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

where the P. & l. N. depot now stands.
Ia Chinaman, an old lady and R. E.
|Said known as "Rattlc Snake Jack')
were buried here. Both the former were
taken up. The latter, who had been
Killed as a consequence of drunken
brawl in saloon, was unearthed when
the P. & l. N. railway was under con-
struction. His bones we're scattered
about until saloon keeper requested
his skull, so it once again graced the
place where it was wont to be while
living.
The first grist mill of Weiser was built
and owned by s. M Jeffreys and --
Morehead, Sr. They took its power
from the Jeffreys irrigating ditch. The
same mill has recently been fitted up
and again is doing service for the town.
In the fall of 1882 it had capacity of
80 barrels of -four per day In Boise
-four was then selling at Sl4 per barrel,
and later for a short time it was the same
in Weiser. This was owing to the un-
usual demand of the railroad employees.
All provision was correspondingly high.
Alfalfa, with It's smiling fields, had not
yet made its advent into our midst, hence
there was then more grain grown in the
surrounding country than at. present.
In 1883 the number of scholars in the
public school had swelled TO over oOe
hundred and two teachers were en-
ployed.
The first teachers institute" was
held in Weiser, November 7. 1883. The
teachers in attendance were s. G Hale
A. Houlahan, Mr.. and Mrs. D. Gorrie
F. Moore, Miss Florence Clark. @. M
Hixon and D. w. Shaw, who was the
county superintendent. They decided
seven years to be the proper age for adj
mission to school. The superintendent
made strong address favoring better
state in educational interests especially
better school houses, with proper ventil-
alton, etc.
In the fall of 1883 there was an atten-
dance of 50 scholars in Sunday school,
with d. P. Maryatt as superintendent.
The first telephone OF Weiser was put
between the P. o. and DR.. Williams
residence in 1888. DIR. Williams was
then postmaster Of Weiser
In the latter part of 1883 excitement
prevailed in anticipation OF the coming
railroad. Weiser began to feel as if des-
tined to be quite metropolis. January
4. 1884, Welser hailed with delight the
first locomotive. The Leader of that
time stated that 1.-The first smoke stack
ever seen in this region since Thomas
Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to smoke
the pipe Of peace along this stream,
pulled its smoke within sight of town
yesterday"
A railroad reception and grand ball
was given to welcome the Oregon Short
Line Co., and many of their officials and
employees to Weiser P. M. Jeffreys,
then known as 1.-THE silver-tongued ora
tor, . welcomed the guests of the evening
with timely address. The question of
locating the depot was still pending, but
it was eventually put across the Weser
river, about one mile and a half south of
town, in the district now known as
Sunny Slde." 1t was earnestly hoped
that this was not a permanent location,
as the river running between the town
and the depot must cause serious inter-
ference owing to the high water some
times backing up, rendering communica-
ton impossible. Under these conditions
Weiser was very restless and entertained
grave apprehensions of near rival town,
1t was understood that the depot assumed
the name of Weiser, but the name of
the town had been changed from Weiser
Bridge to Weiser by order of the postof-
fee department. Hence the town in
sisted that the new place was only
"Weiser Station" A mum Der of build
ings sprang up near the depot. Peter
Pence. of Payette, put up what was then
considered fine large hotel. However,
business was not suspended in the town,
and some building continued.
In 1885 the Baptist church was built.
The bell, costing $780, was donated by
M L. Hoyt, who was then the banker of
Weiser. For number of years this
church was the only house of worship
IN the county and the doors were always
open to ministers of all denominations in
which TO hold services.
In 1885 there was an Episcopal church
organization in Weiser. We notice that
they gave pink tea party" at the Hull
hall, December 81, that was quite So
cial success. There was also aj..Ladies'
Aid School Society that was doing
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