The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-02-21
Mrs. Edith Easley.

The good old Stork brought l1ttie
baby girl at the home In Calhoun
county, Michigan, Dec. 13, 1845, who
was named Edith, and destined to-
become one of the most interesting
characters connected with the early
days Of Idaho. Mr.. Deming was
consumptive and for this reason con-
cluded to take his family and jour
ney overland to the then almost un-
known West. There was nothing in
connection with the arrangements
for this journey or the mode of
travel that Is unknown to all who
are familiar with the early cross
country travelling. Just here, how
ever, we are reminded of little in
cident in connection with pioneer
Journeys that was told US by Mr..
Streeter of Mackay, and while 1t may
be familiar one to many, 1t will
be new to the "Johnnie-come-late-
lys," who will be, like we were when
we first came to Idaho, eager to know
all the every day incidents that caus-
ed any break or variety in the monot-
ony of the journey, that continued on
with the same routine for days,
weeks and perhaps months. Mr..
Streeter told this story to picnic
party over in one of the canyons two
years ago. Two parties who were
making similar journeys in similar
ways and by similar means, viz: the OK
teams and prairie schooners, would
encounter each other at shouting
distance, when one would form a
horn about his mouth with his hands
to increase the speeding distance Of
his voice and shout: Hello, hello!
Where are you FROM" The answer
would come back, "Omaha-pa-haw,"
as the driver would crack his long
whip at the leaders. Then the first
man would call again, Hello, hello!
Where you going?" and the other
would shout in reply while he again
brought his whip about over his head
with another loud snap, "Idaho-op-
a-ho," each time drawing the last
syllable out as long as his breath
would last. But to return to Edith
Deming. she was jolly, sprightly,
good-natured girl Of some 10 sum-
mers when the family took this long
journey. She had many companions,
for there were other families and 9TH
er youngsters that composed the lit
tie company. They invented all sorts
of pleasures and encountered adven-
lures galore. Kept well and hearty,
enjoyed every mile of the jour
ney with all the enthusiasm of their
young, bouyant natures. They reach
Raft River, Idaho. August /, 1864,
when Edith Deming met her fate in
the person of John V. Easley. who
had also journeyed across the plains
having been left by the same stork
at the Easley home In Zenia, H., Jan.
II, 1886. They were married at
Boise In 1865. Mr.. Easley ate of
the first meal that was served at the
old Overland hotel in Boise. At
this time there was no railroad farth-
er west than st, Joe, Mo-. and as Mr..
Easley was fond of travel and out
door life, the numerous journeys
they took must needs be done by
team and wagon. They journeyed
and lived in the states of Colorado,
Montana, Utah, Nevada, as well as
Idaho. They made one trip to Cali
fornia and return, and at one time
lived from April to September en-
tirely In wagons and tents. There
are two children, Nellie the eldest.
was born in Cassia Co., Idaho, but
IL wan IuSu Oiu AltuIdS W. lucy
were at this time keeping a stage
station IN Curlew valley. While liv-
ing here Mrs. Easley was 80 fortu-
nate as to possess the only wash
board In the county, and loaned It
each week to Mrs. Jennie Cochran,
who lived so miles farther on, keep
ing like stage station at City of
Rocks which was about 80 miles
from what is now Twin Falls. When
the stage driver found his whip
handle inserted in hole in the wash
board at Mrs. Easley's home, it was
a sign that he was to carry 1t on to
Mrs. Cochran and when this good
woman had finished with 1t, she
would adopt the same means of let
ting the driver know he was to carry
it back to Mrs. Easley again. At
this time there were only stage sta
lions from Bear River to Indian
Creek. Mr.. Easley assisted in put
ting the first stock on the stage routei
d.