Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-01-08
NUMBER Is.

its glens and gorges, and they found
that those noble forests covered hills
that overlapped the richest mineral de-
posits in the world.
They found gold and silver and lead
and copper, and they found these min
erals in such quantities that they were
justified in looking forward to the day
when Northern Idaho would become
the richest mineral producing country
In the world. Montana leads in the
value Of its production of precious
metals now, but that Is after twenty
years Of development, while Idaho
comes close behind after a few years Of
partial development. In fact, the
mountains of Northern Idaho are
vast storehouses of mineral treasure,
The precious metals concealed within
are fairly limitless, and but the easily
accessible mines, and not all Of them,
have a. yet been touched.
The yearly product of these mines
Is now over $2O,OOO, 600, and it is In.
creasing ut the rate 10000 .
year.
1t Is the development Of Its mineral
products that leads to the growth Of
cities and towns throughout this 10.
gion. To be sure, the valleys are fertile
and productive even at an elevation Of
1000 feet, but the quantity Of agrical-
tural land is limited, and the lumber
alone would not pay for the enormous
cost Of railroad construction. Now
long lines of railroads pierce those val
leys and bear away across the con-
tinent their hidden treasures.
Thousands Of other valleys contain.
ing still richer ore and minerals arc
waiting for railroads. capital and the
hardy sons Of toll to develop them.
The lakes aud rivers afford vast facili.
ties to market the product of those
mines, but it will take generations to
afford facilities enough to husband
1.-THE Of the resources Of Northern
Idaho.
The products Of the southern val
leys of Idaho are similar to those Of
Maryland or Missouri, while the agri-
cultural products Of the northern SEQ
ton are akin to those Of Maine or Yer.
mont. The cold Is not a. severe ~ the
elevation Of the country might seem to
indicate, and Idaho In general has .
climate far superior to that of Indiana
or Illinois.
Indeed, one Of the characteristics Of
this state Is Its immunity ftom cpl
denies and the invigorating atmos.
phere which its people breathe.
The influence Of the chinook winds
Is az perceptible amid the valleys o|
Idaho as in Washington, and the blis-
yards and cyclones that intest tho mid
land states are unknown In Idaho.
The Rocky mountain chain Ii an efyec-
tual barrier against them, while tho
breezes that blow over from the Pacl.
fic, laden with moisture from the trepid
waters Of the great current Of Japan,
spread it's benign influence over the
land and bless 1t with rain and warmth.
With Its prolific soil, its grand brac-
ing climate, its sublime and beautiful
scenery Of mountain, lake and rivsf,
with its untold mineral wealth and IL
vast agricultural prospects, there need
be little doubt but Idaho will force u.
self into prominent place in the sls-
terh0od Of states. It's rivers teem with
fish, its forests with game, the choicsse
fruit and flowers, and honey, milk and
butter are here displayed, and with
such citizens a. have already located
there, the growth Of the new state b "a
be an extraordinary one.
Thither are Fastening the youth and
adventurous Of the East. Thither h
coming the bone and the muscle a
young America, and there, In The
mines and on the farm, he associates
with the exiled Celt or Saxon and
causes him to assimilate and form au
! integral part Of the great republio d
. the United States.-lWhtten for tn
3 New Years Review by p. A. O'FAzrsll