Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-04-24
THE LOST RIVER VALLEYS.

AAsA AbkV
The Settlers There Looking for Pros.
porous SeasOn-Light Stock Losses
Last Ninter-Etc.
To THE EnrToR OF THE Tunes
The spring opens auspiciously here
on the Lost rivers: the snow has been
entirely off for about three weeks;
the mud has likewise disappeared and
the hills and mesas in every direction
are fast DOMINIC the mantle of green.
The long cold winter, the worst ever
known in this section, has now be.
come only dark memory of the past,
and all things animate and inanimate
seem to echo the halcyon voice of
cheer which ushers in the season of
the opening buds, the song birds and
the flowers.
The valley of the Little Lost River,
as likewise that Of Big Lost River,
suffer much from the fact that so little
is known of it by the outside world;
and it must also be said, to the dis.
credit of most of the first settlers
here, that they have, so far, made
little effort to make known the many
advantages and resources Of this sec.
ton or in any way sought to attract
immigration and encourage the set
Element and development OF the
country.
Heretofore the main industry here
on Little Lost River has been stock
raising on large scale, aud it is too
often the policy, however narrow and
shortsighted it may be, of large stock
owners to attempt to control as much
land and water as possible, and thus
discourage the settlement of smaller
stock owners and farmers.
This valley is about rs miles in
length, its average width being at
least five miles, and every acre of l,
is fine agricultural land capable OF
producing every thing that can be
grown anywhere in this latitude. The
water supply is somewhat limited and
it does not seem probable that the
whole farming area of the valley will
ever be cultivated; but still, it is
amply sufficient fer twenty times the
number of people now here, and
enough to irrlgate a far create,
amount of land than will probably be
cultivated here for years to come
People should not be deferred from
settling here on account of the as
sumed prior water rights, none o.
which have been based upon any APP
preparation or beneficial use of the
water claimed. The farmers in both
the valleys are now setting in to work
in earnest and there will doubtless be
a largely increased acreage sown &c
grain this year. As an example Of
what the soil on the Little Lost River
will produce, we may cite the expert
ence of our neighbor, Colonel Johr
Briggs, who is justly regarded as the
leading and also the most successful
farmer in this part of the country.
The Colonel was among the very
first settlers here, having pitched his
tent upon the ground he now occu
pies some time during the summer Of
1881, and since that time, in spite Of
all the disadvantages of isolation and
remoteness from markets, he ha:
gradually extended his operation:
from year to year until now the whole
quarter.section is in a fine state o
cultivation, and with a favorable
season he expects to raise from 800
to 10000 bushels of grain the presen
year. His farm is also supplied witt
the most improved machinery, in
Guiding a new thresher and an auto
matte seedcr, harrow, and pulverize
combined, which is perfect success
and works like a charm. A read.
market is found for every thing raise'
here at the mining camp Of Nicholis
40 miles distant, which is now report
ed to be in prosperous condition
and showing all signs OF permanency
Several mining prospects are no,
being worked on Badger creek,
branch of the Little Lost River, wit
very encouraging results, as the par
ties working them will soon make
large shipment Of ore.
The losses of the stockmen her