The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1916-04-28
A BIG TRANSFER.

One of the largest and most impor-
tant real estate and personal property
deals that has ever taken place in the
county was closed Tuesday, very lar
gely through the. instrumentality of
Del Hart, of the Oroville Investment
company, when w. V. Champneys, the
pioneer stockman of the Similkameen
valley. sold to T. l.. Irwin, of Seattle,
his big ranch, cattle and everything
pertaining to the farm. The land rep
resented in the transactions embraces
$50 acres. all of it, excepting very
few acres. being the best hay land in
the northwest. There are 300 head Of
cattle in prime condition. Owing to the
fact that Mr.. Champneys had an abun-
dance of feed, and is merciful to his
stock, the cattle passed through the
long, hard winter without loss, and
are in better shape than most OF the
large bands in the country. There were
also 81 head of horses and an endless
quantity of machinery and implements
required upon such an extensive farm.
The consideration is said to have been
$75,000
Thh successful issue of the negotia-
ton leading up to the final transfer
OF this large tract of land and attach
ments, is largely due to the diplomacy
OF Mr.. Hart, who acted as intermedi-
ator between the seller and buyer.
Mr.. Champneys has great confidence
in Mr.. Hart's judgment, and consulted
with him upon the wisdom and advisa-
bility of making the trade before en-
tering thereon.
The sale of so large a tract OF land
at such hattering figures shows that
this country is coming to the atten-
ton of shrewd and careful investors,
as it is only that kind of investors that
puts so large a sum in ranch proper
ties. 1t is an auspicious transaction
for the country, as it goes to show that
men of discernment and means are
investigating opportunities up this
way, and upon investigation have no
hesitancy in at once risking their
money. The buyer, Mr.. Irwin, is not
in the deal on speculation. He will
continue the stock business, as his
purchase is ideal for that industry. He
has every appearance of being live,
wide awake, progressive gentleman,
who will take an interest in the up
building of the locality where he is
to make his home, and this neighbor-
hood is fortunate that this fine prop
erty has fallen into the hands of such
desirable citizen.
w. V. Champneys, more familiarly
known as Vic" is one of the pioneers
of Okanogan county. He secured
fOothold on the Smilkameen river
some % years ago His ambition was to
accumulate a large holding of bottom
land that would insure the success of
the stock business by providing ample
forage. Being IA man of indomitaDle
energy and industry Mr.. Champneys
bent his every effort and resource to
the one object he had in view, and
gradually secured title to his large
acreage by buying up adjacent hold
ings In its raw stage much of this
land was covered with dense mass
OF underground, but Mr.. Champneys,
by unflaging labor, entered upon the
Herculean task OF clearing tHe ldHu,
which once clear of brush is the best
hay land in the state. Acre by acre he
removed this brush, until today the
once almost impenetrable tangle OF
underground is broad verdant carpet
OF grass.
1t is not known what may be Mr..
Champneys plans for the future. He
has earned long rest after the years
spent at gruelling hard work and self
denial. 1t is hoped by those who know
him that he will continue to be resi-
dent of the county He has always been
known to be scrupulously upright, fair
and just in his dealings with his fellow
men, and under his quiet exterior
beats a warm and generous heart.
Take him all around and there are few
better men than Vic Champpeys, and
we trust that he may live long to en-
JOY in peace and comfort the fruits
of his long years of labor.