Full text of "Early history of the Upper Lemhi Valley"

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GENEALOGY

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EACLY HlSTOCY
OF THE

Uppec Lemhi Ualley

Clara Proulx

Eacly Histoey

OF THE

Uppeg Lemhi Ualley

This bit of history of the Upper Lemhi Valley is dedicated
to my family and the other early settlers of Junction. This little
part of the world is still a prosperous spot, made possible by
those who came with faith and worked so hard for what they
wanted. Their untiring effort that was put forth is still
remembered by many of us who knew and watched as children,
and yes, wondered about the future.

I especially wish to thank:

Bertha (Hays) McCall and Dorothy (Pyeatt)
Baker for their suggestions and contributions,

Maemie R. Ellis and E. Gertrude Day who
assisted in the preparation of our history
manuscript, and

Tom Chandler for the design, photo layout
and final publication.

Place names, street names, creek names tell the history of
an area as surely as the formal diaries and chronicles record them.
The trick is to find the stories behind the names and to encourage
those who follow to record these events for their heirs just as
we attempt to do today. It is impossible to recall all of the
names or events that happened and should become part of our
local history, but we have been able to collect a great many.
To all who helped, I am deeply grateful.

Clk^ ^^6^'^-^^

Traveling north on Idaho's Highway 28, toward the Lemhi
Valley, one approaches the Gilmore Summit, just past the ghost
town of Gilmore which was once an active mining community.
A ridge of hills connects the two mountain ranges that divide
the Lemhi Valley. To the north, the waters flow into the Salmon
River, while the waters to the south, find their way into the
Birch Creek Valley.

Dropping now to an elevation of three thousand feet, one
approaches a beautiful green river basin, called the Upper Lemhi
Valley; well known for its stock raising, lumbering and mining.

Why did the early settlers come and for what did they strive
at that time? Probably they had heard that the Valley was
inhabited by Indians, who lived by hunting the buffalo and other
wild game plentiful in the neighboring hills and valleys. Yet they
came and from here I am going to portray the history of those
families and events in their lives which gives ample proof of why
the settlers developed this picturesque and colorful valley of
opportunity.

As the early settlers came, the only town established was
junction, the connecting link to the outside world. The house
first erected, was a log cabin, with a dirt roof, built by "Grandpa"
Stevenson in 1871. He with his wife Minerva, had migrated west
from Missouri to escape the turmoil of the days following the
Civil War.

Later he built the building known as the "High House"
which is still standing, the only remaining building at Junction.
He served as Junction's first Postmaster under the administration
of President Ulysses S. Grant. He established a blacksmith shop
and livery barn, so very essential to travel in those days. This
led him to build and operate the Junction Hotel. Shortly after
coming west, his wife Minerva died, but this did not deter his
interest nor enthusiasm in Junction's development.

He then sent for his widowed sister, Susan Clark, the mother
of seven children; Billie, Tom, George, John, Andrew, Mollie,
and Sarah. Mrs. Clark built the second house in Junction and
her children grew up there. Mollie married Sam Shelley who
came from England to Salt Lake, then to Bannack, Montana.
At that time, there were only two houses, and it was during
the Vigilante Days. Later Sam went to the" Diggings" on Horse
Prairie, and then came to Junction.

Their daughter, Sarah, married Neil McDevitt. Neil and Jim
McDevitt had come to the Valley, as had the Petersons. McDevitt
settled on the Old Reese Ranch, while Peterson settled on the
Old Amonson Ranch.

Fences were not in use at that time. The settlers lived in
log huts on the wide open spaces, and engaged in cattle raising.

Tom and Bill Clark left Junction, and moved to Oregon.

Grandma Clark, along with three of her sons, Andrew, John,
and George became very prosperous by acquiring many acres of
land around Junction.

•►^*>N

"Granny" Reddington

Grandma Clark at her home in junction in 1906.

Junction and Leadore

Milton Reddington and Julia Frost Irvin
Reddington. This photo was taken in
about 1863 and reproduced from a
tin-type.

Junction Creek, which ran through the town, now known
as Railroad Creek, had no ranches on it.

Coming down through the canyon, now called Railroad
Canyon, one came to the residence of Wilbur Stone and his wife
Emma. He was Junction's merchant. His father, known as "Old
Man" Stone was the Indian Agent at Lemhi, twenty miles north
of Junction. He later moved to, and built the store at
Junction--the first store called "The General Store". In 1884,
the first drug store was built and owned by Mrs. Dunlap; next
built was the Wright Store, then George Yearian's, and the Fylire
Store near the canyon road.

Close by was the residence of Alex Waugh. On the bank
of the Creek farther down, lived Sam Shelley and wife, Molly.
Their children were Cora, George, and Ed. Cora married John
Reddington, George married Minnie Reddington, Ed remained
a bachelor. Their house was just across the street from
"Grandma" Clark.

The road was Junction's Main Street. In a northerly
direction, not far from the Shelley house, was the house occupied
by Charles Lee and his wife, Allie (Yearian) Lee. They had a
large family-Letty, Lemuel, Frank, Lucinda, Florence, Howard,
Oran and Curtis. The father, Charles, was killed by lightning on
Grizzly Hill in the early 1900's. The family later moved to the
State of Washington.

Junction, Idaho

Tucked in, by the side of Stone's store, was the home of
Henry and Mary Yearian. Beyond the store was a saloon, called
"The Dew Drop Inn". Farther down was John Yearian's tin shop.

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above which was a hall that was used tor dancing. John had
married Annie Lee and their children were Georgine, Hildreth
and Kenneth.

Back of this house, on the opposite side of the road, was
a two story building, known as the "High House" and as
mentioned before, it still stands. Next to the Henry Yearian
house stood the house occupied by John Stroud. Across the road,
and opposite lived Tomp Denny and his wife Ellen (Lipe) Denny.
Their children were: Ed, Roll, Annie, Lizzie, and Charlie. Ed
married Jennie Vezina, Roll's wife was the former Alvira Reese,
Annie married Will Vriel and, Lizzie became the wife of John
Bohannon, and Charlie married Nellie Wells.

Riley Pyeatt lived behind the building occupied by Stone's
Store. He had married Ettie Todd and they had a large family.
Edith married Wilbur Hays and Annie became the wife of Walter
Gill. The boys were; Frank, Clarence, Martin, Will, John,
Heybern, Art, Lloyd, Earl, and Max. Riley met an accidental
death, so Mrs. Pyeatt was left with all these children to raise
and educate. John, one of the sons, gave his life in World War I,
being the first of the Lemhi County soldiers to die in action.

W. D. "Bill" Rusk was born in Salem Springs, Arkansas in
1863. He came to Junction when a mere lad of 15. He worked
for Alex Cruikshank and for the Hawley Brothers in Lost River.
He also worked at the Nicholia Mines and later drove stage from
Utah to Salmon and did some freighting. He married Lela Daniels
in 1909 and they had two children, Mamie and Joe. Lela died
in 1913 and Mamie was adopted by the Ballards on Birch Creek.
Joe stayed with his father. Later, he married Polly Walters and
they had three children; Ray, Helen, and Grace.

Grandma Reddington and Lester Alfred

In front of Stone's store and posing are, I to r, Filo, can't identify Wilbur Stone, George Proulx,
Paris O'Neil, Ed McRea, John Stroud, Pete Vreeland, George Shelley, Lawrence Lipe, Don Reed,
Q. L. Webb and Ed Sullivan.

Junction School

Bill became very wealthy owning and operating five ranches
besides his real estate investments and large herds of cattle and
horses. At one time, he sold 1,000 guilding horses to the
Canadian Government in one shipment. He was one of the most
colorful pioneers of his time. He passed away in 1955 and was
buried at Salmon.

Abram Lipe was born on December 29, 1825, in Missouri.
He married Nancy Yearian January 25, 1849, in Illinois. Their
six children were Julia, Sarah, Ellen, Emily, Jacob, and Charley.
He was a Civil War veteran and fought for the North, rank and
company unknown. They came to Lemhi County in 1880, and
settled on a homestead near Junction. They lived there until
1902, when he sold to Gus Mulkey and moved to Sunfield. He
died of pneumonia on March 3, 1907.

Charley Lipe was Jake Lipe's brother. He lived at Junction
and married Daisy Cottom. Their children were Horace, Glodine,
Florence, and Fern.

Jake Lipe, the village blacksmith, lived across from the
Waugh and Lee homes. His wife, was the former Annie Ellis,
and their sons were Harvey and Lawrence.

First hotel in Junction that burned in the early I900's
Methodist Church in Junction

For several years, people continued to move to Junction,
and by 1888, the population was about two hundred. From this
time and until 1910, more settlers came to the Valley. With the
increased population, the valley became more productive.

In the country surrounding Junction, and in a south easterly
direction to "18 Mile", two ranches were taken up. One, by
Ike Williams was sold to a Mr. Long. The latter moved to
Junction. In time, this ranch passed through several hands. The
Henry Gilsters owned it, then much later the Pearson Brothers
sold it to the Skelton Brothers of Idaho Falls. Across the Creek,
and down a bit, lived George Cottom and his wife. Their children
were Morris, Daisy and Harry. Cottom sold the place to Ed
Patton, who in turn sold it to Pete Vreeland.

The Cottom family moved to what is known as "Cottom
Lane" located on Lee Creek. On Tex Creek lived Sam Keim and
his wife who was quite a character. She was of Spanish descent,
smoked a pipe and loved to play cards. A loving person, she
reared several homeless children. Among them was Ed Sullivan,
who was bow-legged and had a "squint eye", but proved to be
"as nice as they came". Later he moved to Junction where he
had purchased a cabin. Mrs. Keim also raised Mamie Nolan who
became the wife of Fred Dishno. They made their home on a
ranch in the "Big Hole" (Montana). Rock Vezina's ranch was
near the Keim's Ranch. He sold it to the first of the Carlsons
who came from Utah, and moved down the Creek. Later he sold
that ranch to his son, Fred, who in turn sold it to Milt Slavin.

On Spring Creek, not far from the Keim and Vezina
Ranches, was the place taken up by Gray Purcell in the early
eighties. Andrew Purcell took up the McRae Ranch, which
became the property of Staley. Soon after, Andrew took up the
Benson Ranch, now owned by the Mahaffey Estate.

Gray Purcell took up the land near what is known as "Big
Springs" With his wife, Drusey, sister of Mary Jane Yearian Gray
came from Tablerock, Nebraska, by way of Bannack, Montana,
where they lived eight years. In 1872. thev came to Lemhi and

settled. Later Claude Benson owned this ranch. His wife was the
former Nora Yearian, daughter of Henry and Mary Yearian,
whose other children were Liliie, George, joe and Docia.

Near the Purcell place was the ranch, known as the Barrows
place, though it had originally belonged to a man, named Smith.

Going to Hawley Creek, at the mouth of the canyon, the
ranch there was owned by Ed Hawley. He had married Christina
Yearian, widow of Joseph, who was lovingly known as "Aunt
Teen".

Coming down Hawley Creek, a few miles was the Henry
Vreeland place. He was the father of Pete, Will, Margaret and
Liliie. Margaret married Ed McRae, and Liliie became the wife
of Mark Purcell. Henry's wife, affectionately known as"Granny"
was a very unusual and colorful character. Hank (Henry) drove
the stage from Eagle Rock, (now Idaho Falls), to Nicholia, then
through Junction enroute to Salmon. At that time the family
lived at the "sinks" on Birch Creek. From there they moved
to the Shenon Ranch on Horse Prairie, then to the ranch on
Hawley Creek.

Near the confluence of Hawley and "18 Mile" Creeks, a
man named Staley took up a homestead. The Glister family lived
there for a time, then the George Proulx family moved there.
Next in the area, was the Herb Hays Ranch. Mrs. Hays was the
former Nettie Yearian.

John Milton Burns Reddington

Going toward Salmon about two miles from Junction, is
what is known as the McRae Ranch. For a time, it was occupied
by the Patton family. Mrs. Patton's father John Yearian lived
with them. Her maiden name was Sally Yearian.

Adjoining this ranch, was the Jacob Yearian place, and on
the property above the road was built the Community Fort. At
this time, Chief Joseph and his warriors were moving through
enroute to Montana.

Some of the Indians did drift through the Canyon. Ed
Hawley refused to leave his ranch and go to the Fort. Herb Hays
went to persuade him to come with him to the Fort for safety.
As a result, the Indians did chase them as they crossed the prairie
enroute, but apparently made no real effort to capture them.

There were no ranches between the Jake Yearian place and
that of John Stroud, some five or six miles down the Lemhi
River.

Going to the "Big Eight" Mile Creek area, the Hot Springs
Ranch was operated by Mrs. Dunlap who had moved there from
Junction. She had several sons, one of them, Tul Dunlap, became
a famous artist. Mrs. Dunlap was a midwife, helping many
children into this world. Numbered among them were the Herb
Hays children and I.

Another old time ranch in that area was the land owned
by John Warren and his wife, Phoebe. He was a small bowlegged
man, and had a wen on the top of his head. This place was
subsequently owned by Mark Purcell father of Kermit and Emma
(Purcell) Pearson.

Cora ReddinQto

Junction School in 1899. Bertha Hoffman, Minnie Reddington,
Jessie Patton, Retta Tobias, Ethel Tobias, Clara Proulx, Wilda
McRea, Rose Proulx, Bertha Hays, Bess Stroud and others.

J. P. Clough owned a ranch, which later became the
property of William Fayle and is now owned by Kermit Purceil.

Going west, up "Cottom Lane", a distance of about two
miles, was the ranch owned by Lee, who sold part of it to George
Cottom, father of Morris who lived with him. The remainder
of the ranch was sold to my father, Milton Reddington, and
my "Grandma" Sarah Tucker. Grandma Tucker was born, Sarah
Yearian, prior to her marriage to Grandpa Reddington. Widowed,
after the death of Grandpa Reddington, she had married a man
named Tucker.

At the age of sixteen, my father, Milton joined the Illinois
Regiment, Company K, going in as a drummer boy. After two
years of service in the Civil War, he returned to his home in
Du Quoin, Illinois, and was married to my mother Julia Frost
Irvin. Following the end of the War they moved to Kansas City,
Missouri. To this Union were born: Abigail, Sarah, John, Nellie,
and Joe.

Due to a railroad strike in Kansas City in 1886, my father
and my brother-in-law, Vern Tingley, came west, first to the
"diggins" on Horse Prairie, then came to Lemhi. Having

Methodist Church in junction. Among the people in the picture are Susan (Grandma) Clark, the founder of the little
church. Grandma Shelley, Molly Shelley and Jane Yearian.

purchased the Lee Ranch, they sent for the family who came
by emigrant train to Eagle Rock, (Idaho Falls) then by covered
wagon to Junction. Here Minnie and I were born.

Here I should like to tell of my family beginning with my
sister Abigail who had married Vern Tingley before leaving
Kansas City. To this union were born: Ray, Joe, Flora, Vern,
and Walter. Vern and Walter served their country during World
War I. Ray married Roxi McKim. Joe married Carrie Brown,
daughter of Billie Brown, a prosperous butcher at Salmon. Flora
married George Brown, Billie's son, Vern, married Doris Evans
and Walter married Faye Higgs.

My sister Sarah married T. J. Stroud. A bit about the
Stroud Family. John and Lige, came to Idaho about the time
that the Yearians and Reeses arrived. Lige Stroud married Lib
Lee, and to this union were born Thomas J . and Carrie. As stated
above Thomas J. married Sarah Gertrude Reddington and to this
union were born: Chauncey, Bess, Wilbur, and Wilma (twins),
and Everett. Chauncey married Pearl Wyant, Bess, never married,
has been prominent in the field of education in Idaho; Wilbur
married Jennie Caperon; Wilma, Ed Caperon, and Everett married
Rita Ryan. T. J. as he was familiarly known, became sheriff of
Lemhi County, serving twenty-five years.

John Stroud married Jennie Todd, and to this union were
born: Elmer who served during World War I, and died while

Discharge pension papers of Milton Reddington from the Civil War.
He is on the left, a captain from his outfit on the right that could
not be identified.

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Mrs. Vree/and'i sisters, Hank Vreeland, and Elizabeth
(Granny) Vreeland.

in France during the influenza epidemic at that time. He had
never married, but prior to his military service, he managed his
father's ranch and 1000 head of cattle. Glen married LoraCork;
Eldo, married Frances Cook; Laura died while still a young girl
at Junction.

My brother, John, married Cora Shelley, and to this union
were born: Olive, John, Wayne, Maimie, Elsa, Marvin, and Ivan.
Olive married Milford Allred; John, Edith Maes, Maimie, teacher,
married Ted Ellis, Elsa married Vern Chandler; Marvin married
Opal Jones, a teacher in the Leadore schools; Wayne married
Bernice Ashton; and Ivan, Maude Webb.

Three of the Reddington sons served their country in war
time: John, World War I; Wayne and Ivan, World War II.

My sister, Nellie Margaret, married Columbus Mulkey, and
to this union were born: Clarence, Blanche, Edith, Burrell, Maud
and Cora. Clarence, who served his country during World War I,
married Emma Hammond. Blanche married Ralph Koppas; Edith,
Ernest Diven; Burrell, who became famous as .a broncho rider,
married in California; Maud married Dick Simmonds; and Cora,
Lewis Maas.

My brother Joe married Alma McDevitt and to this union
were born: Julia who married Ott Gordon, Ted, who married
after leaving Idaho; and Nellie, who never married. She passed
away in 1919.

My sister, Minnie, married George Shelley, and to this union
were born: Laverna, Don, Dorothy, and Betty Jane. Laverna

The High House in Junction. On the balcony, the two ladies are Molly Waugh and Molly Shelley. The men, I to r Ed Denny, Tamp Denny,
John Clark, George Shelley, Pete Vreeland, Will Patton, sitting, Albert Ellis, Billy Figley, and Alex Cruikshank.

Taken in front ot Sum Shi'lltv\ home in ubuut 1^1 1 '■ iiii i] j r u k.uJiiiqtin hun Reddington,
E/sa Reddington, Grandma Reddington, Moll^ Stielley , Molls Waugh. Lura Reddington, Joe Yearian,
OIlie Aland Lester, Grandpa Siielley and Marvin Reddington.

Fistiin was good. I to r first two unknown, George Proulx, Paris O'Neil,
Alec Waugh, Wenlock Free, B. j. Waugh, F. O. McFall, Curley Martel,
Kenneth Yearian, Sam Pierce, Howard Lee, Ed Shelley, another unknown
and Art Pyeatt.

1^%*^

Elsa Reddington, OIlie and Lester Allred, Ivan Reddington, Grandma Reddington and Maemie
Reddington.

loe Bush and George Shelley

Maemie, Marvin, and Elsa Reddingti

and Dorothy died in early chiidiiood, Don married a Boise girl;
and Betty Jane married William Simpson.

I, (Clara Reddington) married Frank Proulx. We have one
son, Frank Donald, who married Oleta Burns. He is a retired
Navy career man, and lives at Chula Vista, California.

Here followrs a bit about the family history of the Proulxs.
Michael (George) Proulx was born at Quebec, Canada. While
merely a boy, he drifted to upper New York State. He grew
to manhood there, later going to Michigan. He worked in the
mining and lumber industries. Urged as were many by California
gold fever, he started west, arrived first at Butte, then went to
Bannack. From Montana, he came to Nicholia, then to Junction.
He married Minnie Dishno, sister of Silas Dishno, a very
outstanding character, who left Idaho, moved to the Big Hole
Valley in Montana, where he became very wealthy.

To the Proulx union were born the following children:
Rose, Frank, Flavia, Charlie, Michael, Leo, Ruby, and Fern. Rose
became the wife of Jake Hays, Frank, as mentioned married Clara
Reddington; Flavia married Walter Sheperd, Charles married
Elizabeth Cotter, Michael married Verda Owens, Leo married
after moving to California; and Ruby married Billie Purcell, Fern
died in infancy.

Chauncey Stroud

Three sons of the Proulx's served their Country during
World War I, all experiencing overseas duty, Frank, Charlie, and
Michael.

Before leaving these bits of family history, there should be
added some information about my mother, Julia Frost Irvin
Reddington. George Yearian had married Abigail Irvin whose
husband had been killed in action during the Mexican War of
1846 at Vera Cruz. Abigail's daughter by her marriage to Irvin,
Julia Elizabeth, was my mother. George and Abigail were very
happy, but she contracted tuberculosis, and lived only five years.
Later George married Elizabeth Stroud, came west in 1864 to
Horse Prairie, and lived there until his death.

Here, too, I must speak of Joe Barrows. Joe, like many
young men of that day, left home, seeking greener pastures. In
so doing, he assumed the name of Joe Bush. As times went by,
he became as one of our family, living at the home of my mother,
and also at my brother, John's home.

He worked as a cowboy, being most helpful in the care
of the livestock. Too, he was rated as an excellent "bronc" rider.
Joe, along with " George" Shelley and my brother, Joe, broke
countless horses to be safe for riding, and in the handling of
cattle during the branding and "out to pasture" spring season,
then again in the "fall roundup". He finally left the upper Lemhi
Valley, going over into the Dillon area where he worked until
his death a few years ago.

Now to continue the Junction story.

The following written by Bertha (Hays) McCall was
contributed by Dorothy (Pyeatt) Baker:

"Hays Family Tree

A gallant knight, John Hays, was an active adherent to Mary,
Queen of Scots, and was sent by her as Ambassador to Queen
Elizabeth to secure the consent of the Virgin Queen to Mary's
marriage to Lord Darnley. A part of the family seem afterward
to have belonged to that strictest sect of the Protestant faith,
Viz The Coventer. This segment of the family found refuge in
foreign countries.

Robert Taylor was a gentlemen's son of the City of Cork,
Ireland; ran away from home to emigrate to America. When he
became of age, and acquired his 'portion', he was a merchant
at Providence, Rhode Island. His was the original family of that
name in Providence.

He was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, and after its
close, moved to Marritta, Ohio, with his family. Maria, his
youngest daughter married Benjamin Guitteau, April 15, 1807.
Their family were eight children, one of whom, Caroline Rebecca,
was the mother of Herbert Hays.

The mother of William Hays (grandfather of Herbert Hays)
was Elizabeth Coleman, whose family came from Canada, settling
in New Jersey, about the time the Revolutionary War began.
After his marriage to Mr. Hays (first name unknown) they moved
to Ohio, living in different places.

The Hays Family Bible was lost in the Ohio River flood.
However, it is known, that they had eight children. One of them
William Hays, was the father of: Emma (Hays) Leary; John,
Herbert, and William. William, married Caroline Rebecca
Guitteau, March, 1840, at Newport, Ohio, and they moved to
old Du Quoin, Illinois.

The children of William and Caroline Hays were- Emma
Louise, born January 1, 1850, married Herbert Leary.

John Dudley married Ellen SchwarU--Their children, all
deceased, were Wilfred, Heroert, and William. John Doud's wife,
lived at Elkville, Illinois.

Schoonover from Gilmore, Murphy from Emmett and Wilbu
Stroud.

3 kids i home made wagon, Ivan Reddington, Lester
Allred and Marvin Reddington.

Deer with horns ,

Herbert married Nettie Yearian-children John G. died in
infancy; Emma Jane, married George Ruppert, children, Marjorie
and June; Jacob, married Rosella Proulx-children, Louis (Steele),
Dorothy (Zook), Frank and William, Bertha married Dr. R. G.
McCale--no children; Phillip Gray, married Etta DeLain, no
children; Mryl W. married Thelma Haney, children Fred F. and
Herbert H.

Herbert Hays died September 15, 1936 at his home near
Leadore. Nettie Hays, his wife, died the following year at
Rockford, Illinois.

Other references to the Hays family are herein, and to
continue:

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Nellie Redding ton Mulkey

The Kaufmans were among the earliest settlers, living on
the Henry Yearian place by the creek. Later, they rented
"Grandpa" Stevenson's restaurant and Mrs. Kaufman operated
the stage office in Junction, for a time. They then moved to
Birch Creek.

After the turn of the century, the Upper Lemhi Valley had
become a prosperous place. The families were mainly
transplanted stock from the older states of the Middle West and
East. Naturally, they did establish in their new homes, the
religious beliefs of their fathers. There were people of the Roman
Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Episcopalian
beliefs, which when combined, became the stable, permanent and
reliable citizens of the Upper Lemhi Valley. This is still evidenced
in our present generation.

It is not possible to recall or to mention all the families
who came, settled and became permanent residents of the Upper
Valley, but of these settlers whom I should like to mention,
there follows:

Uncle Abe Lipe, who came west with the Swartz and
Cottom families, married Nancy Yearian, sister of Sarah Yearian
Reddington, a sister-in-law of Milton Reddington. The ranch he
owned was bought by Gus Mulkey, who sold to Floyd Whitaker,
its present owner.

Stage Coach in Junction. Driver, Jess Shurett; the boy, Harvey Lipe; the big man on the ground with light hat, Wilbur Stone;
in the cowboy hat. Art Pyeatt; center, sitting on top, G. L. Webb; on top in the back, Wilbur Hays; riding shotgun on front
seat, Billie Cannon; inside the stage, Jimmy Barrack; and Bert Ellis on the coach.

John Warren took up the ranch now owned by Dare
Anderson. He sold to Ed Gray, then it was sold to Bill Peterson,
who in turn gave it to Dare Anderson.

Vern Tingley had a dairy ranch on Dairy Creek in "Big
Eight Mile" Canyon. These places were just "squatters' rights".
Will Vreeland worked for Vern.

Joseph Yearian took up the ranch now owned by Truman
Chapman. Joseph sold the place to Gilbert Yearian, who in turn
sold it to Ted Ellis. Russell and Bob Benedict bought it from
Ellis, later selling it to Chapman.

John and Lige Stroud took up the Stroud ranches, which
were later sold to Sam McKinney.

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Jack Smith owned a small ranch under the bar, across from
the Stroud ranch, later he sold it to T. J. Stroud.

Abe Elder owned the Barrows Ranch. Charles Noble worked
for the Benson Estate, later this place was sold to Woolwine,
who in turn sold it to Dave Clark, later it was sold to Floyd
Whitaker.

George Martin was quite a noted citizen. He took up land
later selling it to Dewey Alihands, who in turn sold to Sid Chorn,
then it was bought by Lloyd Clark. Martin drove the Armsted
stage for many years, carrying the mail without fail.

" Curley" Stewart married Docia Yearian, daughter of Henry
and Mary Yearian. Stewart had three brothers, Bob, Lee, and
"Chicken". Bob married Lillie Yearian. Lee came there with his
family, living in Junction until it was moved to Leadore. Chicken
was a bachelor, and owned a place near the Barrows Ranch.

Postcard written to Miss Clara Reddingto
Junction in 1913.

Across the Lemhi River from the Gib Yearian Ranch, was
land taken up by John Yearian, who sold it to Eddie Yearian,
who in turn sold it to John Reddington. The next owner was
Siegel Tobias.

i Junction gobool I

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SCHOOL BOARD.
Edward Patlon - - Ghai
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_ Graduation announcement from
junction School.

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Pupils.

! I.illie Vreel.iiul I'elei Vreelaiid J

I Will A. Vieelaiul •

ijoe Yf;ui;)n Lillie Yeaiian I

I Doslii.i Ye.ni.iM I

i Hdwjul Shellt-y Hugh McDeivItt ;

jRiitii.i Hays j.i

lob Hays!

1 Mjniinie Daniels

il.etliel.ee le

nmy Lee j

j Chas. H. Lee

jl.iiciml.. lee less

e Patton;

1 Willie Paltcil

iloliM 1). I'allon KaiM.

c I'atton 1

1 F.lniei J. Stioiia

1 Laiir.a Siroua Olei

n Stroud!

• CliauiKey Stroiul

j Bessie Stroud Minnie Re

ddington ;

1 Clara ReddinBton

i Wilda McRea Retta Tobias j

1 Ethel Tobias Rodney
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Tobias I

;

"Little Eight Mile" Ranch was taken up by Sam Williamson,
one of the early school teachers. Part of the ranch, was sold
to Bill Mulkey, then to Bill Rusk, and it is now owned by the
Mahaffey Estate.

The little town became the center of a happy, prosperous
community. It was the stage station, connecting Junction with
Montana to the East, and Idaho Falls to the south. The freight
wagons stopped there for repairs, feed and lodging.

As the livestock industry expanded, and other products
became marketable, the discovery of mineral ore at Gilmore,
added to discovery earlier in the Salmon River area. With the
discovery of lead at Junction and other mining activities, a better
method of shipping products became necessary.

As time went by, and the need became even greater, the
following people organized and incorporated the Gilmore &
Pittsburgh Railroad Company Limited. They were: W. A.
McCutcheon, Robert B. Little, J. H. Crehan, C. H. McCracken,
all of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and W. F. Stone of Junction,
all of whom promoted the building of the railroad from
Armstead, Montana, to Salmon, Idaho. Gilmore was included on
the route, and the entire completion dated early in May, 1910.

Naturally, one would expect the railroad to pass through
Junction. To the consternation and dismay of the residents, it
was revealed that one of the property owners, Tom Powell, had
refused a right of way. Hence Junction was "by passed" at a
distance of two miles. As a result, the town of Leadore was
established, and still serves as a mining and livestock raising
center.

Countless tons of ore were shipped from the area. It took
intricate engineering to plan and lay tracks over the mountains.
The problem was solved by a series of "switch backs "and the
train thus maneuvered alternately, forward and backward.

Reluctantly, the people of Junction had to migrate
elsewhere. The post office and schools were discontinued there,
and along with W. F. Stone's Store, the drug store and other
business firms, were moved to Leadore.

This left only a few of the older residents and Jack Decker's
small grocery store at Junction. As time went by, the people
and the buildings disappeared. Only those graves of settlers who
had departed this life remained at McRae's cemetery.

Leadore from 1910 to 1925 became a thriving town. Built
and established was a bank, the post office, drug, as well as other
stores, two hotels, telephone office, barber shops, garages, a
moving picture show house, a meat market, and it became the
headquarters of that district of the Salmon National Forest. A
railroad station (or depot) was built, and for the upper valley,
schools, both elementary and secondary, along with churches,
came into use.

The following stayed and worked on the railroad: Andy
Burnham, Ed Malloy, Harold Robinson, Jack Haines, Frank
Proulx, Alex Waugh, Mrs. Alex Widdowsen, Harry Saline, Earl
Williams, Kenneth Yearian and Harvey Lipe, Jerry Ryan, Joe
Steele, Lang McCormick, and Luke Blecka.

Among those who served as station agents were: George
Radford, Tom Ball, Art Ruika, Lawrence McGivney, and Vern
Chandler.

There are probably others who worked on the railroad or
at the station, but their names are not recalled.

Schools

Even though the early settlers were struggling to establish
a community center at Junction in the first years of the
"seventies", they were also entertaining thoughts of the future,
and thus having the welfare of their children in mind, it was
imperative that they establish schools.

The first school in the Junction area was a one room log
cabin, located between the old "High House", and the McRae
Ranch. In 1873, eight grades were taught here by Mr. Ramsden,
the schoolmaster. This was organized as District No. 2.

The log structure became inadequate, so in the early 1880's,
a larger log building, with a sod roof, was built. Here the pupils
were taught the three R's, to the tune of the hickory stick.

At the turn of the century, a frame building was erected
in Junction, then another larger one was built, for there were
one hundred pupils by then. This frame building was used until
1918. After the brick building in Leadore was finished, the frame
schoolhouse was moved to a ranch, halfway between Junction
and Leadore, and became the residence of H. C. Christensen and
family.

The earliest school at Lemhi or Yearianville, was built by
Thomas Pyeatt. It was made of logs, adobe, and had a dirt roof.
It was on the corner of his ranch. The teachers lived with the
families of their pupils, and conducted school from four to six
months in the winter. Some of the teachers were: S. A. White,
Miss Flora North, Miss Emma Russell (Mrs. T. H. Yearian), and
Geneva Wells.

The school was known as Idaho School District No. 3; and
Thomas Pyeatt was Chairman of the Board. John Reese, son of
Gilliam Reese, was one of the first graduates of this school. He
later graduated from college, and became a history teacher, a
writer and a historian of renown. Don Pyeatt was one to
graduate. He then went to Valparaiso University in Indiana, and
also attended San Jose Business College.

In 1902, the Bannister school was instituted as District
No. 4. Later this school was moved down Tex Creek to the
"Chicken" Stewart place. Then on toward Leadore to where
Highway 28 crosses Tex Creek, and was then called the Plum
School.

About 1908 Gilmore residents created a school which was
known as District 20. The first teacher was Beth Yearian
(Brenner). This district was closed after World War II when
Gilmore became mostly, a ghost town.

The Cottom School was organized in February 1912, as
District No. 29. Ernest Benedict, John B. Reddinglon and
Morris H. Cottom financed and constructed the building. The
county furnished the equipment and paid the teacher. This
building can still be viewed from where Highway 28 meets
Cottom Lane, a solitary log structure.

The Tingleys, Vern, Joe, Flora (Brown), Ray, and Walt.

ik.M^£^

Grandpa Shelley and Old Kie

Ruby Proulx Purcell, Bessie, and Rose
Hays.

Elsa and Maemie Reddington

4 generations, Tom, Vern, Etna, and
Steven Chandler.

In 1912, the Lee Creek Community was in need of a school.
So they used an old sod roofed building, and then constructed
a new frame one.

In 1915, there was another District organized to
accommodate the "D. C. Bar" residents.

The great structure of the brick building at Leadore, was
dedicated, February 1, 1918. The school Board members were
E. M. Yearian, John B. Reddington, E. R. Benedict, Don C.
Reed, Claude H. Benson and Ley H. Lee. Mrs. Jennie Mulkey
was clerk of the Board. It was a two story building with ten
classrooms, a gymnasium, an electric light plant, steam heat and
long corriders. There was also an auditorium, used by the school,
and for community affairs. It included elementary and secondary
levels, and was in use for thirty years. Then reorganization took
place and District No. 2 became District No. 292, and included
all of the schools from "17 Mile" to the Clark County Line.

At one time. District No. 2 was one of Idaho's richest
school districts, due to the taxes from the mines, ranches, and
the railroad. I am happy to relate that I had the privilege of
teaching many years in District No. 2, and No. 292. The schools
of the Upper Lemhi Valley have contributed from those
attending, and those graduating, many outstanding citizens
among whom are two, rated as millionaires.

John Reddington, Charley Backee, Tom Harvey, Milford Allred, Lester Allred,
Marvin Reddington, sitting are Charley Kummer and William Backee.

Mr. and Mrs. Jake Hayes, December 16,
1933.

" TOWN OF 3UMCT10M-

Lemhi Agency and Yearianville Country-
Contributed by DDrothy Pyeatt Baker

The Pyeatt Story

On April 26, 1865, when the Army of the Confederacy
surrendered all of their troops, the gates of Andersonville Prison
swung open to one of the most tragic groups of history. A sick
and weakened bunch, they were released to make their way
home. Among these was young Thomas B. Pyeatt, who served
with Company K, Illinois Regiment, with honor under Sherman
until captured at Vicksburg.

With no formal medical training except what he had received
in the Army, he had been one of the medics in prison. In the
field, he had served as a bugler and medical assistant. Thomas
never forgot the horrors of gangrenous imputations he had
helped perform while at Andersonville.

Returning to his home in De Quoin, Illinois, he married
Pelisha Gill, and had three children, William Butler, born
December 25, 1872; Cornelia Ann, born June 28, 1868, and Leo
Arthur born August 3, 1874. The war devestation had been
great, and many of the young men were looking to the West
for opportunities.

Late in 1868, Thomas and Gillian Reese bade their families
farewell and with one wagon and team, along with saddle horses,
set out to find a new home and wealth. Having heard great tales
of the gold fields at Leesburg, this was their intended destination.

Upon finding unclaimed verdant farm land on the Lemhi
River, they quickly decided to settle there. The two men staked
out their lands adjoining each other, built a "dug-out" to bring
their families to, paid their taxes and assessments, then started
their perilous journey back to Illinois. What little money they
had left was gone so they worked for their "found" on the trip
home, taking many months.

Arriving in De Quoin, they set about assembling their stock,
household goods, clothing and animals, and some farming
equipment. Finally, they started out, Pelisha driving one wagon,
Thomas the other, and the children herding the livestock. The
Reese family were similarly equipped. In May, 1877, they arrived
at the "dug-out" in time to start spring planting.

Both families lived in the "soddie" for sixteen months; then
the men were able to build the first log cabins with dirt floors
and dirt roofs. These poor cabins must have been like heaven.
Yet the dirt roofs blew off, so leaked and generally made
housekeeping miserable. In 1878, Thomas left his family in the
protective care of Mr. Reese, and made the weary trip to
Corinne, Utah for more tools and other supplies.

In rapid succession more children were born; Thomas
Burleigh in 1879, he only lived three years. His father diagnosed
his trouble as lockage of the bowels, but it was probably
appendicitis. His grave is in the family plot in Yearian cemetery,
north of Leadore. Then came "still born" twins, who are buried
together on a knoll, overlooking the George Ellsworth ranch
buildings. In February 1884, Don |. was born, followed in 1886

»^a A MERITED .^

'°4. Certificate FOR Excellence IN Scholarship. 1,1

Diploma of Honor given to Willie Pyeatt at the Lemhi
School in 1886.

Mark and L 11 lie (Vreeland) Purcell.

Mil ford Allred and John Redding ton

1^^ J

E '..-J.^^^

Three of the 4 original 1918 graduates from Leadore High School
who attended the 50th year dinner June 29, 1968. William
Yearian, Francis Benedict Outvjs and lohn A. Reddington.

Saddlin ' up at Cruikie 's .

loe Murphy, Mike Maer, Newt Cooper, Alex Cruikshank, and
two others.

Haying at the John Reddington ranch. On the rake, Tom Harvey,
standing and holding Lester Allred, Cora Reddington, Granny
Reddington, Charley Backey, John Reddington, Clara Proulx,
Marvin Reddington. and OIlie and Mil ford Allred are all in view.

by Florence Effie, and in 1891 by McPherson Gilbert. All the
children, born in Idaho were delivered by their father, except
McPherson. At that time, Thomas was in Boise, serving as a State
Legislator. The only help his wife had, at McPherson's birth, was
that of the oldest daughter, Nelia. The baby was named in honor
of Thomas' great friend, J. M. McPherson.

The children, when grown and educated, married: Cornelia
to Edward Milton Yearian of Junction; William Butler to Esther
Amonson; Leo Arthur to Virginia Lively; Don j. to Georgia
Holgate; McPherson Gilbert to Martha Sprinkle of Dillon,
Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Pyeatt lived to see eleven grandchildren,
and passed away in 1922 and 1927.

Thomas served as Chairman of School District No. 3, as
a County Commissioner, and on the Republican Central
Committee, helping in every way to build a home, county and
state from the territory in which he chose to live.

Mike Myers, a bachelor, arrived from Missouri on the Lemhi
River in 1868. After spending two years prospecting for mineral
ore, and working on ranches, he filed on the land across the
river from the Reese Ranch. This property is now a part of the
William Snyder ranch. Myers' home was headquarters for all the
neighborhood bachelors. After he passed away. Roll Denny and
family, then the Frank Alphin family made the ranch their home.
Some of the best fishing holes, on the Lemhi River, are in Myers
Lane.

Mike Spahn took up the ranch at the mouth of Reese Creek,
now known as the Snyder place. The Spahns had a son, Karl,
and a daughter who lived most of her life in California. Karl
served in the State Legislature, several terms and was a progressive
and highly respected citizen. After K. O. and Mrs. Spahn retired
from running the ranch, that job was taken over by his stepson,
William Snyder; and has now passed on to William Snyder, Jr.
This is one of the pioneer ranches left that is occupied by
members of the original settlers' family.

Peter and Christina Amonson owned a ranch between Myers
and Cottom Lanes. It is presently owned by their grandson, J. C.
Amonson. In the old log house, still standing in a grove of
Cottonwood trees, Peter and Christina raised their family: Albert,
Anker, Oscar, Esther (Pyeatt) and Clara (Diggles), all of whom
are now deceased. There are several descendants living in Lemhi
County, Oscar's widow and oldest son, John (Sammy) live on
the old D. C. Ranch on D. C. Bar.

Frank B. Sharkey arrived at Napias Creek from Elk
Mountain in July 1866, and there discovered gold which started
a "gold rush" of mostly recently discharged Civil War veterans.
When the gold deposits were mostly mined out, the seven
thousand inhabitants of Leesburg drifted away, many settled in
the valley either to become ranchers or engage in various business
ventures.

Mr. Sharkey moved to the Cady Ranch on the Reservation,
post office address, Sunfield, Idaho. He married the daughter
of Mr. Cady and they had one daughter, Margaret. His second
wife was Annie Pyeatt, sister of Riley Pyeatt. Their children
were: Jack who died during service in World War I. Olive, who
married Rev. Frank Bonner, Helen married Byron Gordon, Adele

married George Radford who was station agent at Leadore many
years. Clair married Murdock McNicoll, and still lives in Salmon.
The Rev. Bonner was the first Presbyterian minister in Salmon,
and later lived in many states and the Philippine Islands.

Mr. Radford resides at St. Maries, and often visits home
folks. Margaret, first daughter of Mr. Sharkey, was wed to
Robert Kirkham, and they were the parents of the following
Lemhi County residents: Mrs. Paul (Beth) Albertson,
Mrs. Gilbert (Margaret) Rucker; Mrs. Sam (Olive) Langfitt, and
Frank Kirkham, now deceased.

Maggie, as she was affectionately known, was a practical
nurse and midwife. Many members of homes in the valley, had
reason to be very grateful for her tender ministrations.

Mr. Kirkham arrived in the valley with George Barrows who
settled at Leadore, and also a Mr. Spencer who lived at
"Seventeen Mile" on the old Reservation. His daughters were
Mildred, wife of Frank Havemann, Salmon hardware merchant,
and Berniece married Eddy Malloy, a railroad conductor.

War Mothers, Red Cross Workers, and Teachers at Leadore taken in 1917
or 1918 . . . during a Liberty Bond Drive.

Back Row, I to r Maggie McRea, Molly Waugh, Cora Reddington, Grace
Grossman, Anna Burns, O. S. Johnson, Myrtle Burr, Alma Reddington,
and Susie Lee, Middle Row, Kate Lydon, Mrs. Currie,Anna Saline,
Cornelia Yearian, H. K. Biegler, Mrs. Churchill, Mrs. McFall, W. B. Hart,
Julia Keating. Front Row, Patty Lipe, Mary Tobias, Maude Butts,
Mrs. Pierce, Minnie Proulx, Florence Chase, Hattie Bohannon,
Mrs. Lunney and Mrs. Cole.

Author's Note: I am grateful to Mrs. Baker for telling some
of the early history of the area adjoining the Upper Valley. It
is not possible to recall nor mention all who came. Mrs. Oberg
and other historians have written much of the Lemhi Agency
story, so with a "thank you, Dorothy", I shall continue my bit
of history, interspersed with more of Mrs. Baker's writings-

Steven Chandler, Cora Reddington, Lois
Chandler two of her great-grand
children.

Because the lower Lemhi Valley and Salmon River area were
settled many years before Junction, the Indians had lived there,
too.

History of early Idaho reveals that there were many buffalo,
as well as an abundance of other wild game and fish, both salmon
and steelhead trout to provide the Indians' food. The natural
meadows provided feed for their horses, so they felt free to roam
the entire valley.

Lewis and Clark had long since explored the country seeking
an outlet for the coastal fur industry. The buffalo gradually
disappeared, and with the coming of the white man, as settlers,
the Indians migrated some to Montana, some to Fort Hall, while
some remained in the valley. Today, there is an Indian Village
in the outskirts of Salmon.

Alex Cruikshank, who was well known around Junction,
lived in "Cruikshank Canyon", now Railroad Canyon, later
moved to Junction, was a scout for the U.S. Army, under
General Howard's command. He related a story," Chasing Hostile

Indians" which was published in the Salmon City Recorder; and
later included in Pearl Oberg's book, "Between These
Mountains".

A brief incident of residents of Junction encountering the
Indians follows: One morning when John Clark went to get
his milk cows at the beginning of Bannock Pass, now Railroad
Canyon, he saw forty Indians coming down the Creek, now
known as Junction Creek, led by Chief Joseph. He gave the alarm,
and everyone was excited trying to get to the stockade.

Among them was Grandma Clark, who it is reported had
a pan of bread set to "rise". In her haste, she grabbed the pan
of dough, rushed out to mount a horse, and it is said she mounted
him with her face toward his rear end.

The Nez Perce Indians wanted the people to come out of
the stockade, but the people refused the command. The Indians
left the same day for Nez Perce Canyon, where it is said they
built fortification. It is believed if the Indians and white men
had met, there would have been a slaughter of white men.

One more incident as related, and then let other historians
write of the Indian, their coming and going.

Indians who lived in the Lemhi Valley included I
covering the top and Archie Noppo.

Coo-ey, Ten Wingo, the wife of Chief Tendoy in her dress with string of elk's teeth

Blackfoot Indians came through Railroad Canyon. Uncle
John Yearian, Kenneth's father, and Charlie Lee, Oran's father,
were scouts camped in a swamp south of Jake's Ranch. They
had used cardboard to represent a man, covered with red spots,
holding a white flag. This apparently frightened the Indians who
left, going over the Spring Creek Mountains and they were never
heard from again.

"Our Indian Brothers"
Written and Contributed by Dorothy Pyeatt Baker

The Lemhi Reservation was abandoned in July 1907 by the
last of Bannock and Shoshone Indians, when they were moved
to Ft. Hall. They enumerated at 474 sad and distrustful souls.

Not finding conditions any better in their new government
home, many of the families started drifting back to their ancestral
valley. They depended on the pioneer families for friendship and
protection. Many of them worked in the hayfields, bringing their
families, horses and household goods with them every summer.
The Edmos, Nappo Brothers, Arrowites and Backles, were among
those who never gave up their "home".-Some descendants, to
this day, live in the Indian Camp at Salmon.

While the men worked for the ranchers, the squaws made
buckskin gloves and moccasins, which they sold or traded for
supplies or more deer hides. They and their children, gathered
sarvisberries, chokecherries, and any tame berries growing on the
ranches. They, then, appeared at the housewife's door, wanting
to trade her own gooseberries or raspberries back to her, for
sugar or flour.

The arrival of "our" Indians in the spring was a highlight
in the life of the author. I was always fascinated to learn that
a camp could be erected in a very short time from the travaile,
and packs from backs of horses. My nearest neighbor playmate
was two and a half miles away, and it was a great occasion when
I had a companion. I often slipped away to the Indian Camp
in the grove, in the horse pasture, to play. I well remember
"heading home" in front of a willow switch. I probably set a
record for that quarter of a mile, at least, twice a day. My mother
was always relieved when school started in the fall, and the Indian
children moved on.

Another chore, done by the children and squaws, was to
cut and haul greasewood and sagebrush for their cooking fires,
to smoke meat and the preparation of deer hides to be made
into buckskin. They loaded both the horses and travailes, hauling
wood each day. The smoldering campfires gave off an acrid
smoke which will never be forgotten by anyone who was ever
"downwind" from it.

There seemed to be a great affinity between chickens and
the Indian Camps on the ranches. Somehow, quite a few old
hens, young fryers and apparently healthy roosters seemed to
wind up in the camp just before they suffered the fatal heart
attack.

The men also fished in the Lemhi River and its
"cricks"-much of their catch was dried on racks in the sun for
winter use--making "char-qui" or "jerky".

T. I. and Sarah Stroud on their 50th Wedding Anniversary

The 4 Sharkey sisters, Olive, Helen,
Adele, and Claire taken at a reunion in
Twin Peaks Park, the first time together
in 16 years.

Annie and Will Vreeland

Post Office and Stage Office at Lemhi. (?)

John A. "Buck" Reddington
& Peggy

The High House in Junction,
Roxie, and Ray Tingley, the visitors.

Joe Murphy and Don Pyeatt

Last freight wagon near Lemhi in 1910.

In the 1920's, when the government had a fish hatchery
on the Lemhi River, just above the Lemhi Store, the Indians
camped there. As the Salmon spawned and died, they were
retrieved by the squaws and children to be dried. Present day
ecologists would not have approved of this practice, as the odor
was orrendous, and it seemed that every fly in the state was
attracted there.

)enny Napo, widow of Joe Nappo died during the 1960's
in the camp at Salmon, and was buried according to tribal rites.
From her calculations of the "snows", she had seen, she was
well over one hundred years of age. She was very crippled and
blind, but told those whom she trusted enough, to talk to her
in her "own tongue", that she must die in her "home". The
young in her family, venerating their matriarch, made it possible
for her to have her wish.

The Indians instinctively feared having their picures
taken--the belief being that their spirits or souls would be stolen
from them, by the "little black box." After being exposed to
Christian Missionaries, their attitude changed somewhat. They
soon learned that they could ask for, and receive "napias"
(money), by posing for the shutter bugs. Their price soared as
they had more knowledge of the "white man's" economy, and
tourists have been charged quite heavily for being allowed to
pose with a " real live Indian". The tourists were also "built in"
customers for their beaded moccasins, gloves and other
handicrafts.

f^?--^

Joe Murphy, Alex Cruikshank,
and Ankar Amonson in the ce,

Maemie and OIlie Reddington

In the winter of 1898, white men brought smallpox to the
reservation and school at Lemhi, and the Indians having no
natural immunity to the disease, died in great numbers. Their
dead were buried in the cliffs, above the Lemhi River, with full
regalia and ceremonial trappings. In a few years, the white
souvenir hunters, not fearing the disease, dug up and removed
most of the pipes, burial headdresses, and other tribal symbols
that had been placed there at burial. The Indians never returned
to these graves, as they feared the " great sickness" still lived
there.

Events and Incidents Which May Cause Laughter or Tears

No history is complete without relating some of the
incidents^ both funny and sad, that were either experienced, or
were related by those having the privilege of knowing the
characters. Such have been passed down from the older family
menfibers to those of the first, second or perhaps third generation.

One records these as they come to mind, thus they may
not be In exact sequence as to date, place, or time. And in
relating these bits, no offense is meant either to the living or
the dead.

Junction's first Minister was Rev. Dell, who also had the
distinction of being the first minister in Lemhi County.

Dr. Mattaw was the first doctor.

While more is to be related about the schools, Vern Tingley,
as well as Sam Williamson taught in the first schools. Vern, later
became the first school superintendent of Lemhi County.

Cora Reddington, John A. Reddington,
and Elsa Reddington Chandler.

The following is written as it was related to me:

Ladies to the right, gents to the
left ....

About 1910, Ray Tingley, 15 year old son of Abbie and
Vern Tingley was on vacation at the John Reddington ranch.
In the fall, he wished to go back to Boise where he was attending
high school. "Grandma" Reddington suggested he catch a ride
to Red Rock, where he was to board the train, with Uncle Zeph
Yearian who was going there the following day. His mode of
travel was with a one horse cart.

When they arrived at Horse Prairie, Uncle Zeph announced
he was going to fish a few days. There was nothing for Ray
to do, but to trudge on, carrying his two suitcases. Finally a
rancher came along on his way to town for machinery repairs,
and offered Ray a ride.

a-'V-

His only money was a check which Uncle John Reddington
had given for helping with the haying. He tried unsuccessfully
to cash it. The telegraph operator allowed to send a message
to the folks in Boise who wired money back. He tried to get
a room at the hotel but it was full up, but gave him a bed
in a tent.

In the middle of the night two officers of the law came
in the tent, jerked him out of bed, and accused him of stealing
from a farmer nearby. It seems a circus had gone through the
day before, and one of the circus followers had robbed the
farmer. Ray, being a stranger and a young boy, was the one
accused. He finally convinced them that he was not guilty.

John and Maemie Ellis at the Lee Creek
School

The next day he proceeded on his journey, with a somewhat
bitter feeling toward Uncle Zeph, who without notice had
dumped him off in that out of the way place.

Cheryl Chandler, Cora Reddington, and
Steven Chandler, two of her great-grand
children.

One of the saddest incidents occurred in 1883 which
affected the lives of some of Junction's best citizens. The story
follows:

In the winter of 1883, Rock Vezina and his wife, Eliza,
with three small children moved from Bannock to the Horseshoe
Mine on Spring Mountain, near Gilmore.

At the mine, three men worked the day shift, and three
worked the night shift, while Eliza cooked for them. The Vezinas
lived in the "cook house" which was built of logs, twelve inches
in thickness.

It was seven o'clock in the morning, two days before
Christmas. Eliza placed the year old David in his high chair and
sat down at the table to eat her breakfast. The other children,
William, aged five, and Jennie, aged three, were playing in one
corner of the cabin.

Rock was at work when the boss came running to report
that a big snowslide had occurred. The men dropped their tools,
and ran to find Willie and Jennie, in their nightclothes,
barefooted, outside shivering with cold, but unhurt. Willie said:

had been buried, and crushed to death, by the force of the slide.
The men, asleep in the bunkhouse were rescued uninjured.

Jennie grew to womanhood, marrying Ed Denny, Willie
married Amanda Carlson. Mrs. Vezina and little David were
buried at Spring Mountain. Later, the father. Rock remarried.

"Bannister Cemetery Restored by Leadore Grange"

Restoration of the Bannister Cemetery, one of the oldest
in Lemhi County, is being restored by the Leadore Grange,
assisted by the Bureau of Land Management, the County
Commissioners and Mr. Bud Bartlett County Maintenance
Foreman. The program of restoration and renovation includes
construction of a steel post and wire fence and the clearance
of sagebrush from the cemetery area.

The Bannister Cemetery is located ten miles east of Leadore,
near Highway 28, also near the old Bannister Townsite.
Bannister, was a stage station on the road from Junction to
Nicholia and Spring Mountain, both thriving mining towns during
the 1870's and 1880's."

Wilda Vreelond Foyle

"Granny" Vreeland was most colorful, not only a very kind
lady, but one with a bubbling sense of humor. When a friend
or a neighbor needed help, she was always there. She made
gallons of mince meat which she gave to residents of Junction
and neighboring communities. Large delicious loaves of bread
were baked by her, and offered for sale at 10 cents per loaf.
Two stories which point up her wit and humor are recalled for
you to share.

On one occasion, she observed that one of her neighbors
was dressed in such a manner that there was some transparency.
Another neighbor being present. Granny could not resist calling
the view to his attention. So, she requested the lady to bring
her a book from the book shelves, saying that the title had
slipped her mind, but if she would step to the bookcase, perhaps
it might be recalled. As the unsuspecting lady stood there.
Granny said "I know now, it is 'I See Clear Through'." Much
merriment must have resulted, even tho the lady with the
transparent skirt was unaware.

The other time, she had watched Jack Decker, Junction's
grocer, bury his "moonshine". She dug it up, holding the cache
high for him to see. He had a habit of grunting, perhaps
stammering, so while she laughed in glee, he went into his
customary grunting knowing well that she had won the day.

Hattle Grooms came west by train, with her parents at the
age of three. In 1888, with her parents she went to Nicholia,

Lester Allred and John Benedict.

4 generations, Vern, Jerry, Lois, and
Etna Chandler.

Joe Barrows, Jo
of us.

Four generations, Tom Chandler, Elsa
Chandler, Cora Reddington, and Cheryl
Chandler.

and there later they settled on the head waters ot the Lemhi
River. In 1891, she married Thomas Grooms and lived at
Gibbonsville and in 1896 they moved to Bannister where they
worked side by side on their mining claims. In T935 they moved
to Leadore. While working on the claims, she carried the mail
from Gilmore to Bannister for a period of fourteen months, using
snowshoes in the winter. She walked the four miles from Gilmore
to Bannister twice each week, rain or shine. At Leadore, she
walked to town each day. She was a member of the First
Methodist Church at Junction, and of the Susan Clark Circle
at Leadore. She was 92 when she passed away and is buried
in the McRea Cemetery.

During World War I, patriotism was very strong.
Communication was not as it is today so when any outstanding
news did arrive, sentiment ran high and was expressed. Came
the day of the Armistice, one of the lady residents rushed out
of the house, shouting "A/ar is Over", and waving a flag. She
was met in the yard by her husband who in similar excitement,
whipped out his gun, and fired it, the bullet piercing the flag.
Since it was an act of expressing joy at the war's end, no issue
was made of it.

The following is an excerpt from a letter written by Hazel
Ecker (now Mrs. Hazel Hine in April, 1956.)

"I often think of Idaho and the Lemhi Valley, having first
heard of them from my grandfather Stone (Elijah A. Stone) who
was U.S. Indian Agent at Fort Lemhi in the 'airly' days, so
that it did not seem entirely strange when Lenore (my mother)
and I visited Uncle Wilbur Stone in Leadore the summer of 1917.
My brother, Horace, had spent most of a year before that on
Uncle Wilbur's ranch and my sister, Marge, was later to teach
in the Leadore High School.

I remember our overnight stop at the Armstead (Montana)
Inn, the Sacajawea Monument there, and the announcement of
Andy Burnham (conductor of the Gilmore & Pittsburgh
Railroad), 'We are now crossing the Continental Divide'.

Altogether it was an idyllic summer, with Lenore and Uncle
Wilbur happy at being together after so many years, and I am
just happy with the exuberance of youth before life became a
serious matter. We fished at Hawley Creek Canyon, picnicked
with Irene Yearian and family, were dinner guests of Uncle
Wilbur's friends at Fort Lemhi and Gilmore, went dashing about
on canyon roads in the Model T, and one day I even rode the
range to the sheep camp. I had a standing invitation to drop
in at Dr. Hart's drugstore for ice cream (though conscience
prevented me from going too often because it was always "on
the house".) I remember the Saturday night movies with dance
following, and a young rancher named Lawrence McFarland who
kindly offered to see me home-but Uncle Wilbur dragged me
away with him and Lenore on the stroke of eleven.

Lenore and I loved the mountains around Leadore especially
when they loomed purple in the twilight.

Boys and girls of those days were not so very different than
the youngsters now.

There probably isn't a girl of any of the families mentioned
who did not hate long underwear, ugly brown or black cotton
stockings, and black sateen bloomers. High button shoes were
31

"something else ". Too what girl did not show delight at her first
pair of slippers, and when high heels were allowed, the world
was her "oyster".

Boys indulged in smoking even as they do now. What boy,
or even a girl or two, did not puff away on driftwood, or roll
his own using leaves or even barnyard dust.

An incident is recalled in the boyhood of John Reddington,
now familiarly known as "Buck". He, with Jim Stroud, had had
a busy day at play, and some exploration of Junction. Buck
arrived home very pale and very sick. He sought refuge by lying
down on the floor, back of the stove. After a miserable time,
his worry overcame his better judgment, so he pitifully inquired
of his mother (Cora)--"Does any body ever die from chewing
tobacco?"

On an occasion when my brother John was needed at home,
his daughter Olive was sent to find him. After inquiries at several
places, she stopped in front of the saloon, asking Joe Bush,
standing near by, if he knew where her papa might b^. He told
her that he was in the "Dew Drop Inn", and Olive promptly
remarked: "You tell him to do drop out."

Some of the great cattle herds in Idaho were found in Lemhi
County. Today's finest registered herds were begun by the early
settlers, and these herds fed on the lush ranges of the upper
valley.

Among those who "rode the range", "bulldogged the
doggies", and really lived such as portrayed by the TV Westerns
were: Mike Myers, Newt Cooper, Alec Cruikshank, Don, Leo,
and Mac Pyeatt, Will Reese, Joe Murphy, Dolph Tillotson, Oscar
Amonson and George Barrows.

The Myers cabin and "Cruikies" place up Railroad Canyon
were their headquarters. Sour dough, salt back, coffee and cold
soda biscuits were their fare. Through sun and rain, these men
cared for their cattle from Queenie Lane to Yearian Creek.

visit a little while, take the merchandise or list. In crossing the
pass to Horse Prarie, the little train traversed next to the last
"Y" switchback in the United States. In the winter, the crew
and passengers all fell to and shoveled the G and P three drifts
over the Y.

The railroad was owned by the Northern Pacific, and
although it was named the Gilmore and Pittsburgh, it was soon
affectionately known as the "Get Out and Push."

The train hauled the cattle from the Lemhi Valley to the
railhead in Armstead, where connections were made to the
market in Ogden, Denver, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Chicago.

George Shoup, Charles Norton, Walter Brown, Don Pyeatt
and Morris Cottom were among those who built nationally
known herds of fine breeding stock.

LEADORE. IDAHO

The Gateway to the Great
SalrT)O0 Klver Couotry

The first cattle were driven into the valley from Montana,
or Corinne, Utah and were a bunch of tough brackle-faced
longhorns. After 1910, the government started allocating range
rights, and most of the ranchers decided to up grade the quality
of their cattle, and to sacrifice quantity.

Marketable cattle had been trailed to Red Rock, Montana,
to be loaded into freight cars for shipment to Eastern markets.

Pasture land was bought, fences were built and the day of
the cowboy was over. The range cow gave way to the purebred
dam, and fine blooded breeding bulls. Most of them were now
kept on the home places. Rivalry grew between the "white face"
people and the "shorthorn" producers.

With the advent of the railroad, the cattle business went
through another transition. Three times a week, the G and P
made its run from Salmon to Armstead, Montana, hauling cattle
out coal in, all needed supplies, and there was a passenger car.
Each rancher who wanted to mail a letter, send out a can of
cream, or to send a list of needed parts to the merchants in
Salmon, waited by the tracks.

Ed Hincs, Andy Burnham, Ed Lambert, Kenneth Yearian,
or whomever might be at the controls, would stop the train.

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rH-£;=''s3:H """"°""" '" IDAHO

•TMEOATECITY ■■

MRS. ROLL DENNY

.KEATING

Leadore Barber Shop

W. F. STONE'S

Reddington Roundup at Trail Creek

G & P engine arriving at the station.

Nostalgia for the old days on the range went to the grave
with the cowboys. His rope, saddle, rifle, chaps and his horse
were his most prized possessions. Many hours were passed,
remembering "this old cutting horse" or "that old roping horse".
Most of the stories told of the cowboy days, lose too much
by editing the vernacular, to be repeated here.

A way of life, a breed of men, and a phase of history,
passed into memory, with the advent of the Iron Horse,
government control and restriction. But from this early beginning
came a large portion of Idaho's wealth and industry.

In addition to the cowboys mentioned by Mrs. Baker, there
were Ike and Bronco Bill Williams, Sam Shelley, George Shelley
and Joe Barrows.

The Williams girls, Nettie, Dolly and Grace were fine
horsewomen, and rated nearly as "good as a man" breaking
horses or "bronc busters".

The following letter, received by me, when I sought
information on the Upper Valley schools, speaks for itself:

"Dear Friend:

Am enclosing four pictures, the one of Herb Hays and wife,
please return. The other three, you may keep, if you choose.
The one of my father and mother, is in front of the first house
they had on the ranch, with dirt floor. The other one was their
home all their lives. It was first just logs, then they put on siding,
and plastered inside. The other is Georgia holding our boy, which
we lost at two and one half years of age.

I feel at a disadvantage writing to you, since you are such
a good penman, Clair. In school, they made me write with my
right hand, but I was naturally left handed and I was taught
vertical, backhand, and Spencerian, the latter I never could get
the swing of. Even though, I took penmanship at Commercial
College, and when I studied pharmacy, too.

Just to pass the time, I am going to tell you, Clair, of early
day schools in our District. The school house was a log cabin,
located a short distance from our house, near the river bank.

There was plenty of brush along the river, and they had
no outhouses, so it was girls to the right, and boys to the left.
Imagine that. "In later years, my dad a trustee, and some of
the teachers put up a howl the way things were, and my dad
said-' It was good enough for my Nelie (Neler) so it's good
enough for you' Oh, Boy! Ha!

I used to go and build the fires for the teacher, two fires
for a nickel. Well, by golly, it kept me in chewing tobacco in
good shape.

Now, then, I'll tell you just how hard it was for me to
get what education I have. First, my dad kept me out of school
to help feed the cattle. I drove the team and load the hay, which
he pitched in, on and off. They had only from three to six month
terms, so my being out, I had to bring my books home to study.
I was eighteen before I finished the eighth grade, and that was
the year they graded the schools in the County, and I was
studying from about third grade to high school subjects. I was

bad in spelling and grammar. The teacher stayed at our house,
so they taught me high school work, and gave me examinations
in the various subjects.

So I kept my exam papers, and went to commercial school
in San Jose, California the year 1906, completed the course there,
and the following year, I went to Valparaiso, Indiana, to study
pharmacy. Now they required two years high school to enter.
When I showed the Professor my high school test and commercial
diploma, he looked me over and said: ' Anybody who wants
an education as bad as you, I'm giving you a chance'. So I got
my Pharmacy Diploma in two school terms. Clair, isn't that a
fabulous old time story.

One thing I'd add about Valpo, there were around 5000
there, and they had two large dining halls. The average cost per
meal was only 7f , not very good chow, so twenty of us got
a private boarding place for $2.00 per week, and good eats, too.

Kids of today never had it so good, buses, free milk for
the undernourished, etc.

I hear from Emma jane and Bertha now and then. They
worry about Phil. He has cough, maybe TB. They say he is so
weak, he can hardly fill his water master's job.

You know we have always been very close since kids |
together. I came close to being " sweetie pie " with Jane. Went 1
to dances, picnics and E. J. used to come down and ride the
range together. I took her up Hayden Creek Way, places where
there are no signs of man being there before. |

What a rich life we had, enjoying God's World! We were I
all poor then, including you and Frank, but so rich in our
destinies God has given us to enjoy.

Some time, I'll send you one of Bertha's letters. She is about
perfect in composing a friendly letter.

Hope you can decipher this scribbling all out.

Be good and keep happy and well!

"The Loaners"
Don j. Pyeatt
P.S. Give me an "A" for effort, Clair, Please! D"

Relative to the story in Mr. Pyeatt's letter about 'girls to
the right, boys to the left'; one of the former Trustees of that
District told the following about T. B. Pyeatt, also a Trustee.
It seems that after a visit of the County School Superintendent
to that school, Mr. Pyeatt received a letter regarding the
superintendent's findings and among the things found to be
necessary, was that out houses (or privies) must be built. i
Mr. Pyeatt mounted his horse, slapping the horse's neck from
side to side, rode in haste to the home of one of the Trustees.
Waving the letter in her face, he said: 'just look a this-Now
there's forty acres of ' willers' there, and if they are good enough
for my Nelie, they are good enough for these kids.'

A prank of Don Pyeatt and Ross Tobias played on George
Yearian, known as 'Rabbit George' is related that George carrying
the mail from Junction to the lower valley, approached the bridge
crossing the Lemhi. Here he saw a hat rise up, and as it did

the horses bolted, scattering mail and George about. The boys
had placed the hat on a pole, hiding under the bridge, decided
to play a joke on George. Fortunately he was not injured, but
upon returning home, and being questioned as to his whereabouts
and actions that day, Don stated he really 'look a whipping.'
It is possible his father, T. B. had cut a sapling from that 40 acres
of ' willers'!

So I bring the events and incidents to an end. If I have
caused one smile, or awakened other memories, it is reward

Afterword

Traveling north today on Highway 28, one sees the result
of those brave settlers, who came to the Upper Lemhi Valley.
Only a few log cabins, mostly abandoned, remain. In their place
are modern homes, equipped with all the appliances made
possible by the building of power and telephone lines through
the valley. Fields are thickly dotted by fat cattle of various
breeds.

The road, the roadbed of the railroad discontinued in 1939,
is a far cry from the winding dirt road, dusty when dry, rutted
when wet, that traversed the valley, crossing and recrossing the
Lemhi River, from Junction to Salmon. People rush along,
thinking very little of, or even knowing, the amount of effort
put forth by those people of yesteryear. Too, there is an airport
where small craft may land.

You ask about junction. It lies quietly, with only the" high
house" standing, as tho awaiting the coming of the Reddington
heirs, who now own the townsite. Probably they will build
summer homes there, and who knows. Junction may once more
appear on the maps of Idaho. The quietness, seemingly waiting,
makes one think how very still the valley lies when covered by
the snows of winter.

The upper valley is a prosperous spot, made possible by
those early settlers who came with faith, labored and made life
worthwhile.

I unction, Idaho

4 i ILUUSTRATEO - EASTER - IMUIVIBER i 1>

COME TO LEMHI!

C'omt Wc!.>--1.. Hah,

Ijie f cmiji ll^falii. ISi

OUR LOCAL INDUSTRIES:

/^UR LO»AL INDUSTRIES ARK; ANOTHER Hfn; HKAVEN '

3000 SO. ML OF GOLO

A COMING COEUR D'ALENE

ABOUNDING FAITH IN LEMHI I -

BEST HDVERTISIIG MEDIUM IN LEMHI COUir

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SOME MINES ABOUT THIS CITY

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THE TOWN OF JUNCTION, IDAHO

iBell on the Mioing Industry

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THE PROSPECTS OF A RAILROAD

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MAP or

LEMHI COUNTY

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M. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962