Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-06-22
EARLY HISTORY OF
COUNTY IS GIVEN
(Continued from Page II

security for life and property, and
having no regularly established courts,
| concluded something must be done
to suppress crime and they took the
matter of netting out justice into their
own hands and Scott, English and
Peoples were hanged.
| In the fall OF 1868, Mr.. Lloyd Nc
| Gruder went from here to Montana
with a pack train loaded with mer-
chandise. On his return, several men
came with him. One night in camp
east of Elk City, McGruder, Allen,
Phillips, Horace and Robert Chalmers,
were murdered. The thieves after
killing nearly all of the mules, came
on to Lewiston and took the stage for
pected and Hill Beechy followed them
to San Francisco, where he secured
their capture. They were tried in the
spring or winter of 1864 and sentenced
to be hanged. The execution was
carried into effect and they were hang
ed at Lewiston, March 4, 1864 Capt
j. H. Fisk was sheriff of the county
at the time and master of the necltie
party. Thus ended the lives of three
of the most cruel and fiendish murder
ers ever known in Idaho, Lowery,
Howard and Roman. Page, the fourth
one turned state s evidence and was
not tried. He remained in Lewiston.
but was in few years killed by Al
Iglo. The hanging of Scott, Peoples
and English seems to have had a sal
utary effect in suppressing crime Par
ties who were suspected soon took
their departure for newer and fresher
fields, where they could with more safe
ty pursue their nefarious calling.
North Idaho gave them glad good |
bye. From that time to this, we
have had peaceful, law-abiding COM
munity and the settlement of this
county will well compare with others
in this great northwest.
AGRICULTURAL BEGINNINGS
In the spring of 1868, commence
ment was made for farming, grain was
sown, and l think the first timothy
ever grown in Idaho was planted;
gardens were made and it became a
settle dfact that this fair land would
produce far better than had been an
sicipated. Settlers continued to come
and we find today nearly all the pub
lie lands taken up and occupied for
ZONES. The first trees were brought
rom Walla Walla in the spring of
1854 and set out here at Mount Idaho.
small fruits were also cultivated,
which have done exceedingly well.
This beginning soon extended and we
low find good orchards all over the
rairie. We can boast of good apples,
ears, plums and cherries and smaller
ruits in abundance We can also boast I
f well-cultivated farms, producing
rain and vegetables, all that the coun-
ry requires. 1t is generally conceded
hat no section of the northwest pro-
uces better than our Camas Prairie.
'ats and barley often exceed 100 bu- |
hels per acre, with wheat from thir- I
Y to sixty bushels. Truly, this is the !:
md for homes, a good climate, rich
nd productive soil, fine pasturage for q
ne stock1grower. What more should
e seek? can see no reason VIII
'ttlers should not be successful in ma Z
ing happy homes for themselves and
nldren. Certainly industry and eeono- b
v will succeed II
The first stage line from Mount Ida {,
} to Lewiston was put on the route c,
7 Francois in the summer of 1862. "
the spring, Durkee and George e;
hampton placed a line on the same
ute, which was continued until late
the fall of 1863 Thev then sold F
It on Craig mountain and Champion
a few years returned to Burnt n
yer, Ore, and for many years Kept h,
e station known as Express ranch, ~
lie railroad passes the place and there T
a station called Dirkies, in honor
this old pioneer of Idaho. He died IN
It year at his home. 49,
Continued next week. a.,