Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-11-15

pies, are yet Unclaimed, the pldleduA
that will grow the wheat. fax, barley
and oats are yet vacant. and the bunch
grass on vast areas grows untrod and
uncut to fall and enrich the soil for
future farmers. There are no barren
wastes of rocks nor beds of priclSly
pears within the borders OF the reserva-
ton. There Is verdure on all the prai-
ries. and forests cover all the noun
tains.
A FERTILE DOMAIN.
There are waterways and canyons
which drain and divide the lands of the
Nez Perces and each division is dis
tinctly a variety of fertile domain.
There are benches above and below the
rlm-rock like the orchard lands Of the
famed Potlatch In manifold. These
favored localities are as free from
spring frosts as the Walla Walla and
Yakima valleys and as fertile as the
plains OF the Palouse. The natural
moisture permeates The black loan so
that irrigation is never required. These
broad acres of natural orchard. land are
particularly adapted to the perfect
growth of winter apples. There is
something in the autumn atmosphere
that natures the big red apple to per-
lection of color and delicious favor.
The big blue Pearmains and Ben Davis
apples that made the Idaho exhibit at
the worlds fair so attractive grew on
Potlatch soil that is identical with this
reservation land, which stretches up
and down both sides OF the deep can
yons that divide these reservation pla-
teaus.
Instead of the canyons being draw
back, they are a blessing. Every Sec
ton of the western slope of the Rocky
mountains that Is penetrated by water
ways and canyons is noted for mildness
of winter climates. The breaks" Of the
Clearwater and Salmon rivers are the
best stock ranges in all the northwest.
1t is there that the native bunchgrass
is preserved in all its old-time verdure
and nutritious luxury.
There Is water in every canyon and In
every draw" there are springs dis
tributed along the hillsides everywhere.
In fact, 1t Is claimed by those who
should know, that there Is water on ev-
cry square section of this vast spread
Of rich acres. True it is that water is
abundant and well distributed over the
whole reservation.
| The rental value of land adjacent to
| this reservation is not less than 50 a
| year per acre when fax sells for 81 a
| bushel and wheat for 40 cents. There
is not quarter section of arabic land
between the Clearwater river and the
timber line at the base of the mountains
that will not rent for enough to meet
the payments of the purchase price
when due. This fact, which can not bt
| disputed. gives to the homesteaders or
| their residue land free gift of farm
from the government. And the LAND
which Is too steep to be ploughed /!
all covered with bunchgrass OF eeet
value equal to ton of hay on every
acre. This kind of hay, as every stock
man knows, demands no harvest ex
penses. 1t cures In the atmosphere
and remains sweet and rich all winter
On the steep slopes the snow nevel
covers this grass, and hungry hors
or cow will leave a Manager plethora
with timothy and clover to feed upoi
| uncut bunchgrass. The lands of tn
Nez Perez reservation have the great
est possible range of variety and a min
imum of waste.
There are minerals in lodges ant
placer deposits of acknowledged valu
and timber lands that should not b.
overlooked. The pine forests are widel.
distributed and must be of great loca
value at least in the very near future.
HOW TO TAKE LAND
The following section of the law set
forth the conditions and terms OF entr.
of the lands to be thrown open to settle
ment by the presidents proclamation
THAT Immediately after the issuanc
and receipt by the Indians of trust pat
ents for the allotted lands, as provide,
for in said agreement, the lands 81
coded, sold, relinquished and conveye,
to the United States shall be opened t
settlement by proclamation OF the pres
ident, and shall be subject to dispose
only under the homestead, townsite
stone and timber and mining laws o
the United States, except the 10th an
seth sections in each congressional
township, which shall be reserved 70
common school purposes and be subjec
to the laws of Idaho; provided, tina
each settler on said lands shall befor
making proof and receiving a certifi
cate of entry pay to the United State
for the land so taken by him. in add
ton to the fees provided by law, tn
sum of 1915 per acre for agriculture
lands, one-half of which shall be pal
within three years from the date Q
original entry; and the sum of IS pc
acre for stone, timber and minera
lands, subject to the regulations pre-
scribed by existing laws; but the right
of honorably discharged Union soldier
and sailors, as defined and described Il
sections 1904 and 2305 Of the Revise
Statutes of the United States, shall no
be abridged except as to the sum to b
paid as aforesaid"