The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1922-08-31
Pioneers In HAPPY REUNION
First Annual Meeting of Payette River Pioneer
Society Brings Together Large Gather
ing and Calls Out Many Remi-
niscenses of Early Days.

F. T. Bayse and their children stoo,
up-the only pioneer family with tn
| family circle unbroken:
First Things in Emmett
The earliest settler in the Payett,
valley, now living, was Charles Ran
DALI commonly known as Uncle Char
lie. He arrived in 1862.
The next now living was j. F. T
Basye, coming in 1867. His is tn,
only pioneer family who are all living
and all of them are present here today
Douglas Knox came next, arriving
in 1864 and settling on homestead
one mile west of Emmett, now owned
by the Boise Payette Lumber Co.
The first sawmill was erected il
1870 by John Basye, father of j. F
T. Basye, on the river bank near the
present site of the Boise Payettt
Lumber Company's retail office.
| He also constructed the first grade
over Freezeout Hill. Previously there
was road going up the hill just east
of the present grade, but it was toe
steep and dangerous. Mrs. j. F. T
Bayse took the first ride over the new
grade after its completion.
The first schoolhouse was built in
1874. The building is still standing
where it was built AZ years ago and
is used as a barn and is in very good
condition. Douglas Knox was the
prime mover in the erection of this
building.
&C. C. Havird of Boise says the
first schoolhouse in this portion of
the valley was "blockhouse" and was
located on the DR.. Burdge ranch west
of town. 1t was built in 1871. The
first teacher was William Cavanaugh,
and the pupils were John Davies, Mrs.
Nora Goodsell (then Nora Burdge)
Mrs. Alma Yergenson (then Jennie
Dobbs), Sheridan Anderson, Martha
Larson, Mary Portlock, Charles
Burdge, and Carey C. Havird, now a
resident of Boise.-Editor)
Among those who attended school
in the old schoolhouse from 1870 to
1885 were Mrs. Anne Freeman, Mrs.
Ellen Davies, Mrs. Katie Monroe, Mrs
Ella Parrish. Mrs. Lenora Goodsell,
Mrs. Lizzie Womack, Mrs. Emma and
Mrs. Mary Durham, James Fuller,
John Davies, George Burdge, John
Hall, C. B Knox, Walter Knox, Alf
Portlock.
The next schoolhouse was what is
now known as the Longfellow build
ing and was considered mighty fine
schoolhouse in those days. 1t was
built in 1885.
The first hotel was log building,
which in later years was known as
the Murray Hotel, John Brown was
the landlord.
The first blacksmith was Alex Wo-
mack, and the oldest building in town
now standing in Emmett today is the
Womack residence, now known as the
Dietz building, in West Emmett,
across the canal.
The first postoffice building was
erected by William Hammersley in
1882 or 1888, and was also used as a
hotel. Douglas Knox was postmaster
in the early '70s, the postoffice being
at his home west of town.
A stage line operated between Pla-
cerville and Falks Store until the
railroad came to Caldwell, when a
stage was put on between Caldwell
and Emmett, and the stage to Placer
vile soon after was discontinued.
The first store was opened in 1881
in a building just west of the Emmett
Garage and was owned by a Mr.. John |
son. The stock consisted of few
bolts of calico and muslin, overalls, |
thread, needles, pins, tobacco, nails,
hearts and gum drops, soda and cream |
If tartar.
The first meat market was opened |
,y w. o. Williams in the same build
ng few years later, about 1888.
The first church was erected by the
5piscopalians, abut 1884, and is still
lsed for worship Though nearly 40
years have passed it is in fine con-
lition. Rev. Crook was the pastor.
Mrs. Douglas Knox made the first
to the building.
The first church wedding was in
his church. with Ella Knox as the
ride and w. w. Parrish as the groom.
Rev. Crook officiated.
The first Sunday school was or
,anized and held in the old school
ouse in 1884. John Bane was the SUI
The first Methodist minister sta
ioned here, held meetings in the old
ut he was nicknamed Brick Top"
aving red curly hair, and he was
enerally known by that name.
The first funeral held in Emmetts-
lille was that of Mrs. James Ward I
yell, mother of Mrs. E. K. Hayes, in
S73. She was buried near the school I
ouse formerly spoken of. Mr.. Kelley {
ather of Jason, was the first to be
uried in Riverside cemetery, in 1879. ;
Emmett has the honor of having for {
ne of her splendid citizens the first !
Mid born in Boise City, in 1865. He
Boise G. Riggs, Sr.
However, l beat him to it, as the I
rst high chair shipped to Boise was c
urchased for me in 1868. The furni- G
Ire was a tent and as my brother
,hn Davies carried the chair down e
lie street it created quite bit of i
lriosity. S
Clint Brown was the first under :
ker.