The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-27
FROM THE BIG BEND.
Increased Development Looked
for in the Season of 1891.
RAILROAD BUILDING CERTAIN.
Enginsers Have Gone Back and Forth
In which Indians Arc Concerned.

tions of seeing marked change in the coun-
try during the next fewmonths. Their hopes
are based upon the prospects of such an
immigration as has never before been wit
messed in Central Washington. The set
Element and corresponding development
of the Big Bend has been backward in
comparison with that of other sections
more fortunately supplied with means of
transportation. Douglas county has al
ways been an isolated subdivision Of the
state, and the difficulty of access has been
very disadvantageous. Another drawback
to the occupancy of agricultural lands may
be cited as reason for this slow increase
of rural population. Heretofore the atten-
ton Of Eastern people, drifting westward
to improve their condition, has been al
ways attracted to the larger cities, and
these commercial and populous centers
have grown with prodigious vigor, while
the country has been in large measure neg
lected. While this fact is to be regretted, as
preventing the rapid development of the
resources of the state, yet no other results
could be expected. The sudden growth of
the large cities has naturally enhanced the
value of town property. Fortunes have
been made with marvellous rapidity, read
Of the old, slow, plodding, penny-saving
Atlantic coast, and 1t is not to be wondered
at that, Influenced by the prospects Of en-
ulating the fortunate ones, the immigrant
should prefer to chance the hasty accumu-
lation of wealth by locating in commun-
ity holding out opportunities to the bold
investor, than to 60 into the country and
hew out q competency by the slower
method of manual labor. However, the
glittering bait of speculation has become
somewhat furnished, and those who are
now looking to the far West for home will
more readily search out and secure govern
ment land, and lend their assistance in de-
veloping one of the great factors of wealth
in the state, while at the same time inn
proving their worldly condition. Asabout
the largest quantity of unoccupied public
land, adapted to agriculture, is located in
the Columbia land district, of which
Douglas county is part, it is only natural
that the people hereabouts should enter
tain expectations which the writer trusts
they may realize.
The winter has been surprise to that
exponent of mildewed traditions = the
ancient inhabitant. In communities that
enjoy the luxury Of . medieval history it
is common to associate the chronicler of
almost forgotten lore with gray hairs, fur
rowed brow, bent form and tottering step;
but in this country, where the history Of
the white mans advent is vet in
the freshness Of the first chapter,
the ''oldest inhabitant'' is the sturdy
farmer, with locks yet unmarked
by the bleaching breath of time, and
whose biceps are yet in the vigor of
early manhood. Hence in comparing the
sample of winter weather of the present
with the past the record does not reach so
far back that this can be said to be the
mildest season for many years. Anyhow
it has been freer of severe cold and accom-
panying snow than any season within the
memory of the pioneer among the present
residents of Big Bend. Indeed, so little
snow had fallen up to a late date that peo-
pie had commenced to murmur, and the
dread of g light harvest for 81 was felt
among all classes. Fortunately King
Winter recently demonstrated the fact that
he had not abdicated his throne, and the
result is a more cheerful feeling With
the present fall of snow, aided by the
spring rains that are an unfailing feature
Of the meteorological conditions of this sec
ton. an abundant crop Is insured for the
coming season.
Speculation over the course 10 be fol
lowed by projected railroads through the
county Is ripe, and many are the cOnclu-
sions hastily jumped at. 1t is amusing to
read of the many views expressed upon
this subject by the public prints. Each
reporter who imaglnes that he has un-
earthed clue, or has wheedled pointer
from some surveyor, at once proceeds to
lay out route for the Great Northern,
These reports conflict, of course. and some
of the routes traced out on paper, through
the medium of the young man with a
flushed imagination and keen scent for
news, would bother bird to traverse, let
engineer, while a genial individual to
meet. and rich in a fund OF adventure
and anecdote, is as uncommunicatiye as
an oyster when approached regarding his
business. In the very climax of some
well-told story, if questioned upon
matters pertaining to railroad projects in
which ne Is interested he answers with inn
OF the subject as his interrogation Under
no circumstances can the engineer be
caught off his guard. He is as true as the
best tempered steel to his EMPLOYERS. and
railroad news must be gathered from some
other source. For months parties of Great
Northern surveyors have been at work be-
tween the Spokane river on the east and
the Cascades on the west. They have
covered vast amount of territory, and
have pushed preliminary lines out in
every direction. The route from Spokane
Falls to tide water is under charge of En-
gineer Stevens, who makes his headouar-
tiers in this place. Mr.. Stevens is a civil
engineer of large and varied experience.
He Is considered one of the best railroad
locators in the country. He has earned
the reputation he enjoys by severe appli-
cation. He is a man who shirks no hard
ship. He depends upon the report of no
man. If there is a piece Of country
to examine he goes over it on
foot and horseback. He has person.
ally examined every mile of the various
routes that have been surveyed in this To-
callty. By tramping over the rough and
rugged Cascade range from the British line
to the Columbus river in search of passage
way for the Great Northern over that stone
barrier to railroad building he discovered
pass that now bears his name. which
presents less obstacles than other known
passes through the great divide, and which
In all human probability will be utilized
by the road that Mr.. Stevens represents.
Your correspondent has frequently met
Mr.. Stevens, and has often overheard him
questioned in reference to the possible
route of the Great Northern, but true to
his duty, he has never, by intimation
even, given his interviewer any satisfac-
ton. That the Great Northern and also
the Central Washington will be built
through the county there can be no ques-
ton. and the coming of those roads will
put the Big Bend on an equal footing with
more favored portions Of the state and
contribute toward its growth and pros
perity
A very important land case was tried be-
fore the United States land Office in this
place recently. IN fact, it is q case that
mas attracted considerable attention in the
land and Indian departments. and is mo-
INT IS A.