The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1904-03-26
LOCAL HISTORY
OF WEISER

the line was torn down during the latter
part Of the seventies.
The lone traveller who then must spend
the night where Weiser City now is,
drew very near to his camp fire as the
wild cries of the night succeeded the
darkness, and longingly thought of far
away friends and Home, Sweet Home"
In the fall Of 1878 8. N. Jeffreys fitted
up the old house ~ P. O.. adding mer-
chandise, ETC., and again took possession
Of 1t. Here in 1879 his son, J. W. JEFF
freys found his birthplace. Thus he
has not only the distinction OF being the
first child of Weiser, but also of being
born in the first house OF Weiser. Wei
ser is honoredin sending this young man
as her first fruits to the war OF Manila.
The P. o. before mentioned then took
the name Of Weiser Bridge.
| 1t is supposed by some that the name
OF "Weiser" is an Indian word BY 9TH
ers 1t is stated that it sprang from the
name OF Jack Weiser pronounced WI
SER, who was an early trapper. Such
being the case should custom make the
name to be pronounced Weiser or should
it be called Wiser?
In 1879 Washington county was struck
off from Ada county. After heated
contention the county seat was awarded
to Weiser, Salubria being her strongest
rival The locating of the county seat
at this place might be cited as the first
inducement toward making town at
Weiser. A wooden court house was soon
constructed near where the present one
now stands.
In 1850 number Of little houses be-
gan to spring up around in the sage
brush. Besides the mercantile house
before mentioned, there was another,
owned by HOFFMAN, Hass & Co.; a hotel
with John Smith as proprietor, feed
stable, blacksmith shop, etc.
Weiser's first school was taught in
little board house about 12x15, with a
half window on either side. 1t was
northwest Of the present court house.
The sage-brush. then came up to the
door. The teacher was Miss Ella JEFF
freys, now Mrs. McGrew of Weiser. She
states that she had about Is scholars.
that the furniture was of the rudest kind
rough board benches, etc That the
owner Of the house often came in to in
spect the condition. with regard to wear.
OF his building. advising her to have the
children be more careful about opening
and closing the door, as the hinges
might suffer; and so on. This house
| continued to be used as primary room
Tor several years, even after a better
school house was built. Ii was finally
moved and still partly remains back of
the Claybough store in East Weiser.
In 1882 the first school house was built
northwest of the court house grounds.
IL was considered quite high-toned az
fair being an implanted plank structure
with brown, bare walls. and Two double
glass windows on each side. Ii was
also used as church for number of
years Some Of the early teachers were
MISS Sadie Utey, David Gorrie, DIP.
maryatt (brother Of the late Il. p. MARY.
atp' Charles Hale, agd Miss Jeifreys,
previously mentioned, Al the ume when
Charles Hale Was teaching In ~, there
WAS an average attendance of 40 scholars
The first paper Of Weiser was pub.
lisheq Thursday August 81, 1882, BY
s1lne a Mitchell, Il Was called The
Nelser Leader lp Noyember, 1852 j
ltavertb took charge Of the paper;
January, 1888 Dr. s. a. q, Reynolds
became editor thep Henry 81 elreei
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Glenn '1peeeeapg him Thus De leader
changed bands four umes ln lllsle oyer
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