Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1881-06-16
EDITORIAL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
FoRT CGUR d ALENE,
June 7. 1881.

DEAR TELLER:-Owing to injuries
received from being thrown from my
buggy, l since have been in an unfit
condition to make such observations
of this place and its surroundings as
would enable Inc to do the place JUS
tice. Again the in6rmities consequent
upon the accident seem to divert me of
my usual vivacity Of spirits and clear
comprehension Of things before me.
From Capt. Sarenson Of the little
steamer "Amelia Wheaton," which is
now moored in front of the garrison
on the beautiful Lake Cnur d'Alene.
/ have obtained muchly valuable in
formation Of the character Of the Lake
and its surroundings, accompanied by
the first rough draft Of his map of the
lake as far as he has explored it with
his steamer and otherwise, accompanied
also by printed description of the
lake as published in the Spectator, a
small monthly sheet issued here by
Adjutant Rowel and others cf the
officers Of the garrison. To these /
shall take occasion to refer in the TEL
LER at my leisure after my return
The interest the officers of the gar
rison, Capt. Sarenson and others have
manifested in penetrating and bring
ing forth to the public the beauties
advantages of this lake and its rivers
has been much greater than usual I'M
der the circumstances surrounding
men in their position and with but
small appropriations and with impro-
vided means of carrying forward their
purpose. The site for the post is an
admirable one, being as much on the
frontier as any that could have been
selected at the same time ut the point
where the Mullau military wagon road
emerges from the Bitter Root range,
and within 8 miles Of the town of
Westwood and being the nearest point
Of real beauty and romance after one
comes east of the Cascades, and EN-.
bracing 20 much that is sought for by
pleasure hunters, such as the choicest
varities Of trout from the lake and
rivers, every variety Of game from the
moose, elk, bear and deer down to the
rabbit, grouse, pheasant and wild duck,
all within convenient hunting distance
of Fl. Ceur d Alene. Then the roads
out from the post for distance of 80
and 40 miles in western and north.
ern direction are always hard and dry,
30 that drives of any reasonable dis
lance can be had at any season Of the
year, save few months in some Win
ters when there is an unusual snow
fall, impeding pleasureable travel but
for short time in each year. Not
only is this place an agreeable one for
soldiers and officers while in camp,
but l am convinced that this lake will
ere long become tavorite resort in
tho arm season for pleasure seekers
and invalids from the important towns
of the northwest coast, and citizens
towns will ere long be built in the Vi
cinity Of this garrison, that will be-
come favorably noted as Summer
resort, continuous steamboat naviga-
tion from the Spokan river thr1u
the lake and up the st. Joe river for
30 miles as now tested, and from the
Spokan through the lake and up the
CGur dAlene, a distance o. 60 miles
and the St. Mary's river a tributary of
the st. Joe is navigable for steam GOATS
IA miles up from it's entrance of the
St. Joe. All this navigation pene-
trates the widest mountain scenery,
with here and there small bottom
lands along the near margin of the
rivers. The course of navigation va
ries with nearly every point of the
compass. The rivers are from 100 to
$50 yards in width with an average
channel depth OF 20 feet, while the
lake has depth Of from 20 to $50
feet, and at some points no soundings
made have reached bottom. Capt
Serenson (who by the way is an in
ventor genius in high order) has made
. rustic map of this lake upon a plain
paper surface, showing topography OF
the mountains, hills, and small valley,
which skirt this body of water, by
means Of natural roots from ceda,
which he gathered along the lake shor,
these having been washed and worn il
all manners of shapes. so as to hay,