Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1881-06-09
EDITORIAL CORREsPONDENCE.
STRAWBERRY VALLEY,
May 81, 1881.

May 81, 1881.
Dear TELLER:-It is hard to de-
scribe the changes that have taken
place here since 1 camped here nine
years ago. when not one solitary habita-
ton could be found withen many
miles of this place. At that time we
had been riding north from Lewiston
to find settlers to sign petition for a
mail route from Lewiston north to
Spokan Bridge. We crossed at the
forks Of Hangman creek, then
turned and went down on the north
side and at about every half mile of
distance we found q statue with a
shingle nailed to it and the name of
some man written upon it announcing
that he claimed tract of land at or
near that point. But about the dis
lance of miles down the creek no hu-
man being appeared. We then found
the walls of small log cabin recently
erected, and part of a stack Of hay
near by, but no living being near.
We camped in the fiat below for noon,
and while camped We heard the voice
Of man drilling his team on the hill
q little beyond. We saddled' up and
rode up to him, and found that he was
named Savage. He invited us down
to his camp on the opposite side of
the hill and on going there we found
persons Of the same name, all Of
whom signed our petition for the mail
route, and then we were told that the
men who had put up the shingles on
the stakes were camped in the valley
called Strawberry valley. To this
point we fastened, and there found
about Is or 20 persons camped, among
whom was Maj Wimpy. They were
cutting hay and getting timber in the
mountains to construct them houses,
and making preparations for the be-
ginning of permanent homes On our
return some or 7'log structures had
been so far completed that they could
be occupied. We now find almost the
entire section within radius of 8 or
10 miles absorbed by settlers, save the
railroad reserves, and many of these
have been occupied and much i'm
proved. Good homes have built good
fences, and extensively improved fields
are everywhere visible and the acre.
age under cultivation is large. A
vast amouat Of industry and energy
under financial endorsements in
many cases, have convirted this whole
region into thriving neighborhoods.
Schools have been established and the
administrations of the Sabbath are
quite extensively absorbed. This low
or Hangman is beautiful fertile val
ley, and the soil warmer than in sew.
eral of the districts we have passed
through. The eastern portion ia
termed Strawberry valley and is a
beautiful and fertile valley at the
base Of the divide between Hangman
and Rock creeks It was here upon
Hangmaa that we on the said former
visit came upon . quarry Of sand
stone or rock Of superior qvality for
use in making grind stones aud other
stones for sharpening tools. The same
am informed extends into the noun.
tains and is of varied degrees Of
fineness, and l have no doubt will ere
long b utilized in commerce and mo.
ohanical arts.
RocxroRD, june l, 1881.
A gap in this divide between the
two mentioned creek led US by good
wagon road into the Rock creek valley.
The summit Of this low pass commands
asplendid view 70 the east and north.
The Cnur dAlene mountains in the
back ground at the east, the indenta
ton made by the lake surrounded by
heavy timbered section lying in front,
and the extension rolling prairie i'm.
nediately under your point of obser.
walton with its rich grasses, and dotted
here and there with Indian farms on
the eastern side, and with the houses
k white settlers ON the west, all lend
inspiration to the scene The eastern
portion Of this valley is in Idaho and
i . part Of tho Ceur dAlene reserva
ton, the western is in Washington
and is fast being absorbed by white
settlsrsv When We passed through
here eleven years ago along the Indiar
trails leading from Lapwai to the
Spokan not solitary habitation wa.
visibae thoughous this whole vast OK
panse Of prairie land. Now the Rovl
creek valley west Of the Idaho lin,
contains from 1875 to l40 voters will