, 1885-03-14
THE ROAD OPEN.
The most Direct and Comfortable
Route into the COeur
d'Alene Mines,
Via Spokane Pals and Occur d'Alene
City.

Since the first discovery of the
COeur dAlene mines and the subse-
quent rush to that new gold field
numerous points on the Northern
Pacific railroad have laid claim to
possessing the only practicable route
into the heart Of the mineral belt
In the early days Of the travel in that
direction the major portion Of the
band Of pilgrims passed through
Spokane Falls, and while a great
deal OF the travel has always con-
tinued by way OF this city yet rival
points have held out inducements to
gold hunters to try their luck over
other trails and each Of those places
and the routes therefrom have had
their day OF prosperity. We have
always held that the best, the most
comfortable, and the most pleasant
road into these mines was by the
way OF Spokane Falls, staging 1t to
Coeur d'Alene city and from thence
taking steamer to the head of navi-
cation on the Coeur d'Alene river,
where the few miles remaining to
be travelled could be made by horse
back or vehicle. This route has
been proven to be practicable, is now
in running order, and will catch the
greatest portion of the travel this
summer. There exists no line that
can compete with it, and it will be
In use when other trails exist only
in tradition. Under the inspiring
influence OF the gold fever Belknap
sprung into existence, and burst like
a bubble. 1t claimed the best trail
to the mines. 1t proved complete
failure, and where once stood -four
ishing town is now deserted and
lonely wilderness. Trout creek,
Granite, Sand Point, Hope, Heron,
Thompson Falls and other points
heralded to the world that each and
everyone Of them possessed the best
trails, and were the only places from
which the wise man departed from
the railroad to the mines. One after
another fell out Of use until only the
Thompson Falls road remained, and
that is only good while the snow re-
mains on the ground. The building
OF steamers on Coeur d'Alene set
tied the question as to the Perman-
ent means OF speedy and easy COM
munication between the mines and
the outside world, and that route is
bound to supercede all others, and
will be the popular one until rail-
road taps the country. The Occur
d'Alene steamer transportation COM
pany has not been idle this winter,
but every preparation has. been pro-
Jected to supply means Of transpOr-
tation for freight and passengers to
and from the mines, and we ARE
pleased to be able to announce that
the river and lake is at last clear Of
ice and that the seasons work is
about to commence in earnest. Mr..
Del. Lashier arrived In our city at
noon yesterday direct from Coeur
d'Alene city and brings us the well
come news that the steamer "Coeur
d'Alene" started to-day on its first
regular trip. This craft is a hand
some little steamer, with every ac-
commodation for the comfort Of pas
sengeIs, and has sufficient capacity
for carrying a large amount Of
freight On its first trip 1t takes a
long list Of passengers and the bill Of
lading embraces a large amount Of
merchandise. According to the
present arrangements the steamer
leaves Coeur d'Alene city every
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
morning, at A. NJ, running to
Kingston, where Tom Graney, a
practical packer, and a capital fellow,
has twenty good, easy riding saddle
animals, as well as pack train, by
which the Travellers pushed through
without extra expense to Big Jam,
Delta, Beaver, Eagle and Murray.
The boat will run to Kingston at
present, but as the rivar 3 raising
rapidly 1t is expected that the
steamer can reach Big Jam in short
time. Parties leaving this city city
Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
will take the boat early next morn
ing and be landed at any point in the
mines on the same evening. The
road from here to Coeur d'Alene city
is in excellent condition, fine coaches
being In use, and the steamboat ride
being one Of the most delightful in
the world. This opens up a route
free from all danger, without chance
Of any delays and providing every
comfort without additional cost.
Through tickets to any camp in the
mines can be purchased here. 1t
will be but a short time until the
steamer will be making daily trips,
as the government is advertising for
bids for six days mail service be-
tween Coeur d'Alene city and Muir
ray ria old Mission, Kingston, Big
Jam, Delta and Beaver. This fact
insures for the Coeur d'Alene city
route permaneney and an acknowl-
edged advantage over all others.
Parties who contemplate visiting
the mines should choose this route
in preference to any other, and save
time and trouble thereby. Our in
formant tells us that already the
spring travel has set in strong, and a
vast immigration is looked forward
to. The road beyond Kingston is in
splendid condition. Everything ap-
pears to be exceedingly lively at