Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1921-10-27
MANY THRILLS
IN WILD RIDE.
DOWNSALM0N.
Makes Voyage with Cap
tain Harry Guleke from
Salmon City to Higgins
State Game Warden Jones
Tells of Exciting Trip
on River of No Return
BY OTTO. M. JONES
Estate Game Warden)

estate Odlllt w dl
For wears Captain Harry GulekC
has successfully navigated the Salmon
river from Salmon City to Lewiston
. voyage of $50 miles through one
Of the widest districts Of America
The district is not only wild, but
the river itself seems an unframed
thing, resenting any attempt to bride
II for the convenience or usefulness
of mankind.
First, these voyages were made fol
the purpose of delivering supplies
mining machinery or other commodi
ties to the settlers, prospectors OF
miners of the region bordering this
great cash in the face of the earth
that has been appropriately termed
"The River of No Return Then II
was found that a number of adven
turously inclined soldiers of fortune
crsved the thrills or chicks exper-
fenced in the swirling lashings OF
the many rapids and georges of the mad
river, and attention was turned to
the accommodation of these parties
until Captain Guleke now has his full
season of navigation taken up with
engagements to pilot sightseers, hunt
ers and notwithstanding spirits on
what has been termed "The Widest
Boat Trip In America. F"
This strip of angry water has justly
earned its title of "The River of No
Return as there is only one way
that it may be negotiated, and that
is, down. When the end of the jour
ney is reached, the boat is abandoned
sold or given away and the entire
party must seek other means of trans
portation to reach its destination
whether it be upriver, toward the
starting point of the journey, OF
across the continent. There is no re
turning bv the water route of the
Salmon river.
KIND OF BOAT USED
The boat is built in the shape of 4
sort of hollow scow about 30 feet by
nine feet, and is constructed of one
by twelve lumber nailed over ribs OF
stays of two by six dimension. The
bottom is then foored over with one
by twelve boards to give good dry
space to the passengers and cargo
while the boat is reinforced with
second layer of one by twelve lumber
On the bottom and up the sides to q
point about a foot above the water
line. This said line is only from
eight to twelve inches up the side OF
the boat.
The boat is controlled by two huge
sweeps or plank paddles. These pad
dies are bolted to the ends of poles
reaching to the center of the boat
from each end, where a platform Is
built for the two men operating these
steering gears. The poles are wei
balanced and are easier operated ano
more effective than they appear upon
hrst inspection.
Our party was no exception to the
usual run of greenhorns making
their initial trip. All the details OF
the boat or barge were carefully IN
spected, with some misgivings in Ger
tain respects. Those doubts or suspi
clons were finally passed by the boarf
OF censorship and on Sept. 10, 1871
the good ship Chattanooga drifteo
out of the little bayou by Captain
Guleke's cabin on the river bank ano
swung into the main channel of the
salmon river to take on its passen
gers just below the bridge that makes
salmon City one town instead of two
ne good ship had been christeneC
chattanooga in recognition of thu
BOYS from Dixie who were the organ
izers of the trip.
regardless of the fact that oul
party was no exception to a score o.
o'ner parties which had made the SAM
'rip this season, there was goodl'
ga.nering of Salmon citizens on TIL
oridge and shores in a drizzling rail-
70 wish our little dozen Godspeed an'
Don voyage. With bit of misgivinl
az 10 the possible outcome of thi
s,srt: we pushed off and amid tn
a"hings of camera shutters, the wav
aaV OF handkerchiefs and parting bit
vi advice. we were afloat on the it'd
=, TINS mighty river at the very be
saun'ng of a trip that we knew hell
some perils that were familiar onl.
10 the boat IS crew.
FEAR ALLAYED BY MUSIC
respite the fact that all on boar
J'e willing to take n chance with tn
;Ve' crew there was a sinister fee
ms among the uninitiated as thought
l os to fairly collide in the vapol
;en ar In conjectnres rs to the pos
sa, outcome of this venture. We fel
SUIT of like a flock of accidents %
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