Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-03-23
LEWISTON AWAKE!
An Entsrprisimg COn,munify---
Energetic Board of Trade---
Railroad MOcememts, Etc.
LEWISTON. IDAHc.l
March Is, 1888.

MdTCu 10, 1000.
Lewiston has finally awakened from
Rip van Winkle sleep of many years
duration. and by her present activity
and energy seems determined to atone
for her former lethargy. In the course
of my acquaintance with the town since
1880 l have never seen anything like
the hopeful spirit which now animates
everybody here, and the happiest feature
about it is the unity which now pre-
walls and the general determination to
devote their energies to practical objects
having in view the development and
up-buildipg of the material resources
which nature has 80 lavishly distrib-
uted bereabouts.
The organization of an energetic board
of trade was the first move in the right
direction; and 'the good that it has
already accomplished is of great value.
Through their representatives to the o.
X. & n. Co., We are indebted for the
greatly increased facilities afforded to
passengers to and from the lower coun.
try. They started an agent to intercept
large body of immigrants with the de-
sign of inducing them to settle in the
Clearwater country. But while this
effort was unsuccessful it was commend
able as shown ga disposition to grasp at
present and existing opportunities. So,
too. the sending of two delegatesto Hell
ena to represent the advantages of the
Clearwater country as a railroad route to
the Manitoba company, while not bear
ing immediate fruit, will nevertheless
yield thousand fold in the future.
The delegates were courteously re
ceived, and were informed by the Mani
toba people that they will not extend
the road west of Butte this year. but that
they are securing all the information
they can of the resources, developed and
otherwise, OF the Clearwater country
with the possible view of adopting it as
their route when the time arrives to ex-
tend their system.
This action is supposed to have
aroused the o. II. 4 n. Co., to Il real
izing sense of the manner in which they
have neglected the transportation in
terests of this fertile country. and of the
danger there is of losing their
grip on it altogether, which would be
fatal to their system. AT any rate, a
right of way agent arrived here yester-
day, and circulated a petition to con-
gre>s to pass law giving the Q. II. 4 N.
Co., the privilege of bridging the Snake
river at Riparia and the Clearwater at
this point. 1t is therefore probable that
the o. r. 4 NJ, people have at length |
decided to build railroad up the north |
bank of Snake river to Lewiston, and IT.
that is the case then we may rest |
assured that it will speedily be extended |
10 Camas prairie--for reasons which |
will narrate in future issues of the !
FREE Press.
1t is plain that Lewiston wants rail-
road and that they propose to have it. if
possible, and their action seems to have
aroused the railroad companies to
sense Of the situation, and it is not i'm
probable that the conflicting interests of
he rival corporations will lead to a
speedy occupation OF the Clearwater
,anyon. The board of trade paid the
delegates $l00 each, and have besides
betrayed other expenses in other mat
.ers, and as we of Camas prairie are TO
De largely benefited by their work. il
seems to me that we ought to coop.
crate with them. ] therefore suggest
hat some of the prominent citizens OF
Idaho county should join the Lewiston
board of trade, thus enlarging its in
1uence and its scope of operations. An
initiation fee of five dollars is charged,
and there are. believe. no other ex
oenses attached to membership.
A committee has been appointed to
lraft memorial TO congress urging the
passage of the Salmon River Wagon
Road Bill, and note that much greater
interest is being manifested in the de
'elopment of Camas prairie and the
country than formerly.
IN