The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1921-01-13
f. E. Miller Writes About Western
Trip

oakland, GALL, Jan. 5, 1871.
Dear Mr.. Colcord and Other Inter-
ested Friends:
am less than half way on my jour-
ney from Minot to Minot by the way
of Shelby, Spokane, Seattle, Portland,
San Francisco, etc.
Leaving Minot on No. at 2:3O A.
NJ. Dec 4, l journeyed all day, stop
ping at important places, such as Will
liston, Wolf Point, and others.
Arrived at Shelby, Montana, about
$50. Found our friend, Mrs. Ella
Gunter and four charming daughters.
l was royalty entertained by them
until Tuesday morning. The train
was on time at $3.50 and l resumed
my journey over the Rockies. To my
surprise happened to meet Andrew
Peterson, of Minot, going to Spokane,
to join Mrs. Peterson, who had pre-
coded him several weeks. Mr.. Peter
son has a sister living at Spokane and
he invited me to her home, where
was made to feel welcome during my
stay in Spokane Three days spent
there gave me some idea of the, city.
Mr.. FOgelquist gave US an auto trip
into the valley east, showing the de-
velOpment of the fruit industry in the
last few years. The statistics he gave
us in favor of fruit-growing near Spo-
kane would furnish material for a
book. If we had few more men like
him, to boost Minot, we would soon
have to extend the city limits. Mr..
FOgelquist is prince of a man and
shall never forget the effort he made
to persuade us that his city was where
nearly everybody ought to live. One
could not but admire his enthusiasm
I quit Spokane Saturday morning at
7:45. The trip through the Cascades
was interesting from Genesis to Rev.
elation. l had anticipated the Rock
les and the sights had thrilled me with
admiration for the natural beauties on
both sides as we sped along toward
the Spokane valley. Few places were
raised, but what there was reminded
one of an oasis in desert. Lumber
or mining were the main supports Of
the towns through which we passed.
To me, the beauties of the Cascades
were greater than the Rockies. Be-
fore dark we>came to snow two feet
deep on the level and more coming.
Apparently there is little wind, for the
snow was clinging to those fir trees
almost to- the extent Of breaking the
limbs. That "emblem Of purity" with
green background was a sight to
make the milkman sit up and take
notice. Other sights like the hairpin
curve, where we almost met ourselves
coming back, the long tunnel, the snow
sheds and others, makes one feel truly
like Seeing America First" Dark
ness overlook us before we had passed
the Mountains, but enough had been
seen to tire the eyes and a rest was
duly appreciated. We were now on
the home stretch for Seattle. Everett
is an important stop before reaching
that beautiful city. The two are con
nected both by steam and electricity.
Having reached Seattle, l got some re-
treatments and then retired to hotel
for the night. I can appreciate how
Uncle Josh felt when he made his
second trip to New York city. There
was only two beds in the room and
they were made up so nicely that it
did seem a pity to muss them. If there
had been sofa in the room j would
have been tempted to sleep on It.
Saturday night, too, is the time for
Uncle Josh to take bath. / must
have got to sleep early, about A. NJ.
The noise outside was enough to drive
man to the roof. The cheap room
was what appealed to me, only $780,.
Next morning, after breakfast,
started out to find my friends, the
Humphrey family, formerly Of Minot.
1t being Sunday, | thought | better
go to church first. The first one !
came to was Of the Roman nersuas sion
and SO ] followed the crowd, literally.
quarter. ! took quarters worth.
After the service, which was very
was dismissed ] again followed the