The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-04-18
BY W. S. CHARLES.

MO portion of the great empire
IN of the northwest is attracting
more attention at the present
time than that portion of Washing.
ton which lies on either bank Of the
mighty Columbia and her many
tributaries, known as the Okanogan
country, embracing within its scope
the counties of Okanoean, Cheian
and Douglas. It is an empire within
an empire, rich in timber and min.
eral, and embracing within itself an
area greater than many Of the east
ern states.
Through its very center. through
a great gorge, rolls the Columbia,
the marvel of all the rivers of the
west, fed here and there along her
course by lesser streams, which add
volume to her waters, creating
great channel of commerce for the
fleet of river steamers which ply
daily upon her bosom from Wenat-
chez on the south to Bridgeport on
the north. carrying up cargoes of
passengers and freight intended, for
the development of the country;
carrying down cargoes of wheat,
fruit and livestock to that outer
domain which is just beginning to
awake to the rare possibilities of
the new empire within.
Along the fertile valleys of the
Methow and the Okanogan rivers
and other streams which empty
into the Columbia, is a busy scene
of activity. Great orchards are be-
ing laid out and planted in the rich
soil, with the promise of rich re-
turns to the owners in the near
future. The Okanogan government
irrigation project is being rapidly
completed for the watering of thou
sands of acres of the finest apple
and peach lands in the northwest.
Up the Methow valley, on Brewster
flat. and at other points, other
great irrigation projects are in
active operation or in course of con-
struction. Down the Okanogan val
ley numerous railroad construction
camps are located, each one busy
from morning till night building the
Oroville-Wenatchee extension of the
Great Northern railway. the reach
ing out of the arm of transportation
to seize the great bulk of tonnage
which is already in waiting and
which is daily being added to by
the rapid development of the reg
ion.
A myriad of lakes and mountain
streams are to be found in this
region, favorable to fishing, min
ing and stock raising as well as the
irrigation. The high mountains,
lying further back, with glaciers
and snow capped peaks, assure an
abundance of water the year
round. These mountain ranges are
the hunters paradise. Black tail
and mule deer, as well as bear
abound. White goats also are num-
Arous in the mountain ranges. On
the higher mountain plateaus on
he west portion of Okanogan coun-
y are also to be found the only
big horn TO be found in Washing
ION.
The whole region with its mar
velous resources, lies within the
natural supply belt of Spokane
The completion of the proposed
electric line from Spokane to the
Columbia river and further points |
would open up great wholesale !
region which would become practi |
callv exclusive territory for Spo-
kane. All surveys have been made |
and the assurance is given that the
building of the road is at no far
distant date. This would bring a
great tributary province within |
eight hours run to Spkane and add |
greatly to the commercial suprem- |
acy OF this rapidly growing city. /,
Added impetus would be given to
development of the mineral wealth