Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-05-18
A LETTER FROM SEATTLE,
WASHINGTON.

!
Washington,-who formerly re-
sided near Mt. Jackson, Va.,-has
recently written a very interesting
letter to DR.. g. c. Henkel, of New
Market. AS it contains much
matter Of general interest to our
reader. We deem it not inappro.
pirate to publish it; as follows:
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON,
Aprll ., 1894.
Dr.. G. c. Henkel, New Market:
My DEAR Doctor Our blend
ed trials during the war, and our
common efforts to recuperate after
tLsi fearful sEuggle was over, TO.
gether with your skill and success
Ia my family as our medical friend.
prompts me to write you this letter,
descriptive Ofa small part of this
splendid country, feeling satisfied
that it will be read with interest by
you.
1t was may good fJrtuneto be in.
vited by General John II. Bryant,
OF New York, Receiver of the
Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern
Halfway, to make an examination
OF it with him. | had knoxn the
General most favorably III my legis-
latiVe days in Richmond, during
Governor Walkers administration,
when he was editing the "Enquirer"
and manager of the coal mines in
ChcSleIfie d. With a special train,
and accompanied by the SuperIn.
tendent, Mr.. Kline, we left the de.
pot at Seattle. The road soon leaves
the city and skirts Elliot Bay, run.
ning-Over The tide fats for four
miles before reaching firm ground
again, These tide fats at low tide
are exposed, but at high tide are
covered with sixteen feet of water,
which Is about the average rise and
fall Of the tide here. o. this oc.
casion it was high tide, and as we
dashed over the water with rail.
road speed, with steamers aud
other vessels in the distance, it
made one Of the most attractive
features Of this interesting trip.
We enter the valley of Lake Union,
passing along the proposed Lake
Washington ship canal, abOnt two
miles IN length, which when maue,
will make Lake Washington the
most magnificent fresh water har-
Dor, in close connection with salt
water, in the world. This is one
Of the many great propositions yet
to be carried out, which will re.
dound to the commercial lmpOr.
tance of Seattle and the State of
Washington. The road here leaves
the valley, passing by the location
for the buildings of the State Uni.
yerSltY, which will be commenced
next month. Passing through for.
estS aud an occasional little farm,
It treaches Lake Washington, and
continues along its banks for six
miles. Lake Washington is a
body of water thirty.fonr miles
long, with an average depth OF
eighty feet. Its banks are heavily
wooded, and after leaving there,
the road turns due North for Sumas,
the boundary between the Unired
States and British Columbia, con.
Meeting at that polOt with the Can
adian Pacific, 123 miles from
! Seattle. This is termed the North
ern Branch of the road, and for &C
miles run through dense forest OI
FIRE, cedar, alder and tammarlCk,
and while in many places it h Is
been culled and burnt away alOng 2
the immediate line of the road, il
stretches away from the railway or
both sides into miles of magnificent
virgin forest, whose wealth Is to ht
| the great source of revenue of this
line for years to come. The prlnci
pal traffic at present, and one which
has obtained remarkable develop
ment during the last three years, IL
the shipment of red cedar shingles
and lumber. These shingles, by
reason of their lasting qualities
have achieved wide reputation
and sell really at better prices
alongside of the cypress pro luct o
the Southern States and the white
pine article of Michigan and Wis
cOnSin. 1t will not be many year
before these shingles Will be use'
in the Valley of Virginis. Upo
tue line of this road of 40 mile:
which includes the North Benz
Branch, are located fifty ceda
mills, which have a capacity o
forty-fve cars per day. The ave-
age numbe of shingles loaded In
car is 40, 900, thus, the total dali.
capacity Of these mills is $500, ,OOO
To this should be added sewers
smaller lines, which oontribuI
about l, 100000 more per day.
rrs A. L..