Homesteading on the Edge of the Forest

Lake Washington, Jan. 23, 1878. To the Editors of the Dispatch: I avail myself of the present opportunity of writing up this section of King County for the benefit of the many immigrants and others that are in search of good farming land for the purpose of making homes for themselves. In this part of the county, and within the sound of the church bells and steam whistles of Seattle, there are thousands of acres of good farming land that can be had for the taking. This land is composed of what is generally termed upland and is covered with both hard and soft wood. This section possesses many advantages over other places where there are vacant lands. It is bounded on the east by Sammamish Lake, on the north by Sammamish River, and on the west by Lake Washington, possessing a shoreline of about fifty miles of which the waters are navigable for steamboats. Within these bounds there are three settlements, each having a school district organization. So persons coming here will not have to wait a number of years before they can enjoy the advantage of good schools and society; but have that privilege now. I will say for the benefit of another class of men that there are no improved farms to give away. And there is nothing here to offer to anyone but hard knocks, and a chance to earn for himself and family, if he has one, a home out of the forest. And it is useless for the chronic grumbler and the perpetual perambulator to come here; as it is impossible for a man to follow two callings at once and be a success at both.