Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1868-09-09
SKETCHES OF TRAVEL IN IDAHO.
NUMBER VI.

Lewiston is the sole embareadero and depot
for the interior mining camps OF Northern
Idaho, and Of the agricultural localities as
well. From there 60 out the pack trains ana
cargoes for Orc Elmo, Pierce City, Elk City,
Florence. Warrens, Slate Greek, Whitebird,
Little Salmon, Kamei the teams to the Lap
Wal I'M Clearwater, Sweetwater, Craigs,
Camas Prairie and other farming districts.
The town has a very eligible commercial sitn-
alton, upon the sharp square angle of the Clear
water and Snake rivers, just where the more
lucid waters of the former pours its great vol
ume into the larger aud tortuous Snake. 1t is
built mainly upon the fat which ferms the bot
tom of the Clearwater, just underneath the
long line of low bare hills which extends far
up that stream, and back from 1t to Craig s
mountain. Entering the town from the Calnas
Prairie road, the view is rather more pleasing
than that furnished from ANY other point, The
long main highway which leads into the bust
ness heart OF the place passes by the suburban
and pretty and very neat cottage residences OF
that end of Lewiston, and some Ut the grounds
10 these have been beautfed and made yalua,
able as well rs attractive BY shade and fruit
trees, BY shrubs and vines bearing priced aud
luscious fruits, aud by iragraa: p!aats and
flowers.
Lewiston has in late years lost rutn of its
business prosperity, its population and import
ance The diversion OF the Montana trade
from there. by more direct transits from the
Columbia river below, has materially diuiin.
ished It's traffic and the filling uG oi the min
ing camps of Neg Perez, ShusAonc aud Idaho
counties has been n still harlrr blow 10 Lew
istou. The place exhibits evidences Of this de-
cline of business and population in the number
of buildings put up for trade USES and for dwell
lings, which are uuoccupicd, aud are going Ia
decay without care or means Ia proven. them
4 quiet like unto that Of sauail ylllag, In the
old States upon Sunday rcisns nearly through
,ut the week, unbroken orly by the weekly az.
rival Of the steamer 10 the Spring aud eacsY
Summer season; by the weekly arrival at the
nail by way OF Walia Walla snl by the com.
ing in of the empty and the gazing oui u( the
laden pack trains " hich travel between there
and the mining camps of the interior.
Lewiston has its institutions" The Josr.
nat published weekly By s. 5. Slater, an old
friend land very clever companion We al-
ways found hiln). is ono of these. and the Luna
House is another. This is very Substantially
built house. Of smooth hewn logs. Well finished.
and very capacIous Il was put up By Hill
Beachry in the palmy days OF Lewston. but
has since suffered by neglect. Under the pres
cut excellent care and hostship of 4 BIttncr.
n clever German who knows how Ia keep be-.
tel hrstrat", the Luna House Is one Of the beat
to be found in the Territory. Upon the hull.
back, mile or So. and out Of sight of the
town, stands the bare galluws from which the
Nagruder murdcrrrs were 4 few years ago
swung into ignominious death.
The Catholic Church is the only edliice dedl-
Gated to religious varship in Lewiston, and.
we regret to say. even this is poorly sustained
During our stay in the place We saw at the
Chapel the Rev. Father ST. Onge. who had
y,
with the Sister st. Joseph and another Sister,
and they were bound upon rough and tedious
tour of the whole mining region to solicit funds
in behalf Of the Catholic Orphan Asylum aud
School Mt Vancouver, W. r.
a feature of Lewiston Is tho Indian popula-
ton, who flock in from their wickiups and the
Reservation along the Clearwater and from
the Lapwai. They bring in vegetables, Of
their own cultivation, and are less troublesome
among the whites than any Of their race we
have seen in Idaho. They are sharp at bar.
gains, too. and 10 horse barter it will require
keen jockeys to get advantage over them.
From Mr.. Stone, the Agent Of the O. s. n.
Co. ut Lewiston, We ascertained that, while
the business of that division Of Idaho had ap-
parently diminished during the year. it had not
in reality. The steamers bad this season land.
ed there on aggregate of Two hundred tons Of
freight more than was brought there last sen.
son, and besides this there's this season also
come in there from Grand Rande Valley, in
Oregon, and from Walla WaIla, In Washington
Territory, q greater amount Of -four than was
received from oil quarters last season. The
fresh start given to trade by the growth Of the
agricultural interests Of That region, and by
the rush the past season into warrens, had
rauaed the increase Of freichts and Of -four