The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-05-01

BaSSett'S First Annual Report or
the State Bureau of immigration,
Labor and Statistics relative to
Custer county. In a few instan-
ces the actual conditions are en-
larged upon, but in a great many
more instances the county's re-
sources are underestimated to a
considerable degree.
Mr.. Bassett in his annual re-
port says
Custer county was created on
the 9th day of January, 1881. Its
population is in excess of $500,
with a total vote in 1898 of 504.
There are $40 school children in
the county.
This county possesses very
many natural advantages, as it
comprises rich mineral belts and
fine grazing lands. Its early his
tory was one of mining, and it's
exceedingly rich silver-lead
propositions attracted capitalists
from all over the United States.
There r many mining towns
scattered over the county among
which may be mentioned Bay
horse, Clayton, Yankee Fork,
Houston and others. Challis is
the county seat, a town of about
1900 people.
There are good wagon roads
throughout the county among
which the state wagon road de-
serves special mention. There
are no railroads in the county
but daily stages run from Black
foot to all principal towns and
mining camps in Custer county.
The principal valleys r the
Upper Salmon valley, Cape Horn
valley and Valley Creek valley
all of them good agricultural dis
tricts. Adjacent to these farm
ing districts are vast grazing
ranges generally favorable for
winter herding. There r num-
erous punches of sheep, cattle
and horses roaming throughout
the county and feeding on the
: rich bunch grass that abounds
' there.
There are a number of large
canals taken out of the Big and
Little Lost rivers that irrigate a
large acreage.
Number of acres of patented
land, 23, 247, valued at $61, 234,
an increase in the acreage over
: 1898 of $3.50.
Number of horses, 2,135, valu
ued at $40, 675, an increase in the
number of horses over 1898 Of
1872.
!. Number of cattle, 3,084, valu
ed at $167, 676, an increase in the
number of cattle over 1898 o.
2, 1852.
r Number of sheep, Il $3.50, valu
d ed at $45, 595, an increase in valu
alton over 1898 of $13, 029.
: Grain raised in Custer county
L during the years 1898 and 1899 :
898-Wh barley and oats
a 10, 900 bushels.
1899-Wheat, barley and oats
= Is, 900 bushels.
: The above report is laughabl
i to one who knows anything abou
! Custer county. We desire to cal
= attention to few of the many Ell
% rors in the report
1st-The total vote of Custe
county in 1898 by the official re
turns was 500.
2nd-The principal mimi
=. towns of Custer county are, viz
Challis, Houston, Bayhorse, Clay
" ton, Bonanza and Custer. Their
is no such town in the county a
y Yankee Fork"
3rd-Challis has a populatio
of 400 people, instead of "abol
1900 people,"
70 4th-The report says /; 9Th
principal valleys of the count
0o are the Upper Salmon valley
L Cape Horn valley and Vale
y Creek valley, all of them goo
agricultural districts" Wonde
what are the agricultural prt
sd ducts of these valleys are eac
ne year ? The facts are that natiy
&c grasses grow abundantly, bl
the climate in these valleys
too severe for agricultural pr
ducts, but they afford splendi
summer grazing ranges. TT
!; principal agricultural valleys
Custer county, however, are
~ Big Lost river, Thousand Sprin,
Antelope, Pahsamaroi, Rour