West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-01-04
ANlSrEREsrlsG LETTER.
Mrs lisa Copeman Spiker- Writes In
terestinglv or Kamiah, Idaho--A
Graphic Description OF the Nez
Perez Indians and Their
Customs
To THE EprroR TIE ARGUS.


columns of your paper 10 give
your readers and my friends back
in West Virginia little description
OF the State End county in which /
now live2
l once entertained the idea that
Idaho was poor mountainous
State of little Importance. But
find / was greatly mistaken. for she
is rich in mineral resources alone.
The value of the mineral product in
the state for the year 1904 was
Saa,838, 1905. The lead mines
OF Idaho are producing one-half of
the entire lead product of the
United States. The value of the
agriculture product for 1904 is
given at Sr5,ISI,Io4 The superb
climate of Idaho is one of its chief
attractions. The varying altitude
that obtains throughout the state
provides almost any temperature
that can be desired. Commencing
with the altitude of $50 feet at
Leniston, on the western border.
the elevation gradually rises to the
east, reaches height of 10, 900 feet
on the crest of the mountain ranges
on the eastern border. The aver
age elevation Of the state is about
$500 feet. The general health
fulness of Idaho is reported by the
census of 1900 as being above the
average of the United States.
Idaho in is present form en-
braces an area of 81, 500 square
miles. 1t is nearly as large as Ohio
and Pennsylvania combined. II is
divided into twenty one counties.
The smallest is Bear Lake located
in the southeastern corner of the
state, and contains 864 square
miles. Idaho county is the largest,
located near the center of the state,
containing 10. 500 square miles.
Nez Perces county IN which we
live, contains 1, 400 square miles, is
located in the western border of
the state, and lies between Snake
and Clearwater rivers, just above
point OF confluence which gives the
county the lowest point of altitude
of any point within the state.
Leniston is located exactly at the
confluence OF these two rivers. hav-
ing an altitude of $50 feet, enjoy
ing the distinction of being nearer
the ocean level than any city or
town in Idaho; is also the county
seat and leading town of the coun-
ty. II is connected by bridge
across the Snake river with Its
sister town, Charleston, Wash.
Commercially the towns are one
aud the same, by reason Of their
advantageous location and sur
rounding country. The territory
is very fertile and has varied re-
sources. There is every reason to
believe that they will develop into
important cities. Leniston now
has three banks, trust companies,
two daily newspapers. State Nor
NAL School, State Supreme Court,
and District Court. eight churches,
a Carnegie library, two theaters,
large hospital, United States
Land Office, an excellen system of
public schools.
This county occupies most of
the land that was formerly allotted
by the government, to Neg Perces
indians from whom IL derives It's
name. The fact that this tribe,
being one of the most enlightened
of the aborigines of North America,
selected this country as thier home,
speaks volumes within itself. Hav-
ing lived on the continent for ages,
they naturally became familiar with
the climatic conditions and Tesour-
ces OF the country as we'll as the adj
vantages and opportunities offered
by the different sections of the
country. This country has made
rapid progress since its opening to
settlement by The whites. The pop
uIation increased Ss7 per cent, be.
tween 1890 and 1900. The region
embraced in ;his county doubtless
contains one Of the most fertile and
productive tracts of farming land to
be found ia the United States.
Nez Perez Prairie is high rolling
table located within the county,
aud which is nov largely IN q high
state Of cultivation. The area of
this prairie is about 600 square
miles, being 80 miles in length and
70 in width; with an average eleva.
ton Of 1890 feet In many places
on this prairie The wbeat yield is 60
bushels per acre.
The Clearwater river AID i,s tnb,
uiaries could be used in producing
power for manufacturing industries
to great advantage. The walls
of the Clearwater canyon rise IN OIL,