they came to
the Good Medicine Water on yearly pill
grimageS long after the region round about
was deserted by them as a hunting ground
The Blackfeet. Flatheads, Sioux, Piegans
and Crows have all In turn claimed this
country and been subject to the predatory
lncurslons of their neighboring tribes
Among the people who came here in
search of new homes came a physician
from kentucky,who appreciated the value
OF the water, located here, fought Indians
and planted groves. and obtaining a
patent from the government for the prop
erty, gave his name to the springs. which
are, therefore, known as Hunters Hot
Springs.
''Iraveling westward from st. Paul one
passes many places of remarkable natural
scenery, which might be regarded as mile
stones along the route to our far-famed
Wonderland as is the western boundary
of Dakota, the Bad Lands with its peaks,
mlnarets, pyramids and castellated forma-
tlOns, which seem to have been builded
by the gnomes and elves of olden days, and
from whence one almost expects to see
some brown dwarf or giant goblin appear
with wlzened face and unaccountable
capers, and you almost shudder with the
fear of being turned into a statue or a
coyote, so uncanny is the place. Even the
pools of yellow alkali water so evil-smell-
ing and poisonous-looking, strike the be-
holders with a memory of the famous
Burning water in which the yelled
prophet of Khorassen chose to end his evil
days. Altogether, it is wild, weird
country, so lonesome and silent; your gaze
is riveted to it, yet you would fain turn
away from It's awesomeness.
''Off to the southwest and south stretch
a long line of snow-clad mountains, for
merly known as the Snowy Hills of Clark
Ford, but by later geographers, the Yellow
stone range: Among them is the famous
Emigrant Gulch, where early prospectors
for gold treasures suffered so long and so
severely when shut in by snow from the
world without; that world being so far
away, even when the outlet was obtainable.
You fancy walk up there would give you
a good appetite for your breakfast? Don It
try it. That Elusive wonder, that snow
wreath, or wrath, is fifty, long, hard
miles away.
''The springs boil up from rocky
ledge in the bottom of little valley or in
fact, rolling prairie. They are twenty
seven in number, and are in three. pri in
pal groups, varying in heat from l4S to
i68 degrees Fahrenheit, with combined
outpour of about 500 gallons per minute,
sufficient to furnish one bath daily of
thirty gallons each to 100000 persons.
The water is clear and sparkling and re-
markedly soft. 1t contains no lime and
deposits no sediment, and gives a soft,
velvety feeling to the skin, delightfully."- re-
freshing and pleasant
SPOKANE FALLS,
WASH" says Mr.. Chaplin. sis one of the
best and fastest growing cities in the west
to-day-blocks and blocks of fine buildings
going up, such as the Spokane house, one
of the best hotels, in the west; a fine opera
house, and hundreds of private dwellings.
The tents are disappearing, and the raise
of prices in property is wonderful. New
railroads are coming in. making it the
grand junction of Washington State,
opening new mines of all kinds of miner
ais, while the grand water power that ma
ture has bestowed on this wonderful land
will make it one of the best places of bust
ness. 1t is to-day what Chicago was a
few years ago. Every thing is high. but
every one seems to be making money and
all are happy.
FAIRHAvEN.
Twelve months ago where the city of
Fairhaven stands to-day there was nothing
but dense forests, inhabited only by In
dians. 1t is difficult to understand how
such splendid site for city should have
remained hidden, as it were so long. The
town site slopes gradually to the waters
edge The largest vessels can land with
out any trouble, great coal bunkers are
being erected for loading coal from the
mines on Skagit river, and grain elevators
will line the wharves. The Fairhaven and
Southern Railroad company, of which
Nelson Bennett is the protector, is pushing
forward the work of constructing the road
to the boundary line at Blaine. At the
present time building operations are going
on at a wonderful rate, and stores and
residences are going up in every direction.
An electric light company has been formed
with a capital of 100000 and before one
year is gone an electric street railroad will
be built. which will be extended beyond
the city limits to connect the cities of
Sehome, Bellingham and Whatcome with
Fairhaven. The Hotel Fairhaven, 100
feet square, to cost $4,000, is in course
of construction A $40, 900 brick block is
also going up. The population is now
about 1000.