Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-03-25
TIE NEUS STATE OFID1HO.
Senator Dubois Urifes 4tout its
Resources and Possibilities.
Its Rich Agricultural Regions and Mines oil
ssh Silver and Lead-The Best
Soil and Climate in America
Spokane Review


Soil and Climate in America
Spokane Review.
Idaho is one of the newest states and
one of the newest portions of our coun-
try, in that it is less known and less
understood than almost any other sub
division of the Union. 1t was made a
territory in 1868 and state in 1890
The possibilities of the Pacific north
west are beyond intelligent guessing
and Idaho from this time forward will
expand and develope more rapidly and
evenly than ANY of the great new diyi-
sions composing that section.
l was introduced to an intelligent
lady in Brooklyn several years ago and
my residence was given as part of the
Introduction. She inquired presently
if / was acquainted with Mr.. William
Redmond, "who lived out west"
asked what particular part of the west
had the honor of sheltering MIR. Red.
tnond.
Really now, am not quite certain, y
she soberly answered. "but he is in
Omaha or Idaho, or somewhere in that
region" While sufficient general at
tention has been attracted to Idaho
during the past few years to locate il
geographically az one of the Pacific
coast states. and as from 1920 TO l 500
miles nearer the Pacific ocean than
Omaha. yet the knowledge of its re-
sources and capabilities is exceedingly
dim and misty in the minds of A merican
titisehs east of the Mississippi river.
There are many and good causes for
this lack of information with regard to
this favored section. The chefest il
that the state. until recent period, was
of the main line of travel.
The great Union Pacific and Central
Pacific railroads ran south of it, and the
Northern Pacific traverses but small
part, running but few miles through
the northern portion of Idaho. To
reach the interior necessitated weary
and arduous stage ride of several humid
red miles, which none would UNDERGO
unless they had specific object in view.
Up to 1854 there was but one railroad in
the territory-the Utah & Northern
which ran through one county oh the
eastern border. At that time there were
about $4,000 people in Idaho, and at
this period they first began to deyelope
the various resources of the country.
Nearly the entire thought of the people
was cehtefed on mining until this era
In our history.
Rich gold placer mines have been
found in various sections of the terri
tory, and the adventurous spirits who
Hooked to these camps cared nothing for
the tame pursuits of ordinary business
and rushed off to new fields when their
presentones showed signs of ex haustion.
In lSS4-5 railroad building began, and
with it the gradual settlement of the
country by steady and industrious citi-
kens. There are now about 1900 miles
of railroad in the state, 100000 people
and agriculture is the chief industry
One reason why this wonderful devel.
opmeht has attracted so little attention
comes from the fact that the increase in
population and wealth has been scat.
tered evenly over tho entire state
There are no large towns. and no par.
tlcular section has grown abnormally
Ranches or farms have been opened u,
30 quietly as to cause no comment.
Boise, the capital, and largest town
has about 5000 inhabitants.
Pocatello, in the southeast, and Mos
tow, in the northwest, have about 8 900
each. Some seven or eight other town,
have populations ranging from 900 tc
900, and each farming or mining com.
Innnlty has its village containing from
100 to 500 people.
The bulk of the people are on the
farms, and thus a sure and lasting foun.
dalton is laid for our future prosperity
The resources Of the state are boundless
and another century will pass before
the activity of man fully develops them
Northern Idaho, or that portion of the
state embraced within the counties Of
idaho. Neg Perez. Latah, Kootenai and
Shoshone, is a mining and agricultur RAJ
region. The C9ur d'Alene mines in
shoshone county are very productive In
silver and leadi and the supply o.
wealth from these sources seems mex.
hausiible. kootenai county has fine
agricultural lands. splendid mineral
prospects aud water power which will
build up great industries before many
years.
Lstah and Nez Perez counties are az.
ficaitnrsl essentially, and there is nc
better farming country in any portion