The Placer herald., 1865-05-13
From the California Express.
Conclusion of Idaho and It's Future


From the California Express.
Conclusion of Idaho and It's Future.
EDIroRs EXPRESS: We left our subject
not altogether explained yesterday, and now
revert back to it for moment, merely to
inform the readers that in the whole country
that we have described there is not enough
arabic land to supply the foa.ng popua-
ton with the articles required. Although a
fine grazing country there are few cattle or
Sheep and both command exorbitant prices;
beef generally rating from u to 90 cents
per pound on foot, and sheep at from Sc to
10 each. We now proceed on our journey
north to Elk City via Warrens, Salmon
River and Florence, taking in Lew istown
formerly the capital. At and about all these
places, the mountains are Of great height,
well tmbered, and the placer mines, to
which there are now good roads, have been
protitably worked for several years, but are
now nearly deserted, there being no quartz
found that will pay. The population has
decreased to very few scattering miners
and traders. Lewiston is located at the
junction Of Clear Water and Snake rivers,
and did contain, a few years ago, popula
ton of 1000 to 5000, but is now reduced
to about 200 who live principally from the
travelling mass, who every spring find their
way from the valleys Of Oregon and Wash-
ngton to the mining regions before men
toned, as snow lays on them to such a depth
in the Winter season that nothing in the
shape Of mining can be done above Lewis
town. On or near the Clear Water is locat-
ed Fort Lasswai, and the Lasswai Reserva-
ton for the Nez Perce Indians, who have
been great friends of the whites, and during
the Indian war in Oregon and Washington
Territory, took up arms against the Spokand
Cayush, and other Indians who we're hostile
to the whites. Their Reservation has cost
the Government mint of money, and like
all other Indian agencies, have remunerated
their agents, superintendents and attaches.
There is beautiful and fertile valley, and is
about the only one whore a body Of 900
acres of arabic land can be found between
here and Idaho City. The distance from
Idaho City is about 800 miles, and the
direction nearly North from Lewiston. To
Kooienai, which is in British Columbia, it is
about 400 miles, via Tobacco Plains, Den
D'Alene, Den DOvIle. There is apparently
good land on this route but the latitude and
the altitude is So great, doubt whether
grain will mature, and the SHOWS falls 50
deep and stays 50 long on the ground that
it would be late before the farmer can plant
and The frost will likely nip everything be-
foie it natures.
The principal route TO Kootenai is from
WalIa Waia via Pelouse river, thence via
the mouth of Kootenia, which empties into
the Columbia, about latitude As 40. The
mines 90 Horse Greek and about Baskerville,
are near latitude 81. A report was in circu-
lation last Fall that rich mines had been
found on the Upper Columbia, but most Of
those who were foolish enough to 90 to them
returned disguised, and report the excitement
based on no reality. Now, as have endeav-
ored to give you descrirtion Of Idaho, |
will bring the subject to a close by saying
that those who 90 there to placer mine
may with much difficulty find a claim that
will pay 81 to S. per day for few months
in the year, but the mines are pretty well
taken, and the country nearly as we'll pros
pected as California Those who 90 to farm
will find but little arabic land, and that little
commands very high prices and is but poorly
to quartz mine will find an extensive field
for their operation, and may be suited, but
will have TO pay high prices for feet if they
buy; and those who 50 to speculate, will not
find themselves on Montgomery street. On
the whole, those who may be doing toerably
we'll will not better their condition by going
to Idaho. Yet many will do we'll there, and
you are sure to hear from them, but you will
not hear from those who work ust as hard
and live just as economical, suffering alike
the prvaions and hardships of the long anc
cold Winters No, poor fellows; they have
no money, they are not worth talking about
they are out of luck. And, softly, let me
tell you, reader, there are thousands of that
class there now, and thousands will be added
to their number this season. Money there
is very scarce, and plenty of people for what
mines there have been discovered, and the
country has been well explored and pros
pected by experienced men, Quartz is the
principal and only mining you may depend
on, and it takes money, and no small sum
to work quartz mine in that remote country
now bid you and this subject adieu, but
not without asking you, in future days, tc
think of what was told you by man who
has been over the entire territory, and write:
you plain facts, that you may let we'll enough
alone, and not be led astray by fancy hallu
cinations to your ruin and, maybe, to sick
ness and DEATH as from experience ] know
the country to be unhealthy and the priva
tions great. SIMON SPooNsBoTroM.
K1ssING.-Josh Billings says there is zone
cold, blue, lean kiss, that always makes hin
shiver to see. Two persons (ov the femai
perswashup) who hav witnessed CRATE men
nv vonnper and more puluv daze meet ir