It is claimed that the Spokane River at the falls never rises more than six feet, and never freezes. The river here has cut so deeply into the basalt, that there must be combination among the riparian owners in order to draw the water to good mill sites, and invite manufacturers to use the power. Mr. Mohr urges this.
Two flour-mills are now there turning out about 450 barrels of flour a day; also saw-mills, and, I think, a dynamo for electric lights, etc.; but, of course, these use but a small part of the power, which, if fully utilized, in such ways as are suggested by Mr. Mohr, would of itself create a large city.
II. Agricultural Relations.—Spokane Falls has a promising agricultural country on all sides. The Pend d'Oreille region has good agricultural capabilities, though the best lands there are in the Indian reservation.
The country north of Spokane Falls, in the direction of Colville, is spoken of as a fertile valley, having more rain than the plateau country, much of it limestone soil, specially productive in hay and wheat. The wheat is harder than the plateau wheat, and contains a larger proportion of gluten; hence it is desired as a mixture for the wheat that is usually brought to the Spokane Falls mills.
Turning to the great plateau, we find that the rich Palouse River country, since the construction of the Spokane Falls and Palouse Railroad finds its readiest market at Spokane Falls. And now that the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad is striking out through the Great Bend, another portion of this great producing region will be brought within easy reach.
III. Mining Interests.—I need here only refer to the fact that Spokane Falls is situated centrally with regard to the mines of precious and base metals heretofore described. Evidently the business from the mines of Chewelah, Colville, Little Dalles, Kootenai, etc., must come here except so far as it may be diverted to a tide-water city which would smelt their ores and sell them goods. No doubt the Canadian Pacific will handle some of the business of the Kootenai mines. Similar remarks may be made with regard to the mines of the Cœur d'Alene country, with the qualification that a road crossing the mountain, say to Missoula, would divert some of the trade to Helena or Butte City.
The miners of Okanogan, Methow, etc., would be nearest to Spokane Falls, but would be 100 or 150 miles on the way to Puget Sound, which would divide the trade.
IV. Railroad Prospects.—The Northern Pacific Railroad, a transcontinental line, already passes through Spokane Falls. If the cut-off through the Cœur d'Alene country should be made, it would be equivalent to an additional road. The Spokane Falls and Palouse Railway joins the Northern Pacific at Marshall, only nine miles from the city, and its general course points directly toward it.
The road across the Great Bend has been commenced. The road to Colville, Little Dalles, etc., will inevitably be made at an early day.
This would make it really the centre of six roads, counting the Northern Pacific as two.