Forget the Mines — Grab the Land, the Paper Urges

It is the shrewd man who says, in the union of mind and muscle, that the true policy is going forth and possessing himself of rich, productive land, which will, with a little labor, soon be covered with a waving carpet of golden grain. Let the outside world understand that all the people now flocking into Washington Territory are not heading for the mines. Perhaps an overwhelming majority are bent upon trying their luck in the new camp. In fact we believe seven-ninths of the strangers on our streets are solely here with a view of trying their hand at gold digging, but many a sturdy eastern man, weighing well the chances in the struggle for gain, is preparing to go out in the surrounding country and take up land that lasts free as the air, and by so doing insuring a home and a future competency.

The time is not far distant when government land will be reduced to a minimum, and the opportunities now existing to secure cheap homes will have gone forever. It therefore behooves the hunter for real estate to act promptly, and by so doing getting hold of that which will become unattainable. There is no Territory that now holds out the inducements extended by Washington, and as we intimated those inducements are dwindling down and growing beautifully less.

Already has emigration set heavily toward the Big Bend and other sections contiguous to Spokane Falls, and we look to see thousands of acres of now unoccupied lands taken up and put under cultivation during the present year. Col. Myers, who is now absent on a trip to the Big Bend, stated publicly that there were fully 10,000 people about five days out for this territory. Making all due allowances for the per cent. that will switch off, or not start at all, and we yet have a vast multitude to be thrown into the country. With emigrants pouring in at the present rate and the large increase that may be looked forward to, it is easy to see that it will not be long before the best of the lands will be occupied.

It is said that some of the richest farming land is situated in the Big Bend country to be found in the northwest, and that is the locality that is now attracting so much attention. This week several parties started out to that section for the purpose of leading the van of the spring travel and getting in early enough to hold down a choice quarter. Others will follow immediately anticipating the rush, and our advice to those wishing to be on hand in time is to get out as soon as convenient. Arrangements are now pending to start a line of stages between the Falls and Okanogan, the county seat of Douglas county, and a place that is bound to become of considerable importance.

While the Big Bend may be remote from our city, its settlement will be a matter of significance to our business men. Most of the supplies consumed will be drawn from the Falls, and for a number of years, and probably always, this point will prove a market for all the products of that broad expanse of territory. This is destined to be the distributing point for the northwest, not only on account of its accessibility, but also because our merchants will be able to give better bargains than the consumer can hope to secure elsewhere, and such being the case we can look upon the rapid settlement of the country to the west as one of additional prosperity for this growing commercial center.