Beautiful Seattle

Seattle, May 25. - Seattle, or the " Queen City," as she is frequently called, is the capítol of King County Washington Territory, and is the ex treme north-west railroad terminus o the United States. It is beautifully lo cated on Puget Sound, or, more properly speaking, on Elliott Bay, whieh consti tutes an immense arm of the Middle Sound. Eastward and. inland about three and one-half miles lies the beauti ful Lake Washington, some thirty miles in length, and three to five miles in width. To the north, and also within the city limite, is another fine body o water - Lake Union ; while to the south is to be found the Duwamish river. A canal connects Lake Washington with Lake Union, and another canal is in process of construction connecting Lake Union with the Sound ; so practically Seattle may be said to be situated on an island. The city is built on an eminence which aflbrds a most excellem view of its magnificent harbor and the entire bay; then makes a gradual descent until the highly picturesque banks of Lake Washington are reached Seattle can justly boast of one of the flnest harbors, if not the finest harbor on the Pacific coaat. Immense and equally magnificent iron steamers encounter no dangers from bars or shoals in the Sound. Indeed, so precipitous are the shores in many places along the Sound that steamers can plough theirway along the banks with theirsidesalmosttouching the rocky cliffs. In short, it seems as if nature, in her most unselfish moment, had singled out this place for a fine harbor, and then with a generous hand had supplied every detail to make it such. Directly west from Seattle, across the bay, about four miles, is what is now called, and soon will be in reality, West Seattle, situated on a high plateau running out into the bay in such a manner as to serve as a barrier, shutting off any high winds, thus rendering THB HARBOB of Seattle proper a perfect haven, a veritable lagoon. On the natural shores, and far out into the bay, on pilings, are immense store-houses - store-houses which would cover whole blocks, and which, even then, are none too large to accomodate the shipping business transacted at this point. Here, big ocean steamers from San Francisco and elsewhere, "coal up" and take on immense cargoes, bound for Alaska ; here, also, may be seen steamers and vessels from all parts of the world- from British Columbia, Mexico, Australia, Fiji Islands, China, Japan, England, Ireland, Scotland, Central America, South America and other countries. Improvements of every description are being made at a rapid pace ; new and elegant residences are being erected on every hand; business blocks are being put up as fast as capital and labor can build them. As a city, Seattle rivals, and, I truly believe, surpasses many of her older, eastern sisters. She has all of their modern improvements, and in addition, she has natural facilities which are destined to make her the metropolis of the north-west. Seattle now has two cable car lines, an electric car line, together covering a distance of some twenty miles, and a third cable line is soon to be constructed. The streets are lighted by electricity (incandescent) and water is supplied from good springs and from Lake Washington. To give some idea of the rapidity and enormity of Seattle's growth, I quote the following comparative figures : In 1880 the assessment of Seattle was $1,608,906; in 1888, 10,481,137; and the estimation for 1889 places the amountat $15,000,000. Seattle's EDUCATIONAL INTORESTS are of a high character. Here is the seat of the state universily and here also, are five large public schools and not a few private academies and schools. The courses of study in the university embrace : Literature, Science and Arts, Law, Medicine, Military Science, Classic and Modern Languages, Music and Fine Arts. Connected with the university is an excellent referenca library containing 3000 volumes and 100 pamphlets. The public schools are the Denny, the Central, the South, the Madison-st and the Jackson-st. The most prominent of the private institutions is the Academy of Sacred Names, occupying a building four stories in height, and costing about $50,000. CHUECHES. The religiously inclined are determined not to be outdone either, for they are represented by nearly every denomination, and most of them are provided with good and commodious burches. Every Sabbath services are tield in the following : Methodist 6 Baptist, 3 ; Roman Catholic, 3 ; Congre;ational, 2 ; Presbyterian, 2 ; Episcopal, 2; Lutheran, 2; Christian, 1, and Unitarian, 1, making in all twenty-three places where divine truth is preached. There are also maintained in the city two hospitais, the Providence and the Srace. The former is managed by the Sisters of Mercy, and is an immense structure, covering, with grounds, an entire block, and costing $120,000. There are also many very nice residences in the city and many more are in course of construction. Especially is this true in that part of the city called Queen Anne Towu. But enough about Seattle. DEPENDS CRKATLY ON ANN AEBOR. My chums, Henry A. Kyer and John L. Campion, were both fortúnate in securing good situations in the general orhces of the Oregon Improvement Co., an immense and wealthy Corporation owning and operating several coal mines, large milis, etc. They also have large lumber interests, and also own and run several large steam and sailine vessels. B But, notwithstanding these very flattering prospecta of Seattle, to be honest with you I must confess that when we nrst arrived, and for a period of about two or three weeks after that date, tle was overdone. It seemed as though all western emigration headed for this city, and in consequence not a few men were idle, while a still larger number were not looking for anything to do at all- mere tourists ; but those wishing employment soon sought, and I have no reason to doubt, procured situations in the immediate vicinity of ISeattle, and in some of the neighboring towns. In fact, I was offered a situation at a place about 20 miles from Seattle, but I believed that thisinflux of strangers would soondiminishandlcould find something here, and in that beliefl was correct. And today Seattle is in a more normal condition, and I can see no drawback to asteady and healthy growth here now. We were very agreeably surprised May 29, by the unexpected appearance in Seattle of Fred Henion and Hudson Ellis, both Ann Arbor boys. Mr. Henion is permanently located at Portland, and Mr. Ellis also returns to Portland, where he has had some good inducements offered him. Of the original party who left Ann Arbor, consisting of John Campion, Henry Kyer, Frank Sutton, Bert Schumacher, Ed. Reyer, Albert Paul, Frank McCarbary and myself, only John Campion, Henry Kyer and myself are in Seattle ; Bert Schumacher returned to Ann Arbor on account of his father's illness after having been here only one week, and thus not being able to see much of the city ; Frank Sutton leaves for Portland June lst; tbe other three went direct to Portland. There are also in Seattle Messrs. Carrol Remick, Dean and Frank Boylan, the firstof whom has been here since last August. Last evening, by mere chance, ten (10) Ann Arbor boys all met at the Occidental hotel, and what a hand-shaking and talking bee there was. As regards your humble servant, I have a very good place with the Lowman & Hanford Stationery and Printing Co., which is the oldest established business of that nature in Seattle. Trulv yours.