The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1902-12-02
THE CLEARWATER VALLEY
Excellent Resume Of the Growth Of IN
terror Country Given by E. n Libby-A
Country Of Marvellous Resources.

tSr'Or N0uhtry OlVen Oy c. u LsD0y--A
Country Of Marvellous Resources.
+. II. Libby. president of the Vine
land Company, made a visit to Portland
last week and gave the Oregonian the
following interview on the growth and
development of the Clearwater valley.
After speaking of the interest felt in the
open river problem at Lewiston and COM
menting on the railroad situation, he
said:
This war for the rich territory Of the
Lewiston country would be stopped if the
enormous wealth Of the region were real
ly appreciated. Just see what the open
ing Of the Nez Perces Indian reservation.
seven years ago this month, the building
of irrigation and other works in 1896 and
later, the opening Of mines, and less than
100 miles of railroad built in 1898. 1899
and 1880, have done for us. Note that
we had no railroad until September, 1898,
aud river transportation only to the west
ern border of the territory iu question.
From 200, 600 bushels of grain pro-
duced in 1895, the product has increased
to over 1000, 900, the incre ase for the
past two years having been about 80 per
cent in each year over the preceding.
"The population of Lewiston and
Clarkston practically one town. has
grown from goo in 1895 to fally 1900 now.
"from two banks, we now have four,
with combined resources of 81 600 600, an
increase of 50 per cent in one year, and
a trust company has been organized to
commence business in January.
"In one year the telephone service has
increased from 1876 phones to gas. The
telegraph receipts have increased in
about the same ratio. Railroad receipts
at Lewiston now amount to nearly $780,.
600 TER year. Retail trade in all lines
has increased pro rata with all else, while
the wholesale trade has had an amazing
growth, showing in some lines IS to $50
per cent increase in the twelve month.
Building operations. also, and all other
phases Of activity, aside from .he whole
sale trade and real estate, show gains Of
IS to 40 per cent, the general range Of
averages being between as and 90 per
cent during the year. Real estate values
have nearly doubled. Yet we have no
boom These figures are all from official
sources as of the date of OCTOBER 81.
'What need of more railroads then.
with such prosperity Really! Why
does any man want more business1 Only
the borders Of our grain lands have been
scratched; with ample transportation we
can grow q, 900, COO to 10000 900 bushels
Of grain. Our -,oeo. .ooo, 900 of white pine.
twice as much Of yellow pine, cedar and
fir in the Clearwater, as much of yelloy
pine, fir and tamarack on the Grande
Ronde--this dozen billion feet or more Of
fine timber must have lSo miles Of rail-
road from Lew wiston to Huntington. a.
we'll as line to Riparia. to enable n
manufacture on broad commercial basis.
What many experts declare the richest
and most extensive mineral deposits in
America demand railroads and an open
river. We nave great coal beds. the
finest grade Of granite, vast veins Of
white and black marble, mountains Of
limestone-all still sleeping the sleep 81
a million years. awaiting the awakening
scream Of locomotive and steamboat to
be added to the sum Of American wealth
and prosperity. How can we lose in
terest in the Open-rives movement Can
Portland, with such world Of wealth,
knocking At her doorsl
What are the miners doing9 That il
too long story il fills columns Of on,
local papers every week. l will tell yor
Of one company which is developing thu
Imnaha copper Geld. II il composed o
Iowa and Dakota iron. copper and yolt
mine operators They are putting "
their own cash, and have no stuck 70
sale, therefore they have little to say
They own a,ooo acres Of claims. Te,
Iexperts agree that the gold runs IS to 81
per ton. and that the great veins averax'
NEARLY 40 per cent in copper. They hav
run u.auy shafts and tunnels and are =
! well saiis6 d ~iih the prospect thar the.
have q smelter outfit en- route. and pl.,
To build four smei,ers. They are buildin
. s3S.foot steamboat 10 ply the 50 mile
of Snake river etwern Imnaha and Lev
iston Charleston. A contrast has bee
let by them fos : telephone line froi
Imnaha TO Lewiston. clarkston, 10 Bake
City and towns between. Such opes,
tions - these mean also the developsnes
Of mines u Pistsbprg Landing ard 9TH
points on the Snake; also the develol
ment Of water-elecsric power % u
Grand Ronde 70 run the niues an
ameltefs. and for manufacturiuG au
street railways q clarks.on- Lewistou.
"The Palsuse fuvnishrs ample tysa
for two railroads. The Iewistou couutl