The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-01-24
Some Things About Washington.

Some Things About Washington.
Within the past four years, or since
the town lot boom craze subsidized, the
majority of the people have earnestly
gone to work to improve the state and
develop its natural resources into
profitable industries. At that time,
outside of few small canneries and a
local oyster trade, our fisheries brought
nothing to support the state. In 1895
the value of fisheries products was ST.
853,39O, most of which, in both the
fresh and canned form, was shipped to
eastern states. Only last year was the
first systematic effort made to ship
fruit, and several carloads of strawber-
rles, besides a number of carloads of
prunes, apples and pears were shipped
to Chicago and other. eastern points
last summer, opening up what will
soon become an immense trade, if we
will make the efforts to produce
enough fruit to fill the demand.
Most of us can remember when the
wheat raised and the flour manufac-
tured in the state, was not enough to
supply the home demand. Within
the past three years both industries
have grown to great proportions. The
exports of flour from the port of Ia
coma alone last year amounted to
394,263 barrels, valued at 1914 ,126 and
the wheat shipped was 3,539,73S
bushels amounting to $1,719,886.
Until very recently lumber Was the
only source of revenue on Puget Sound
and while it is still the largest single
factor that produces our support, it
will be seen that half dozen other
resources will soon vie with our timber
in bringing wealth to the state, and
making its people self-supporting ard
prosperous. In round numbers 3OO,-
100000 feet of lumber left Puget Sound
in vessels during the first eleven
months of 1895, and also 1850 cars
of lumber and shingles which went
east.
Next may be mentioned the coal
mines, which produced last year 1885,
600 tons. valued at $2,7OO,OOO, and
employing $3.50 men. All this coal
is used and shipped as fast as it reaches
the Sound ports. Hops, while they
did not amount to much last year, are
still considerable factor in bringing
money to this state, besides affording
employment to idle workers.
Dalrying is rapidly coming to the
front, but still tons of butter are ship
ped into the state. Creameries for the
manufacture of butter and cheese AT
practically new thing, but ffty-tw.
were In operation last year, and with
the several extensive packing houses
are giving an impetus to stock raising
In another year or two foreign hams
lard, butter and cheese will be "froz,
out" of this market, as they should
have been years ago.
Gold and silver mining EMPLOYS a
great many men, and is more especial
ly helping Eastern Washington to tide
over the hard times period, besides af-
fordlng employment to labor in the
smelters at Everett and Tacoma.
In large and small fruits, it is esti-
mated that there are 10000 acres in
bearing in the state, prunes leading,
ana a large acreage of young trees is
being planted each year. In fact,
farming and fruit growing is advanc-
Ing to sucn an extent that in most
things the home demand can be sup
Piled, and surplus raised for shipping
outside the state. During the next
i've years we believe that Washington
Will advance faster than ever before,
and It's people become prosperous
again, because nearly everything we
use will be produced within the state,
and the cost of producing as we'll as
the profits kept at home.
The N. P. schedule has been chang
ed, and is now quite convenient for
Shelton people. The train from
Ocosta leaves Olympia at 9:1O daily
except Sunday, arriving at Tacoma at
III 20; returning leaves Seattle at 2 80
and arrives at Olympia at 5 80 in
time for the City of Shelton.