The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1899-10-21


,re 1t is for the benefit of those and of patrons of the
HERALD who have friends whom they wish to send
descriptive matter of tie country that the following brief
and conservative article is written
Boomers Ferry the commercial center of the upper
portion of the Panhandle of Idaho 1t located the head
CT navigation the Kooena River % miles from the In
ternatonal line 1t situated on the line of the Great
Northern Railway and the American terminus of Koote
mai Valley Railway extending into the mining camps of
British Columbia 1t is present town of about 500 pop
ulation which is increasing with the development Of the
country.
The resources of the country. surrounding Boomers
Ferry in its timber ranches and mines The country
contains vast forests of pine fir and cedar which capable
OF manufacture into excellent quality of lumber aid shin
ges There are two saw mills at Boomers Ferry besides
millions OF feet of logs and RATED down the Kooena
river annually to the mining towns Kootena lake in
British COMMUNICATING employment many persons. AS
to agriculture the Kootenai Valley of the most fertile
and attractive in the Northwest 1t is from three five
miles wide and so miles long. There many broad mead
utilized for hay land and ranchng But the best ranch
ing land is usually found along the foothills, owing the
overflow of the meadow land Almost every variety of crops
be raised but grdning and fruit raising have proven
the most profitable owing to the demand for these products
in the mining camps where all products of the ranch bring
prices that in states would fabulous The
mines of the Kooena country the last but not least
to be named famed world wide and need special
ton in these columns. The three principal
toned above all yet in their iDancy compared with the
great possibilities of the country.
Tributary to Boomers Ferry other smaller valleys
than the Kootenai and thriving settlements Cow
creek Paradise valley Moravia, Naples Deep Creek Moyea
Meadows Round Prairie and number of other places and
the remarks made herein apply to them well the
greater valley
Port Hill is thriving located at point in
the valley where the Kooena the international Line
incidentally speaking frnit culture is receiving great
attention Apples pears pums peaches apricos and all
the small fruits thrive. The quality of the fruit is fine ard
the quantity all that could be asked has demon
straed by actual results AS instance last gem
tman sold 500 worth of strawberries from quar-
Stock raising and the dairy business is also profitable
Rancers have sold pound of butter Boomers Ferry
the last for less than % eggs bring
% cents per dozen.
AS Illustrating the possibilities of ranching, take the
item of raising hay Many ranchers fine meadow
lands which fine of wild hay after the overflow
Of the river each 1t makes good feed and sells we'll
in the market But tame hay yields enormously ground
suited for its culture is always ia demand good price
We know of an instance where the crop nohy) went five
tons to the and timothy hay has been worth less
than $40 in Bonners Ferry, and up high $15 1t
about S25 to clear the ground referred to and put
in cultivation At prevailing prices the ground yielded $50
last year And there still unclaimed ranches in
the Kootenai Valley that be made productive.
All products find ready market at good price. The
mining camps within easy reach furnish home market.
The climate of the Kootenai country is remark ably
mild considering the latitude This demonstrated by the
tender fruits that be raised here. 1t unusual
thing for the thermometer not to get below the whole
winter through.
The srenc beauty of the country is unrvaled
and nowhe in the world is there finer hunting and
fishing so close to transportation lines.
The Kootena is navgabe stream and many fine
steamers ply upon it.
Bonners Ferry has many of the qualifications good
the least of which is the electric power
may be obtained from Moyea Falls only six miles distant
There thousands of of railroad and government
land suitable for agriculture yet to be had railroad land
be had cheap and on payments Government land
may be homesteaded. No great of land is required
10 piece of groud for fruit and garden with your
grazing the hills will yield in actual profits
than while quarter section in many prairie countries The
greatest in clearing the ground, but get
and the profits from few well cultivated will do
rest Wages always fair and industrious aboer
nearly always get employment Loggers get $50 to $40 per
month aud board; ranch hands, S25 to $50 and board
miners SO SO so per day; day aborers $3.50 $2
peners - so SO so per day. Board $4 So per week.
not including lodging.
Bonners Ferry has large of country from which
to draw trade and does immense business each
Nearly line of business well represented and the
population made of exceptionally enterprising class
of people 1t has splendid public school and there
two churches located here The people law abiding
: they pride IT, mse's in their 30 ri'aliiv
New settlers always welcome The IS still