History Corner

The summer of 1877 found settlers all along the Weiser River holed up in ad hoc forts and living in terror of being attacked by hostile Indians. It was widely feared that other tribes would join the Nez Perce in a “general outbreak” and kill as many whites as possible. But that didn’t happen.

By early August, it was known that the Nez Perce were being hounded by federal troops in Montana, and it sank in that Weiser River settlers were not in danger from local natives. After things calmed down, the Council Valley settlers went back home. The Moser family was concerned about their garden, but it had apparently done well in their absence. The little cabbage starts that George had shaded with boards had not only survived unattended, but had grown big enough to push over the boards.

That summer of 1877, the few settlers now living in Council Valley wanted to give the place a name. A name would have been necessary for mail to be delivered here. Lucy McMahan wrote that the majority wanted to call it “Moser Valley,” but Mr. Moser objected. So they decided to call it “Council Valley.” They were probably aware that Perry Clark, and maybe others, had already started calling it by this name. The next year (1878) the Postal Department approved “Council Valley” as the official name of the post office here.

George Moser’s nickname was “Buckshot,” and some early residents referred to the town by that name, even long after the it was officially named Council (shortened from “Council Valley”) in 1896.

1878 – The Bannock War

The very next year after the Nez Perce scare, Indians in central Idaho posed a threat to settlers along the Weiser River that was much more real. Several tribal groups in Idaho and eastern Oregon combined forces and went on a rampage that brought death and destruction in Idaho and Oregon. It became known as the Bannock War. The Shoshoni band that frequented the Weiser River even got involved (unwillingly) this time.

Council Valley settlers built a fort northwest of the Moser homestead (present-day Council) and spent much of their time holed up there.

In describing the settler’s reaction when they were told hostile Indians were headed for the Weiser River, Salubria pioneer Ida Hitt said, “To describe the terror of the people would be impossible.” The state of mind at the Council Valley fort was illustrated by an incident that occurred that summer. One day, probably in late June or early July, most of the settlers had left the fort to tend to their gardens. Those remaining at the fort became alarmed when they saw a cloud of dust rising to the south-the direction from which they expected any hostile Indians to come.

In the dust, they could see riders. They immediately panicked, and instead of going inside the fort, they gathered up all the guns and ran to the thick brush along the river. Eleanor White carried all the ammunition in her apron. The children were crying and screaming. All the dogs were barking. They later reflected that anyone–including Indians–could have heard the commotion from a mile away.

George Moser was not far from the fort when he heard all the noise and came running. When he reached the terror-stricken group they told him the Indians were coming. Moser looked down the valley at the cloud of dust, and seeing at least one wagon, realized that it was not a group of Indians. Soon a column of soldiers came into clear view. Everyone came out of the brush, feeling very relieved-and probably a little embarrassed.

The Bannock War wound down by later that summer – probably by the time the Winkler family arrived in August – without any real local threat to the settlers. Before long, the fort materials were recycled to build other structures, and its exact location has been lost to history.

Over the next few years, George Moser built barns and a granary. The dry grain was kept in a three-room granary, each room holding a different kind of grain for feeding the horses, cattle, chickens, ducks, and geese and for grinding into flour.

Matilda Moser later wrote: “Canning fruit was unknown but much was dried or preserved and stored in crocks. Root vegetables were stored in pits. Holes were dug in the earth, lined with sand and then straw. Vegetables and apples were laid on the straw and covered with dirt. This prevented freezing.

“Green string beans, in the shell, were spread on a cloth in the sunshine until they were completely dry. These were called “shuck beans” and were delicious when boiled with salt pork. Corn was cut from the cob and dried in the sun, also. Most fruits were peeled,sliced, and dried in the same manner.”

In 1879 Elizabeth Moser gave birth to a son. They named him Edgar, after mail carrier Edgar Hall.

George Moser and George Winkler planted the first fruit trees in the Council Valley at about the same time, around 1880. Winkler was the first to actually harvest any fruit.

In 1881 Elizabeth Moser gave birth to their last child, a girl they named Matilda. Matilda would become an integral part of Council’s society and government for many decades.

Matilda wrote: “Mr. Moser worked hard to develop his farm, much of it having to be cleared of thorn brush and some leveling done because of meandering streams across the land. A small stream brought water from springs on the east hillside and he filed on this water as it was very necessary for livestock, orchard, and garden. Horses soon took the place of oxen and a few milk cows were purchased. After several years he was able to buy one hundred head of cattle in eastern Oregon for $1,000.00. He found hog raising especially profitable, as there was a sale for them to Chinese buyers who in turn sold them in mining camps; and the cured meats were largely used in the boarding house which Mrs. Moser conducted, and any remaining amounts were sold to prospectors or directly to a store. For several years Mr. Moser made at least one trip each year to Boise or Baker to buy groceries and clothing. About one week was required for the trip.”

Continued next week.

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