1891-09-05-pullman-hearld-p4-chamokane-valley

September 05, 1891 Pullman Hearld Page 4:

Lovely Chamokane.

The lovely and picturesque valley of the Chamokane, says the Colville Miner, is situated in the southern part of Stevens county, and extends from the Spokane river on the south up to and including Camas prairie on the north. The length of the valley is about twenty miles, and its average width is about five miles. The beautiful flats and low terraced uplands, backed by its higher hills beyond, present a landscape scene that can not be excelled by any spot in this grandly picturesque state of Washington. It would fill the soul of an artist with inspiration and delight.

Subsequent to the glacial period, that first formed the contour of this magnificent valley, the erosions made by time and the elements have caused a diluvium of decomposed granite and other dasic rocks to be carried to its lower levels, thus forming a deep, rich soil that cannot be excelled, and only equaled by such favored places as the far-famed Sacramento valley, whose soil is of the same composition. The euphonious name of chamokane is of Indian origin, and was given by them to the beautiful, trout-ladened stream of pure and rippling spring water that meanders through the whole length of the valley.

A few reminiscences of the early settlers is deemed not to be out of place here, and to rescue from oblivion the incidents of former times especially those of our immediate country, has been considered worthy even of the pen of Tacitus.

There is much in the early days of a country, that will pass from the memory of a man in a few years, because there are so few actors in the scene to record them.

Over a half a century ago the eye of civilization sought out this spot as being the most beautiful and soul-inspiring place thus far discovered in the wilds of the great Northwest.

In 1838 the Rev. Drs. Walker and Eels, after making a pilgrimage all over the country, finally discovering the Mecca of their search in a beautiful prairie in the chamokane valley where they at once commenced the construction of log buildings, the logs for which were cut with axes in their own hands.

The following season they erected a Presbyterian mission, and in honor of Dr. Walker the prairie was named for him; since that time it has been known as Walkers prairie.

Here a son was born to Dr. Walker and wife, with the distinction of being the first white child born within the limits of the present state of Washington.

Twenty-three years subsequent to the foregoing date, and when Stevens county included within its boundaries all of the territory lying east of the Cascades to the Idaho line, and north of the Snake river to the Canadian line, the first representative to the territorial legislature, Hon. Judge Watson, was waylaid and assassinated by a Spokane Indian while passing through the Chamokane valley, en route from the capital to Colville. His remains were buried where he fell, and his grave has become almost obliterated.

W. A. and L. Jones, on whose land he is buried, actuated by a true Christian spirit have marked the place and will keep it marked until the county or counties that were subdivided from Stevens take the matter in hand, and his resting place marked by a suitable monument.