The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-22
.sICk RIVER CHANNEL.
uEr WIPES AWAY INDIAN
..cx AND CUTS NEW OUTLET.
- Has for Years OhsfRuetea
ntvsrss Mouth, Caastng Over
and the New Cho0nel
Expseted to Give Relief.

-, r,.spatch TO the Post-IntelliGencer
MsTr.ON. Nov. IA combination OF
!. "a eyu 10 resulting from a freshe,
- Nooksack river AT the mouth OF
s,vsr seven miles from Whatcon, Is
runmi Indian village. the reserva-
.Aureh. school house. etc. Part Of
q ,sIIage has already been swept away.
tbs destruction OF the church and
~. hu.,dEngs seems inevitable.
q. Ind.ans are moving their effects to
-, around but what is TO them con-
1-.hgs less has been occasfoned In the
-~,bas away, in some Instances. Of the
store OF Smoked salmon. Three
-. arn there were seventy-five cabins
n huuses I'm the village, but every year
- Anspiehed the number. Last year nix
- into the river at once, the occupants
- escap.ng with their lives. This year
a make the ancient village thing OF
= past
- mod the freshet In causing is in the
~s,fn9 Of a new channel around an i'm
- Log jam that has totally blocked
~swstfou In the river since 1894. and has
- the cause Of periodical overdows OF
- OF the finest farming LAND In What
- county, and loss of thousands of
aalars The Belingham Bay Boom Com
ssnr "a accused OF being responsible for
a. presence OF the Jam, az thu company
- years ago drove q double row Of
- across the mouth OF the river for
x<ming purposes, and the piles gave tho
! = in arst start. Litigation has been
a.y.sd and carried into the higher courts
yHhout relief to the suffering farmers the
auty attorney Is now under instructions
IN the commissioners to investigate the
m<s:ion with a view to reopening litiga-
-: pstitions and protests have been sent
: congressional representatives and the
eslsturs, and but little was accom-
asAet.
4 1871 the river and harbor appropria-
On bill provided for survey OF the mouth
| 4 he river. and the engineer reported two
tsns FOR reopening the stream. either Of
skscA would cost SIS. 900. This appropria-
IN though the subject OF numerous reso-
/ sdons and petitions. was never received
b lM the Jam filled the bed OF the river
M . distance of 1000 fee. up from the
suush. II has grown until II Is now over
nle In length. IL grew Go feet last
andsy. and has now reached a point
ra1e the water Is forced into a strip Of
~ land lying back of the Indian village.
Last year the river cut a small channel
Esdah the Fhiase, out the present HlSn
MAR has sent food through the viii
afs cutting a wide and apparently deep
axnnel before IL. The farmers are con-
k<at that relief has come. A little dredg-
y may be necessary. and then the en-
ssJment OF the government snag boat, a
INC. time each year. will keep the chan
ID free for steamboating and prevent the
wurence Of the periodical overfiows near
b mouth
y J. Ciark's farm, near the mouth OF
y river. vas once one Of the best in this
x1on Yesterday It was under eight feet
vaier High water is reported at all
ats along the river. but the general
mage has not been that OF previous
1hsis.
nAtweFth College Begins Work.
5asAl Dispatch TO the Post-InteIligencer.