PLACE OF RIVER IN NORTHWEST HISTORY 191
compromised on parallel 49 degrees north latitude. All the territory gained by the latter was organized into a territory called Oregon in 1848. Five years later this territory was again divided, the northern half forming the Territory of Washington, and ten years later the eastern part of both of these territories as well as that of Montana, Wyoming and the western parts of North and South Dakota, and Nebraska were organized into a Territory called Idaho.
The familiar tradition as to the origin and meaning of the name "Idaho" is natural and plausible, but so far as is known there is no authentic evidence to support it. The Indian word supposed to mean "gem of the mountains" has never been found, but whether fact or fiction the explanation will have to serve at present for lack of anything more satisfactory.
Section 12 of the Organic Act provided: "The legislative assembly of the Territory of Idaho shall hold its first session at such time and place in said Territory as the Governor thereof shall appoint and direct ; and at said first session, or as soon thereafter as they shall deem expedient, the governor and legislative assembly shall proceed to locate and establish the seat of government for said Territory at such place as they may deem eligible."
Governor W. H. Wallace named Lewiston as the first place of meeting and here were held the first and second sessions of the legislature. At the latter the location of the capital was changed to Boise where it has since remained.
THE SURVIVORS OF THE NEZ PERCE INDIAN WAR.
Time has thinned the ranks of the veterans of the War of 1878 but in nowise dimmed the lustre of their heroic deeds. We who today are numbered by the thousands and living in thickly settled communities, towns and cities, in the presence of the telegraph, telephone and the railroad, have little con- ception of what that Indian war meant : Few people, widely scattered, over a hundred miles to the nearest army post, which
