The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-28

OF the early days of Eastern Washing
ton They are published in the Sunday
Spokesman Review:
In June. 1859. Lieutenant Mullan was
again i'm the field, this time with force
OF 100 men and an appropriation of
SIOO,OOO. At this point he was greatly
cheered by the wonderful achievement
OF the Oregon Steam Navigation COM
pany in pushing the construction of the
portage railway around the cascades
10 such rapid completion that IL prom
ised to be completed by May, 1863.
In advance of this expedition two
companies OF soldiers were sent from
Walla Walla, by way of Spokane, to
strengthen the garrison at Fort Colville
and with them topographer-Mr. En-
gel-who prepared an accurate map of
all the intervening country.
Another topographer went into the
Occur dAlene mountains. but that still
surly tribe resented his presence so
unmistakably that he was withdrawn
The main command started from
Walla Walla, July /. bridged rivers,
creeks and sloughs on their march, and
noted all features of the country which
could have bearing upon the compile
tlon OF the work, and it's ultimate util-
ity, as water. grass, timber. grades.
etc. Some of the valleys on both sides
OF snake river are represented as
"densely settled" and all have become
the homes of the pioneer farmer and
grazier, where the hand of industry.
adding daily to the wealth and prosper
ity OF the country, gives a new beauty
by the erection of churches and school
houses. those barometers of the moral
ity and intelligence of the people"
IN the light of an accompanying
sketch of the city of Walla Walla in
1867, the ieutenant's glowing language
appears at this present time rather
comparative than positive. In the Pa
louise country the prediction was haz-
arded that the BLACK loan would un-
doubtedly produce cereals and vegeta-
bles,and IL is not at all improbable that
the grazier and agriculturalist will find
at no distant day tracts of land that
will amply repay their reclamation"
an inspired bit of prophecy which
should be pasted above the exhibit from
that promising valley at the next fruit
fair
proceeding without much incident or
effort. until the basaltic formation of
the Spokane plains were reached, the
lieutenant visits "the deep damnation
of faint praise" upon the quality OF the
soil, and chronicles: July 1--we this
day camped on the banks of the Nedl-
whuald CHangmam and at the same
point where General Wright hung Quail
tian, the noted Yakima chief, and sew
eral other Indians; from which the fact
the stream is known to many as Hang
mans creek. Poor creatures! Their
doom. although in this instance a Just
one. was nevertheless pitiable; had the
white men been to them more Just
fate had proved less harsh"
Meeting with the first band of Occur
d'Alene Indians they had encountered
a propitiatory banquet and smoke was
rendered by the command. after which
the object of the expedition was ex-
planned in detail. This polite overture
had the desired effect. and the Indians
withdrew apparently satisfied and with
a promise TO observe friendly relations
In future, but the lieutenant chronicles
his impression that they are willy fell
lows, and great caution is necessary
In all intercourse with them"