The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1909-06-25


organized company will reclaim about
as much more near Brewster. The
advent of the railroad will start up
other irrigation projects ON a large
scale, and in Il few years the entire
valley will be one continuous orchard.
Its construction and operation will en-
courage immigration, the lands will
be divided into small tracts. furnishing
homes for hundreds of families, and
the already Ilourshing towns along the
route, such as Riverside, Omak, Oka-
hogan, Brewster and Pateros, will
grow apace, while other towns will
spring up along the line. 1T will be
the dawn of new era for Okanogan
county, and contribute more than any
other half dozen enterprises to make
it one of the richest and most proser-
GUS counties in the state. 1t will bring
in people and capital, and both are
needed to build up the country and
secure the best results from its diver
sitied resources.
The valley, and the residents there
of, will not alone derive all the bene-
fits flowing from the completion of Il
railroad, nor has the valley monopo-
ly of the products of the county. On
the higher lands, on both sides of the
valley, are large tracts of highly pro-
ductive lands. The grain area of Okla
hogan county must be counted in as an
important feature of wealth produc-
ton. On the higher lands are farms
that produce as choice grain as any
portion of the state, and the average
yield per acre is very heavy. In the
past there has been no encouragement
to bring this land to the highest stage
of productiveness, or TO harvest big
crops, for the markets We're out of
reach. But with transportation the
husbandman will devote more attention
to growing grains, as he knows he can
dispose of all he can raise. From these
hill ranches it is down grade haul TO
the railroad, which makes the moving
of crops an easy problem. Besides the
grain yield there are numerous locali-
ties on the higher benches where the
very best of fruits are grown, and with
transportation the fruit acreage will
be largely increased.
And this is the virgin country that
this proposed branch road is to enter
into and draw its stl nport from. Prob
ably at first the tonnage and travel
will be light, but it will steadily in
crease from year to year until this
branch viii become the best paying
feeders of the Great Northern system.
The country is attractive from a scenic
point of view, abundantly watered by
mountain streams, the climate is de-
lightful, and a more healthy and desir-
able part of the state in wich to live.
1t takes no wise prophet to look ahead
IA few years and see the valley dotted
with handsome homes surrounded with
every modern comfort and convenience
and Iiourishing cioies throughout the
Length of the road. Land that without
transportation is practically valuelesS,
will command as high price as the
choicest orchard lands of the state.
This absolutely certain increase in the
value Of all real estate is a feature that
should cause property holders to lend
every assistance and encouragement III
securing the construction of this road
at the very earliest date.
Oroville, at the northern terminus.
or junction, of this road, will feel the
beneficial influence of its construction
probably more than any other commun-
ity along the route. 1T will draw tray
el to this place, it will encourage the
building OF substantial business houses
and better class of residences. 1t
will no doubt be a division headqp qpart-
ers, as such have a regular pay roll
and be the home of Il large force of
operators and skilled mechanics. The
mere construction will he followed by
Il steady and permanent growth. The
immediate effect of building will be
felt, and prove of momentouS import
ancc. All that has been set down can
he expected if work on the road is once
started.
But
Will this work start at once That
.1pnpn1s uu0n the attitude of some of