The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-25
SIXTY MILES FROM A RAILROAD.
The Houses Made Of Timber Hewn by
nAnd' and All Their Supplies
Brought in by Packhorses.

the Hilton river en- route to his home in
thas part OF the upper Cowlitz valley
known as the Big Bottom. He was re-
turning home from the Minneapolis con-
vention, fresh from the eloquence of Fas-
sett, Mckinley and Depew. The scene
now before him presented a strange con-
trast to that pictured IN the convention
hall at Minneapolis. Now he was not lis
tenlng to the thunder of the great oracles
OF Republcanism, but TO the music of the
clouds that were pouring out their con-
tents with the sublime accompaniment of
thunder and lightning. Nor was he now
gazing at the finished architecture of man,
but at the giant mountain walls
that overhang the TiIton river with a
picturesque grandeur that belongs only
TO the Cascade mountains.
The scenery along the Triton river re-
minds one of the Ute pass at the foot of
Fixes peak. / believe, however, that the
Tiiton river scenery is more varied and at
tractiye than that of the famous pass.
Amid such surroundings and in drench-
ing rain We reached a comfortable lodging
place in the vicinity of Davis lake. Here
We found warm hospitality, and we were
In splendid humor for it. Wet and tired,
We extended hearty welcome to the
cheerful fire and wholesome supper that
were prepared Tor us.
The place where We spent the night is
good sample OF the ranches scattered
through the valleys of this region. For
several miles the route is over trail, and
this is the only approach TO the homes
that are planted in this mountain Seciu-
sion. Iet contentment reigns even IN these
remote places, and comfort begins TO re-
ward the industry and patience OF the in
habitants Strawberries ut for royal
palace were spread before Us, and the
weary pack horses luxuriated lii
the rich timothy pasture. The
nights in the Davis lake valley
Will long be remembered, not only Tor
kindly treatment by the host and hostess
but Tor curious specimen OF the cat KIND
never before seen or heard Of This is
cat that loves tobacco, and eats it with as
much relish as though it were milk. 1t
is very common 10 see man at one end
OF q plug Of tobacco and this cat at the
other, each gnawing with full measure
of earthly bliss. Here also we met Will
lam Packwood, the famous hunter and
trapper, who has probably spent as many
days in the open air as any man in the
state. He declares that civilization is
costly luxury, and hence he prefers the
more simple and less costly existence of
outdoor life. He has a promising coal
mine a few miles west OF the summit OF
the Cascades.
1t is still raining, but We must be going.
The four pack horses are loaded, and the
riding horses, bearing their human freight,
wind over the mountain trall all day I'M
der the weeping clouds. The days jour-
ney convinces me of the difficulty attend
ing the lite of the people in these mount
ain wllds. Everything except vegetables
that can be raised must be brought in on
pack horses, and the new homesteader
who.has his garden ground yet to clear
must pack in every morsei of food, and
that frequently on his own back. Truly
these sturdy woodsmen deserve the good
time coming, when railroads and wagon
roads will make transportation of the
necessaries OF life easier and cheaper.
But here we are. on the afternoon of
July /. at Mr.. Davis home-himself, son,
daughter and the writer. A good ire.
even on the LIST of July. is wholesome
comfort TO one who has been riding all
day through the rain. So said our COM
pany unanimously, and the tired horses
said amen TO the warm barn shelter. Sit
ting in Mr.. Davis genial home, though
more than sixty miles from railroad, We
are happy. Surely We ought to be, ii
home comforts and inspiring mountain
scenery can bring happiness. Judging
from surroundings, it could hardly be sup
posed that Mr.. Davis place is new. \
good house, good barn and outbulldings, a
large meadow, thrifty young orchard
and many other proofs OF substantial farm
improvements speak of the Industry OF
Mr. Davis and his family since settling
here little more than five years ago. The
timber in all the buildings is shaped for
use by hand, for sawed lumber Is not to be
had.
The Cowiitz valley at this place has
most pgiable and fertile soil. 1t is very
easy TO cultivate, and can be plowed i'm
mediately after long, hard rain. Any
kind of crop that can be grown anywhere
in Western Washington can be raised here
with great success. The desirability OF
the region is we'll shown in the fact that
every acre of the valley, below and above
Mr.. Davis, is claimed by settler. Re-
mote and hard to reach, this incon-
venience has not deferred large settle
ment being made, and the inhabitants
seem Well contented with their lot in all
respects, except their isolation from
market and social advantages.
The geographical location of this place
may be given by stating that it is in town
ship Il north. range s east OF the Will
annette meridian. Standing on noun
tain nearly due north OF Mr.. Davis house
the north point OF the compass strikes
Mount Rainier and the south point runs
nearly midway between Mount Adams
and Mount ST. Helens. The mountains
on either side of the valley rise from 1000
to 5000 feet above the valley. The noun
tains are quite steep, and the rugged
gorges, with their snow-ted streams and
laundering waterfalls, make this region
of unsurpassed beauty. This beauty
swells into grandeur when either of the
peaks guarding the valley is assembled
party OF four of US assembled peak
which rises some 3, 500 feet above the val
ley, and were surprised 10 find the SHOWS
yet lingering to greet July sun. The
sentineis of Rainier. st. Helens and Ad-
ans, presented kingly appearance amid
the countless SUBMITS where
The increasing prospect tire cur wondering
eyes,
Hills pee ? DER hills, and Alps on Alps arise.
As We surveyed this congregation of
mountain grandeur, We thought of the
hundreds who in the no distant futuen
will climb these rugged sleeps 10 view one
of the grandest Alpine scenes on the
American continent. Surely nature has
done her part 10 make this region a store
house of wonders, where the soul OF man
can revel with growing del ght.
The section on either side OF Mr.. Davis
place for fifteen miles Is generally known
as the big Bottom" Between the beau
tiful kiickitat prairie and the Big Bottom
is continuous settlement, all made with
IN the past SIX or seven years. Gradually
settlements have extended above the
prairie until the Big Bottom has been
reached, and now 3 thrifty population is
scattered along this stretch of more than
fifty miles The Big Bottom peonle have
organized a school district within the mast
wear, and the first school term was taught
this summer. Thus learning is finding its
way into these mountain Businesses. and
patriotism IS planting its standard. The
-.