The Butler weekly times., 1895-11-28
From the Top OF SteptOe Butte.
FAIRrIKLp, WASH, Nov. IL, 1895.

several OtnerS look little pleasure
trip few days ago, to Steptoe
Butte, a mountain some thirty miles
south of here. Peculiar to the to-
biography of the country in which it
is situated the pyramid familiarly
known as Steptoe butte overlooks
the neighboring country for many
miles and affords an attraction for
all sight seers that may happen in
this section of Washington.
The name Steptoe was christened
liz honor of the famous soldier,
Colonel Steptoe," who so bravely
executed the orders of his superiors
IN the late Indian war. Until yerv
few years ago the lofty peak stood
alone without the attention of
prosperous community. In the year
1889 the greater section that en-
braces the butte was decided to Mr..
James Davis, who pictured the ad.
vantages of this spot and undertook
to make it an attractive point for
tourists and neighbors. The Butte
is 5,59G ft above the sea and LOO
it above the surrounding country; it
is SIX miles around the base of
the mountain. 1t is surrounded on
oil sides by rich farming lands-said
to be the richest in the Palouse
country-and affords a view for
miles around. Mr.. Davis has hotel
situated on the very point of Step
toe. The building is SOxS0, and is
arranged inside with every conven
fence for the public. The lower
floor is composed of a hall 6Ox60, in.
Guiding a stage and dressing rooms
on either side, the entire hall being
surrounded by a commodious gal
lery, Besides this is the kitchen
and private reception room of Mr..
Davis. The upper floor is occupied
by bedrooms and dining hall,
which will accommodate 20 persons
On the top of the building is stu
ated cupola 14x14, which is used
as a reading room and observatory
Mr. Davis has telescope stationed
in the cupola that is good for a view
$50 miles. Many towns are distinct
ly visible, viz, Sprague, which is
40 miles to the west; Badly noun
tain, about 20 miles to the north
west; Cheney which is 40 miles
northwest and Mica Peak, which is
about so miles northeast, and many
OF the Palous towns from 10 to 80
miles distant. The sights that are
viewed through the glass is we'll
worth trip to the butte. Visitors
are at the butte from early spring
till late in the fall, and find every
comfort necessary. The interior of
the hall is beautifully decorated with
all the grains, fruits and cereals that
are available in this country. All of
the samples exhibited, however, are
grown in the immediate vicinity of
Steptoe. Directly in front of the
hotel building Mr.. Davis is arrang-
ing the grounds in handsome and
fitting manner. The lawns will be
terraced into two distinct lots, COM
prising 80 ft square each. One will
be below the other, having several
steps to descend Ornamental and
evergreen trees will be set out at
once, and within very short time
Steptoe will present an inviting
place for pleasure seekers. Stand.
ing on Steptoe's basaltlc crown the
observer finds himself in the midst
of the Palonse paradise, in the only
position from which can be had an
advantageous view of the best wheat
growing country of the universe.
At all times and seasons the scene
here unfolded is a grand and inspir.
ing one. In winter the plain pre-
sents the appearance of a cloudy
sky; in spring time below ses
with its green surface spread before
you; in summer the growing field.
Of grain interspersed with spots O.
prairie grass. reveal every shade o.
green; at harvest time, picture j:
exposed to view by golden grain ex
tending on the west beyond the I'm,
of natural vision, south to Blue
mountains, north TO the Spokan,