Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1894-02-02
the conclusion that the road can be
built for several thousand dollars
less than any figures which have

les OF construction are largely eX-
aggerated. There is not an obstacle
on the whole route worthy of the |
term. There is much dirt to be
removed, but it is nearly all moth
ing but a glacial drift, composed of
a loose and decaying gravel which
can be easily displaced with pick
and shovel. Such rock work as is
to be done is another simple pro-
cess, for atmospheric influences,
exposure to sun, rain, wind, frost
and snow, and the extremes of heat
and cold. for thousands of years,
have disirtegrated the formation
until it crumbles at the touch, and
a man with a handspike, or a shot
of giant powder placed in the right
spot to do the most good, or even
few muscular blows with 24-fb
sledge, will exert sufficient force to
remove the biggest boulder we saw
on the grade, and in some instances
to start the whole mountain slope
a-sliding into the river. On the
very worst points where the cliffs
crop out bodily from under the
drift they are scanned with assures
and fractures which can be broken
away strta by strata by muscular
force alone. And then there are
stretches at intervals, across bars
and flats, where but little, if any,
work is required. Of course, the
road is going to cost lot ofmoney,
but we think the county can save
$4,000 by advertising for bids, as
we have steadily urged. Mr.. Cam
eron's proposition was to complete
both roads for $4,000, of which
this county was to contribute
$55 900 in bonds. But as this pro-
position don't go, Mr.. Cameron is
willing that the county should get
the road built as cheaply as possi
BILE, and if the commissioners will
go SO far in the matter as to adver-
tise for bids we feel satisfied that
bids will be put in which will re-
duce the cost to the county to
$40, 900. or, perhaps, to 100000.
In any event, whether the commits
take action or whether they let
the whole fabric go by the board,
whether the State reimburses the
county or not, the one broad gleam-
ing fact remains that wagon road
ought to be built up Salmon river /;
that when built it will be the finest
and most easily kept in repair road
in the State; that there will then
be no more discomfort involved in
making a winter trip over this
road to southern Idaho than there
is to-day in crossing Craig's noun
tain to Lewiston.
At Freedom we lunch with Syke
Reynolds, and are soon on our
way over the hills to John Day,
where we stay for the night, the
guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Phil Cleary
who extend a hearty welcome to
stay all winter, month, week
or a few days, anyhow, as Phil
puts it. And well we should like
to remain for a long stay in this
, favored spot, but the demands O.
business forbids the qualification O
pleasurable indulgences in hare
times like these. John Day has
always charm of its own to thu
writer of these lines. 1t is pic
turesque and historic place. A
short distance up the river is where
Dick Devine, an old man and tn,
first victim of the Indians in tn
war of 1877, was killed on the al
ternoon of June 13. This murde
! was committed by three Indian
who camped there for the night
|, Proceeding down the river at al
early hour the next morning the
> killed Henry Elfers, Robert Blan
and Beckroge, who were up on tn
, , bench few rods from the house
d The victims were in the field Gu,
3 ting wheat with cradles when the
were shot down. The Indians the
took the horses of the murdere
J men and raided down the rive
:; shooting and wounding Sam Benz
- dict, firing the houses, barns an
e stores and killing cattle as far dow
u as the mouth of White Bird, whel
g they were joined by other Indian
g g and after killing Harry Mason an
. others, and raiding the Manu-
VI ranch and there writing the bloo'
l. l. lest page in the annals of India
II warfare, they headed for Cam;
= Prairie and there commenced ane
70 their frantic raid of cruelty ar
. desolation, the scars of which a
,. still visible on the face of Il
~ settlements hereabouts to this da
"A But these records belong to Il
70 =: past. The John Day house of Il
-. - present is place of peace, pre-
20 perity and contentment. The tir
=. traveller is always sure of hospit
=. BILE treatment. The house is full
"e winter boarders, the table is me
=, ~ most bountifully furnished wi
- - the fat of the land, and what wi
~ ~ good company and good cheer
~ ~ visit here leaves a good impressi
~ ~ on the memory for long time.
" " Miss Eva Scully is teaching
)" winter school here, and has qu
v" vs. number of grown pupils, amo
~ =. whom are DR.. Carver and Raymo