Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1888-07-26
A TRIP TO RIPAR1A.

p. NJ, and the boat made landing
at Wa wa wal and took on board three
hundred SACKS Of wheat, thence proceeded
to Almotn and tied up for the night
We found Almota quiet and compara-
lively cool place during the night
Here we took on board some 1000 more
sacks Of wheat. We fond it sufficiently
coo! to sleep comfortably with our state
room doors open. At 5 o'clock A. NJ,
we steamed up aud started down the
river. The air was quite bracing and
cool and We enjoyed the scene very
much. We saw that much improve
ment had been made in matters of setting
out aud cultivating fruit trees along
the river on both sides since our formor
last trip along the river. Every avail
able spot where had been found water
that could be available for irrigation
upon the small bars was occupied and
in many places numerous fruit trees had
been planted and had been progressed
to a bearin. state. These bars with
their fruit trees are more valuable than
the wheat farms on the table lends and
will be 80 long as choice fruit can be
grown there and made to ripen before
the winter frosts come. The people are
fas, beginning to appreciate the situation
and improving every opportunity to get
a fruit farm along Snake river. We
found this to be the case as far down as
Riparia and we were told that it is the
same along the river to its mouth. This
is Why the railroads have to pay so high
for right Of way through these very
narrow fats. We arrived at Riparia
about 8 o'clock A. NJ. 1t was just
beginning to be warm and the reflection
Of the sun upon the sand was little too
much for comfort TO feeble man, ard
we thought it wise to keep on board of
the boat while she tarried till near 4
o'clock P. NJ, and keep as much in the
shade as practicable. Her landing com
manded full view Of the work being
done on the bridge for the 0. r. & N,
at that point. A large number of men
were employed there in various kinds of
work for the company, some in driving
piles from the north side towards the
center. These used a pile driver
stationed on large scow. Some driv-
ing from the south side towards the
center. These made use Of pile driver
attached to platform car, which was
run out on track as fast as the piling
was driven towards the center. This
piling is expected to be connected BY
the last Of the present week, and before
the last Of next week it was expected |
the ties and track will be laid from the
south to the north side, SO that the
engine and construction train will cross,
and the rails and other material for the
road up Texas fiat will be transported
across, which will soon enable them to
make the connection with the Palouse
junction road at Pampa. Then they
will have complete connection between
Portland and Pennington and beyond as
Tar as their road extends, without being
dependent upon the Northern Pacific.
They have commenced the excavation
for the foundation for the abuttmcn;s of
\ new stone and iron bridge on each
,ide. This is intended to be about forty
or fifty feet higher than the temporary
bridge, which they are now building
,pon piling, with pier and draw in
'entcr. They hope to have this CON-
'leted before any high water or ice that
will damage them. If they are success.
al in this they will be lucky, for should
N ice gorge form there before they have
be high bridge done it will stop the cars
rom passing the liver at that point. We
earned Of no movement Of the company
owards building to Lewiston at present, /
Though after their temporary crossing
i the river is effected, they may conclude
o let the contract for building up Snake
liver, and perhaps up the Clearwater ,
trough the reservation. They have to
uild their line through the
within the period Of two
cars from the date Of the passage of the
ct OF congress granting them the right
way. This act passed the House
bout two weeks ago, heving before n
assed the Senate. They may ask aud v
'tain an extension Of time. should they I
to build and show good faith v
building, and fnd themselves crowded G
r time. 1t now seems quite evident 3
at before the expiration Of two years e,
will see quite change in the railroad t.
uatiOu along the Snake and Cloorwator '