Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-03-01
AT OPENING GREAT RESERVA-
ton OF Occur D'ALENE.
Same Plan as in Wyoming-It Is Elk
pected to Be Thrown Open the Com
ing Summer or FaII-3oo,ooo Acres
Will Be Rich Timber Land-Thou-
sands of Acres Of Farm Lands,

0Tn lQaQO, WHICH is 6Ap6Ct6ut 10 Idh0
place in the near future, will be
drawn on the plan used in the open
| ing of the Shoshone reservation in
| Wyoming
No subject surpasses the Occur
d'Alene reservation in interest to the
thousands anticipating making, if
possible, a home there when it is
opened.
Strictly speaking it is not noun
famous tract, but in many respects
| resembles the famous PalOuse eX-
cept the hills are not abrupt and vir
gin forests cover, either sparsely or
densely, much of its surface. Streams,
while not large, abundantly drain
every locality. Among these are the
well known creeks of Hangman, John,
Moc-tal-ma, Rock, Lake and Santa.
These names were originally given
the streams by the early missionary
fathers. John creek was known as
st. Johns. Santa as Saint AIMS. ST.
Joe as st. Joseph's-
The heavy timber lies a little east
of the De Smet mission along the
John Creek valley. From Rock creek
or the upland to Lake creek is found
fine open timber, through much of
which wagon may be driven.
This land among these trees is COW
cred with wild grass, which is very
nutritious for cattle. 1t is estimated
that 100000 acres are timber lands,
nearly all of which may be put under
/ o111tiJat ion Txyhn hn ho1
removed. The best quality of timber,
composed Of yellow pine, which pre-
dominates, is found near the Mis-
sion. White pine and cedar and choice
yellow pine, estimated to be worth
as much as $4,000 per 100 acres,
grows along John creek. Excellent
cedar, some trees of which measure
Is feet in diameter grows near the
st. Joe river in Devils and Hells
gulches Much timber prevails along
all the streams.
In the valley of John creek is
found very choice land. 1t is a deep
black loan, capable of producing any
thing. Because Of its great fertility
1t is extremely susceptible to foulness
unless carefully titled. Here wheat,
oats, potatoes and garden truck yield
abundant harvests. An individual
who lived upon the reservation for
over. eight years states that almost
every foot of it is tillable, except a
small portion lying along the north
side of the st. Joe, which is very
rough.
All along the St. Joe river are sit
uated the hay ranches which supply
a splendid grade of timothy hay. This
is usually leased to white men. These
hay lands continue between the
mouth of st. Joe river and Lake Chat
colet and the reservation line near
st. Maries. Much yet may be put into
hay.
1t is estimated that Rock creek has
approximately 5000 acres and Hang
man creek $4,000 acres of the choic-
est agricultural lands found anywhere.
The latter creek is particularly fine.
These lands are already under cult
walton by the Indians, some of whom
have fenced a thousands acres. which
they usually lease to white men.
1t is along these two streams. their
smalled tributaries and the Moc-tal-
ma creek that the Indians live.
Manner of Drawing.
A liberal extract is made from the
presidents proclamation opening the
Shoshone reservation, which will be
sufficient to show the manner to be
employed in opening the Occur
dAlene reservation:
To- obtain registration for the pur-
pose of making a homestead entry of
any of said coded lands each appIi-
cant will be required TO show himself
duly qualified under the law to make
such entry, and this showing must be
made by the presentation of a sworn
application for registration executed
on blank furnished by the commits
sioner of the general land Office which
can be obtained only at the time and
places OF registration. herein men
toned, and each person registering
must give the registering officer such
appropriate matter of description and
Identification as will protect the appli-
cant and the government against any
attempted impersonation.
Registration cannot be effected
through the use of mails or the en-
ployment of an agent excepting that
honorably discharged soldiers and
sailors entitled to the benefits of Sec
ton twenty-three hundred and four
OF the revised statutes of the United
States, as amended by the act of con-
gress approved March 1, 1901 (31
Stat, SAD, may present their applica-
nons for registration for the purpose
OF making homestead entry and make