Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1923-08-16
WOMAN Of 70.
RAILWAY
FIRST Time
Chinese of Old Days Dumb
founded by Grangeville; Is
in Mountains for 81 Years
Chuckles with Glee at Movie,
and Takes First Automobile
Ride; Can't Read or Write

Isolated i'm the rugged mountains
of Idaho county for fifty-one years,
during which she had been only three
places. at Warren, at her home for
twenty-eight years on Salmon river,
and once to Slate creek, Polly Bemis,
20 years old, Chinese widow of
white man, is i'm Grangeville, and for
the first time in her life has ridden
in an automobile, seen railroad To-
comotive and train and attended a
picture show. Polly, as she has been
known for more than half century
by the mountain folk, is delighted be-
yond her ability to tell
The little, old, gray-haired woman,
weighing less than hundred pounds,
sits with handkerchief held tightly
against her face and chuckles, and
then bursts into a laughter of tears,
as she attempts to describe what she
has seen. Wonderful beyond her
power Of expression, is it all. And
she laughs and cries, and endeayors,
in the gibberish Characteristic of those
of her race who try to speak English,
to describe it all. Again she bursts
into tears, and gives up the job In
vain. -
Feet Bound When Child ~
Wearing boys shoes on her tiny
feet, bound in childhood in accordance
with the ancient Chinese custom, and
wearing plain cotton dress Polly
had many callers during the week at
the home of Mrs. Arson Holmes,
where she is a guest. She came here
from Warren by automobile-her first
automobile ride--in order to be fitted
with glasses. Had her eyes not
troubled her, her visit to Grangevilles
one Of the most notable events in
her lifetime, would not have been
made.
Polly has had most interesting
career. Taken from China to War
rem. when in her 10Th year, she ar
.ivedin the camp by saddle horse from
Portland on July 8, 1872. AS she
alighted from her horse, she was
greeted by stranger who said,
Here's Polly" as he helped her from
the saddle, ard ever after Polly has
been her name. In the camp she
stayed for years and years, and oper-
ated a hotel there She can neither
read nor write, but has a broad un-
of the mountains and
mountain folk.
Money Was Essential
'When school come TO Warren"
she remarked, Il can't go to school
got to make money. "God gave me
that much" she said, pointing to her
head. / learn right along"
Do1lx Iypnuvc fha namQ of pVQrV
child born in Warren and the date of
its birth She also remembers every
death and when it occurred. She has
a most remarkable memory, and when
asked of any particular event with
which she is familiar, she describes
it i'm detail, and gives the exact date
il occurred.
Polly told Of the shooting of Char
les Bemis, the white man whom she
afterward married Bemis, a gamb-
Ter, in Warren. was shot in the face,
on Sept 16. 1890, by a half-breed In
dian during brawl over loss of $3.50
belonging TO the half-breed and his
Bemis had won the money.
The breed demanded return OF $50,
gave Bemis time until he rolled
cigaret to deliver the cash, or he
would "shOot his eye out" Bemis
failed TO nay and the breed shot. The
bullet missed the mans eye, but 1t
shattered his cheek.
Polly Saves His Life
= without friends because of his gen.
era1 demeanOr in the camp, Bemis
ay lowering between life and death.
Polly came to his rescue, and after
weeks of faithful care, nursed him
backs TO health. Afterward Bemis
married her and in 1894 they went
10 humble cabin on Salmon river
10 reside. Here, apart from the
world, in the dreadful loneliness of
he deep mountain chasm. the white
man and his Chinese wife dwelt In
happiness and ccntentment, undis-
-urbed except for an occasional pros
Dector who passed their way In sum-
mer, or boatload of Adventures
with Captain Gulele, of Salmon
City. who three or four times year
would shoot down the river of no re-
turn, and always stop at the Bemis
ranch.
On Oct 20. 1922 Bemis died. Min
ing men in the wilds gathered built
how for. him and huried him on tho