Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-12-05

IRENE north end OF the state OF ldahO, III
the Inland Empire, about 100 miles north
east of Spokane, Wash. 1t is rich in natural
resources and offers unsurpassed opportuni-
ties for the homeseeker of moderate means,
as we'll as for the investment of capital IN
large OF small amounts.
Three railroads now enter the valley. Two
of these, the Great Northern and the Cana
dian Pacific, are transcontinental roads and
the Kootena Valley railroad is local with
its southern terminus at Bonners Ferry,
where all these roads connect, making this
city the gateway and commercial center OF
the valley.
The Kootena river, large navigable
branch of the Columbia, comes down from
the mountains in British Columbia and Mon
tana, flows placdly through the center of the
Kootenai valley in Idaho, and upon reach
ing Boomers Ferry, which is at the loot OF
the swift water and the head OF navigation,
broadens out to regular width of 700 to
900 feet 1t is navigable for large steamers
for a distance of so miles northward from
Boomers Ferry, to and across the British
line. and forms one of the best natural COM
mercial highways between the Great lakes
and Puget sound.
The Kootenai Valley railroad, with its
southern terminus at Boomers Ferry, paral-
els the river the full length of the valley into
British Columbia, thus giving this locality
the benefit of both rail and water transpor-
tation to the famous mining regions of the
West Kootena in British Columbia, re-
gion which produces little but consumes inn
mense quantities of the products OF the SOIL.
This favored position of the farmer, stock
man. dairyman and poultryman in the Koot-
enai valley is the reason why ne gets better
prices and more ready sale for his products
the wear round than his neighbors IN less
favored localities.
THE LAND-THE SOIL.
Until about 10 years ago the Kootena'
valley was one vast public domain, with title
in the United States government. Prior 10
that time few settlers had squatted on land
and made some Improvements. After the
extension of the government surveys the
even numbered sections were opened to entry
under the homestead and timber and stone
laws and the odd numbered sections (except
those classified as minerai), were patented
10 the Northern Pacific Railway company
under its grant During the last SIX years
most of the government lands that are sur
viewed have been filed on under one or the
otber Of the above mentioned laws During
the same period the Northern Pacific Kali
way company DISPOSED of about all its sur
viewed lands in the valley to individual pur-
cfasers. Many of these settlers have MADE
final proof on their claims and all VIII have
made proof during the next two years nus
:. :, iii be seen that about all of the land Il
-, .ts hands of the individual owner; but
80, +o the newness of the country very
,,rre percentage of it is still unimproved; II
Is there Is at least two-thirds of it unoc
,,;.d and although its quality is first-clas
c. Is sell for in most other localities
WHAT 1T is LIKE.
A.. 10000 acres between boaners reI
ABOUT British line, along the koofena
a"o ~. fat lands, comprising wnat al
'ivei, - iow' Nenai bottoms These bottoms
eaileu .''e - ~ ly by the flow OF the r'ye
lu.n9u - 49, by-gone ages are enfiche
si'eu up ual I:l, t carried down ffoHl u
ny u.r % BRIT 'sh Columbia and eioI
mountains OF nIit, we're for the benefit {
.alld anu o;,';l;D,t;on We in many fesPee
mooeln ois am sa,,os valley Of the M
These bottoms are verv little higher tna
high water mark, and in ia q - IS ~ r;y
of them overflow with the RI. @s =, M.
for from four to six weeks eae y. a.
and June Two-thirds or NOR. " ~ 4
is open, natural meadow, and the S S1 ~
contains punches of cottonwood til 80. W.
lows and other small brush. When Nc ~
ter recedes from the overflow port ss's
fine crop of wild, nutritious, hay is cut 1n
from this source winter fodder Is Procu &c