Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1892-05-26
A PACIFIC COAST EXCURSION.
Mrs. Alfred Dickey Writes an
Interesting Description Of
Washington Scenery.
Celebration at Cray's Harbor-
The Northern Pacific
Reaches that City.
A May Snow Storm Surprises
the Natives-After Ten
Years.

years..
The following is an interesting descrip-
tion of Pacific coast excursion, from
the pen of Mrs. Alfred Dickey, now So
journing at Tacoma. The letter was
received in Mr.. Dickey's private CORE.
spondence few days ago. 1t touches
upon matters of much interest, and al.
though not written for a newspaper, The
Alert has received permission to publish
it:
TACOMA, WASH, May 18, 1927 will
now send you sketch of my delightful
trip to Ocosta, the ocean terminus of
the Northern Pacific railroad. Col. and
Mrs. Heustis invited me to attend with
them the centennial of the discovery of
Gray's harbor. Nine we'll filled coaches
of Seattle and Tacoma citizens, left the
station the morning of the 9TH of May to
make their first excursion to the ocean
by rail- 1t was a pleasant company in
our coach; all were full of life and fun,
each one ready to make others happy.
Superintendent McCabe, by his genial
manners, added much to the enjoyment
of all.
After we left Centralia the route was
entirely new to me. We passed beautiful
valleys with we'll cultivated farms;
orchards laden with bloom spread out
before us; then the scene changed to
broken billy country, covered with foli-
age of dark blush green. Mrs. Heustis
and J. went to the rear car where we
could get the finest views, she pointing
ont the places of most interest. We
passed the cities have so often heard
you speak -Cosmopolis, Montesano
and Aberdeen. You know how love the
water, the sky and the mountains. 1t
was perfect day; { never breathed
eweeter ar, or looked into a lovelier sky
than on this morning, when our train
came around the bend and Ocosta-
"Ocosta by the eea"-burst upon our
view. There lay the town scarcely
year old-you know what beautiful
spot 1t Is. could stand for hours and
watch the tide come in. The new
station was thronged with people, flags
were flying, bands playing. 1t was an
eventful day; the completion Of the rail-
road had brought the citizens in touch
with Puget Sound and the east.
know You would be surprised to see
the substantial houses and we'll made
streets; 1t seems as if it had sprung up
by magic. On the bluff Is handsome
school house and several fine residences.
THIS town has future before it.
We we're escorted to the hotel, where
Col. Heustls with his usual forethought
had secured the best rooms for us. We
were invited to the attractive home of
Mayor Deckebach and partook Of an
excellent lunch, which We heartily appre-
ciated. The cordiality and pleasing
manners Of our hostess made such a
good Impression upon us, that We were
10th to leave.
Unity hall on Ocean avenue was taste
fully decorated, with flags and flowers,
evergreens and bunting. A large crowd
assembled to celebrate the discovery OF
Gray's harbor. The speeches we're good
and the music fine.
The novelty of the occasion was q
"Clam bake" Hundreds of people
surrounded the fire on which lay large
piece of sheet iron filled with CLAIMS. The
shell begins to open, as they are heated
and each one went to the fire, took on,
his own clans, and opened the shell anc
seasoned it to taste. Coffee and clan
chowder were served to that large com
pany; we ate and said it was very good
Thus the day was epent, and evening
came too soon.
I saw the glorious sight of the sur
setting in a sea of gold.
The New York Symphony clut
delighted us with sweet strains OF music
until late hour. The violinist wal
especially fine, and responded to tht
eucores so pleasantly that he won the
hearts Of the audience completely.
Rest must follow labor and enjoyment
soon all were quietly sleeping, getting
ready for the pleasure OF tomorrow.
At an early hour with we'll filled
baskets, We hastened to the wharf ane
there waited fully an hour, for boat tt
carry US across the bay to Peterson''
Point. Gray's harbor was IN her glory
Across the water we could see Hoqulam
and Gray's Harbor City, built down tt
the waters edge, background of darl
green foliage, and snow capped mount
aims. White sails were gliding here ane
there, and steamers cutting through thu