The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-10-17
THE BOISE MERIDIAN.
Interesting letters from The Surveyor Gen,
ernrs Office.

r---
1t will be remembered that the
HERALD a few weeks ago stated that
the people of the Kootenai valley
were sorely disappointed because
work had been suspended on the
survey of the Boise Meridian; also
that we mentioned that there were
rumors aaoat that reflected upon
the Surveyor Generals Office. The
article having been brought to the
attention of Surveyor General Pet
tit, he writes us as follows, the cor
respondence being self-explanatory:
EDITOR KooTENA1 HERALD /
herewith enclose copy of letters re-
ceived from F. j. Mills, the con-
tracing deputy on survey of the
Boise Meridian. You have seen fit
to publish editorial articles in your
paper not very complimentary to
Mr.. Mills or this Office, and | trust,
as matter Of justice to Mr.. Mills,
in particular, you will give the same
publicity to these letters which we're
written on the ground and fully
explain the situation. Mr.. Mills
contract is for $18 per mile, or
about the sum of $500 for the
whole line. Yours truly,
w. HI. PETIT, U. S. Sur. Gen,
CAMP ON SOUTH SHORE LAKE
PEND D'OREILLE, Idaho, Sept. 1,
1891 Mr.. w. H. Petit, U. S, Sur
veyor General, Boise, Idaho. Dear
Sir: Your favors of July 10 and
August 10 are at hand. The coun-
try that the line passes over has
been constantly getting worse in
stead Of better till within the last
few miles which have been hardly
so bad. Have hit the lake at last
in about 334 miles from starting
point. Have been about so days
on these 339 miles and crowded the
work as fast as possible. The coun-
try has been very bad, indeed,
dense timber with much fallen, and
the densest of underground. No
one had ever been across the coun-
try before and | was informed at
the old Mission that it was impos-
sible. | spent several hundred dol
lars making trail, which from the
old Mission to this point is about
go miles long. 1t has been a very
hard and losing trip and the men
and horses are worn out. Started
in with 8 pack animals and reached
the lake with z in pretty hard
shape. Every corner and every 4
corner on the line thus far has been
established with care, and the line
run with care My cash outlay
(including nothing for my own
work. has been $500 thus far on
the work, and this includes the
cost Of animals. | will proceed
with the line around or across the
lake as soon as possible. The offset
to the east is, | think, improbable,
but have not yet fully investiga-
ted the matter. The country is
very rough and the lake is of very
different shape from that shown on
the plat which you furnished me.
4 4 4
| will carry the line ahead as far as
possible, will spare no effort and
keep the work going. If / find it
impossible to complete the work
viii leave as little as possible, and
presume that if | do the very best
| can do that my bond will not be
forfeited? will not try and hurry
at the expense of good work and
will do as much as possible.
Very respectfully yours,
F. J. MILLS, U. S. Dept. Sur.
p. S. AS | shall be broke" when
through with this work, if you hap
pen to have vacancy in your Of
fee by November | shall be very
glad to get to work. f. J. M.
M1ssoULA, Mont, Sept. 20, 1891
Mr.. w. Petit, U. S. Surveyor Gen.
eral, Boise, Idaho. Dear sir: very
o