Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1891-06-05
Lovely ChamOkane.

Lovely ChamOkane.
The lovely and picturesque valley OF
the Chamokane, says the Colvllle Miner,
is situated in the southern part of Stey-
ems county, and extends from the Spok-
ane river on the south up to and includ-
ing Camas prairie on the north. The
length of the valley is about twenty
miles, and its average width is about
five miles. The beautiful fats and low
terraced upIands, backed by its higher
hills beyond, present a landscape scene
that can not be excelled by any spot IN
this grandly picturesque state of Wash
ington. 1t would fill the soul of an
artist with inspiration and delight.
Subsequent to the glacial period, that
first formed the contour of this magnifi-
cent valley, the erosions made by time
and the elements have caused deluvium
of decomposed granite and other dasic
rocks to be carried to its lower levels,
thus forming deep, rich soil that can
not be excelled, and only equaled by
such favored places as the far-famed
Sacramento valley, whose soil is of the
same composition. The euphonlous
name of chamokane is of Indian origin,
and was given by them to the beautiful,
trout-ladened stream of pure and rip
ping spring water that meanders
through the whole length of the valley.
A few "reminiscences Of the early set
tiers is deemed not to be out of place
here, and to rescue from oblivion the, in
cidents of former times especially those
of our immediate country, has been con-
sidered worthy even of the pen of Taci-
tus.
There is much in the early days of a
country, that will pass from the memory
of man in few years, because there
are so few actors in the scene to record
them.
Over half century ago the eye of
civilization sought out this spot as be-
ing the most beautiful and soul-inspiring
place thus far discovered in the wilds of
the great Northwest.
In 1888 the Rev. Drs. Walker and
Eels, after making pilgrimage all over
the country, finally discovering the Mecca
of their search in beautiful prairie in
the chamokane valley where they at once
commenced this constructor of log
buildings, the logs for which were cut
with axes in their own hands.
The following season they erected a
Presbyterian mission, and in honor of
DIR. Walker the prairie was named for
him; since that time it has been known
as Walkers prairie.
Here son was born to DR.. Walker
and wife, with the distinction of being
the first white child born within the
limits OF the present state of Washing
t on.
Twenty-three years subsequent to the
foregoing date, and when Stevens
county included within It's boundaries
all of the territory lying east of the Cas-
cades to the Idaho line, and north of
a-e-@ the t7A@-~eS1; g-ss~'-sa-.sa=-,
first representative % us territorial
Legislature, Hon. Judge Watson, was
waylaid and assassinated by Spokane
Indian while passing through the
Chamokane valley, en- route from the
capital to Colville. His remains were
buried where Re fell, aud his grave has
become almost obliterated.
W. A. and l.. Jones, on whose land he
is buried, actuated by true Christian
spirit have marked the place and will
keep it marked until the county or
counties that were subdivided from
Stevens take the matter in hand, and his
resting place marked by suitable mon
ument