Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-10-07
LETTER FROM ROBERT LARIMER.
He Describes His Trip Through Oregon and
California, and the Scene Of his
Present Labors.


Present Labors.
STEWART INSTITUTE, CARSON NEVADA I
SEPT. "a. 1892. !
EIIToR FREE Press:
After many delays we reached our
destination on the l1,h inst. Our route
lay from Lewiston by the river to Ripa-
deton and Portland, Oregon, Sacramen.
to, CAL, and Reno, Nevada, to Carson
City.
While coming down the Snake 1900
boxes of truit were taken aboard the
boat. Three shipments of about an
equal amount are made each week dur
ing the fruit season. Spent one day in
Portland. By the street cars We ascend-
Ell the heights back Of the metropolis.
from whence we had a view of the cities
on either side of the river. the shipping,
Vancouver, and the country east stward.
BY the &. x .. We proceeded south ward
That crops were short throughout the
willamette valley, was plainly evident.
Roseburg is snug little town. Dark
nees prevented our getting view of the
country surrounding it. The road al.
rends the Siskiyous by n sort of double
loop. and descends the Shastas in much
the same manner. At the fret crossing
of the Sacramento the river il about
two rods wide. Soda Springs. on the
Sacramento. are noted for their medici-
nal properties. The train hating for a
few minutes, every passenger that could
get to the spring in time took drink.
At the springs two cascades come tum-
bling down the mountain side. In each
IL inserted a jet that sends the water in
spray 10 a height of about rs feet.
While at Sacramento City we visited he
capitol grounds and the pavilion, or ex-
hibitiOn hall of the state fair. The cap
itol grounds are terraced, nicely sod.led,
and set with shade and ornamental
trees, shrubbery and flowers. At the
pavilion the exhibit OF flowers, fruits
and wines. vegetables anj grains, man
ufactures. machinery. music, paintings,
DC, WAS magnificent. The historical
department was also very interesting.
Having but a few hours to spare We
could take but a hasty glance at the rich
display. Resuming our journey east
ward. we passed through a inc fruit
growing region. On the western slope
of the Sierras were delayed by two
wrecks of freight trains. also, by ire
in the snow sheds which DESTROYED
about half mile of track. After 27
hours waiting were permitted to pro
ceed. From Reno to Carson we came
bv the Virginia Il Truckee, a narrow
guage road. The valley through which
IL passes is the freshest. greene-t we saw
on the trip, made SO by irrigation. But
the hills on either side are barren and
desolate looking-too poor, apparently,
to produce anything but sage brush and
jack rabbits. The riches of Nevada may
still be buried beneath these barren
hills. Gold Hills may be numerous for
all anybody knows. Carson is a beau
tifu little city of some ar five thons-
and inhabitants. 1t reminds me of Ida.
hos capital. Its principal buildings are
the capitol. the post-office and the mint.
The school is about four miles from
the city. 1t is situated in fertile spot,
something similar to an oasis in a des-
ert. Here are grown grain. grasses.
roots and vegetables in profusion.
About two thousand melons alone were
grown this year. The superintendent
issues them to the school children at the
rate of about fifty day. The present
capacity of the school is about one hum
dred. But the building is being enlarg-
ed, and preparations are making to ac-
commOdate greater number il neces-
sary.
The superintendent, ". q. D. Gibson,
is congenial old gentleman, very kind
and very considerate of the comfort and
needs Of all under his charge, and is
ably assisted by his amiable wife, who
Is the matron of the institution. The
employees are sociable. agreeable people
In my school work have two lady as
sistan's. Both are competent and will
ing workers. The pupils embrace all
ages from six to twenty years. They
seem to be very healthy and are about
equal in learning capacity to the Neg
Petces They belong tn three different
irih-s the Washoes, the Pah- Utes, and
The Shoshones Am we'll pleased with
nv position in the school. but not 40
well pleased with the locatiOn. WOnld
much prrfer the Lapwsi, but may like
his better after further acquaintance.
Az in her plares poliiics are raging
here also. And here AZ elsewhere, poll
ticians. like a certain sonihern lizard.
re changing the color Of their coats to
suit the surroundings. Stewart and
I Newiands. formerly republicans, have
| declared tor Weaver. Some prominent
democrats have done The same thing
| aha'ever else happens. the main thing
TO get there. In this national fight. il
| l. evideni that gold will again come ont
winner. Bnt IN the case of the Idaho
county seat election, I believe that
brains will carry the day.
NV kind regards to the readers Of the
! FREE Press.
/ Very truly yours,