Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1881-06-07
WOOD RIVER LETTER,
G1MLET, May 80, 1881.


Wood river metropolis, yet if the min
ing districts which have their outlets
near here turn out well, the city of
Gimlet may some day exist otherwise
than in name. 1t is situated on the
river bank, is six miles above Haley,
and consists of saloon and dwelling
house. In fact it is Of ''small bore"
The river is bridged at this point, and
here the toll-gate Of the Wood river
road swings to and fro-when it is
not broken down.
The lower Wood ri yer valley may
he said to head at this point, where it
is about half mile in width, and ex-
tends south some twenty-five miles.
gradually widening until at that
point where it is some twelve miles in
width. Its southern boundary is
formed by range of bunch-grass
hills, and it is bounded on the east,
north and west by low ranges of rath-
er abrupt mountains, the north sides
of wi ich are generally covered by fir,
and the south sides by bunch grass
and sagebrush. Viewed from the
summit of the range at the south at
this seasons the valley presents the
appearance of an immense meadow.
The vast plain Of green, the clear blue
river flowing down it's western edge
toward you-the stately cottonwoods
forming a fitting border-the low
mountains rising very abruptly OH all
sides, with peaks of the snow-capped
Saw-tooth peeping over the northern
edge-adding distance to the scene
all form one of Natures "best efforts"
Wood river, magnificent stream,
somewhat larger than More creek be-
low the confluence of the Grimes
courses along the wes,ern edge Of the
valley and passes through canyon 1T
the southwestern corner Bordering
on the river bank, and varying in
width from a quarter to mile, is to
be found the choicest hay land. Hun.
dreds of tons of hay could have been
cut on portions of this land last year
with but very little grubbing. Where
the land is not already cleared, it is
covered by superb growth of quak-
ingasp and cottonwood, from which it
takes its name. The former has, up
to the present time, constituted the
building material of Bellevue and
Haley. Lying along to the east of
this bottom land, and some thirty feet
above it, and occupying the remainder
of the valley, is a bench of land of
what is termed black sandy loan. 1t
is covered by the finest of bunch grass
and sparse growth of scrubby sage
brush. Wherever it is watered by
small streams it makes the best of ag-
ricultural land. Of course, the soil in
spots is too gravelly, but great por-
ton of it would doubtless produce
equally as we'll as the Boise valley if
watered. A company has been organ
lied to take out large ditch at a
point near Gimlet which will irrigate
several thousand acres.
Bellevue is pleasantly situated on
this bench land short distance from
the river, and twelve or fifteen miles
up the valley HALEY is growing up,
four miles above Bellevue, at the
mouth of Croy's gulch, the outlet for
the famous Bullion district. The spirit
of rivalry which has existed between
these two towns since the locating of
the Haley site still lives, and there is
little likelihood of its terminating soon,
although, if this is one-halt the conn
try it appears to be, it cannot be many
years before Bellevue and HALEY will
be one. Thus will end the