A Report on Washington Territory

By William Henry Ruffner

This book chronicles a report on Washington territory. It is divided into six chapters with each discussing a different topic. First is, Itinerary, which mentions briefly the places the author visited, and the dates. Second, An Account of Washington Territory, which includes some of its History, its Location, and it's great Pacific Market. There is also given some account of the topography, climate, soils, and natural vegetation, with special stress upon the great forests of the Puget Sound basin. The lumber industry is next described, followed by a somewhat full account of agricultural products, especially those of the Great Plain of the Columbia River. Finally, in this division, something is said of the available labor of the country. Third, Geology of Washington Territory. In one division the author gives the Historical and Structural Geology of the Territory, and in another division the Economic Geology. In the latter, he describes the beds of coal, iron ore, granite, limestone, and marble, and also the ores of the precious and base metals as they have been discovered in all parts of the Territory. Fourth, the book discusses the special interests of the Seattle, Lake Shore, and Eastern Railway. Starting with Seattle, to show its advantages as a terminus. The author then takes up the great timber interest along the line, which, in its magnitude and value, will give this road pre-eminence over all others. The agricultural products along the line were also spoken of. Next, this chapter shows the advantages that this road will have in the development of the great magnetic iron-ore beds on both sides of the Cascade Mountains, and also the remarkable juxtaposition of ore, flux, and fuel, which are found in the Snoqualmie Valley. Fifth, Cities and Towns are briefly noticed which will, or may, bear an important relation to the Seattle Road. Sixth, a supplementary chapter, giving the latest information.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DigiCat
• Release date: Aug 10, 2022
• ISBN: 8596547167556

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William Henry Ruffner

A Report on Washington Territory

EAN 8596547167556

DigiCat, 2022

Contact: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

PREFACE.

INDEX.

LIST OF MAPS.

ITINERARY.

A GENERAL ACCOUNT OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

HISTORICAL.

LOCATION AND MARKET.

ROUGH ESTIMATES OF DISTANCES.

APPENDIX.

LIST OF EXPORTS OF DOMESTIC MERCHANDISE, YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1885. EXPORTED FROM THE SEVEN CUSTOMS DISTRICTS OF THE PACIFIC.

LIST OF IMPORTS OF MERCHANDISE, YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1885. IMPORTED INTO THE SEVEN CUSTOMS DISTRICTS OF THE PACIFIC.

APPROXIMATE POPULATION IN THE YEAR 1887 OF

TOPOGRAPHY OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

ALTITUDES IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

CLIMATE.

SOILS.

TABLE SHOWING THE MEANS OF THE DAILY MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES IN DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

TABLE SHOWING THE AVERAGE PRECIPITATION AT STATIONS OF THE SIGNAL SERVICE,

NATURAL VEGETATION.

LUMBERING.

AGRICULTURE.

WHEAT GROWING AND DELIVERING.

LABOR.

THE GEOLOGY OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY.

HISTORICAL AND STRUCTURAL.

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.

THE COLLIERIES.

ANALYSES OF REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLES OF WASHINGTON TERRITORY COALS AND LIGNITES.

ANALYSES OF SNOQUALMIE IRON ORES.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSES OF STEEL ORES.

SPECIAL REMARKS on the Country and its Resources along the Line of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway.

SEATTLE.

THE TERMINAL PROPERTY OF THE SEATTLE, LAKE SHORE AND EASTERN RAILROAD.

SUBURBAN INTERESTS.

TIMBER.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

MR. WILSON'S LETTER.

COAL.

IRON ORE.

THE OTHER MINERALS.

CITIES AND TOWNS.

BRANCHES AND ROUTES FOR THE SEATTLE, LAKE SHORE AND EASTERN RAILWAY.

SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER, GIVING LATEST INFORMATION.

REPORT FROM F. H. WHITWORTH, ESQ., CIVIL AND MINING ENGINEER ON SEATTLE, ETC.

REPORT FROM E. A. ROUTHE, ESQ., CONCERNING SPOKANE FALLS, ETC.

REPORT FROM PAUL F. MOHR, ESQ., CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE SEATTLE, LAKE SHORE & EASTERN RAILWAY, CONCERNING THE CADY'S PASS AND WENATCHIE ROUTE.

PREFACE.

Table of Contents

The matter of this Report on Washington Territory is so arranged that the reader, by referring to the table of contents, can turn at once to any particular topic. The report is divided into six chapters, to wit:

First, Itinerary, which mentions briefly the places I visited, and the dates.

Second, A General Account of Washington Territory, which includes something of its History, its Location, and its great Pacific Market. Under the last of these heads is given a large body of facts which will surprise any one who has not studied the peculiar commercial advantages of our Pacific States, and above all, of Puget Sound. There is also given some account of the topography, climate, soils and natural vegetation, with special stress upon the great forests of the Puget Sound basin. The lumber industry is next described, followed by a somewhat full account of agricultural products, especially those of the Great Plain of the Columbia River. Finally, in this division, something is said of the available labor of the country.

Third, Geology of Washington Territory. In one division I endeavor to give the Historical and Structural Geology of the Territory, and in another division I give the Economic Geology. In the latter I describe the beds of coal, iron ore, granite, limestone and marble, and also the ores of the precious and base metals as they have been discovered in all parts of the Territory.

Fourth, the special interests of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway are discussed. I begin with Seattle, to show its advantages as a terminus. I then say something of the terminal property owned by this Company, and of the suburban interests of many kinds, such as residences, parks, gardens and industrial works which are likely to grow up along the first twenty miles of this railway. I then take up the great timber interest along the line, which, in its magnitude and value, will give this road pre-eminence over all others. The agricultural products along the line are next spoken of. I then take up the great coal interest which will minister so largely to the road—an interest whose magnitude can be readily inferred from the fact that this railway will pass through, or near, five and perhaps six distinct coal fields between Puget Sound and the Columbia River. I next show the advantages which this road will have in the development of the great magnetic iron-ore beds on both sides of the Cascade Mountains, and also the remarkable juxtaposition of ore, flux and fuel, which are found in the Snoqualmie Valley. Attention is also called to the business which is likely to arise from the limestones, marble and granite for building and monumental purposes. Finally, I call attention to the great advantage which this road will have, or, at least, may have, in controlling the large and increasing business connected with the mines of precious and base metals, which are being opened north and east of this line.

Fifth, Cities and Towns are briefly noticed which will, or may, bear an important relation to the Seattle Road.

Sixth, a supplementary chapter, giving latest information.

W. H. RUFFNER.

Lexington, Va.

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INDEX.

Table of Contents