The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1907-11-23
THE IDAHO SCIMITAR.

though several of the peaks within few miles OF the
city rise to an elevation of nearly 5000 feet ABOVE
the level of the sea- and constantly attract the ate-
ton of tourists who have been used to having sucn
things pointed out to them and made much OF else
where.
In Colorado or California it seems to the sight
seer that every stick and stone has name and that
there is postal card photograph to be had OF each
of them, while in Idaho the visitor has to go to con-
siderable trouble to find out which mountain peak OF
the state supposed be the highest or any other
ordinary piece of information that would be forced
upon his attention repeatedly elsewhere.
The citizens of Boise know that one of the noun
tans northeast of the city is called Shaw Mountain
vet it would puzzle good many of them to tell OIL
hand Just which one it is, and they are not to be
blamed much for this either, when 1t is considered
that there are numerous other peaks in the vicinity OF
equal or greater Importance which have no names
at all.
The other peak of the Boise range that is designa-
ted by name is perhaps no better Oft than II 1t had
none at all, for it has two, and this leads to con-
fusion People on the Boise side of the range call
this peak "Shaffer Mountain" while those on the
other side call it Bogus Mountain, and as it, like
Shaw Mountain, is surrounded by other prominent
peaks its claims to distinct identity necessarily rest
on a slim foundation.
The highest mountain in the state, given on the
geological map, is Hyndman Peak as it is some
times called Lawton Peak 1t is situated in the Saw
tooth Mountains near the boundary line between
Custer and Blaine counties, and can be seen from
the Oregon Short Line near Shoshone It's height is
given as 12O7S feet which certainly entities it to in
dividual consideration although there are some 25
or 80 other peaks surrounding it. each attaining
elevation of between 10000 and $4,000 feet, only three
of which are named These three known
Glassford Peak, Ryan Peak and Devils Bedstead.
In fact Idaho is so rich in natural scenic features,
and so little has been done to distinguish them from
each other and to make the world aware of their
existence and beauty that the task of doing
hopeless and useless to those who have stopped
to reflect upon the end to be achieved
But that end is certainly glorious and well
worthy the attention of every patriotic citizen of
Idaho The Flooding Swiss peasant dwet for centuries
beneath his beeng crags and dreamed of their
commercial value until the world set its seal of ap
prova upon Natures matchless work and his eyes
were opened Today Switzerland is the cynosure of
the eyes of nature lovers everywhere and is
proud of the fact as Swtzerland's native sons Let
Idaho profit by Switzerands example for we have
here second Switzerland and the time to arouse the
world to the fact has come
Every locality in the state should take this matter
up, the end that the scenic wonders of each COM
munity be given identity and advertised to the
full Every commercial club in the State should
give the subject particular attention and every news
paper should lend its earnest efforts to the good
cause Our rich lands and immense possibilities for
industries of every kind are already attracting the
attention of nation Let us organize campaign
IF education in regard to our scenic spendors and
hey will attract the attention of the world