The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-03
THURSTON.

As O component part of a state 50 richly
endowed as Washington with the varied
resources that will eventually make G
magnificent cornmonw ealth, Thurston
county has received her share of those
e,emenes that win conspirs 10 keep
her IN The front rank IN tho on
ward march OF material prosperity.
THIS county ss in about rhe seograph-
tcal center OF Western Washington. and
within its borders heads that match
less body OF water, Puget sound, which
furnishes a vast and safe harborare from
the Straits OF F,uca 20 It's headwaters at
Budds inlet. undsr ths shadow OF thu
dome OF Washington's statehouse in
Olympia, the capital city and the county
seat OF ThurEton.
In point OF organization this county
ranks among the oldest In the state. In
deed, II was IN and about the country sur
rounding BIfdds inlet that began those
heroic struggles OF tho pioneers OF tho
Evergreen state, that made tho then Wild
country fit to assume the dignity Of a ter
ritorIal government.
Somewhat removed from the main lines
Of travel. the county has not increased in
population with the same rapldity es
some OF her sisters, but II IL a fact incapa-
bic OF satisfactory contradiction that there
lie within her boundaries commercial pos
slbilities unsurpassed by any Ike geo
graphical division in this state, or, IN fact.
on the Pacific slope
The magnificent bodies OF timber which
have been sources Of revenue since history
here began hardly bear evidence OF the
ravages of the woodnan. The central and
southern portions OF the county contain
vast deposits OF blue and bun sandstones
and granite. which Is fireproof. free from
flaws and possessing great tensile and
crushing strength. Rich specimens OF
I.
IN the immediate vicinity OF salt water,
though TO what extent these ores may ex-
tat remains unascertained, while veins OF
Ignite coal already discovered remain In
their virgin state.
Fish and Fruit.
TIE waters Of the Sound in6enting ths
northern coast of this county TEEN with
many varieties OF fish and excellent oys-
ters and clans. offering rich reward FOR
euterprising capital.
For a single industry, fruit culture prom
fsss more certain and better returns for
labor and capital invested than anything
for which the soil here is especially adapt
ed. II ~ only within A comparatively few
years that any considerable attention has
been paid 20 horticulture, although small
family orchards have long since attested
the excellence OF the varieties grown here.
such as apples. pears. prunes, plun1s. cher
res ana Nhf2O8s Sinai EfIiIS. II mas Dseh
estimated BY good authorities that not
less than Ho.00e fruit trees have been pub
in here within the last few years and each
year en- additional 10000 are planted.
There IS an immediate demand for driers
and canBer1es 20 properly utilize the fruit
crop.
In common with al portions ~ th- Pa
ciac coast, Thurston cosfnty experienced
a great impetus in growth II the sariy sgs.
which was succeeded by the financial de-
preston that visited al sections Of ire
United States alike The county ard ths
city 81 Olympia p~u6s1tIallv rruned ex.
penses in public affairs and Wills they
can boast OF no great progress IN the two
stothfui years las; past. yet county and
city ooth row stand prepared % take ad-
vantage % tsst era CT prosperity 20 earn
sztly hoped for by all ard sincerely sx-
oectsd BY some. as An inswitAbls result OF
several years OF business inactivity.
Capital seeking Investment Will hn6 re
more proatsal@ sesd than here, nor meet
elsewhere Nth citizens more ready 20 as
gsst n any legitimate enterprise for the
degeso9suesgt 81 new industries
GEORGE E. Br4AxRI1S SHIP.