The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1897-03-02
aLooxrNo sHcKwxRD."

by James L. Onderdonk, Territorial Controller,
In 1884, is quite ancient history, but it is inter
esting TO look back and view our county at
that time, and then view our county today and
see what a vast change 10 years has wrought.
This article will help remind us OF the good
old days" In Custer county.-ED. MI
Among all the inducements
held forth to settlers and capt.
alists by Idaho, their promises
are nowhere more fair and their
realization more perfect than in
Custer county. It's beautiful
scenery, its enterprising people,
its varied resources, and it's bril-
liant prospects not inaptly com
memorate the name of General
Custer, whose dashing, romantic,
yet productive career has become
a part of our national history.
The mushroom growth of the
West is world-renowned, and
Custer county is a conspicuous
illustration. Twenty-Five years
ago, when placer mining was in
its prime and quartz mining in
its infancy, the territory now
embraced in it's confines was
known only to Indians and an
occasional party of prospectors
travelling to or from Montana.
To them a wilderness, to the
makers of maps it was ''unex-
plored." During a few years
subsequent to 1862, placers were
actively worked in Stanley
Basin, or what is nowi it's western
border; and in 1869 a few ventur-
seome men found rich ground on
Loon creek, nearly north of
Stanley Basin. For three years
a town built thereon flourished
with a rough population of four
hundred to fifteen hundred men,
and then it's life departed as sud
denly as it came. In 1870 other
placers were discovered and
yielded handsome returns, but
until quartz claimed attention,
five years later, the region now
forming Custer county was prac-
tically unknown. From 1875 to
1879, the fame of its rich mines
spread Notwithstanding capt.
alists and increasing its popula'
tion-until the following year,
legislative enactment, Custer
county vas created; and for four
years it has thrived in all re-
spects, with a life distinctly its
own. Embracing in irregular
outline about 5000 square miles,
it is as large as the State of Con.
necticut, and larger than Della
ware and Rhode Island together
situated in central Idaho, it is
within easy reach of two rail
roads, the Utah and Northern
branch of the Union Pacific on
the southeast; and the Oregon
Short Line, Wood River branch,
on the southwest; and possessing
the elements essential to local
support of a railroad, is but q
question OF time-a year or two
when our modern civilizer' will
traverse its entire length. The
resources of Custer county are
found in its mines and it's agri
cultural and grazing lands. The
following statement of facts
easily verified will furnish the
best testimony to the induce
ments offered
In some States and Territories
mining and agriculture. though
progressing hand in hand, ar,
yet nearly independent of eacl
other. The farmers market il
widened by the miner, to be sure
but not relying on home con
sumption exclusively, he can ex
list and prosper, although tn
pick and SHOVEL OF the miner ar
silent. Particularly is this tru'
in California, with its railroads
its steamships, its Eastern an
foreign marts; but the farme