By 1920 automobiles were becoming much more common. In fact, in 1919 Albert Freehafer had leased his building (former Gillespie building) on the site of the first Winkler blacksmith shop (NE corner of Moser & Main) to the Twite & Leonard Auto Co. The company sold Oakland Sensible Six - Touring cars – $1245 for a Roadster. Additional for wire wheel equipment added $75.
Jim Winkler was certainly not one to let moss grow under him. In 1920 he quit his partnership with Carl Weed in what was now being called the Council Grocery Company. The Leader said: “Mr. Winkler sold his interest to Carl’s brother, Charles J. Weed. Charles has taught college in China for about 20 years, and has just come back from there. The store will continue under same name.”
Adams County Leader, Dec 10, 1920: Mark Winkler Jr. married Lillian Williams.
In 1921 Jim Winkler again started a new business enterprise on the first floor of the Odd Fellows Hall. It was called the Winkler Cash Grocery.
Mark Winkler, Sr. died in November of 1921. The Leader printed his obituary, saying: He came to Council with his parents at the age of 20 on Aug 8, 1878. In 1880 he settled on his place “just north of town and remained there until his death. He was the oldest settler in Council living on an original homestead.” In 1898 he married Carrie Anderson. They had two children: Mark Jr. and Anna Sailor Mrs. Ray Sailor; 2 step daughters – Mrs. Lulu Osborne and Mrs. Matilda Davis. His ranch was at 2325 Hwy 95 – the next place north of the original Winkler homestead.
In the fall of 1922, the former Winkler Blacksmith shop / Gillespie building, now owned by A.L. Freehafer and occupied by Twite & Leonard Auto Co., was gutted by a fire. It was soon repaired and rented by a man named Russell as a garage.
In 1923 Charlie Winkler came back to Council after graduating from pharmacy school. However there was apparently no job for him here and he soon went to Boise for employment in a drug store.
In October of 1923 Bill Winker was replaced as Council Postmaster by George Prout. Bill apparently then did some farming. He owned a number of acres in the area north of Moser Avenue, including the area where the Boise-Payette Lumber Co. sawmill would be built a couple decades later.
Adams County Leader, Feb 8, 1924– Sam Criss turned his store and merchandise over to a credit Association. His wife and daughter and house hold goods have gone to Baker, Ore. He is staying until spring.
The March 27, 1925 Adams County Leader said W.J. Wilson from New Plymouth has bought the old Russell garage and was in business. This was the former Winkler Blacksmith shop / Gillespie building.
The May 15, 1925 Leader said Jim Winkler still had property in Long Valley. Maybe he still had an interest in the Roseberry store.
In August of 1925 the roof of the Winkler Blacksmith shop, still being operated by George Pfann, (the newer shop, located just north of their first shop / Russell garage) caught fire for unknown reasons. It burned down, also destroying Pfann’s home, two other nearby homes, the Russel garage and several outbuildings. The Pomona Hotel roof also caught fire but was extinguished with hoses.
Adams County Leader, Aug 28, 1925: W.J. “Billie” Wilson and Geo. Pfann have opened a garage and blacksmith shop in the old Brooks shop on the hill back of the courthouse.
Continued next week.
100 years ago
February 8, 1924
D. L. Carter was appointed prosecuting attorney for Washington County some time ago in the place of Fred Erb.
Mrs. Ethel Davis is the new operator in the phone office. She is a sister of Mrs. John York.
James Ruth of Heath, who died January 30, was buried last Saturday in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Mr. Ruth was 82 years old.
“C.E. Mentzer took a carload of stock to Portland Tuesday.”
The late president, Woodrow Wilson, was laid to rest on February 6.
“If you want the correct time, go to the depot, as they have a fine new regulator.”
“Mrs. George Gould of Council, who came to Midvale on account of the sickness of her sister, Mrs. F. M. Potter, returned home last Thursday.”
“Local radio listeners-in were surprised by a new voice on the air Monday evening when the first radio-telephone in Cambridge was placed in operation. Voices were clearly recognizable and singing was actually too loud in the receiving set, causing tone distortion. Aside from this, the demonstration was perfect. The station is operated under the call of ‘Radio 7KN’, this being the government call of one of the experimenters interested. No broadcasting is to be attempted, as an amateur license does not include a broadcasting privilege. Any message may be transmitted, however, provided it is sent to some other licensed station. So far as is known, this gives Cambridge the only radio-telephone this side of Boise. A second installation speedily followed the first, and radio-telephone conversations are now a nightly happening in Cambridge. The trio of the experimenters who have brought this about our Herbert Fuller, Charles Carter and Walter black.”
The P & I N railroad will have a special excursion rate for those traveling to McCall for the Payette Lakes Races. Weiser to New Meadows and return – $3.00. The same for Cambridge – $1.75. The same for Council– $1.00. “Rates by four-horse bob-sleds from New Meadows to McCall and return, $1.25, regular rates $3.75. Plenty of bobs engaged.”
“Dr. Whiteman reports three new arrivals this week: A girl at the O. C. Lacy home; a boy at the Charles Vogel home, both born February 5, by Mr. and Mrs. Galen McGraw are rejoicing over a new boy born February 6.”
75 years ago
February 10, 1949
This winter snow depth has reached 100 inches. Train and bus schedules have been disrupted, schools closed and buildings crushed by the weight of snow. “The 15 inches of snow that fell over the weekend caused slides in the Canyon between Cambridge and Midvale and between Midvale and Weiser. According to guy Blazier, local depot agent, the steam locomotive of the passenger train that arrived here over three hours late Monday, completely buried itself while forcing his way through a slide below Midvale. The heavy snowfall over the weekend caused three slides in the Canyon below town, two of which joined forces and crossed the highway, the railroad tracks and skidded halfway across the river before halting. The canyon highway was buried under 20 to 25 feet of snow.”
“Clarence Williams made a trip to Boise Wednesday. He reported the highway in bad condition and advised no travel unless absolutely necessary. Snow had been plowed from the highway between Cambridge and Weiser and piled so high that there is room for no more. This situation is also reported concerning the highway north of Cambridge.”
Fortunately there have been no calls for the fire department this winter, as the hydrants are buried under four or more feet of snow.
James Warren was elected president of the Cambridge Cattle and Horses Growers Association for his 27th consecutive year, and Charles Edwards was reelected Secretary-treasurer for his 29th term.
The Quonset hut, built as a storehouse for the co-op creamery, collapsed under the weight of snow.
“Old-timers and all thoroughly agree that this is one of the worst winters Midvale has ever encountered.” The latest blizzard dropped 23 inches of snow followed by a wind that drifted all the plowed roads full.
Died: Rinehart Ingebrestsen, 76, a well-known retired railroad man of Weiser.
Jess and Charlie Wallace were injured when a born collapsed on them because of the weight of snow on the roof.
Married at Indian Valley on January 23: Quentin Munger and Joan Lord.
49 years ago
February 6, 1975
A record low snow depth of 77.87 inches was set on the Brundage mountain snow course for the February one measurement. Water content of 24.62 inches was the second low for the 10 years of records.
Died at Huntington: Mrs. Wes Lane, mother of Bob and Russ Graham and Barbara Bittner.
25 years ago
February 11, 1999
Died: Arlan Rex Saunders, 64, of Cambridge.
Died: Fred Bain, 91, of Cambridge. He was born in Cambridge in 1907. He was a member of the first Cambridge High School football team. After marrying furnace Sutton of Cambridge in 1926, the couple farmed in the Salubria Valley.
