The City Under a Smoky Shroud

Seattle is under a cloud, and has been for about two months. The burning of hundreds of thousands of stumps and trees on lands that are being cleared, and the fires which have been and still are raging unrestricted among forests and islands and the mainland, have caused a cloud, dense, dark, depressing, to settle upon our otherwise fair Queen City of Puget Sound, afflicting the senses of touch, taste and sight, darkening the sun by day, bidding the moon withdraw her shining, and with dust as an aggravation, causing sickness. While in the East there has been a superabundance of rain, here there has been a drought for many weeks, the signs whereof are painfully apparent on the part of trees, shrubs and vegetables. Although usually dry, smoky and dusty hereabouts, these features are this year unusually severe and trying. Not until the autumn rains set in, that is, some time in September or October, can we expect relief from heat, dust and smoke and therefore, not until then shall our eyes be gladdened by a clear view of the Olympic range, the Cascades or snow-clad Rainier. Meanwhile, however, the process of rebuilding our burnt city has pushed with tremendous energy. Acres of the surface of the Sound have been covered with wharves on which have been, and are going up, immense and substantial warehouses, mills, factories and acres of solid ground are now dotted over with completed, or partially completed structures, many of them very large and costly. There is the reconstruction of electric plants, electric and cable car power-houses and railway grading of streets are in motion; residences, stores, banks, hotels and manufactories are being pushed with manifold other improvements. The people walk and build with a faith which is unwavering as regards the future of the city. They believe, and so spend time, strength and money without stint.