Spokane Times in Spokane, Washington

Idaho Territory wealth and resource report details

Hon John B Neil Idaho Territory governor reports on irrigation reclaimable land totaling twelve to fifteen million acres and five million pasturage acres, eight million mineral lands, six million arid lands. Wheat yields 65 to 70 bushels per acre, oats 60 to 70. Population 40,000 including Indians. Salmon river and Wood river mining districts form the core mineral belt with sil ver lead and galena ores. Shipments to Salt Lake City fetch 150 to 200 per ton, galena containing 40 to 60 percent lead and 80 to 250 in silver. Salmon river veins five to fourteen feet thick yield 500 to 1700 per ton. Gold ore free yields 13 to 40 per ton. Kinni lia pile mills produced over 100,000 in bullion last year. Since 1802 territory gold production totals at least 75,000,000 with past year yield not to exceed 800,000.