History Corner

As 1902 dawned, word of the Caswell Brothers’ discovery of rich gold deposits in the remote mountains near the South Fork of the Salmon River at a place known as “Thunder Mountain” had become common knowledge, and thousands of fortune seekers were eagerly preparing to trek into that wilderness as soon as the snow has melted enough to do so.

The January 2 Signal accurately predicted what was about to come: “There will be a demand this year for every pack horse in Washington County. It is likely that we will be unable to supply the requirements and a good stiff prices are assured. Everyone owning horses available for pack animal should be breaking them and getting ready for the demand. The animals can be sold out right or they can be hired out on good money-making terms. As there will not be enough to go around, anyone who will get a good train together can probably keep it busy all season from Council to the Thunder Mountain country taking in parties and their outfits.”

Since the P&IN had reached Council, it was the nearest rail point to the Thunder Mountain area. As early as February, men were attempting the treacherous journey, even though snow and mud still dominated the trails.

Council Journal, Feb. 1, 1902 – “Go To Thunder Mountain , Via the Council Route – It’s the Way Everybody Goes. Council is in condition to take care of the immense traffic which will commence in early spring to pass through this town and on to Thunder Mountain. Our merchants will have on hand a full line of all kinds of supplies that will be required by those going to seek their fortune in that land of gold. The proprietors of livery and feed barns will furnish pack horses either by lease or sale, or will deliver people and their luggage into the THUNDER MOUNTAIN in as short a time as possible and at reasonable rates. Don’t forget that the Council route is the shortest into Idaho’s wonderful gold fields.”

The same issue of the Journal said: “A.C. Wolf and Thomas Neighbors arrived in Council Monday evening from Thunder Mountain. They were only five days on the route to Meadows, walking all the way. They report the trail in good condition.” I would bet the “days in route” and the trail being “in good condition” were both exaggerations and probably led to some bad outcomes for those who took it at face value.

Weiser Signal, Feb 6, 1902 – “Joe Thomas, the Meadows Hotel man, writes the Signal that his last big toboggan outfit conveyed 16 people going into Warren and Thunder Mountain. Joe and his partner, Ross Krigbaum, are putting in good stopping (places) between present stations so that in case of severe weather there will be no long distances and havens of refuge.”

From the same issue of the Signal: “Esten Freeman, of the Council-Meadows stage line, was in Weiser Tuesday and dates that his line is kept busy hauling passengers in and out from Thunder Mountain. He is putting on a second the conveyance between Meadows and Council to meet the demand for train connection at Council. The mail stage does not leave Council until morning and arrives in the evening, but the special conveyance will enable continuous travel.”

Council area citizens were rounding up every available horse or mule to sell to fortune seekers. Even a barely broke colt was offered, often to people who didn’t know one end of a horse from the other. Weiser Signal, March 27, 1902: “We are informed about the demand for pack animals is becoming brisk. Parties having extra horses should take advantage of the present Thunder Mountain demand and unload. The average prospector is not particular about the age or good points of his horse when buying – cheapness being the principal requisite.”

The February 8 Journal commented: “The Boise aggregation of dogs, sleds, and cayuse, training for the trip to the gold fields, the antics of one of our citizens in an effort to keep on the hurricane deck of a bucking bronco, and several minor attractions, made quite and exciting time in Council on Wednesday of this week.”

Weiser Signal, February 13, 1902: “Cow hides are in demand here now. They use them to make toboggans to take provisions into Thunder Mountain.”

Weiser Signal, April 19, 1902 – Council: “Pack trains can be seen passing through the valley nearly every day enroute for Thunder Mountain.”

The July 24, 1902 Advance (short-lived Council newspaper) said the Meadows stage was loaded both ways between Council and Meadows because of traffic to and from Thunder Mountain.

After the summer of 1902 the rush to Thunder Mountain subsided somewhat, but travel to and from that area by fortune seekers continued for several years. I’ve written in previous columns about the involvement of Arthur Huntley and his investment in the Caswell Thunder Mountain claims that made him rich.

I’ll have more about 1902 next week.