Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-06-12
AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION.

AN EXPLORING EXPEDITION.
The Steamer Annie Faxon, under the
Skillful Guidance Of Captain
Baughman, masses all
Difficulties and Pushes Higher than
has been run bv Vessel before.
The Steamer Annie Faxon as per pro-
gram announced last week, left the
wharf early Sunday morning to at
tempt voyage to the forks of Clearwa-
ter. The lower part of the course is
over well-known ground and through
territory familiar to all. The fruit
farms and ranches show off finely from
the steamers deck. The whole fiat of
the river is rapidly growing into one
immense orchard. Machines and water
wheels ofall description line the river
front and supply water for the fields
about. The fruit industry of the val
ley is yet in its infancy. Thousands of
acres of rich soil can and will be put in
cultivation when the transportation
assures us of a ready market for the
produce.
A short run brought us to the border
of the reservation. The boat stopped
at the Lapwai agency to take on pas
sengers. The Lapwai creek joins Clear
water at this point, and beautiful lit
tie valley now dotted with Indian
farms spread out along its banks. The
railroad will cross Clearwater just above
the Lapwai and the chances are that
some day town will be built at that
point. The government buildings are
well cared for, apparently, and are sur
rounded by fine grove of trees. A few
of the old relics lie near the river and
show the results of old age and general
debility. We were shown the remains
of what was the first printing Office in
the northwest. We have hopes that
the editor and proprietor finished life
in better condition than the office in
dicates.
The ride from the Agency to Fir
Bluff was uneventful. The bluffs while
not so steep as those of the Snake, are
high enough to shut out all view of the
country about. 1t was noticeable that
on every fine fat of the river some In
dian had established claim and by a
hut, tepee and few fences held DOS
session of a choice piece of Uncle Sans
domain. The mouth of Potlatch creek
was passed about 1890. The railroad
will enter the Clearwater valley at this
point and run on the north of that
stream till it crosses at Lapwai as before
stated. The canyon grows shallower
and the stream less wide as you ascend.
Pine trees are plentiful along the upper
course of the Clearwater. The break
formed by the entrance of Cottonwood
creek showed US in manner the fine
country lying above. Millions of acres
OF fine farm, fruit and grazing lands lay
bound up in the Nez Perce reservation.
1t will be day of great rejoicing and a
source of unbOunded wealth when Nez
Perce reservation is thrown open for
settlement.
We reached the famous Big Eddy at
three o'clock. Here the water, after
running down a sharp chute for more
than mile makes short abrupt turn
to avoid wall of rock and forms an
eddy which is the terror to raftsman
and has been till within the last few
weeks scare for all vessels. The Fax
on, though checked by the rapid cur.
rent, made good headway against the
current and climbed the rapids in less
than an hour. From this point on the
; voyage was one of discovery. The
channel had never been traversed be.
fore, but the water was at a good stage
and the boat experienced but little diff
ficulty. The Captain landed at Rattle
> Snake Bar and decided that for time
at least this would be the head water
of navigation. Had there been, how
. ever, enough of wood and daylight left
r the run could have been made to the
forks, easily. After short stop at the
r bar the boat turned homeward. The
3 return run was made in about three
hours. 1t is thought that we were thii
i, time within five miles of the forks.
o Some sixty persons were aboard AND
:, all fully enjoyed the novel sensation o
e being discoveries and explorers.
t There Is a movement on foot I.
. organize an athletic association for ou
b young men. The idea Is good on,
: and should be encouraged by ever.
r one. The fitting of hall as resor