, 1889-06-06
KOO'TENAI CAMPS.
History Of that Far-Famed Min
eral Region.
Operation of the Hudson Bay
Trapper and Placer Miner.
The Appearance os the Country To ds,
ana the Progress "f Deveiopment-
Attractive SCENERY.

SPOKANE FALLS. June 1, Correspond
epc- What is locally called the kootenai
country is 10y no means u new mining re-
glon. For nearly u century the existence
of mineral has been known there, but not
until within the past few years has the
present generation known much OF the
hidden treasures that lie buried within the
massive mountains that line the sioes OF
the river and lake and extend for miles in
every direction. Three quarters Of cen
tury ago the Hudson Bay Company had
Possession of the couatry, their object was
I, col,o. the p.lts of the fur.bearing ami
mails, an industry OF that description was
necessarily limited. hence in due time
they abandoned the country and and the
rowing savage once more held undisputed
sway. After the hunter and trapper had
sought other fields the gold placer miner
penetrated the wilderness, and while the
the shallow dig0invs lasted tho country
showed come evidence of the white mans
energy; but like the trapper the placer
miner y resources soon became EXHAUSTED
ana he moved further on. During the
life OF the two industries named the exis-
tence Of
LEAD BEARING ORES
became known, the Blue Bell and koot-
enai Cni,f uiipes GU the east side OF the
lake had been found. and from the former
mine the hunter aud trapper would pro-
cure the lead for his bullets when his sup
ply ran short.
Among the evidences of early day min.
ing, there Can be seen at the Blue BELL an
a Ia. ttnl
state Of preservation but made entirely
without iron, on the same Rrouod
,s Mexican smelling fur
uace---A very crude affdir,
that was erected by George Hearst tnow
senator) from California. twenty-five or
more years ago. To the visitor or tourist
who lends his presence to the country
spoken of. he need not think he is going
TO An uupX plored land, but il On.y travel-
ing in the footsteps of " former genera
tion. These facts instead of decreasing
the interest of the traveller, only add to
the charm Of visit. As far as the writer's
knowledge goes there is no more interest
ing or delightful country to visit IN the
Northwest than that known as kootenhi
lake. 1t ia but few hours ride on the
Northern Pacific railroad from Spokane
Falls to kootenai station, seventyhve
miles eastward, here conveyance consist
superseded by a Concord coach, is on hand
TO TRANSPORT the traveller distance OF
thirty.two miles to
BoSNER's FERRY
on the river. This ride on wagon wheels,
though slightly rough for part OF the dis
tauce. is not devoid of interest ~ II passes
through finely timbered country and
crosses Numerous streams that are well
atocs ed with spelkled trout. Stampede
lakes, Two beautiful, though small sheets
of water can be readily seen from the road.
Many times during the ride the old Wild
horse trail IL crossed; 1t was over this trail
that the miners ana pack trains passed
during the days OF the Upper kootenai or
Wild Horse creek placer days away back
an the sixties and it "a said that many
millions Of dollars worth Of gold dust was
carried away from the divgins and over
this narrow pathway through the wilder
ness. The ride by wagon or stage how
ever is liahle to grow tedious and the set
element ut Bonner Ferry and the steam
boats on the river are welcome
sight 10 the ingoing passenger
Here is where the real interest In the
Journey commences. The scenery along
this magnificent winding river cannot be
surpassed anywhere in the west, the
stream averages 700 feet 10 width, the
banks :ringed with cottonwcods and other
trees, while in some places the wide and
level bottom lauds, on either side,
stretch back perhaps for miles, to the
base Of the mountains. Every turn ia the
river presents some view and
GRAND SIGHT.
OF course it il presumed that the travel.
Ter will take DR.. w. A Hendricks swift
running little steamer the Galena. The
master of this excellent craft, Captain
George Hayward is one Of the most pleas.
ant and capable sentlemen that one would
care 70 travel With. Mr.. hayward knows
the river sad lake as we'll as he does the
ansver a question or do a
kind turn for . passenger. Ex-
excellent meais are served on board, and
IN fHct every precaution taken for the com.
fort and safsty of those travelling by this
route. .,~,--. .t5. ~. .,,.,,. -
AZ intervals along the river ranches.
and very 6ne ones too, are located and Oc.
cupled by persons who cultivate the land
and are Engaged iu cattle raising. sixty.
Eve miles down the river and the bound.
ary line between the United States and
British COlumbii is reached. Here 1t Ia
necessary to deposit with Mr.. J. g. ny.
ksrt, the custous collector, the duties ON
goods being taken over the border. This
<ask performed, and the downward pass.
sSge 10 resumed. When the steamer
leaves the river aud plows her way out on
the bosom of the lake Ia when the grandest
soenery is visible. This
HAaNIFIcENr INLAND sEA
100 miles In length and from three to Eve
miles In width. with not an island to dot
its surface, and In many places With the
mountains rising several thousand feet
above the water, covered With green tim