Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-08-13
p,ospER SKETCHES
.,.,. =, The Word idabO-A RomABee
'" ..I Poetic Ter"-A Legend Of
the Aborislses.
ny NEWTON HIRBs.

has never o"
Vs. Wood. 1t was used before the
discovery Of gold in Orc Elmo.
Al. Although the cratic poet of the
S;eras, Joaquin Miller claims to
s.re coined the word in 1861, II
sac used several years before that
d.,e Idaho Springs in Colorado
vas named and a steamboat on the
rolumbia bore the name before the
,o.t claims to have coined it.
Idaho Springs may claim the honor
ofthe first geographical use OF this
most poetic appelation. Idaho
couuty adopted the name in Decem-
~, 1861, two years before the Or
gauization of Idaho Territory.
This state may claim a geograph-
;csl existence since March 1868.
The honor of selecting the name OF
Idaho for the new commonwealth,
at that time the largest in the
limited States, is due to Senator
Wilson of Massachusetts,. The
territory was made up Of parts of
Washington, Dakota and Ne
hraska, and extended from the
present eastern boundary to the
summit of the Rocky mountains,
and from the northern national
| boundary to the Colorado line on
| the south. The original bill for
Ae creation of the territory pro-
bsed the name of Montana for the
Ypresent state OF Idaho, but the
name was changed by amendment
offered by Senator Wilson. The
meaning Of the name was then
familiar to members Of congress.
Idaho was interpreted to mean,
gem Of the mountains, during the
time The organic act was pending.
The wealth Of California infected
all classes Of people. The sedate
Yankee, the peripatetic and the
reckless plainsmen were influenced
by exaggerated stories Of the
wealth Of the gold coast. The
Fortunes so lavishly bestowed were
(he burden of story and song. The
Indians Of the plains were ever
very romantic Their heroes were
possessed of supernatural powers.
The natural scenery Of their leg
nd; were always fairer than Ely
ian fields.
While the s,ories Of the gold of
California were current the native
edmen revived their legends of
'ealth. of jewels and diadems.
Pne story that seems to have been
plernational in character among
pany tribes was the one of idaho.
was diadem, not of royal
pan. but Of a royal mountain. 1t
asa jewel bigger and more bril-
ant than mortal ever wore. It
as worn in a gown by mountain
% was a jewel placed in the crown
The sign Of Gods favor for the
'0or OF the greatest mountain,
: falrest valleys and the best
op'e IN the world. This sign of
oos favor was of course always
. Instant land. This gem of
mountain was of a value great
man all the gold of California
!ae songs and the legends of the
a'ans. In the language of many
Tue western tribes this mythical
u was called the idaho"
~ the year 1880 a renegade
a'!'''a Indian found his way to
'llornla. He was fine example
Poys:cal manhood and the favor
contrast with the native Dig
, made MIN favorite with the
's's in the little camps lie fire.
o'ed. He was intelligent and
'sssed of the native romantic
.acters. To match the stories
-a'''ornia wealth he recited the
~ legend Of the Idaho.
ous those who heard his story
~ broken English was f.. d.
w. tie was young man of
pe'ament easily influenced by
fascinating story OF wealth. He
''eo to ind and aDpropr late