The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-28
OFFICE OF U. s. SURVEYOR GENERAL,
STATE OF WAsHINGToN.}

OLYMPIA, June Q, lS90.)
D. C.-Sir: During the last two years quite q
large number OF settlers have gone into the val
ieys OF the Okanogau and Methow rivers for the
purpose OF making themselves home. They
were attracted by the rich mineral region of the
Conconully or Salmon river district. am in
receipt OF many letters and personal interviews
with these people and their friends, desir-
ing TO know when their lands will be sur
yeyed, petitioning for their immediate survey
These settlements are beyond the limits Of the
surveyed lands OF the state, and are cut of from
which is not desirable land for agricultural pur.
poses, To connect these regions with the sur
sition to make applications for the survey of
their claims in accordance with department in
structions | would respectfully request author
% and "a east to the international boundary on
the north. and also to run the 18th, sth and 9th,
Standards east ana west from said range line,
would respectfully urge that this authority
be given at once, by telegraph, and contract
can be made payable from the annual appropri-
ton.
deem this one of the most necessary acts
that can be done by the department for the re-
state. Very respectfully,
THOMAS II. cAvANAusH.
United States Surveyor General Washington.
This, in my judgment, seemed necessary and
preliminary TO any applications
The commissioners reply to my request IL as
follows:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
GENERAL LAND OFFICE,
WAsHrNGToN, ID. c., June q, ls9O>
The United States Surveyor General OLYMPIA
Washington.-Sr: am in receipt of your let
ter OF the 9Th instant. requesting authority to
extend the range line between ranges % aud u
east. TO the international boundary on the north.
also to run the eth. sth, and 9Th. standards east
aud west from said range line through ranges
II to ~ east
As a reason for said request you state that
during the past two years quite number of
ogan and Methow rivers for the purpose of
making homes for themselves, and that they
were attracted thithsr by the rich mineral re-
lou urge that authority be given by telegraph
so that a contract may be made payable from
the appropriation for the current fiscal wear
la reply You are advised that in the absence Of
more defiute information relative TO the al.
legged settlements in the valleys OF the okanogan
and Methow rivers, the number OF settlers fagri-
cultural or mining), the nature, extent and
value of their improvements, as also an esti-
mate OF the cost of extending the several de-
am unwilling, in view OF the positive nroyi,.
ions OF law governing the expenditure of The
annual appropriation, TO sccede 10 your request
You state that the settlers in the designated
valleys were attracted by the rich mineral re-
gion OF the salmon river district.
IL Is therefore especially desirable tina. full de-
be furnished, particularly whether they are in
the nature OF temporary mining camps OF bona
noe settlers MAKING permanent homes.
When you shall have submitted the desired
Information. the same will be duly considered
and you further advised. Very respectfully.
LEWIS A. CROFT Commissioner
The parties in 0kanogan county were prompt
ly notified OF this aetioa and requested 10 for
ward petitions and aftidavits required, Gov
ernor Iaughton also wrote them, and his letter
published IN the papers OF that bounty
No applications or petitions in accordance
with these instructions have been received bv
me excepting applications forwarded by George
H. Noyes, OF Loonis, okauogan county for the
survey OF three townships. viz: Townshipa a
~ and 20 n, F. - T., ". N.
The applications. being defective in their exc
ention, were returned TO Mr. Noyes for corrcc-
ton. stating IN my letter TO him that If the de-
scripsion given in the applications WAS correct
the land lot mountainous, no timber or under
growfh--it would be easy To survey, and If the
proper applications md afidAyi0 are iuxniahed