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

tTdli from LulS pDlnJ 10 Inc mining camp |
of Florence in the spring of 1862. In |
Lusk built the first house on three mile
creek, the old log house, and sold it to
Crooks and Shumway in 1868. Around
these stations the commencement was
made for farming, which demonstrated
that something could be produced, and
soon after other settlers made locations,
farms were opened and crops proved a
success.
The year of 1862 were fearful times
full of danger for life and property, the
trails being waylaid by highwaymen.
These men were not eager to work and
sought solely to plumber the innocent
and inoffensive; the most atrocious
crimes were committed and no person
felt secure day or night. Robbery and
murder often occurred until finally in
the fall of 1862, Judge John Berry and
brother were on their way from Florence
to Lewiston with a pack train, they were
robbed on Salmon river by English,
Peepels and Scott. They escaped from
the country but were pursued by Berry
to Walla Walla and arrested, and were
brought back to Lewiston. The people,
finding no security for life or property
and having no regular Established
courts, concluded something must be
the matter of meeting out justice into
their own hands, and Scott, English and
Peepels were hung.
In the fall of 1868 Mr.. Lloyd McGru-
der went from here to Montana with
pack train loaded with merchandise.
On his return several men came with
him. One night, in camp east
from Elk City, McGruder, Allen, Phil
lips and two Chalmer Bros. were MUIR
The thieves, after killing nearly all of
the mules, came on to Lewiston and
took the stage for the lower country.
They were suspected and Hill Beachey
followed them to San Francisco, where
he secured their capture. They were
tried in the spring or winter of 1864 and
sentenced to be hung, the execution was
carried into effect and they were hanged
at Lewiston March 4th, 1864. Capt. j.
Ii. Fisk was sheriff. of the county at that
time and was maater of that neck-tie
party. Thus ended the lives of three,
the most cruel and fendish murderers
ever known in Idaho, Lowery, Howard
and Roman; Page, the fourth one,
turned states evidence and was not
tried. He remained in Lewiston, but
was in few years killed by AL Ego, The
hanging of Scott, Peepels, English and
the McGruder murderers seems to have
uhu EuiutOIy tlSCJ III supp 0SSlllG
crime. Parties who were suspe cted
soon took their departure for newer and
fresher fields, where they could with
more safety pursue their nefarious call
ing. North Idaho gave them a glad
good-by. From that time to this we
have had peaceable, law abiding COM
munity and the settlement in this conn
ty will well compare with other in this
great north west.
In the spring of 1868 commence
ment was made for farming. Grain was
sowed, and think the first timothy hay
ever grown in Idaho was planted, gar
dens were made and it became a settled
fact that this fair land would produce
far better than had been anticipatedf
f4Settlers continued to come and we find
to-day nearly all the public lands taken
up and occupied for homes. The first
fruit trees were brought from Wala
Walla, in the spring of 1864, aud set out
here at Mt, Idaho, Small fruits were
also cultivated. which have done exceed
ing WE'LL this beginning soon extended
and we now find good orchards all over
the prairie, We can boast of good ap-
pies. pears, plums and cherries, and the
smaller fruits in abundance. We can
also boast of we'll cultivated farms, pro-
ducing grain and vegetables, all that the
| requires anu III lS SeHcTdliy cOn-
| ceeded that no section of the northwest
produces better than our Camas prairie,
oats and barley often exceed one hun
dred bushels per acre, with wheat from
thirty to sixty bushels. Truly this is
the land for homes, a good climate, rich
and productive soil, fine pasturage for
the stock grower. What moro should
We seek? l can see no reason why the
settlers should not be successful in max
ing happy homes for themselves and
children. Certainly industry and econ
omy will surely succeed
The first stage line, from Mt. Idaho to
Lewiston, was put on the route by Fran
cies d Co. in the summer of 1862. The
next spring Durkee and George Cramp-
ton placed a line on the same route,
which was continued until late in the
fall of 1868. when they sold out on
Craig's mountain. Champion, in few
years, returned home and now lives in
| Boston. Mr., Durkee went to Burnt
river, Oregon, and for many years kept
the station known as Express ranch /.
The railroad passes the place and there
is a station, called "Durkees," in honor
of this old pioneer of Idaho.
The territory of Idaho was organized
by congress, session of 1862 and 1863, by
taking territory from Washington. Del
cgate w ailaCe WAS tneu HleuDer OF con-
gress from Washington Territory. He
was appointed first governor of Idaho,
came TO Lewiston, established it the seat
of government, and under his proclama-
ton the territory held its first election
in the fall of 1868. The first convention
was held by the democrats, in Southern
Idaho, and John nj. Kennedy was NOM
mated for delegate in congress. In Sep
TENDER, 1868, the republicans held their
first convention in Idaho, being in the
old pioneer log house at Mt. Idaho. Gov.
Wallace was placed in nomination for
congress and elected. So he was our first
delegate in congress from the Territory
/ of Idaho and during his term, if 1 mis-
fAtake>not, the territory of Montana was
| Organized by taking territory from