The Rapid Transformation of Puget Sound

A. F. Bryant writes from Clear Creek, Nebraska, as follows: 'Please send me a copy of your paper. I want to learn something more of Puget Sound. I was there in May 1853, when Seattle contained three houses.' Undoubtedly Mr. Bryant is aware that great changes have taken place on Puget Sound since he was here. In 1853, there was no newspaper on Puget Sound, nor any in Seattle until 1863. Then the Territory was unorganized, part of Oregon Territory. In King County, there were perhaps fifty white persons total from Steilacoom north. How different now! The 20,000 people then inhabiting the vast territory of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana have increased to 500,000, and Western Washington now numbers 60,000. Where there were three houses, 1,500 now stand. Then, no steamers plied these waters; now there are forty. No line of railroad or telegraph was within two thousand miles; now we have 500 miles of railroad and 1,000 miles of telegraph. In 1853, this country was less promising than Alaska is today. In 1883, from the character of its trade, there is but little difference between this country and the older portions east of the Mississippi, save for more elbow room and a better chance to make money.