The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1909-05-07
.SEC(N) PRIZE WINNER
la Story of the Rich and At
tractive Oroville
Country.
TOLD BY MARGUERITE WILLIAMS
The Committe on Awards Selected
this Production as Worthy
of Reward.

Why Homeseekers should come to Ok
anogan; or through the Valley
with Fred. Mott.
Hail! Okanogan valley grand. with rushing
Streams and snow clad peaks.
Lift high thy head among the band,
For thou art first amid thy kind,
And multi des from far begin thy
Fertile soil to seek.
Depart alert American,
Depart the crowded eastern state,
Where nature IS almost run her course
And still the pace does not abate.
go west young man" 60 west and seek
Thy home where waters never cease,
Where shines the sun on fruit and grain,
Fair Okanogan. land of peace.
So sang Fred Mott as the setting sun
shed it's last rays across the fertile
fields of the Methow valley. Fred
Mott and Harry Renolds cantered leis-
nrely along the winding road at the
Goat mountain. The beautiful Methow
river could be seen in the far distance,
and the balmy air of spring swept up
the mountain side, and added charm
to the twittering of the birds in the
pine forest.
The two riders reined in their mounts
at sparkling stream, which trickled
over the moss-covered rocks by the
road. Harry raised himself in his STIR
rups and exclaimed "By Jove, Fred
this is fine valley. l begin to see
that Okanogan has all the natural re-
sources you were telling the fellows of
back home"
you're right, Harry: I'm no liar
When was through here four years
ago these towns were nothing more
than chip-monk villages. Now look
what they are. Why if those fellows
back there had come along with me in
1905. instead Of sallying into that
blamed eastern project we'd had the
cream of the north half of this valley.
1 say, Harry; your the only wise guy
among that bunch"
$50 you think the northern half is
the best place for homeseeker. l
heard q lot Of lively talk about the
mines that were being developed in
those parts. 1 tell you, Fred, I'm
mighty near ready to settle down. I'm
tired of rambling, and if there's half
show for a fellow to get good piece
Of land up there, I'll be the first man
to pike"
The shadows Of the tall pines began
to darken and natures light had waned.
The two young men were travelling
fast toward the fickering light of the
little town of Pateros, and the shrill
whistle of steamer was heard as it
pulled windward into the little burg.
The two men entered the hotel Of
fee, registered, and had not fallen far
into their discussion OF home seeking
when an elderly man joined them.
eyes," ventured Fred in answer to
the strangers inquiry, ''you might call
us homeseekers. We intend to settle
in this valley somewhere.
swell, young man, guess you struck
it pretty near square. l am on my way
back to Oklahoma for my brother and
and some parties who want to come out
this way. My wife and came here in
1900 and took up land between River
side and Tonasket, Now I've got
ranch under that irrigation ditch,
fine orchard and alfalfa field. We
didn't have much to start with, but
things spring up mighty fast in this
here soil. The fruit that comes from
throughout this here valley is sur
pris'en. And she's settl'en up mighty
fast. too. Eight years ago the schools
didn't amount to much, but now
they've got 72 school districts besides
several high schools in the county"
The next morning dawned, and after
having breakfast Fred remarked;
well, Harry guess we'll take a
header for the north"
They passed through Brewster, lit
tie village about eight miles from Pa
teros, at quite an early hour. About
noon they came to the booming town
OF Okanogan. While dining DR..
Pogue, one of the earliest pioneers of
Pogue Flat, entered. He seated him
self at their table, and ere long he
found out their mission. "Well boys"
said DR.. Pogue, this county is soon to
be one of Washington's best. Only
last year, at the Interstate fair, at Spo-