The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1919-10-24
BUILDED BETTER THAN lie KNEW

| In a recent issue of the Spokane
IChronicle appears an interesting story
of "Okanogan" Smith and the country
around Oroville which was furnished a
reporter of that paper by Maj Gwyder
who recently spent several days in
town. Accompanying the article are
pictures of the first homes of Smith,
old log cabins on the Smith ranch, on
the east side of Osoyoos lake, mile
north of Oroville Smith was one of the
earliest pioneers of the Okanogan
country, and many interesting stories
could be written of his early life and
Experiences. The following is the story
told by the Chronicle:
| From an undeveloped frontier coun-
TRY to rich agricultural section in 80
lyears-that has been the history of the
lOkanogan country, eastern Washing
ton.
Where only sixty years ago a white
man scarcely ever trod, now lives in
prosperous contentment hundreds of
thrifty farmers and their families.
Within the memory of the present
generation, one man-Hiram f. Smith,
known as "Okanogan" Smith
Ireceived practically all travellers
through the Okanogan valley, where
now automobiles speed by in endless
numbers.
1 These are some of the unusal facts
concerning the development of this
great agricultural territory brought to
the attention of Major r. d. Gwydir, of
lSpokane on the occasion of recent
Visit to the Okanogan country, and to
j"Okanogan" Smiths homestead. Maj
lGwydir has recalled some interesting
facts concerning the old days in Okla
lnOgan and the life of "Okanogan"
Smith. Smiths first home in this un-
|civiized district was built in 1856. and
there he lived until 1862, when he
northwest, according to Major Gwydir
THE store was arranged to accommo-
|date Smith and his family. and it
|served in this double capacity until
1868, when another home was built
1t was the proud boast of the pioneer
THAT no one ever left his ranch hungry.
Those without funds -~ere as welcome
as those who had money to pay for
their fare, and his happiest moment
was when every seat was taken at his
|table-a table built on generous lines
land burdened as tables were once bur-
|dened before the high cost of living
|reared its head.
/ rProspectors, cowpunchers, hople-.
seekers Indians and an occasional
priest sat at that table Smith, like
|feudal lord, presided at the head of
the board.
Then the Okanogan country was
|place of magnificent distances, and a
long way between stopping places"
says Major Gwydir in describing the
surroundings of "Okanogan" Smith as
he knew them 80 years ago. "The up
lands were covered with bunch grass
and the valleys with sage brush. Bands
|of horses and cattle roamed the vast
plains.
Fences and cultivated farms were
very few and far between. There
were few roads, and no good ones.
Neither were there bridges, and the
Traveller forded the creeks and rivers
on his trusty cayuse.
Now it is a different scene which
Maj Gwydir calls to view:
Splendid roads, substantial bridges
|spanning the streams, and as far as
the eye can reach well fenced fields Of
|grain and alfalfa, and beautifully lin
ed orchards of apples, peaches and
pears, unfold before me. Modern dwell
ings and ample out buildings are on
every farm. Thriving towns lighted
with electricity, dot the countryside.
That is the Okanogan country today"
"The spirit of "Okanogan" Smith
has builded we'll"