River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-04-30
WASHINGTON LETTER.
CHELAN FALLS, }
O'Kanogan Co., Wash, !
AIril oQfh 1000

EDITOR RIVER FALLS JOURNAL
Sir-Perhaps few words from a
former resident Of the Badger State
descriptive of this section OF the great
Northwest would not be entirely unin.
teresting.
This portion of the state along the
Column ia River is estimated to be
about 700 feet above sea level. This
altitude secures for us more equable
temperature winter and summer than
has other localities near by greater in
altitude. Along the valley or bottom
$50 called of the Columbia River, the
| temperature in the last five years,
under close personal observation, has
not fallen below zero in winter or
risen above 80 as an average in sum-
mer. The variations probably do not
exceed Is degrees. This is supposedly
accounted for by the rivera large,
dee, body of always cold water, never
warm enough to battle in, in comfort,
and which does not freeze sufficiently
solid in winter to be safe to cross on
foot. Winter, SO to speak, begins
| about the last week in December, and
spring begins early in February. Frost
seldom penetrates the soil to a greater
depth than inches. This fact en-
ables those on non-irrigated lands to
do considerable planting late in the
fall. Such thing as late frost is
unknown. A great variety of yegeta-
bles can be planted in perfect safety
in the fall. This section can safely be
termed fruit paradise. The writer
has peach trees in bearing that are
but 3 years old from the seed. All
varieties of fruit are successfully
grown, and some fruit and vegetables
which are considered tropical, such as
figs, peanuts and sweet potatoes.
Apricots came into blossom April 9Th;
cherries and peaches April 18th. This
is, however, a few days later than usual
as our spring is little backward.
The valley is supposed to be on an
average about 70 feet above the river
at low water; average rise of river es-
timated to be 46 IT. The river begins
its annual rise about April LIST and
continues till June. The rise in 1894
reached 66 TT. No government land
of value as tillable can now be had. /
speak only of this township. That
there might be farther up the river is
a possibility.
Flour gold is found all along the
river, and immense quantities Of
black sand magnetic from. The gold
is tainted with oxide of iron and is
difficult to save by ordinary processes.
Some native silver is found in connec-
tion with the gold in some places
nearly one half No gold is found free
of black sand, but plenty of black
sand is found with no gold in it. Rock
for building purposes can be obtained
in any quantity. 1t is mainly of blue
granite and fine grained. Fruit lands
along the river are rapidly rising in
value outside of railroad limits; very
little, if any, can be purchased for less
than $50 per acre, except in case Of
forced sale. Transportation is OBJ
tanned by steamers. Nearest railway
point is Wenatchee on the Great Nor
them. The nearest point to the n.
p. II. r. is Coulie City, and the Wash
ington Central is 50 miles distant.
The foot of famous Lake Chelan is
miles west of the Columbia River
The head isaway amidst the perpetual
SHOWS of the Cascade Mountains. Thus
a walk from June to January is not
an impossible feat at the head Of the
lake. The lake abounds with large
and beautiful trout. The water is
pure and very cold. II is fast coming
into popularity as a pleasure and
health resort. 1t is easily reached
from the river by stage. Some valua-
BILE mines mostly silver are being
opened up along the lake shore. A
fine quality of marble has also been
found. The writer does not know the
altitude of the lake, but it is probably
not more than 1000 #. Mosquitoes
are few and not troublesome, as there
are really no breeding places for them.
Frogs and toads are, indeed, a scarce
article. The outlet of the lake is 3
miles long. Its fall in that distance is
300 feet. 1t is magnificent water
power, totally unimproved but easily
accessible. 1t is estimated at $4,000
horse power.
Yours very tr.
A. j. BARRETT.