Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1894-08-10
THE FREE PRESS
GRANGEvILLE IDAHO.
FRIDAY. AUGUST 10, 1874
C0H,us Prairie.
RANGEVILLE. IDAHO

CdWUs Prairie.
From the 'oregonian' Handbook.
Snugly situated under the Cold
en- RIM of the Bitter Root and
Salmon River Mountains is the
seat of Idaho county, Mount Idaho.
This is the most picturesque spot
on Camas prairie. AS early as 1862,
Hon. Loyal p. Brown, the pioneer
settler OF Camas prairie, chose the
present site of the town for an
ideal place to settle. Nit Idaho is
situated at the timber line amid
the most inviting surroundings Of
groves and springs. Perfectly
sheltered from the blasts Of winter,
it has the advantage during the
heated term of the summer months
of the gentle, cool mountain brcezes
which come down from the higher
elevations at this point.
Mt. Idaho is located on the
southeast corner of Camas prairie,
ut the foot of the Melnor trail. In
early days it was the sole trading
point on Camas prairie for the rich
placer diggings which were then at
the zenith of their success. With
the decline of placer operations
here other settlements sprung up
at various points on Camas prairie,
and the attention of the settlers
here gradually became directed to
the diversified pursuits of agricul-
ture and stock raising. The trade
which Mt. Idaho has thus so long
enjoyed thus became divided. The
popularity of the town as a place of
resort and as site for residence
increased with the growth of popu-
lation on the prairie. 1t still main
tains the county seat, a commod-
ious Jail and court house being
located here. The population Of
the town today does not perhaps
exceed 100. The place, however,
shows many evidences of prosper
ity. A new and attractive Masonic
hall has just been completed here
at the cost of 50 900. A new pub
lie school building is now in course
of erection, and established at this
point are Touring mill with n
daily capacity of 40 barrels, saw
mill with a capacity 10000 feet a
day, a planning and single mill and
furniture shop. The Presbyterians
have an organization here, and
they contemplate building new
church building at this point in the
near future to cost about 81 800.
The town possesses two good gener-
al merchandise stores, hotel,
livery stable and other less impor-
tant places of business.
Mt. Idaho is the oldest town in
Idaho county. The first Republican
convention held in Idaho territory
assembled at Mount Idaho in 1868.
The first settler on Camas prairie,
as before stated. was Hon. Loyal T.
Brown. Mr.. Brown emigrated to
idaho county from Oregon in 1862.
He early foresaw the possibilities of
future development on Camas
prairie, and he chose for his home
the present site of Mt. Idaho,
where he is still residing He has all
along pinned his faith to the future
of Mt. Idaho and Camas prairie.
He has already done much
to advertise the advantages
of this section of the State,
and is now exerting his influence in
aid of the present needs of Idaho
county. The citizens generally of
Mt. Idaho appreciate the fact that
Camas prairie must be occupied by
settlers and the mining districts OF
Mt. Idaho must be developed be-
fore Mount Idaho can hope to in
crease largely in population. Since
the attention of capital has been
attracted to the valuable quartz
deposits in Elk City, Warrens
Florence and other mining districts
the people here have looked for a
return of the prosperity in these
mines noted in the early COS
Active preparations are now being
made for the development of these
mines. Mt. Idaho is most accessi
BILE from districts by many of the
numerous trails that were cut here
during the early days of placer
diggings.