The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1916-01-04

QQIth du lllntuct ctU OF tANQl-
site color. There was no sign
of habitation, just the earth be-
meath us and the sky overhead.
The stiffness of the prairie
settled down upon us, deep sleep
came and we knew no more It'll
broad daylight.
just at dawn we heard rustl-
ing in the brush nearby. The
little prairie folk were awake
and busy. Almost before the
first faint streaks of day appear
they are up and hustling for their
breakfast. As we looked a little
cotton-tal came hoping along,
peering cautiously about, then
assured by the quietess around
and tempted by the remains of
last nights repast, came boldly
forth and ate his fill.
Day breaks early on the prairie
and knowing that we had a long
days journey before us and per-
haps a very hot one also we arose.
Soon our camp fire was burn
ling brightly, for sage brush
makes a splendid fire. At $50
we sat down TO a hearty break
fast. In addition to our regu-
lar fare this morning we had
cream of wheat, just as good as
you have it at home. Soon the
sun appeared above the horizon
growing larger and larger like
a huge ball of fire and climbing
rapidly above us. We knew
what that meant so we were soon
ur and away.
Some said, how could you
larise so early? Well, at home
it is a hardship, I'll admit, but
when you are riding all day in the
open you sleep so we'll all night
end awake feeling so refreshed
and happy that you just can't
lie abed. When autOing you
just love an early morning spin
in your car, there is nothing like
it and if you doubt me just try
it.
We learned we were now in
the Quincy valley, a valley of
100000 acres of land, perfectly
level, not one hill or mound or
heap Of dirt of any description
large enough to obstruct the
view. This is a sight to thrill
you. Some might not think so
perhaps, but to the prairie born
there is something in the length
and breadth, the vastness of this
open country that will always
appeal to them. We wondered
at the many large orchards we
saw of young vigorous looking
trees but soon we heard the thud
thud of something and discovered
huge gasoline engines pumping
up water from wells 400 to 300
feet in depth. Stopping in the
town of Quincy for supplies we
talked with a man who told of
this valley, an old settler who said
that only fl years ago there was
not sign of water here but they
had to haul in all they needed
that one Of their number grew
seriously i'll and they made up a
small bag of money and sent hin
to a nearby hospital. When
he was we'll he same back, haC
the courage to stick with it anC
today is one of the wealthiesi
men in the country. Strange
isn't it, but right here wher,
people were suffering for water
they later discovered a sheet o-
excellent water, apparently in
g exhaustible, underneathe the en-
. tire valley. This made for then
a fine stock end grain country
and now they are experimenting
with fruit. They are also grow.
! ing great fields of potatoes Of
superior quality; it seemed the,
were the best we ever ate.
At $3.50 W drove into the Ouinc,
= garage. The heat was intense
: much hotter than the warmes
= part of our day at home w,
= asked them how they stood it an,
they said they didn't even motto,
= it. We learned afterwards tina
they have only about two. week
j, of this very warm weather an,
the nights are always cool.
From here we drop down to tn
o Columbia river, after the reacl
the breaks. The latter part O
the road, while good and wide
o has many sharp turns and a
very turn you have a view O
lie old Columbia. At Vantag
% we cross the river on a power fer
4 ry. You blow your horn and
n man comes in his launch an