Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-01-30

N"ii NC PAouuCcu III any OlleT
portion Of the state. We have
the Snake, the Salmon, and
the Clearwater rivers at our
feet, with innumerable unfail-
inS streams Of lesser magni-
tude. We have greater and
more easily accessible timber
resources than all the rest of
Idaho combined, with immense
mineral regions of known
wealth and in which the initial
stage Of development has al
ready begun, surrounding us
on the north. south and east.
And it should be remember
ed that Camas Prairie is but a
comparatively small strip of
the great Nez Perez Indian
reservation; that this reserva-
tion is the key to Camas Prai-
rle; that Camas Prairie is,
geographically speaking, apart
Of the reservation; that Camas
Prairie can only be reached
by traversing the reservation
that the permanent prosperity
which has blessed Camas Prai-
rie from the date of its first
settlement is an indication of
its natural wealth, as we'll as
of the enterprising and pro-
gresslve character Of its people,
who have overcome the many
disadvantages entailed on them
by living in the near neighbor-
hood OF a great tract of idle,
but fertile, land occupied sole
ly by Indians, and made of it
the garden spot Of the state /;
that what has been done on
Camas Prairie under such dis
advantageous conditions and
surroundings, will be repeated
on this reservation on a far
larger scale when the idle
lands which the Indians now
hold are thrown open to Cau-
casian settlement and cultiva-
ton, as will be done during
the coming summer; that while
the reservation has been a pos
tive drawback to our prosper
ity in the past, it will hereafter
benefit us, because the cult
vation Of these three-quarters
of a million idle acres will
create additional railroad ia
cilities and make Camas Prai-
RE the center Of population,
wealth, enterprise and civil
zation, as it is to-day the geo
graphic center of the state.
Here, then, is a country of
great natural wealth whose
development has been retarded
by very disadvantageous cir
cumstances and surroundings,
but which, even now is conce-
ded to be pre- eminently the
agricultural portion of the
state. Other sections may Of
fer special features superior to
ours. Lewiston may boast of
her magnificent climate, but
she has not the wood, water or
soil Of Camas Prairie, and irri-
CATION there will always be at
a double disadvantage, because
Of the cost of the water and
the topography Of the country,
to say nothing Of the light and
sandy character of the soil
which would absorb the water
of its two rivers without being
materially benefited. In the
whole state there will be found
no locality which possesses the
combination of advantages pre-
sented by Camas Prairie, to-
wit: Fertility of soil, mild and
salubrious climate, cheap fuel,
central location, great variety
of soil for experimental purpo-
ses with or without irrigation,
the healthiest country in the
state, ample water facilities,
an average altitude, immense
and rapidly growing tributary
country, enterprising popula-
ton, and finally, an offer OF
real estate and buildings val
ued at $l2,5 800, the acceptance
of which by the state would
make the appropriations made
by the general government
immediately arai5aJle. Under the