Omaha daily bee., 1885-07-16
THE GEM OF THE ROCKIES.
ldahb'S Chief Attractions for Settler,
Spectator and Tourist,
The Thriving Towns of Eagle Rock,
Soda Springs and Pocatello-
Scenes Enroute,

Special Correspondence to the BEE.
| PoCATELLo, July 7.-Pocatello is the
meeting point of the Oregon short line
and Utah & Northern railroads. Nothing
of great Importance can be said of this
place. The railroad property, including
depots, eating house, round house and
dwellings for employees, lsall that can be
seen. The town Is situated on the Sho-
shone Indian reservation. 1t being con
trary to law for white man to settle and
build on these lands, have been In
formed the railroad companies doing busl-
ness here were granted the privilege by
making trade with the Shoshones at
Blackfoot, the county seat, twenty. five
miles north. A short time ago the Ban.
nocks were discovered stealing some
ponies, which the authorltlos attempted
to recover through the assistance of some
Shoshones. An engagement took place,
during which several good dead Indians
were created. The town is not of any
great importance In business view.
Eagle Rock Is without doubt one of the
most prominent towns on the road. Its
population Is estimated at 800. 1t Is alt
uated on the great Snake river, which
stream crosses the town from east to
west, the roaring noise of the water
caused by the fall over the rapids makes
1t very romantic and interesting point
to visit.
The railroad comdany has built extern
sive work shops here, including round.
house, rolling mill and boiler repair
room. A notable and very ycommendable
| feature Is the manner In which the labor.
ing class is organized. The orders rep
resented are the knights of Labor, num-
bering one hundred end eight members.
1t is through this, as we'll as the orders
which l will name below, that honest la
Dor gets Its just dues. Teton lodge An
c!ent Order United Workmen, Division
No. 291 Brotherhood of Locomotive En-
gineers, Kimball lodge Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen. Merrell lodge
Brotherhood of Railroad Brakemen.
TheSe show that brothcrly love exists
here among all classes. Two large mer-
camille institutions, bank and two ho-
tells are among the enterprises established
here. The Chamberlain house, owned
and managed by that jovial and accom-
modatipg caterer, Dick Chamberlain, is
deserving of note. A visit to Dick will
Insure good treatment. / cannot refrain
from mentioning the manner In which
the good loyal citizens of Eagle Rock cell
ebrated the Fourth of July. The day
was observed as only true Americans can.
Harmony, loyalty and merry making were
the greatest features of the day.
Although comparatively new country,
Idaho presents opportunities enjoyed In |
the east. 1t possesses many of the re.
llglous and social advantages of more ad.
vanced sections. Its area Is greater than
than that of New York, New Jersey,
Massachusetts and New Hampshire com.
bined. 1t is being traversed by two of |
the greatest railway lines of the CONT
nent. The notable industry of Idaho is
essentially the finding of precious min.
erals within its borders, and it owes Its
frat permanent settlement to these dis
coverles. Many belts producing valua.
BILE minerals have been only partially
prospected, and many more promising
ones remain undeveloped, owing to the
inability to reach market to distribute
the products of one of the greteat Ameri-
can territories.
Snake rivermesnders through the east
ern, southern and western parts for over
l ,OOO miles, and next to Niagara Falls,
boasts the most imposing cataract on the
continent. Through the southern por-
tlon is the great volcanic belt, which
averages fifty miles In width, and being
IN almost unbroken bed of lava.
One of the most attractive features of the
territory are the soda springs on the line
Of the railroad (the Oregon Short line),
about 145 miles west Of Granger. Within
/ radius of three miles are scores of large
iprings, the waters ranging from Ice cold
% warm, some of them being so highly
charged with acids and gases as to prove
! most pleasing beverage. Scores of
nvalids pay annual visits to this region
o take advantage of the curative
'oWers produced by these waters.
A town of about 800 inhabitants, named c
tter the springs, is beautifully located in I
Vhat is known as Spring valley. 1t is |
apldly approaching prominence as one e
t the numerous western summer resorta, v
ioing towards Granger the eastern Il
erminus of the Short line, Montpelier, II
hrlving little town of about 400 iuhabi- II
ants, Is passed, after which one travels
trough a barren, unsettled section until !
ne Union Pacific is reached.
Western tourists need not hesitate to
osnd a season in Idaho and enjoy trip
ever to be regretted. The good cltizsns G
Idaho are certainly to be comp'imented =
the display of their coed judgment In
eating In the most desirable and ro- u
sntic section of the United States. P
WIN. M. GRUNEBAUM. o
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