Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1889-07-18
A SKETCH OF LEWISTON.

rivers, in Nez Perce county, and was
called Lewiston, after the name Of Lewis,
who with Clark first carried the flag
through this nild Indian country eighty
Ave years ago. The discovery cf gold
in the Gro Fino district in 1860 brought
thousands OF meu here, and 5eiog at the
head Of navigation gave it the import
ance Of shipping point for the whole
country. There werc at least 10000
men here carly in go on the rush for
the new mines. The start it then got
fixed it as an enduring site for town,
and its prestige has never waned.
Though having passed through periods
of business sterility. its growth has been
steady and sound.
The location Of trading points within
the mining districts has lcssened the
magnitude Of its former trade, though
the settling up Of the surrounding coun-
try with farmers and stock raisers has
partially preserved the volume of bust
ness, and its existence is nevermcre to be
itful one. The resources OF the
tributary country are unbounded, and
in rapid development. The transpor,a-
facilities are as good as steam navigation
Of our rivers can make them, though in
these days of rapid transit we should
deem them better if We had railroads.
These must come after little more
development Of our resources, which are
practically bonndless. Every year brin.s
them nearer. Already prelimirary
surveys have been made by the Northern
Pacific, 0. r. 4 n, and Union Pacific
companies extending through Lewiston
and to the country south and east for
seventy FIVE miles, and this little world OF
wealth cannot be left lorg without the
very best transportation service.
We're our rivers open to the sea aud a
dolly service maintained, the absence OF
railroads would not be much felt. The
efforts OF Portland should be kept W
for the greater Improvement of river
transit, as all the richness of this sector
would naturally ca.om into her pockets
whereas, now the tendency is to direc
our commerce across the country to hi
east. With free navigation, Lewiston
can defy competition by suy other tow
in Idaho.
Its low elevation, being only 700 fee
above tide water, gives it climate aki
to that of coast towns. For period Q
four years from 1850 the mean tempcra
ture was So degrees. The mercur
seldom falls below zero. The averag
rainfall is about 80 inches. The night
are cool throughout the summer. Th
!. last sigral service reports give US tn
most favorable climatic record among Is
. stations 10 the United States. The DR.
rari6ed atmosphere sffords us an advau
tage of about 20 degrees in the intensit
Of heat or cold, when compared with tn
t regions east Of the Rocky mountains.
: The soil of our adjacent valleys
light sandy loan, very fertile and in
mcnsely productive. 1t is being appr'
priated very fast for horticulture. a
kinds Of fruit doing we'll our equab
climate making it favorable for Il
!, cultivation of grapes, peaches and Ill
tender fruit. This Industry is yet in
!. infancy, but few orchards producing a.
great surplus. These arc becoming Il
most profitable of any kind of businc
carried on here.
The grain belt surrounding Lewi.t'
lis among the most productive Of any
be found. The average yield is fro
ID thirty to forty five bushels of whe'
- forty to sixty Of oats and Of harley. Al
!. fifteen to twenty Eve of fax. Vegetat
are equally thriving.
y, The timber belt is unsurpassed, =
in being tapped BY our rivers, affords ca
n. ~ access to it, and is destined to create
=. immense industry. At present tuere
bot one saw-mill here, which il unable
supply tho market. There is much ne
Of . FIRST. class plant. Such mill, Ct
nected with sash, door and furnitt
shops, would be practically witht
b competition, aud would command
% traffic of tho whole country arou'
Mot Of our sash, doors aud furnit,
now comes from Portland and otl
- distant places.
Another great need is founjsry VOL
and machine shops. Far ell the ext
sive repairs Of machinery, orders have
be sent abroad, sometimes, a. far -
the Eastern states, requiring long deli
!" ocoasioniug great injury. Il 10 report
that iron sas been found ia the mosnta
to the east Of ~, il 20 it will soon
deyeloped into 4 pfcftsbly industry.