Caldwell, Idaho - Caldwell, "the Magic City" : In the Boise Valley, Idaho. Facts Pertain

To Banking

AND ISSUE THEIR SIGHT DRAFTS ON THE PRINCIPAL CITIES OF THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE, AND SOUTH AMERICA. THEY ARE FAVORABLY LOCATED AND HAVE UNSURPASSED FACILITIES FOR THE TRANSACTION OF ALL BUSINESS APPERTAINING TO BANKING.

They Solicit Your Business

This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries eALDtVELL, The Magic City, is claiming the attention of business men ancl speculators all over the country. Letters pour in on every mail to the Board of Trade, The Tribtjxe, Beal Estate men. Me. chants, etc., asking information in regard to the coming metropolis-- Caldwell.

In 1882 - a very short time it will seem to the Eastern reader, but quite a long time to the rushing, bustling west, "where towns spring up in a day" - the present site of Caldwell was a sage brush plain. Today, a nourishing, bustling, enterprising City of 1200 souls marks the once uninhabited region. It is not a western "shanty" town, but a permanent City, with its brick business blocks, school houses, churches, and handsome residences.

Partly through the indomitable perseverance, courage and enterprise of the citizens, but principally from an unparalleled geographical location. which commands rather than asks the trade of the surrounding country. Easily accessible from any direction, and happily situated about an equal distance from the great stock ranges of Jordan Valley, the untold millions in the silver and gold mines near Silver City and De- Lamar, the great farming, stock and lumber interests of the Payette Valley, commanding the trade of the new settlements in Long Valley, which will themselves in time support a city of 150,000, and in addition being as near the center of the great Boise Valley as though measured by chain, can you wonder at the giant strides which Caldwell is making toward justifying her claim as being the great commercial center of Southern Idaho ?

Nebraska, and 478 miles southeast of Portland, Oregon. It is in the heart of what is called the largest "sage brush plain" in the world. It is said by competent engineers that there is more irrigable land in the Snake River Valley between the Boise and Snake rivers, than there is in the entire State of Colorado. At the lower end of this vast area, which will one day support a million people, within half a mile of the beautiful Boise River, and in the heart of the famous Boise V alley, whicn has been settled for thirty years, is located the "Magic City." Well did the locators do their work, for in the face of many discouragements Caldwell grew and thrived, and today she has more tonnage and is the best paying town' on the Oregon Short Line. And her prosperity has hardly commenced. The vast "plains" which even the most sanguine citizen never dared to dream of being opened up for twenty years, has attracted the attention of the capitalist, and under the magic touch of Avater which his money has taken from the abundance in the rivers, is being developed into one of the finest agricultural countries that is kissed by the sunlight.

If Caldwell grew and prospered Avhen surrounded by a desert, what will she become when surrounded by the garden of the Avorld ! No man knows the possibilities of this region, and the dreams of the enthusiast of to-day will seem ridiculous five years hence for their very tameness and lack of penetration. The railroad tonnasre of Caldwell is one-twentieth of the great State of Idaho, and leads all the other towns in volume. She has put $12, 000 in churches, 810,000 in a public school building, $50,000 in brick blocks, $150,000 in canal systems for irrigation, $40,- 000 for homes in the past year, and has more side walk and more shade trees planted than any other city in Idaho.

The support of CaldAvell is of that varied nature which makes it substantial. To start Avith, it is situated in the heart of the oldest settled agricultural country in Idaho - - the Boise Valley - justly called the Garden Spot of Idaho. Thus it Avill be seen that the iown rests on an agricultural foundation, insuring its permanency. With the advent of water, thousands of acres tributary to the town are being converted from desert into valuable farms. Experiment and experience has proven the success of sage brush farms under irrigation, and the country is bound to groAV rapidly. The town Avill, therefore, have to grow. Nothing can retard its progress. Aside from the agricultural support, the toAvn draAVS heavily from the surrounding mines and stock ranges. Freighters, with their eight and ten horse teams can be seen leaving the city every day, heavily ladened, for mining or stock camps. The merchants of the inland tOAvns surrounding also buy their goods in Caldwell. With a fine agricultural country tributary for a basis, and the Cattle, Horses and Sheep that graze on a " thousand hills," together with the best mines in Idaho behind it, CaldAvell will groAV and thrive and in time lead all other cities in "Sunny Idaho."

From 500,000 to 1,000,000 pounds of avooI are shipped from CaldAvell annually. The Boise river furnishes magnificent water power. What an opening for woolen mills! Power absolutely free, raw material cheap and plenty, and a superb market.

The Caldwell Real Estate & Water Company lately sent out a corps of surveyors to locate a reservoir on Canyon hill and measure the fall they would have to use as power. The result is most satisfactory. Two sights of almost natural reservoirs Avere located, where Avith very little Avork, as much Avater can be caught and held as desired. One is just one half-mile east of Main Street. The instruments Avere put on and it was demonstrated that a fall of fifty-seven feet could be easily obtained, and after allowing for all loss, a clear fall of forty-seven feet could be utilized. With this fall 1,000 inches of Avater creates 142 horse power. This can, of course, be increased by using more water. One thousand inches can be taken from the ditch and hardly missed, and will furnish all power necessary for electric lights, flour mills, etc. The Board of Trade have almost perfected arrangements for a Woolen Mill to he opened up yet this season, and unless some unseen obstacle turns up, Caldwell will be shipping Blankets, Yarns and Flannels next fall.

Read The Fsgures

In the year 1888 the receipts at the depot for freight and ticket sales was $73,009.34 and was, of course, mostly for freight. In 1889, $84,458.86 passed over the TJ. P. counter for the same purpose and 1890 shows a still greater increase ; the exact figures are -

Perhaps the reader will gain more satisfaction as to the commercial interests of the place from a quotation taken from the books of the freight agent :

Received

The agent informs us that these totals multiplied by three will approximate the record of the year. tThis gives : Received, 363 cars, 12- 811.479 pounds ; forwarded. 279 cars, 7,383,982 pounds.

To make a closer application of these statistics to Caldwell, take the record of only one of the principal firms, doing a General Merchandise business :

Freight received, 2,623,932 pounds, aggregating 131 car loads, or over ten trains of thirteen cars each. The freight bill of this firm alone was $34,968.48. The showing of other firms is quite as favorable.

To handle from 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 pounds of freight in one month, is no uncommon thing at the Caldwell depot, and every month in the year will make a good showing. Caldwell does business on a large scale. Instead of a small stock in a dingy room, which the word merchant when applied to a small town usually means, Caldwell can boast of her $100,000 stocks. Some of our merchants buy everything in car load lots and practically do a wholesale business, although the retail business is not slighted.

Our Schools

In 1887 the Caldwell School District was bonded and a $10,000 School House erected. It was much larger than really needed at that time, but is now crowded, there being about 200 pupils and three teachers. The school is conducted according to the latest and best approved methods, and the educational facilities for the young are as good as could be desired. The town cheerfully votes a special tax in addition to the regular school tax, every year, to be applied to the schools.

The Baptists have the credit of erecting the first house of worship in Caldwell, and although not as nice a building as the others, it probably cost more, having been erected in the early history of the town when material and labor came high.

It will thus be seen that the town meets all the requirements of the church goer, and that the same God is worshipped here as in the east, although the majority of eastern people will not believe it.

Building & Loan Association

On the 12th day of September, 1887, the Caldwell Building & Loan Association was organized and started on its mission for good. The capital stock wras $50,000, but subsequently on account of the demand for stock in the Association, it was increased to $1,000,000. This organization has played an important part in the history of- Caldwell. It has helped many a poor man to build his own home and at the same time has been a paying investment for the stockholder. Its Constitution and By-Laws were founded on the very best of the kind in existence, such as had stood the test for years in other places.

Although but in existence a few years, the Association has now nearly $20,000 loaned and cannot furnish money fast enough to meet the demand. fSince its organization, not a dollar has been lost or misappropriated. and from the very nature of the laws governing it, such a thing is impossible. A number of young men have taken stock and are thus quietly laying the foundation for a fat bank account in after years. Besides this Association, there are two others, of a similar nature in the town. One with headquarters at Minneapolis and the other recognizes Omaho as its home. Both have a number of stock holders in town and are evidently living up to all agreements.

The Presbyterian College

The Wood River Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Southern Idaho, at a recent session, voted to locate the Presbyterian College, of Idaho, at Caldwell. A beautiful site for the College buildings and campus has been secured on "Washington Heights," in the east end. Immediate steps will be taken toward perfecting arrangements for opening the school in the fall of 1891. Xecessary buildings will be built during the summer and a proper corps of teachers selected. It is the aim of the church to build up a first-class institution, where those who wish to advance in the higher education, will have every opportunity and at the same time be surrounded by the most wholesome moral inrtuences. The people of Caldwell aud vicinity are hearty in their support of the Church's effort in this line, and the outlook is most promising in every respect.

Idaho Irrigating & Colonization Co

This Organization is composed of Salt Lake and Caldwell capitalists and has a Canal running through twenty miles of the finest of Idaho soil, just north of town. The Canal has recently been completed, at a cost of about $50,000, and tributary to its welcome banks, large fields of grain and alfalfa have sprung up. Land that was not considered worth owning three years ago, under this ditch, is now held at from $20 to $100 per acre, and very few sellers. The transformation that water gives to sage brush lands is wonderful. In an early day bottom lands alone were considered valuable - to-day the bottom lands are considered the poorest. AVhere three years ago the sage brush desert held sway, to-day from six to eight tons of alfalfa is harvested yearly on every acre seeded. The Canal stock is gilt-edge property, and the owner of 160 acres of land and a perpetual water right can consider himself a wealthy man.

Post Office

Until January 1, 1891, the Post Office was fourth-class, and the Post Master was remunerated by a percentage on cancelled stamps ; but it is now a presidential office, with a fixed salary. It is located in the heart of the city, and the service is satisfactory.

Secret Societies

Like all western towns, Caldwell has a great many " jiners." It is said that California takes the lead in benevolent secret societies, but Idaho is surely a close second. The following societies are represented in this city: borrowed $8,000.00 and erected a fine two story brick building, with rooms to rent on both floors. To-day they owe less than $3,000.00, while the advance in real estate has made the property wortli $12,000.00 at the lowest estimate.

Masonic. - Essene Lodge No. 22. A. F. & A. M., has a membership of about thirty. They have also erected a fine building at a cost of about $12,000.00. This is the most handsome business structure in the city, and as a business venture will prove successful, the income from rents insuring a speedy reduction of the indebtedness.

Knights of Pythias. - Mountain Hem Lodge No. 3, K. of P. has a membership of about twenty, and is rapidly growing. They meet in the Masonic Hall, but will be building a hall of their own ere many years go by. The Knights of Labor also have a good, strong Assembly, and keep up a splendid organization.

Athletic Club

Caldwell has the oidy Athletic Club in the State. Most of her business men are young, and full of blood, and although business cares keep most of them in the harness constantly, they occasionally find an hour to spend pleasantly at the Athletic Club. The (dub owns its own real estate and building, and the room is being furnished with apparatus of all kinds as fast as possible. There are about forty members.

Caldwell Real Estate &. Water Co

The town site of Caldwell was formerly owned by the Idaho & Oregon Land Improvement Company, but last fall a Company of Caldwell capitalists purchased the remaining unsold lots and organized the above Corporation. The exact amount paid is not known, but it went into the hundreds of thousands. With the property is also what is called the Strahorn Canal, the irrigating ditch which furnishes water for the town site. The new company is very active, and is making many improvements. They have put the Canal in excellent condition, had the town site re-surveyed by a competent .Salt Lake engineer, laid out an addition to the town, and intend to push matters this summer. It seems, however, that matters need very little pushing, as real estate transfers are active and prices have raised 75 per cent in the past eight months. Easiness lots which one year ago were held at from $250 to $400, now command $1000 to $1500, and residence lots have increased in proportion.

Our Business Men

The word Caldwell has become synonimous with the word enterprise. It is the acknowledwed headquarters for " Rustlers," and for a man to prove that he is a citizen of Caldwell is all the recommendation he needs. While competition is close and sharp and business men have their differences in business affairs, yet the word ''Caldwell" unites them as if by magic, and they present a solid front to the enemy and act in perfect unison where the public good is concerned.

Board Of Trade

The town has had a Board of Trade for the past three years, and much good comes out of the united action it brings about. Through it Caldwell has spent probably $10,000 building and improving roads. In olden days it was said that all roads led to Rome. All roads naturally lead to Caldwell, but many of them need bridges, grades, etc., and the town has ever been liberal where opportunity offered. Nearly all the business men of the town are members of the Board, the dues of which are fifty cents per month per member. Money for a project of any considerable magnitude is raised by subscription.

On the 15th day of J anuary, 1890, the town of Caldwell was incorporated and it is at present under the rule of live Trustees, who are elected every April. The incorporation resulted in much good. Street grades were established, side walks built and means for the protection of the peace of the town established. A Marshal, assisted by the Constable, are at present sutiicient to preserve law and order. Up to this writing the City does not owe a dollar, and the City tax has been light. The assessed valuation is about $200,000. Since its incorporation the town has caused about 4,000 shade trees to be planted and has added a peculiar brilliancy to her star by suppressing tne town cow.

Caldwell has a Water Tower in the center of the business part, the capacity of which is 50,000 gallons of water. Connected with this is a line hydrant service, located on the prominent corners of her streets.

The Stock Growers A Traders Bank was organized about four years ago, and transacts a general banking busines; pays interest on time deposits. The depositors are largely Stock, Cattle and Ranch men.

Caldwell Tribune

Caldwell is ably represented through the columns of the Caldwell Tribune. This bright, newsy paper is Independendent in Politics, is issued weekly and contains eight pages of Foreign, Domestic and Local items. It is well edited and a pride of the town. One of the proprietors is a member of the First Idaho Legislature; the other of the City Board of Trade, The paper has a large circulation and publishes many interesting items about the town and Ldaho in general.

Places Of Business

Caldwell is well represented by prosperous business houses ; some doing an enormous wholesale and retail trade. She has a Bank of fine financial standing, five General Stores, three Drug Stores, two Butcher Shops, one Furniture Store, two Barber sliops^^ two Jewelry Stores, three Hotels, two Harness Shops, two Millinery Stores, three Agricultural Implement Establishments. Three Blacksmith Shops, one Shoe Maker, three Livery Stables and Corrals, one Bakery, one Laundry, two Lumber Yards, five Physicians, two Law Firms, one Real Estate Firm, a Brick Yard, two Photographers, one Dentist, and four Carpenters and Builders.

Free Mail Delivery

Washington, March 25, 1891. - I have designated Caldwell as the town in Idaho for the trial of the free delivery system under the P. O. Dept, in small towns. The appropriation is very small, and the fact that labor comes somewhat higher in the west than in the east makes it more difficult for us to experiment successfully. However, upon the success of the experiment depends the obtaining of a sufficient appropriation for the general establishment of the Free Delivery System in our State. Much depends upon the good offices of the Post Master, and I trust that your citizens will give Mr. Badley a warm support in the effort to successfully establish this most convenient and useful adjunct to our present service. Caldwell is experimenting for the entire State.

Altitude And Climate

The altitude of Caldwell is about 2400 feet above sea level. The climate is unsurpassed. There is more sunshine in Idaho than any other country on earth. The summer sun is hot but not oppressive and the winters are mild. At this writing, the 8th day of January, the thermometer has not yet reached the freezing point, except on two or three occasions, when thin ice formed on standing water. We have had no snow which remained twenty-four hours, and very little rain. The days are bright and clear, the air balmy and spring-like. This is, however, an exceptionally mild winter. It sometimes gets quite cold, but on such occasions the air is so still, that we are hardly aware of the fact. Cyclones, blizzards, snow drifts and thunder storms are unknown. By the U. S. Army statistics, Idaho is the healthiest State in the Union. In speaking of the climate of Idaho, one is often misled. We have been speaking of the climate of Boise Valley, where Caldwell is situated. In higher Valleys they have much snow and severe winters.

Schlitz Brewing Co

The Schlitz Brewing Company, of Milwaukee, the third largest Brewery in the United States, have put up immense Ice Houses in Caldwell, and will make this city their distributing point for the whole inter-mountain country. The Company will be prepared to ship car-load orders from Caldwell. They have erected a large building and have located here to stay.

Caldwell already has one railroad and is sure of two or three more. It commands the Boise River Canyon, which is the only outlet for a road to Boise City, and a road is already graded. That iron will be laid on this grade is as sure as the sun shines. The North & South railroad, which connects the great Owyhee mining country with the forests of Long Valley, and which will eventually furnish an outlet for the greatest Copper mines in the world in the Seven Devils District, will cross the Oregon Short Line at Caldwell. The survey already made runs through the city, and when the road is built, which is an assured fact, Caldwell will be the starting point, building in both directions. Should the Oregon Pacific ever reach this country, which it will eventually, it will pass through this place, Boise City being its objective point. This being the center of railroads from mines and the forests, what is more natural than Smelting works ? The dream may seem wild to the uninformed, but it will come to pass. Another route has just been surveyed, running through Caldwell, and a Company organized in Caldwell under the name of The DeLamar, Caldwell and Payette Valley R. R. with a capital stock of $3,000,000.

Climate

Idaho is the same latitude as France, Switzerland, portions of Italy, Spain and Portugal, and on account of its proximity to the Pacific ocean, the climate is much milder than Colorado or even Utah, it being somewhat modified by the Chinook winds from that ocean passing through the opening in -the Cascade mountains, where the Columbia river flows through. All this region is near enough to the Pacific ocean to be noticeably affected by its currents. By referring to any map whereon the Oceanic Currents are shown, it will be seen that the great Japan Current (Kuro Siwo) - that mighty stream of water - bears directly against the Western shores of America. The temperature of the winds blowing over it is affected by its heat, and is carried inland hundreds of miles, extending their genial influence even to Montana. The average mean temperature in the Northern part of Idaho is 56°, a milder showing than is made by Ohio, milder by 10° than Iowa, and by 12° than Maine and New Hampshire.

Caldwell and the Boise Valley in Southwestern Idaho with a greater altitude than Lewiston in the Northern part, has an average temperature of 51 °, the same as Ohio and warmer than Connecticut. The average annual rain and snow fall in this vicinity is thirteen inches. The lowest record during seven consecutive winters was 12 ° below zero in January, and the highest 108° in July. Barnet E. Light, signal officer, reports that the mercury sank below zero only four times during the period of five years. The coldest weather recorded in twenty years was the exceptional January of 1888, wrhen the mercury sank to 27 ° below zero. The prevailing winds in this vicinity are from the Northwest, averaging about eight miles an hour and not exceeding thirty. The altitude of Caldwell is about 2,f>00 feet, which is a low altitude. This portion of Idaho is a fair representative in the matter of climate, of the various agricultural sections, but the much more elevated mining districts have as harsh winters at times as the regions of the Alleghany or Blue mountains. The best authorities on climateology agree that in the dry, rarefied atmospnere of Idaho and the mountainous region adjoining on the east, there is a difference of about 20 © in the intensity of the heat or cold in favor of those regions, when compared with the same temperature in the raw and humid atmosphere of the Atlantic coast region. A temperature of 105 © in Idaho is only equal in its effect upon the system to one of about 80° at Boston or New York ; 12© below in Idaho is as easily endured as 8 © above in the Eastern States. Barely does the temperature fall to zero in the Boise Valley. This highly oxygenated atmosphere is especially adapted to the cure of catarrh, consumption, and many other diseases. White frost occurs late in the fall, and the approach of winter is only noticed by the atmosphere growing a little cooler each day, until midwinter is reached, being so gradual it is hardly noticeable. The coldest weather and snow is expected after Christmas and rarely lasts beyond January. Many times farmers plow their fields up to the holidays and commence again early in February. Spring merges into summer as gradually as fall into winter.

Sunstrokes and hydrophobia are unknown in Idaho. Out of door work is carried on in the warmest days without inconvenience, and every day in winter. Among the mine and stock ranges, in the rudest kind of shelter, a case of severe freezing, as a result of such exposure, is never heard of. The sky is usually free from clouds and sunshiny days are the rule. Idaho averages 2*50 days of perfect sunshine per year and 300 fair days, as against 191 fair days in Boston and 170 at Buffalo and Chicago. Of the 1500 cyclones recently reported by the U. S. Signal Service during a long series of years, not one was reported in Idaho. Destructive storms and floods are unknown in the history of this section. During harvest time there is rarely any rain-fall, and loss of crop from flood or drouth would be considered phenomenal. The absence of rain is not felt because of the beneficial distribution of lands and streams suitable for irrigation. Very little snow falls in the valleys at this altitude, although it is in abundance in the high valleys and mountains. The influence of climate upon agriculture, stock raising or personal comfort is very important. Official Government statistics prove Idaho is the healthiest country in the world. These reports show that the mortality of California is nearly five times greater than that of Idaho ; Colorado nearly three times as great, while Florida makes a showing about three times less favorable than Idaho.

Soil

Idaho has 15,090,000 acres of agricultural land besides the vast area classified as mountains, forests, grazing lands and lakes. Her soil has been divided into four classes as follows : V alley soil, which cannot be excelled in any other part of the Union. It contains the aggregated and condensed richness of the vast amount of vegetable growth that has been accumulating for ages on the mountain sides above the valleys; an analysis of the soil shows it to be very rich in mineral and vegetable matter and is most suitable for all cereals, vegetables, fruit, etc., usually grown in Idaho. The soil is of good depth, and is invariably found above gravel and is so inclined as to make drainage the most perfect for cultivation and health. Plain and plateau soil, or in other words, rich sage brush lands have all the elements for the most wonderful growths of all cereals, vegetables, fruits, grasses, etc., and contains a great amount of fine vegetable mold. This pulverized soil is of great depth from two to twenty feet, and is of the character of alluvial deposit, a mixture of lime, granite, sand, iron and mica, making a rich dark loamy soil. Three-fourths of the arable lands of Idaho are included in this class. This soil can easily be broken with one span of horses. The ground is easily pulverized. Idaho is the farmers' paradise, when compared with Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and many other States. Mountain soil is exceedingly rich, especially in the wooded sections where it is black, deep and full of vegetable matter. All narrow valleys and parks in the mountains possess this soil. Irrigation also enriches the land whenever it is used. During the irrigating season the streams are generally high and turbid, carrying large quantities of vegetable mold, which spread very evenly by this process, and is the same as top dressing repeated annually. There are millions of acres in the valleys and uplands of Idaho, lying at an elevation of less than 5000 feet, which can be irrigated and made lavishly productive.

Idaho soil needs no fertilizing, it is richness itself. About 1,000,000 acres of this fertile sage brush land, is located in the fine Boise V alley, and surrounding Caldwell, the great receiving and distributing point for agricultural products, general merchandise, mining, lumbering and stock raising interests.

Agricultural Products, Etc

Idaho has more fine agricultural and grazing lands unoccupied than any other of our States and Territories, and it offers more inducements for settlement. There has been no failure of crops in the Boise Valley in the last seventeen years, even tobacco and cotton have been grown in the lower valleys with success. Irrigation is the means of producing such rapid growth and enormous size and quality of all products in the arid and fertile regions of sunny Idaho. Irrigation insures a ripening of crops. The Idaho farmer considers irrigation an advantage over rain. He is entirely free from drouth or flood while his grain is ripening, and is sure of pleasant, sunny weather during the harvest time. Wheat of all kinds is successfully grown at all altitudes and on all soils in the arable portion of Idaho, and sometimes without irrigation. It yields on an average of thirty bushels to the acre. Both spring and fall crops are grown. Idaho wheat cannot be excelled in the world, the berry being plump, hard, and bright, on account of the never failing clear weather. Barley gives a good yield of about forty bushels per acre, and has a ready sale, for bre wine purposes, at large profits.

Oats grow anywhere, and yield from fifty-five to seventy- five bushels per acre and are very heavy, generally weighing forty-five pounds to the bushel. Rye of the finest quality is grown in all localities, and is sown both in spring and fall and is much used for pasture. Flax was first sown in 1887 and yielded from twenty to twenty-five bushels to the acre, and is worth .$1.25 to $1.65 per bushel. Corn is not produced in a first-class quality in Idaho in the higher altitudes, as the nights are too cool, but good crops of a superior quality are raised in all the lower districts, such as Boise, Payette and Weiser Valleys. Early Dent and Flint are the principal varieties. At the fair held at Caldwell, in November, 1887, one exhibitor had seventeen varieties of field corn, besides several varieties of sweet and popcorn. Some cornstalks were fifteen feet high with two and three fine ears on them.

Tobacco and sweet potatoes of several varieties grow well in the milder climates of Idaho. Little attention has been given to the cultivated varieties, but Blue Grass, Orchard Grass, Red Top, Timothy, Alfalfa, and Clover when sown, have grown prolific and are hardy in growth. Clover and Alfalfa are especially prolific and keep their green colors all winter, yielding three to four crops of from one to three tons per acre each crop in one season. Timothy and Clover are often grown together, producing grass knee deep and making fine fodder for horses and cattle. Alfalfa is king of all Idaho grasses. Its yield in many cases is very large, being almost incredible, and its fattening qualities is almost equal to grain. Potatoes yield abundantly, averaging 200 bushels to the acre if properly cared for, and are of the finest quality, grow to an enormous size, and are white, mealy and delicious.

The writer has eaten of the second crop of potatoes which were grown from the seeding of the first crop the same season. Over 2000 car loads of potatoes were shipped from Idaho, in 1887 and 1888 to eastern markets, where they are in great demand. All kinds of garden vegetables, such as Beets, Peas, Squashes, Beans. Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Rhubarb, Onions, Melons, Etc., are abundantly raised and the crops are simply enormous. The quality is excellent and a ready, profitable market is always at hand. Cabbage averages twenty pounds to the head, and Beets have weighed fifteen pounds each. Sweet Corn, Lettuce, Radishes, Eggplant, Etc., are just as readily grown. There are more farmers and producers needed to supply the demand for Idaho's wonderful productions. The following is an official report of agricultural productions to the acre in bushels :

A farmer produced 1,000 bushels of wheat on eleven acres, and often 100 bushels of oats per acre. Parsnips are grown that measure twentysix inches in length. A farm owner, near Caldwell, says that on ten acres he has produced 500 to 600 bushels of wheat every season for many years.

In Boise Valley fifty-four pounds of wheat was produced from one square rod, being at the rate of 140 bushels to the acre, and has been called " Idaho White Wheat," A farmer in Boise Valley near Boise

City, in 1888, raised nearly 400 tons of Alfalfa on sixty acres of land, and 160 tons of Clover on forty acres, his Potatoes yielded 200 bushels per acre. One party said, "in August I saw Timothy standing three feet high and so thick you could scarce part it with your hand to see the ground. This was sown in April and it cut and weighed four and one-half tons of thoroughly cured, clean Timothy hay per acre." The facts show that Idaho farmers were as a rule very poor when they commenced farming a few years ago and have generally paid for their improvements, such as comfortable houses, corrals, fences, etc., with the first years crop of Potatoes or other vegetables raised only on a small portion of their land. Now these same farmers are well off, and have fine buildings, the best of agricultural implements, with often large herds of stock and cattle, which is a proof of their rapid success in agricultural pursuits in Idaho. Potatoes sell for 75 cents to $2 per hundred pounds, sometimes in mining camps much higher, and other vegetables in proportion.

it is odd, but true in many instances, that in some portions of the same land, farmers can raise their crops and produce, and other parts carry on placer gold and lode mining. Idaho soil contains much mineral deposits in gold dust, and its mountains are rich in precious metals. Idaho wants more factories of every kind to carry and pack her goods for Eastern shipment. No such opportunities, advantages and facilities can be had in this wide world for any of these enterprises, than in Poise Valley at and near Caldwell.

Extracts from the Caldwell Tribune, relating to the Caldwell Fair exhibit shown in the fall of 1887, the weights and measures were taken by reliable parties, and are given below : Tomatoes measuring ten to eighteen inches in circumference ; in a bushel of Onions the smallest one measuring five and one-half inches in diameter, the largest exhibited was twenty-one inches in circumference ; twelve pound Beets were common - one measured twenty-eight inches in circumference ; Field Corn ears were fifteen inches in length ; a Peach nine inches, an Apple thirteen and one-half inches, and a Turnip twenty -two and one-half inches in circumference ; a Carrot was fifteen inches' in length and the same in circumference ; Potatoes measured fifteen inches long and ten and one-half round ; a Radish eighteen long by twelve and three-fourths inches in circumference ; Squash, in circumference, was five feet eleven inches and weighed seventy-one and one-half pounds : a Pumpkin six feet two inches in circumference and weighed 120 pounds ; one Tobacco Leaf exhibited measured twenty-five inches long by fourteen inches wide.

Fruit Culture

Idaho Valleys cannot be excelled by any region East of California for the production of fine fruit. Apples, Peaches, Pears, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, Prunes, Grapes, and all small fruit are produced in the greatest abundance, and in size and quality unsurpassed.

These desolate plains are turned into the finest fruit farms with less trouble than it would need for a similar transformation on the wild prairies of Iowa and Nebraska. A prominent fruit grower estimates that 25,000 large fruit trees have been set out annually for the past five years in the rich Boise Valley and vicinity. Several of the orchards in this locality produce from 25,000 to 50,000 bushels of fruit each year. One gentleman has forty varieties of grapes in his vineyard, few of which have ever failed to bear a full crop, save the Catawba. Another fruit grower in Boise Valley has 125 acres in fruit (20,000 trees) embracing all the varieties known in this latitude. The production of this farm in a recent season was 50,000 pounds. He sells his fruit mostly in the mining camps and it commands from three to ten cents per pound.

Another has a seventy-five acre orchard (10,000) which failed to produce only once in eleven years. He produced in one season 4.000 bushels of large fruits and 500 bushels of berries, returning him qfiite a little fortune every year. He irrigated the first four or five years but has not found it necessary since. " He has an extensive fruit drying apparatus and a cider vinegar factory in which he works up vast quantities of fruit annually. Fruit drying and the manufacture of cider is a prominent and very profitable industry. One firm dries 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of fruit annually. The fourth years' growth of Apple trees in Boise Valley has yielded 200 pounds; of Cherries, seventy -five pounds ; Peaches, 150 pounds ; of Pears, 130 pounds ; Plums, 150 pounds, while small fruits, such as Strawberries, Currants, Gooseberries, Blackberries and Raspberries are very abundant. The growth of wood made by fruit trees and the quantity of fruit often found loading the branches is almost incredible. Black Locust trees have grown limbs twelve to fifteen feet in one season, and Plum, Peach and Apple trees two years from the graft, full of fruit. In an orchard was counted 140 nearly ripe Green Gage Plums on a branch seventeen inches long, the Plums averaging one and a half inches in diameter. Idaho is the finest country for growing Plums and Prunes . The trees are very healthy, grow vigorously and bear very heavily and earlier than the States east of the Rocky mountains. The size and flavor of these fruits can not be excelled in the wide world . One farmer sold his Prune crop at an average of $600 per acre. The Idaho German Prunes are pronounced suprior to the imported fruits. The fruit belt covers all the agricultural districts in Idaho, although some elevations are too cool for some of these. There is a grand future for the Idaho fruit grower. Montana to the North, Wyoming East and Nevada to the South, produce no fruit. With her railroads reaching all points of these States and with a vast consumption at home, Idaho is assured the best fruit market in the land. Large shipments are made each season. Boise Valley has supplied not only her home market and Wood river, but also the neighboring States with her fruits. Official figures show that out of a total of 500,000 pounds of fresh fruit received at Butte, Montana, up to November, 1887, 253,490 pounds were from Boise Valley, the remainder being from California, the Missouri River Valley, Utah and Portland. Oregon. From this date an additional 150,000 pounds of apples were shipped to the same point from this Valley, making in all 403,430 pounds of fruit shipped to this single mining camp of Butte in one season. Before shipment, the Apples are packed in fifty pound boxes, and readily find a good home market as well as in adjoining States. Apples boxed and shipped net about 81.25 per hundred pounds. In many instances we note the fact that a second crop in one season of berries and other fruits is nearly as good as the first, or early crop. Two peculiarities about the Early Bough A pples, are that the first crop grow here and there all over the tree, while the second crop grow in cluster. In the first crop the Apples are round, and in the second long and narrow. These are strange freaks of nature, owing to this wonderful climate of Idaho. Another farmer has shown samples of a second and third crop of Apples for the current year. The second crop were large and mellow, excellent eating Apples, while the third crop were as large as walnuts with the shell on and grow in bunches. Currants of a wild variety, when cultivated, grow as large as Gooseberries and Gooseberries grow as large in proportion. In the mountain valleys the growth of these kinds of wild fruits is something remarkable. Plums and Prunes, especially the latter, are found to be so profitable for drying that many orchards are being planted for that purpose. There is no possibility of overdoing the Plum and Prune growing business as the growing districts for these fruits are very limited in extent, and immense quantities of inferior Prunes are imported to this country each year. The fruit culture of Idaho is in its infancy.

Extracts from the Caldwell Tribune, relating- to the Caldwell Fair exhibits, shown in the fall of 1887, the size and measurement were taken by reliable parties and are given below : Peaches exhibited averaged nine inches in circumference; the largest Apple was thirteen and one-half inches: a nursery exhibited two year old hardy Catalpa trees ten feet high and nine inches in circumference, two-year-old Apple tree eight and a half feet high and live inches in circumference, one-year old Pear tree seven and a half feet high, one-year-old Apple tree seven feet, two-year-old Butternut tree six feet and a half high and four inches in circumference. Idaho extends her invitation and will welcome all industrious and moral people to come and accept of her beautiful climate, take up and cultivate her millions of fertile acres.

Stock Rassing

On the 25,000,000 acres of Idaho's grazing land, there grows about fifteen different kinds of nutritious wild grasses, all differing in leaf, root and height, which retain vitality throughout the winter. The long and dry atmosphere of Idaho, both in winter and summer, produces extraordinary abundance of these wonderfully nutritious grasses, which cure as they grow, making excellent food for animals, nearly equal to grain. The mild winters and little snow-fall, and warm wind from the Pacific, enable stock to live without shelter through the.verv short winter and take care of themselves. Bunch grass is the best and most common. There are several varieties of this grass, but two of those varieties are best liked and generally known. One resembles Blue grass, and shoots up stems which form into clusters, and is found upon high benches, foot hills and mountains. The other has a sharp-bladed leaf with the heads all turned one way, and is often called the flag grass, and grows mostly on low benches and near bottom lands. This latter is thought best for cattle use, and the former for sheep. Borne of these grasses grow to three feet in height and cut one ton to the acre. These many grasses start forth in early spring and grow very rapidly, if there has been considerable snow during the short winter or frequent rain showers during the spring. The bunch grass yields a large and fine stand; usually the grass is headed out by the last of May or first of June and makes the hills appear as though' covered with crops of waving grain. The usual height of these grasses is twelve inches, and are well cured as they stand by the middle of July. Then the tops become brown and look like a field of grain ready to be cut. In some seasons, if the weather is moist, the blades of grass remain green and continue to grow until September, though the early cured grasses are the best. These early cured grasses retain their nutriment all winter, as there are no rains in the fall bo drench or bleach them. Beside the grasses, there are the white, black and yellow sage and greesewood which are abundant and are excellent for winter grazing. There is almost an unlimited area of summer pasturage in the mountains and elevations, and as the season passes on toward fall the flocks and herds go further up into the highlands. The great Snake River Plains and tributary valleys affords ample winter feeding grounds for cattle which are left to take care of themselves. The annual expense of caring for cattle or horses in this manner is very small. Some stock owners round up and drive their finer grades of stock home to their ranches for the winter and feed them on Alfalfa and Timothy hay.

Stock-raising under these conditions is very profitable. With a small capital to begin with, a party can become wealthy in five or ten years. All figure on a profit of from 25 to 35 per cent, per annum. Stock cattle of all ages, sell in Idaho at an average of about .$18 per head. Improvements generally consist of a rough log hut or cabin and corrals which for 1,000 head need not cost more than $250. If a herder is employed his wages are from $30 to $40 per month and found. The cattle business each year is taking a different form and more satisfactory and profitable to the stockmen. Owing to reduction in extent of the area of ranges, by the taking and occupying of this land by farmers, many stockmen are securing large tracts of Idaho's fertile Government land near their ranges and producing hay and grain from these lands as feed for a portion of their cattle. The writer believes that should market cattle be better fed during the fall and winter by Alfalfa or Clover the increase in weight would more than offset the expense in home feeding. One ton of Alfalfa (which is nearly equal in fattening qualities to grain) will feed one head of stock through the winter, or two tons with a little pasture through the year. The average cost to raise one ton of Alfalfa (including the cutting and stacking) is $1.66 per ton. Idaho herds are being much improved each year by introducing blooded stock of the best breeds. One hundred acres of Alfalfa will readily produce 600 tons, Clover much the same. If the land is of the finest quality and well irrigated at the proper periods, this land may be made to give 800 tons. Alfalfa once seeded is good for twenty years without further attention, or fertilizing, and after a few years needs scarcely any irrigating.

If stockmen will feed up their market cattle they will gain one year in advance of weight on a young steer. The experiment is worth trying. In several counties of Idaho these vast ranges are located, but particular mention should be made of Ada, Alturas and Owyhee Counties, and all along the Snake river for 400 miles. These ranges are tributary to Caldwell which is now a great shipping point for lajge herds of stock and cattle from these ranges. Cattle are put aboard the fine improved stock feeding cars and leave Caldwell for both the Eastern and the Western markets. Much of the stock goes to the coast and is shipped across the Pacific Ocean for foreign ports. Official reports show a total of 385,896 cattle in Idaho for 1889 ; about 40,000 head are marketed annually, but much beef is consumed in Idaho towns and many mining camps.

The stock-raiser has the use of the vast mountain ranges, free of taxes, upon which to raise and feed his stock. Idaho's three great industries in the future will be farming, stock-raising and mining.

Mule-raising is very remunerative and little done as yet in the vicinity of Caldwell. Horses are more hardy than either cattle or sheep, because they will paw the snow away that may cover their pasturage! The average increase of colts is 80 per cent of the mares. No hay or grain is usually fed, except to the thoroughbred leaders of the herd, of which there are now quite a large showing. There is room for 200,000 head of horses on the snake River Aralley alone, where much of this industry is carried on. There are about '130,000 head of horses in Idaho. A large portion of these are native or Eroncho stock, though many herds are of better breed, and many of the ordinary herds are being improved by the introduction of good blooded sires. What are wanted for a ready market and at good prices are heavy draft horses. Any number could be sold as far east as New \"ork at high prices. The writer knows of several car-loads of horses which were shipped from Idaho to that city, and arrived there in good condition, and after a few days rest were offered for sale and brought a good profit to the seller over cost of horses (which were bought in a herd) and expenses per herd for the trip. More attention in the past has been given to cattle raising than to any other stock. Large profits have been realized from this industry.

Sheep Raising And Wool Growing

Idaho is making rapid progress in wool raising ; her herds of sheep have increased up to the present time to nearly half a million head. The profits of wool-growing is thought by many to be greater than cattle raising, and is reckoned at thirty per cent. The wool clip pays for all expenses, leaving the increase a clear gain. The annual increase of ewes, two years old and upward, average about ninety per cent ; the increase of herds of all ages and sexes is estimated at fifty per cent ; the loss from all causes is figured by many sheep men to average ten per cent. Flocks do not need to be sheltered in winter in Idaho, and but few receive shelter and feed other than that gathered by themselves. .Sheep raising can be begun with but small capital, and no capital is needed after the first season for running expenses. It needs no argument to prove that these high and dry vast ranges in Idaho are the natural home of the sheep, and surpass Montana and Utah. Disease does not originate among sheep here, where they are out in sunshine nearly every day in the year; where there is no moisture to keep their hoofs damp and produce foot-rot or to saturate the fleece and create scalp or skin disease. Grazing where it is scarcely ever muddy, the fleece keeps clear and free from matting, and the sheep are never washed before shearing. The wool of Idaho sheep is often as clean as wool washed in the States.

Idaho sheep are being rapidly improved; formerly they were of Mexican and California breed, but have since been mixed with fine Merino stock and are known as Mexican-Merino. Some bucks have sheared eighteen to twenty pounds of wool and some herds will average nearly nine pounds of wool per head, each shearing. Wool sells at from fifteen to twenty cents per pound and will bring about forty cents when scoured. The loss of weight when scoured is considered to be about three pounds to the fleece. There are no scouring plants in this region, which are much needed. It would pay anyone largely to construct such an enterprise in Caldwell and vicinity. The common average of all herds is about seven pounds to the shearing per head : some this season will give nine pounds. Owing to the excellent railway facilities and rates offered, the close proximity of the ranges to the shipping point at Caldwell, Idaho mutton is laid down in the Eastern markets at such good time as to afford the wool-growers fine profit from his wethers. Eastern buyers always go to wool-growers, as the Idaho fleece is much sought after. About 2,000,000 pounds ot wool was shipped from Idaho in 1888. Wethers bring -52.75, sheep 53, after shearing #2.25. Salt grass is much liked and is the staple food, and sheep will fatten on white sage. Salt and sulphur should be given to them twice a month and should be well scattered about and not in heaps. If sheep are fed up winters with hay or Alfalfa they will produce stronger lambs, better mutton and about onethird more wool in weight. Some sheepmen own fine large ranches to which they drive their sheep in winter, but as stated before, most of Idaho sheep browse on the high benches, foot hills and mountains all winter. Idaho has room for many million more sheep. In former times California ranked first as for grazing lands for large herds ; but now these ranges have been cut up into many farms and ranches. Now Idaho takes the lead for sheep and stock-raising ranges. Herders from Montana and Utah have declared that Idaho is first in ranges, eveness of climate, and in quantities and qualities of her grasses. There is room on our ranges for many more herds. Come to Caldwell, Idaho, and go to the ranges and see our vast herds on a thousand hills.

Dairying

Idaho offers better facilities and opportunities for dairying than any other State. Notwithstanding this there is a great scarceity of dairy products. The stockmen with their thousands of cows often buy their butter, rather than make it themselves, and many times do without it because of the scarcity of the article. The inhabitants of Idaho cities, towns, ranches and mining camps are accustomed to the regular butter famine at different periods throughout the whole year, both in winter and summer. There is no proper excuse for this scarcity, with the hue stock, plenty of pasture and excellent hay. In the winter prime butter is worth in the mining districts from forty to sixty cents per pound, and will average from thirty- live to forty cents the year round. Climate, pasturage and the cool well or spring water makes dairying a very easy and lucrative industry. Cows cost very little to keep them in a very good condition and the product of butter or cheese is a clear gain, the increase in stock paying expenses. Good cows can be bought for $30 to $45 per head.

Idaho's populace send to other states for their butter and cheese. This should not be. Thousands of pounds are brought into this State annually. There should be large Dairies and Cheese Factories under full headway and turning out tons of butter and cheese for local consumption and shipping by car-loads to the East and West. The dairyman of Idaho have a great advantage over those in other States and in the East. He can graze his cows on lands that cost him nothing for pasture, and can winter them at a cost of about five dollars per head. Ice is not needed for cooling purposes and there are no thunder storms to sour the milk and cream.

The Boise Valley, surrounding Caldwell, and the hills in the vicinity are the natural home and range for Idaho's great herds and flocks of stock.

Irrigation In Idaho

Water applied to the rich soil of Idaho creates great productiveness. Millions of acres of what was known %s desert land, has proven to be the finest agricultural land when irrigated. During the last two years much capital has been invested in irrigating canals. Large canals have been constructed in the Snake Kiver, Boise, Payette, and Weiser Valleys, covering immense tracts of land. A. D. Foote, C. E., in his late report to the Governor states : "The Boise River Valley contains about 375,- 000 acres of excellent land which can be supplied with water from the Boise River." Canals are constructed and being constructed of sufficient capacity to irrigate this land. The following canals and ditches are tributary to Caldwell: The Sebree, Strahorn, Phyllis, Dixie and others. The Payette Valley proper has about 300,000 acres of irrigable land which can be irrigated from the Payette River, and on the same in Garden Valley, Horse Shoe Flat and Long Valley are about 75,000 acres which can be irrigated. The Payette Lakes at the head of this river, are great natural reservoirs, the largest being ten miles long and five miles wide and bottomless. The altitude of this lake is about 5,000 feet. The canals and ditches in the Payette Valleys are named as follows : Emmett, Last Chance, Payette, Rossi and Stevenson.

These appropriations and franchises are valuable. Agriculturalists availing themselves of the use of water from the conduits, pay for the right, called a " water right," a certain price per acre, and after that pay a certain annual sum per acre to defray expenses of maintenance. In towns this would apply to gardens and all persons using a greater or less amount of water. The use for manufacturing purposes is also a source of revenue. The appropriations for water are made by cubic inches called "miners' and agricultural inches;" an agricultural inch is that quantity of water which flows through an inch square orifice in an inch partition, in one second of time with a pressure or head of water extending four inches above the center of the orifice. A miners' inch extends six inches above the orifice. One cubic foot per second equals forty-eight inches. One-half inch of water with a steady flow will irrigate (in most eases) an acre of land in Idaho. The rent of water is recorded by acre. Irrigation is very simple, and is used in Idaho, from May 1st to September 1st, and insures farmers their crops, and rain for moisture is not depended on. Water rent is one dollar to one dollar and fifty cents per acre, per season.

Lumber Interests

East of the divide, the Payette River Valley, as well as those of its many tributaries, the principal of which are the South and Middle forks of the Payette, are covered with a heavy growth of fine timber. The importance of this interest is shown in the following considerations: No good finishing lumber grows in all Utah, Wyoming, or Colorado. To supply these regions requires train loads of lumber daily, which comes either from the forests East of the Mississippi or from Portland, Oregon, and Pnget Sound. Passing through Caldwell, all these sources of supply from the West, require a rail haul from 500 to 1,000 miles longer to reach a market, than would be necessary by way of Caldwell from the forests along the Payette river. The local lumber consumption - that is of Southern Idaho, Northern Nevada and Southerh Oregon - in 18K9 was estimated at 80.000,000 feet, of which at least one-lralf was hauled from other States, because of a lack of transportation and manufacturing facilities in these great home forests.

The forests of the Payette river drainage alone covers 2.500,000 acres and the forest area in the State is 7,000,000 acres. An acre of the Payette timber is estimated to contain an average of 40,000,000 feet of good merchantable lumber, or a total of over 100,000,000,000 feet. The varieties are chiefly Pine, Fir and Cottonwood in these Payette tributaries, but throughout the State there are White, Red and Black Spruce, Scrub Oak, Mountain Mahogany. Juniper, Tamarack, Birch, Alder and Willow. The upper waters of the Boise river and its tributaries are heavily timbered, the amount of merchantable timber in that section is estimated at from 80,000.000 to 90,000,000 feet, exclusive of the South Fork, which is claimed to be more heavily timbered than the Boise. There are several other forests equal or larger in area and size of timber in other parts of the State. In no other State in the Union are there larger forest belts than within the limits of Idaho. Fir, Cedar, Spruce, White and Yellow Pine grow in abundance, from two to six feet in diameter and from fifty to seventy-five feet without a limb, the height being from 100 to 200 feet. We have known a Saw Mill owner to give instructions to his lumber men not to fell a tree over four and one-half feet thick, it being impossible to handle such large timber with his facilities, without loss. Surveys have been completed for two railroads direct from the forests to Caldwell and points South, and the lower mining districts.

Idaho can boast of having more valuable mines, located in her many mountain regions, than any other State. Many of these mines have produced untold wealth and are still giving up their precious metals. Other new mines are being discovered and located and often show finer grades and finer qualities than those previously discovered. Gold, Lead, silver and Copper seem to be inexhaustible. Placer mining has been carried on for many years past with large returns. There are many valuable mines tributary to Caldwell. Gold was first discovered in Idaho in 18fiO. The miners of Idaho have produced to date about $ 190,000,0(10.

For several years after the discovery was made, mining was confined entirely to surface or placer mines. As these mines gave evidence of exhaustion, some attention was given to prospecting for Gold and Silver quartz and lodes. There has been for several years past a great increase in the production. The out-put last year was nearly double that of any previous season. The mountains of Ada, Boise, Elmore and Owyhee Counties have each hundreds of Gold and Silver mines. Boise and Elmore Counties have several mills in operation and will have several more this year. Boise county has large Placer fields only partially worked - much more gold dust can be taken from these placers. Owyhee County, South of Caldwell, is the oldest quartz mining district in the State. The De Tamar group is probably the largest and richest property in Idaho. There are three large veins in these mines. The first is called Yoshay, being a lode about fifteen feet wide ; the second the Wilson, thirty feet wide; and the third, the "Seventy-Seven," it being seventy-seven feet in width. These veins have been opened up in fine shape, showing, it is estimated, over 300,000 tons of ore that will mill from $15 to $200 per ton. The ore is easily extracted, two men being able to keep a twenty-five stamp mill running. The bullion produced is high grade in gold. A portion of one of these lodes produces Silver ore that runs over $500 per ton per carload. This ore is carted by wagons forty-eight miles to the railroad and then shipped to Denver for reduction. The Oro Fino group is controlled by an English Company. This vein is a true fissure varrying -from' two to six feet in width carrying free milling ore of Gold and Silver ; a new lode discovered, recently tested, milled $225 per ton, being nearly all Gold. The Boorman group has yielded millions. In the Seven Devils district are located the great Copper mines of the State. One mine is estimated to have 30,000 tons in sight and another 15,000 tons. All the ores will average at least thirty per cent, copper, and carrying a percentage of Gold and Silver sufficient in some to pay a profit over transportation to reduction works at Omaha, which means packing on mules for about ten miles and then eighty miles by wagon to the Oregon Short Line R. IT, thence 1100 miles to Omaha. There is no difficulty in building a railroad north from Caldwell to these mines, and also a road South to the great De Lamar mines and Silver City. Surveys have already been made for these two routes and named the Idaho Northern and the De Lamar, Caldwell & Payette Valley. One twenty stamp mill in the De Lamar mine has produced over $800,000 in the past year. The sands of the Payette, Boise and Snake rivers contain millions of dollars of fine scales and Gold dust. Some of the rich, high grade Copper mines in the Seven Devils district show tine Gold in sight. About $50,000 worth of this ore was shipped last year. It is now acknowledged that Idaho, (translated Gem of the Mountains) is ranking first in mining.

Mineral Resources

Iron'. - Besides her precious metals, Idaho has also great abundance of Iron, Coal, Lead, Copper, Salt, Sulphur, Mica, Marble, Sandstone, Granite, Limestone and some Cinnibar and Tin. Idaho is well supplied by nature, for many industries to come and develop her great resources. Vast iron Mining regions are being discovered, besides those already worked, showing a variety in quality. Near Rocky Bar is a vein of Iron ore seven feet wide, carrying fifty-six per cent pure iron ; in another district is an immense body of micaceous iron, yielding fifty to sixty per cent of metal. Along Wood River there are locations of Oxide ures carrying fifty to seventy-five per cent in inexhaustible quantities ; near the W estern boundary of Idaho are great deposits of Iron ore carrying seventy to ninety per cent of metal. There are other mines that have assayed ninety-five to ninety-eight per cent pure Iron.

Coal. - Is found in immense quantities in Southeastern Idaho in the vicinity of Bear Lake. The Coal beds of Goose creek, south of Shoshone, in Southern Idaho, is called brown lignite and similar to the Germantown Coal. These Coal beds vary in width from four to eighteen feet, and the veins are interlined with hard sandstone. These mines are near the Oregon Short Line R. R. Coal mines are open on Smith's Fork and Twin creeks, near the railroad in Eastern Idaho. The famous Mammoth mine shows a vein seventy feet thick of clear Coal. A good quality of Lignite Coal has been found near Boise, other qualities at Horse Shoe Rend, north of Caldwell, between the Payette and Weiser rivers. Good blacksmithing Coal has been found on Sucker creek, thirty miles South of Caldwell, and large deposits of this near Lewiston, in the Northern part of the State. Discoveries have been made in other Counties. Very few of these mines have been worked to any extent on account of the distance to railroads, and capital is needed to develop them. As manufacturing industries are springing up in ail parts of the State, these Coal mines will be considered valuable enterprises.

Lead. - Idaho can produce great quanties of Lead, which nas been found on Wood river, Smoky, Bayhorse, Viola, CcBur d'Alene, and other districts. Large shipments have been made from these parts, of Lead ores, containing fifty to eighty per cent Lead and $50 to $200 in Silver to the ton. Wood River Mines ship 20,000 to 30,000 tons of Lead annually.

Cinnibar. - Is found in nearly all Placer Mines or claims in Idaho County. In gulches near Miller's camp, West of Warrens, pieces of Iron ore containing from ten to fifty per cent of Gold have been found bnt its source has not yet been discovered. Tin ore has been found in this locality.

Salt. - The famous Salt Springs in Oneida County, near the old Sander immigrant road are located in a small valley which opens into Salt creek. The water or these springs can produce 2500 pounds of Salt per day. There is another spring in the vicinity which can yield 2,000 pounds of Salt per day. This Salt industry was first begun in 1866 and placed on the market at five cents per pound. The product from these works have amounted to 1,500,000 pounds a year.

Marble - Is found in the valley of the Snake river. Fine Marble can be quarried from the bluffs in the vicinity of Bonanza Bar, below the American Falls. Lately samples have been taken to Omaha and examined and found to be in quality nearly equal to Italian Marble. Large quarries have been discovered in the vicinity of Clearwater, and in Kootenai and Cassia Counties.

Granite and Sandstone, - Abounds in localities along the Oregon Short Line, and is of the finest quality, easily taken out, and shows different colors, such as white, pink, gray, and other shades.

Limestone. - Abounds in great quantities in the vicinity of Boise, Hailey, Weiser and Payette Valley near Emmett, twenty miles from Caldwell, and is of excellent quality" for reducing to lime.

Sulphur. - At Soda Springs, in the Eastern part of Idaho, there is a Sulphur mountain, nearly pure in the material, being about eighty-five per cent in purity. This mine has been worked for several years, and the out-put carried fifty miles by wagon to the shipping point, until recently. when railroad facilities were placed close at hand.

Mica. - Is found North of Weiser, in Washington County, in two ledges about ten feet wide each. Thousands of tons have been taken out. Clear sheets of Mica four by six inches can be had from the mine in vast quantities. Deposits exi3t near Pend d'Orille lake in Northern Idaho, and at City of Rocks, south of Shoshone, and produce sheets a foot long, also blocks have been noticed in Payette valley north of Caldwell.

Brick Clay. - Can be found in most any part of Idaho. In Caldwell a first-class quality of brick is made. The same clay will make excellent pottery; other brick yards are carried on at Hailey, Ketchum and Weiser.

Educational Advantages

Education is keeping pace with the progress of the development of the State of Idaho. There are in the State 337 School Districts with 365 Schools and 268 school houses, costing about 8350,000, and a school population of about 20,000. The School system consists of a State Superintendent, County Superintendent, and District Trustees. Teachers' salaries range from 850 to 8150 per month. Attending School is compulsory for children between the ages of eight and fourteen years for at least three months in a year. Great care is taken in the selection of teachers. Home seekers coming to Idaho can find abundant educational facilities in the Elementary and Graded Schools of the State.

Places Of Resort

Idaho, the " Gem of the Mountains " stands unrivaled in her beautiful scenery. Mountains, Canyons, Forests, Rivers, Valleys, Ravines, Lakes, Water Falls, Cataracts, Cascades, Etc. Her majestic snow crowned lofty peaks tower above her lovely valleys, plains and plateaus. Various resorts convenient by travel from Caldwell, possess all the conveniences and comforts of modern hotels elsewhere. Sixteen miles South of Caldwell are the Given Hot Springs, which have effected marvelous cures of rheumatism and other diseases. IS orth of Caldwell fifty to one hundred miles are the great summer camping grounds for many residents of Southern and Western Idaho. These are along the Payette rivers and lakes, where sporting can be enjoyed to its fullest extent. Among the attractions of Western Idaho are the Boise Hot Springs, four miles East of the capital city. The springs are highly medicinal, containing iron, sulphur, soda, lime and magnesia. There are vapor, shower, plunge and mud baths. The temperature varies from 125 © to 220°. Hailey Hot Springs resort can be compared with Saratoga in New York State, as to its hotels, accommodations, etc., and is located on the beautiful Wood river in the midst of grand and lofty mountains, and is the Mount Washington of the West. Shoshone Falls is a small Niagara ; the cliffs rise 1500 feet high. The Snake pours torrent like through one of the grandest canyons on earth and leaps into an abyss 210 feet deep ; the spray often rises to a height of 1000 feet. Shoshone Falls is only one of Idatm's great wonders. American Falls, west of Pocatello, is a wild spectacle not soon forgotten, the railroad crosses over this great volume of raging water, and a fine view can be had from the cars. Idaho has too many delightful places of attraction and resort to be mentioned in these pages. The range of mineral water for bathing and drinking purposes is greater than in any region of similar extent on the globe. Hot sulphur and soda for bathing, cold soda, seltzer, iron chalybeate and sulphur for drinking, are found at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 feet above the sea. ~ Idaho is 'well named "Gem of the Mountains."

Hunting And Fishing

The sportsman's earthly paradise is Idaho. Her waters are alive with trout, they being taken by the wagon load ficm some lakes and streams, for market. The mountain trout weigh from one-half pound to two pounds; salmon trout -weigh from two to ten pounds. They bite readily at fly or bait. Sturgeon weighing from 600 to 1000 pounds are abundant in Snake river. I he Payette and Sawtooth Lakes are the home of the Redfish. Fine trout fishing can be enjoyed at Silver Creek, Wood River, Payette, Snake and other rivers. Grizzly, Black and Cinnamon Bear are numerous in the forests and mountains. The American Elk is found in the Northern Counties. Antelope, black-tailed and white-tailed Deer are numerous throughout the State, Also Rocky Mountain Sheep, California Lion, Yellow Wolf, Coyotte, Moose, and many smaller animals abound. The feathered tribe consists of Eagles, Wild Ducks, Swan, Quail, Owl, Fish Hawk, Buzzard and all the smaller birds which inhabit the Eastern States. Huntsmen can rendezvous at Caldwell. Boise City, Payette, Emmett, Sidney, Hailey, Weiser and other points. Wild Geese and Ducks hatch their youngin the bottom lands of the Snake, Payette and Boise Rivers, adjacent to Caldwell.

Labor And Prices Paed

Skilled labor is scarce in Idaho and in the smaller towns there is a demand for such. The construction of new railroads and canals creates a demand for laborers. There is a great scarcity of female servants who could readily obtain from $16 to $30 per month. The following wages are paid miners: $3.50 per day ; foremen, $4 to $5. Saw mill men and loggers, $2 to $3.50; wood choppers, $3; mechanics and skilled laborers, $3 to $6; other laborers, $1.50 to $3; teamsters, $30 to $60 per month and board; farm hands, $30 to $45; stock herders, $35 to $60; salesmen and bookkeepers, $40 to $150; teachers, $50 to $100. There are very few laborers of foreign birth in Idaho - the majority of farm hands, mill men, teamsters and herders being of American birth. The above wages enable this class of people to have comfortable and pleasant homes and surroundings. A neat, convenient house can be rented from $8 to $10 per month, and a new, modern house of from five to six rooms, for $10 to $15 per month.

Is now turning to Idaho from the East, and back from the States north, south and west. Idaho offers more and greater inducements, natural advantages and facilities for rapid prosperity and homelike comfortsthari any other state. This is saying a great deal, but the statemen t can be sustained with practical proof. Inquire of us and be satisfied in yourselves.

Caldwell Wants

Caldwell offers great natural advantages, inducements and facilities for the following- Manufacturies and Industries : a Woolen Mill, Flour Mill, Saw Mill, Paper Mill, Agricultural Implement Factory, a Shoe, Starch, Sugar, Cheese, Canning and Fruit Drying Manufactory, and many others. Wool is at hand by the millions of pounds. Lumber is cut and floated down stream in close proximity. Grain is going to waste for want of great Mills. Sugar Beets can be grown by incalculable quantities. Hides are plenty and are now shipped away. Plenty of Soap Fat thrown away. Potatoes right at hand by the thousands of tons. Ranchmen and farmers buy their own cheese and butter ; their time is too valuable to make it. Fruit and vegetables rot by the bushels every year for the want of preservation. TV hat more could a few enterprising men desire for a start in such wonderfully productive enterprises than these. We invite the reader of this little book to come and visit us. You will be met at our fine depot and be welcomed heartily, if you only come to see our " Magic City " and look over our offerings.

Idaho offers a great and unparalled field for every kind of manufac* turing and other enterprises. With abundant fuel and water power, inexhaustible quantities of iron, coal, copper, and other minerals, forests unexcelled, wool, hides, ores, and other raw material in any quantity at low prices, is it any wonder that capitalists are turning their attention to Idaho. All kinds of milling on Idaho's great water courses pay handsomely. Caldwell offers ample water power and other advantages to manufacturing industries. All such industries started in this vicinity would need to run to their utmost capacity for many years to come.

How To File On Government Land

Homestead Entries - Heads of families, widows, or single persons (male or female) over the age of twenty-one years, citizens of the I'nited States, or who have declared their intention to become such, are entitled to enter a quarter section 1I6O acres) or less quantity of public land under the homestead laws. The applicant must pay (at the land office) the legal fee and commission, SIB for 160 acres; 89 for 80 acres. Within six months residence must be takeD up on the land, and the filer must reside thereupon and cultivate the same for five years continuously. Final proof cannot be made until the expiration of five years from date of entry, and must be made within seven years. A settler can commute his entry by paying 81.25 per acre entered upon, at any time after fourteen months from date of entry, and obtain a patent upon making proof of settlement, residence and cultivation for such land for the period named.

Desert Entries - Any person possessing the aforesaid qualifications, may file his oath with Register and Receiver of the Land Office in the district in which the land is located, that he intends to reclaim not to exceed 320 acres of said land lying together in compact form, by conducting water upon it within three years from date of said oath, and paying twenty-five cents per acre at the rime of declaration and shall also file a map of said land, showing the plan contemplated for irrigation. Within one year after making entry for such tract of desert land, the party so entering shall expend not less than 81 per acre for irrigation and cultivation, and also the same amount the second and third years, until the sum of 83 per acre is so expended, and shall file with the Register proof by two or more witnesses, that such expenditure has been made. Any time after filing the declaration and within the period of four years thereafter, if expenditure and improvements have been complied with, and upon payment to the Receiver of the additional sum of 81 per acre, a patent will be issued to the applicant or his assigns.

The late amendments to land laws repeals the Timber-Culture Act, but protects the rights of all existing entries and gives a right of commutation to those who have for four years in good faith tried to comply with the law at 81.25 per acre. The same amendments repeal the Preemption laws, but protect all rights under existing entries made in the past. *

Walking Plows

BAIN FARM AND FREIGHT WAGONS, RACINE SPRING WAGONS, BUGGIES, PHAETONS AND CARTS. CHAMPION AND WOODS HARVESTING MACHINERY, OLIVER AND MOLINE SULKY AND WALKING PLOWS.

The Country- Call And See Us And Be Convinced

eAN BE FOUND THE FINEST DRY GOODS, THE FINEST CLOTHING, AND THE FINEST GROCERIES. IN FACT "THE FINEST" IS THE ONLY GROCERY IN THIS SECTION OF THE COUNTRY- CALL AND SEE US AND BE CONVINCED.

Amd Rite Stock Agency

Tf you have any Real Estate of any form for sale or rent, or wish to purchase, or desire a Loan on your Ranch, or wish to insure your buildings in the best Companies of the United States, or have any Collections to make, or any Live Stock for sale, we would be pleased to hear from you. We are here to remain, and will endeavor to please our patrons. Correspondence Solicited.

Paper, Baby Carriages, Etc

OFFICE FIXTURES, MATTRESSES, PILLOWS, WINDOW SHADES, CURTAIN POLES AND FURNISHINGS, PICTURES, PICTURE FRAMING AND MOUNTING, WINDOW AND LOOKING GLASS, WALL PAPER, BABY CARRIAGES, ETC.

Poisons Dispensed In Quantities To Suit

People will Read This Book. Every will want to know more about this favored section. THE CALDWELL TRIBUNE tells all about it every week . The editors can't lie if they

Caldwell, Idaho

JL JL try the Daily Statesman, say for one month, {$!) It is published in 'Boise, and devoted to the interests of South Idaho. The Secretary of Caldwell Board of Trade will send you a sample copy.

Fresh Milk

Having permanently located in the city of Caldwell and having a ranch three miles from the city where my cows can have an abundance of tame food and good water, I would say to the public in general, and especially to the ladies of the city, that I am prepared to furnish milk, cream, buttermilk and dutch cheese in any quantity desired. I will sell winter and summer at the same price, and to all sociables and festivals at reduced rates.

Locates and surveys Government and Private Land . Having duplicate maps from Boise City Land Office of the country surrounding Caldwell, I am enabled to give intending settlers all necessary information. Surveying and constructing Irrigating ditches a specialty. A number of desirable improved and unimproved ranches for sale.

Owners Of The Townsite Of

eALDWELL is a thriving young Town of 1500 People, situated in the very heart of the rich and fertile Valley of the Boise , thirty miles Southwest from the Capitol of the State, and is supported by an immense trade (for so small a town) drawn from the Boise Valley, the De Lamar and Silver City Mining District, the great Jordan Valley Stock Country of Eastern Oregon, the rich Agricultural Valleys of Boise County, and the Mining Districts of Squaw Creek and the Seven Devils country. The Town also enjoys a very large trade East and West on the Oregon Short Line Railway for a distance in each direction of one hundred and fifty miles.

This Company also owns one of the finest Irrigating Canals in the State, having a capacity of 20,000 inches, capable of irrigating 25,000 Acres of Land. This Canal covers all of the rich sagebrush land lying between the Town and Snake River, and here the prospective Farmer and Settler can obtain land by Government Filing. These lands when cultivated will produce crops of Hay, Oats, Barley, Wheat and Corn,- that will be a revelation to the Farmers of Eastern States, and the system of Irrigation absolutely assures a crop each year.

We invite live, energetic business men to come to our Town, and can assure them ample field for their labors, and splendid returns for their investments.

We invite Farmers with moderate means to settle upon the lands under our Canal, and can assure them a good crop every year, and returns therefrom that will be far ahead of anything they can make on the Farms of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, and the more Eastern States.

Caldwell Without Change

All Agents sell Tickets via. the Chicago & Northwestern and Union Pacific Railways, and full information can be obtained by addressing W. A. Thrall, General Passenger and Ticket Agent C. N. W. R'y, Chicago, Illinois,

Caldwell Building & Loan Association

THE Company loans money to members on Caldwell Real Estate to build or improve. All Artisans, Mechanics and Laboring Men can secure Homes through tile Company, repaying their Loans in small Monthly Installments, averaging but little more than House rent, and own tneir property free of debt at the end of four years and two months.

This Company adds another to the many inducements offered for YOUR coming to CALDWELL - The livest Town in the youngest State of the American Union.