History Corner

After John Peters leased his Council store to Isaac McMahan in the summer of 1894, Peters moved his family back to Weiser where he bought out the entire stock of a store there in order to start a new hardware business. He was joined in this venture by William “Billie” Eckles, the Washington County Sheriff.

Part of the reason the Peters family moved back to Weiser may have been that about this time Maude was old enough to start high school. High school classes were not available at Council, but they were at Weiser. They stayed there for about 3 years, until Maude graduated. One source says the family moved back to Council in 1898. If that is the case, John stayed very active in Council Valley affairs while still living at Weiser.

In the spring of 1896 the Salubria Citizen newspaper reported: “McMahan has bought the store building, barn and feed corral and the lots that Peters owned in Council. He has also bought the lot of Mrs. Moser east of the blacksmith shop and will build on it this spring.”

The lot “east of the blacksmith shop” was about where the public restrooms are today.

The Oct. 16, 1896 Salubria newspaper announced that Isaac McMahan and “John O. Peters have formed a partnership in the general merchandise business at Council and will carry a $10,000 stock of goods. This will be the largest stock of goods between Salubria and Grangeville. They have just completed a handsome new store building, and are receiving their new stock.”

The new store was erected on the lot McMahan had purchased from Elizabeth Moser, east of the blacksmith shop.

In the spring of 1897 Peters and McMahan expanded their store. The Weiser Signal reported: “McMahan has built a large two story building in which he lives, has a big store and a large hall upstairs for dances, meetings, etc. John O. Peters is in business with McMahan, and the firm still retains the old Peters store building. They have both places full of goods and are doing a lively business.”

The partners were still operating the “Cash Store,” as well as the new, bigger store nearby, although the old Cash Store may have only been used for storage. I believe it was this building that was later revived and remodeled as the store operated by the Whiteley family.

Weiser Signal July 29, 1897: “Council has completed all arrangements for her big racing tournament, and has raised $750 in purses. Council has one of the best tracks in the state. Under the management of Manager John Hancock and Secretary John O. Peters, it is sure to be a success. All races in the 5-day tournament “will be run under the Pacific Blood Horse Rules.”

By the spring of 1898, John Peters may have left the partnership with McMahan. An ad in the Salubria Citizen touted “Isaac McMahan - dealer in general merchandise – Council,” with no mention of Peters. Peters may have been living in Weiser at this time.

By the spring of 1899, it was known that a railroad would soon reach Council, and the population and number of businesses doubled over a short period of time. Weiser Signal, April 20, 1899: “John O. Peters has ordered a full set of butcher appliances, and as soon as they arrived he and Frank Raestle will open a butcher shop in Council Valley, and later on, a store.”

Weiser Signal, May 25, 1899: “Mr. John O. Peters returned to Council Saturday. He now has full equipment for a first-class meat market and general butcher business and will carry a full line of the best Eastern meats, sausage & etc. His partner, Mr. Frank Raestle, is an expert in his line. Mr. Peters says there are three railroad tie camps above Council and all men wanting employment can find it there.”

Idaho Statesman, May 31, 1899: “Council is a thrifty little town and considerable building is being done. J. O. Peters of Weiser has just completed a new meat market, the first one ever opened in the town.”

The partners named their enterprise the “Council Meat Market.” That arrangement didn’t last long. Raestle left the partnership that July, while still involved with a meat market in Salubria.

Soon after this, Peters partnered with Mode Addington. Their arrangement is confusing, as the area newspapers gave conflicting reports. One said Addington bought the meat market from Peters. Another said they were partners in the market. Regardless of what happened to the meat market, Peters and Addington also seem to have purchased and operated the Council Hotel, which had a feed stable in connection.

Right around this time the Signal contained an ad for the”Council – Bear Stage Line – Peters & Kramer, Proprietors.” I can find no other information to indicate that this Peters was John Peters, but he was such a wheeler-dealer, jumping in and out of businesses, that it would not surprise me if it were him, at least for a short time.

Continued next week.

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