Indians.— A total Indian population of 3,791, consisting of remnants of what were once five great tribes, reside now within three reser vations in Idaho. Their number is fast decreas ing and ere long the red man of Idaho, who not more than 40 years ago was held in con tinual fear by the white pioneer, will be known only in story. Yet the memory of the race will be everlasting, because of the many beauti ful words that the white settler has adopted from the Indian language, and has given to the mountains and the valleys, the lakes and the streams, the counties, cities and towns. Vital statistics of the Indians of Idaho show a death rate that greatly exceeds the rate of birth. The Coeur d'Alene Reservation, comprising 104,077 acres, is located in Kootenai County. It is inhabited by 623 Cceur d'Alene and Spokane Indians. The office of the superin tendent of the reservation is located at Tekoa, Wash. The Fort Hall Reservation in Bing ham and Bannock counties, wieh headquarters at Fort Hall, Idaho, includes 454,239 acres of land. It is set apart for the Bannock and Shoshone Indians and for the Lemhi tribe, was moved from the reservation in Lemhi County. There are 1,779 Indians on the Port Hall Reservation. The Nez Perces at Fort Lapwai, near Lewiston, are considered the most highly civilized Indians in Idaho. The tribe numbers 1,389, all of whom have dis carded their native attire and have adopted modern customs. There are 212,390 acres in the Fort Lapwai Reservation. Agriculture is the principal occupation followed by the In dians of Idaho. Sufficient land is set apart for them to ensure each Indian a liberal income should he choose to cultivate the soil. How ever, much of the land is rented to white farmers, the Indians generally only cultivating small tracts. This work is done largely by the women. Houses have been built for the In dians, but in most instances they prefer their tepees In northern Idaho the native dwellings may be seen erected near the houses, while on the Fort Hall Reservation fully 300 Indians live in tepees, Of the Nez Perces, 235 live in permanent houses with floors and 240 live in houses without floors. Many Indians of the State have discarded the costume of the savage. However, on the Port Hall Reservation there are 1,233 Indians who wear native attire. Ex tensive wicultural development has taken place on the Fort Hall Reservation during the past 10 years. Approximately 47,800 acres of land on this reservation are under irrigation. Schools are maintained in each of the reserva tions by the Federal government and by churches. Missions are also located among the Indians. The majority are favorable to educa tion. There is an average enrolment of 415 pupils at the three reservation schools. Idaho and Nevada share the Duck Valley Reserva tion, which is inhabited by the Piute and West ern Shoshone Indians. The Idaho portion of this reservation is in Owyhee County. The In dian affairs are under the direction of the De partment of the Interior.
Population.— Population (1870) 13.999; (1880) 32,610; (1890) 84,385; (1900) 161,772; (1910) 325,594. In 1910 the urban territory contained 21.5 per cent of the population. The chief cities are Boise with population of 25,000; Pocatello 15,000; Twin Falls, 6000; Idaho Falls, 5,50(1• Lewiston, 6,043; and occur d'Alene 7,291. There are 42 counties in the State.
History.—Lewis and Clark were the first white men to visit the territory in 1805-06. The first permanent settlement was made at Fort Hall. The first agriculturalists and home
builders were Mormons who settled at Frank lin. Idaho originally formed a part of the Oregon country and was claimed by the United States, Great Britain, Spain and Russia. At the time of the Florida Purchase, in 1819, Spain transferred her rights to the United States. Russia did likewise in 1824. In 1818 a treaty had been concluded between the United States and England wider which they were to jointly occupy this region. In 1846 this joint occupa tion was terminated by the establishment of the international boundary at approximately 49° N. which now marks the northern boundary of Idaho. On 3 Mauch 1863 Idaho Territory was organized from parts of the territories of Washington, Dakota and Nebraska. It then in cluded the area now comprising Idaho, Mon tana, and a part of Wyoming. The organiza tion of Montana and Wyoming as Territories in 1864 and 1868, respectively, left Idaho with its present boundaries. In a State consti tution was adopted, and on 3 July 1890 Idaho was admitted into the Union.
Suffrage, Elections. etc.— Idaho extended to women the right of suffrage, 27 Nov. 1896, being one of the first States in the Union to grant this privilege. Every male or female citizen of the United States 21 years old who has actually resided in the State for six months and in the county where he or she offers to vote 30 days next preceding the day of elec tion, if registered as provided by law, is a qualified elector, except those guilty of crime, under guardianship, idiotic or insane. At least 40 days before each, general election and when ever he orders a special election the governor issues an election proclamation. All general elections are held in the several precincts in the State on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November every even year. Special elections, when effecting counties only, may be called for public good by the county commis sioners,or may be called for a county, district or the State by the governor on 10 days' notice. All elections must be by absolutely secret bal lot. By legislative enactment approved 3 March 1915 the State of Idaho was, on 1 Jan. 1916, constituted a prohibition district and the manu facture, disposal and transportation of intoxi cating liquors for beverage purposes prohibited in the State of Idaho. All candidates of polit ical parties for Congress and for all elective State, district and county offices, at regular elec tions are nominated at a primary election con ducted substantially the same as a general elec tion. At least 30 days prior to the primary each candidate for office, or some qualified voter in his behalf, files his nomination paper in the proper office. Such paper must set forth that the candidate for othce is legally qualified to fill said office and represents the principles of the party for which he was filed. A primary ballot is prepared for each political party on which is arranged in proper order the names of the candidates regularly nominated for office. When an elector offers to vote he calls for the ballot of the political party of which he is a member. He may vote for a first and second choice. The person receiving the highest num ber and not less than 40 per cent of the first choice votes, or if no, person receives 40 per cent of the first choice votes then the person receiving the highest number of first and second choice votes becomes the nominee for such office of the party nominating him.