The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1897-03-16

river and Round valleys-besld-
es small sections in other por-
tons of the county-where the
stock is not hay fed oftner than
one winter in three; and then
only the weakest and poorest
cattle during q few weeks of the
severest weather. 1t has been
the practice of stockmen to pro-
vide even to any considerable
extent for hard winters. With
the grazing lands thus limited to
low ranges where the snowfall
is light, still the assessment rolls
for 1888 and 1884 show that TO-
900 head of cattle annually range
within the county's borders, be-
sides the horses and sheep. This
business would remain highly
profitable, however, if stockmen
would yearly prepare to meet
the possible rigors of winter.
The principal expense would be
in cutting and stacking wild hay.
A mild winter would leave a
large surplus to carry over to
the first severe one, thus miti-
eating it's hardships. Such a
plan, earnestly carried out, would
more than double the capacity of
it's grazing lands: first, by allow
ing an increase of stock in rang
es now occupied; second, by
opening up thousands of acres
of new country in attitudes a
little higher, whose summer
ranges, already unsurpassed,
would thus be rendered safe for
winter use as well.
Stockmen heretofore have
sighted the truth that the Lost
river and Salmon river regions
afford the best fields for success
full sheep raising in the West.
This branch of industry is GER
tainly growing-evilenced by
the fact that whereas only $50
sheep were assessed in 1882, the
assessor this year found 5000
head. The number of horses
and mules in 1883 was 1900, and
it reached 1900 in 1884.
Challis, the county seat, safely
sheltered in the foothills OIL
Round valley, invites our con
temptation. Being the principa
base of supplies for the mining
regions, the medium of half the
business transacted iE the coun
ty, and the especial resort oil
stockmen and farmers, miners
and business men, it forms wha
may be reasonably termed a cos
mopolitan town. Particularly i;
this noticeable in winter, when
because of it's educational facili
ties and it's mild and dry climate
families from points less favored
come to it's pleasant portals
Containing transient popula
ton of 500, it becomes at sucl
times the scene Of pleasure al
well as business. 1t is laid of
in eighty-two regular squares
} upon a beautiful site, containing
nearly 100 acres, upon which ar,
several hundred buildings. 4
creek running its entire length
is fringed with trees and shrub
berry, and its general fine appear
! ance maintains the wisdom of it,
J choice as the seat of govern
ment. Three miles below Chal
! lis, near the Salmon river, ar
beneficial hot springs, who's
curative properties are sough
by many guests. The town o
Houston, whose existence begal
last June, now numbers sevent,
buildings, with population o
over 200, and is located near tn
prominent mines. A town 1
miles from Challis, in Bayhors
District, presents, in its two
} names, a striking fight from tn
depth of the common and vulga
to the height of the aesthetic
Originally known as Bayhorse
Uncle Sam refused to enter it OF
his postoffice rolls, and so it nov
: reiOices under the classic annel