The Dickinson press., 1909-04-17
DAYS TRIP
/ interesting Account Of a Journey
Through Pacific Coast St ates.
Former Dickinson Resi-
dents Mentioned.
Dickinson, N. D..
April IS, 1909.

To the Editor
What observed while DOING through
the states of Montana, Idaho, Washing
ton. OREGON and California and also
Old Mexico. may be a benefit to some
who may have he ard exaGeerated reports
concerning the resources and productive
ness of each state also climate condi-
lions. Leaving Dickinson February
oath, I found the weather conditions
about the same until I reached Mis-
soula, Mont, where the weather became
warmer. A trip down the Bitter Root
Valley, also found fair weather. This
is q lovely valley, apples and alfalfa
are the principal producta depending on
irrigation. Land here is held in large
tracts and the price is very high.
Reaching Spokane. one finds a prosper
GUS city. Mining and fruit raising con-
tribute to the prosperity of this city.
Pasco, on the Columbia river, is q lively
city. Kenewick on the west Of the river
is making GREAT preparations to develop
a large tract Of fruit land by construct
inR an irrigation ditch, known as the
hi9h lands irrigation tract. This land is
selling in 10 acre lots ready to plant
trees at q price from IFS to 800 dollars
per acre.
Passing along through Prosser Toppen-
ish, Yakima City and North Yakima one
finds a fine irrigated, valley devoted to
raising apples and peaches. Fruit
bearing land here sells as high as two
thousand dollars per acre. The famous
Gibson Brothers orchards considered the
best apple Groves in the world are lo-f
Gated near North Yakima. One o
the Gibson brothers used to be superin-
tendent on the Yellowstone division
some five years ado. He nov lives at
Missoula, Mont.
Arriving al Sc attic l was surprised at
it's size, and at first l thought New York
City had been moved out there. Finan-
cially and commercially this city is
growing fast. met many friends here.
The fair grounds and buildings look
lovely and are u verv extensive UNDER
taking. They are surely spending a
vest amount to make the grounds and
buildings attractive and commodious.
Tacoma is growing fast and l met
many friends there. Portland is q lovely
city and has a great future in store.
The building of the North Bank railroad
into Portland contributes wonderful com
mercial development to the city. Going
south from Portland through Oregon
through the Shaska valley one passes
through Salem, and EUGENE, a lively
city Of IL, 600 inhabitants. Apples are
the principal product. Crossing the
mountains into the Calamath valley,
California, a narrow valley principally
owned in large tracts and undeveloped
owing to no water for irrigation, one
arrives at Oakland, California.
This l found a large lively city whose
quick Growth has depended on the rush
of people from San Francisco after the
earthquake. At Frisco I found sky
scrapers being erected in the earthquake
district which demonstrated the pluck
and enterprise of the American people.
The earthquake alone did not do, much
damage but it was the fire that caused
the principal destruction.
At Frisco I met many relatives and
friends who have lived there Is years
and l can assure you l was escorted
through the principal places of interest
and saw many interesting SIGHTS. Japan
and China are we'll represented in this
city, especially in q business way. These
people are certainly smart. The journey
down the coast line wal very beautiful.
For 100 miles the railroad runs close
to the sea and on the sea level it is
delightful to see wave chase wave and
occasionally see a steamer and sailing
vessel in the distance. A narrow neck
of land between the sea and mountains
isused principally for stock raising and
ia owned in larpe tracts. Santa Barbara