Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-09-28

climate is well adapted to growing of
fruits, the apple, plum. prune, cherry
and all kinds of small fruits attain large
size and are OF excellent flavor.
The pick of the prospector has never
been employed in the search for wealth
in Chehalis county, but there are abun-
dant indications OF coal. oil and iron. and
people who are in position to best
form an opinion believe that the wea tn
hidden below the surface will rival that
of the forests OF timber. Two oil der
rcks are now prospecting for oil in the
northern part OF the county, with good
prospects of success. Coal in limited
quantities has been un covered in several
places, and it is the general belief that
depth is all that is necessary to find I'M
limited amounts. Iron groupings are
found in different parts of the county.
and some gold has been reported.
The Japan Ocean current sweeps the
entire North Pacific coast. which main
talns almost the same temperature, win
ter and summer. This vast body of
warm water very materially affects The
climate OF this section of the country,
and renders winter little more than a
name. Last winter witnessed no frost
in this county and cold weather is un.
known. The seasons are distinguished
as the wet and dry season, rather than
win;er and summer. The wet season
begins in the latter part of September
and lasts until about the first of April,
when the dry season makes its appear
ance, lasting until September. 1t must
not be understood that the wet season is
continually wet or the dry season dry,
for on the contrary many sunshine days
are had in the wet season, and consider.
able rain fall during the summer months.
The summers are very mild, the Their
mometer rarely going above so and then
only for short time, while the nights
are invariably cool and refreshing.
The fish industry is one that will prove
of great commercial importance when
developed. Salmon are taken at the
present time in large quantities, but the
cod and halibut banks, some twenty
miles off the mouth OF the harbor are as
vet untouched. The black, silversides
and steelhead salmon are found in the
streams entering Grays IIarbor in great
abundance, and about 30 fishing smacks
are engaged in the trade here.
There are some fifteen sawmills in
Opera.iUa III the county. an! several
new mills under course OF construction
besides box factory and ten shinge
mills, and it is estimated that running
full time AMI at tt cir full capacity il
would take 100 years to cut the lumber
now standing in Chehalis county.
At the mouth OF the Che;alis and
Wishkah rivers, on Grays lIarbor, stands
Aberdeen, the metropolis of the county
Aberdeen has about 5000 people and is
growing very rapidly. The sound of the
hammer and saw is heard on every side
new buildings are under construction on
every street, business blocks are being
erected to meet the growing demands OF
trade, and a scene OF hustle and business
activity is witnessed in all branches OF
business. Seven large saw mills, two
single mills, a planning mill, large
cooperage plant, two ship yards, a large
brewery, foundries and machine shors
and numerous smaller manufacturing
institutions are found in Aberdeen,
while three new saw mills OF great ca
pacity are now under construction. The
combined pay roll OF the city aggregates
$3.50, 900 per month. And right here we
would cay that the pay roll OF Aberdeen
almost equals that OF Tacoma, city OF
&C, 900, and more lumber is manufactured
in, and shipped from Aberdeen, than
any other city in the United States.
Three newspapers, daily, weekly and
semi-weekly, are we'll patronized, two
banks, electric light, street railway
building from Aberdeen to Hoquiam, q
distance of four miles westward, and will
no doubt be extended to Montesano |:
miles eastward, good system OF water
works, three hospitals, one college, to
gether with the usual retail establish
ments that 60 to make up a live, active
and enterprising city.
Aberdeen is not new town, but wa
plated in 1854, and the history OF tn,
place is one OF steady and permanen
growth. 1t is nicely located and wei
laid out, the streets being dotted will
coy cottages and handsome homes whicl
form the border for substantial bushes
blocks, giving the city general appear
ance of solidity and commercial &C
tivity.
Civic and fraternal societies are wei
represented and the different churcl
organizations are all in a hourishin
condition. The educational advantage
are not surpassed in the state and tn
people take pardonable pride in thei
"Temples OF Wisdom"
Aberdeen enjoys especial advantage
as deepwater harbor. The city is lo
Gated on the ChelaliS river. at the mOut]