The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-08-08

following interesting "reminiscences of the old days
in Idaho, as far back as 1865, written by W. J.
McConnell
At the close of the civil war, my father, who was
interested in some mining property in Idaho, re-
quested to take trip there to investigate quietly
the conditions of things. was sent out under the
guardianship of Colonel x my father deem
ing it better to have older man to look after
me- as had acquired rather easy going habits while
following Sheridan in his campaigns. We made the
voyage to California by way of the SthmuS without
adventure and thence went by steamer to Port
land, where took passage on river boat to
Umatilla, Oregon. From that point the only con-
veyance to destination was by stage across the
Blue Mountains, through the beautiful Grande Ronde
valley and down the picturesque Burnt river A
part of the way road lay along rugged cliffs with
a perpendicular height of two three hundred feet
where the least mismanagement the part of our
driver would have hurled us down to death, and
where each passenger peered out with anxiety, not
knowing at what moment we would receive a volley
from the aboriginal savages or from the no less
boodthrsty white highwaymen who often levied
tribute there upon defenseless travellers.
We finally reached Boise City, and with grand
flourish were driven to the Overland Hotel, where
apartments were given us which primitive to
the last degree and swarming with insect life. The
colonel took out to make few calls, but before
starting, cautioned concerning the peculiar quail
tiles of mining camp whisky, and suggested general
ly the propriety Of teetotalsm the part of ten
derfeet in that country
After paying Our respects to the Governor, Mr..
Shars office, the governor accompanying us, and
introduced to the deputy in charge. |
surprised than upon meeting this young
man, who certainly could not have been than
twenty-five and looked much younger [ had heard
fabulous stories of the outlaws that infested the
neighborhood Renegades from both armies having
sought refuge among the mining camps of the terri
tory the duties of the marshals office not only
difficult but very dangerous; and the young man
to whom [ was introduced the last person
whom would have supposed capable of coping
with that class of characters. He mild and
amiable in expression, with light blue eyes and the
first hint of downy mouStache upon his lip. Greet
ing us with cordial handshake, he apologized for
the absence of his chief, who, he said, was in the
northern part of the territory, and so bus1ly en-
gagged in mining and mercantile enterprises that
they met but during the eight months he had
occupied the position of deputy He inquired
whether we 'ever induged and brought out a small
grained keg labeled in gold letters "Commis-
sary" Remembering my warning, | declined But
the colonel more ventureSome than he had ADVISED
me to be, and also the governor, accepted the
Inequalities of young acquaintance, who IN
his begged to be excused from drinking, stating
that he rarely touched liquor himself, though not
a total abstaner.
The next few months shall never forget. The
colonel having left me to my own resources L was
made to feel so entirely at home in the marshaFs
office, that I spent almost my entire time there, or
in accompanying the deputy around the town or
through the surrounding country. 1t seemed to be-
though inhabited by uncouth and often dissolute
people, one of the most orderly regions [ was ever
in | never met more hospitabe or kind-hearted
men than I met in Boise City Occasionally my
friend would be called out for the performance OF
his official duties, and [ would hear of lively en-
counter he had had in making arrest but nothing
of this sort seemed to have any effect upon the
p1acidity of his position.
One August evening the deputy asked me if I
would like to accompany him on a fishing and shoot
ing excursion overland" to be gone couple of
days. I told him nothing would afford me more
pleasure.
"We1l," said he, "be ready tomorrow morning
by sun up and will walk up to the ferry, and