The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1900-07-10
LETTER
From Miss Margaret wilkerson,
Formerly Of this County.
BARRY, WASHINGTON I
June ~ 1900. I


ADxAR Mr.. EDIToR-Speuding sum
as am now, on the banks OF
columbia river, is rather u novel
hence, one which, trust, will be
Nae proat, ss yell
Ter teaching nine mouths IN the
|hr Public School came here 10
three months term, during
my scaijon; Tor indeed my work is
so fht il is scarcely u.ore than a va
cat0b. Will the teachers of Ken
lucky be surprised when | tell them
am teaching public school, and
have only four pupils Fortunately,
in this State, a teachers salary does
not depend upon the number of pu-
pills ia the district, but in some dis
tricts where there are only three or
four children, the salaries are better
than a, home in the largest districts.
OF needs some compensation, how
"A for living so far out of the world.
bis place is more than thirty miles
from the railroad In a canon OF tile
Columbia, and il the nest beautiful
place have seen since coming West.
On either side are mountains, which
lock desolate enough, but just here is
a fertile little valley where the finest
fruit have ever seen is raised. Fruit
raising is quite an industry, and much
fruit of all kinds is shipped. The
trees do not grow so large as III Ken
lucky, but the fruit is much larger
and such quautitiesof it. 1t is George
Elliot, believe, who says that tree
iUlate most beautiful thing hat grows
oE bf the ground. Such statement
sst&ns doubly true to one who has
lived on the plains here, where there
are no trees at all, there is lonesome
ness tor the fine old forest trees, and
one can not get rid of the feeling that
there is something lacking.
The Columbia is beautiful river,
clear. swift and deep; in some places
quite turbulent and dangerous. Just
across the river is the Colville Indian
Reservation, so l have had ample OPP
portunity To become acquainted with
the Siwashss. While they are civil
ljzod. aud some of them understand a
little Eoglisb, they retain many of
their wild habits and prefer rowing
ON. of-doOr life. Most of the men
I'D cilizen'f clothing, but the squaws
a TO tneii blankets and all wear
mfcasins; they are very fond OF
besds, large ssr-rings, eta.
y few dsysago it was my pleasure
to visit copper mine just across the
river. As We went far down the
shalt we could easily see the rich vein
of We by lie 4hl OF the candles We
carried. Ths whole country is full
O minerals. Many prospectors are
on the ground nd several good cop
per ana silvsrhines are being devel-
opel.
the cinAe iere is very delightful
WAile it gets Nry warm DUNG tbs
dsa there is scrcrly night during
n Id year whenone does not need tC
NsNep under iaIke,. There is very
little rain durig lie summer, cOnse
auaat.y, every ling except wheat and
rye reouires iigalior. NJ corn Il
re- aca at all iSfAct, there is very Ia
tie grain excep whes', That is raised
in large quantities. Most of the -four
m Dc in Wilduis shipped to Chins
and the Pniipnes, while lrsin losd'
of wheat are slipped east. Ii seem
that farming ranching they say
here--is easier han al home. Every
thing is done b machinery and on q
; la, re ecale. Gbg plows that rtquilS
six or eight hofs are u9eu altogetner
In the combiuelharvesters thirty -sil
horses are used. But Tor all, The hf'
seems easier, thranchers do not have
|. :. tAe comforts an0uxuries that farmer
other . ,sS''S "n. joy, .r. T noer " ..1,
aud the surroupoos are unattractive
There il s'ill soc government sn'
railroad land in is section, though
the best of it is zen up Salarie
are much better he than farther easl
but il costs more qive.
Near here is canon known a
the Grand CouledR hich extends a
bout fifty miles. 10 perpendicula