Mexico weekly ledger., 1915-09-23
in this beautiful and delightful r

"FTTN
in this beautiful and delightful re-
gion.
This will probably be my last earth
.ly abiding place and after many years
residence here it gives me great pleas
ure to be able to refer with pride to
the best citizens in this community.
/ am very glad to hear that uncle
Rufe Pearson and family are still liv-
ing in Mexico. Wallace was n Of
the dearest companions | had in school
days. l distinctly remember how pol
tie and congenial he was whenever l
visited uncle Rufe's family. Wallace
and ! attended school taught by what
was then Miss frankie Dingle. She
was one Of the most able female teach
ers | ever met, II she is still at Mex
leo please tell her that | owe her an
apology of over 40 years standing. !
refer to a school incident in which
Wallace. myself and some other boys
departed from the path of chivalry,
which Wallace no doubts remembers.
/ presume a part of George Ridge
ways family are yet living in Aud
rain County. You know George made
the trip into Klondike with me. He
was quite old for such experiences and
the hardships was too much for him.
At home George had always been an
early riser. getting out before day
light almost the year around until the
habit become fixed. Well when spring
begun to open, as we approached the
Arctic Circle on our way down the
Yukon, and the Northern days en-
croached on the nights until there was
soothing left of the letter, George
still attempted to get up before day
light and having no watch he finally
became 50 badly mixed that he had to
count sleep to determine if it was to-
day, tomorrow or yesterday. After
the evening meal, he usually retired
early and was always up and had
breakfast before any one else stirred.
One night as we fingered around the
embers of our camp fire, discussing
the adventures Of the day and listen
ing to the mighty rush of waters that
sped by to the Northern Eldorado
ahead, George quietly withdrew to the
folds Of his blankets and a little later
we al erawled under our mosquito
netting. In a few moments, after all
was quite, George woke up and finding
It was daylight, got up, cooked and ate
breakfast with a good deal Of racket,
in his attempt to arouse the rest Of
us. Failing in this he sat down for
his customary post-banquet smoke,
and after a quiet half hour Of this
comforting relaxation, still finding us
all apparently sleeping, he called out
to a member Of our party;-aAndyl
What time is it?p Quarter past ten
replied Andy. With a grunt Of dis
gust George stripped off and went to
bed again.
Most of those who came out Of
klondike after the stampede returned
Immediately to their old homes, but
arrived in Seattle broken in health.
having contracted scuryy in the
North, and stopped on Puget Sdund
to recover. This country has since
restored my health, given me financial
independence, contentment and a hap.
Ply home. ] realize that my life has
been prolonged, and been more agree.
ably spent by remaining here.
This is undoubtedly the greatest
region in the United States and the
most pleasant place to live. 1t has
developed more rapidly than any Other
section, has more natural wealth, 9
more equable temperature, returns
largest crop yields, has the grandesI
marine and mountain scenery, tn,
coolest summers, combines the cheap
est and most powerful hydro-electri,
power near tide water, manufacturer
the most wood products, has tn,
largest deep-sea fisheries and handle
more commerce than any-other sec
ton Of like area on the continent.
All most the entire development 0
this section, from a dense, almost i'm
penetrable forest Jungle to the pres
ent high state Of advancement, ha
taken place within the past 35 year
There are people living to day in tn
great city Of Seattle, who landed ther
in the shadow Of the forest, on III
barren beach that is now buried wit
commercial wharves many miles /
/, extent and crowned with lofty ste,
and concrete business structure
some piercing the eky to the dig
, height Of AZ stories.
| We have suffered a drouth and &,
/ tensive forest fires this summer b,