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CAMAS COUNTY IDAHO               GEN WEB

 

This site was updated APRIL 2009


CHARLOTTE SLATER
is the Gen Web volunteer for this county.  I will be glad to do research for your ancestors that lived in Camas County Idaho from 1865 through 1910. Camas County was part of Blaine County then.

Camas County was formed on February 6, 1917 from Blaine County consisting of   eleven hundred square miles.  It has been under the jurisdiction of ten separate counties, between 1843 and 1917.  They are in order of their creation; Champaign, Linn, Wasco, Shoshone, Idaho, Boise, Alturas, Logan, Alta and Blaine, either by the first Territory or State of Idaho.    Alturas County was the second largest county created by the first Territorial
Legislative Assembly.  Old Alturas known as  the "Empire" county, extending from Boise  east to the Little Lost River, north from  the Sawtooth Range and south to the Snake River.  On December 11, 1882 at the 12th
session of the Idaho Territorial Legislative   Assembly, a bill to create a county from the western end of Alturas called Camas was introduced.  Thus after a Long and involved controversy concerning the creation of counties from the original  Alturas, Camas County was formed.

The county seat is at Fairfield. Camas was named for the lily-like plant found in the area with an edible bulb used as by settlers. 

Consists of the small mining towns of Soldier, and Corral , Camas and Fairfield.

 

© 2002-2007 Charlotte Slater

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U S GEN WEB

WESTERN MARRIAGE INDEX

IDAHO STATE GEN WEB

 
IDAHO GENEALOGY EVENTS CALENDAR

CIVIL WAR VETERANS OF CAMAS COUNTY

 

 Camas County   World War I  Draft Registration

 

Idaho Death Index      1911-1951

 

IDAHO GEN WEB ARCHIVES

Alturas County Census, Land Records, WWI Draftees


WOOD RIVER TIMES INDEX OF NAMES

IF YOU HAVE AN OBIT OR OTHER ARTICLES
YOU WANT ON THE PAGE EMAIL ME.

CHARLOTTE SLATER

 

EDGAR HAAR OBIT

1893 CAMAS PRAIRIE MASKED BALL

GEORGE MINEAR OBIT

SIX SHOOTER JACK

J. E. MINEAR OBIT

SAWTOOTH GRADE

J. W. MINEAR

CAMAS PRAIRIE AUG 1885

LAURA F. MINEAR

CAMAS PRAIRIE JUNE 1884

    

County Clerk
 County
Courthouse
Fairfield, ID 83327-0430
Phone: (208) 764-2242
Fax: (208) 764-2349

Camas County Historical Society
 General Delivery
 Fairfield, ID 83327

Camas County Public Library
 519 First St
 PO Box 292

 FairfieldID   83327

READ AND POST 
TO THE CAMAS COUNTY,
IDAHO 
MESSAGE BOARDS

                                        

                                                  CIVIL WAR VETERANS

BURIED IN CAMAS COUNTY CEMETERIES

HILL CITY CEMETERY Near Hill City, Camas Co ID 

No Civil War Graves located

MANARD CEMETERY 5 miles south of Fairfield Camas Co ID

No Civil War Graves located

MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY 5 miles North of Fairfield, Camas Co ID

1. H.L.Childs Born  1845 Died 1917 Headstone says G.A.R. No unit info
2. D.G.Higgs;  Born 1 May 1842 Died 26 June 1910 CSA Co G Morgan's Men KY
Wife Rachel S. Higgs Born 12 Mar 1850 Died 27 May 1912
3. D.C.Daugherty Born
18 July 1837 Died 24 Sept 1924  G.A.R. Co D. 10 MO. Infantry
4.
Captain Ira S.Waring Born 1836 Died 1901 G.A.R. 104 NY Infantry
Wife
Rose M.Waring Born 1845 died 1924
5. Corporal W.H.Mink Born
29 Oct 1838 Died 8 November 1903 C.S.A,. Co D, 50th VA Infantry
Wife
Amanda M. Mink Born 20 Sept 1837 Died 24 March 1925.

 

 

 


The following is a clipping that nearly replicates  The OWYHEE AVALANCHE article
January 25, 1873.

The title of the article 'Sad and Fatal Accident' is the same as microfilm OWYHEE AVALANCHE ARTICLE, but it less descriptive (less words).

 Also, the type set is quite unusual. (Could this be an original OWYHEE AVALANCHE article?)

Unfortunately, the last paragraph or more, of the article has been lost.

 <>
EDGAR HAAR
One of the most lamentable accidents that we have ever been called upon to record occurred in the Golden Chariot mine about five o'clock on Thursday morning, the 23 inst., resulting in the death of Edgar Harr, one of the noblest young that ever breathed the breath of life. After working in the mine during the night, deceased with two others was on the bucket he to the surface, and, when between the 2d and 3d levels, the steel triangle used as a signal on top, broke loose, fell down the shaft and struck him on the head. The blow, which doubtless killed him instantly, knocked him off the bucket, and precipitated him to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of over 600 feet. As soon as possible, the lifeless body was brought to the surface, and the eyes of many a hardy miner, unused to weeping, were filled with tears as they gazed upon the mangled remains of their comrade, who but a few moments before, was in the full enjoyment of life. Kind hearts and willing hands composed the mangled limbs, closed the sightless eyes, and made every necessary preparations for the burial, which will take place at half past four 'O'clock this afternoon.
  <>

   

<>GEORGE MINEAR LAID TO REST ON MONDAY 

George Raymond Minear, a resident here of 30 years, passed away at his home north of Freewater on Locust Road Saturday morning and funeral services were held on Monday forenoon from the Sunnyside Methodist church with the Rev. W. W. Switzer officiating. Interment was in the Milton I. O. O. F. cemetery. The family request was that no flowers be extended and that those desiring to contribute could give a like amount to the American Heart Association.

  <>
Mr. Minear suffered a heart attack on Saturday, April 16 and had been confined to his for a week when death came  <>
Mr. Minear was born in Silver City, Idaho on April 21, 1881 and came here to reside in 1919, where he followed the carpenter trade and farming since that time.  About two years ago, Mr. Minear laid out a new residential addition in Freewater known as Mountain View Addition and started the construction of several homes and some business place on this site in East Freewater. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge and the Episcopal Church.

 

Survivors include his wife Mrs. Amy Minear at the home and two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Bell of Salt Lake City, Utah and Mrs. Eva Overstreet of San Pedro, Calif., both of whom were at the bedside of their brother when he passed away.

                   

<>LAST RITES HELD FOR J. E. MINEAR
  <>An illness starting over a year ago and terminating in a heart attack proved fatal to J. E. Minear, death coming early Wednesday morning, February 10, at his residence in Fairfield.
 
<>Mr. Minear's death came as a distinct shock to his relatives and friends here, where he spent the major part of his life. Born July 3,1879, in Silver City, Idaho he came to Camas Prairie with his parents in 1884. On March 12, 1907 he was united in marriage to Leda Elma Little of Bliss. One daughter, Frances Elma was born to them.  <>Always interested in the subject of forestry, Mr. Minear was appointed district ranger at the Soldier ranger station in1909, a position he retained until his death. During this time roads and bridges were constructed by the service as a result as a result of which the territory has become one of the playgrounds of the Sawtooths.  Fish rests were built on Soldier creek, campsites were improved and new buildings replaced the old ones at the station under his supervision.
 
<>Funeral services in charge of Rev. H. Fryer, were conducted Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock at the Community Church. Music was rendered by the choir which sang three hymns "Near the Cross", "Abide With Me" and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere". Pallbearers friends of the deceased were C. Barkley, R. C. Naser, S. W. Struble, Les Rea, J. l. Edwards, and N. G. Carman. Interment was made in the Mountain View cemetery beside his father and a sister.
 
<>One daughter, Erma  Minear of Glenns Ferry; his mother, Mrs. L. F. Minear of San Pedro, California; two sisters, Mrs. Eva Overstreet of San Pedro and Mrs. Mabel Bell of Ely, Nevada; one brother, George of Freewater, Oregon survive. All were present at the funeral services except the mother, who was unable to make the trip because of her advanced age. 


        

<>J. W. MINEAR
  <>One by one the pioneers who dared the conquest of the West, who made it easier for those of us who were to follow are passing. John W. Minear died Sunday morning which closes the chapter of a life spent for the most part in moulding the history of the early frontier. Over thirty years spent on Camas Prairie make him one of the oldest residents.
 
<>Sunday morning he arose, dressed himself and without any warning passed to his eternal sleep. His death was due to apoplexy. He had been ailing for some weeks but had apparently fully recovered and was feeling much better. After eating his breakfast he lay down and when his daughter, Eva, next noticed him his peaceful end had come. While sympathy is felt for the family still one is reminded that he lived his allotted three score and ten years and his passing was beautiful--Peaceful and without physical pain.John Wesley Minear was born 77 years ago the 2nd of last February last. He was a native of West Virginia. Previous to coming to Camas Prairie he mined in Silver City where he was superintend of the Ida Elmore, one of the biggest mines in Idaho. He was married in 1873 to Miss Laura Harr, who survives him. Four children survive him all of whom live on the valley. They are George and Ed Minear and Miss Mabel and Eva <>Mr. Minear has been actively associated with the upbuilding of Camas Prairie and for many years was Justice of the Peace. He died on the same place he took up thirty years ago, which is North East to Soldier. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser whose friends were all that knew him.  <>Funeral services were held from the Methodist Church in Soldier and was attended by a hundred or more, the church being too small to hold the crowd. Teams lined every street in Soldier. Rev. Couch officiated. 

         

Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 4:19 PM 

 <>Traveling from Iowa to Idaho Territory as a small child with her widowed mother and five other children, sailing to Japan & China and spending 3 years with Rev. Miller, Boise, Silver City, Idaho City, Soldier, Fairfield, & San Pedero. Must have been quite a gal! 

Also have 2 religious certificates, each measuring about 41/2"X 61/2".

(1) Certificate of Baptism, Oct.27, 1867, Church of Christ, Idaho City,Idaho. Rev. Miller, Diocese Montana,Idaho, & Utah.

<>(2) Certificate, Daniel Sylvester Little DD, Bishop of Montana,Idaho & UtahIdaho City,Idaho on "Sunday,XIX after Trinity in the year of our redemption 1867.
 <>FINAL RITES HELD FOR EARLY PIONEER   MRS LAURA F. MINEAR
 
<>Funeral Services Held Here For Mrs. Minear Wednesday Afternoon <>Funeral services for Mrs. Laura F. Minear, early Camas Prairie pioneer, who died Sunday morning at San Pedro, California, were held in the Community church at Fairfield Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Rev. Henry Fryer officiating.  Members of the immediate family; were present at the services.
"No Night There,"  "What a Friend We Have in
Jesus,"  "Asleep in Jesus," were sung by a mixed choir.

Pallbearers were Nels Peterson, Frank Housman, Jim McCann, Dave Jarron, Herbert Carpenter and B. F. Wilson.

Interment was made in the family plot at Mountain View cemetery.

<>Born in Placerville, Van Buren county, Iowa November 2, 1854, Mrs. Minear would have been 84 on her next birthday. As a small child she crossed the plains with a widowed mother and five children to Boise where her early life was spent . On December 31, 1872 she sailed for China and Japan where she spent three years in the home of Rev. Miller and his family who had gone there in the capacity of a minister to English speaking  people. Returning in August 1875 she was married that same year on December 2 to John Wesley Minear.
The family moved to Camas Prairie in 1884 taking up a homestead one mile north and one half mile east of Soldier. Later Mrs. Minear moved to Fairfield and since 1921 has made her home with a daughter, Mrs. Eva Overstreet in San Pedro.She was a consistent worker in the church and a member of the Episcopal church practically her entire life.Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Anna Kech, Almira, Mo., and Mrs., Emma Henderson of  San Diego, Calif.;  three children, Mrs. Mabel Bell, Santa Cruz, Calif., Mrs. Eva  Overstreet, San Pedro, Calif., and G. R. Minear, Freewater, Oregon; and two grandchildren, Wesley Davis of Winnemucca, Nevada, and Elma Minear of Glenns Ferry.

 

                   WOOD RIVER TIMES

                   T.E.PICOTTE, PUBLISHER

<>                   MARCH 22 1893  <>  FROM CAMAS PRAIRIE
 

The Masquerade Ball

     A Grand affair

              A very enjoyable occasion
             Other News items

  Soldier, Idaho, Feb. 19 1894
The Masquerade Ball, which took place St. Valentines eve, 13th was a very enjoyable affair. It was, by far, the grandest thing there has been on the Prairie this winter. There was an extremely large crowd, and every one seemed to have a good time.   The music furnished by A.S.Chier and Lester Johnson, violinists, and Miss Blanche Finch, Pianist, was excellent. The following named are the maskers and what they represented:
    Miss Lena McCann, a Japanese Lady.    
Miss Laura Taylor, Winter. 
     Miss Lizzie Daugherty, Liberty.
     Miss Francis D.Smith, a Cotton girl. 
     Miss Mattie Abbott, Swiss Girl.
     Miss Chamberlin, Morning.     Miss Johnson, Folly.     Mrs. Stuart, Old lady.     Miss Lulah Waring, Night.
Miss Atlanta Heath, Flower Girl. 
      Miss Nellie Ekholm, a Nun.
Miss Sadie Daugherty, Sailor Girl.     Charles Trader, Negro.     James P. Campbell, Turk.
     Guy Heath, Old Man.
     Charles Abbott, Irishman. Malcom Stuart, a paper Man. Bert Abbott, an Indian.   Earnest Heath, a Wall Street gold Bug.
     A.S.Chier, Red, White, and Blue. 
      Henry Clarke, Irish Gentleman.
     A number of the gentlemen were attired in pillow case and sheet, They were the following:

     Oscar Perkins, Frank Peck, F.Dexter, James Finch, George Brooks, William Abbott, Preston King, Phillip Ballard, Gus Johnson and Dean Perkins. They did not disperse until four o’clock a.m. and were loath then.

     We were visited a few days past by a fearful storm, which continued three days. During that period about eighteen inches of snow fell, completely sponging the roads, which at present are nearly impassable. The mines at camp Breeze, three and one half miles above Soldier, are still showing signs of further improvement.

                                                                                            
 NEIGHBORING COUNTIES

 

Blaine

 Elmore 

Lincoln 

Gooding

 

              WOOD RIVER TIMES

                   T.E.PICOTTE, PUBLISHER

                   JUNE 20 1883

 

                   SIX SHOOTER JACK

 
         Being Ordered to Throw Up His Hands

He Went For His Guns and Was Shot

Particulars of the Affair Verdict of the Coroners Jury.

 
General E.E.Cunningham arrived in town, late last evening, bringing the news of the killing of Sixshooter Jack, a noted highwayman and desperado, and the arrest of one of his accomplices.

     For some days past H.G.Valiton, of Montana, who has had several horses stolen by highwaymen, has been on the trail of Sixshooter Jack, whom he suspected of stealing the animals. Last Wednesday Mr. Valiton applied to Sheriff Furey for a posse, saying that his man was on Willow Creek. As this information was corroborated by a letter from Mr. Hutchins, the Bellevue Livery Stablekeeper, Sheriff Furey at once organized a posse composed of Deputy Sheriffs Cunningham and McCurdy, and of H.G.Valiton, County Jailor Campbell, H.Stevenson, Frank King, George Dyer, Al Theriot, Major Mensch and a driver of an express wagon which was taken along.

     The party left about nine o’clock Thursday morning, going by way of Croy’s gulch to Willow Creek, where they arrived about noon. There they learned that the highwaymen had started from willow Creek three and a half hours before, going west on the Boise Road. The posse followed in haste. About five o’clock Jones' was reached where the posse got supper and learned that the party was three quarters of an hour ahead of them. The posse then sent Frank King, a cowboy, ahead, to fall in with the thieves, scan them closely and examine the brands on the horses, to make sure that the parties were those sought.

     King overtook the highwaymen about six miles out, rode with them four miles and returned to report them camped near the next stage station west of Jones’ and about sixty miles west of Hailey, close to Grave Creek.

     The posse thereupon moved down the creek, and organized by electing General E.E.Cunningham commander of the party. This gentleman at once directed that the posse proceed until near the point where King had left the men; there they were to leave the team, wagon and horses, and a reconnoitering party was to go forward to discover the camp.

     Arrived at the place designated, Mr. Cunningham, McCurdy and Theriot went afoot to Grave Creek, about one mile away, and discovered the outlaws camp by moonlight, it being between eleven and twelve o’clock at night. The outlaws were in bed in the open air, in a small plot of ground half surrounded by brush, on the west side of the creek and just above the Boise Road. The stolen stock was found about half a mile up the creek.

 
     The reconnoitering party returned to the posse and adopted the following plan of operations. They were to surround the camp quietly each man taking the position assigned to him, and to remain there until the sights of their guns could be seen clearly.

At daylight General Cunningham was to call upon the camp to surrender, and at this call each man of the posse was to spring forward, cock and level his gun on the thieves camp and order the outlaws to throw up their hands.  In case of resistance General Cunningham was to fire, and at this signal the posse were to discharge a volley into the camp. Mr. Cunningham, McCurdy and Stevenson took the east side of the creek, within ten steps of where the outlaws laid, while the remainder of the party completed a circle around the camp. At daylight General Cunningham called upon the camp to surrender. McCurdy and Cunningham stood side by side and Stevenson a few yards below them on the creek. McCurdy and Cunningham leveled their guns upon the bed where Sixshooter Jack and Charley Warfield were lying. They were awake and had been talking a few minutes before. Each one of the posse sprang forward when Cunningham spoke and yelled “Throw up your hands.”

     Warfield raised up first and partly put up his hands. Jack raised immediately afterward, glanced at McCurdy and Cunningham and reached for his guns with both hands. Cunningham fired first, McCurdy following two seconds after, and the rest of the party discharged a volley into the camp. Jack was shot through and as he fell back he had a pistol in his right hand and discharged it. The rest of the party-five men-thereupon threw up their hands and were handcuffed. As with the exception of Warfield, they were evidently simply travelers who had joined the outlaws party, they were allowed to go.

     McCurdy now went to Jack’s bed where he found and possessed himself of six revolvers and in about five minutes Jack drew his last breath.

The wagon was now brought up, a man sent half a mile after a team, which Jack and Warfield had stolen in Montana, the other six horses feeding being claimed by the other members of the outlaws’ party and the posse, after breakfasting started on the back track arriving here about nine o’clock this morning.

<>     Sixshooter Jack was from Butte Montana where he was known as Loeb. He killed a man there some years ago and was sentenced to seven years in the penitentiary. After serving only twenty two months he was pardoned, and since then he had been a horse thief, brawler, and bad character, generally, and at times, while laying around Butte, would discharge two guns at once shooting the spots off of two aces every time. He was a great lover of fancy arms and always had three or four fine revolvers about him.

 


 
          THE CORONER’S INQUEST
     Coroner Wheeler held an inquest over the remains of the dead outlaw. Today and the evidence being substantially, as above, the verdict of the jury was that deceased was killed while resisting arrest. He will be buried in Hailey Cemetery.  <>


<>
         ON THE SAWTOOTH GRADE

   A Stage Coach Thrown from the Grade, and the Driver and Two passengers Hurt
     About twelve o’clock last night a horseman arrived from Ketchum for Dr. Miller and Brown, whose services were required at Ketchum, and Dr. Brown, with Mike Hynes as escort, started out.
     From the messenger it was learned that at three o’clock yesterday afternoon the Hailey and Sawtooth coach, which left Hailey yesterday morning, had, while descending the grade in the Sawtooth mountains from the Galena Divide to the Salmon River flat, upset and seriously injured the driver, Wes Grover, who had his right ankle broken and received severe bruises. A Chinaman passenger was seriously hurt, having his ribs broken, and it is feared received serious injury to the brain, while another Chinaman was badly bruised and shaken up. A packer named Clark, of Vienna, jumped from the coach in time to save himself. <>     The accident was caused by the breaking of the king bolt in descending a steep grade. The stage ran upon the wheelers and the lead bars ran upon the leaders, causing them to become unmanageable and break the lead bars and the pole and to swing the stage out of the track and over the grade. The driver jumped as the stage went over.
     Stage Agent Moore was notified, and brought Grover to Ketchum which occupied all yesterday afternoon and up to late in the evening. The mail was sent forward and Grover, also the latter, to the Miners’ Hospital this morning, where he is resting easy under Dr. Miller’s care. Agent Moore returned this morning to look after the Chinaman.




     WOOD RIVER TIMES

          T.C. PICOTTE, PUBLISHER

            AUGUST 5 1885 

             CAMAS PRAIRIE

 

  SOLDIER, Idaho July 30 1885 

     Yes, we have grown cucumbers here on Camas! Some think their grain will do to cut next week. Choke cherries and wild currants are a total failure, owing to the ravages of a tent caterpillar this spring, which eat all the foliage, tender shoots and flower buds. Every one on Camas ought to put out pie plant, gooseberries, currants and strawberries, as there is no discount on these, and they are far preferable to no fruit or buying.

     It is my opinion, based upon a two years’ residence, that if any one suffers from want on Camas Prairie, they are certainly to blame; for the soil is excellent, and the warm season long enough to raise lots of produce if we can’t raise pine apples and “sich”.

     There is a plenty we can raise and we can just beat the world raising small grain, potatoes and turnips and if we can’t have beefsteak and pork of our own, there is plenty of game.

     What has become of our Soldier gold excitement? You want to keep that booming. If you can get a few score of prospectors in here, perhaps we can sell a quart of milk or a pound of potatoes.

     Now, what would you think to hear that a five dollar gold nugget was only a gun cartridge. Sometimes they turn out so. (The nugget referred to is worn by Road Supervisor Samson as a scarf pin – Ed) But if these old hills are made of gold, won’t we all get rich?

     The most fertile valley in the world, and the richest gold mining region on the globe, would certainly be nice neighbors. Laying all jokes aside, I see no reason for there not being lots of paying minerals in the hills back of us, but I expect it will take time to develop.

     Uncle John Cross has lost ten head of horses from his band on the head of Soldier, and is considerably worried about them. He thinks they must have been driven off, as he has missed them for three weeks and can’t find them in the hills.

     The crack of the shotgun is quite frequent since the bird law is off; and no wonder, for the grouse is “mighty” fine eating, and the covies of young birds are so plentiful as to be an irresistible temptation to any one who can handle a gun.

     We frequently see deer from the house. If they only knew it, they are not safe in the valley, even if the game law is still in force.

     Who has been talking to you about Camas Prairie Now? Didn’t you know there were already some poor men on Camas Prairie who had breaking plows and teams, and who want all such work they can get at $4.00 per acre? I guess, if you or any one else would try to break prairie here now, you could soon be convinced that ground got too hard to break, even on Camas Prairie.

     And as to hauling poles and posts during the four winter months that the snow lays on, I guess all the ranchers in the valley would pour blessings innumerable on your head if you would only get some one to come and keep the roads open; but one man and common team can’t do it. In fact, as long as the snow falls as it had the past two winters, there ain’t men or teams enough in the valley to do it. There are more men now who want to get out fencing than there is money to pay.

     Wonder if it don’t hurt the Hailey merchants for the ranchers to sell their butter to the consumers instead of them? As for sweet California butter, I have yet to see the first of it. All I have ever seen or tasted was as ripe as an 18 months old cheese. But there are those who like strong butter as well as old Cheese.  


  

 WOOD RIVER TIMES

      T.E.PICOTTE, PUBLISHER

         JUNE 11 1884

 

         CAMAS PRAIRIE

  <>
     Camas Prairie is looking her best now. From the summit of any of the mountains, which command a view of that valley, the scene presented is lovely beyond description. There, stretching for sixty miles in an easterly and westerly direction, and fifteen to eighteen miles northerly and southerly, lies an almost level plane alive with flowers of varied hue, which make it look as if covered by an immense carpet. New houses – for the first settlement on the prairie, is scarcely three years old, are seen in every direction, usually on the edge of a piece of plowed ground, the coal black color of which indicates its exceeding fertility.

     But it is not its beauty as much as its productiveness that attracts settlers to Camas Prairie. Where ever the plow has scratched the surface of the ground, the earth has yielded more than enough to ten times reply the laborer for his work. The fertility of this soil is really wonderful, and although the experiments heretofore made, were on too small a scale to admit of averaging results, yet they sufficed to encourage the settlers to enlarge the scale of their operations. As a consequence broad fields were plowed this year where only small patches were broken last year.

     Camas Prairie is probably one of the largest valleys in the mountain region of Idaho, as it contains 270,000 acres of tillable land. Three years ago there were scarcely half a dozen settlers upon it; now there are over two hundred. While the entries at the Land Office indicate that many more have filed upon land there. Many have, however, filed under the preemption and homestead law, who have failed to establish their residence upon their land within the time required by law, and their claims will revert to the government. This may cause some litigation, but not for two or three years, as there is enough rich land on the prairie to supply all who will come to make a home there, within that period.

<><>The best land lies from a point about two and half miles east of Crichton to the new town site of Soldier. This creek seems to be the dividing line between the first class and second class land. That land lying east and north of Soldier is a rich, coal black loam which will require little or no irrigation at all; while that adjoining Soldier on the west and south contains many sand and gravel bars that will require frequent irrigation and much care to produce crops. Again, the black loam will produce anything that similar land anywhere in the same latitude will produce, while the sand and gravel bars will not be so prolific. Potatoes, it is said, will do better in the latter, while wheat will yield most abundantly in the black earth.

     Although there are few flowing streams to be seen on Camas Prairie in summer, there will probably be no trouble in securing enough water for all purposes, as one can hardly strike a spade down without water immediately filling the hole thus made. Good drinking water can be got at a depth of four feet, and when a depth of six feet is attained, further progress is greatly impeded by water.

     The area under cultivation has been small heretofore. Last year there were scarcely two hundred acres cultivated; this year there will be two thousand acres, at least; and next year, it may be depended on, there will be 20,000 acres.

     The mountains surrounding Camas Prairie abound in timber and game, and the streams with fish, while it is only 20 to 25 miles to a good winter range for stock.  

Taken altogether, it is doubtful if there is a region in existence that offers as many advantages to the immigrant, rich or poor as Camas Prairie does.