The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-06-19

while brought TO our view the largest and
brightest rainbows / ever behed. Indeed,
the whole mountain sides were covered with
this prismatic mist, while in the sky we could
often behold the "bOw of promise"
The mountains are very steep. Some of
the passengers thought they saw deer upon
the mountains. Some one suggested COWS,
and in few moments we could plainly dis
Germ great numbers of cattle grazing high
upon these mountains, though to US it SEEM
ed impossible for them to climb such
steep places. Our engine wound around
through the mountains, aud often looking
ahead, we could see it just entering a tunnel
cut through solid rock.
Onward through the Dalles was one con-
tinuous panorama of beauty. The sage
brush plains were monotonous, but not 30
the mountain scenery. Every traveller was
wide-awake admiring natures beauties spread
out so generously around US. Occasionally
a spot cleared for farming and little "shack"
would Re seen near the mountain side. AS
we neared Portland fine farms and comfor-
table homes were all along our way.
Our train was four hours late, arriving in
Portland at P. NJ, on Saturday, instead of
at 9 A. NJ, as indicated by the schedule. The
Seattle train which we had intended to take
had been gone for three hours.
MIR. Jacob Grafton, formerly of Hartford,
kindly met US at the depot and took US tolhis
beautiful home in East Portland. This part
of the city is being rapidly built up with fine
residences. From the door of Mr.. Grafton's
house we had lovely view of Mt. Hood and
Mt. st. Helena, For a while the clouds hid
them but suddenly lifting, while the sun was
shining brightly, we obtained most beauti-
full view. We were much pleased with Port
land and remained over the Sabbath attend
IN pf fha r
services. On Monday morning at 1890 we
took train for Tacoma, passing through dense
forests on our way. AT Tacoma we took
boat for Seattle. Our boat, the City of Sc
attle, was fine one, and the ride up the
Sound delightful. We reached Seattle about
seven o'clock and proceeded Immediately to
Battery street parsonage, where we were
kindly entertained until Wednesday morning,
when We started for our final destination,
Sedro, eighty-seven miles distant. The for
ests from Seattle to Sedro were the densest
we had yet sell n. No one can form any cor
rect idea of them without seeing them. Trees
and underground were so thick that it would
be impossible in most places to even walk
through them. We passed several new-look- |
ing towns and some beautiful little lakes.
Sedro was called and we realized that we |
had reached our journeys end, having travel
ed over $500 miles. We were met at the |
station and kindly entertained for week bv |
Mrs. DR.. Batey, whose husband runs large |
saw and planning mill in Sedro.
Sedro is a new town. One year and half
ago there were but two or three houses here,
now its population numbers more than one
thousand 1t is situated in the Skagit valley,
surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
The climate is unsurpassed in healthfulness,
the summers are delightfully."- cool and the
winters mild. The water is very pure and
contains a large percentage of iron. The
soil is rich, no fertilizer being necessary to
raise immense crops. The only hindrance
here to farming is the difficulty in getting the
land cleared. The trees are so large and so
thick on the ground that it costs consider
able amount to get land in condition for farm
ing. Living is much higher here than in
Maryland. Fruits grow to great size and
perfection.
Sedro is growing in population and is be-
ing rapidly improved. New streets are be-
ing cleaned up, graded and planked. new
school house, to cost $4,000, is being erect
ed. Large saw and planning mills are sending
out all kinds of lumber.
Three main railroad lines run through the |
town, fourth one is under construction, also |
a road seven miles in length leading to a rich |
coal mine, recently discovered. A fine hotel |
costing $4,000 is fitted up for the entertain
meut of all who desire to stop in Sedro.
The trees are of immense size and very |
high Seventy five men stood upon one stump |
at one time and had their pictures taken. The
stumps are cut ten or fifteen feet from the
ground, the centre is generally full of pitch |
and they are usually burned out, so that
man could, if he so desired, take up his abode
within, arrange his bed, put up his stove,
spread his table and still have sufficient spare
room for his wood box and cupboard. Many
of the trees are 800 feet high. A log four
feet square and one hundred and twenty feet
long, perfectly free from knots was shipped
to Philadelphia short time ago. A log
twelve feet square is now being gotten ready
for the Worlds Fair.
Between the south bank of the river and
the mountains there is valley three-fourths
of a mile wide upon which, during the win
ter months, the sun does not shine, owing to
the height of the mountains. Being ON the
4S4 degree of north latitude, our days in sum-
mer are much longer than in Maryland.
During the summer a person can see to read |
without lamp Light from 2 A. NJ until 10 P.
NJ
The Chinook winds, which blow from the |
southern Pacific and break along the coast on
the west, and the high Cascades on the east,
breaking off the cold easterly winds, give us |
mild climate throughout the year. There is
much government land yet in this State,
awaiting settlers. The presumption law hav
ing been repealed at the last session of Con-
gress, land can now be taken up under the
Homestead laws, by which you can obtain
one hundred and sixty acres by paying $16 |
and living upon your claim for six, years and |
under the Communication laws, by which you
must live six months upon your claim and
pay $1.25 per acre, when you are given a
deed There is also timber law, by which
you can get one hundred and sixty acres of
timber land by paying $3.50 per acre. There
are not many Indians here, those we have
seen are called Siwashes, are filthy in person
and low in morals. When the country was
first settled, white men often took Indian
women for wives, SO there are. number of
half-breeds. We have found them good
neighbors, and pleasant, refined people.
Women are still scarce in this neighbour
hood. A few days ago we had gentleman
caller who informed us that he would like to
have a wife. He could not find marriage
able lady out here and wished US to use our
influence TO secure him one from the East.
He is a man highly respected and of consider
able wealth. Here is chance for some of
Harford's maiden ladies.
We have begun the erection of a fine new
church, to cost us about $4,000. 1t will con-
tain auditorium, lecture and class rooms, with
Gothic stained glass WINDOWS ana nlgh low
er. This will soon be one ofthe most import
ants stations in the conference.
II any gentleman wishing to make his home
in this country, or any lady who feels dispos-
ed to break the solitude in one of our bach
eor's ranches, will send me his or her address,
with the nature of the information desired
and one dollar bill enclosed, to be used in
the construction of our church, ! will prompt
ly furnish all Information desired.
Mrs. G. L. CUDDY
Sedro, Washington, May 9Th, 1891.