The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-09-28
THE QUEEN CITY.
The Growth and Future Prospects of the
Chief City ON Puget Sonnd.

SEATTLE, Sept. q, 1895.
Ed. Times Mo,tntaineer:-The last
time l visited Seattle, in the language
of a well-known American statesman,
"black and smoking ruins marked the
places which were once the habitation
of her sons" Four years have cleared
the debris from the streets, and now
large business blocks, six and seven.
stories of solid brick, add to the
substantial appearance of the place. 1t
is truly the Queen City of the sound,
if not of the Northwest.
The secret of Seattle's success lies in
few elements possessed by the citi-
zens in remarkable degree. First,
there has been an infusion of new
blood-enterprising, plucky and
thrifty. There are no moss-backs
here: but men of generous impulses
and liberal ideas regarding growth
and development. If project is con-
sidered beneficial to the city, it is un-
dertaken and pushed to completion.
Everybody believes in Seattle and
works for Seattle. There are no fac
tions, and the old motto, "One and
all" is fully carried out. This alone
would insure success, but there are
other elements at work worthy of
notice.
Seattle is a great commercial point.
Puget sound has been properly denom-
mated the Mediterranean of the west
ern continent. 1t would afford safe
anchorage for the merchant vessels and
the navies of the world. 1t is safe.
land-locked harbor. This city is ad-
vantageously situated to command the
greater portion of the trade of the
sound, and this she has now and will
undoubtedly retain in the future. The
coal fields tributary to Seattle are al
most ineXhaustable, and are sufficient
to support great growth. Then the
timber resources have hardly been
touched, and the lumber is of the best
quality, and finds ready sale in the
markets of the world. Aside from
these there are iron and silver mines
which will add to Seattle's wealth.
There is no doubt of the future
growth of the city. Her population
and business will constantly increase,
and the dream of her citizens of some
day witnessing the Chicago of the
Northwest will be realized. She may
not have the wealth of POrtland: but
she, has more enterprise, no moss
backs, and richer natural resources.
The prosperity of Seattle insurses
the growth of suburban towns. chief
among which is Ballard, five miles
distant on Salmon bay. This is the
Lowell of Washington, and there are
already in operation about q dozen
lumber and shingle mills, spring bed
factory, creosote works and steel
works. 1t has larger pay roll than
Seattle, and is constantly augmenting
new industries. Ballard has sepa-
rate municipal government from Sc
attic, owns her electric plant and
water works, has two newspapers,
seven churches, three fine school
houses, and boasts of 5000 population.
She has bright future, and in few
years will be beehive of industry.
Among former residents of The
Dalles whom I have met here are the
following: Hon. F. A. Mcdonald, as
sistant collector of customs; VIM.
Floyd, Stacey Shown, Mr.. and Mrs.
James M. Smith and family, r. Shank,
formerly book-keeper for Filloon
Bros, is member of the law firm of
Shank & Smith; Will Sheffield, very
racy writer, formerly reporter on the
Post-Intelligencer, is now city editor
of the Evening Times, and George
Waldron, of the old firm of Waldron
Bros
leave tonightfo my trip east, and
may jot down few lines at different
points if can make my hand follow
the lines Notwithstanding the motion
OF the cars, which / am trying to do
now. J. M.