Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-09
nGZ PIERCE County.
ESTIMATE OF ITS RESOURCES,
AND PROSPECTS.
Best Watered County
In the Great State of Idaho, where
Fruit, Grain and Hay Yield
in Abundance Annually.

uI0tlOn OF tnlS county at Z,o34. InlS
little handful of people must be remark
ably industrious and prosperous to own
property worth $500, 900, raise 93s, 600
bushels Of grain, 10000 bushels of veg
etables, and $500 tons of hay, besides
participating in all the other activities
Of trading, stock growing and manu-
featuring, so says Gov. Shoup's report.
The estimate of 5, 200 inhabitants, given
in my report of 1889, is much nearer
the facts. The most cautious investi-
gator of this question has never placed
the population of this county below
1000, and indeed it is hardly conceiva-
BILE that this small number could trans
act the business of Nez Perez.
The number of acres of land under
cultivation in this county has increased
IL per cent. in the last twelve months.
In the same time final proof has been
made on $3.50 acres of farm land and
$3.50 acres of government land has
been entered. All branches of agricul-
ture and stock raising continue steadily
prosperous. The county has few of the
has peculiar thrift, steadiness, and
permanence more generally character
istic of Eastern communities.
Nez Perez county receives the united
flow of the largest rivers of Idaho. 1t
is considered the best watered portion
Of the northwest. The climate is mild
and uniform. Its production of fruit
increases year by year and its quality
and variety are not excelled on the
continent. The best nurseries exist in
this county, and their ample supply Of
young trees and vines is sold over four
growing States. The last two years
have demonstrated the fact that grapes
of all varieties can be successfully
grown on the dry hills and ridges fac
ing the Clearwater and Snake rivers,
without irrigation, and there are sew
eral thousand acres of this land that
will receive attention in the near future.
The fish industry is also destined
soon to receive marked attention, as
the rivers abound with salmon, and
the near approach of the railroad will
soon furnish market and also furnish
cheaper and more rapid transportation
for all other products.
The forest lands of this county are
estimated at 100000 acres, and an am
pie supply Of lumber of the best quality
il thus assured for many years. There
are also about 10000 acres of agricul-
tural lands, and 225 600 acres of grazing |
land still undeveloped and unused. In
fact population of $1,000 persons can
easily find room and comfortable homes
in Nez Perez county. Schools and
churches abound. The pioneers of this
county believed in education. The first
academy instituted in Idaho was loca-
ted at Lewiston, the beautiful capital
of Nez Perez county, and the same city
was the first or nearly the first to Or
ganize system of graded schools with
modern methods and appliances.
The city of Lewiston is one of the
finest trading points in Idaho. 1t is
the gateway to the supplies required
by the immense county of Idaho, and
through which the products of that no
BILE county pour. The southern portion
Of Shoshone county has long procured
its supplies at Lewiston. It's well cap
italized banks, immense grain depots,
and great wholesale merchandise
houses draw business from broad area
of rapidly developing country. The
title to the larger portion of the Indian
reservation will soon be extinguished,
and Nez Perez will then come to the
front as one of the most inviting fields
for immigration known to the North
west. The county is we'll provided
with public buildings and its public
affairs are administered with wise
economy and enterprise.
Nee Perez Agency is in the county
OF Nez Perez and includes the most
valuable tract of agricultural land
found on any reservation in the United
States. This reservation contains
about 10000 acres. Over two-thirds
Of this large area is agricultural and
grazing lands. The majority of the
Nez Perez Indians have taken homes
in severalty, and are building houses
and occupying them. About one
fourth of the number have become
members of the Presbyterian Church,
and about the same number have be.
come members of the Catholic Church.
A much better feeling exists among
these Indians under the management
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