The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-09-26
Historical Notes
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attempts at SEGREGATION.

One of the most prolonged political contentious
between the people of Idaho and of the surrounding
states was in regard to the annexation of various
portions of Idaho to the neighboring states. The
conguration of Idaho is peculiar; it is much like the
side view of chair, great width at the
bottom, and from the center up it narrows to a
point On its southern boundary the state is 3O6
miles wide This length it maintains north for a
distance of 200 miles, nearly one-half the length
of the state. The eastern boundary then suddenly
turns westward following the main chain Of the
Rocky mountains, here called the Bitter Roots until
the state is narrowed down to width of less than
100 miles. From this point to the northern boundary
of the state, distance of more than 200 miles, the
general trend of the eastern boundary is toward the
west until at the extreme northern boundary the
width of the state is but A miles. This narrow
strip of territory, 200 miles long and varying in
width from 100 to Al miles, is known the Pan
handle
All intercourse between the north and south por-
lions of the state is most roundabout either through
Washington and Oregon through Montana
intricate system of mountains and canyons in the
center of the state rendering direct communication
difficult. The business interests separate, the
agricultural conditions different and there much
i'll feeling over the removal of the capital from Lewis
ton to Boise which was intensified every time it be-
came necessary to make the roundabout trip from the
north These diverse interests gave birth to the idea
of segregation, which meant the obliteraon of Idaho
from the map This idea was fostered by ambitious
politicians and gradually assumed such phases
each thought for his advancement Various
plans for ACKNOWLEDGMENT were formed and urged
First that separate commonwealth be formed by
the Panhandle and that part of Montana west of
the Rocky mountains; Idaho to receive instead SO
much of Utah as lay north of extension of the
northern boundary of Colorado. Again it was pro-
posed to annex the Panhandle to Washington ter
ritory and all the remainder of Idaho territory to
Nevada Another plan yet was to annex the mineral
country of Shoshone, known the Ceur d Alenes,
to Montana and the balance of the Panhandle to
Washington. counter proposition to these various
plans was offered by the delegate to congress from
Idaho, which was, that the easternmost boundary
line of Idaho be extended due north to the British
possessions and that all that portion of Montana
living west of this line should be annexed to the Pan
handle of Idaho.
The only other proposition for the increase of
Idahos territory many years before, when the
citizens of Corinne, mostly Gentes, petitioned con-
gress to annex to Idaho that part of Utah north of
the Colorado line extended. Until statehood was
granted these various plans urged with more
or less success bill for dismemberment pass
ing both houses and going to the president, so late
in the session. however, that his failure to sign pre-
vented its enactment into law Idaho made
state in $780, President Harrison signing the bill late
in the afternoon of July 3d. that July 18th when
all the glad nation was celebrating glorious in
the star of Idaho rose ascendant upon
The nations flag