The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-10-23
Mr.. WILLARD ON ~DEAD TOWNS

Mr.. WILLARD ON dead TOWNS
The New York Evening Post has pub
lished from the pen Of Henry Willard
O somewhat curious analysis OF condi-
tions in the Pacific Northwest. He
traces the development of the country.
and comments on the recovery from
the hard times Of 1893. rapid In some
parts and very slow in others. Spo-
kane receives q weil-deserved compli-
ment for its rapid bound TO prosperity
and substantial growth, Seattle Is men,
toned as making q forward movement,
while Tacoma and Portland are made
TO take the brunt OF harsh criticism
Ing Of Washington and Oregon says:
''One would think, therefore. that the
two states should be In q generally pros
porous condition, and that this prosperity
would be reflected In the condition OF their
great and email commercial centers. This
seems TO be the case, however, only TO .
limited extent. Spokane, as shown, has re-
sumed Its onward career. Seattle, too.
IL moving forward again. as fast as ever.
But Tacoma and Portland stiil show the
scars and debility caused by the past years
OF adversely. The small interior towns and
the villages OF Washington east and
west Of the Cascades make a better show
ing than those of Oregon. yet. with hardly
any exception they were stationary or
running down for years after 1883. and only
. few can even now boast of a resumption
OF growth"
In his palmy days Mr. Willard was
the professed friend OF Seattle, Tacoma
and Portland. and he directed his great
energies professedly to the development
Of all three: and while no one In Wash
ington or Oregon will begrudge Spo-
kane the kind words uttered in behalf
Of that prosperous city. yet II will be .
matter Of surprise and widespread
comment that Mr.. Willard. In referring
to the other cities, takes pains to avoid
noticing favorable conditions and
points out. with the exception OF Seat
tie. nothing but the bad. Seattle is
dismissed with the mention. extremely
brief and grudgingiy given. that the
town us moving forward again, as fast
as ever"
One Of the most curious paragraphs
In Mr.. Wizards review, judged by his
own operations In finance. is the fol-
lowing:
Perhaps the worst traces of the dessruc-
Ion nf ST. ,Ff
be seen In Washington on Puget sound.
It's shores are strewn with the wrecks OF
towns which never had any legitimate I'll
tie to exist at all. and which owed their
rise 10 Wild Illusions. crazy speculation or
deliberate confidence games Among them
Port Townsend. on the western shore,
when approached from the sea presents a
very imposing appearance. with It's many
stately buildings but walk through the
streets reveals sad state OF attenuation
In the many empty stores and abandoned
private residences. A large, costly hotel
was built. but never opened. Everett, on
the eastern shcre. IL a monumental In
stance OF the liability to the costliest mis-
takes OF even the shrewaest and most ey-
perteaeed business men II was TO be push
ed TO the front rank among the Puget
sound cities by oil the power Of unlimited
capital. It became the terminus OF the rail-
road 10 the Monte Cristo silver mines In
the Cascade range, which were thought to
he among tho richest ever discovered II
was To be made great manufacturing GEN.
ter, 10 which the plants for a great ship
building establishment. a big paper mill. 4
large smeiter. ard ether industries were
sent out and set in operation. A hotel city
hall and hundreds Of buildings were erected
and occupied by n few thousand inha Bit
ants. But the fountain-head OF expected
prosperity. the mines yielded only un-
workable ores. the railroad was twice al
most destroyed by floods and repaired al
great cost, and finally given up aitogeth-
er. aud gradually the whole scheme proved
failure Other noteworthy cases were the
several boom towns at different points
on Anacortes island. In which SPECTATORS.
traps thousands OF people were caught and
lost every cent 81 their investments The
visitor To the island will find ground all
over ii for amusement at human greed and
folly.
The fost-intoiligencer Is not sure that
Mr.. Wizards conclusions are justified
by the facts: indeed. we are quite sure
that he Is much more than half wrong.
Take the Monte Cr.sto mines. FOR In.
stance They are ~ such character
that the Rockefellsrs have thought i.
worth while - secure absolute control
- pTV pertles unquest.onahIy valuable.
The destruction ~ the railroad. which
VIII b rebuilt. Was an act Of superior
force, and the resulting calamity was
not .he result ~ folly or evring human
Judgment, And finally. the Everett
snSlter and other Industries are legtsi-
mate enterprises. and are essential ele-
ssients In community that Is fast re-
covering from financial strinwencv.
fy,ss sw sen~~As~~ e. v~sr,,.s e.