Page:Atlantis Arisen.djvu/406



for a reservation for the Indians, and go elsewhere. If you are bound to stay, you may as well make up your minds to keep your guns ready and fight it out. We cannot cover this immense territory with a few companies of troops." However, a post was established at Coeur d'Alene, and named Fort Sherman, and the people remained.

The resumption of work by the Northern Pacific brought an increase of population, and when the road was opened to Portland, or to the Columbia River, in 1883, Spokane Falls had fifteen hundred inhabitants. At the present rate of increase it will have in 1893 eighty thousand. A great Northwestern exposition is to be held here this year,* at which specimens of minerals found in the adjacent mountain regions will be among the most important exhibits, although grains, fruits, and woods will attract much attention for their excellence.

I was shown a novelty recently discovered at Fort Spokane, at the mouth of the Spokane River. It is a white sand of a cubular form, looking like granulated sugar. When found it is in a compact form like rock, but on being struck with a hammer falls into loose particles. The only mineral known to resemble it is found in Fostoria, Ohio, and is used for making glass. In this city this snow-white sand is used in finishing plaster, and makes a wall like marble, on which the most delicate tints can be brought out in frescoing. As for marble, there are mountains of it along the Spokane River, and a rose-colored building-stone which calls to mind Ruskin's "Stones of Venice."

The second day after my arrival I took passage on the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern for Medical Lake, fifteen miles from the city, and a popular resort. The road winds among the hills, in company with the Spokane River, which is, everywhere that I saw it, most picturesque and interesting. The windings bring into view over and over again the city at the falls, until having climbed high enough the road enters a region of fir, cedar, pine, and tamarack, not much resembling the forests of West Washington, but sufficiently woodsy to justify a plainsman in warning a metropolitan against it.


 * It was successfully held, and a beautiful "Souvenir" published.