The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-18
PROSPERITY HAS DAMNED.
GOLDEN SHEAvES RiPENlN0 N
EASTERN WASHINGTON
Not the Nuggets and Gold Dust -
Klondikc Give Richer Promise
Mr.. Ankcuy Tell. Of Walla Wailas
Columbia and umatilla COunsiess

Among the prominen. visitors in Ssassia
during the session OF the Masonic Grand
lodge is Levi Ankeny. the weli-known
banker. grain grower and politician ~
Wsla waEa. lie comes from the heare
Of the wheat growing country in the Wa-
Ia Wa2la valley. from a REGION when mas
been blessed with an abundant harvest OK
wheat and where there IS now rlpeninE
another crop OF the great eread-maAinE
staple which promises 10 fully equal II nos
exceed the phenomenal yield OF 1897.
In conversation with a Fost-lntellgencer
reporter yesterday, air. Anksny confirmed
al that has been printed concerning the
ma gaiacent wheat crop which the farmers
Of Eastern Washington are anxiousiy
watching during the critiea. period when
the grain Is ripening. The glad refrain OF
prosperity and happiness which Is the
burden OF all thai the delegates grom
Eastern Washington said wai!e In Seattle.
was taken up by the Waisa waila man.
Speaking OF the whest-srow.ng district adj
jacent 10 Walla Wslia, which Includes his
own county, Columbia county and Umatill1
county, III Oregon. Mr.. Ankeay said that
there never was a moro Gathering outlook
for the wheat crops at this season OF the
year and that unless climatic conditions
should he extraordinary between this time
and harvest. the yield Of grain would be
fully as great as that of last year.
MIR. Ankeny was found at the Butler
yesterday afternoon just before the &C.
rariue of his train. To the Post-Ia;el.i-
seneer representative he said:
II have never seen the wheat fields look
| more promising than they do today. In
| Wal'a Walla county the yield win be fully
| az large as the big crop % last year. Near
| ~ all OF the Walla Waiia wheat Is fab
| sowing, and the grain Is now ripening nap
| idly. Harvest viii come in July and Au-
| Gust-ahout our usual time.
| The acreage Is about the same as last
| year. Usually the farmers sow hat their
| grain acreage every year. allowing the re-
! naming half 10 summer failow. No, I
| do not believe there has bean much OF an
| increase in acreage. Waila Walta county'u
| ordinary yield Of wheat ia about $1,000 tons
| and II may go even higher this season.
conditions In Columbia county and In
tmatiEa county, Or, are just as favor
| able as they are In my own county. Pros
/. perity has set In in Eastern Washington In
| earnest. The farmers have plenty OF
| money; there is a plethora OF money in the
| banks, although there is not the incentive
| 10 invest 1t that has existed In this state,
i People are more cautious In making In
/ Vesiments in these days of popuiist rule
| AS result Of the big prices realized by
| The wheat growers last year for their
| grain. all branches of industry and business
| nave been stimulated TO renewed activity
| 'N.iu.HH7 aic ps}iiH titCitd IN the foWuA
ana the farmers are improving their sarns
| IN many ways The merchants are -aN
| Dusy and prosperous. There In naturally
buotant feeling In the wheat belt and 4
| nope II VIII continue. Realty prices have
| almost recovered the ground lost durina
| The hard times. Indeed, there has been
| steady demand for wheat lands for some
| time. Farmers who were fortunate LASH
| year are buying more land 10 put In wheat
| and are retaining their unimproyed lands
| for sowing next year
| state VIII 60 Rcpublican.
| II believe the Republicans will. carry
| Washington this fall" said Mr.. Ankeny
| turning 10 politics. There are plentiful
| Indications OF a resumption OF normal con-
/ ditioas all over the state. The cr0AkerS
| and k.ckers are not 50 numerous in East
| ern Washington as they were formerly.
Prosperity has taken the edge of OF tho
| Popuists arguments. The farmers ara
| too busy TO hear much talk OF the initiative
| and referendum What we want to do In
| to select cur best men for the legislature:
| send men 10 Olympia as We would give q
i power OF attorney To a man to transact
| business for us. Pick the best and most
| capable men we aayo and let them make
| tho laws
| THE magnificent victory won by tho
| Republicans I'm oregon In an augury am
! pcrEuadcd. for one which VIII be achieved
| by tho party In this state. There Is every
reason to anticipate success"