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Northern Pacific Railway, now in process of construction from the head of Lake Superior westward. It will cross the north-central portion of the Territory, from east to west.

There is a system of public schools in operation. It is as yet in its infancy, but is well organized, and has thrown open about 25 free schools to the children of the Territory. The Episcopal Church has a seminary at Yancton, and there are several private schools in the southern portion.

The Government is similar to that of the other Territories.

The Territory of Dakota was organized by Congress in March, 1861. In 1868, a large part of its original limits was taken from it to organize the Territory of Wyoming.

YANCTON, the capital, is situated on the left bank of the Missouri River, about 7 miles above the mouth of the Dakota or James River, and in the southeastern corner of the Territory. It is 60 miles northwest of Sioux City, in Iowa, the present terminus of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. It contains about 1500 inhabitants, 2 churches, 2 schools, 1 seminary (conducted by the Episcopal Church), and a newspaper office. It has steamboat communication with the towns on the Missouri River, and a railway is in progress of construction from Sioux City to Yancton.

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THE Territory of Idaho lies between 42° and 49° N. latitude, and 110° and 117° W. longitude. It is bounded on the north by British America, on the east by Montana and Wyoming Territories, on the south by Utah Territory and Nevada, and on the west by Oregon and Washington Territory. Its greatest length, from north to south, is 480 miles, and its greatest breadth, from east to west, is about 340 miles. The widest portion is below the southern boundary of Montana. North of that the Territory varies in width from 40 to 60 miles.

The surface is mountainous. The Rocky Mountains extend for 250 miles along the eastern and northeastern borders, and a curvilinear range, called the Bitter Root Mountains, continues the eastern border from the Rocky Mountain range to the northern part of the Territory. Fremont's Peak is the highest point of the Rocky Mountain range in the United States, and has an altitude of 13,570 feet. It lies on the border between Idaho and Dakota. There are several minor ranges in the various portions of the Territory. In the southeastern part are six high peaks, called the Three Buttes, and the Three Tetons. Much of the mountain scenery is grand and impressive-that in the vicinity of Salmon River is especially fine.

The principal rivers are Clark's River, the Lewis or Snake, both branches of the Columbia, the Salmon, the Clearwater, the Boise, the Green, the Palouse, the Malade, the Payette, and the Lapwai. "The Snake River and its branches drain the whole Territory, except a portion, of about 120 miles long and 45 wide, in the extreme

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northern part, which is drained by Clark's Fork of the Columbia and its branches, and an irregularly-shaped portion in the southeastern corner, which is drained by Green and Bear rivers. Bear River falls into Salt Lake, and Green River empties into the Colorado. This portion of the Territory has some farming and a large amount of good grazing lands, and is very scantily supplied with wood. No mines have been discovered in it. The principal branches of the Snake River in Idaho are the Clearwater, Salmon, Payette, Boise, and many small rivers and creeks, which, uniting, form a large river, with many falls and rapids and a current of great swiftness."

There are three lakes of considerable size in Idaho, the Coeur d'Aline, about 24 miles long and two or three wide, very irregular in form; the Pen d'Oreille, a crescent-shaped lake, about 30 miles long and 5 broad; and the Boatman, about the same length and 6 miles wide. The Pen d'Oreille and Clark's Fork are navigable for steamers for 80 miles.

The Surveyor-General of Idaho, in his Report for 1867, thus speaks of the Territory:

"The altitude of Idaho Territory, with its mountains and tablelands, renders the winters cold compared with the country lying west, but dry and healthy. The Boise, Payette, and Weiser valleys are sheltered and mild. The soil of the valleys is highly favorable to the growth of cereals and vegetation. Extensive crops are raised where

irrigation is practicable. The alkali land, mostly covered with sagebrush, has proved well adapted to the raising of grain. The soil, reported second-rate, being decomposed granite, yields the heaviest crops. The extensive table-lands are covered with wild grasses and wild rye, and are valuable for grazing. The mountains are clothed with pine and fir timber. The valleys are destitute of timber except a species of cotton wood growing along the banks of the rivers. The valleys are depending upon the mountains at a heavy cost for lumber and fuel.

"Gold is found on the head-waters of all the rivers. Rich placer mines have been profitably worked for years on the Clearwater and Salmon rivers. Extensive placer and quartz mines are found on the Boise River and its branches, embracing several districts. Many rich quartz lodes of gold and silver have been discovered and partially worked; their future development depending upon the reduced cost of transportation and other expenses, which thus far have retarded the growth and prosperity of the country. The quartz and placer mines of Owyhee county, situated in the southwest part of the Territory, have proved to be eminently rich so far as developed. Some of the ledges are being worked with valuable machinery, repaying the capital invested, though at an enormous outlay. The quantity and quality of the ore already abstracted are favorable indications of their future wealth. Several thousands of gold and silver quartz claims have been taken up and recorded, more or less prospected, but the heavy expenses under which the miners of this Territory have labored, has, in general, prevented their successful development. The near approach of the Pacific Railroad to the southern borders of the Territory will materially reduce the cost of working the mines, when the resources of the country will be more favorably brought into notice."

There are no railways in the Territory. The Northern Pacific Railway will cross Idaho from east to west when completed. The Lewis or Snake Fork of the Columbia River is navigable to Lewiston, on the western border, just above the northern boundary of Oregon. This river furnishes the usual and most convenient route for persons and goods entering Idaho.

The public school system has been in operation for several years. There are about 20 schools in the Territory. These are limited to 8 or 9 counties.

The Government is similar to that of the other Territories. The Territorial prison is situated at Boise City. It does not pay expenses.

The Territory of Idaho was organized by Congress in March, 1863, out of portions of Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, and Utah Territories. In May, 1864, the Territory of Montana was formed out of the eastern portion. The discovery of gold was the immediate cause of the settlement of the Territory. The rich deposits of the precious metal drew large numbers of settlers from California, Oregon, and the eastern settlements. In a short time the population of Idaho numbered 20,000. This soon fell off, however, as the mining excitement led the more adventurous portion to other places. At present the population consists largely of settlers, who have come into the Territory with the intention of remaining there. The Territory is growing rapidly, and its permanent prosperity seems now placed on an assured basis.

BOISE CITY, or BOISÉ CITY, the capital, is situated on the east side of the Boise River, at the head of the fertile valley of the same. name, about 393 miles from Salt Lake City, in Utah. It has a beautiful location, is well laid out, and is one of the best built of the frontier towns. Nearly all the travellers and supplies for the Boise Basin pass through it; hence it is a great staging centre. It is the principal commercial town in the southern part of the Territory, being situated between the Owyhee and Boise Mines. It contains about 2500 or 3000 inhabitants, several churches and schools, and 3 newspaper offices.

Thirty miles to the northeast of Boise City is the Boise Basin, a rich valley, about 18 miles long by 6 miles broad. It contains a number of towns and mining districts, and is the most populous part of the Territory. Idaho City is the largest town in this valley. It lies in the midst of the rich placer mines of the basin. It is the largest town in Idaho, and contains about 4000 inhabitants. In May, 1865, it was almost wholly destroyed by fire, but has since been rebuilt. Lewiston, at the head of navigation on the Lewis Fork of the Columbia, 353 miles east of Portland, Oregon, contains 2000 inhabitants, and is growing rapidly. Its position makes it one of the most important places in Idaho.

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