The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-02
4 BIG TIDE LAND SCHEME.
PROPOSED TO RECLAIM MANY
ACRES oy sAMIsH FLATS.
Mcdonald Brothers, of Seattle, En-
deavorfng to secure Titles Pre-
paratory TO Beginning Construc-
ton of Large Dixie system.

Special Dispatch 10 the Post-Inteliigencer.
NEW wHATCOM, Oct. 1.-The reclaim
ing of over 1900 acres Of tide lands for
agricultural purposes IS the gigantic
scheme proposed by Messrs. Mcdonald
three brothers who are now making their
headquarters in Seattle The land which
II Is proposed to reclaim Is what Is known
as the Samish fats, about twenty miles
south of this city The plan, In hrief IS
to build about eight miles Of diking, shut
ting on the sea water from the fats.
The Mcdonald brothers are said 10
represent Eastern capital. They have the
machinery for three large dredgers now
in storage at Seattle.
1t was their original plan to take these
dredgers TO Nome and dig up the gold
laden sands of the beach. A trip to Nome.
however, convinced them that the scheme
was not a feasible one, and since their
return they have been looking for a
profitable investment In which the dredg-
ers could be utilized. The present plan
Is to construct the eight miles OF diking
with these dredgers.
The Messrs. Mcdonald spent several
days last week in going over the samish
fats in the steam launch Imp and the dixie
plans suggested by their observations are
to build dixie about five miles in length
opposite shore points OF Dogfish point
and Samish head. Then on the south
side another dixie. running at right angles
toward the shore. will cut of from the
flats the slough which is now the main
channel OF the Samish river.
The special adaptabiiity Of these fats TO
this work lies in the fact that the river
which debouches over them can be con-
fined wholly TO one side. and also to the
fact that the prevailing winds are from
the southeast. The winds thus blow from
the fats toward the sea, and the waves.
therefore. will not be large enough 70
beat down n mud dixie Combining the
Samish river to one side viii give the
town OF Edison and surrounding coun-
try better channel to deep water than
they now possess
reclaimed II IL said to be unsurpassed
The rains OF one winter, II Is believed.
will wash out the salt so that good croe
can be grown, while succeeding winters
The greatest difficulty will probably be
encountered in the matter OF acquiring
title to the tide lands. Parties have al.
ready applied to the state to purchase
these lands, as tide lands of the second
class, at the rate OF s. per chain. that Is
sixfy-six feet OF shore line, with an area
extending out to mean low tide would bs
purchased for that amount. On the other
hand. certain Betiingham bay parties are
preparing TO inaugurate contest against
this proposed purchase on the grounds
that the fats are valuable natural oyster
beds, However, Mcdonald protners
It is estimated that they would pay only
about IS cents an acre for the tract, In
addition to the expense OF constructing
the dixie. About eight miles or shore
line will embrace the entire i0oo0 acres OF
McDnnald brothers spent yesterday In
. whatcom looking up various matters In
connection with the scheme. ana returned
they will 20 ahead with negotiations foF
securing the fats.