Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-11-11
sH0sHoNg.
Tho Great Fails Of Tdaho-The Rival OF
rtagara on the Pacific slope.
rFrarn tho OREGON Statesman I

Snake River is the south fork Of the
Columbia, having the alternate name Of
Lewis river, named after Lewis, one Of the
esrly pioneers who came west By way Of the
Rocky Mountains, following the course OF
the river to the point at which it empties
into the Colunbia. Snake river rises in
the Rocky Mountains near Fremont's
Peak on the Dakota line, flowing 800 miles
through Southern Idaho IN a general
westerly course, thence north $50 mi es
forming the boundary line between Idaho
and Oregon, Tecei7iag Gs tributaries the
Boise, Owyhee, Salmon and Clearwater
rivers, besides numerous smaller streams,
finally uniting With the north fork of
Clark's river to form the great Coluu bia.
The valley of the Snake lies along an
almost direct line from the South Pass Of
the Rocky Mountains, and in early DAYS
It furnished the most practicable route
overland to the Pacific. In its descent
over the elevated plains Of Idaho, ;sbou;
200 miles from whence it takes tt rise in
the Rock Mountains Snake river forms
thc grca, ShoshoDe Falls The river here
runs through narrow, rocky gorge
which wideDs and terminates abruptly in
PERCEPTIONS cliffs, the submits of which are
about 600 feet above the level Of the
rapids, and go steep that the traveller can
descend at only one point-an old Indian
trail, its numerous 0indinga making i.
about mile in length. Following this
trail slowly and carefully, the tourist will
in due time find himself standing upon
the banks of the river on level Nth the
rapids and overlooking the falls. The
width of the river at this point has been
7ariouslg estirnated-ge thought it at
least 200 yards The 'apids here form
series of cascades, ranging from thirty to
sixty feet in hight, and just below them
the river in one unbroken mass leaps 20
feet into the bottornless pit below. The
course of the river at tn point is almost
due east and vest; the contour Of the
falls lie that of an irregular horseshoe
and their width, following the course of
the water, is at least 400 yards. Although
the river is not quite as vide at this point
as the Niaesra river, the falls are higher
snd quite az beautiful The most CON-
pleto view of the falls, including the river
above and below, the rapids, cliffs and
surrounding scenery. ia obtained from
Lookout Point Lookout Point is mar
row cape of rocks projecting from the
main bluff about 300 yards lower down
on the river than the falls, so barrow that
$40 persons cannot walk ARREST Care
and caution should BE- exercised in going
to The extremity of this poins-the very
timid and over-bold should never attempt
ia clip Of tie foot would in moment
precipitate one 500 feet into the raging
torrent below.
Stsnaing upon this point, re Will en-
aeror to name the promipen. places Of
interest. The fret object which sttracts
our attention IS Eagle Rock, perpcplio
uar pillar Of rock about 100 feet in
height, rising from the midst Of the rapids
50 yards from the south bank Of the river
and afnost ovarhanging the main cataract.
Upon the topmost peak of this rock an
american eagle has built bis eyrie, a
sitting home for our noble national bird
long may Le live to occupy his unique
and romaat;e abode Just above, and
about the center OF the cataract, is Bal
lard Island, small rocky leland covered
aith cedar snd juniper trees. Several
smallee islands, to the right and left of
tins large QUO or Ballard Island, add to
the beauty and pictaresq aeaess Of the
scene.
The Two senlinels-two huge rocky
E.liars--are one on the north, tho other
Oh the south side, overlooking the falls,
aad reminding one Of grim sentinels
guarding their post Lover down the
river and FROM higher stand point, one
can obtain fine panoramic view Of the
Ehola--the falls, the foaning rapids,
Eagle Rock, the I'VE Scat;nels, the pic
ture5que islands, The huge pillars Of per
petuaI spray rising from the bottom and
aoaT the center Of the cataract; bat o1-
Tending as it rise, to either side, anu made
beautiful by the many-colored rainbows
which shed halo Of glory upon the
whole scene. Still lower dJwn TIE river
d Prospect Gulch Several gentlemen
Of the party, actuated By the spirit Of ad
venture, determined to attempt through
+ils gulch to reach the river below the
falls. They lowered themselves fifty feet
on road down the perpendicular sides
Of a rocky cliff Reaching firm ground,
they managed with bat little difficulty to
scramble down about 500 feet to the
banks Of the river Arriving there, they
found that their troubles had just began;
they we're 600 yards from the falls, to
reach which tn If path lay arouad and
sometimes over huge boulders Of slippe-y
rocks. winding along the foot If The sleep
banks, and then through tie foaming
and boiling waters, tie heavy 8selis, Of
which reminded them strih1ingly Of the
breakers on the sea shore. Finally they
reached point about thirty feet from
tho falls. Their journey here came to an
abrupt termination b. the shelving Of the
rocks into deep water. The wind struck
this point with such violence that they
feared to trus. themselves in an erect
posture. On their knees, they held with
their hands to lie overLanging brush to
prevent being blown into the river.
We think that one cannot fully con-
prehend the immensity Of the sheet OF
water and the arb,irlity Of the sceEe un-
I'll he can gaze upward IS We did. This
point Is tie Care CT the Winds. The
Shoshoue Falls, 20 whole, will compare
favorably with Niagara Those of our