Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-07-27

came from Wilbur, Douglass County, Or
egop, in the spring OF 1867, remaining
here for two years and then returne
home. The school was opened in tn
old log building at Mt. Idaho, and of tn
children who attended were Odles
Arams, Browns, Kings and Jones. Th
first school house in the county wa
built by few pioneers and located nea
+. j. Kings house, in the year 1865
Soon after another school building wa
constructed near Mr.. Aram's place, OF
| three mile creek. Thus my friends wer,
schools commenced in Idaho Co., weak
l must confess. At that time we haC
no public school fund, and teachers anc
buildings had to be provided by few
families who had made settlements or
the prairie. Let us note the progress
made from that time to this. We find
to-day that the country has become
pretty well settled, and we have eigh-
teen regular organized school districts
in the county and that they are well
supplied with home talent for teachers.
The public money for school purposes
amounted to 5000 rs in the year 1887,
and we have $50 children on the rolls OF
school districts of the county.
The first mill was erected by Peter
Walters, foot of mountain on three mile
creek, a saw mill, in the year of 1869
or 1870. 1t was this man Walters, who
without canse, murdered Joseph Yates
at Mt. Idaho in September. 1870. He
was arrested, taken to Lewiston, tried
twice and convicted of murder; the de-
lay in meeting out justice to the crimi-
nal being somewhat aided by some ten
men, the friends of Yates, making a
visit to Lewiston. called at the Jail and
requested his attendance at a neck-tie
party, and he was taken from Jail and
hung.
The first -four mill was built bv DR..
Mr.. A. Kelly, of Lewiston, aud II. II.
Wheeler, c. b. Toothaker and VIM. CO.
ram, a steam mill. at Mt. Idaho in the
year 1878. In 1875 and 1876 another
flour mill was built by the Grange soci-
ETY. at Grangeville.
Of societies established in the county,
the Masons came first, lodge being es-
tablished at Mt. Idaho in the year 1873,
and placed in running order by Major
Truax, of Walla Walla, acting for the
grand master. The lodge has had good
membership, is in prosperous condl-
ton and Will this year erect suitable
hall for meetings. Then came the Red
Cross, temperance organization, by
Rev. MgDougall, of California. 1t had
a very successful career for several
years, and from my observation am sat
isfied that it accomplished much good.
1t was neglected and abandoned. In
1874 the Grange was organized by
Spaulding, son of the old Lapwai mis-
sionary, being among the Nez Perce In
diaus many years before any settlement
in the country. This pioneer mission
ary, as i understand, came across the |
plains with DR.. Whitman and party. |
DIR. Whitman located on the Wala |
Walla river, near the present city, where |
he With his family and com mpanions were
by Indians. 1t was these
who led in advance the commencement |
Of civilization in the far west, and his |
death was serious check to |
further settlement east of the Cascade |
for several years. l under
stand a school has been established at |
Walla Walla, bearing the name OF |
Whitman College," and monument |
in memory of this good and early pio- |
neer has been erected. One should also |
be erected at Lapwai, in honor of Rev. |
Spaulding. But l was speaking of the |
Grange society. They built the hall in |
the year 1875, it being known as the |
Grange hall, and gave the name of
drangeville to the town. The society |
has continued to prosper and they now
have oranges at Eairview precinct. one
at Cottonwood, and one at the Lake. |
The Odd Fellows organized a lodge in
1880; they continue to prosper and have
good membership. The A. o. U. w. |
was placed in working order in 1885;
being too old to become member, / |
cannot speak of its success.
The first regular established church in |
he county was the Pioneer Methodist, |
with Rev. Strong. presiding elder, in |
The year 1877. Bro. Flenner, now of
Boise City. was our first resident
preacher. To Bro. Strong and Flenner
Is due the honor of founding the school |
at Grangeville, which continues in sue.
cessful operation; the church and school |
being now in charge o Rev. w. A. Hall. |
> Mr.. President, we will now pass to the |
most distressing, the most painful PEE
Rod in the history of our settlement in |
ibis county. When gold was discovered !
IN the mountains, the country was
claimed by the Nez Perce Indians, and |
IN the spring of 1868 council was held |
At Lapwai; by Hale, Superintendent of
Indian affairs for Territory of Washing
on, treaty was made with the Indi-
ans whereby they ceeded to the United |
States all the territory, outside of the |
present boundaries of the Nez Perce res
ervation, and under that treaty our peo-
pie claimed the right of settlement on
he public lands. From that time until
the spring of 1877, the whites and In
1ians were neighbors and had no serious
.rouble. EARLY in the spring of 1877,
zen. Howard, in command of the De-
partment of the Columbia, was in
strncted to hold a council with the tribe |
At Lapwai for the purpose of inducing !
hem to go upon the reservation and !
make homes. AT that council the rene !
yades, known as Joseph's band from Wal |
owa Valley, with followers from Salmon
liver, were present. Gen. Howard gave
hem to understand the wishes of the
and that they must COM I
ply, the Indians consenting thereto and |
agreed to move on the reservation With
n thirty days. That time Nas granted |
hem nv Cen Howard hnt instaad of /