Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-06-03
BOISE coUSrY's EXHIBIT.

y
Worlds Fair Commission for Idaho
was IN this county last week, and in
company with myself visited the
towns OF the Basin for the purpose Of
hnding what the citizens intended
contributing towards an exhibit.
1t was his first visit to Boise coun.
ty, but the information he had OBJ
tanned touching our mining resources
and our possibilities led him to be.
l'eve that this county would be alive
to the work and would make as fine
an exhibit of minerals as any county
in the State.
1t is putting it mild to say he was
disappointed. We talked with scarce
ly anyone who seemed to take more
than passing interest in the Worlds
Fair or in the showing Boise county
might make there. No one had pre-
pared anything to send, no one had
even thought of preparing anything.
Most of those interviewed had moth.
ing to send, did not know where to
find anything, and apparently did not
care. There we're some, however,
with whom we talked who were alive,
and who promised to interest them
selves in the work. This general
apathy arises from a peculiar state of
mind existing among the citizens of
the county, OF rather of the Basin. 1t
is this: ''That Boise county has moth
ing worth exhibiting" Nearly every
mine owner with whom we talked said.
"Oh, haven't anything worth send
ing to Chicago!'
If you should 60 to the dry sandy
plains OF Western Kansas, the inha b.
itants would tell you of their fine
crops, beautiful climate, magnificent
views, &c, then GO to the overfowed
bottom of the Mississippi and heal
the people talk of the healthy regior
they live in, of the bountiful suppl,
of water, just enough to moisten thei
crops, &c. Go where you will, ex
cept in Boise county, be the country
good or bad, the inhabitants neve
cease to sound its praises. But here
with as fine a climate as any il
=. America, with almost exhaustless re
sources of mineral wealth, with lum
Der sufficient to supply nation
with mountain scenery rivalng tha
of far famed Switzerland, with valley
) producing the finest Of fruit, and bill
sides covered with golden grain, wit
game and fish in abundance, and wit
all else that nature could lavish t
make this good, desirable, a chose
spot to live in, the inhabitants or,
We have nothing worth showing.
1t is a peculiar state of mind.
). Let me ask the mine owners
question. If your ore is not wort
: exhibiting, is it worth working? Al
other How do you expect to Sc
your mine, or interest capital IN 1t,
your ore won't bear inspection! Al
e other-What Is the secret of yo'
n ability to discover veins or deposl
IS of ore that are not worth looking 6
and still work to a profit?
If you expect to make money o
al of the ore you are working, then y'
lie have exactly what we wish to exhlt
lie at Chicago. You must rememb
re that our exhibit will be examined
to miners and scientific men who undt
le stand the nature of ores thorough
el and it isn't necessary they should
a the metal on the surface to judge
e, the quality. True, we want cole
SIS ton Of smaller rich specimens for
general public to view, but The
vestor is more interested in the ac
ne al working ores of country than
or the display of specimens.
n Boise county was at one time
of leading county of Idaho. 1t has
i'll natural resources to make it so aga
ck Capital must develop these resourc
ss. but before we can get capital
Id must make the resources known; Il
en- else can we do it than by advertiser
an When and where can we better
be this than in 1898 at Chicago!
,r- Boise county can make grand
IN hibit of her resources at Chlca
to Will she do it?
!. G. WATTS,
Assistant Commissioner