Year: 1865




that too many persons are here for the sole
purpose of making their "piles," and this
accomplished, they look with longing to the
time when they will return to the old home
stead. Particularly was this the case in early
days, and to such an extent has this feeling
been cherished that it has worked serious
injury. Substantial Improvements are never
made BY these who are here. only for the
moment, and it is to this fact We owe the
temporary character of our structures. In
San francisco, as also in Portland, a different
sentiment has grown up Of late years, and as
result thu Sc cities boast public and private
structures that can scarcely be surpassed,
This lack of permanency has been the means
of retarding Improvements at Walla Walls,
and to this fact we owe it that many of our
buildings and places of business are little
more than shel Is, affording protection against
the weather, out presenting nothing attract
i've to the eye. This is the rule, although it
is but justice to say there are many hOnOra-
BILE exceptions. That we are on tho eve of
change in this respect, is evident to those
who notice the character Of all recent i'm
proponents. The district that was burnt
over a few weeks since is already rebuilt, and
in, every instance the buildings are superior
to those destroyed. The mere adventurer,
who came here bird of passage, has become
attached to the climate, and understanding
the advantages of our position, remains a
fixture. His dreams Of home are abandoned,
and he is content to settle down and identify
himself with the fortunes of our Valley. Fa-
vored by nature and blessed with prolific
soil, there are few localities that present
greater inducements to the fortune seeker, or
the invalid who longs for genial, bracing
climate. The improvements of the last year,
and the accessions to our resident population,
demonstrate the fact that Walla Walla is not
only certain to be business centre of great
importance, but that many have found it to
their interest to make permanent settlements
at this point. There are many men here hav-
ing families elsewhere, who would gladly
bring them to this place but for the lack of
dwelling houses This want should not be
allowed to continue, and our men of means
should see to it that none are kept awaN On
account of the difficulty of procuring tene-
ment houses. Already we have very many,
and soon there will be hundreds more, con-
nected with the business offteighting to the
mines, whO.Of necessity must make their
homes at Walla Walla. Public and private
schools are now established here, and in sue
cessful operation, and as good a course of
instruction in the rudimentary branches can
be had as at any town in the country. Here,
too, is fine field for ornamentation. The
formation Of the town plat lends picturesque
ness 10 the place, and when the outskirts are
planted with trees and shrubbery, we can
claim for Walla Walla the merit of being an
attractive place. Nature has favored Us with
an abundant supply of water, and We can
have fountains and parks and shaded avenues
and as many other pleasant things to look
upon, as we are industrious enough to create,
or are able to pay for. With all these advan-
tages, there is every incentive to build sub
stantial structures and aim to beautify the
town. 1t is here that many of US have grown
rich, and although, like the Israelites of old,
we may "sigh for the flesh pots of Egypt"
we should cherish a freling Of pride and labor
for the improvement of the place in which
we have prOspered