Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1894-08-24
Idaho COuuty's Future.
One of the Most Promising
Sections of the State.
A Chat With Editor Parker.
Mining Interests Sfinul0fed h.,
the building of the State
WagOn Road.
Boise Statesman, August l6.

Boise Statesman. August I6.
A. +. Parker, of the Granceyil|
FREE Press, who is here to atten
the Democratic State Conventio
says the great county of Idaho !
on the eve of a wonderful trans
formation. The Elk City and Sal
mon River divisions of the stat
wagon road system are in thi
county and be says the contract
thereon would all be completed i,
the next 80 days. There were l.
miles on the Elk City division no
covered by the contract which will
be completed by the citizens an,
county without further aid from
the state. The enterprising peopl,
or that county We're also engaged
In the construction of anothc,
wagon road between Grangevill,
and Kendrick, the nearest railroad
point, the total cost of which will
exceed $4,000.
Mr.. Parker told the Statesman
reporter he would make fight to
insert a plank in the Democratic
state platform demanding that the
legislature appropriate sufficient
funds to complete the Little Sal
mon division. The road is now
practically completed from Grange
vile to the crossing of Salmon
river, and the estimated cost of
completing the road to Salmon
Meadows, including a bridge across
Salmon river would not exceed
$4,000.
This is the most important
division of the state wagon road
system" said Mr.. Parker, "as it
lnsures connection over easy grades
between the northern and southern
counties of the state. The highest
attitude on this route is 1850 feet
on the Little Salmon divide. A
!, mail route has been recently estab-
lished. and as soon as the road is
completed line of stages will be
put on, and passage between these
remote sections of the state
will be greatly facilitated"
Mr.. Parker speaks in glowing
terms of the mineral resources of
his county, particularly of the gold
quartz belts of Elk City and Dixie
districts, in the Bitter Root
range. Mr.. Parker has extensive
quartz interests in both camps and
he brought sack of his ores which
he will leave here.
Speaking of that section generally
he said
In both Elk City and Dixie dis
,rlcts the mineral deposits take the
orm of large Iedges of auriferous
luartz, which contains iron sui
oherets and are, therefore, con-
propositions. These
'res are strikingly free from silver
md other refractory and rebellious
Ingredients. These districts abound |
n unlimited quantities of the finest
imber in the world, with count
ess streams of water for power and
'ther purposes. Quartz mining in
hese localities will therefore be
under exceedingly favor
'ble circumstances. Upon the
ompletion of the Elk City wagon
DAD these districts will be made
ccessible by the construction of
ounty roads leading to Dixie and
o the Buffalo Hump region, in
'hich recent discoveries of free
nilling gold quartz have been
nade.
"On the Salmon river division
ne road approaches very near to
he Rapid river district. in which
he Merritts have recently made
irge investments.
In addition to the stimulus
wen to the mining interests by
ne construction of wagon roads,
ne agricultural development of
'ez Perce and Idaho counties will
c enormously increased bv the
pening Of the surplus lands in the
ez Perce Indian reservation to
'hlte settlement. l Think the pro-
amation of the president NAV be
,oked for at any time before
ovember 1st. For several months
asst the country bordering on the
'servation has been filing up with
0oners' who are awaiting the
reclamation to settle on the re-
rye. There are 10000 acres of
nd on the reservation, of which
ere than two-thirds will be OPEN
! to settlement. The character
the country is the same as that
the fertile Palouse section. In
ct, the Clearwater river has
mply cut a deep canyon between
'em. The opening of this large
act insures speedy construction
a railroad from Lewiston to the
eat Camas Prairie. The two
ng isolated counties of Nez Perce
ID Idaho will take on new lease ,
life and will soon be the center ,
wealth and population in the
ate."
Mr.. Parker exhibits some opals ,
unusual size and brilliancy, the {
oduct of recent discovery in s
e little known region between the !