Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-08-21

out to the traveller, steep as the roof Of
house, and at present deeply quilted
out by the rains. The heavily loaded
wagons were eased down the hill by
loading the tires with chains-a process
called "rough-locking," and frequently
good-sized trees we're felled at the sum-
NIT, chained top foremost to the rear
axle and towed down the descent.
The river is crossed by wire rope
ferry, SO familiar to all travellers in the
west. John Greer, a well-known old
timer, operates the ferry and keeps the
stage station and the post Office of Lolo.
MIR. Greer has done an incalculable a.
mount Of work upon the highways of
this region, and but for his efforts it
would be well nigh impossible to get
wheeled vehicle across the canyon, for
the grade on both sides Of the river be-
ing on the reservation, the road super
visors in both counties of Nez Perez and
Shoshone refuse to work upon it, and
the road across the reservation is main
tanned by private enterprise.
Some years ago both the Union and
Northern Pacific railways surveyed up
the Clearwater to Camas Prairie, and it
is thought that the latter road will ulti-
mately extend the Spokane q Palouse
from Juliaetta to Camas Prairie by this
route. 1t is natural road bed in fact,
and the material removed for grades and
excavations can be disposed of without
carting by simply dumping into the
river. A little blasting will be necessa-
ry at points, and an occasional bridge
across the river, but otherwise the en-
gineers state that it will not be an ex-
pensive piece of road to build. People
in this region are alive to the value of
such road, and long for the time when
they can reach Spokane in one short
days ride. Aside from the large settle
ment of Camas Prairie, which would
thus become tributary to Spokane by
the building of the Spokane & Palouse,
there are considerable settlements east
of the reservation on the Pierce City
road. which will give the new railway a
hearty welcome and a heavy traffic in
cattle, lumber. hay and grain from the
start.
Climbing the grade from the river the
eastern boundary of the reservation is
soon reached, and we enter at once a
region Of cultivated farms. 1t is the
Weeipe country, vast plateau some
1000 square miles in extent. A consd-
cradle population is already gathered
here, attracted by the fertile soil and
wide grazing area. 1t is region of al
ternating forest and m meadow, and every
where are seen the rude log cabins of
the hardy pioneers. Vast herds of cattle
are owned by the settlers, some of whom
have dwelt here since 1861. Four post
offices are required-Lolo, Frazer, Wee
ippe and Pierce City.
The Weeipe valley proper is a level
meadow some five square miles in ex-
tent, and in the old days it was a favor
ito reneZvous for the Indian hunters. 1t
is an Indian name, signifying "a place
OF tents, a camping ground" General
Howard camped upon the valley in
1877 for o week or more, when waiting
the arrival of his pack train from Lew
iston. Chief Joseph had entered the
mountains and Howard followed hot
upon his trail when his supplies arrived.
The old fir tree under which Howard Is
tent was pitched is yet to be seen there,
and eloquent mementoes of the soiourn
of the old general and his brother Off
GERS are picked up upon his company
ground in the way of empty bottles with
the names of choice brands of wine
blown in the glass.
Wellington Landon, one of Howard'a
scouts. still lives in the valley, and right
valiantly he defends the honor of his
hero. the general. A miserable little
story has gained wide currency to the
effect that Howard was an Indian lover,
or else non-com batanta and that when
ever his advance guard came in sight OF
the retreatng redskins he would call a
halt and hold prayer meeting. Ii
would do the general good to hear his
old scouts emphatic denial of this story
1t is a Islander, pure and simple, says he
and brayer general never mounted 8
horse, nor yet more competent one.
The Lolo trail strikes into the mount.
aims at Weeipe, and here Gen. Howard
was compelled to load his Calling CUR
and small brass cannon upon the backs
of horses. The march was tedious anC
perilous, for the crossing of every brook
and glen was an admirable place for al
ambush. They were met by sudden
volleys from their stealthy enemy, anl
many a soldier was laid low by q silen
shower of arrows from a thicket.
At present the trail is much obstructeC
by fallen trees, and few travellers trav
erse its labyrinth save an occasional
prospector, or an Indian hunting party
and it will fall more and more into dis
use as wagon roads are extended.
The board of trade of Kendrick ha
taken hold of the enterprise of buildin,
a wagon road into the Weeipe countr,
via the Clearwater. About twenty mile
of road will complete the gap. TIL,
completion of this road will lend new
impetus to the Weeipe country and N,
doubt lead indirectly to the extension
of the Spokane x Palouse up the river
The Union Pacific System have oil
sale excursion and single trip tickets o
III .tuAaw - =. IL