The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-01
THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
A Pr0digally Fertile Region of Over
$500, 900 Acres.
Wheat, Oats, Barley and Other Grains
Yield Enormously-The Coulees
Thriving Towns.
WATEgyrILr. Wash, Dec. 20, 1890.


Among the many spots in Eastern Wash
ington that nature has generally endowed
with prodigal fertality there is none
better known than the Big Bend. The
name l. familiar to the residents of all por-
tons of the state, and its fame as phe-
nomenally rich agricultural section has
spread over the broad land. While knowl-
edge of the existence of the vast domain
embraced in the boundaries designated as
the Big Bend is coeval with that OF the
Palouse country, the Walla Walla valley,
and other particular localities that have
justly earned premiums as producers of
bountiful harvests, yet the possibilities of
the Big Bend are still practically unknown,
and only very small portion of the terri
tory has as yet felt the edge of the pillow.
1t is still undeveloped, and thousands of
acres are in the same natural state as at
the momentous period when God said,
LET there be light" and there was light.
However, the fractional portions of
the county that have been settled
upon by the hardy. pioneer, who
pushed on ahead in the advance of that
mighty tide of civilization that has made
the state of Washington the wonder of the
world, have demonstrated that the Big
Bend is to be an important factor as a pro-
ducer of breadstuffs, and all things else
that grow and mature, and contribute TO
the sustenance, comfort and wealth of in
habitants of the temperate zone. 1t has
been proven that the soil responds liber-
ally to cultivation, and that for quantity
and quality of products it stands second to
none In the whole state. The future pos
sibilities of the Big Bend as contributor
to the grain output of the state are beyond
calculation of the mathematician.
But what constitutes the Big Bend
proper? This is question over which
controversies have arisen, and the trench
ant pen of the bucolic editor has waged
frantic night in defense of the right of GER
tain localities to be listed within the pre-
eincts of that favored territory. No par
ticular spot accredited with local appel
lation has been so generally misunder-
stood or misapplied. Its boundaries have
been stretched to cover certain villages,
and it would seem that even its elasticity
would give way under the strain, as
it is spread out to embrace almost
half of Eastern Washington. One
thing is true in the face of this
anxiety to be known as incorporated in
the Big Bend it adds to the growing i'm
preston that the Big Bend must be won
derfully rich and promising country. At
one time the Big Bend was made to do
duty as embracing Spokane. Franklin,
Adams, Lincoln and Douglas counties, but
of late it is conceded that the Bend in
cludes only portion of Lincoln county
and the whole of Douglas. At point a
few miles below where the waters of the
Spokane river add their mite to the tor
rent of the glorious Columbia, the latter
stream trends to the northwest for nearly
100 miles, then abruptly turns south, and
riows in southeasterly direction until it
touches the southern edge of the state and
from thence westward constitutes the
dividing line between Washington and
Oregon. This majestic sweep of the
Columbia gives the name of Big Bend TO
that portion of country west of a line
drawn from the mouth of Hawk creek, on
the north, to the southern extremity of
Douglas county, which includes upward OF
3.50O.oO0 acres. This is the Big Bend
proper, and as such is destined 10 hi an
important part in the future of the state as
liberal contributor 20 the material wealth
of the commonwealth, and the home of
large and prosperous population.
The topography of the Big Bend is
broken. rolling and devoid of timber The
western portion covers great plateau,
nearly 5000 feet above sea level. That
portion is devoid of running streams. bat
the absence of water courses is not recog-
nized as a drawback. To one unacquainted
with its capabilities. the soil looks light,
but experience proves that it contains all
the elements essential for the growth of
cereals and vegetables; and the exhibit
of farm, garden and orchard products
made at the recent exposition at Spokane
Falls demonstrated beyond cavil that
Douglas county stands without superior
in the state. Almost all of the uplands
are susceptible to cultivation. Wherever
the settler has made his home. whether on
the rolling hills or in the small, sheltered
valleys, the earth has responded genially
to cultivation. and abundant crops have
rewarded the husbandman. Wheat, oats,
barley and other grains yield enormously,
| and some of the crops harvested the present
year were astounding. Vegetables thrive
| equally as well. and the mammoth speci-
mems of root and vine that have been ex-
hibited this fall are really marvellous The
| Columbia, by years of attrition, has worn
a pathway to the sea that is :. eco feet below
| the level of the surrounding country Here
one enters a genial climate, in comparison
with that of the steppes- In summer the
sun takes upon itself the nature Of torrid