Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-07-31

Is now Montana and part OF Wyoming,
was placed on the map Of the United
States May 10, 1863. The Civil war
then being waged, Governor Wallace
having received his appointment from
President Lincoln, had similar politi-
cal conditions 70 face in this new
territory, that Governor Edgerton was
forced to contend with a year later
In Montana. Any appointee Of Presi-
dent Lincoln was certain to meet bit
ter opposition from the democrats,
which party name stood in the north
west for sympathy with the cause
then being walked by the secession.
The first criticism launched then
against the governor was his choice
of Lewiston as the capital, many favor
ing what was at that time known as
Bannack, but is now Idaho City, sit
uated in the Boise basin. Bannack had
more inhabitants, but was almost
completely isolated from the outside
world. There were no wagon roads
leading to it, and it was reached only
on horseback, or by pack trains. Lew
iton, on the contrary, was connected
by stage with Wallula, and from there
by boat with Portland. Communication
with the government at Washington
was imperative during the formative
period of the territory. and it will be
seen that for this purpose, Lewiston
was preferable to Bannack as the
capital, although it was far removed
from the eastern boundary of the ter
ritory.
In June, 1868, Edgerton and Col. w.
F. Sanders. together with their FAM
lilies. left Ohio for Lewiston, but went
to Bannack, now in Montana, instead.
A week after they reached Bannack,
Governor Wallace called an election
to be held Oct. 81, when members OF
the legislature that was to assemble
on Dec. Z, were chosen. Bannack, in
the Beaverhead district, sent William
Rheem to the council, and James Cor
Joseph Tufts was elected as repre-
sentative, and became speaker of that
body. Rheem looked with apprehension
on the Lewiston journey. This was by
no means a light undertaking at any
time of the year, and in November,
with the snow deep in the mountains,
it was extremely hazardous. Governor
Mcconnell has told in his Early His
tory of Idaho" how these men trav-
eled:
Days of Toilsome Travel
Many of the members came long
distances, requiring days OF toilsome
travel over rugged mountain trails
such as had formerly been traversed
only by Indians. No wagon roads had
at that time been constructed and
hotels were luXuries seldom enjoyed.
Mounted on saddle horses or mules,
armed with rifle and revolver, and
bringing with them on a pack animal
their blankets and provisions, these
early statesmen hit the trail for the
scene of their legislative endeavors.
AS there has been no record OF any
of them having been robbed by ban
dts, it is to be presumed that, like
their successors Of today, they car
ried but little dust and consequently
were not worthy of the attention OF
the toll gatherers Of the time
Henry Plummer, road agent chlet,
was then in the country, and robberies
occurred frequently. The Beaverhead
legislators knew his reputation, and
while they doubtless carried little
money, feared that even this might
be taken or the desperadoes would
even see fit to kill them. The honor
of being member OF the first ldaho
legislature was more than counter
balanced by the danger that attended
it. Rheem and Tufts were absent from
Bannack about six months, the jour-
new to and from Lewiston consuming
most of that time. They Travelled on
horseback and with pack animals.
BY the organic act Of the territory,
members of the legislature were 10
receive 81 a day in greenbacks, then
worth about so cents on the dollar.
Meals were from dollar to dollar
and a quarter, land lodgings OF the
most primitive character rented from
81 to s1.5O per night and these
amounts were doubtless paid In gold.
The lowest price for a drink OF even
mineral water was Is cents, and any
thing so mild as water was not largely
in demand.
could not be expected to indulge IN
three meals a day. though they might
have brought their blankets with them.
Consequently one of the first acts they
passed increased their pay to Sc per
diem. which was a meager sum on
which to live in those days OF high
Until the meeting of the first legis-
1at,,re of Idaho, that territory, with
Montana included had no civil or
criminal acts. land had to depend"
saws Mcconnell, upon the general
laws of the United States, which were
inadequate to meet all conditions:
Fortunately, however, the members OF
the first legislature promptly passed
an act adopting the common law OF
England, when not inconsistent with
the constitution of the he, United init States
hv the eoyernor, made it possible to
mete out justice to three red-handed
murdererS.
Story of Close Friendship
The story OF this crime IS also the
story of the close friendship between
two men. which survived the death of
one Of them.
A man named Lloyd Magruder had
been engaged in packing freight into
the Clear Water country, ana WneIe-
ever there was a demand for supplies
that could not be carried in by wagons.