The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1910-08-18
IDAHO'SE EARLY
DAY POLITICS
Where and How the Political
Pot was First Started
Simmering.

political writer from Meadows.
in recent article on early politics
in Idaho. says Packer Johns cabin.
according to high authority, is the
place where the first convention for
organizing territorial government
in Idaho was held, in the spring of
1863, near the present town of Mead
ows. The cabin was in state of de-
cay. The Woman's club Of Meadows.
taking patriotic interest in saving
the old structure. had Captain But
Ter of Meadows repair II as nearly as
possible according to the original
building. The repair work was com
pleted this spring, and a splendid job
was done
An inscription on round block
nailed on the front of the cabin near
the door reads as follows: Goose
Greek Cabin. Built in 1862. BY Packer
John, Where Politics Were Born in
Idaho Packer John. whose surname
remains unknown, packed provisions,
etc, to the then mining camps. He
built his cabin about a mile east of
the present town of Meadows at the
mouth of Goose creek canyon, up
which runs the stage road from Mead
ows to the Payette lakes.
The cabin is l4x17 feet. eight feet
to the square and IA feet to the top
of the roof All the logs now in the
cabin, except the ones in the roof, ar
the original logs. a new floor. new
logs in the roof covered with new
shakes, two windows of four panes
each, and the front door constitute
the repairs made to the old cabin.
The latch string in the front door
hangs out.
The original stones for the old fire
place are preserved and are in place.
The cabin faces the east. One windoy
is on the east, and one window Is on
the south side.
The cabin stands on an acre OF
ground which is enclosed with log
fence in good condition.
MoSt available FONT.
The cabin is located on what. in
those days was the principal north
and south trail leading from the Boise
basin at Idaho City on the south, to
Lewiston and points farther nortl
and northwest
1t was because of its convenient To-
cation. being the most available point
for all parts of the state. that the
first two territorial conventions were
held in Packer Johns cabin. the first
being held in the spring of 1863. and
the second one August 81. 1864.
Prof. Talkington, present president
of the Idaho Historical society says:
THE most reliable authority des-
ignates Packer Johns cabin as the
place where the first territorial con
yention was held, in the spring OF
1863, when the democratic conven
vention met and nominated J. Nj. Can
nady for delegate to congress, while
the republicans met at Mt Idaho, Ida
no county, and nominated Governor
Wallace, who was elected delegate to
congress. The first Idaho Legislature
met In Lewiston. December z. 1863 y
In the convention of August q, 1864
at Packer Johns cabin Judge Samuel
c. Parks was nominated for delegate
to congress.
THE State Historical society has
complete evidence that the conven
ton of 1864 met at Meadows, but has
been unable as yet to obtain positive
evidence of the meeting place of the
first convention. Uncle John HALEY
secretary of the State Historical so
ciety, while at Meadows said in sub
stance: There is no evidence thai
the convention was held at any place
otner than Meadows"
Meadows feels proud of the fact
that the second territorial convention
was without question held in Packer
Johns cabin, and Meadows has every
reason to believe that the first ter
/ ritorial convention was also held her,
] anu 10 ihdhlHS EVERY ellOIl 10 e5ldD
/ fish this fact"
Commenting on the foregoing ar
/ tioie Hon. A. F. Parker, of this city
ana president of the Idaho County
Pioneer Association, says that the ar
ticle is. in the main. correct.
My inform alton is" said Mr.. Park
er. that Idaho politics were frs
born in the old log cabin store a
I Miller's camp, near the mouth OF Sc
eesh creek, below the Burgdorf Ho
Springs. near Warrens camp. in wha
was then Nez Perez county, but /.
now in Idaho county. My informan
was John Post for many years post
master at Boise City, in the terrltor
la, days. Mr. Post and q number O.
others, since prominent In the repl b
lican politics of Idaho, Joined til,
stampede to Warrens camp and, hay
ing failed to make their fortunes
promptly stampeded out again They