Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1886-05-06
a GOOD COUNTRY FOR eETrLE
MENT


MENT.
Just at this time the inquiry is being
made from parties who come from th,
east for vacant land that is subject to pre-
emption and homestead. We call theil
attention to sections of country up the
Clearwater; there are several townships
which lie east aud north of KAMA upon
which there are very few settlers The
general character of the soil is very rich
as much SO, as any portion OF North
Idaho. A large portion of it is open
prairie land which grows the finest OF
grasses and in great abundance; the eli
mate if anything is warmer than that of
Camas Prairie. A portion Of this land
b undulating, and portion is quite level
1t has less altitude than Camas Prairie,
but being farther east and between the
spurs Of the Bitter Root mountains it
sometimes is a little later ia being bcreft of
snow in the Spring thar is Camas Prairie.
A portion Of this country lies in the delta
of the middle fork and south fork of
Clearwater and extends up to the foot of
the mountains. There are ravines X.
tending westward from the mountain to
the clearwater, in some Of which are
quantities of timber, while between these
ravines is some Of the best land for grass
and grain growing to be found in North
Idaho. Through these ravines small
creeks run, and in many places on the
side Of these ravines are fine springs Of
water, ample for stock and culinary pur-
poses. One small valley called the Clear
Creek valley contains some fine locations
for ranches. There are some small bot
toms both along the middle fork and
south fork Of Clearwater which belong to
this delta. North Of the middle fork
several small streams empty into the mid
die fork from the north, along and near
which are small valleys, To the west of
what is called the Muscleshcll creek there
is some very fine land extending for some
thirty miles, it is partly covered with
scattered timber but much Of it is opea
prairie, producing very fine grasses and
i capable Of raising the several varieties
OF vegetables in great abundance. We
have seen in riding along, timothy grow
ing, whose heads were from ten to twelve
inches In length and standing over eight
teet high, grown from the manure Of cat
tic roaming through this section. This
section, is what is known as the Weire
Camas Ground, which is place Of great
resort for Indians at the proper season to
dig camas and to engage in the sports of
horse racing. Branching off from this
camas grounds are numerous tracts of
very ine land with timber lying between
these tracts. The eamas grounds and
the swales which branch of from them I
arc usually quite vet In the early Spring,
while the SHOWS are melting, but may be
easily drained 80 as to be cultivated early
in the season, and when drained they ex-
hibit very rich and deep soil About
fourteen miles to the north of This camas
ground il what is known as the Pierce
City mining district, which lies along
Oro Elmo creek and its tributaries. Min
lnS has been conducted in this district
quite extensively during the last twenty
1--we years. In fact the first mining evey
done in North Idaho was done in this
district, and it has produced for general
circulation steady stream Of gold dust /
Vince the first discovery Of the camp in I
she Fall Of 1860. Still further west of
his camas ground and south of Orc Elmo
'seek y large belt Of laud partly prairie
md partly timbsred extending to the {
.asssrn limits Of the Mes PerceiReserva- :
im i i al Of lower altitude than Cam
= Prairie. although little colder owing :,
9 ehs ground bang sheltered by veins 81 !
imber which extend through it. THIS
ountFy has recently been surveyed and 81
about twenty-five BY thirty miles in ex- O
snt, we'll watered, and the only draw ID
acs which it has At present for prompt 81
ettioment and prosperous cultivation is !.
amotness from market. This draw back II
I'LL be entirely removed when capitalists t.
xtend a railroad up the valley of tn, Il
clearwater which it is confidently OK. II
ected they viii do within the next three \,
cars. "
J PERMANENT COMMIssroNEa =,
Fo3 INDIAN CLAIMS.
IoUa a. a.