Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-06-29
TERRITORY ORGANIZED

The territory of Idaho was organized
by taking the territory from Washing
ton. Delegate Wallace was then
member of congress from Washington
Territory. He was appointed first gov
ernor of Idaho. He came to Lewiston,
established the seat of government, and
under his proclamation the territory
held its first election in the fall of
1868.
The first convention was held by the
Democrats in southern Idaho, and John
M. Kennady was nominated for dele.
gate to congress. In September, 1863,
the Republicans held their first con-
vention in Idaho. 1t was held in the
old, pioneer log house at Mount idaho.
George Wallace was placed in nomina-
ton for congress and elected, so he
was our first delegate in congress from
the territory of Idaho, During his
term, if / mistake not, the territory of
Montana was organized by taking ter
ritory from Idaho. They designated
the summit of the Bitter Root mount
aims as the western boundary of Mon
tana, leaving north Idaho but a mar
row strip to British Columbia.
At the convention mentioned, Alon-
20 Leland was chairman, and of those
that took part as delegates from the
mining camps at that time, can only
recall to mind four who are now liv-
ing. The Hon. A. Leland, of Lewiston;
Mr.. Kribs. north of lewiston; F..
| Sterling, of San Francisco, and John
Woods of Salmon river in this coun-
ty. Major Alvord, Major Sanderson,
Pomeroy, Slater, Craig, DIR. Newell,
all are dead; others may have been
among the number, if so do not re-
collect who they are.
BIRTH OF IDAHO COUNTY
The first legislature was held at Lew
iston, winter of 1863 and 1864. A. Le-
land and John Woods were members
from Idaho county. This was the leg
islature that mapped out the counties
z, and placed them in operation. This
county had but little territory outside
of the mining camps of Florence and
Warrens, and in the years of 1874 and
1875, by an act of the Legislature,
| Camas Prairie and the Elk City coun-
try were attached to Idaho county.
This measure seems to have given gen.
eral satisfaction and great convenience
to the people of this county. To the
| friends who took an active part In Sc
curing the passage of this act, may
mention Hon. s. s. Fem, delegate in
congress; Hon Phil Celary and How
ard members of the legislature at that
time. Also B. F. Morris, @. W. Case,
N. b. Wiley, B. Chamberlain, of War
rem camp; jeff Rhoades and Shearer,
of Florence; D. Fl. Howser, ode, Judge
Bower. James Witt. M. Dorman, Fl.
1T & G. L. Rice, Crooks, Shumway,
Robinson, Girton, Telcher and Pearson,
of Camas Prairie. The aid given by
these old pioneers secured the accom-
plishment of this measure. :
ELECT COMMISSIONERS
In the spring of 1875, a special cleo
| ton was held and board of county
commissioners was elected and by a
vote of the people the county seat was
located at Mount Idaho. The court
house and Jail were built in few
| wears. and let me say am certain we
of this county have had less use for
| either than any other county of the
territory. Our Jail has had no board
ers and one short term of court each
wear is all that is required to settle
what little litigation we have in Ida
no county. The officials of the coun'
tv seat are nearly all pioneers. and in
| the discharge of their duties and ad
MANIFESTATION of public affairs give gen.
eral satisfaction. The condition of oui
| county is healthy and prosperous. and
RAPIDLY increasing in wealth. inc
assessment roll for 1887 amount "a
$753. 534, but I must hasten or | VIII
be behind schedule time.
THE FIRST SCHOOL
The first school ever taught in Ida
no county was by Miss Biancia Reed
| who danre from Wilbur, Douglas
county. Ore. in the spring of 1867.
She remained here for two years and
then went home. The school was open
ed in the old log building at Mount
Idaho. and of the children who attend
| ed. were Oldes, Arams, Browns, klng'
and Jones. The first schoolhouse bull
in the county was by a few pioneers
and located near F. B. Kings house
in the wear 1868. Soon after. another
school building was contracted neal
Mr. Aram s place on Three Mile creek
Tins. nv friends, was the commence
! ment heguny for schools in Idaho coun
~ weak. must confess, as at that
! time we had no public school fund and
teachers and buildings had to be pro
vided bv the few families who made
settlement on the prairie.
i let MS note the progress from thai
time TO this. We find today that tbt
county has become pretty well settlec
and we have eighteen regular organlz
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