Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-04-05
MILL SPECIAL TAX
Substantial Reasons UHv II
SItOHN BE Leried to Complete
EtE Citu U'00On Road.

The completion of the Elk City
wagon road this summer is more
essent ial to the prosperity of Camas
Prairie and Idaho county than all
the enterprises ever broached for
the welfare of this community
Also there is more to be said in fa-
vor of completing it at once than
there ever will be again. 1t is use
less to look for further aid from the
state legislature, for the state is
already bonded for very nearly the
maximum sum permitted by the
state constitution j; and this limi-
tation will apply for the next thir-
ty years. The worst half of the
road is already built and if not
utilized and kept open it will cave
in and the ultimate cost for repairs
will be largely increased. More
over the state survey can now be
followed. whereas. if the compile
tion of the road is delayed the
stakes will be washed out or over
grown.
1t is the purpose of the editor of
the FREE PRESS to appear before
the commissioners next week and
ask them for special tax levy of
three mills on the dollar in order
to have the road completed this
season. We are not in favor of in
creased taxes any more than any
other citizen; but we think that
the emergency now confronting us
justifies our proposition. An ex-
ira three-mill tax will produce
about $4,000; and this sum with
what is subscribed in Elk, will en-
sure the completion of the road.
We are prepared to show to a
mathematical certainty that in
1896 the increase of taxable prop
erty in Elk City district will iusti-
fly the expenditure. George Blaine
has ordered a saw-mill for Dixie
district; S. w. Smith & Co.
have ordered a saw-mill for Relief
creek +. l.. Leslie has ordered a
steam hoist and pump for the Cali
fornia mine; Donald Ferguson has
ordered a steam hoist and pump for
the Blue Dragon. Theseare absolute
certainties for tic present year il
the road is built. Among other
contingencies largely dependent
upon the speedy completion of the
road are: the Inauguration of the
Crooked river bedrock ilume enter
prise; the installation of hydraul-
ic suction pump on the lower Red
river meadows; a five-stamp mill
and equipment on the Lost Horse
claim in Dixie similar outfit for
the Relief company, and a custom
mill in Elk City. Here is taxable
property enough to pay twenty per
cent, on the cost of the money in
vested in completing the road,
looked at simply as business pro-
position. The transportation
erection and working of this ma
chinery will give employment to at
least fifty teamsters, mechanics and
miners, all of whom, as well as the
animals, must be fed from the
products of Camas Prairie, thus
enabling our farmers to convert
into money some of their farm pro-
ducts which they cannot now give
away.
More than that, the completion
of the road will bring into the dis
trict many mining men with much
money for investment who will
never come until the road is com.
pleted. The camp has good repu-
tation among mining men in the
mining centers. 1t is a gold quartz
camp, and gold properties are now
the favOrite investment for idle
money all over the world Gold
quartz mines have taken the place
occupied by townsites in the las,
decade and we are perfectly will.
ing to stake our reputation for good
judgment upon the prediction that
if the tide is taken at the turn, ,ant
the road completed this summer
Elk City and Dixie districts will il
the ensuing five years, ,develope into
the banner gold-producing districts
OF the state. One paying gold min,
in Elk City will. in the estimation
of many, be of more benefit to
Camas Prairie than a railroad. A
dozen paying mines will bring tn,
railroad; and our people will ther
have a choice of cash markets.
Already the Elk City people
have subscribed what is thought t,
be labor enough to complete the
road from Elk to the summit, ane
we are assured that they will star
on their end as soon as work com
mences on this end. The $4,000
which we ask will therefore b,
ample to complete good practica
bic road for four-horse teams. W,
do not ask that the road be bull
strictly up to the specifications re
quired by the state; but the sur
vey should be followed as closely a,
possible to ensure good grades
Mr.. Leslie of the California mine
offers $500 for the Elk City end o
the road; Mr.. Heppner offers 5000
| or a mile of road parallel with hi