Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-10-19
SALMON RIVER NOTES.

Owing to the ravages Of grasshoppers
and protracted dr0uth the Salmon river
canyon presents anything but prepos-
sessing appearance just at this time; nor
are It's natural beauties enhanced by the
numberless cloud-bursts which have
this season scarified the face of the
hill-slopes with miniature ravines piled
breast high with accumulated debris
washed down from above. The ranches,
orchards and gardens along the river.
are oases Of verdure which com peusate
In measure for the surrounding bare.
ness, and shows the fruitful nature Of
the soil under the revivifying Influences
Of cultivation and water.
| The fruit crop on the river is this year
confined to apples and pears, although
Mr.. Berg has fine crop of peaches.
| Mrs. Walsh is teaching three months
| term of public school at John Day Greek
with nine pupils in attendance. Mrs.
Walsh is a sister of Harry Mason who
was killed in 1877, and Is qualified in
structor, having taught in some of the
largest school districts in Nez Percv
county prior 10 her arrival here.
Such fierce fires are raging in the tim
ber on the Dead Horse and Shearer's
ferry trails that Mr.. Worden has been
compelled to abandon his trip to Flor
ence with the Warrens mail.
Norman Gould is running the saw
mill on John Day creek and has out
oO,0OO feet Of fine saw logs, with as many
more waiting to be hauled as soon as the
weather changes, An excellent wagon
road has been built from the mill to the
mouth of the creek, which enables him
to haul lumber to the river where it Is
rated down to the lower settlements.
1t is surprising that the residents OF
this road district do not consolidate their
labor every year in opening a wagon
road down the river from Freedom to
White Bird. Two or three seasons of
such work would accomplish this desira-
able result, which would prove of great
value to all the settlements bordering ON
the river.
Hon. Phil Cleary will soon establish
ferry across Salmon river. just above
the mouth of John Day Creek. The
boat will be 40 feet long, exclusive Of
the aprons, with 10 feet beam. A Bes-
semer steel cable, $50 feet long has been
ordered from the east and will be hauled
to White Bird, from whence it will DO
boated up the river to its destination.
VIM. Morgan. the best mechanic in the
county, is building the boat.
Johnny Wilson has been appointed
supervisor of the VIM. Allison estate.
ty in the absence of other heirs. The
improvements on the ranch are assessed
at $3.50, and the horses at about $500.
which is all they will bring at public
auction. The administrators is now en-.
gagged in gathering up and branding the
horses. preparatory to taking an inven-
tory of the estate.
Nearly everybody on the river has
sold more or less stock this season, and
all hands are now on The range gather
ing them up for immediate delivery.
The range was never known to be SO
bare as it is now, and owing to the fact
that the winter range has been de-
stroyed by fire, it is safe to say that the
bulk of the cattle owned here will be
wintered on the prairie. Mr.. Berg is
gathering up 500 head for shipm ent to
the Weiser, and it is reported that he
has bought Ii. @. Browns ranch on the
reservation line and will winter his
stock cattle there. The New York com.
pany have also rented George Hasha-
gems place and bought all the feed
thereon and will move their cattle there
in the fall. Other stock men are rust.
ling for feed. and it looks as though the
prairie ranchers will be able to sell all
their hay and straw before the robins
nest again.