The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-09-18
ASKS CRAVE Of
PIONEER MINER
Be CARED FOR
George Grimes Resting
Place One of Idaho's
Heritages, Thompson
Declares

University OF Idaho-The grave OF
George Grimes. who added the rich
Boise Basin gold fields to the miner
al wealth OF this state at the cost OF
his own life. lies unmarked and IS in
a disgraceful state OF disrepair. accord
ing 10 DR.. Francis A. Thomson. dean
of the University OF Idaho school OF
mines and director OF the state bureau
of mines and geology who recently
made a trip over the Boise Basin dis
trict accompanied by S. NJ. Ballard OF
PIaoerville, a member OF the bureau
staff. DIR. Thomson is OF the opinion
that funds should be provided for the
Improvement of the grave. which he
considers one OF the heritages OF Ida
no.
The story OF Grimes is one OF the
most romantic OF the many centering
around the heroic deeds OF the pioneer
prospectors and emigrants and was OF
such importance that it was featured
prominently in "The Light On the
Mountains" the pageant OF the Idaho
history which was presented at the
university at commencement this
spring. Grimes was loader OF an in
trepid band OF prospectors which had
been searching in vain for the famous
blue Bucket" diggings. believed to
be somewhere in the Boise Basin.
Scarcely had they realized their good
fortune when Grimes was killed in an
attack by hostile band OF Bannocks.
at is remarkable that the Grimes
grave can be located after so many
years" said DIR. Thomson. ut is al
most impossible for anyone but those
familiar with the basin country to To-
cate the grave. 1t is in a disgracefu
state of disrepair, for the wooden
picket fence. erected years ago. is de-
caying and falling.
At Grimes Pass
1T seems appropriate that in view
Of the significance of the murder of
Grimes to the history OF Idaho his |
grave should be perpetuated and ap-
propriately marked. A simple iron
fence with stone corners and either a |
simple or elaborate shaft would seem
fitting.
Funds could be secured either by |
private subscription. legislative appro
priation. or from the Idaho Historical
society.
The Grimes grave is in what has
been named Grimes pass. 1t is a, an
elevation Of about $500 feet and is
place. with the valley OF the
Payette on one side and Grimes creek
On the other Cars pass within a
stones throw of the grave on a fine
DAD going down to the power plant of
he Boston &Idaho Dredging cmpany
On the south fork of the Payette riv-
r.
I'm recent years two children have
been buried alongside the Grimes
rave"
Indians Attack
1t was late in the summer OF 1862
hat the band OF prospectors led by
Grimes and his companion. Moses
;plawn. discovered gold in the upper
Boise river country. The par had
carcely reached the scene and made
he discovery when the Bannack In
hans. opposed to the white men enter
ne their hunting grounds. attacked
he party. The account OF the attack
nd the death OF Grimes was left BY
'plawn; Part OF it follows:
When we reached the top OF hill
seemed as thong 20 guns were fired
, our faces. Crime fell just as we
cached the top. His las words were
dose. don't le, them scalp mel Thus
erished brave an honorable man at
he time when he stood ready to reap
is reward. We carried him to a pro-
pect hole and buried him amid silence.
Ie was comrade and we who had
injured dangers together knew not
hose turn it would be next"