The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-28
CURING OF SALMON,
EXPERIMENTAL PLANT NOW BUILD
ING on HOOD CANAL.
. Great Tnaux.ry May BE Built Up
New Cannery for Whateon,-Sh""
Drives Proxpeetors From the hhis
state Road From Wenatchee.

Special Dispatch TO the observation-disclosures.
RRINN0N Oct 26-Last saturday
business was started at Duckaousa, Iou,
miles from here which. II sueeesStul, Will
mean much 20 Hood canal ana 10 St
attic. II was the starting up Oh q sAlIhoi
curing plant, owned BY DR.. DAVID A.
Smith. of Bridgewater. s. D., who came
10 the Sound last September. After look
ing about he purchased material TOT me
erection Of the plant on George SolWeh
place. and work was commenced. II -
a one-story structure, 20xo0 Feet. AoRtS u
which is ION the ground, room IeA-1
only being fioored. This latter IS where
the fish are immersed for twelve hours N
a very strong brine, when they are taken
10 the other room. the floor or whicn IS
covered with small fires. and hung up. the
smoking process taking usually three
weeks All OF the bones, etc, are removed
from the fish before smoking, thus nothing
but the meat Is cured. In conversation
DR.. Smith yesterday said:
''Recognizing the fact that there is a
market in the East for properly cured
salmon. I have come here and started this
establishment. though 1t is in the nature
OF an experiment, and the building, etc..
is somewhat crude for this reason. am
very well pleased with the outlook, and
If it is successful this year shall enlarge
and improve the plant next year. In
fen1E1
shape for the opening OF the fishing sea-
son, but business that could not be set
aside delayed me. Even with this, how
ever. am quite sanguine OF the favorable
outlook. Should this modest little venture
be a success. considerable capital will at
once come to the canal.
las to the erection of a cannery the
coming season. l am now only at liberty
TO say that a number Of men of means in
a ha f.
come of this present venture. There is no
certainty of a cannery. though l may say
the plan now seems feasible.
There is no price, now. on smoked sal
mon in the markets back there, and Ii
will, OF course. depend wholly upon the
cost OF getting the food there, including
all other charges. / shall ship from here
to Seattle and there send the fish East In
car load lots. / desire to put them on the
market as cheaply as possible. because IL
1t is not too high, an immense market for
the fish of these waters will be opened
My first car load will go TO Sioux City.
Iowa. and possibly, II I can get the fish
car load to st. Paul. We put up both
dry and spiced smoked salmon.
There is at present but one fish-curing
establishment on the Sound, located at
Seattle. 1t Is a business that means much
TO the canal and the Sound, as other and
larger plants win be put in operation II
more, as there is an unlimited market in
the East for the smoked salmon. BY re-
ducing expenses to a minimum. l think
| shall be able TO put the fish on the
Eastern market at about Is cents pound.
and at that price II will be eagerly bought.
II purchased lumber and all supplies at
Seattle. which, In my opinion. IS the only
point on the Sound for purchasing any
large quantities OF goods.
I'VE began smoking last SATURDAY. ana
shah continue so long as l can buy the
fish. The canneries sometimes can take
fish day or two old, but I must have
them absolutely fresh. so sometimes can
not get all could wish, but hope TO cure
couple of car loads this year, In any
event"
The doctor IS a conservative Scotsman.
but he Is quite enthusiastic and has no
doubt whatever of success. He has means
of his own, while men of large finances
are awaiting his report before Investing
The opening Of this initial plant on tho
canal has caused good feeling to prevail
as large plant would mean the employ
ment Of many men In the different
branches.