Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1886-05-13
ANOTHER FIELD FOR SETTLE
MENT IN NORTH IDAHO.

The dividing line between North aud
South Idaho, as is given in llailey's bill
furnishes large tract of country lying
south Of Salmon river in the delta be-
tween Salmon and Snake, it is mostly
well elevated above these two rivers, and
a large portion Of it is open land. 1t has
for many years constituted ranges tor
large herds of cattle and horses. Be
fore the Indian war in 1877, thousands
Of cattle and horses belonging to the In
dams, mostly claimed by the Neg Perez
tribe, ranged all over this country and
q great many of them having for years
never been coralle'l, were very wild, and
almost unapproachable, and would often
give battle TO any white man who at.
tempted to get near to them. The In
dams could only capture them by shoot
ing them as they would other wild ant
mails. During the war of 1877 the In
dams succeeded in driving out from this
range hundreds and thousands across
Salmon river and uniting them with
other stock which they had in the Clear
water country, drove them eastward over
the Bitter Root mountains, some they
drove across Salmon river and into the
timber on the west side. Hundreds re-
NAMED on the delta between Salmon and
Snake and scattered themselves in the
mountains on the east side of Snake and
there remained undisturbed for some
time. While the Indians for the most
part occupied this delta, some few white
men drove bands of cattle aud horses
on this range and herded them. The
lower portion Of this range approaching
the junction of the Snake and Salmon
rivers consists of high table land about
on level with .Camas Prairie, and thu
soil Of which is very rich with an oc
casional bench Of good grazing lands al
well as plough land dropping down to
wards the two mentioned rivers. VIVA
Is termed as Pi.tsburg Landing on tn
Snake is embraced in this delta and ha
been occupied for several years by Ameri
can stock men who have grazed hundred
Of cattle and horses and herded then
there to great advantage. Extending ~
Salmon river to the mouth cf what i
called the Little Salmon, there are numer
GUS benches and slopes from the table
lands and mountains extending down tt
Salmon river, which are very rich lands
for grasses or for wheat growing. Non.
Of this delta is too high for cultivation il
cereals and the country is generally
well watered sufficiently for stock ant
domestic purposes. Upon this delta art
several townships Of good land for settle
ment, it is not level except the western
portion oft, the great draw back a
present is its remoteness from marke.
except for live stock, which can be driver
to market. When the O. S. l.. Co.
made their survey for railroad dowr
the Snake river canyon from Huntington
to Lewiston it was anticipated that tn,
road would be speedily built in whicl
event il would have brought nearly all 0
this delta within convenient distanc,
from good market for all cereals tina
tho settlers could produce as well as fo
oil other products. It is only question
Of time, and we think not very lon;
time, before road will be built alon.
4hs survey made by the 0. s. L., which
when made will make this delta land o
- much value to settlers who may oc
cupy it as any country 'in the northwes
Of equal extent. The mineral resource
IN immediate proximity would then be
come Of great value. Silver, copper an,
gold are found in great abundance in tn
lodges along the canyon of Snake river
which must attract capital to their devel
Opment when this road is built so thai
tho mines may be Of easy access. w,
do not say that it is advisable for per
sons Of small means to Immediately oc
cupY this delta Of country Tor agriculture
purposes unless they have great faith il
the building Of this road down Snake
river. But for stock purposes they can
not occupy it any to soon. It's occupancy
will constitute strong inducement fol
the railroad which would supply the
great needs of the country for settlement
Senator Dolph under date of April 80
writes as follows: "Some gentlemen
from Washington Territory who were in
the city desired to have the admission