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

| ~est III fesIoration IL unneeded Tor 20
90, or on years, while the savages who
well nigh annlhilated struggling settle
ments became noted and favored wards
had the early settlers of Idaho received
but fraction of the aid and enconr-
agement that the Indian has had in the
past twenty-five years from the govern.
ment, the state would now rank with
the greater states. The Indian lands
were broken up and fenced, agricultural
and other tools, teams, wagons and
seeds of all kinds were furnished them.
Churches, school houses, shops and
mills were built and equipped; minis
ters, teachers and mechanics were sent
to their aid; in many instances substan-
tlal dwellings were built for them, but
the tepee continued to be their home,
and these houses and fences rotted
away. Soon the beautiful valley of the
Lapwai and other places, improved at
great expense, went back to natures
wildness, while the settler was virtually
told to do the best he could, and pay
his taxes. You will please excuse this
llttle growl. To kick is human, and vet
III the experience of life it il often best
to quietly endure.
10 the Pioneers of Idaho county
gathered here to-day I wish to recall
some experiences of early years ON
Camas Prairie. To those present who
nave made homes here later these incl
dents may serve to answer the question
as to how handful of people
SHUT OUT FROM THE WORLD
And dependent entirely upon their own
efforts Tor sustenance and social enjoy
ment succeeded. A goodly number of
those who located here prior to 1870
had come to the mines of Elk CITY,
Florence and Warrens to make for
tune, which at the end of one or two
years would in most cases consist of n
pair of blankets and battered outfit of
cooking utensils; with these as capital
some would build a cabin in the timber.
and make rails and shakes, or whipsaw
lumber for the few who were more pros
porous; others built a log house almost
where they pleased on the prairie and
called it home. But very few families
were here in 1866, but from that time
the number slowly increased a friendly
social feeling prevailed, and when these
families came together, as they often
dld, to spend an evening, they did not
lack for means of enjoyment. No
matter about the conveyance; a cayuse
with blanket, a log sled, bob sled or
atoot, the principal thing was to get
there and forget dull care. Dancing
was part of the amusement, and for
the best OF reasons costumes were a
secondary matter. The ball room dude
OF to-day would stand aghast at the sur
roundlngs and dancers of 1867. In vain
would the bachelor look for young lady
partners; they were not there, except
IN VERY sUORT DpPssEs
The sight of these embryo women, how
ever, gave promise of future when
partners would be more abundant; that
time has come; but alas, where are the
bachelors of 81? If in the meetings of
these early settlers the surroundings
were more crude than to-day, their
greetings were as cordial, their kindness
and friendship as genuine, and in most
cases their intelligence and culture were
fully equal to that of the present. Their
eyes were closed and their tongues ST.
lent in regard to the cheap dress of a
poorer neghbor. Do not some of you
remember those old-time gatherings.
one in particular that took place in the
old Mountain House" where now the
Chinaman and his Joss" presides All
joined in the pleasures of the evening,
and good time was kept to money
Musk" by those would smile to see them
try it now.
These early settlers were not saints.
neither were they quite sinners. The
man who In those days owned q wagon
was looked upon as very Vanderbilt
In wealth, and when stubborn OK
would twist round stump and break
that wagon 1t was considered a proper
time to use strong language. Cards were
IN general use, but as an amusement
more than for gain. Come up aud take
something" then. as now, met with
ready response, but drunkenness was
rare, and perhaps in no other settlement
founded i'll the state is there an instance
OF hotel being successfully established
and run for almost thirty years without
the sale of liquors beneath its roof.
And yet this is the record of
THE MOUNT IDAHO HOTEL
Conducted on that principle for all that
length of time by our worthy president,
Hon. l.. Z. Brown. There were few
deaths then to sadden hearts, and is it
not slgnihcant when we remember that
no doctors were here; neither did we
have lawyers to look after our welfare
to get US into trouble. and then get us
cNH "t8"ih' IL oCNIilHs dTDlIra-
tion was resorted to, or by the quicker
mode of knocking down the ageressor
Ministers too were away in pastures
more green. During the FIRST ten Years
of settlement perhaps the average was
one sermon in ten years. Families
would often spend the Sabbath in Gods
great temple, under the shade of these
lofty pines-a day of rest indeed-and
returning home at evening each would
feel that the burdens of the week would
be lightened by this respite.
All who were here in these first wears
will remember the concert of music in
the timber on clear frosty mornings. 1t
was more dscordant perhaps than that
OF our excellent band and chorus of the
present time, yet it was music for those
who were building homes for loved
ones. This concert, which is so rarely
heard now, was made up of lively
whistling-of the echo of voices in song
and Jolly laughter-of the clear ring Of
axes along the foot hills, while the
crash of falling trees made an appropri. :.
ate bass. Then when the days work
was done and loads piled high came the
merry run home with
NOT FENCE TO INTERFERE.
Are there any here who rememb Der John
Browns big sled, built for pleasure as