The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-08-29

desert ana all ltS valleys were anxl
ously searched, but in vain for the
missing wives and children.
1t was said that the great spirit
had been displeased with the war and
their stubborn determination in car
rying it on, and as punishment had
taken their wives and children from
them. Since this great calamity II
is claimed, none or but few Indians
can be persuaded to enter this hidden
valley.
Our party filled with enthusiasm
and love of small adventurers were
spurred on by those and many other
stories told of this wonderful valley
and it's beautiful stream of living
water, and with the carefully prepar-
ed description undertook to find it.
They were we'll equipped for an un-
dertaking of the kind, having prepar-
ed pack horses, and wagon with the
best obtainable conveniences for car
rying a good supply of water into the
desert.
They took their journey west
ward from Blackfoot, going by way of
Sterling, and after journey over
of desert covered with sage
brush and broken lava, reached the
supposed place where they would
find the ancient Indian trail entering
the great lava beds of the desert. In
passing over this vast stretch of land
lying between Sterling and the great
lava beds or bad lands they passed
over some of the most fertile part of
valley. Great portions of this near
the river and towns is fast being TAX
en- up and will lsoon be covered with
fields of grain.
So extensive has been this entering
of dry lands for agricultural purposes
that for a distance Of near twenty
miles west of Springfield, Sterling
and Aberdeen, almost every available
piece of land is taken and the new
settlers homes dot the desert in every
direction.
Potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, Gu
cumber and all kinds ofvegetables
were seen in most perfect stage Of
growth and maturity. Melons weigh
ing from fifteen to thirty hounds
were not infrequently seen.
The farther westward they travel
ed the more fertile the soil seemed
to be, until they were led to hope
that still further west in the hidden
valley they would find a portion, at
least, of the garden of Eden, where
all things to gladden. the heart OF
man grew spontaneously. For three
days they searched the rim OF the
great lava beds in quest OF the OLD
traditional Indian trail. This delay
and search proved to them blessing
for in it they found lakes of water
clear and good to drink for man and
beast. These lakes are usually dry
at this season of the year, but the
recent heavy rains had replenished
them with good water in abundance
so that the supply carried in wagon
could be kept for use further on, or
On the returning trip.
On the third day the long-sought
trail was located and an attempt was
made to follow 1t. The object was to
90 only so far into the unknown lava
beds that the party could retrace
heir steps to the water supply IN case
that carried with them was not suf-
ficient to last unit la new supply
could be found. On entering this
field of lava one of the most wonder.
ful scenes ever witnesse by us met
our eyes. This vast stretch of lava
extends as far to teh north and south
rising abruptly from the plain to a
height of from ten to forty feet, as
The eye can see. So great and mar
yelous are the formations that one Is
held spell bound by its grandeur and
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