Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1900-05-25
FRUITFUL CANVAS PRAIRIE.
A. F. Parker Speaks of idaho
County's Prosperity.
oregonlan. May is.

non. A. r. Parker, the we'll
known Idaho journalist, is in the
city with his wife, guests Of the
Imperial, aud gave The Oregonian
much Information of interest con-
corning the growth of the section
OF ldah" in which he has for so
many years been resident and
philosophical citizen. Mr.. Parker
Is tie proprietor Of the FREE Press,
which l.c has published ut Grange
lie, in Idaho County, for the
past 10 years. This county has
the distinction Of being the largest
county in the state and one of the
largest in the United States,
it surface area being larger than
that of the entire States of Massach-
usetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island
and New Hampshire combined.
1t extends from the Oregon boun-
dairy on the west to Montana on
the east, and is just as loug as it is
broad. Its present population is
about 10000, with 25O9 school
children and a total vote in 1898 of
1862.
Idaho County embraces the
largest unexp'ored area in the
Northwest and offers exceptional
inducements to immigrants, pros
pectors and fortune-seekers gener-
ally. The great Camas Prairie,
where Mr.. Parker is located, is
the largest and best body Of agri-
cultural land in all Idaho, and is
rapidly sttling up with a thrifty
class of immigration. This prairie
lies on the low divide between the
Salmon and Clearwater Rivers, 65
miles southeast of Lewiston. The
opening of the Nez Perces Indian
reservation to white settlement has
added largely to it's population and
practically doubled the extent of
its productive area. Taking adj
vantage of its opportunity, the
Northern Pacific Railroad Compa-
ny has constructed a branch line,
known as the Clearwater Short
Line, from Lewis on following the
canyon Of the Clearwater River to
Stuart, % miles north of Grange
vile, and last week it filed in the
Lewiston land Office plats of it's sur
vey for u further extension from
Stuart to Grangcville. The COM
pany by the terms of its truce
with the 0. Il. & N. system, is pro-
hibited from further construction
until August next, when it is con-
iidently expected that the extcn-
sion to Grangeville will be com.
pleted. The people of that section
have waited long and patiently fol-
railroad transportation, and now
that it is practically assured, they
are naturally jubilant, as access
to the markets of the world viii
vastly stimulate the productive
capacity of that fertile section.
FRUITFUL CANVAS PRAIRIE.
Mr.. Parker is intimately &C
quainted with the resources Of til,
Northwest, and expresses himsel
to the effect that, northumberland
ing its present isolation, no othe
locality offers more or better in
ducements to homeseekers thai
this great Clearwater Basin. Oh
account of the large extent of un
occupied Government agriculture
lands and the opening of the con
tiguous Indian reservation, tn
price of improved farm lands
remarkably low, and the newcom
err with small means will find it tn
best and most economical plan t
purchase a home from those VIII
have used their rights for speculs
tive purposes. Many desirabl
farms in choice locations can thr
be bought, together with the in
provements thereon, for very lit
money. The climate is good, IL
, temperature being materially M
dified by the warm air rising fro
, the great river canyons which el
r close it, while the warm brea1
r of the never-failing chinook eau
l the open Winters which makes
i SUCH an unexcelled cattle-raisil
j, country. The past Winter W
j, exceptionally mild, and the va
a herds of cattle, which constitu
a very considerable part OF the ia
able property of the county, car
through it without feed and wit
Z, &c out the loss Of single head. I
" principal industries are stockra
'e ing, farming and mining.
ct society is good, the people bel
IS IS intelligent, orderly, hospitable t.
al fault and law-abiding in the {
+; \; IRENE. A complete system
of school and road districts is in op
ny alton and the other refinemel
n nr of civilization are being rapit
q introduced, SO that newcomers
= no longer compelled to unde
the hardships and vicissitu
which have heretofore fallen
lie the lot of the pioneer. w
bv cheap lands, climate unsurpas
~ for heathfulness, Winters sh
lel and mild and a uniform excelle
10. of soil capable of growing an alb
ire dance Of all the products of
ell farm and garden, abunda nee
lin timber, plentysof running water
M never failing springs and q b;
ground of undeveloped min