Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-09-10
6rnfral Sntrllieenrt.
4 River in idaho 200 Yards Wide, Falls
I 210 Feet Sheer.
From lhe orsgon shtesman,l

A River in Idaho 200 Yards Wide, Falls
40 4 210 Feet Sheer.
From the Oregon Statesman
Snake river ia the south fork Of the Co
lunbia, having the alternate name OF Lew
ia river named after Lewis, one ofthe early
piopeers who came west by way OF the
Rocky Mountains, following the course OF
the river TO the point at which it empties
into the Columbia Snake river rises in
the Rocky Mountains, near Fremont's peak
on the dakota line flowing 800 miles
through Southern Idaho, in q general
westernly course, thence Eortn lou miles
forming the boundary line between Idaho
and Oregon, receiving as tributaries the
Boise, Owyhee, Salmon and ClearTaterrly-
srs, besides numerous smaller streams and
finally uniting with the north fork OF
Clarks river to form the great Columbia
The valley Of the Snake lies along an al
most direct line from the South Pass OF the
Rocky Mountains, and in the early days 1t
furnished the most practicable route over
land 10 the Pacific. In its descent over
the elevated plains of Idaho, about 400
. miles from whence il takes its rise in the
Rocky Mountains, Snake river forms the
great Shoshone Falls The silver here runs
through q narrow, rocky gorge, which
widens and terminates abruptly in preclp-
itous cliffs, the summit Of which is about
one hundred feet above the level OF the
rapids, and SO steep that the traveller can
descend at only one point-an old Indian
trail, its numerous windings making II
about a mile in length Following this
trail slowly and carefully, the tourist will
in due time find himself standing upon the
hanks of the river on level with the rap
ids and overlooking the falls The width
of the river at this point has been various
ly estimated we thought it OF least two
hundred yards.
The rapids here form series OF cas-
cades, ranging from thirty to sixty feet
each in height, and just below them the
river, in one unbroken mass, leaps two
hundred and ten feet into the bottomless
pit below. The course Of the river at this
noint is almost due east and west, the con-
tour of the falls is that of on irregular
horseshoe. and their width, following the
course of the water, is at least four hun
dred Yards, Although the river is not quite
as wide at this point as the Niagara river,
the falls are higher and quite as beautiful
The most complete view Of The falls, in
cludinp the river above and below the mp
ids. cliffs and surrounding scenery, is OBJ
tanned from Lookout Point. Lookout
Point is a narrow cape Of rocks projecting
from the main bluff about three hundred
Yards lower down on the river than the
falls, so narrow that two persons cannot
walk abreast Care and caution should be
exercised in going to the extremity OF this
point-the very timid and over bold should
never attempt it-a slip Of the foot would
in O moment precipitate one three hundred
feet into the raging torrent below.
Standing upon this point, we will endeav-
or to name the prominent places OF inter-
est. The first object which attracts our
attention is Eagle Rock, a perpendicular
pillar Of rock about one hundred feet IN
height, rising from the midst OF the rapids
fifty yards from the south bank OF the nv
er. and almost exchanging the main cata-
raet. Upon the topmost peak of this rock
an American eagle has built his eyrie, fit
ting home for our noble national bird-long
may he live to occupy his unique and ro-
mantle abode Just above, and about the
centre of the cataract, is Ballard Island,
a small rocky island covered with cedar
and Juniper trees. Several smaller islands,
10 the right and left of the large one, or
Ballard island, add to the beauty and pic
turesqueness Of the scene.
The Two Sentinels two huge rocky pill
= lars-are one on the porth, the other on
the south side, overlooking the falls and re-
minding one of grim sentinels guarding
their post. Lower down the river, and
from higher standpoint, one can obtain
fine panoramic view ofthe whole--the falls,
the ioaming rapids, eagle rock, the two
sentinels, the huge pillars of perpetual
spray rising from the bottom and near the
centre of the cataract, but extending as 1t
rises to either side, and made beautiful by
the many-colored rainbows which shed o
halo Of glory upon the whole scene. Still
lower down the river is Prospect Gulch
Several gentlemen Of the party, actuated
by the spirit of adventure, determined to
attempt through the gulch to reach the
river below the falls. They lowered them
selves fifty feet on a rope down the perpen-
dicular sides Of rocky cliff Reaching
Arm ground, they managed with but little
difficulty to scramble down about 500 feetto
the banks Of the river. Arriving there,
they found that their troubles had lust be-
gun; they were SIX nundred yaros irom the
falls, to reach which their path lay around
and sometimes over huge poulders Oh snP-
perry rocks, winding along the 1901 OIL tne
steep banks and then through the ioaming
and boiling waters, the heavy swelis Of
which reminded them strikingly OF the
breakers on the sea shore. Finally they
reached point about thirty feet from the
falls. Their journey here came to an ab-
upt termination by the shelving OF the
rocks into deep water The wind struck
this point with such violence that they
feared to trust themselves in an erect pos
ture. On their knees, they held with their