Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1880-09-02
From the Far West.
Cor. Of Gallipolis Journal.

tilately on the river of the same name.
The reservation was established by trea-
ty in the year 1853. Owing 20 the long
distance from any railroad, sill our sup
plies and annuity goods have to be
hauled In wagons from one hundred To
one hundred and fifty miles. The De-
partment has, however, made an excep-
ton in my case, and allowed me to pnr-
chase inopen market beef, flour, sugar,
coffee and rice, which | have been able
to do at rates even below those awarded
10 contractors BY the Government.
For several years past. the Indian de-
partment has been talking of removing
these Indians to the Fort Hall Reser.
vation. distant some two hundred miles,
and Immediately on the Utah Northern
X. r For this purpose delegation OF
Indians from the two agencies went to
Washington few days after my arrival
here and treaty was concluded be-
tween the proper parties for the re-
moyal above named. Unfortunately for
the immediate success of the enterprise,
however, Congress adjourned without
ratifying the treaty.
Lemhi county has an area OF about
800 square miles, and lies on the
northeast border of the territory, west
of, and Immediately along the main
Rocky Mountain Range. Montana forms
its western boundary, Alteras and Boise
counties its southern and Washington
its western, and Nez Perce Its northern
boundaries. Its typographical appear
ance is more rugged and broken, and
presents more Of the grand and beautiful
IN nature than any other county In the
Territory.
Like all the other counties Ia the ter
ritory, It supports Immense herds OF
cattle. They are branded when calves
and after that are allowed to roam at
will until such time as they are wanted
for marker. Owing to the last long and
severely cold winter, thousands of these
poor creatures died, literally starved to
death.
Wheat, barley, oats and potatoes are
who are engaged in farming. 1t Is
nothing uncommon for an acre of
ground to produce fifty to sixty bushels
Of oats weighing from 80 to A lbs. per
tnshei. As TO potatoes, never saw In
the States such specimens as have seen
here, while in quality they far excel
any ever tasted before coming here.
The tact that il scarcely ever rains
here makes 1t necessary to lrrigate
everything that is planted. This Is
quite essiiy done. as the pure mountain
streams, fed by the dissolying snow Of
the long, dreary winter, furnish an
abundance OF water, which Ia conducted
to wherever it ia wanted by means of
large bitches cut along the foot OF the
mountains, from which the water Is
taken by small slulces, similar to those
we make In laying of corn ground,
only not so deep and wide.
There Ia no land cultivated here ex-
cept Immediately In the valleys. for the
reason that wafer cannot be gotren onto
IL for irrigating purposes.
The Lemhi River here ts abOut three
tinies as large as our Raccoon. II is fed
by the mountain streams and melting
snow, and having no clay or muddy soil
over which to run, 1t comes twisting,
running. actually lesping over
and among the huge boulders that line
its bottom and shores. and looking SO
clean and clear that the water Is as blue
az the sky above it.
There ia something so wild and ro-
mantle about these mountains and
streams, and yet so awe-inspiring, that
as ] stand transflxed aud gaze with
mute sstonishmeRt sIid Unborn delight
upon these mighty works of Him. who
holds the waters Of the one In his fist,
while he sits enthroned In mighty
splendOr among the loftiest peaks of
the other, clad in eternal ice AMI snow,
thst ] feel like exclaiming-"What Is
man that thon art mindful of him, or
the son of man that thou visitest him."
Salmon City is the county seat. It IL
bnilt upon the banks of the Salmon
River at the point where the Lemhi and
Salmon unite, forming river about "a
large as the Muskingam is az GAINESVILLE,
Ohio.
The town has about 500 inhabitants,
during the winter, but at the present
lime there are perhaps not to exceed
half that number, for the reason that
this is one Of the principal mining CEN
ters of Idaho. It Is surrounded by min
ing camps, where men are engaged In
mining for both gold and silver. About
)ne in one thousand Ia successful and
makes fortune, while the nine hum
ired and ninety-nine get just enough of
he shining metal to keep them In heart,
md failing at one point they start for
vainly hoping to make q
STAKE"
have seen scores of these poor un-
iOrtunates pass up and down the valley,
sometimes three or four together, with
)ut one horse, on which they carry an
'ntire camp outfit, including pick and
hOvel. ffy-pan, hour and meat, and
blankets for a bed. Whenever night
'vertakes them they unload their jaded |
,Ony, and with q long lariat-which
hey always carry with them-he is
ethered to some stake or stone, and |
hHs he passes the night, while his
'wners after partaking of their homaly |
epast, spread their blankets beside |
ONE little monnd which serves for q |
'illow, and seemingly forgetting the
'oules Of childhood and the friends of
ther years are sOon fast asleep.
| have conversed with a number OF
hese noble souled individuals, and
hOugh dressed In the coarseat of ap-
'arel, their faces tanned, aud their
ands made hard and horny by long
Outinued labor. they actually seem to
njoy their lot.
Others -again l know, who acknowl.
dge their "sell," and are here working
y the dsy or month, as the case may be,
. order to make just enough money to
AXE them home again. know rs many
3 four or five of this latter class now
n this valley, ono from New York, one
rom Alabama and Gne from old Mssaa-
husetts. Poor fellows, how pity
hero.
On the Eth of next month We hsve
oor unfortunate Irishman by the name
Conner, who is TO be hanged st Sal
ION City.
In my next will give you an account
my trip into Montana after my In
lans, and their and my visit to Fort
all TO meet Secretary Schnrz.
L. A. STONE.