The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-08-30
4 BIG REAL ESTATE DEAL.

ty4 was consumated last week when
Geo. II. Ellis and Jas. E. FOrde sold
to- the Idaho Mercantile company, of
Occur d'Alene City, a large tract of
land situated on the east side OF the
OkanOgan river, few miles south of
OrOyille. for 100000. The land was
turned In on deal that represented Il
transfer OF 100000 altogether Messrs
Ellis and FOrde turned in Okanogan
land of the value of 100000, and a
hotel property at Wenatchee valued at
$4,000. while the other $4,000 repre-
.sented the building occupied by the
store and sold to other parties. The
Review of last Thursday
contains the following item regarding
the transaction:
"The Idaho Mercantile company, OPP
Grating the largest department store
In north Idaho, today sold out to the
Ellis-FOrde company, of Wenatchee,
Wash. for 100000, of which $4,000
was cash. an apple orchard at OrO-
Vile representing 100000. and a We
natchee hotel $4,000.
w. w. Sanders, president of the
mercantile company. and w. E. San
ders. general manager, retain their
store at st. Maries and their interest
In the Occur d'Alene Grain and Milling
company. G. II. Ellis, president of the
Wenatchee company, will have charge
here. He will locate here with his
family. J. T.. Forde, vice-president
may also come. The deal involving
the sale to NJ. ID. Wright and T. J.
Stonestreet. of the building in which
the mercantile company was located
was completed this afternoon, the
consideration being $500"
The land that has changed hands in
this deal Is embraced in the old Hunt
homestead and the Neihart allotment,
that Messres Ellis and Forde recently
purchased from the owners, and is
we'll known to the older residents OF
this vicinity. 1t is no detraction of any
of the other many excellent ranches in
the Okanogan valley to say that the
land figuring in this big transfer is
about the choicest piece of property
that can be found anywhere in the
full length Of the Okanogan river.
This statement Is no exaggeration, for
the writer has heard the same opinion
expressed by men familiar with lands
In the valley. 1t is not intended to
convey the impression that the soil on
or more fertile than that Of adjoining,
or similarly located, lands. but there
Is not q tract of the same acreage to
be found anywhere in this upper coun-
try that lays more admirably for irri
CATION, and hence better adapted to
orchard culture The land is almost
level, having a gentle slope from the
foot of the mountain range to the riv-
er, with hardly ridge or depression
on its surface. The word ideal is
often used in describing land adapted
to fruit growing, but there Is no tract
to be found to which the word can be
more appropriately applied. 1t can be
readily watered either by very short
lift from the OkanOgan river or from
the canal of the East Okanogan Valley
Irrigation district, and this latter
means will probably be utilized when
the project is finally carried out. Put
this land in the hands of an exper-
fenced orchardist and it can be made
the show orchard of the state. Another
great advantage that adds value to
the property is that it parallels both
sides OF the track of the OrovilleWe-
natchee branch for long distance, or
will when the road is finally construct
hand, thus giving the most advanta-
geous shipping facilities. AS neither
Mr.. Ellis or Mr.. Forde have been in
Oroville since the deal took place, it
Is not known how many acres are in
cluded in the sale, or the nature of
the contract entered into by these gen.
tlemen. One thing Is sure, the Idaho
buyers have secured magnificent
piece OF real estate that will under
Improvement reach q value equal to
the highest prices paid for improved
orchard lands in the Wenatchee or
Yakima valleys.
In return for the real property
turned over Messrs Ellis and FOrde
have acquired one of the largest mer-
camille houses In northern Idaho. In
a deal OF this kind these gentlemen
know what they are doing for there
are hardly two better posted men in
the state ON the value of stock of
goods, nor two more capable of hand
ling such q stock to the best advan-
tage. 1t will probably necesitate both
partners taking up their residence in
Occur dAlene City, which would not
be hardship. as 1t Is a large city and
one OF the most delightfuly located in
the west. In this event they will not
be seen In Oroville as frequently in the
future as they have in the past, al
though they have still large interests
in this vicinity. II they elect to enter
actively in business in the Idaho city.
and no doubt that was the aim in max
ing the trade. they will succeed in the
venture. There are few men in COM
mercial life in eastern Washington
who are more capable of conducting a
large mercantile business than Messrs
Ellis and Forde. 1t Is line in which
both gentlemen, as partners, have had
long experience. Commencing years
ago in this county, where they met
with remarkable success although
starting on very small scale. they
gradually expanded until they event
ually owned, and still conduct. at We.
natchee one OF the largest department
stores outside of the larger cities tr