The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-01-17
1895 IN THE BIG BEND.
ABUNDANT Reason for Looking Hope
fully to the Fufura

hSstSOu LOT LOOKING Hope
fully to the Future.
Waterville, Jan. 2-Special.-The year
just closed has been an uneventful one to
the people Of this part of the Big Bend
In general, so far as it relates to any
cnangeS OF great moment in which the
community as a whole has either enjoy
ca great advantages or unusual injuries.
Inc continuous hard times that paralyzed
10 a large extent public improvements
anu curtalled private ventures and in
Vestments in the larger cities of the
state. have been felt with all the con-
com1tant hardships in the bucolic Sec
tion or the state; and while it is a salts
FACTION to be able to confess that there
mas Deen of late a marked Improvement
Tor the better in all branches of trade,
ana the existence of far more cheerful
Ieenng among all classes than a year
ago, 1t will require still greater change
IN the same direction to restore the per-
rect confidence and the happy buoyancy
tnat existed to marked degree in this
locality prior to the universal panic and
accompanying collapse that strewed the
whole country with the wreckage of erst-
while prosperous financial and mercan-
tile institutions from Portland on the pa
clio Coast to Portland on the far East
ern sea. However, there exists among
the people a feeling of hope that the
greatest evils that accompany the settle
ment and development of a new country
nave been weathered, and that the new
year Will bring to them railroad, with
out which they have struggled along so
manfully for so long a time. With the
advent OF a road fresh impetus will be
given to the improvement of the Big
Bend, and it is safe to say that with such
a rapid, ready and reasonable means of
marketing the products of the generous
SOIL this highly favored locality will be-
nT1n Of IL
porous sections of the state of Washing
ton. This expectation is based upon the
prospects of the extension Of the Central
washington road westward from Coulee
City, a project that is cherished and
fondly nursed by Receiver Chamberlain.
Being pet hobby of that gentleman and
being In close touch with the bondhold-
ers OF the road, and having a thorough
knowledge of the vast extent, produc-
tlveness and possibilities Of the country
directly tributary to the road when ex-
tended, and, of course. incidentally there
to, knowledge of the advantages that
would accrue in the shape Of semi-an-
nuaI dividends growing out Of such an
investment to pour into the auricle ap-
pendages of said holders of bonds, the
chances are decidedly favorable for a
consummation of those hopes now enter
tanned by the would-be benefciaries.
Inc healthier feeling noted above as ex-
lstlng or late among the farmers of this
part OF Douglas county and the mer-
chants of Waterville, the county seat
Thereon, is the result of an agreement en-
tered into by the business men of said
town and the proprietors of the steam
boat line doing the carrying business on
the Columbia river, in conjunction with
the Great Northern railroad, whereby
such concessions and favorable rates Of
transportation were secured that the
mo h ntc la
t1cleS OF consumption at figures lower
than the same could be purchased either
in Wenatchee, Coulee City or even Spo-
kane, and at the same time pay the very
highest market prices for grain Such
another boom in business circles and
such another rush Of produce to market
was never before witnessed in this coun-
ty. Trade took on the hectic flush Of
fever, and the man upon whom toll has
fitted hand of horn looked more
cheerful and moved about with a more
elastic step that he had for years. A new
landing, known as Waterville landing,
was established on the river, and for
several weeks 1t was the scene of the
greatest activity. The woods were crowd
ed with teams going to and from the new
landing. At the shipping point compet-
ing buyers bid up grain to the very high
est notch, while sugar, salt, coal oil and
other necessities were sold by an organ
ization of all the merchants at figures
never before reached in Central Wash
ington. Great was the furore created by
this new departure from the old and
common rut. The whole Of the Eastern
part Of the state was ringing with the
praises of the enterprise of Waterville
people, and curses against the railroad for
favoring our place as against all others.
The press Of Spokane was rabid with
comments. The papers were shocked as
rrrn1 Cnd hat
miles from a railroad could sell cheaper
than metropolis Of the diameter and
circumference Of the Falls City. They
had only words Of cnmmendation for the
enterprise that could make such results
possible, but plenty of hot stuff for the
railroad that set such an example of dis
elimination. Wenatchee was also arous-
ed to a denunciatory PITCH as the scheme
as operated was Swimming the cream
from a trade that that ambitious little
city claimed mortgage on. Blow hot,
blow cold, the Waterville merchant could
afford to laugh melodious and sonorous
laugh, for he knew when he had a good
thing and wisely profited thereby, The
agreement, contract, understanding or
what not, putting the merchant in the
way of making such cleanup, and CIV
ing the farmer an opportunity of realz-
ing the best prices for his stock in trade,
was Godsend to business man and
farmer alike. put nuQQr6QS OF dollars
in circulation in this community, and
made trade better for the month of De-
cember than was ever before known here.
1t is claimed, in all probability Justly,
that the concessions secured grew out of
the anticipated cut in rates on the Cen
trail Washington. It was recognized that
such a cut would defect all shipping
Central Washingtonward, most alarm
ing prospect, and some heroic measure
was necessary to save the freighting busi-
ness that had naturally drifted to the
Great Northern after the completion Of
that road. Hence the new landing, the
steamboat rate favors and the accom-
panying sensation.
the weather so far this winter has been
mild and favorable to stock on the range
Snow has fallen to the depth of some IS
inches. More snow is falling today and
the prospect is good for a sufficient fall
during the winter to insure abundant
crops for next year. AS the rainfall here
is light snow is largely depended upon
as a source Of moisture. After every win
ter during which heavy snow falls crops
are bountiful. With the promise Of a
good crop and a railroad to move 1t, the
Big Benders ought to feel pretty comfort
able.
The sugar-coating, which makes Ayers
ro;JJS ca oosv m take diSSO1VeS hmm ediaf elv