Payette's First Flag, Bodies found in Payette County - 1940, Sheriffs of Payette County 1917-2005, New Plymouth city officials 1896 to 1986, Payette County's first minister, schools,....
Payette County ID Archives History - Letters ...
*** For more Payette County history and archives please visit the US GenWeb Archives site at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/id/payette/payette.htm - this link will take you to everything our researchers have made available online. ***
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com December 29, 2005, 9:26 pm
Book Title: Story of Payette’s First Flag. 1935
This is a story of Payette’s first flag taken by Dora McKinney in notes from an address given by Mrs. D. C. Chase before the Portia Club, Jan. 22, 1935. Forty-five years after the event had taken place, Mrs. Chase described her experiences in making the first flag ever flown in Payette, on the occasion of Idaho being admitted into the Union of States, July 3rd, 1890.
After the Oregon Short line Railroad was built thru Idaho, it was the custom of officials of the road to make frequent trips over the line, carefully noting settlers trails near their right-of-way, and where conditions in such places were promising, they ordered side-tracks built. Such a side-track was ordered built on the south side of the Payette River, near the site of the present alfalfa mill. David Gorrie had taken up a desert claim of 160 acres where the town of Payette now stands, and with an eye to the future, he offered the railroad a free building site if they would come across the north side of the river, which they eventually did.
As the story continues, Mr. Chase, who with his family resided in Pocatello, had accompanied the officials on several inspection trips thru western Idaho and was so favorably impressed with the future possibilities of this section that he asked to be sent to Payette as an agent when the station should be completed. This was done and the Chases came to Payette in 1886.
On July 3rd, 1890, the news came over the telegraph wires to the lonely railroad stations scattered thru the territory that Idaho had been admitted into the great Union of States. It seemed to the family living in the tiny station at Payette that this event called for a patriotic observance of some kind. Mrs. Chase tells how her husband came in saying, “Do you suppose we can find a flag in town? We must celebrate!” She then went over to A. B. Moss & Bro.’s store and also to the store of D. S. Lamme which stood in the old part of town called Boomerang (so named because of a boom in the river for holding railroad ties) looking for a flag, but she was unsuccessful. There was no flag in Payette.
Deciding they would have to make a flag if they had one they searched high and low for a picture to be used as a guide and finally Mr. Chase found one in a small pocket dictionary. Mrs. Chase then returned to Moss Brothers store and purchased one and a half yards of bleached muslin, one and a half yards of turkey red calico, and three fourths of a yard of heavy blue flannel, as she was unable to get any plain blue calico. She was then ready to go to work.
Mrs. Chase spoke of the difficulty of making five pointed stars, which she made after a pattern cut from paper. She stitched the red and white strips together, turning them over and double stitching them so there would be no rough seams. She then placed the blue flannel field of the flag on the floor, and fitted the forty-three bleached muslin stars—the forty-third being Idaho—onto it, basted them down, and then stitched them on the sewing machine on both sides. After adding the red and white stripes to the blue field, Mrs. Chase took the scissors and snipped away the blue flannel from behind each star so that they showed white on both sides. Mr. Chase found a timber in the station freight room which he dressed down into a flag pole about ten feet in length and mounted the flag, which when completed, measured thirty-six by fifty-four inches with a blue field twenty-two by twenty-four inches.
The Chases had worked until three o’clock in the morning before the flag was finished, and Mrs. Chase states that tho worn and weary, she has never made anything which she surveyed with such pride and satisfaction as she did that flag on July 4th, 1890. It might be imagined that the heavy flannel combined with calico and muslin, would have looked rough and bulky, but Mrs. Chase stated that when the flag was mounted on the station and fluttering in the breeze, the difference in the materials could never be detected.
Later the Chases purchased a flag, and they then loaned their old flag to the school for entertainments, celebrations, etc., and it was following an entertainment in Lamme’s Hall, that the old flag must have been thrown out by mistake and burned with the trash as it was never returned to them and all trace of it was lost.
The Chase house can still be found at the corner of 3rd Ave North and North 9th ST. The Portia Club, which Mrs. Chase helped to found, had been refurbished by members of the community and is available to rent for parties and events.
Payette County ID Archives History .....Payette County Sheriff's Investigation--Unidentified Bodies Found 1940
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com February 22, 2006, 2:38 am
Book Title: REPORT ON BODIES FOUND IN LANGLEY GULTCH, AT NEW PLYMOUTH
Friday October 11, 1940, time 1 P. M.
Mr. Vernon construction foreman on Black Canyon, notified Sheriff’s Office that a body had been uncovered by Carry-All which was digging a waist ditch in Langly Gulch, Payette County Corner Edith Landon, County Dr. C. C. Paxton, Sheriff Harry H. Muir, Deputy Sheriff Harold Perry and State Police Nichols From Emmett arrived at seen about 2 P. M. and found bodies partly uncovered, the balance was dug out piece by piece and all available evedence including pieces of clothing one celoid comb in lether case and a quanity of auburn brown hair with a strong redish cast. Body was buried about 1 ½ ft. below surface in dry creek bottom on hard pan, the sand on top being very course and sandy. Skull showed very plain to have been crushed by some heavy blow that crushed the skull which indicated murder had been commited before burial. Body appeared to be wraped in a home made piece quilt which was tied with yellow yard, there also was a piece of nit material which looked like a red wosterd sweater, the teeth were very good no dental work, wisdom teeth not yet formed. Remains were brought to Sheriff’s Office for further study to determan and investigation. (Written in the margin is ‘woman 5 ft. 3’)
Friday 11, 1940, time 11 P. M. night crew working on same carry-all on covered another body about 70 Ft. North of first one, Reclimation inspector Emanul called Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Muir, Mrs. Landon Corner, and deputy Perry arrived at seen about 12 P. M. and found conditions similar to first case except this one was burred about 20 feet from dry creek bed in 2 ft. of dry sand and had been wraped in mattress quilt and blanket and was in a less stage of decay. It also appeared to had on a coat as the cloth appeared to be all around the arms. The hair found with this body was a Med. Brown rather course and strait. The teeth appeared very good with no dential work and the wisdom teeth were well formed. After gathering all available evidence the remains was brought to the sheriff office for further investigation.(The words ‘rather course and strait’ are crossed out. In the margin is written-‘sandy brown indicating blue eyes, lite complex-big man 5 ft. 11’)
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFFCRIMINAL COURTS BUILDINGDALLAS, TEXAS October the 14, 1940 Mr. Harry M. MuirSheriff,Payette, Idaho Re: RICHARDSON, ArdelleMissing Person. Description:Age 34; weight 105; heighth 5’ 3”; brown eyes; light complexion; henna red hair.1 badly crowded tooth on right side near eye tooth.Small mole on cheek.
Dear Sheriff: This woman has been a missing person for the past twelve months. Her mother read the article in the paper of an unidentified woman found in your county, and, over this period of time, she has no idea how her daughter might be dressed, and has no further description that might assist you in identifying this girl. She was suppose to have left Dallas with a man by the name of James Carter alias Slim. Would you be kind enough to compare what meager description I have given you, and if by any chance it fits with the woman found there, kindly advise this department. JED:T Very truly yours, R. A. SCHMID, SHERIFF
BY J. E. DeckerJ. E. Decker, Chief Deputy October 15, 1940 Bureau of InvestigationU. S. Dept. of JusticeWashington D. C. Dear Sirs; We have two bodys or skeletons recently dug up by a crew digging a drain ditch, which we would like some information as to the proper way to transmit to the F. B. I. laboratory for investigation. The bones and clothing on one is dry enough to handle, but the other is rather green and the blankets parts of clothing ect. are more of a problem. We also wondered if the whole thing should all be snet or just part like the skull. From the chart in bulletin Vol. 8 No. 8 Aug. 1, 1939 we think the one is a woman 5’ 3” in height, and the other a man 5’ 11” and they also show evidence of being murdered. Inclosed is the report from our first findings. Apprecative of any assistance you may be able to give us. Yours truly, Harry H. Muir, Sheriff
October 16, 1940 Mr. R. M. ShawSalem, Oregon Dear Mrs Shaw; Am glad to inform you that the bodys we found would have been impossible to be your daughter, as they have been buried for at least one year and maby five, We are keeping a discription of your daughter, and will keep it in mind in the future. Yours truly, Harry H. Muir, Sheriff
October 17, 1940 Mr. R. A. Schmid, SheriffDallas CountyDallas, Texas Re; Ardella Richardson Missing Person Dear Sheriff; Will give you what information we have at the present, the womans body or skeleton was taken from a dry creek bed and was covered with 1 ½ Ft. of sand, it appeared to be wrapped in a home made piece quilt of which there was only a few pieces left, the rest deteriorating with the body. The hair is auburn with a redish cast, with a natural curl and rather short. The teeth are well formed and even, the upper jaw is short one tooth in front, which may have been pulled in youth, to keep the rest from crowding, this leaves 13 teeth in the uppers, the wisdom teeth either pulled or not yet formed. The lower jaw has a full set of 14 in number with a slight crowding of the right eye tooth. We have determined the height to be 5’ 3”, weight unknown, intend to take picture of the jaws and teeth, and will be glad to send one if you think necessary, It is our opinion that it has been buried two years or more which would tend to eliminate Miss Richardson. We also have a man found the same day buried seventy feet from the woman, which we think was buried at the same time, also wraped in a blanket, quilt and light mattress, this man was 5’ 11” with dark brown hair, and a set of teeth with no dential work, with the wisdom teeth just starting to come through one having a bad cavity but no filling. Intent to have both checked by the F. B. I. which will give us more information, in the mean time will be glad to give any information we can. Yours truly, Harry H. Muir, Sheriff
Salt Lake CountyOFFICE OF SHERIFFSalt Lake City, Utah STATE OF CALIFORNIADEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLESCALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROLE. RAYMOND CATO, CHIEFSACRAMENTO November 4, 1940 Mr. Harry H. Muir, SheriffPayette County, Payette, Idaho Attn: Harold Perry, Deputy Dear Sheriff: With reference to your communication of October 28th regarding two bodies found near New Plymouth, Idaho. A preliminary search of our files fails to locate either of these parties as missing from this State, however we would appreciate receiving further information in order that we may more thoroughly check our records. Can you furnish us with the approximate age and weight of the woman, a description of her wearing apparel and any jewelery she may have been wearing. With reference to the man we would appreciate information regarding his approximate age and weight, description of other clothing or jewelery, make and size of leather coat and size and make of shoes, and any other information you may have regarding this case. Yours very truly, E. RAYMOND CATO, CHIEFCALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL
By Fred. J. BlyFred J. Bly, Supervising Inspector Bureau of Auto Theft & Investigations STATE OF OREGONDepartment of State PoliceHEADQUARTERSSALEM November 8, 1940 Mr. Harry H. Muir, SheriffPayette CountyPayette, Idaho Dear Sirs: The information contained in your recent bulletin relative discovery of two bodies near New Plymouth, Idaho, was given to all members of the department. A search of our records and inquiry of other agencies has failed to disclose information that would assist in identifying these cadavers. Should any information be received later we will advise. Yours very truly, CHARLES P. PRAY, Superintendent By Deputy Superintendent LMB:JS
November 9, 1940 E. Raymond Cato, ChiefCalifornia Highway PatrolSacramento, Calif. Att: Fred J. Bly, Supervising InspectorBureau of Auto Theft & Investigation Dear Mr. Cato; With reference to you letter, inquiring for additional information on the bodies which were found near New Plymouth, Idaho, the condition of the bodies and clothing makes it impossible for us to give you an accurate reply. It is our intention to send them to the labrotary at Washington where we believe this information can be determined and we will be glad to pass this report on to you when received. However will give you our opinion on the questions as far as possible. We think the woman was about 25 years of age, around 115 to 125 Lbs. And the only parts of clothing seemed to be part of a red wostred sweeter, her hair may have been henna dyed as the long ends were more red than next to the head, as to jewelery were unable to find any, the only thing buried with her was a mans pocket comb in a leather case. The mans weight may be been around 200 lbs. as every thing indicated he was a large man, with alarge foot as the shoes were size 11 with fairly broad toe of the round type, will inclose a piece of the pant cloth for you to examine, the only jewelry was a cigarette lighter of the flat type, with the picture of a cowboy mounted leading a pack horse, believe his age to be around 30 years, make of shoes not known. Thanking you kindly for helping to solve this case. Yours truly, Harry H. Muir, Sheriff By,Harold Perry, Deputy
November 12, 1940 Federal Bureau of Invg.Washington, D. C. Dear Sirs; We are mailing you under separate cover, the clothing and articles found buried near the bodies we uncovered near New Plymouth Idaho on October 11, 1940, will send you the skeletons in a few days, as we have not found any evidence of who they might be. We are sending two packages all taken from the same hole except the envelope, containing the under shirt and shorts which was taken from the grave with the skeleton of the man. Thanking you for any information you can give us. Yours truly, Harry H. Muir, Sheriff By,________________ r to our letter Oct, 20For reference, refe r
November 15th, 1940 Re:-Unidentified Bodies Henry MuirSheriff,Payette,Idaho. Dear Sheriff:- The Salt Lake Police Department called me today and told me of the two bodies that you have uncovered in your county. I am making every possible check that I can on my records of Missing Persons. Sheriff is there no way that you could determine the ages of these bodies? If you have any pictures of the bodies, I would appreciate that you would furnish me with them. We will do everything that we can to aid you in establishing the identity of these bodies. Trusting that the above will meet with your approval, I remain, Yours truly, R. C. Jackson R. C. Jackson, Deputy Sheriff, Criminal Dept., Officer in Charge of Missing Persons Bureau.
PAYETTE COUNTY, IDAHOOFFICE OF THE SHERIFFPAYETTE, IDAHO Harry H. Muir-SheriffClay Killebrew-Deputy DESK REPORT Reported by-Harry H. MuirSubject: Burial of BodiesDate: January 7, 1940 (s/b 1941) Details: The two bodies found in Langly Gulch near New Plymouth Idaho Were turned over the Mr. Brooks, Sexton of River Side Cemetery, For burial, The Lady was marked on the box as Lady X, and The Man Mr. A. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/history/other/payettec20gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 12.1 Kb
Book Title: Sheriff’s of Payette County, Idaho1917-2005
J. H. Hanigan-1917-1919 John Jefferies-1919-1927 J. C. Stewart-1927-1937 Cecil Rose-1937-1939 Harry Muir-1939-1941 Ernest Vaughn-1941-1944 Harold Gurnsey-1944-1945 Ray Stevens-1945-1965 Richard Hayes-1965-1981 Robert Barowski-1981-2005
File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/history/other/sheriffs17gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 0.9 Kb
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com November 3, 2005, 11:25 pm
Book Title: New Plymouth City Officials February 15, 1896
New Plymouth Colony Company, Limited Directors: J. E. Burns J. M. Shaw C. B. Coxe C. S. Loveland J. W. Lill A. C. Ringer B. P. Shawhan Notary public: J. H. Shawhan
December 12, 1900 New Plymouth Land And Colonization Company, Limited Directors: H. M. Greene -Ogden, Utah C. E. Brainarn -Ogden, Utah A. B. Moss - Payette P. A. Devers - Payette J. J. Richards - Boise Notary public: Walter S. Walker
October 19, 1908 Village Of New Plymouth, Idaho Trustees: Arthur Meyer George Ackerman B. F. Swatman P. R. Ketcham C. W. Phillips Clerk - George Blayden Chairman - Arthur Meyer
March 22, 1948 City Of New Plymouth Mayor - Phil Roney - served as Chairman of the Village Board then acted as Mayor until official elections were held and new city officials were seated. City Clerk - Pat Hurrle
Village Of New Plymouth Chairman Of Village Board Of Trustee 1908 - Arthur Meyer 1913 - J. F. LaCrone 1915 - H. F. Knight 1919 - George Ackerman 1921 - A. R. Ingalls 1925 - W. P. Ackerman 1933 - C. F. Eder 1943 - Clyde Mackinson 1947 - Philip Roney - Acted as Mayor until official election was held.
City Of New Plymouth Mayor Elect 1949 - Ned Gard 1951 - C. H. Galvin 1953 - Philip Roney 1955 - John Stafford 1957 - E. A. Harvey 1964 - James Tipton 1966 - Lowell Simonson 1969 - Frank Robinson 1970 - Paul Gilmore 1974 - Lowell Simonson 1978 - Richard Platz 1982 -Richard Platz 1986 - Richard Platz
File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/history/other/newplymo9gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 2.0 Kb
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com January 17, 2006, 10:29 pm
Book Title: Letter By A. J. McFarland Written January 19, 1924 New Plymouth, Idaho January 19, 1924.
Dear Friends, Robert, Hugh and Sammy Kennedy.
I have been thinking of the past, and especially of you and your family and concluded I should write you a letter. I came here to Idaho in the spring of 1868, in May as I had a sister living here at that time, and I found that there was but one Christian here in the Payette Valley from the Snake River up to above the Horse Shoe Bend. That one Christian was old Mr. Sammy Applegate. I talked the matter over with him and told him if I staid here we must have a change. I went to Idaho City and taught school there three years and came back here again. I bought out my brother-in-law and had a store here and took possession of the store on Jan. 1, 1871.
I wrote to Ogden Utah to the M. E. Conference. I told them how we were situated, and that we must have a minister sent here to preach. They sent me the name and address of a man who said he would come and preach. I wrote him. He answered my letter and came soon after. His name was Rev. G. Allender and his good wife. They lived here with me for eight years. He was a good man and began to preach here in the valley and in Emmett and Payette and Weiser. In the fall he held revival meetings here at our school house which was on the Ervin or Moore ranch. The meetings lasted three weeks and 44 were converted. Among them was Peter Pence and his wife, D. Bivens and his wife and 8 grown children, John Neal and wife and 7 children, Robert Kennedy and wife, Cash Nichols, G. W. Hunt and wife, Mrs. Groves, Mr. Youtsler and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Nichols and others, in all 44 persons. The first one converted was Mrs. Peter Pence. From the meetings at first she said she wanted to be converted. She waited until the minister asked her to pray and tell God what she wanted. She told God what she wanted him to pardon all her sins. After her prayer she said I thank you for forgiving all my sins. She did look very happy and told everybody so. Then many of the people were converted, among them Mr. and Mrs. King.
Since that time many of them have died. Among them was Bivens, whom I think was the first. The day he died the house was full. He greeted them all and called them by and said he was dying and it was the happiest day of his life, and bid them “good-bye”.
Now you boys (Kennedy) know that your parents are gone and I think if you could hear from your mother, she would say “do start in and live Christian lives. Give your hearts to God. And ask him to help you live the life of Christians.” I know your good mother was a true Christian. I think Anna is a Christian and I hope you will become one too and be an unbroken family. I do hope to hear each of you have become Christians. I hope that each of you have started out to do what God desires of you to do and that is to live faithful and to look to Him for grace.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com February 20, 2006, 2:23 am
Book Title: State Normal School
G. A. Axline, President
Albion, Idaho
March 26, 1912,
To Whom It May Concern:-
This is to certify that Miss Mildred Dressler is a graduate of the Payette high school and will graduate from this institution this year. Miss Dressler has been in my classes in Education and Sociology during the year and I found her to be a good student. She teaches well in the training school and she is good in discipline. She has taken active interest in the literary work of the institution and has proven herself capable in that direction.
I believe Miss Dressler will teach a good school wherever she may be employed. She is interested in school affairs and also takes an active part in the social and Christian organizations of the school. Her character is above reproach in every way.
I cheerfully recommend Miss Dressler to any school.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com February 20, 2006, 2:25 am
Book Title: State Normal School
G. A. Axline, President
Albion, Idaho
April 1, 1912
To Whom It May Concern:-
Miss Mildred Dressler will complete her course of two years’ work above the high school this June and will receive her diploma which is a life certificate to teach in the schools of Idaho.
Miss Dressler has proven herself a good student and a good teacher in the training school. I believe that she will make a firstclass teacher and do not hesitate to recommend her to any board in need of her services.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com October 19, 2006, 1:52 am
Book Title: Original Colony Homes (New Plymouth) By Miss Daisy Mason 1935
One of the original colony houses still stands today just as it was built 40 years ago. It is the cabin on the J. R. Ingals lot, next door to Mrs. Ingall’s home, which was formerly owned by J. B. Field, one of the original colonists. The houses occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Tuttle, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Burke and Mr. and Mrs. Alec Castles were among the first real homes built in the town.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com October 19, 2006, 1:46 am
Book Title: SCHOOLS Written in 1935 by Miss Daisy Mason In 1896 when the N. P. Colony was settled, a town hall and a water office were built, but no school house. So for five years the Town Hall became the school house. This building was located about where the bakery is now. Across the street and north of the vacant lot near the post office was the Water Office. During the year a store was built a short distance north of Town Hall. The Post office was in the store also.
The first settlers in the Payette Valley located near the river and creeks. They never dreamed that land farther away from the river would be settled some day. Some of the people just north of the colony belonged in the district down on the river. But this was such a long distance to go they were allowed to the school in the colony providing they furnished their own desks. This was easily done since all the desks had been made by a carpenter and lacked paint and varnish. They were made so they could be moved as the Town Hall was not always just a school house. The school district near the river later became part of the New Plymouth district.
The first teacher was a young man from Iowa. Some high school subjects were taught as well as all the grade subjects, but the next year high school work was not given.
The next year, 1897, Mr. D. A. Clemens of Tennessee who had bought ten acres in the colony taught the school. Mr. Clemens was a Presbyterian minister and sometimes was the minister in the Town Hall Sunday morning. Later on he was a mathmatics instructor at Caldwell College.
Miss Stovel, another original colonist, was one of the early teachers. She and Miss Veasey lived in a cottage on the lot where the Crawford home is. Some of the material used in constructing their house came from the Chicago Exposition. At one time Miss Veasey and Miss Stovel had the post office and store.
Miss Helen Gillespie was the first Caldwell College graduate to teach in N. P.
Miss Ida Schenck of Caldwell was one of the first five teachers in the Colony. Some weekends she rode home horseback or relatives came after her with a team and buggy.
Miss Lena Whiffin was another Caldwell girl who taught in the old hall.
The boarding place for out of town teachers was grandma Burn’s home. This is now the George Ackerman house. Mr. Burns, a retired Methodist minister, had built the house himself.
In 1904 the little brick school house was built. One of the school board members, Mr. Rose, thought it was entirely too big. Walter Burke and Joe Mason were the other members of the board. Two teachers were now employed, Mr. Hambleton and Miss Kitty Ransom, now Mrs. Rustin Shaw.
The new school house meant a great deal to the people of the colony. To have it as the Community Bldg now quite fits in with the place it occupied in the early history of the town.
*** For more Payette County history and archives please visit the US GenWeb Archives site at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/id/payette/payette.htm - this link will take you to everything our researchers have made available online. ***
All text and photos not otherwise attributed are provided by museum volunteer and web designer Lucinda Sutherland of Payette, Idaho. E-mail your comments to Sutherland at lucisept61@yahoo.com .
