Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-07-17


nights, packed in straw, buffalo robes
ana blankets. young and old drove away
feeling as happy as though it was the
finest cutter. There are a few here who
attended the raising of the Crooks and
Fairfield barns. great structures thew
were considered then, standing for 20
years as landmarks, and evidence of en-
terprise in the very beginning of the
settlement. When they were put up
every citizen was there, proud and Glad
to aid thus in adding permanency TO
the country's growth. These buildings
like their owners. have passed away and
VIII soon be forgotten, but long will
the builders live in memory as among
the most worthy men in Pioneer days.
The early settlers attended the elect
ions promptly, though there were but
lew votes to count. paid their taxes
without grumble and were good law
abiding citizens, except when forbear-
ance OF evil ceased to be virtue. In a
very few instances they took
THE LAW IN THEIR OWN HANDS
and punished gross offenders with the
penalty due. a few remember "Shum-
way jim and were present when he
expiated his many brutal crimes. He
was an English speaking Indian who
deilghted In murder, and soon after the
death OF his last victim he was escorted
to the timber by the people one fine
morning, and like the ship, "never re.
turned" Such conduct to-day would
be justly condemned, but % years ago
IL was preservation to do as the Pio-
neers did. They were little eroup of
men and women isolated and almost
without the pale of civil law, and felt
that with snch characters as 'iShumwav
jim" and pete Walters" in their midst
they were compelled to be law unto
themselves.
Schools and literary societies were es-
tablished even before houses were built
Tor their accommodation. The log school
house with its immense chimney and
rustic furniture which stood on the bank
OF whisky Bill creek, near Mr.. Aram's.
was the scene of many an effort at ora
tory and eloquence in debate, until a
wider held of action was sought in
ORGANIZING A SHAM LRGIsLATUKE.
There are some here who were members
of that body during the winter of 1867
and 1868. 1t consisted of but one house.
with Hon. L.. p. Brown as speaker. /.
Muncie as clerk, and I. L. Ward as act
ing governor, meetings to be held alter
nately in this old house and at Mt. Ida
ho. Almost every bill introduced would
come IN conflict with the interests OF
other members and a war of words
would result. The clerk not having an
assistant had much to do, and claimed
pay for his services; the claim was re-
ferred and report brought in recon-
mending that gold pen be presented
n mr. hsrf ha l.,
curing of the pen was referred to a COM
mittee OF three, only one of whom is
now living. With zeal worthy better
cause they manufactured a wooden pen
twelve inches long, painting it to appear
as gold. The pen was laid in wool in a
neat box, and the explosion looked for
ward to with interest. The presenta-
ton took place in room of the old ho-
tel and passed of well until the box was
handed the clerk and the hoax discov-
cred, when there was language loud and
wild, and the box splintered over guilty
heads. A new clerk was elected and
the work of making laws went smoothly
on until bill was introduced to
CHANGE THE COURSE OF WHITE BIRD
Creek and bring it onto the Prairie.
dropping it into Butcher or Three Mile
creek. Here came the tug of war, and
Greek met Greek when the question
came up as to which of these creeks
should receive White Bird 1t was a
memorable debate. Members took off
their coats, and the better to be heard,
stood upon the desks hurling arguments
at the speaker in behalf of their favorite
creek becoming the great water power
of the west by this addition of fluid.
Confusion became worse confused, the
sargent-at-arms and the speakers gavel
failed to quell the storm. and the bill
never reached vote, and White Bird
to-day still rolls maiestically in its nat.
ural channel to the Salmon,
No Pioneer will forget Bush, the man
OF oxen. and of wit, humor and joke; at
every house he was welcome; rough he
was, but withal genial and kind and full
OF that spirit which will not down in
adversely. He was strong man physi-
cally, but it was his misfortune at one
time to suffer for weeks from an aching
tooth, one of those big grinders, appa,
rently sound, but possessed of a power
to make man wish he had never been
born. There seemed no help for him,
as doctors and dentists were not vet
part of the people In his wanderings
from house to honse in search of relief.
be found man who had picked I'D in
Florence one of those ancient instru.
ments of torture called Turnkey.
IT WAS OLD AND RUSTY,
The owner knew nothing of how to use
1t, but Bush determined at once to stay
with the owner until the tooth was out.
If it took all winter. After argument,
entreaty and almost force TO have trial
made, the gum was cut away with a
knife, then the horrible tool was fitted
on the tooth, and a powerful wrench
given with no result but yell and an
involuntary yell from the victim. Again
this relic of the Inquisition was forced
down on the tooth and the operator,
with both hands to the handle and with
all his strength, gave twist that sent
the tooth across the room. With a wild
stare Bushs eyes followed the tooth as
he exclaimed: Thank the Lord it came
out just before died"
AS time passed farms were enclosed
and each year more land was brought
into cultivation. Prices for all produce
was high. and the supply at no time
equal to the demand. Prosperity smiled
on the settlement until through increase
OF population, over production gutted
every market. The Pioneer has had the
worst of it ever since the first nickel
found its way to this country. Prior to
the advent of that coin two-bits was the
smallest medium of exchange. With it
the citizen bought box of matches,
SPOOL OF THREAD,
Or a single beef steak, and was happy.
But when traders came who had been
sharpened on the grindstone of close
dealing in the east. the Pioneer found