The Self-Made Man of Spokane Falls and His 240-Acre 'Idlewild'

Pluck, perseverance and honorable conduct toward one's fellowmen will always be rewarded with prosperity in business. These qualities, as a rule, are the keystone of success in every part of the civilized world, and especially so in the newer parts of America, where they have been carefully employed. Among those in this portion of the Northwest who have succeeded in every venture through a careful adherence to these rules is James E. Roe, Esq., of our city, a gentleman who is highly respected for his sterling qualities, and who is rapidly pushing forward as one of our heaviest taxpayers.

Mr. Roe has had a varied experience since enrolling himself among the residents of Washington Territory, but with the one object in view of winning a competence, has been able to surmount all obstacles by faithfully sticking to the principles of right. He came to this country some four years ago, and like many another now living with us possessed not a dollar in the world. With the blessing of robust health and an indomitable energy he accepted the first work he could find and from that day to this has always managed to keep himself profitably busy. He drifted from one enterprise to another, always enlarging his field of operations and invariably garnering the salary of perseverance.

At present he is connected as a partner in as large and well-regulated a livery stable as can be found in the territory, the building covering a large amount of ground, the stock is in the best of condition and plenty of it, and the entire property unencumbered. He also has an interest in a large and paying sawmill situated in the Cottonwood country, that is the source of a large revenue. But one of his most valuable possessions, and one that he holds above all others, is his "Idlewild" ranch. And well may he be proud of the property, as there are few farms anywhere that combine such excellence of soil, desirability of location, diversity of topography, and variety of scenic beauty.

The piece of land contains 240 acres and is situated on the Rockford road some eight miles east of the city. After a short distance out of town the road leading to the ranch is one of the best in the county, and will even be made improved when the contemplated new road is built. The route lays along the southern edge of the Spokane plateau, with the bluffs, that in places rise to high and rugged ridges, covered with the perpetually verdant foliage of the pine, to the south, and the wide, yellow stretch of prairie to the north, that is again bounded by a range of hills and mountains, through which the sinuous Spokane river works its crooked way.

Suddenly the traveler turns abruptly south into the timber and in a few minutes he is at the appropriately named "Idlewild." Mr. Roe has the entire piece under temporary fence, which is to be replaced with a substantial fence next summer. The soil is rich and deep and easily worked. There are 40 acres at the south end now under cultivation. Much of the land is covered with a heavy growth of immense pines, but the relentless axe of the chopper is rapidly removing them. At the present time a party named Johnson has a steam sawmill at work cutting the trees into lumber. Mr. Roe has sold him 500,000 feet of logs, and more will probably be cut. Quite a force of men are engaged at the mill which gives the otherwise quiet place an air of life.

The major portion of the farm lies in a valley on the east side of a considerable range of mountains, and almost every acre is tillable. The site for the residence, which will be built next summer, is on a slight knoll, just at the base of the ridge, and while it is protected from the wind gives a fine view of almost the entire farm. Several inexhaustible springs are on the place, giving an abundance of pure water. Mr. Roe fell in love with the location when he first saw it two years ago, and never rested until he owned a title. And his judgment was good, as no one can visit the spot without being struck with its beauty, not to mention its value. From the house the land slopes down into a little valley of virgin soil. Spread out beyond in a dark body of pine, and fir and cedar that follows up the breast of the mountain range, until peeping above the emerald sea is the bare head of old Mount Mica, that now is capped with a crown of snow.

We are not surprised at Mr. Roe's enthusiasm after visiting the farm, and while we never covet another man's property have an idea that we should entertain the same feeling as he does if we were the owner of said property. Mr. Roe well deserves this farm as he does his success in life, and we always feel rejoiced when a worthy man wins in a world where hard knocks and disappointments are more generously woven into existence than in good luck and prosperity.