Six years ago a gentleman named Wait came here, in the winter season, and by dint of indefatigable exertion succeeded in erecting a flouring-mill before the next harvest. At that time there was no mill within a long distance, and the need of one was felt by the whole farming community of the Touchet. In less than two months after it was running, Mr. Wait's mill paid him five thousand dollars. Soon tradesmen of different kinds settled near the mill; stores and a hotel followed, and in a short time a village had sprung up, which to-day has an appearance the most enterprising and thrifty of any town except Walla Walla in the whole valley. Judging by the farm-wagons, the sleek horses, the well-dressed farmers' families, and brisk trade at the stores, we should say that the Touchet was the farmer's land of Canaan.
Waitsburg has a school-house, which is its just pride, and that serves at present both as church and school building. There are sixty pupils in attendance, and a teacher of ability employed, at good wages, who also employs an assistant. Good morals and good order seem fashionable in Waitsburg—a great recommendation to a new place in a new country. There is considerable outfitting for the mines done at this place, which is on the direct road to Idaho.
A ride which we took out among the hills of the rolling prairie, convinced us that the bottom-lands were not the only grain-fields of Walla Walla Valley. Water is found by sinking wells to a reasonable depth; and springs occur frequently in the ravines, from which water can be conducted, if needed, to irrigate lands on a lower level. We noticed several new farms, one or two years old, where there was the promise of future abundance and comfort; and here, as everywhere that
