The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-01
THE WILD OLYMPIC RANGE.
Its Mysteries Revealed to Exploring
Parties.
Abounds in Magnificent Timber and Fer
tile Valleys Home of the Elk
and Large Game.
Gg.Y's HaaBoR, Wash, Dec. IS. 1890.

GgAY's HARBoR, Wash, Dec is. 1890
The thorough exploration Of the great
Olympic peninsula, IN the northwestern
part Of Washington. Is amongst important
achievements Of the year For many
years it had been regarded as terra facoq-
nitG, all but inaccessible because Of the
fierce aspect Of the Olympic mountains and
the heavy growth OF timber that
covers it on all parts: and many tales
were told Of the riches, mineral and agri-
cultural, behind the great barrier that ap-
parently forbids all access from Puget
sound Prospectors, hunters and home
seekers bad attempted TO penetrate the
great unknown region; and, though they
met with more or less success. none re-
turned with very lucid accounts OF the
character, topography or resources Of the
country. Enough was learned, however,
10 give confirmation to previous reports that
here was country Of great possibilities,
and, as years passed On and other parts OF
the state became populated more and
more, the desire of learning what is the
exact nature Of the peninsula, and Of
giving dennite and authoritative account
OF it TO the public became generally cur
rent. About 1855, the government decided
TO take the matter in charge, and dele
gated Lieutenant Frederick Schwatka, the
noted Arctic explorer, 10 make the ex-
curslon- Other matters interviewed, how
ever. and, later. Lieutenant J. P. 0'Neil
was instructed TO explore the mountains.
Lieutenant 0'Seil started in at Port
Crescent, on the Straits OF Fuca, but he had
penetrated only few miles when he was
recalled and dispatched on other duties.
The first successful systematic attempt
was made by C. A. Gilman. ex-Iieutenant
governor OF Minnesota, and his son, ). G..
Gilman These two entered the Oiympics
from Grays harbor, on the southwest, in
October, 1859. They went up the coast to
Quinaiult agency, thence followed the
course Of the stream, lowing in south
westerly direction from the mountains.
They penetrated to Mount Constance, the
highest peak of the range, and then, strik-
ing another fork of the river, followed il 10
sEeir starting place. Not content with one
TIP. they went around 10 the Straits of
{ uca. and thence directly across the penin-
suia south, and west OF the mountains, TO
Gray's harbor. 1t was IN the midst of win
ter, and the two explorers suffered incredi-
bic hardships on the way. They finished
January t.
\ little later party was sent out by the
Seattle Press. This party entered from the
north, and, crossing the mountains and
striking the Quinaiult, went down 10 the
Quinaiult reservation and Gray's harbor.
This party, which was also in the noun
tains several months in dead OF winter,
suffered severe hardships
Last July, government expedition, IN
der charge Of Lieut.. J. p. 0'Neil. started in
from Hoods canal, and trayersed thor
oughly every part Of the peninsula. This
party had many queer and exciting adven-
lures IN the mountains, but emerged safely
on Gray's harbor about October /.
Several parties, sent out by Norman r.
Kelly and others, have likewise gone into
the reservations. and altogether the sum
OF knowledge as to their character is about
complete. The effect Is 70 divest them of
that glamour Of romance which has hung
over them for years, and to expose them
IN their true Ight-of a country yerv
mountainous, with streams Astounding in
flSn, With wales OF great fertility, with tim
Der resources of immense value, and with
game OF the larger varieties in almost IN
told numbers. The mineral wealth of the
country Is as yet an uncertain quantity.
Ii may and it may not be very rich in this
respect. The report prepared By the Gil
mans concerning the peninsula is COM
plete and concise 1t Is given:
The Olympic peninsula is fifty miles wide on
the south, ninety on the north side and about
eighty miles long II contains about $500 square
miles, OF 9y5o2,eD acres The Olympic noun
tains, from which the peninsula takes is name
commence in the form OF a long range near Csr-e
Flattery- and extend from there sOutbessrerfv
zTFFu Ys7fT Al.
teen miles distant from the straits and gradual
ly increasing IN height until at Mount Olympus.
eighteen miles south of Port Angeles their
greatest height, $40 feet. Is reached Frara
Mount Olympus the summit OF the range runs a
little south Of east 70 Mount Constance 77-D
feet high. twelve miles west OF Quiiceue Then
II bears south about 30 degrees west twenty
miles, 70 3 point near Lake Cusbman. then west
about eighteen miles 10 the Quinsiuit river iEst
the main range that forms the divide between
the waters Sowing into the straits and Hood
canal and those towing into Grsy's h4rbor and
miles ii the peninsula There are
about 2,@5o square miles, Or $4,000 acres al
mountains, and $50 square miles, or I.5950oO
acres, OF land suitable for settlement, dissrib-
uted as follows: Four hundred and afty square
miles, or 1000 acres, mostly surveyed, on the
north and east sides along the straits and Hoods
canal. 20 square laIles, or $1,000 acres mostly
surveyed, On the south side OF the rnourtsius
north OF the Chehalis river and Gray-s harbor
and Grained by the satsop, Wynoochie, whish-
ANAs kASS--GA4l 1A1 n FAA4gpc TlEere% ana
l-sD square miles, or Ss0,oo0 acres. ei.gf0 acres
surveyed west OF the mountains and on waters
lowing direct 70 the Pacific ocean, the principal
streams OF which are the Osette. the QEilIayute
and Is four branches. the DIeky. the SOlduck
tie killawah and the BsgachieI: the Hob,
gueets. Raft Quinaiult, Moc1irse and chehalis
InTee OF these streams, the solduck. Hob and
south FORK Of QEinzinIt. each drain part OF
Mount Olympus the east FORK OF Quinaiuft head
ing Ia Mount Constance. sThe 1Eeets pszsetrates
the interior 10 considerable distance None OF
them sre nayigabEe at present for steamboats,
although the four largest OF them could
d made 50 for fifteen or twenty rniles each
az Moderate expense. They can ell
be nzyigasei with small boatSsand driven with
logs 70 within few miles Of their head Along
them and their branches are in the nesghksoy-
hood ri 80 square miles, or 224en scres. o. rich
bottom land The soil generally between the
mountains and c01st Is good and well ADAPTED,
when cleared, for farming, grazing and tru1t-