Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1886-05-20
THE PoTLATcH COUNTRY.
A Section of Country that is only
Partially Settled and Is Rich
and Productive

the Potlatch country. 1t embraces sav-
eral townships Of land that is drained by
the Potlatch creek and it's tributarics.
The main creek ompties its waters into
the Clearwater from the north, about
sixteen miles above Lewiston, and the
course of the main stream is southwest,
and with its several branches pcrmcates
a large extent of country lying to the
northeast of us and extends many miles
to the east and north Of us. The greater
portion is open prairie while small belts
of growing timber are interspersed all
through it, both on the creeks and the
high table and rolling lands. Some OF
this timber is scrubby, while much Of it
is good for making lumber. The streams
are generally in deep canons especially in
che west portion, but the country above
these is generally well watered by springs,
furnishing ample water for all stock and
domestic purposes. The soil Of The up
lands is mostly deep and rich alluviam,
fit for the growth Of all cereals and vege-
tables and in many places is capable of
producing the hardy fruits in abundance
without injury from frost. The climate
is generally more mild in winter than
that of the country about Moscow, being
more free from cold and piercing winds,
and being much more sheltered by belts
of timber, and much Of it of lower
altitude. 1t now contains population
from 500 to 500, including men women
and children, who have within the few
years past made settlement there, some
of whom have made quite extensive i'm
provemcnts in ploughing, fencing and
building for themselves permanent homes.
All express themselves as well pleased
with their location and claim their only
drawback to be their remoteness from
market. The soil generally is rich and
in many instances richer and warmer
thM the soil near Moscow. The Biz
Potlatch prairie lies between the Potlatch
creek and the Clearwater river extending
to the top of the bluff overlooking the
Clearwater, and the eastern portion is
bordered by large extent of standing
timber Of the best quality for numbering
purposes. This portion has been much
absorbed by the locations Of settlers, but
there is much good land remaining that
is unclaimed To tho north and west
there is what is called Fix Ridge, Ameri-
can Ridge, and Bear Ridge, which have
numerous settlers, and some of them
have made large Improvements for new
country, and exhibit the most indubitablc
evidences Of permancncy and prosperity
and extending far t. the east are open
prairies of very rich land skirtcd with
timber, and possessing all the natural
elements for thrifty Er,ning and stock
raising settlements. Much OF this cast
crn portion is yet unclaimed within the
limits Of the survey, and outside Of these
surveys there are thousands OF acres more
that will require to be surveyed SO soon
as population show disposition to occupy
and cultivate. Already there is prop
osition before the land Office in Lewiston
TO have surveyed about five townships
more, making, with the twelve townships
already surveyed, seventeen townships or
nearly AGO. 900 acres of land, enough for
$500 farms Of 160 acres each, admit
ing that all was suitable for settlement,
and upon all this there arc not over 500
inhabitants. Any one can perceivc that
there is yet room for large number Of
settlers, who Of course, cannot all have the
best locations, but each can have loca.
tion far superior in richness of soil, mild
ness OF climate to any vacant lands found
east OF the Rockies, and soon will have
Nnvenicnt access to market for whatever
cereals they may raise, and now eau find
market at good prices for all the stock
they can raise. This section ef country
is reached by good wagon road from
Lewiston up the Clearwater, thence up
the main Potlatch to the junction of the
little Potlatch, and thence diyerging in
different direction to the several ridges.
which constitute the area OF this country.
This road will be made better with its
tributary roads as the settlers put work
upon them. 1t can also be reached from
Moscow by wagon road at all seasons
Of the year when not Instructed by snow
in the winter and mud inethe early spring. |
The Lewiston road has the >aplc grade as
the Pctlatch creek aud the Clearwater
river from Juleitta, the town that is con.
sidercd as the diversing point to the dil-
fercnt settlements. The valley of the Big
Potlateh is low and with its slopes on
either side to the table lands is seldom
enveloped with snow to such depth that
horses and cattle cannot find sustenance