Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1900-01-06
Official Paper OF Nez Perez County
Extend River Transportation

The question of the extension OF
steamboat traffic to the upper Snake
river mining camps should be fully
considered by the Lewiston bnsi-
ness community. The report oil
United States Engineer Harris was
unfavorable for the promotion Of
franspo. tation over this water way.
The opinions of practical rivermen
conflict with the conclusions of
this government agent.
The efforts Of the O r. & N.
company to meet this demand have
not been effective. The boats put
in this service are not suitable for
the narrow channel and swift water.
Specially constructed craft must
be used on this route to meet these
conditions. The river does not at.
ford formidable barriers TO profit
able navigation. Not one condi-
ton exists between Lewiston and
Pittsburgh Landing that has not a
counterpart on streams in the north
west that are run on regular sche-
dulles; and the distractions occas.o
no serious risks or delays.
Private exploration has establish
ed the fact that boats of 100 tons
capacity with approved propelling
machinery and steam capstan at.
tachments can run to the South
limit OF the Snake river mining
district, receive and discharge her
cargoes and return in two days.
Two such boats would be equal TO
q branch railroad 10 the business
interests OF Lewiston and they
could be built for $4,000. This
would extend the commerce of
Lewiston nearly 100 miles into a
very rich country. The stock
interest alone Of the region opened,
offords an income greater than the
grain interests Of the whele Lewis
ton valley. Al. the wool that Is
shipped over the Elgin branch Of
the O. X. & N. road Is produced
on Snake river and hauled over
100 miles. This article alone en-.
cages hundreds ofteams aud pays
for operating branch Of railroad.
The freight paid on one crop Of
wool from Snake river to the rail.
raod would build two steam boats
Of the class RI quired for this route.
Although the Snake river min
ing district Is only a few months
old there are now mines developed
that would afford 100 tons Of ore
for shipment, daily, of an average
value Of forty dollars a ton. So
far as an initial step Is concerned
this stage Of development Is stuff
Gent for our purpose The bust
ness Is Of sufficient importance TO
justify the public effort to secure
II. The mining interest would be
exclusively local from the beginning
aud the stock and farm interests
wonld soon become so intimately
linked with Lewiston that the
operating expenses would be an
item In our commerce. New mines
wonld he developed In response to
the impulse Of promised profits and
the Snake river region would be-
come one Of Lewistons most i'm.
portant producing tributory dis.
tricts.
The present steamboat service
on the upper Snake is not inspired
by hope of actual benefits to thu
o. r. & N. company. The argue.
ment Is used that what freight does
NOT come 10 lie boats. now 20 to
the railroad at Eigin and pay tue
same freight rate to the coast and
eastern markets. IT the miner
buys his supplies in Lewiston OF
Joseph or Enterprise the railroads
or the steamboats, are beuihted by
the increased trads. This indiffer,
ance Is damaging to Lewiston.
Therefore the subject should re.
ceiye public attention; and indie,
pendent steamboat traffic on uppe,
Snake should be encouraged by
the business men of this city.
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