Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1891-03-09
FROM LOST RIVER,
Abundant Moisture Assured for Next
Seasea-Ranchers who were Bora
Ttre6-AHxiOus for Thelr Commits.

Seasea-Ranehers who were Bora
Ttred-Anxioas for TAelr Cenmis.
sloser.
70 the Editor of the TIMKs:
The month, which according to the
old saying, comes in like . lion AMI
goes out like lamb. brings to US here
on Lost River the first touch OF real
winter we have thus far experienced.
Clear skies and bright sunny days
have for SO long been the rule, with
an occasional dropping Of the mer-
curry to the neighborhood OF zero to
remind US that it was really winter,
that people were beginning to fear
the consequences Of another dry
season.
However, all. tears on that score
are now dispelled; we now have about
twenty inches of solidly settled snow
on the ground, everywhere along the
valley and in the mountains the snow
fall has been demonstrating an
abundance Of water every where, .
world Of grass upon the meadows
and ranges, aud favorable season in
every way for the farmers.
The winter here on Lost River has
been dull, dull, dull. Times have
been SO hard and the people SO poor
that there has been little in the way
of social enjoymen.s, or indeed Of
anything to vary the monotony o:
life in country where three fourths
Of the population spend over half
their time in perfect idleaess. And
right here, l honestly think, we may
discover one main cause at least of
the poverty Of the people and the
general backward condition OF this
whole valley. The Lost River ranch
er is constitutionally tired. l will not
say he is really lazy; but he evinces a
most persistent disincIination to ia.
milisrize himself with hard work. A
faimcr in any of the Eastern States
who would attempt to make living
on farm with no greater outlay of
physical exertion than what the aver
age Lost River rancher performs,
would land i'll the poorhouse and be-
come q county charge the 6rst year.
Now, all this does not apply solely
to the genus s'old BACH" still so nuns
erously represented here in our farm
ing community. II contentment is
happiness here below, the old bachelor
rancher Of Lost River presents the
most striking example Of perfect bliss
that the world has seen since the days
of Diogenes aud his tub. His wants
are few and easily supplied, and hav-
ing no great amount of pride in his
past nor hope of his future achieve.
ments, he will contentedly end his
days in peace. And in the land be-
yond, let US hope, he may secure
claim where he will be freed fom the
burden of his daily wrestling with
sour.dough and soap.suds.
Perhaps it is a good angury for the
future here that he is unable to per
pctuate his kind, and the worll will
not mourn when his genus shall be.
come extinct.
The great need OF. this country at
present is immigration-an infusion
Of fresh blood; people of grit and
energy, whose example o: thrift and
enterprise would perhaps arouse q
spirit Of emulation and awake the
old.timers here from their letharRv.
Well, we are still living here amid
the usual conditions of pioneer life,
but knowing that the future of such a
country as this is fully assured, we
must possess our souls with patience
q while longer.
In our Island neighborhood there is
but little going on in the way of i'm.
prOvements on the ranches, but there
is among the people . sociability
which induces . hearty participation
of every one in such amusements as
the country affords.
No one, who has never attended q
dance on Lost River, can say that he
has seen all phases of "life in the Fs,
West" The forms aud social usages
/ which nYeva,l amopw the Ma l1,sta,