The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-20
SETTLERS ARE BLOCKING.
CROWDS GATHER FOR OPENING OF
CoLvILLE RESERVATION.
Lnndseekers Arriving From Many
Middle states and as Far Away
as Tennessee-Location Agents
Busy-Guessing mt Town>ttcs.

Special Dispatch 10 the Post-Intelligencer
BREWSTER, Wash, Sept. 19-But
twenty days now remain before the OPEN
ing of the north half of the Colville res
ervation and this place, in consequence,
is becoming the scene Of an increasing
movement thitherward among those inter-
ested in the new lands. Brewster is the
discriminating point for large numbers
who come from both east and west OF
the Cascades to enter the reservation.
Boats reach here four times week-Sat-
urdays, Mondays Wednesdays and Thurs
days, from the Great Northern railroad at
Wenatchee, besides which there are two
daily stage lines, one entering from Cou-
lee City and the other carrying the mail
service Northward from here the wagon
roads and trails lead direct up the valley
OF the Okanogan to the borders OF the
reservation. A stage leaves Brewster
daily going north. by way of Conconuiy
and Loonis. In addition TO this means OF
travel. private conveyances are brought
into use, while still numbers OF others
choose TO buy saddle animals and pack
outfits. The Indians have supplied the de-
mand and are doing fairly lucrative
business.
From Brewster most of the travel goes
as far as the stage route, which deviates
up the valley westward to Conconuily.
then takes Off by independent means
straight up the Okanogan. The south line
OF the reservation territory TO be opened
is reached near johnson creek, from which
point one road leads to the interior. Fiji
teen or twenty miles above this another
road strikes across toward Chesaw, Boil
ster and Nelson, In the Myers creek dis
trfct. and, farther north In the vicinity
of orc, third route enters the reserVa-
ton. Along any of these lines good view
is obtained of the country.
The crowd of landseekers that Is arriv-
ing affords already an interesting stury.
one old gentleman from Tennessee came
all the way to see the country and spy
out locations for himself and sons. The
states of Ohio. Indiana, Iowa, Illinois,
Missouri and Mississippi. together with
Nebraska, Kansas, the Dakotas, Mime
sofa, Montana and Colorado. are well
represented. 1t is understood that be-
tween Republic and the western boundary
of the reserve there are as many as one
hundred locating agents engaged In To-
eating settlers for sums ranging from SlV
to $50
The method OF filing upon the lands OF
the reservation has been made very sim
pie, under the act of authorization. in
order that there may be no scramble upon
the part of the settlers in endeavoring TO
reach the United States land offices. This
is the provision allowing period Of
ninety days from the date of opening the
reserve, October TO- until the filing is re-
quired in the land office. Meantime, and
upon taking and assuming possession, the
intending settler. or squatter, must post
and must have maintained notice. to-
gether with his residence. declaring his
intentions to that effect.
Consequently. the eve of October 10 will
see a great number of people In readi-
ness to go on to their selected tracts, and
Immediately the morning sun arises there
will appear to have sprung up out of the
earth. erstwhile deserted, a busy popula-
ton peopling the rolling table lands and
beautiful valleys, dotting the green land
scape with their white tents and filling
the air with the ring of their hammers.
1t will be an interesting and thrilling
spectacle.
Another factor that is giving impetus
to the travel 10 the reservation Is the
hope that another year or two Will see
some railroad extension into the upper
country. When the road comes. whether
IL build from the east or the west, II is
expected to add much to the values of
lands in the neighborhood and many are
eagerly investigating the probable l0ca-
lions of future villages and commercial
centers.