Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-01-15
NRZ PIERCE COUNTY.
An Estimate Of Its Resources, Pros .
poets and Development as Shown
BY Governor Shoup's Report.

The Census Bureau returns the pop
ulation of this county at 1884. This
little handful of people must be remark
ably industrious and prosperous to own
property worth s., SOC, 900, raise 93s, 600
bushels of grain, 10000 bushels of vege-
tables, and $500 tons of hay, besides
participating in all the other activities
Of trading, stock growing, and manu-
featuring people. The estimate of
S 200 inhabitants, given in my report
of 1889, Is much nearer the facts. The
most cautious investigator of this ques-
ton has never placed the population of
this county below 1000, and indeed 1t
is hardly conceivable that this small
number could transact the business of
Nez Perce.
The number of acres of land under
cultivation in this county has increased
II 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 agri-
culture and stock raising continue
steadily prosperous. The county has
few of the features of a frontier settle
ment, but has a peculiar thrift, steadi-
ness, and permanence more generally
characteristic of Eastern communities.
Nez Perce county re eceives 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
facing the Clearwater and Snake rivers,
without irrigation, and there are sew
eral thousand acres of this land that
|
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 a 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
ample supply of lumber of the best
quality is thus assured for many years.
There are also about $50, 900 acres of
agricultural lands, and 225, 900 acres of
grazing land still undeveloped and
unused. In fact a population of Ii, 900
persons can easily find room and COM
Portable homes in Nez Perce county.
Schools and churches abound. The
pioneers of this county believed In
education. The first academy insti-
tuted in Idaho was located at Lewiston,
the beautiful capital of Nez Perce
county, and the same city was the
first or nearly the first to organize q
system of graded schools with modern
methods and appliances.
The city Of Lewiston Is one Of the
finest trading points in Idaho. It 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. Its we'll cap
: italized banks, immense grain depots,
Q and great wholesale merchandise houses
3 draw business from broad area ofrap.
z idly developing country. The title ia
8 the larger portion Of the Indian reser.
t walton will soon be extinguished, and
! Nez Perces will then come to the front
Q as one Of the most inviting fields fol
}, emigration known to the Northwest
Q The county is we'll provided with pub
a lie buildings and its public affairs an
o administered with wise economy and
d enterprise. Lewiston has . board o
r trade, which may be addressed for fur
j. ther information. c. P. Coburn, Esq.
d is also good citizen to consult, as on,
who is deeply interested In al that per
4 tains to the welfare of the community
Nez Perces has also mining resource
!. as yet undeveloped, but attracting NOR
= and moro attention from practice
- miners.
n The Knights Of Pythias ball that wa
!. to have been given February leth, vii
d occur at some earlier date. It was fouu
l. that the date chosen would fall withi
v the season Of Lent and thus depriv
n many from the pleasure Of attending
Q, The exact date has not yet been detel
r. mined upon, but 1t will probably b
1t Just before Lent begins. Every prepl