Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-06-11
Clearwater Excursion.

Three hundred pleasure seekers from
Lewiston and Asotin enjoyed the
steamboat excursion to the Big Eddy
on the Clearwater river last Saturday.
The heavy rains of several days prev
ious tended to discourage the success
of the affair, but the morning dawned
bright and clear and hurrying hun
dreds were at the landing when the
Steamer Lewiston returned from her
early morning run to AsOtin where
twenty-five eXcursionists had been
taken aboard. The start was made
from lewiston at O'Clock, and the
run to Lapwai consumed two hours.
The journey to this point afforded
forcible comparison Of the lethargy of
the Indian with the industry OF the
white man. To the reservation line
on either side, the fertile lowIands
bordering on the river were masses OF
healthy green-Orchard, vineyard,
garden-happy suburban homes, while
more favored spots above showed only
traces of transient or idle hands At
Lal wal large number Of government
employees from the Agency and the
Industrial School joined the excur-
sionists end the steamer proceeded on
toward its destination. The site of the
Fir Bluffs warehouse, which for many
years was considered the head of navi-
Above this point, the channel of the
river narrows, the state y hills, decked
with majestic pines and natures fol.
iage untutored, stand more erect and
crowd closer on the restless wate,s.
Here was nature in its rudeness, its
intensity, its sublinlity, and the ex-
cursionist Of whatever ideal feasted
with contented eye midst expressions
of admiring wonder. The native
scenery of the Clearwater, already
made famous by the artists pen, is
truly inspiring. The >canty evidences
OF civilizati IN the more intensely mag.
Nifty the grandeur of the native hills,
and the beh"lder is charmed. The (
Clearwater river Is now ut its flood and |
the course Of the steamer was through
c'rc'litous avenue Of pines The water |,
rushed through the topnost boughs, !
and the agent Of mans ingenuity In it's
battle against nature, was carried from
side to side, at times darkened by the
shadow OF the forest monarchs, and in
the instant tossed back to the |
ireer and sunlit cl,snnels. Prospect of
danger, however meagher, always adds
interest to human efforts. and the
three-hour run to Big Eddy passed as
moment. As we approach the Big
Eddy, the forestry becomes less dense,
ana the steep hills gradually ecede in
the distance to the fertile platear,s
above, which form the celebrated Pot
latch agricultural district. The relief
was uninviting.
lust below the Big Eddy is Evans
Ferry, which is on the new highway
from the Camas Prarie to the Potlatch
country. The site now carries the
name of the City of Agatha, aud has
promise OF developing into u thrifty
'iading point. The banks were
'nronged with people from tn. neigh
oorhood, who extended enthusia site
greetings to the exculsionists. The
''p'aih sounded generous response
ana the steamer, passing the ferry,
u'"ted into the milder waters lelow
tue big Eddy-the object which now
a''facted the silent attention of the
e"get hundreds who crowded the deck
me Big Eddy is justly entitled to
''e u'st'nction given it 10y pen and
pencil. It's waters never lose their
''''""shess. and the environment is in