In the spring of 1879 the Idaho Tri-Weekly Statesman featured a long article by N. B. Wiley describing his journey from Boise to Warren. Excerpts follow:
“A pleasant ride of fifteen hours from Boise City, upon the Umatilla stage brings us within the limits of this latest of our new counties at Weiser Bridge. From the bridge the Indian Valley stage line run weekly by Solon Hall, takes us by two days easy staging to this place.”
The new county was Washington County. It was created that year (1879) by the 9th Territorial Legislature from parts of Idaho and Ada Counties and named in honor of George Washington. At the time, Weiser Bridge—now simply known as Weiser—was designated as the county seat. Until 1911 Washington County included what is now Adams County.
Wiley said the mail route from Indian valley to Warren followed the valley of the Weiser River to Council Valley. “About 8 miles above Council valley post office the wagon road practically ends. The trail most traveled goes over the mountains west of the river, in and out among the gulches and descends to the Weiser again at Fort Price. From there, there is a good natural road into Little Salmon valley.
“There is hope that a couple of townships will be surveyed this summer, so long as the authorities are surveying tracts of land in the canyon of Salmon river. Snow fell here about 18 inches deep the past winter, but ground is nearly bare now and plowing will soon commence. Salmon do not come up into the valley but trout are abundant.
“Towards the northern end of the valley is a hot springs that a large volume of hot water flows out of the ground sufficient to keep the stream open in winter for a mile or two below. Mr. Calvin White commenced work here on the first of last June. He built a fine double house, fenced and broke about ten acres and raised a crop of wheat and barley, some potatoes and other vegetables. His wife, the only woman in the valley, with their seven children lived here during the entire Indian troubles of last summer, not wholly unconcerned it is true, and fortunately without molestation. Other settlers establishing themselves here, with stock, &c., are Messrs. Jennings, Jolly, Cooper, Williams and Smith, and more are expected.”
William C. Jennings, mentioned above, was born in 1825 in South Carolina and was Cal White’s partner in a number of enterprises over many years, including establishing the first wagon trail from near present-day Fruitvale to Meadows Valley.
The Statesman continued: “At daybreak on Friday morning, April 11, Thomas Clay, the mail carrier and myself, struck out from Cal White’s hospitable mansion for the Payette Lake. The trail just skirts the northern end of Long valley.
“The lake was still frozen, but the last rains here raised its surface so as to leave a rim of open water. Once upon the ice however we had about 10 miles of fine traveling. In every direction now a bleak wilderness of snowy mountains surrounds the lake. Salmon swarm up the Payette as far as the lake in vast number, but do not pass it. Redfish are scarcely seen below it. The redfish spawn in August and September along the sandy shores and up all the creeks of any size and have been taken in large quantities.
“At the head of the lake the mail carrier has a comfortable cabin where he stops overnight. Then another days tramp brings us to a similar lodging place at the Little Lake. Here the snow has increased to 7 feet in depth. In these mountains mountain sheep are said to dwell. I have yet to meet the individual who has killed or even seen one, yet shreds of what is claimed to be their white wool are often found.
“From the Little Lake the route winds over the mountains, crossing the divide that separates the waters flowing into the Payette from those flowing into Salmon river, to the Warm Springs on the principal road from Warrens to Florence. Here our host, Fred Burgdorf, never fails to furnish the weary traveler a square meal and we find ourselves in the presence of a man who can mix a cocktail to some purpose. During this summer Fred plans to get a fine hotel built.
“Another day’s snowshoeing of 20 miles brought us to Warrens, where you must either stay or turn about and go back again. There is no place to go unless you strike out into unknown mountains. The mail has been carried by Thomas Clay this past winter without a break of failure.
My books covering local history are now for sale at the Baker’s Pantry in Council.
100 years ago
October 22, 1925
Died: Mrs. Dema Johnson, a longtime resident of Middle Valley. She was born in Illinois in 1864 and married Charles Johnson in 1884. They had 11 children.
Indian Valley – “All the large schoolboys picked apples at Mesa Saturday and Sunday.”
Advertisement: Fashion Stables – Livery and Feed Stable – Draying and Freight Hauling – Order Your Coal from Us – J. M. Pitzer & Son “– Cambridge, Idaho”
75 years ago
October 19, 1950
“Melvin Evans, Dwight Towell, Troy and Buddy Legg went to Harper, Oregon Friday evening.”
49 years ago
October 21, 1976
The Cambridge LDS church has begun construction on a new chapel that will adjoin their present church building and another at addition that will add classroom and utility space to the present building. Plans also call for extensive remodeling to the interior of the existing building. Only the presence chapel will remain as is, to be used for the junior Sunday school.
Donald Fuchs, 37 of Council, was shot to death Saturday night after an argument in the Council Lounge and Hotel. He was shot once in the back by his wife, Ila, age 24, who drove to the Sheriff’s office after the shooting and surrendered.
25 years ago
October 26, 2000
The exhibit hall at the Washington County Fairgrounds received a new roof last week.
