The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1921-11-17
IDAHO MAKER
OF HISTORY
DIES
James Witt, One Of the Early
Pioneers of Idaho Died in
Lewiston, Nov. 18th.

James Witt one Of the early pioneers
of Idaho, died in Lewiston, November
18th, at the age of "a years. James
Witt was born in jefferson County,
Tennessee, July 7, 1887. His mother
died in 1856. In March 1859 he came
with his father to Iowa and they out
fitted with ox-teams to cross the
plains, falling in with others they
formed train and started for Pixies
Peak but discOuraging reports turned
them back towards Oregon and thither
they came. They crossed the Platte
River on May 8th, and landed at The
Dalles September 9Th. He worked at
Cascade, Oregon, for a while and then
Joined his father at Portland. In the
spring of 1851 Mr.. Witt fitted out OK
teams and came to this portion of
Idaho, going to the gold diggings
around Pierce City, then coming to
what is now Greer's ferry and made
the first boat to cross the Clearwater
and used it for a ferry. In the spring
of 1862 he went to Elk City where
rich placers had been discovered Mr..
Newsome after whom Newsome Greek
was named being in the party. Mr..
Witt reached Elk about May II, GO
ing over twenty feet of snow. He made
partnership with a man who had
claims on American River and they
dug a ditch eleven miles long in the
Buffalo Hill country. They had scanty
capital but sold stock and took nay
In work digging the ditch
His father came in about this time
when they were discouraged and lift
ed them up. Many were skeptical in
regard to the ditch but when it was
done proved boom to the camp
McGruder, afterwards killed, was
merchant in Elk City and assisted the
company with credit Mr.. Witt con-
tinued with this until 1881 then he
was the last big mine owner on the
ditch. He and his father took home
steads on Camas Prairie in 1870 and
held them in addition to mining. In
February 1882, Mr.. Wits father died
and he took as a partner his nephew
James B. Sloan. They held over 900
acres of land and much stock
In January 1902, Mr.. Witt sold ont
his entire holdings and came to
Grangeville to reside, and since that
time he has made his residence in
Grangeville of with his nephew James
B. Sloan in Lewiston at whose place
his death occurred.
James Witt was twice County Com
missioner of Idaho County and was
always prominent in all matters look
ing to the betterment of the entire
country. He became Master Mason
in 1874, becoming a member of Blue
Lodge in Mt. Idaho, No 0 +. & A. M.
and has been frequently master Of
his lodge. Uncle Jim as he was called
was known to nearly every person in
Grangeville and his sunny smile and
CHEEKY word will always live in the
hearts of all who knew him.
Jim Witt was one of the early pio-
neers of Idaho County and of the west,
one of those who came when the coun-
try was young and in its infancy and
who helped to mold the west what 1t
is today. The few remaining ones are
old and feeble and they are falling day
by day Peace to their ashes
He was buried from the vassar chap
el Tuesday November, 18th, Rev. d. J.
w. Somerville, of the Episcopal church
conducting the services at the chapel.
AT the grave in the Masonic plot of the
Normal Hill cemetery services of the
Masonic order was used, under the
direction of Worshipful Master Victor
Peterson of Mount Idaho Lodge No.
o. Old friends of Mr. Witt. most of
them from Grangeville acted as pail
bearers