Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-01-18

roadway would not in my estima-
ton cost more than twice as much.
Grazing from White Bird to
Slate creek on the river is not very
good, but good some distance back
on the bluffs.
Land for farming is limited to
small farms ON the river bottom,
but these produce every variety of
vegetables and fruit. The season
is much farther advanced on the
Salmon river than any part OF
Idaho that I have seen.
The only family of Indians on
the Salmon live on the East bank
little below the mouth on Slate
creek. The Indian is IA Californian
married to Nez Perez squaw;
both were friendly during the last
years outbreak.
The winters are comparatively
mild. Mr.. Wood who has lived
here for 16 years says the coolest
he has ever seen it was s degrees
below zero, and that it is seldom
below 20 degrees.
The fall of Salmon river accord
ing to the surveyor of the North
ern Pacific Railroad is 129 feet to
the mile.
Saturday, June Sth, broke camp
at 6:35 a. IN. Trail to top of bluff
distance II miles quite steep, ris-
ing about 800 feet, which the road
will have to wind around as the
river cannot be followed on ac-
count of perpendicular and rocky
bluffs. From top of bluff to river
bottom, ! miles, descent quite
gradual but sideling, then bottom
land for / mile; the next I would
require heavy cutting around a
steep bluff; for the following mile
no grading; for the next the road
would have to run over a bluff of
600 feet rise, with more or less
grading.
From top of hill to John Days
creek descent gentle except just at
the creek. Distance from John
Days creek to Slate creek 81 miles.
From John Days creek trail
runs over a bluff for l mile, des-
cent from top to river a little steep,
it then winds along the river bot
tom a short distance, then runs
along foot of the bluff and in one
place to make a road that would
avoid the high bluffs would require
cutting through rocks for 300
yards, with masonry, a cheaper
road might be built extending a
short distance in the river at base
of bluffs, either of which would be
cheaper than to grade the bluffs
The rocks are not solid but much
broken and easily worked. The
trail then runs on the bottom for q
short distance, and then goes upon
the bluffs.
Before ascending the bluffs / ha6
to leave the trail over which | was
to travel on account of there being
no boat below the mouth of the
Little Salmon. / crossed at Lairds
crossing, 8 miles below the designa.
ted crossing. Distance Travelled
u miles. Reached the crossing a
$40 a. m, but did not get m,
detachment across until $40 p. IN
Skif1' small, river very high ano
swift, approaches steep and rocky
Grass and water plenty, as well al
drift wood, but other fuel scarce
The number of white men from
White Bird to the mouth of Littl,
Salmon number about rs, and Their
are about % Cinnamon, but in tn,
winter there are about 100 of TIL
latter engaged in mining. Farm
ing land limited to small farms 0,
bottoms but very fertile.
Sunday, June 9th, broke cam
at 1870 a. IN. Almost immediatel,
after leaving camp the trail com
menced to ascend the mountain
and it was only twice | could &c
a sight of the trail ON the othe
side of the river before | crosse,
at Race creek, which was the poin
| should have crossed at, but coul
not as | have said there being II
boat. From all l saw and coul
learn the trail passes over prett
much the same character of coun
try as yesterday with little NOR
bottom land.
River bed as well as approache
rocky. From Race creek crossin
to Little Salmon, . miles, mostl
bottom land and very little tina
would require grading. Frol
mouth of Little Salmon to Rapi
: creek, distance 5 miles, there ar
bad points to go over, but b
building bridges over the Littl
Salmon which is not more than 5
or go yards wide these points coul
be avoided and would be cheape
than cutting a road through tn
rocks at bottom of bluffs.
Bed of the Little Salmon yer
rocky and not fordable at hig
water, principally ON account ,
swiftness of the current, as tn
river as far as Salmon Meadows
almost rapids.
Grazing generally very goot
Fuel except ON Little Salmon, sam
aS ha two pravinuc Jayc an III