The Newtown bee., 1893-03-24
A CHANGE TO GO WEST.

The great West with it's openings for investment or business is always pleas ing theme to discuss. Our people here have but little idea as to the rapidity with which that great section is being developed. A glance at map of our country shows, by the net work of rail roads, that most of the states between the Rocky mountains and the Mississip- pi are to-day well populated. Yet this is the work of the last 10 years. Within that time there have grown up into splen- dix cities scores of places, then but little towns. Surely the opportunities of get ing on the ground floor is becoming very scarce. Apparently, however the last of all the western states, Washington, seems to have been the last to be settled. However the marvellous and diversified resources of that state is attracting such wide attention, from all classes, that those who wish to take advantage of it's newness, to acquire the still vacant gov ernment land, to start in mercantile per suits, or to invest in real estate will have to act quickly. The last number of the Home Missionary, published in New York, was practically devoted to this rich young state-by publishing number of letters from prominent clergymen who reside there. In this brief article we will take but an extract from one of many letters. Among other things, Rev Wallace Nutting of Seattle says, "Here then is every sort of natural wealth, and every variety of climate. A prodigious heaping up of one feature upon another has made a potential Pennsylvania, an incipient Illinois, mightier Minnesota, constructive Colorado, an excellent ep- itome of the United States.' Surely this Is great praise. It follows from the varied resources that one industry there can feed another, and the monotony and danger of one-crop country is avoided. Learning that company of Connecticut capitalists were building up town in that state and endeavoring to settle Con- necticut people on the surrounding va cant government land, induced BEE re- porter to visit the offices of the Western
 
 43 Cannon street, Bridgeport. Entering the office splendid and most extensive exhibit of grain, grasses, fruit, vegeta- bles, timber and minerals greeted the eye. "Yes," said President Fairchild, "We have here complete exhibit of the sur rounding resources of Bridgeport, Wash | ington. With such an array, surely have we not right to consider that it will be- come city, when taking into considers tion it's splendid location. Look at the state map! Here we are at the head of navigation Of the great Columbia river, | in the center of a tributary section four times as large as this state. To the south Is all agricultural land. To the north, mountains covered with timber enfolding mines of coal, iron, lead, cop per, silver and gold. But lookl Don't you observe that Bridgeport is like the hub of an immense wheel? Valleys ra- diate to all parts of this great country from it, and in order to get from the farming to the mineral sections you I would have to pass directly through our town. Of course we are selling lots there, but it does us more good to see a person go out to the town and start in business or take up 160 acres of land, than to sell them lots and have them re- main here. Just think of the ease of farming there. No rocks, no weeds, the curse of farming here. All grains grow to perfection. I never saw such onions or potatoes as are grown there. This is the section we hope to fill up with bright, hard-working Connecticut people. l as sure you they will never come back here after once locating there, for not only is farming very profitable, but the climate and scenery is unequalled. We have ar ranged to have a sleeping car go from Bridgeport to the end of the journey without change, every time we get 24 people. One of our agents at Spokane will meet each car and accompany the parties to Bridgeport and aid all, in get ting nicely settled as the parties will be- come well acquainted on the trip, and will be able to select for neighbors those who they have become friendly with on the trip. I think this Is the very best opportunity the people of this state have ever had to go West under the best pos