Lewiston inter-state news. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1905-1906, 1905-07-28
LARGE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The Island Hermit viii Convert tho
Sand Bar Into a Fine Farm.

Numerous inquiries are still being
made as to who the occupant OF the is
land below the bridge is and what he
intends to do. Wednesday afternoon
the writer to satisfy his own curiosity
crossed to the island to get glimpse
of the object OF so much inquiry and
learn something of his plans. Mr.. d.
r. Zirbel Is his name. He is very
interesting talker and when we made
known the objects of our visit he re-
lated in an interesting manner his
ideas and purposes Of establishing
himself upon the island. He explained
that he intends to raise it above high
water mark by placing a dam across
the upper and lower ends that will
cause an eddy between in which all of
the settings will be deposited. thus
covering the present sandy and rocky
surface with a rich soil. This Is to be
accomplished during the high water
and Mr. Zirbel thinks that next season.
provided the water reaches sufficient
height ne will be able to put out some
pine, fir and cedar trees which is a
part Of his plans to establish park
upon the island. A bathing and boat
ing resort is also to be established and
to do this a channel beginning at the
head of the island will be dug, 1t will
be eight feet wide, cemented and will
extend the full length Of the island.
This. however. Mr. Zirbel stated he
did not expect to undertake for at least
two years, as there was n considerable
amount of other work to he done be-
fore this part of his plans would be
feasible. He tmen showed what he had
produced from the veritable saidbank
this season. He has watermelons. GU
cumbers. squashes muskmelons, pota-
toes. onions, tomatoes and celery. and
they are apparently as healthy and
thrifty as any grown In a rich soil.
We pulled mp one onion from the patch
that measures II inches in circum-
ference and there were plenty of others
nearly as large. There was one squash
vine which has three squashes on 1t.
the largest being % inches in circum-
ference. The watermelons and toma-
toes. however. were not doing quite so
well. but to all appearances were as
healthy and In as good condition as
some planted in a more favorable soil.
Mr.. Zirbel exhibited bunch OF bar
ley and oats which grew on the place
and were fully matured. the barley be-
ing three feet tall and the oats three
feet nine inches. All that is necessary
to make the sand produce. Mr.. Zirbel
said. il to keep water upon 1t and he
has evidently made good his asser-
ton. A well about . feet deep has
been dug and contains about . feet OF
water which through a test made Tues
day shows II to he 10 degrees colder
than the Clearwater apd ~ degrees
colder than the water in the Snake.
Mr.. Zirbel says ne has had many try
to discourage him in his plans but
states he has seen several islands OF
a similar character In Michigan, where
he now owns an se-acre farm. built up
and made fine residence tracts. He
SAYS other people do not see II In the
same light he does, for IL they did
the island would have been taken long
before ne occupied II several months
ago. Mr.. Zirbel evidently believes ne
has a good thing and proposes to hold
on TO Il. He says he likes to live by
me water and has always desired just
such a place as this island affords.
H,s.~y