Idaho semi-weekly keystone. (Ketchum, Idaho) 1884-1885, 1885-07-08
What nm Iowa Editor Says.

the iowa PreSS Association when they |
were in Ketchum, has the following to |
say of our section in letter to his |
paper. After giving description OF the !
trip from the start TO Shoshone, he says. |
At midnight our train pulls up at i
Shoshone and the delightful strains OF
another band float out upon the gentle
zephyrs that kiss the innumerable and
beautiful flowers that spring up between
the crevices of lava. This is a great
country for brass bands and they all
seem to be on duty. We remain here
till morning and then leave on branch
road for Ketchum and Haley. At
Ketchum q fine brass band is stationed
at the depot, flags are flying and the
whole place is arrnyed in holiday attire.
An address Of welcome is made and the
keys Of the city-made Of metal-are
presented, and after response by one
Of our party we take possession OF the
carriages placed at our command and
g take in I" the town and its surround
ings. j. F. Jacobs, prominent citizen
of the place, kindly acts as our escort
and we visit the smelling works, Hot
Springs and other places of interest.
Some OF the richest silver mines in the
West are near this place and the mining
industry is only in its infancy. The
town lies on a high level gravel bench
at the confluence of Trail Creek with
Wood River, and opposite the mouth of
Warm Springs Creek. The Wood River
Valley for fifteen miles below from its
mouth to fifteen miles above is grand,
unbroken, almost level valley, with an
average width OF one-half mile, and
an average elevation of $500 feet above
sea level, susceptible of agricultural
production of almost all the staple
grains, vegetables and fruits OF the Mid
die and Northern States, with but little
irrigation, for which there is an abund-
ance of water, and which the lay of the
land renders easy and inexpensive. The
lands have all been surveyed and plated
by the Government, and are open to
location and settlement under the vari-
GUS acts of Congress, and much has been
settled up and improved. All the pota-
toes, onions and vegetables consumed
in the country are produced, and hay of
most excellent quality is natural pro-
duction of rank growth. In the mature
spring time the whole valley is very
Eden for stock, and the region abounds
in game of all kinds
The Hot Springs-are wonder. From
a number of crevices in the rocks at the
foot of the mountain the hot, boiling
water comes out rapidly and is conveyed
to large building where it is utilized in
baths of various kinds. The scenery
here is simply grand and the springs are
destined to become greet resort for the
future. We returned to HALEY where q
grand ball and banquet has been pro-
vided for our edification. This place is
in the Wood River Valley and the huge
mountain peaks near it makes wonder
full contrast with the level river bottom.
This is the county seat of Alturas, and
the commercial, financial, political and
social center of the Wood River and
Sawtooth mining region. Admirably
situated at the intersection of Croy
Gulch and Wood River Valley, and in
the very center of the country, her enter
| prising business men draw trade from all
parts of the surrounding country in q
| ,.ol nf 4
three weekly newspapers are published
here. The population Of the place is
| about $500. Some Of the richest mines
in Idaho are in this vicinity. Large
stock ranches are also near here and
everything is full of life, and the bust
ling little city certainly has grand
future before it. 1t is making an effort
to get the Capital of the Territory. The
people here did their best to entertain
us. Carriages where in waiting to take
MS to the hot springs near the place OF
to the extensive minesa few miles away
In the evening the whole town turned
out to welcome us. The large court
room was filled with people. After al
who wsfe 50 inclined repaired to- to i Iarg'
hall where ball was given in honor o
the occasion. We were most favorabI,
impressed with the enterprise mani
tested here and the near future will Sc,
this place the center OF one OF the rich.
est countries in the great Northwest
The land along the valley is all taken up
but few miles back some of the finest
grazing lands in the world are awaiting
the approach Of the ranchmen.
Fast Driving.
j. 3. Harper and wife were return;nc