The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1923-09-28
WOULD MARK GRAVE
OF IDAHO PIONEER
Famous Prospector Who Discovered
Boise Gold Mines Ambushed by
Hostile Indians.

The grave of George Grimes. who
added the rich Boise Basin gold fields
to the mineral wealth of this state at
and is in disgraceful state of disre-
pair, according to Dr. Francis A. Thorn
son, dean of the University of Idaho
school of mines and director of the
state bureau of mines and geology, VINO
recently made trip over the Boise
Basin district accompanied by s. M.
Ballard of Placerville, member of the
bureau staff DR.. Thomson is of the
opinion that funds should be provided
for the Improvement of the grade,
which he considers one of the herit-
ages of Idaho
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 1.-The Light on the
Mountains the pageant of Idaho his
tory which was presented at the uni
versity at commencement this spring.
Grimes was leader of an intrepid band
of prospectors which had been search
ing in vain for the famous Blue
Bucket" diggings, believed to be some
where in the Boise basin. Scarcely
had they realized their good fortune
when Grimes was killed In an attack
by hostile band of Bannacks
1t was late in the summer of 1862
that the band of prospectors, led by
Grimes and his companion, Moses
Splawn, discovered gold in the upper
Boise river county. The party had
scarcely reached the scene and made
the discovery when the Bannack In
dams, opposed to the white men en-
tering their hunting grounds, attacked
the party The account of the attack
and the death of Grimes was left by
Splawn. Part of it follows:
When we reached the top of the
hill it seemed as though 20 guns were
fired in our faces. Grimes fell just as
we reached the top. His last words
were Nose, don't let them scalp me-
Thus persisted brave and honorable
man at the time when he stood ready
to reap his reward We carried him
to a prospect hole and buried him
amid silence. He was a comrade and
we who had endured dangers together
knew not whose turn it would be
next"
1T is remarkable that the Grimes
grave can be located after so many
years." said Dr. Thomson 1T Is al
most impossible for any one but those
familiar with the Basin country to To-
cate the grave 1t is in disgraceful
state of disrepair, for the wooden
picket fence, erected years ago, is de-
caying and falling.
1T seems appropriate that In view
Of the significance of the murder of
Crimes to the history of Idaho his
grave should be perpetuated and ap-
marked. A simple iron
fence with stone corners and either
simple or elaborate shaft would seem
lifting.
"The Grimes grave is in what has
been named Grimes Pass. 1t is at an
elevation of about $500 feet and Is
'eautiful place, with the valley of the
'ayette on one side and Grimes creek
N the other. Cars pass within a
tones throw of the grave on a fine
DAD going down to the power plant
# the Boston & Idaho Gold Dredging
ompany on the south fork of the Pay
tie river
In recent years two children have
cen buried alongside the Crimes
rave"
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