Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-07-29
Lewiston's Supremacy.

| iiShe Shoits diS put out 10 uiikt IL So
great deal is heard today about tn
chances of Grangeville, aud one woult
be inclined TO think that many promi
nent men in Lewiston are employed nov
to be ON Grangeville at the expense o
lewiston. The arguments used shoy
that great many old ideas still exis
which are the outgrowth of former con
ditions in the west. When railroad
were built into unoccupied territory i
was serious question as to whether tn,
road would ever pay, and as the Who'll,
country had to be developed il wa
possible to build a town anywhere, tn,
result being that the largest town wa.
always at the end of the line, because II
was for the surrounding country, the
nearest place to the railroad, and for tn.
railroad it was the nearest place at which
to deliver goods for the territory beyond
The country was as rule fiat and eas,
to travel and towns could be built any
where. When business improved and
money was easy to get, another bond
issue enabled the railroad to extend its
lines aud the erstwhile future great
was practically abandoned to the birds
and another large place was quilt at the
new terminus,
| A generation of existence under sucl,
conditions has educated many people
| into a belief that :, ,,,.,, l. ..,.:.u, =.
the mercy Of the vagaries of railroad
builders; that they can make and un
make towns and create new business
centres whenever they feel like it. This
is true, but only to a limited extent. II
the place was created by railroad and
| come into existence as terminal point
1t is entirely at the mercy of the railroad.
If it was in existence as natural trade
center before the railroad came and the
railroad came to it to enjoy the trade
| which the town has held for wears, il is
doubtful If an extension of the road into
territory supporting the town can hurt
it If proper efforts are put forth by the
| residents.
All the large places in the United
States are not at the end of railroad lines.
In the eastern states line is generally
| built because the returns from the terri
| tory entered can be calculated in ad-
vance. AS result the mention of
possible extension puts the towns from
| " 10 -.
their mettle. Boards of trade and
Merchants Associations work for the
city and no one in all the neighborhood
thinks aught but that the extension will
help the city.
Such should be the feeling here.
Lewiston is a natural trade center. The
forks OF the two rivers always had some
sort OF settlement. Even the old
Indian tribes came here to barter and
hold their annual dances and feasts
When the white man came he built a
town and it has been the distributing
point for large area of productive coun-
try. Conditions have so improved that
two railroad companies are going to
build into the country for which Lewis
ton has for SO many years been the gate.
| way. 1t looks now to an impartial
observer that Lewiston is destined to be
a place equal to Spokane in size in very
few years and keeping pace with
Spokane in growth for all future time.
Su1h being the case it now is necessary
for the people to act together. Yet a
feeling has grown aud is constantly
being expressed in all quarters that
Grangeville will outstrip Lewiston as
soon as the railroad gets on the prairie
1t is survival of old ideas which should
be done away with.
Grangevlle is well located on the
| boundary line between a farming country
which is famous for its productiveness
| and mining section, the value of which
! is yet in doubt, because capital is being
| kept out by the exorbitant demands of
| holders OF prospects. But Grangeville is
on high plateau. 1t is on a mountain
| ''"N' ~" mann iihS adi SNSi go 10 IL OF
through it. To be on a branch line and
perhaps have other short branch lines
extending from it is all it can ever hope
for. What show has it to be other than
a good town.
Lewiston on the contrary is in a
position where it will be on the main
line of two or more railroads aud where
large sections of country can be tapped
by easily tuilt and inexpensive branch
roads and wagon roads. 1t has All
established trade and many merchants in
the cauntry have gotten into the habit o
coming here to trade II will be an cas-,
thing to keep them in the good habit i
effort Is put out to that end.
Lewiston has magnificent undeys lop
ed water power in the neighborhood
which some day will be very valuable
II is at point sshere large numbering
business can be worked up and much
manufacturing can be doue There will
be many mills along the Clearwater
river but at Lewiston the principal ones
will be located, if the proper encourage.
ment will be given. Ii has a climate
which cannot be equaled in the winter at
Gny point within a radius OF one hundred
miles and it is hound to be a place for
the winter residence for the wealthy
men whose business will compel them to
1