History Corner

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All during the second half of the 19th Century, the U.S. economy was dominated by the railroad industry. The first transcontinental line was completed, linking the east and west coasts, in 1890. Rail lines were expanding rapidly. Often they were expanding too rapidly and were financially based on speculation with borrowed money.

In February of 1893 railroad companies began to fall behind on their debts and started to default on bonds they had issued. This put strain on the banks and the entire nation’s economic system. Smaller banks, especially in the South and West, face insolvency as depositors rushed to withdraw funds. Shortcomings in an economic system based on a gold reserve started to show.

It may not have been obvious to people in the U.S. at first, but this was affecting world markets as well. Foreign investors—especially in Europe—pulled money out of U.S. markets as railroads defaulted, contributing to financial stress abroad.

In May, panic erupted on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as stock prices plummeted. Major railroads collapsed under debt. As summer temperatures increased, unemployment increased, with some states reaching 25% jobless rates. Credit became almost impossible to get, and banks began to fail.

Meanwhile, settlement and growth along the Weiser River valleys seemed oblivious to the national and world economy. But the economy might have increased tensions between some citizens, as illustrated by the following newspaper item.

Weiser Signal, 6-15-1893: “Council Cutting – From parties down from the upper country we are given an account of the recent stabbing affray at Council valley substantially as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Louis Kesler were staying at the house of Mark Winkler, and the log drivers were near by on the river. Mrs. Kesler desired to take a ride on the river in the loggers’ boat, which was forbidden her by her husband. She persisted in doing so, not withstanding, and then expressed the expectation that ‘Louis would beat her’ for disobeying him. Some of the loggers proposed to go to the house to see that he did not. Some wrangling and warm talk ensued, during which Kesler laid his hand on Mark Winkler’s shoulder, presumably to remonstrate against any interference in matters, when Mark drew a knife and stabbed him, Kesler, three times above the heart and once in the right side. The three stabs were very dangerous and came within half an inch of penetrating the heart. Kesler fell on the bed from loss of blood, but it is thought he will recover.”

I haven’t run across info as to whether Mark Winkler was prosecuted for what was obviously attempted murder. The report also reflects the fact that logs were being transported on the Weiser River.

Economic stress may have also affected Dr. William Brown. That summer he was driving a hack by someone’s house in Salubria when a dog raised a hostile racket at his passing. It made the doctor angry and he let go a round from his revolver at the animal. The shot wet wild, going through the front window of a house and dangerously close to two young children. The home owner was outraged. This is another case where I didn’t find whether there was legal action against Brown for his negligence.

As July 4 came around, a report in the Signal reflected a general lack of aerial fireworks, or even common knowledge of them here in 1893. The article described Japanese fireworks at Nampa, involving powder charges called “tamas” that were launched into the sky by an explosive charge under them inside a tube-shaped “cannon.” The writer said, “The secret of making these tamas is known only to the Japanese.”

In July the county commissioners approved advertising bids to build a wood or iron bridge at Middle Valley at the site of the “present bridge” to be completed by November 20.

Also in July, Council Postmaster William Percifield left and turned the post office over to John Hancock (owner/operator of the Council Hotel / saloon),” who, the newspaper said, “is putting up a new building for its reception near his saloon. “By mid September, John Hancock had completed the post office building and the Signal reported, “G.W. Hancock John’s father has moved the post office into the new building he has completed on the east side of the square. Postmaster William Percifield has moved back to Salubria.”

In the same issue, the Signal printed a bit of humor:“Lost, strayed or stolen – one postmaster, branded W.P. Any one returning said p.m., or supplying Council with a permanent post office site, and a p.m. That will stay with Council, will receive a liberal donation of gratitude.”

It isn’t clear exactly what the postmaster situation was at Council (the official name was still “Council Valley” post office). William Percifield had been appointed in May of that year (1893), and I find no other postmaster appointed until Effie Gray took over in March of 1894.

An item in the August 18, 1893 Idaho Free Press (Grangeville) reflects how challenging it was to build a wagon road through the steep and rugged mountains along the Salmon River: “Two teams arrived in town last Friday from Boise City, having came over the State wagon road via Payette lakes, Warm Springs Burgdorf and Florence. They were three weeks making the trip, and it took them two days and a half to climb the 12 mile grade from the Salmon river bridge to Florence. The men in charge of the teams have a mighty poor opinion of this State wagon road.”