Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-03-25

great number of years-more years than
need be scanned by this generation.
Mining reluctantly yields the first
place to agriculture in the products of
this state. Up TO the present time this
comparatively unknown and unpros-
pected portion of our great country has
given to the world in silver and gold,
! with which to carry on its business, the
enormous sum of sl50,000,0OO. These
precious minerals have been washed off
Of the bedrock and dug out of the grim
hills. New mines are discovered every
day. and in addition to gold and silver
there are enormous fields of copper,
| lead, limestone and other minerals. The
mining capabilities of Idaho can not
even be surmsed. 1t is the opinion of
experts who have followed mining over
the Pacific coast that Idaho will soon
rank first among mining states. The
latest census shows that 80, 445 ounces
of gold. value 81, 055 .7O8, and 3.434 331
ounces of silver, value 81, 440.3I7 were
produced in 1889. While the lead i'm
dustry has sprung Into prominence in
the state during the past few years, up
to which time none was produced to
speak Of, Idaho now ranks third as
lead producer. being surpassed by Colo
RADIO and Michigan only. The output
in 1880 was 23, l72 short tons. worth
about S2,000,000. Many rich mines are
in full operation, giving employment to
thousands Of hardy citizens at good wa
ees, and stimulating every other indus
| try and affording profitable home
market for the farmer Many more rich
mines lie in the hills waiting to be
found. Idaho is peculiarly fortunate in
this, that almost all her mineral belts
are surrounded by rich agricultural re-
gions, 80 that the prosperity of one goes
hand in hand with the prosperity of
the other.
The towns of the state give opportu-
mites TO men TO engage in any kind of
business which suits their inclinations
or qualifications. 1t has always seemed
to me that man of energy and good
habits, ordinary intelligence and ambi-
ton was certain to prosper in our new
country when he might fail in the east
through lack of opportunity. The school,
church and all other facilities which
commend higher form of civilization
are equal to those in any eastern state,
population and wealth being reck oned
in the comparison. To those who love
nature and outdoor sport Idaho is very
attractive. Lakes Pen d'Orelle and
C9ur d'Alene in the north are remark
able for their picturesqness and beauty.
The Shoshone Falls in the south are
thought by many to surpass the Niaga ra
for grandeur, while the hot springs at
HALEY. Ketchum, Boise, Challis and
other points are becoming notod as
summer resorts. as is also the famous
soda springs On every side are maies-
tic mountains. Trout abound in all the
streams and prairie chicken and grouse
are in nearly every portion of the state.
Deer, elk, moose and bear are still
plentiful.
Probably the greatest charm of idaho
is Its climate. Lying on the "other
side," the west side of the Rocky noun
tains, 1t escapes the billiards. and cy-
clones which sweep the Missouri valley.
From the west it gets the benefit of the
Pacific soft winds. commonly called
chinook" but it is sufficiently remoyed
from the coast to miss the rain and mist
which falls 80 steadily for months along
the Pacific shore. The climate is brac-
ing but not severe and happily free
from either torrid or frigid conditions.
The atmosphere is unusually clear, dry
and bright, the average of fair days be-
ing 300 per annum. The inhumidity OF
the air gives the state an advantage
which may be expressed by saying that
it would require a summer temperature
of 1862 at Boise City to make one as I'M
comfortable as $50 would do at New
York or Boston. while l2o below zero
at the Idaho capital would be no more
severe than 50 above zero at the east
ern cities named. The character of the
climate, supplemented by the elevation
of the land above the sea level, ineures
an extraordinary salubrity.
will close this hasty and imperfect
sketch of very interesting country by
saying: Idaho in its material embodi-
nent is large enough and prolific e.
nough to serve as theater for the ac4
tivities of a great American community
for more centuries than mortal beings
FRED T. DUBOIS.