The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-22
THE PASSING THRONG

4 Dec. 1EE4sz1 5 n the E1GF &g~~4&t@ AA4NsA
self in the matter or quitting fer the
/ EIon6ike. The Canadian Pacific. as every
one knows. Is making strenuous efforts 10
/ capture the Hons share Of the Western
/ travel. which II IS expected will be very
large during the spring and summer
months Of next year. The passenger &c
4 pArtueaI OF the road has number or
hustIiug agents scattered throughout
Eastern Canada ard New England. They
are making use OF the wsll-worn state
.nent that the Dominion duties on miners
outfits and provisions make Il Imperative
that prospective Klondikers should pur-
/ chase their clothing ard supplies al Van
couver or Victoria
Mr.. Duncan came West primarily on
pleasure. but ne is making some careful
observations as % prices on different a.
ticIes required by a miner. His idea Is
70 learn just what the merchants Of the
coast cities can Do IN handling the Alaska
/ outntting business next year. so that be
VIII be in position 70 inform those who
may Inquire az the office OF the Canadian
Pacific in Quebec.
Mr. Duncan IS a suave. weil-posted gen.
fleman. whose engaging manners and cor
diaAty go l0nS way with the people with
whom he comes in contact.
/ 1T Is true that there viii he a great
exodus OF people from Canada next sea-
son, he said yesterday. THE Canadians
| are greatly interested in the gold discov-
cries in the Klondike. They seize and de-
vour every particle OF Information con-
corning that country and thousands Of
men are now preparing to 60 north as
soon as conditions permit. Quebec will
send big LOT OF gold hunters. and every
hamlet snd city Of Canada will contribute
It's quota | cannot give YOU any figures
nut You are safe in saying that many
thousands viii come.
AS far as I have observed, Il seems 10
hat -
visions In Seattle as cheaply as anywhere.
i am told that on some articles the Seat
tie merchants can underseu those Of Vic
toria and Vancouver with the duty add
ed But on wooden clothing the Canadians
have the best OF it. and I would advise
miners to purchase these articles In Can
ada"
Mr. Duncan said that the farmers along
the line OF the Canadian Pacific were
more prosperous than they had been for
years. In Manitoba they were selling
wheat, as he passed through coming West,
at Is cents per bushel. delivered at the
elevators. The enormous harvests had
brought prosperity and a good feeling
everywhere. Mr. Duncan did not forget
10 pay Seattle q nice compliment. saying
that he found this city TO be wide-awake
pushing and progressive. He VIII visit
Tacoma and Portland and return East at
the beginning OF next week
One OF the visitors to Seattle yesterday
was George .. Mclean, of Mount Vernon.
president OF the First National bank OF
that city. Mr.. Mclean also represents the
wealthy Skeel estate, OF New York, which
holds nearly half million dollars worth
of mortgages in skagit and Snohomish
! counties. Speaking Of the financial and
! commercial status Of his section, MIR. Nc
Lean said:
THE farmers have had fine crop of
! oats, and there has also been an excellent
| fruit crop this season So far very few
of the ranchers have sold their oats.
When the price was up TO So. 50 their crop
was not ready and now that the price has
{ dropped a few dollars they are waiting
for another rise. which they believe will
surely come. In spite OF the proverbisl
| hard times Il Is fact that a large per-
centage of the ranchers are able to hold
( their oats and dealers plead with them
in vain. A great deal Of back interest and
some mortgages were cleared on last year
{ after the crops were marketed, and this
year even more will be paid. Mr.. Skeel
recently wrote me that his Skagit county
investments paid him better and he con-
sidered them more Stable and secure than
| any of his Western holdings. This Is GER
| tainly speaking we'll for this supposed-to-
be overboomed section, for he has invest
ments in half dozen states west or the
Mississippi river"
State Senator y. f. Lesh. OF Yakima,
| Is in the city on business. Senator Lesh
is always an optimist when discussing al
fairs in Eastern Washington. He sees
/ evidences Of improv .ment on each sue
| cessive visit to Seattle. put saws that the
progress made in Eastern Washington
along the high road Of prosperity is as
rapid as that In Seattle and western
/ Washington.
There is no doubt in my mind" he said
/ yesterday. that Washington will see In
the next five or ten years the greatest de-
velopment she has experienced in any
similar period. The state possesses every
thing calculated 10 attract capital. We
| are neighbors so TO speak, with the great
territory-I might say continent-of Alas
ka, which Is awakening into life and
progress under the stimulus OF the Won
derful discoveries OF pi>.er gold IN the
| Klondike region. In the development OF
+ the manifold riches of that great empire
| Washington and her citizens will have an
important part. I am very sanguine over
the outlook. and believe that as fast as
times get better the Popuist party win
as rapidly lose It's hold on the destinies of
Washington. While the next senate may
be against the Republicans on Joint ball
lot we viii certainly have a strong work
ing majority"
Frank Wilson. one OF the leading bus.-
L.
is IN the city. accompanied by his wife
II IS his intention TO remain here during
the winter. and If he considers the out
look favorable he may open a business
house in the spring. Eight years ago Mr.
Wilson visited Seattle At that time the
city was in 4 state OF business excitement
and disorder. The changes that have
taken place are very noticeable 70 him
ard he Is OF the opinion that Seattle IL
destined TO be a city Of considerable mag
nitude. II note MANY changes since 1880 -
said Mr.. Wilson. ''This IS especially true
of the business district I can't say how
ever. that I admire all your business
blocks. Some OF them are well made and
present a good appearance. The filling In
OF the tide fats will be a great thing for
the city. The work that has been done
in that direction already shows mp well
! Con sidering the natural advantages and
energy displayed by Its people, Seattle Is
destined to be city OF considerable size"
The ST. Paul Pioneer Press says: "a
| Seattle merchant visiting the executive
| Offices Of the Great Northern last week
! stated that the traders IN that town we're
laying In a large stock Of merchandise
in the nature Of outfttings for those who
are likely. in the early spring, TO start
for the Alaskan gold fields Great at
tentlon- he says. is being given 20 details
! in this way. and the Twin cities are
meanwhile being largely benefited there
ny. During the winter season ample
/ supplies viii be forwarded from this Sec
ton 10 meet ell the demands ~ the ar
/ gonsuts when the sun begins 90 melt the
Z "a - tea 81 Fra s~,~rr al