The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-02-01
I'm the OIden Time.

Welser (Idaho) American: Thinking over the
early days OF our progressive county of Washington
or OF Ada county, which it formerly called and
was part OF, one not refrain from crossing the
past with the present. To the immigrant coming here
from the thick1y populated eastern states or from
the middle West this country seems new But if
they had been here when the first settlers came and
built their log cabins and fenced their ranches with
willows and sagebrush, when the Indians roamed
through these valleys, coming to the houses to ex-
change deer skins for any commodities one might
have which they desired when herds of cattle owned
by the few people who lived here fed and fattened
on the nutritious bunch grass which at that time
abundant, they have called it new indeed How
clean everything looked in those days and how happy
and harmonious the settlers were. The people who
to make their homes in these beautiful valleys
were, rule cultured and refined. They had
their social gatherings and enjoyed them with zest
known only to happy healthy persons. They had no
doctors and needed none Their fruit was such as
grew by the riverside and in the mountains wild
cherries, currants and huckleberries Their supplies
were brought from Boise once year. Sugar by the
barrel, coffee by the sack tea by the box etc. and
when neighbor had occasion to borrow it was by
the pound or the gallon. Those who went bust
ness journeys took sacks of flour, bacon sugar.
tea, coffee, a trying pan and few other cooking
utensils and Camped out. At night their Blankets
of which they always had supply, spread
the ground and in the open, under the glowing stars
they slept as sweet sleep ever graced the
pose of an infant.
AS the population of the county increased school
houses were built but were few and at long distances
from the homes of the patrons and often of the
rudest construction.
Few conveniences were provided for use in the
schoolroom. When a teacher employed she
usually found the schoolhouse in condition which
necessitaed great deal of sweeping and busting be-
fore it ready for occupancy and he she the
case might be expected to do the work and did
it.
Children came on horseback in wagons, anyway
to get to school and must say attendance was good
considering the obstacles to be overcome
The teachers in the public schools too at that time
country energetic conscientious and lovers of their
work.
Now, with the influx of immigration and the pro-
resseness of the people who already here great
changes have been wrought. The valleys have been
cultivated, made to produce everything needful to
sustain its steadily increasing population besides.
surplus to be shipped to eastern markets.
Higher institutions of learning provided where
he aspiring student may still continue to advance in
lis pursuit of knowledge after leaving the country
chools and success in the line of education is
ssured
How greatly the young people ought to appreciate
he advantage and privileges of the present day and
With ardent endeavor and pure motives prepare them
elves for the future activity in which long they
will surely be partakers.