Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1885-05-28
SHORT TRIP TO THE PorLArcH


Potlatch country.
We had two objects in view: one to
see the character Of the route, and the
other to learn what We could at that
point in regard to the prospects of the
coming year, regarding crops.
There were four persons who had
started little in advance of US as CON-
mittee designated by the commissioners
Of the county to pass judgement and le-
report, concerning the work which had
been done under contract for clearing out
the road between the Lewis ferry and
the mouth Of the Potlatch. We over
took them at the Lewis ferry; from there
we proceeded together, not only to the
mouth Of the Potlatch but up the Pot
latch creek as far as Cameron's bridge,
which is about six miles from the mouth
Of the creek and twenty-one miles from
Lewiston. We were just three and one
half hours reaching the bridge from Lew
iston, including the ferry crossing and
the time expended in viewing the route.
At the bridge we stopped and took a
lunch which had been provided for the
occasion. After lunch the committee re-
turned to Lewiston, while Mr.. Bunnell
and ourself proceeded to Lovetts & Hol-
brooks grist mill, and examined the mill
from "top to bottom" We then pro-
ceeded to the rancho OF David German,
and finding no one at home we returned
to Julietta and put our team at the barn
Of Mr.. Schuffer. We then crossed the
creek to Mr.. Snyders and engaged our
meals and lodging for tho night. From
Mr.. Snyder VIC obtained much Of our
information in regard to the character Of
the roads leading out from JuIietta to
the priaciple ridges and sections Of the
country leading out from Julietta, which
embraced nearly all the Potlatch coun-
try, aud the prospects for crops the en-
suing year upon which we have entered.
The leading routes leading out from
Julietta are, first, the road down the
creek over which we had just passed lead
ing to Lewiston; the second is the one
that leads out to what is called the Fix
ridge, and thence to Genesce and also to
Moscow; the third goes up to the Amer
lean ridge and also uniting with that Of
the Fix ridge, and proceeding also to
Moscow the fourth passing up the
creek to Burns mill, and thence on to
the Bear ridge coming around and unit
ing with the other roads leading to Mos
COW, and also extending out east as far
a. the extreme settlements in the Pot
latch country the fifth road DIVORCES
from the Lewiston road across the creek
At Cameron bridge and up the hill on to
what is called the Big Potlatch prairie,
reaching with its different branches al
the settlements on that prairie, and ex-
tending to SHELLS mill distance Of about
eighteen miles from the bridge. A por-
ton Of this prairie haul their grain and
other products down the Clearwater
grade at point called Fir Bluffs from
which the steamer d. s. Baker took on
2,400 sacks Of grain last week at one trip
to Lewiston and on below. So that a,
the present time almost all of the Pot.
latch country can be reached BY roads
already made from the Clearwater at the
mouth Of the Potlatch, aud from FIJI
Bluffs. We therefore can safely say
that tho Po,latch country has direct out
lets BY wagon roads to the Clearwater a,
convenient points for shipping purposes, to
where steamers can ascend for the space
Of about six weeks or two months dur.
ing high water. This IN great meas
urc gives to the Potlatch country an out.
let direct aud speedy market for al
their produce at comparatively small ex-
pensc compared with that which hereto
fore existed BY way Of Moscow aud Gen.
esec.
This Potlatch country is very pro-
ductive country; the soil is rich and
deep. producing heavy crops, aud the
opening Of these roads will stimulate the
settlers to increase their acreage in grain
very largely on account Of the less ex-
pense IN getting to market. Il would
have been gratifying to us to visit all the
sections Of this cuuntry and reported on
this occasion personal account Of the
same, but We could not do 20 and had to
take statements Of others'in giving the
foregoing description.
On Monday morning about half past
eleven We started on our return taking a
little more time on the way back to OBJ
serve the character Of the road Of the
neg Potlatch road IN the creek. There