The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-18

- FAITHFULLY situated in valley
between two ranges of verdure-
clad hills lies the city of YER
non. the trade and supply center
of the far-famed Okanogan val
ley. of British Columbia, which comprises
a large tract OF arabic land well adapted
for agricultural purposes. Vernon was
incorporated about seven years ago. The
building of the Shuswsp & Okanogan rail-
way, from Sieamous Junction to the head
OF Okanogan lake gave the place great
start, and rapidly brought Il into a place
of commercial importance. Its superb To-
cation renders 1t admirably adapted for
a residential city. The climate Is AL that
can be desired. the winters being mild and
the summer heat net oppressive. Accord
Ing to the report of the city health Of
ficer for the year just ended, there was
not during the year single case OF in
fictitious disease. In close proximity lie
three beautiful lakes; to the north Swan.
to the east Long and to the south Okan-
ogan, which is the route OF travel to the
Boundary Creek country. The business
portion OF Vernon IL built on level tract
OF land gradually soping towards Okan-
ogan lake while the residential portion
is built upon gently rising bench.
The city council has Just installed COM
piete system of water works, at a cost
OF about 5000 The water which Is of
the purest quality. is brought from a
mountain stream about three miles dis
tant. The system is constructed on the
grav'tatfon principle. and from the great
elevation ample pressure is obtained for
fire protection. As yet no steps have been
taken towards lighting the city with cleo
tricity, but since admirable water sys-
tenn has now been provided doubtless
the lighting matter will next be taken up
and dealt with, as II is claimed that am
pie power can be secured from any of the
creeks in the vicinity.
Prosperity After Hard Times.
The business men of Vernon have al
ways been noted for their individual en-
terprise. and the manner In which they
have passed through a, period of CONNER
ciai depression Is subject of favorable
comment. Almost every line of business
is here represented. The largest gen.
eral store is that owned by w. r. Megaw,
who came here from Kamloops. Although
known a general store, still any one Of
its departments would constitute store
in itself. In addition to the usual lines
OF groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes,
and clothing this firm handles all kinds
Of agricultural machinery. To this branch
Mr.. Megaw gives his entire personal at
tention. and supplies the greater portion
of all the machinery used by the farmers
of this district. All kinds of farm pro-
duce Is bought and sold. and large quanti-
ties are regularly shipped to the Kootenay
markets. Mr.. Megaw has branch store
at Grand Forks. w f. Cameron carries
a large and weli-selected stock of gem
eral merchandise and does fair share OF
the trade. The Hudsons Bay Company
has branch store here and carries on
an extensive trade with not only the
country In close proximity to Vernon but
also with the boundary Creek country as
we'll. w T. Stafford. who has stores at
Fairview. Camp Mckinney and SLOGAN
City, has his headquarters here. In his
store liz to be found large stock Of
general goods carefully selected ana adapt
ed TO the wants of the community. nv
close attention to business he has gained
large and profitable trade The YER
non Product Company is the latest aeoui-
stion to the ranks of business firms
They carry u good stock of -four, feed and
general groceries. This firm also handles
large quantities of produce, and Is fast
working up a lucrative trade. j. Erwin
carries a small stock of general groceries.
). A. Stafford has the only exclusively
dry goods and millinery establishment in
the city. He carries large and tasteful
~ arranged stock OF the very latest and
fashionable goods His store Is a model
of neatness. and would compare very IA
vorably with the large stores In the Coast
cities. Dressmaking is also carried on as
u branch of the business.
w. A. Woods conducts the Vernon bak-
cry and enjoys a large patronage. s. A.
Muir 4 Co, have a well-appointed drug
store. and in addition TO the usual stock
of drugs. they carry choice lines of fancy
goods and toilet articles. Chambers A.
Co. have large and weli-stocked hard