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PLACE OF RIVER IN NORTHWEST HISTORY 189

supplied the members of the first and second territorial legis- lature with a home and later became the courthouse of Nez Perce county."

THE PACK TRAIN.

Lewiston became the commercial center for supplying the new mines of North Idaho as well as Montana, with pro- visions and mining equipment. In a new country, without roads or means of transportation, the pack train was a logical necessity and Lewiston was the logical center from which to operate.

The old packers' sheds from which these trains started were located where now are the book store of Thatcher & Kling and the Lewiston Hardware Company. Hundreds of these trains wended their way annually to Pierce and Elk City, Florence and Warren, and even to the towns of Western Montana.

THE STAGE COACH.

Freight wagons were too slow and pack trains imprac- ticable to provide means for safely carrying passengers into the mines or the gold from them, so the stage coach came here as elsewhere at the proper time. While these coaches are familiar to many in attendance, yet others may not have seen them. The following description is given:

"They were jaunty enough in their day, with their cavernous bodies extended behind into a platform or boot for the recep- tion of baggage, and were built high up in front to furnish a throne for the driver, who needed a high seat not only that he might keep a better lookout for the Indians and road agents, but also that he might the better supervise the six horses bound- ing along under his skilful management. They were not un- comfortable, those old coaches, for the bodies swung on great leather straps which softened the jolt and gave a gentle sway- ing motion to the heavy contrivance."