The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1913-10-03
NE VALE OF 0KAN0GAM
N. Of the Most Beautiful
and Richest Valleys In
All the Country
nDE DOWN ON THE BRANCH
Aod Learn From Observation
In What a Pleasant Place
Your Line is Cast

r.tchee branch, from this point as
"a, south as operated, is as smooth
and solid as the bed of road bal
lasted and in use for years. Trains
Glide over it without jolt or jar, and
sny kind of speed can be developed
without danger. 1t is true the grade
Mad ample time to settle and solidify
before covered with rails, yet even
with that advantage it is seldom that
newly laid stretch of rails is so
firmly in place and travel over them
50 free OF oscillation and bucking. 1t
IL really a treat to take trip over
he south branch, and those of our
eople who have not already done so
should take day off some time and
make the run to Okanogan and re-
turn
This paper is not making this sug-
gestion for the purpose of giving the
Hill system the benefit of a little free
Advertising, nor for the purpose of
inyeiglng the public into spending
money for a short yet most comfort
able excursion by rail- There is
something more to ride on the
south branch than the mere pleasure
OF gliding over an even track. A trip
to Okanogan will give the traveller a
more comprehensive idea of the
beauty and extent of the Okanogan
valley, and what it is destined to be
Ia the years to come as the fruit, vege-
table, butter and meat supply center
Of the state than a trip over the
ground following the ordinary line of
wagon travel. From the car window
continuous panorama slips by, con-
stantly opening up, as mile after mile
Sides by, new and striking glimpses
Y scenery most pleasing to the eye.
In Its sinuous course through the val
ley the river in the main hugs the
east side, and as the railroad skirts
the east bank of the river the whole
sweep of the valley can be seen to the
very best advantage by the traveller.
AT places the grade is washed by
the flowing stream, and the reaches
Of the river are charming, whether the
exposures flashing by gives glimps-
of placid water, in which Is mir
rored the foliage lined shores, or the
surface is roughened by the whirl
and swish of rapids, or broken by the
rush of waters, as seen in the con-
tracted, rOck-bound shores and bOuld
er strewn bed of Mclaughlin canyon,
where the river breaks into miniature
falls. The river in places brOadens
out exposing considerable surface. or
Is confined in cramped quarters be-
tween rocky walls where it shrinks
r1hhnn WI hut hn nj n in q
waters as they rush over the rocks.
The course of the river is distinctly
marked by line of greenage, an in
termingling of stately trees and dense
undergrowth. But it is not all waste
lard given up to the riot of timber and
brush. There is much open country,
spreading out over the valley, and
Wherever the hand of man has been
put forth to reclaim this land a bOunt-
HUI reward has responded to cultiva-
uon, supplemented with irrigation.
Along the route are to be seen many
nne, well cared for, thrifty orchards,
and here and there dark green patches
where that king of forage plants, al
laifa, is yielding triple crops each
season. Then there are overflow
meadows from which a large tonnage
VI nay is annually cut, and the fire.
quent light brown stacks scattered
over the fields bear testimony to the
prodigality of the yield. And there
are barren spots, too, that are far
from attractive in this utilitarian age,
Spots that would be valuable orchards
ana alfalfa fields were it not that the
olignt Of neglect is on them. These
unsightly spots are the result of the
palernal is policy of the government in
me granting of allotments to the red
wards, 1t having been the custom to
assign to these indolent natives the
very choicest portions of the public
uoniain. y. The rights of the Indians,
.ne once sole owners of all these
o'oau acres, to these comparatively
small allotments, Is not questioned
VI denied, but it would be better for
.ne country, better for the Indians
VINO will not improve, If they must
nold these fertile spots, if the gov
ernment would allow long time leases
~ that there would be some object
white man securing the land
anuer long contracts and making ex-
,onsiVe and expensive Improvements.
~ the hands of the Indians the al
o.I,ents are as nature made them,
aeslected, unimproved, shameful
a "aste OF large areas that could be
aaue valuable in the way of food pro-
suc's; Take it from Osoyoos lake to
.s' ,te ophlr crossing of the Okanogan
e., s,er and there is not a more beauti-
s;h,,si III, valley, nor one richer in the pos
i;,',lties ;n of productiveness, anywhere
~ the country than the vale of Okla
;Ussan, r;os, and to fully appreciate its
~ ,s'aness mess of scenic charm, it's extent
moa. Unable acreage, it's rapid improve
ahnn en. and what it is yet to be one
b.ould bsod make the trip over the south
fSncn f.cn and see what there Is to see
~ Moll the car window. The resident
wo ,ais exceptionally favored spo'
.n "oaio then be content with his lot
nl"ael a leel that his lines are cast II
pieasant places.