Mr. A. L. Smith arrived in Olympia, WA by boat in August 1881. He left San Francisco on a Saturday afternoon and reached the Strait of San Juan de Fuca on the following Wednesday morning. Because they stopped at almost every port on the Strait, they arrived in Olympia, WA on Friday evening. Mr. Smith writes to his friend, A. H. Bukey in October a description of Olympia, WA including the buildings, churches, schools and agriculture. He states that peaches, grapes, melons, sweet potatoes and corn can't be grown in Western Washington. He includes a physical description of Gov. Newell as well as a description of his political views and taxes levied in the Territory. He concludes by saying that he is planning on traveling to Eastern Washington the next summer.
From the description of A.L. Smith's letter to A.H. Bukey, 1881 October 10. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 190823144
