November 22.—Went to Portland, Oregon. I will here say that Mr. F. H. Whitworth accompanied me on all my trips away from Seattle, and superintended the construction of my large maps, which were made in his own office. I found him a most obliging gentleman, and exceedingly well informed about the country. He was untiring also in collecting for me such information as he did not already possess. Judge Burke, Mr. Leary, Mr. Mackintosh, Governor Squire, Judge Lewis, Dr. Minor (the Mayor), etc., were exceedingly attentive, Judge Burke especially so. Other citizens, such as Chancellor Jones, ex-Governor Ferry, Mr. Arthur A. Denny (the oldest citizen on Puget Sound), Mr. F. M. Guye, Dr. Cumming, Mr. Haller, etc., were cordial, and ready to do me any service. Indeed, the citizens of Seattle, so far as I became acquainted with them, showed themselves in enthusiastic sympathy with the new railroad enterprise.
November 23.—Portland.Spent the day in visiting the Oswego Iron Works, six miles from Portland, in company with Mr. S. G. Reed, president of the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. The only point of special interest connected with these unfinished iron-works, is that Mr. Reed is looking forward impatiently to the progress of the S. L. S. & E. road, expecting to receive from it magnetic ore for mixture, also limestone and coke.
November 24.—Ascended the Columbia River by steamer, with six miles of portage, to the Dalles, where I took the Northern Pacific train for Spokane Falls, having daylight from Pasco Junction.
November 25.—Nothing could be more unjust to the country than the location of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which runs most of the way to Spokane Falls in a coulée (or dry river bed), which completely hides most of the farming land from the traveler.
November 26.—In Spokane Falls,Spokane Falls. which I found to be a rapidly growing city of 7,000 to 8,000 people, who are pressing the interests of the town with amazing energy. Mr. Routhe, president of the Board of Trade; Mr. Cannon, president of the Bank of Spokane Falls; Mr. Paul F. Mohr, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Nash, and quite a number of other prominent citizens, called upon me, and showed the liveliest interest in the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway. I collected here a mass of valuable information concerning the agricultural and mineral resources of Eastern Washington; this being an important centre of trade for farmers and miners.
November 27.—Sunday.
November 28, 29 and 30.—Went out on the Spokane Falls and Palouse Railroad to the Palouse River country. At Garfield I took the train to Colfax, which I found to be also a flourishing place, and wide awake in reference to the Seattle road. The citizens here were also ready to do all in their power to aid the enterprise.
December 1.—Arrived at Walla Walla, another of the great wheat centres, where I found leading citizens well informed as to the new railroad, but not indulging much hope of its coming within striking distance, except in the remote contingency of Snake River Valley being selected as the route of the Manitoba Railroad.
December 2.—In the afternoon came south fifty miles, to Pendleton, in Oregon, and on the morning of the 3d started for home by way of the Oregon Short Line and Union Pacific. By this time the earth was covered with a light snow; but upon the whole, the weather during my trip was pleasant—Good weather.certainly not so much falling weather as I had a right to expect, and no severe cold.
Thus I was five weeks and two days in Washington Territory. The entire trip, from the time I left Lexington until my return, was seven weeks and two days. Miles traveled, 8,500.