Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1900-01-13
MAGNOLIA.
Especial Correspondenoe.l

Seven cities claimed to be the birth
place OF Homer. "a pet child has many
Names" is saying which applies to the
new town at the terminus of the Lapwai
branch of the Northern Pacific railway.
The townsite was Familiarity known as
fhinney's ranch in early days Then
came the railroad and it was to be called
Mellen, but President Mohler, envious
OF the N. P. presidents fame, dubbed it
Cul de Sac. which disp' eased the in
hahitants of the new burg. The post
Office name is Magnolia, and Postmaster
Green will undoubtedly plant one of
the line southern trees in the public
park in token thereof. The prairie wits
'nsit upon naming it Gunnysack, and
the railroad station appears as Cul de Sac.
"A rose by any other name would smell
as sweet" and it matters little what ever
II may be called.
Magnolia is the trade depot for large
country Of high fertility and varied pro-
ductiveness. Here comes the wood,
lumber, ties and fencing material from
Craigs mountain to supply the prairie
farniers. The merchants of MANY
interior towns freight from this poirt.
Over hundred four and six horse loads
OF wheat came daily to Cul de Sac during
the fall, while the roads were good. The
farmers have taken rest about wheat
shipment, owing to the low price, ard
trade is not remarkably brisk at present.
Still, you will note large number of
country customers in town every day.
Were wheat up few points there would
be few better business points in the state
than much named Cul de Sac. Dull
periods come in the history of most new
towns, but only the low price of the
staple cereal prevents this town from
booming, for its trade radius will for all
times guarantee large volume of trade
for Magnolia, even if the railway be ex-
tended. As said now is not the most
favorable time for showing its resources,
but future years will build up solid
town here. Land near by may now be
bought cheap. land than which there is
none better, which will sell at $50 to $50
an acre within fifteen years. Those
who wish to invest in land should seize
the opportunity now. Ranches may be
bought much below their value. Timber
is abundant and good water is found on
nearly all quarter sections. A grist mill
is much needed at Magnolia aud the
is good one. There is water
power in Lapwai creek for nine months
in the year.
Geo. Green, formerly deputy treasurer
of Lincoln county, Washington, conducts
a general store and has lately increased
his facilities and capital by associating
with Mr.. Albert Sogard.
[. J. McGrath & Bros are general mer-
chants. They were magnates in the Da-
kota boom, and may be again. They are
bright and genial men, remark which
applies pre-eminently to all the business
men of this place.
Charles Mackey and VIM. Vancleve
own the pioneer hotel conducted in an
excellent manner.
j. r. Edwards, general dealer, has in
vested considerable means in stock and
buildings, and is cultured gentleman,
qualified for any position.
+ T. Brandon does large mercantile
business, and so does T. c. Nelson in the
hardware line.
Richard ID. Mahnke and John Jackson
run the Phinney ranch and stopping
place. They offer good accommodations
and are royal hosts.
Mr.. Samuel Phinney, the pioneer,
spends some of the win'er months here
and the summers on his farm at Fletcher
He never took hand in territorial poll.
tics except on one occasion, when he
single handed, with the proxies of Nez
Perce county, held the convention in a
deadlock and secured the nomination Of
his friend George Fem. At that time
he travelled on horseback across the
mountains to Boise.
There are many other business men and
good fellows in Magnolia, whom only
lack Of space prevents our mentioning
seriatim. Among these are Mr.. Wann.
associate of f. T. Brandon; Capt. North
cutt Capt. J. G. Wright and Mr.. Kenney;
Mr.. Keller, the druggist S. F.. Bemis
carpenter, who is building a public hall
on Wright's townsite. Mr.. Lingo con,
ducts hotel; Mr.. Schriffler good res
taurant; Mr.. b. +. Gassaway owns q
feed stable and corrals ; Mr.. J. w. Mar
TIN and F. Bergquest have built house.
to rent; Mr.. Remington has built bis
store. OF the farmers adjoining the tow
Mr.. Simmins. McMurdo and Christensen
and Mr.. O'Malley come to mind.
In closing we will venture the impair
tial opinion that those who buy lands O
go into business with some means will
find that in the long run Magnolia is
good place to be in; but don't go ther
now with the idea of finding busines
rush, for the low price OF wheat and tn
bad state of the roads has caused ten
porary lull in traffic.
Ed Fountain has leased the lsama