From Mr. S. R. Geddis we learn the following facts concerning the trail over the Snoqualmie Pass: "In the first place," said Mr. Geddis, "there are many reasons why it is more desirable to bring cattle over the Pass than down the Columbia, and around, aside from the difference in the expense. In the first place, in order to bring them around, the cattle have to be driven to The Dalles, a long distance and a hard drive. There they are huddled together on steamers and taken down the river, then transferred to cars, and before they reach their destination they have fallen off a large per cent., besides being badly jammed and bruised in many instances. Realizing this, the people of Yakima who are interested in stock-raising, contributed to a fund which was swelled to $150 for the purpose of breaking a trail through the Snoqualmie Pass, in order that their cattle might be driven to market over that thoroughfare. George Smith took the supervision of the whole affair, and set between fifteen and twenty men at work. A cabin was erected every sixteen miles, and the men were divided off into different sections. Before long they had succeeded in making a good, passable trail by digging and tramping with horses from the Northern Pacific supply camp, at Thorp's, to the Jack Splawn camp, eight miles this side of the summit, where the snow is only eighteen inches deep. George Smith left his home in the valley on Thursday, January 19th, with one hundred and thirty-eight head of fine beef cattle, came through the pass and arrived at Squak Valley on the 25th without the loss of a single head of stock. A portion of the band was left there and the remainder driven into Seattle, where they arrived Saturday evening." Mr. Geddis continued: "Mr. Walter A. Bull, one of our leading ranchers and a live man, who had never visited the Sound, and a Mr. Graves and myself came over on horseback, having left our horses last Monday morning, and arrived in Seattle Thursday afternoon, or four days from the time we started. The distance is one hundred and twenty-five miles, and four days is considered good riding, from Kittitas Valley to Seattle, even in the summer time. We came over to look around, and are very much pleased with the future outlook for Seattle. When I go home I intend selling off a portion of my band of horses and invest the money in Seattle real estate. Mr. Bull will remain on the Sound for several days, but I start home tomorrow. It is the intention of Mr. Smith and the others interested, to keep the trail open all winter so that travelers and stock may pass back and forth from now till summer time."
