Skeletons, Murder, Train Wrecks, A Female Doctor, Pranks, Divorce, even a Traffic Survey!
Source: clipping from the Independent-Enterprise dated Thursday, October 17, 1957
Column titled “Among my Souvenirs”
By Mae Gilmore, Payette Historian
Workmen excavating for a celler where the new house of J. C. Neeley, near Weiser, is to be built, discovered parts of a skeleton of a woman. By careful digging the entire skeleton was unearthed and was taken to the Northam & McCann undertaking parlors and they had the skeleton patched up. It was the skeleton of a woman, white, about 135 lbs. The finding of this skeleton produced very little speculation and it was considered only an accident that the bones had been found after about fifty years.
Then, Monday morning the workman discovered two more skulls right where the first one had been discovered; these were women. Tuesday morning a representative of the Signal went out to the Neeley property and carefully examined the ground and the character of the country. The place where the bones were found are located on a high point and shows strange formations. There had been a hole dug in the ground two and a half feet in diameter, this extended into the ground at least six feet, at that depth the opening spread rapidly and the limitation on the side of the underground cave is not known at this time. By digging four feet, the bottom of the artificial cave was discovered. The strange part about it was that a concrete bottom had been placed there. The composition is made of cement and gravel about the size of a man’s fist. No digging was done below the concrete top or bottom so nothing is known what lies below the burying ground. Above this floor was found four more skeletons, they had evidently been thrown in without regard for the way they lit or remained. The trunks and limbs crossed each other in the utmost confusion. These bones had been here for years before the first ones found had been placed there. They were all white women.
The soil showed that the people had worn clothes when they died or were buried or whatever happened to them. That they were not in the most flourishing condition financially is evidenced by the fact that none of them wore jewelry of any kind. This might also prove, however, that they had been robbed and murdered, as it would be hard to find seven people who would be together none of whom had any jewelry about their person. Not even a silver ring was found. The bones dug up by the Signal reporter were in such a decomposed condition that as soon as the light and air were turned on them they crumbled into dust. How many bones are left in the unexplored part of the cavern is a surmise only.
Was this the home once of some modern Blue Beard? The victims were all white women.
Did a band of outlaws operate in an early day, and dispose of their victims? No gold or silver ornaments were found. Why is the floor cemented on the bottom? Was it a cellar? Did the victims flee to this place for safety and perish of starvation? Where were the men? Who knows the answer?
It is reported that at one time a road house known as the “Hull House” was located at about this spot. Did the owner of this place know the secret of this celler? The location of this ground with its untold secret is about a mile on the Sunnyside road and is just east of the present residence of Mr. Neeley about 200 feet.
Speculation is rife concerning what is below the concrete floor and where the concrete came from for the construction of a floor or wall of this kind. Is there untold wealth under the stone roof? It sounds hollow when struck with any solid instrument.
Will the answer be made known or will the story remain locked in the sandy earth with its unnumbered and voiceless dead?
The old foot hill road between Weiser and Payette passed within a few feet of this location.
Mention of “the Signal” would be the Weiser Signal which later merged with The American to become the Weiser Signal-American newspaper. Spelling and grammar were left as printed in the clipping. Mae Gilmore was a much-respected historian of both Payette and Washington County. Biographical information and her obituary can be found at http://payettecounty.info/bios/gilmoremae.html . Thanks to Traci Hilton for drawing our attention to this informaion about Mae Gilmore.
The Weiser Signal September 28, 1893 The Weiser Signal Weiser, Idaho Thursday, September 28, 1893 A Ghastly Find on the Payette. Independent.
On Monday last W. E. Redington, who resides on the bench about five miles south of Payette, made a discovery that unquestionably points to one of those dark tragedies that made this portion of Idaho dangerous ground for the white man to traverse a few years ago. In the bank of a large gulch a short distance this side of his place, Mr. Redington saw protruding from the sand what he took to be a human bone and curiosity lead him to make an investigation. On removing some of the earth he found three skulls and portions of three human skeletons. They were all laying face downward as if they had fallen forward while ascending the hillside from a spring near by, and had evidently been covered by the sand and soil which the wind had drifted over the bank year after hear. Mr. Redington advances the opinion that they were killed by Indians in years gone glimmering, while at the spring after water.
The positions occupied by the skeletons indicate that they may have been attacked at the spring and massacred as they attempted to run up the steep hillside. The bones, which the skulls prove beyond a doubt to be those of white people, believed to have been two males and one female, were buried by Mr. Redington and a head-board erected to mark their last resting place.
Payette Independent July 1, 1893 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho July 1, 1893 An Old Grave Found. As Chas. Bogue and Bert Carrick were riding in the hills near Lem Williams’ house, they notices an old wagon end-gate lying on the ground. Examining it they found it was marked the grave of a Miss Martha Roberts who was buried there August 22, 1862. She was 18 years 1 month and 16 days old. As in those early days this portion of Idaho was entirely unsettled, it is evident she must have been buried there by parties who were passing through the country. Where they came from and where they were going is of course unknown, and the decayed headboard alone remains to tell us the sad story of their sorrow at having to leave one of their number by the way. –Salubria Citizen.
Independent Enterprise May 30, 1940 Independent Enterprise Payette, Idaho Thursday, May 30, 1940 BUSINESS TRAFFIC SURVEY MADE A second traffic survey, conducted Saturday, May 25 as against the previous Saturday, May 18, showed only 399 cars parked in the business district of Payette, as against 451 the week before. A drop of 52 cars.
It might be interesting to report that Saturday, May 18, was the biggest day in dollar volume reported in many months, according to a chamber of commerce report. Last Saturday showed 36 cars double parked on 8th street at 8:45 as against the 39 the previous Saturday at the same hour. While 399 parked cars were in the business district; 32 bore Oregon licenses, while 42 Oregon tags were counted the previous week. Washington county had eight cars clocked this time, but only 4 last week.
Out of state cars numbered 8 this time, while last week 9 were counted.
Deducting Payette and Washington counties, there were 10 parked cars, as against 17 on the first count of other Idaho counties, such as Gem, Adams and Canyon.
Last week there were 72 autos, or 18 per cent of the total cars parked, from outside of Payette county, while this week showed 14 per cent or 57.
Another striking feature, as brought out last week, was the parking of all out of state cars on the East and South side of the streets. Eighty per cent of the Oregon cars were also parked on the same side of the street. This would possibly indicate that most of them entered the city from the East.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com March 31, 2006, 1:02 am Payette Independent June 23, 1905
Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Friday, June 23, 1905 C. C. Eiffe Sues for Divorce. According to the Boise Statesman, Carl Cesar Eiffe, whose home is on the Bench south of Payette, brought suit in the district court at Boise Tuesday against Margerethe Eiffe, to whom he was married in Haile, Germany, on March 28, 1900, for a divorce, alleging desertion since May 4, 1901. Rice & Thompson of Caldwell are his attorneys.
The filing of the case recalls the former sensational action wherein Mrs. Eiffe endeavored without avail to secure a divorce from her spouse on the ground of cruelty and inhuman treatment. The suit was filed in Ada county, May 31, 1901, but was transferred to Canyon county for trial. Griffith & Griffith appeared for Mrs. Eiffe on that occasion and J. J. Rogers of Boise for the defendant.
As a result of the property settlement between the parties at that time, E. W. Pearce of Payette was convicted of embezzlement and sent to the penitentiary. He made a loan upon the property of the couple, the proceeds of which were to be applied to the wife in accordance with the agreement, but Pearce failed to turn over the money until the case was decided by the courts, and was found guilty of embezzling the funds.
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Idaho Daily Statesman November 18, 1899 Idaho Daily Statesman Boise, Idaho Saturday, November 18, 1899
CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS IN THE VICINITY OF PAYETTE CHINAMAN SHOT Another case of accidental shooting occurred at the Golding hop ranch on the Payette bench Tuesday afternoon. The victim is Jong Fong, a brother of Oscar Long, who is an educated Chinaman and an American citizen. Another Chinaman was fooling with a gun and let it go off, the charge of duck shot taking effect in Fong's left breast a little above the heart, some of the shot penetrating his lungs. Dr. Woodward and Glenn Shawhan went out soon after the news came to town, the doctor being summoned to look after the case. We understand that the wound is not necessarily fatal unless unexpected complications shall develop, through it was a close call for the child of the orient.
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Payette Independent February 19, 1904 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Friday, February 19, 1904
Dan Coates An Inventor. D. B. Coates, the well known wool grower and ranchman of Little Willow, has blossomed out into a full fledged inventor and has had the success to get tapped off by producing a device, which, while not calculated to bring him as much glory as would a flying maching, is so thoroughly practical and decidedly useful in this section of country, that it is sure to bring him a great deal more of the coin of the realm. Mr. Coates’ invention is an automatic alarm to be used in frightening away coyotes during the lambing season and anyone who has seen it operate cannot doubt that it will prove to be of immense value to the sheepmen, saving them from a great per cent of loss by the ravages of the skulking denizens of the sagebrush. The alarm is very simple in construction. It consists of a set of ten steel barrels, diverging from a central hub like spokes of a wagon wheel, over which is a wooden frame and on this frame is a glass case, serving as a protection for a candle. When the alarm is put into operation the candle is lighted and as it burns down it is so arranged that it severs twine strings, which are attached to strong springs connecting with the steel barrels, which have been loaded with charges of powder. As the strings are broken, the springs, suddenly released, strike upon ordinary gun caps fitting, over touch-holes in the barrels, causing the powder to explode with a loud report. By using slow burning candles and several of the alarms it is understood a shot can be fired every ten minutes throughout the night. Another advantage is that a strong odor of burned powder is produced by the discharge. Mr. Coates recently completed the model of his first machine, which he has named the “Shepard Alarm,” and applied for a patent. Several days ago he visited Boise and arranged for the manufacturing of the alarms with the result that they will be on the market almost immediately. He has arranged with D. D. McIlveen of Payette to act as his agent in handling the alarms and for the next week the latter will have one of them on exhibition at the Moss Mercantile store where they may be seen by those interested.
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Payette Independent September 2, 1904 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Friday, September 2, 1904
Dr. Amy Currin, who was graduated last spring from the Medical college for Women at Philadelphia and who since had been practicing in one of the hospitals of that city, arrived in Payette Saturday, to visit her father R. V Currin, who is here looking after his ranching interests on Big Willow creek. She is on her way to Portland, Oregon, near which place her parents moved a few months ago to make their home.
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Payette Independent May 12, 1905 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Friday, May 12, 1905 Dr. Amy Currin’s Success.
The many friends of Miss Amy Currin in this city will be pleased to learn that she has passed the Oregon state medical examination with much credit. Of the fifty applicants who took the examination, only 21 were successful. Miss Currin will practice medicine in Pendleton. The career of this talented young woman has been watched with much interest by her friends. She was graduated from the Payette high school in 1899 and later, having decided to enter the medical profession, took a course in a Philadelphia medical college, which she completed with high honors.
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Payette Independent September 25, 1902 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Thursday, September 25, 1902 DUBOIS BOUND OVER
Held to Answer to the Charge of Causing an Abortion on Josie Kensler. Probate Judge Koelsch of Ada county, on Monday rendered his decision to the case of Dr. J. K. Dubois, charged with causing an abortion on Convict Josie Kensler on July 22, Warden Arney having been discharged several days previous. The doctor was held to appear in the district court. Dr. Dubois in the prison physician. He and the warden were charged with having caused the alleged abortion for the purpose of covering up the scandal that would ensue when the woman’s condition should become known. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/duboisbo98gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 1.3 Kb
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Independent Enterprise April 21, 1938 Independent Enterprise Payette, Idaho Thursday, April 21, 1938 Fire Department Recovers Body
Recovery of the body of Ira Cunningham, drowned last Thursday in the Snake River when a ferry boat capsized, was effected Sunday morning by Harley Lowe and Dale Watts, members of the Payette Fire Department. Lowe and Watts brought Cunningham’s body to the surface of the river with the first cast of their draglines Sunday morning, after searchers had combed the river’s bottom steadily since the drowning occurred April 14. Cunningham, who lived on Cunningham Island, about one mile north on the river from the Nyssa bridge, was drowned when a post holding the ferry cable broke and threw Cunningham, his wife, and some machinery they were ferrying across the river into the water. Cunningham helped his wife to safety before drowning, according to reports. The drowned man is survived by his widow and a step-child. (Nyssa cemetery)
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Payette Independent February 6, 1902 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Thursday, February 6, 1902 FROZEN TO DEATH
Grover, the 14-years-old son of J. S. Locke of Huntington, perished in the snow storm of Friday night, Jan. 24th. The Weiser Signal prints the following account of the sad affair.
Young Locke left town after school bound for his father’s ranch, some twelve miles out. He walked out three miles and got a horse. There were two ways to go, one around by the wagon road and the other over the mountain trail. He chose the latter. The cold wind and flying snow struck him full as they swept down the bleak mountain side. In one gulch could be seen from the tracks in the snow that he had tied his horse and ran up and down several times, no doubt to warm himself. Then he mounted and rode on some distance. Here the stopped, tried his horse to a sagebrush and trudged on afoot. Finally his steps became longer as he went down into a gulch, and his feet were dragged along as though frozen. Finally he fell forward and froze to death without making a move. When found his face was streaked with ice and showed that he had been crying and the tears froze where they fell. His horse got his bridle off Saturday evening and returned home.
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Payette Independent July 2, 1896 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho July 2, 1896 Grothjan Got Into the Cooler. Tom Gerdau and Seth Roberts somehow got the idea into their heads that Ed Grothjan was in some way responsible for the publication of that hair-curling story, and they set about to get even with him. One day last week they discharged the obligation with accrued interest as it were. They dropped into the City Meat Market exactly at the same time, apparently by chance, and one of them asked to have a few pounds of choice steak cut off immediately. Ed sailed into the big refrigerator after a juicy joint, and—band went the ponderous door—click went the latch—and away went the patter of feet down the sidewalk. Then quickly returning the boys lingered near until the butcher man had plenty of time to cool off, when they released him, as they claim, upon his pledge of future good behavior, and forthwith circulated a report that Grothjan had gotten “into the cooler,” which caused him more or less embarrassment during the rest of the day, as friends would drop in from time to time to learn the particulars.
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Payette Independent May 23, 1895 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho May 23, 1895 Ed Grothjan, of the City Meat Market, had some kind of a misunderstanding with a cow a few days since, and as a result has been going on crutches ever since. In attempting to knock the animal in the head, the top rail of the pen gave way, precipitating him head-foremost into the pen. Ed was knocked senseless by the fall and when he regained consciousness the cow was bunting him about on the ground. If she hadn’t been dehorned he might have been all day with the ? man. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/grothjan321gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 1.1 Kb
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Payette Enterprise October 11, 1917 Payette Enterprise Payette, Idaho Thursday, October 11, 1917 HAS A FARM BUT CAN'T FIND IT
M. O. Luther says that sometime ago he filed on a tract of land some place, but where that place is, seems to be somewhat of a mystery. He and Marshal Jeffries went out to look the place over the other day and of course Jeffries never having been on the land before left Martin to pilot the way. After scouring the hills from June to Eternity in the vicinity of where the land was supposed to be, Martin directed Jeffries to head for Payette, saying someone must have a farm on top of his. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/hasafarm522gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 1.2 Kb
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Payette Independent December 11, 1903 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Friday, December 11, 1903 HARRY HELMICK ACQUITTED
Payette Boy, Accused of Attempting to Wreck Train, Proves an Alibi . Caldwell, Idaho, Dec. 5—Harry Helmick, a former resident of Payette, was brought before Judge Hodson Friday for preliminary examination on the charge of attempting to wreck a passenger train on the Oregon Short Line Railroad, on October 24, 1903, and was acquitted. It was brought out on cross examination that under the circumstances testified to the obstruction must have been placed upon the track between 4:25 and 5:20 o’clock and Mr. Helmick had no trouble in proving that he was in Nyssa at that time. He testified to the fact that he walked down the track from Nyssa to Parma in the early afternoon on the twenty-fourth, and that he wrote and left along the track a note written on the back of an old envelope addressed to him, which note shows for itself that it was not intended for or addressed to the railroad officials, as supposed and reported when he was arrested, being as follows: “Just tell ‘em that you saw me and that I’ll cash their beans some other time. H. E. H. “ Helmick gave the reason for writing this note by showing that he was decoyed into a poker game at Parma and lost, but he refused to cash the chips, and as one participant in the game lived below town and was in the habit of coming up the track, he left this note that if it might be found by him. There were foot prints of three men found along the track where the obstructions were discovered and the parties who made them may have been the same who did all the devilish work. Young Helmick was defended at the preliminary examination by Ira W. Kenward of Payette, assisted by Judge H. E. Wallace of Caldwell. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/harryhel177gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 2.4 Kb
Payette County ID Archives News... Helmick -vs- Fong November 10, 1898 *** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htmhttp://www.usgwarchives.org/id/idfiles.htm *** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com February 26, 2006, 5:57 pm Payette Independent November 10, 1898 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Thursday, November 10, 1898 Henry Helmick lodged a complaint against Oscar Fong and another member of the Fong family last Monday, charging theses sons of the Flowery Kingdom with appropriating to their own use some of his sheep. The case came on before ‘Squire Thurston on Thursday morning and the Chinamen were discharged for want of evidence against them. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/helmickv280gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 1.0 Kb
Payette County ID Archives News... Highway Signs To Be Erected Soon April 21, 1938 *** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htmhttp://www.usgwarchives.org/id/idfiles.htm *** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com April 7, 2006, 1:18 am Independent Enterprise April 21, 1938 Independent Enterprise Payette, Idaho Thursday, April 21, 1938 Highway Signs To Be Erected Soon At the meeting of the Payette Chamber of Commerce held on Monday of this week approval was given to the highway signs which this organization plans on erecting within a short time. The signs present a most attractive design, featuring the apple orchards of Payette county and should prove a most convincing argument for the tourist to drive through Payette and spend a few hours enjoying this outstanding section of Western Idaho and Eastern Oregon. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/highways444gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 1.2 Kb
Payette-Shoshone County ID Archives News... Idaho Man Murdered October 4, 1900 *** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htmhttp://www.usgwarchives.org/id/idfiles.htm *** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com December 28, 2005, 1:37 am Payette Independent October 4, 1900 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Thursday, October 4, 1900 IDAHO MAN MURDERED Wallace Tobacco Merchant Found With His Skill Crushed. Mathew Mailey, a cigar dealer of Wallace, was murdered in his store Monday morning, and the officers have found no clue to the murderer. Just before 9 o’clock in the morning a passer-by saw his body lying near the rear of his cigar store, and notified the officers. Both doors were locked, and blood on the floor caused the belief the he had committed suicide. When the door was forced open it was found that his throat was cut and his skull crushed in three places. An iron bar, eighteen inches long, lay between the body, which was covered in blood. A towel had been tied around the head, evidently for a gag. An examination of the premises showed that the safe was locked, the money drawer undisturbed and a watch was on the corpse. The body was yet warm, but death had occurred some time before. Nothing was missing from the store except the key to the door, the murderer evidently taking it with him and locking the door. One witness saw the deceased enter the store with a tall, slim man about 6 o’clock. Mailey had lived in the Coeur d’Alenes about fifteen years, and had no known enemies. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/idahoman89gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 1.9 Kb
Payette County ID Archives News... James Orrell Has Finger Blown Off by a Gun and His Companion Narrowly Escapes. November 13, 1902 ***Copyright. All rights reserved.http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htmhttp://www.usgwarchives.org/id/idfiles.htm *** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com January 24, 2006, 1:37 am Payette Independent November 13, 1902Payette IndependentPayette, IdahoThursday, November 13, 1902 ACCIDENTLY INJURED James Orrell Has Finger Blown Off by a Gun and His Companion Narrowly Escapes. By the accidental discharge of his shot gun while out hunting Monday afternoon, James Orrell had the misfortune to have the forefinger of his left hand completely blown off. Manley Griffith, who was in company with the unfortunate young man at the time of the explosion, had a narrow escape from death. He was a little in the lead of Orrell when the gun went off and the heavy charged passed so close to his back that his coat was slightly powder burned. The two young men were crossing Ed Short’s field between his house and the Payette river, when the accident occurred. They were watching a flock of ducks which were circling above them and Orrell was carrying his gun, a 12-gauge Winchester, at full cock, in his right hand with his finger on the trigger, also holding the hammer down. In crossing a bank the muzzle of his gun was accidently rammed into the ground and filled with soft dirt. Still holding his right hand on the trigger and hammer of the weapon, the young man began poking the mud out of his gun barrel with his forefinger of his left hand when the explosion occurred, tearing the member entirely away, joint and all. It is not known how the gun was discharged but it is supposed that Orrell involuntarily pulled the trigger while giving all his attention to the work of cleaning his gun barrel. Griffith at once hurried his injured companion back to Short’s ranch where he secured a team and brought him to town. Dr. Kimmell sewed up and dressed Orrell’s hand, which was badly powder burned, and he is now getting along as well as could be expected. It is thought that there is but little danger of blood poisoning. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/jamesorr105gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 2.5 Kb
Payette County ID Archives News.....John Nelson Found Guilty April 25, 1895***Copyright. All rights reserved.http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htmhttp://www.usgwarchives.org/id/idfiles.htm *** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com April 10, 2006, 1:53 am Payette Independent April 25, 1895Payette IndependentPayette, IdahoApril 25, 1895 John Nelson, the Falk’s Store saloonkeeper, who was found guilty on the 19th of assault with a deadly weapon, was sentenced by Judge Richards Monday afternoon. On account of mitigating circumstances and the recommendation of mercy from the jury, a comparatively light sentence was imposed. Nelson was ordered to pay a fine of $100 within ten days. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/johnnels480gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 1.0 Kb
Payette County ID Archives News.....Kicked by a Rooster (Clay) November 15, 1917***Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htmhttp://www.usgwarchives.org/id/idfiles.htm *** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cheryl Hanson ihansonb@fmtc.com April 27, 2006, 4:13 pm Payette Enterprise November 15, 1917 Payette Enterprise Payette, Idaho Thursday, November 15, 1917 KICKED BY A ROOSTER It is not an unusual thing to hear of a person being kicked by a horse, mule or a cow, but to be kicked by a rooster and quite badly hurt, is a new one on us. But these war times we must expect almost anything. Mr. H. H. Clay has a story to relate of her experience with a Rhode Island Red rooster that, while quite comical, really might have been serious. She had entered the hen house to rout out a setting hen and while thus engaged, Mr. Rooster, who was on the roost just above, did not propose to have any of his flock disturbed, became enraged and lit down on his intruders shoulders and with a rooster usual manner of defense, slapped the spurs in from both sides, on spur taking effect on the scalp, the other in the left ear; both inflicting bad wounds. The setting hen was relieved from any further interference. Rounds one and two with the head of the flock ended with but little damage to the rooster except a few missing feathers, but from the blood on his adversary it would seem the fight was in his favor. However the trouble was not settled for when Loren arrived for dinner his wrath stirred him to action and with blood in his eye vowed vengeance on the feathered champion and after chasing him with a club in hand all over the first ward, gave up round three to the rooster. The last report was that Mr. Clay was preparing for round four with a kettle of hot water awaiting the results. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/kickedby524gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 2.1 Kb
Payette County ID Archives News.. ..Klansman Go To Church March 19, 1925 ***Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htmhttp://www.usgwarchives.org/id/idfiles.htm *** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com August 27, 2005, 12:22 am Payette Enterrprise, Payette, Idaho, March 19, 1925 March 19, 1925 Payette Enterprise Payette, Idaho March 19, 1925 KLANSMEN GO TO CHURCH About 60 or 70 Klansmen in full regalia attended the services at the Christian church last Sunday night to hear Dr. J. J. Harmon preach on “Biblical History.” They assembled and marched from their hall to the church and occupied special seats reserved for them in the auditorium. No demonstration of any kind other than a quiet and attentive attitude was given by the Klansmen, and at the conclusion of the services they retired as quietly as they had come. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/klansman13gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 1.2 Kb
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Payette Independent September 3, 1892 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho September 3, 1892 MURDER AT FALK’S STORE.
An Itinerant Printer Killed by a Negro—Shot In the Abdomen. Thursday’s Statesman publishes the following account of a tragedy which occurred at Falk’s Store, at two o’clock on Tuesday morning: A two A. M. on Tuesday, at Falk’s Store, in this county, a negro whose name could not, last night, be learned, shot and mortally wounded W. W. Leeper, a wandering printer.
The negro will be examined at Falk’s Store to-day, and will in all likelihood be committed to the jail in this city. It is said that the killing was the culmination of previous trouble, and as both men were armed at the time, this report is quite probable. Leeper, the negro and others, had been sleeping in the same house at Falk’s Store, and at the time of the tragedy Leeper and one or two companions were in the place. The negro came up to the house, and Leeper, who heard him approaching, told his companion that he would not let him enter and that he would frighten him away. The negro opened the door, and as he did so, Leeper fired a shot into the air. The negro immediately raised a gun and fired a charge of buckshot into Leeper’s bowels. The injured man writhed in agony for twelve hours and then he died.
The negro, who was an employe of Mr. Stewart, was arrested and taken to Emmett. Leeper was well known in Boise, having hung around the town for several months. He was for a time employed in the composing room of the Statesman office, but was finally dropped from the rolls of the printers’ union because of his failure to pay the requested dues. He was addicted to the excessive use of morphine, and had other vices, but was not at all quarrelsome. He was about twenty-seven years of age and unmarried.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com February 25, 2006, 2:45 am
Payette Independent September 15, 1898 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Thursday, September 15, 1898 MURDER MOST FOUL W. H. Bradley, of Parma, Killed in Cold-blood by I. A. Lyons.
Word was received at Caldwell Saturday evening about six o’clock that W. H. Bradley living near Parma had been shot and instantly killed by I. A. Lyons, and requesting that the sheriff come down immediately. No further news was received until Sunday, when a request was made that a justice of the peace come to the scene of the murder, for the purpose of holding an inquest. A representative of the Record accompanied Judge Dillie and Dr. W. C. Maxey to the place where the tragedy occurred. The following are the particulars as near as they could be obtained, from the evidence received by the coroner’s jury:
It appears that a family by the name of Lyons, consisting of father, three son and one daughter have been camped on the low land just about one fourth of a mile southwest of Parma station. It appears that on Thursday the girl, who is perhaps twelve years old, caught some fish and took them to one of the neighbors; for this the father became enraged to such an extent that he punished the child with a strap, the report of each stroke as it fell on the child’s back was heard at Parma and the Bradley residence which was about equal distance from Lyons’ camp.
Mr. Bradley called to Lyons to desist, he paid no attention, but continued to punish the child until her back was one mass of stripes. The next day (Friday) Bradley and his wife brought the girl to Caldwell and stated the case to Judge Little, who issued a warrant on the information for the arrest of I. A. Lyons. The Bradley family then returned home.
Lyons hearing that he was going to be arrested, declared that he would “fix” Bradley and immediately got his Winchester out. He then sent the girl to Bradley’s house for the strap, she returned saying that it was in Caldwell. He then sent one of his boys, a lad about 14 years old, telling him to get some money that was due him from Bradley. The boy returned saying that Bradley said for him to come to his house and they would settle. With this he started for Bradley’s, the boy accompanying him, and when within about 200 yards of the house, Bradley came out and ran up a ravine, then it was that Lyons quick as a flash shot him, the ball entering about one and one half inches back of the left ear, coming out about midway between the right ear and eye. Death was instantaneous. Lyons immediately turned about and walked off.
The boy testified that he was within 20 feet of his father when the shot was fired, and that he saw Bradley fall. Owing to the fact that two machines were threshing in the neighborhood, there were no men near at the time, thus allowing the murderer to escape. The sheriff arrived Saturday night about 11 o’clock. A large posse of men are scouring the country, but as yet no word has bee heard from the murderer. Word was received here yesterday, however, that they found what was believed to be his trail leading off in the sage brush in the direction of Willow creek.
LATER—Lot Feltham of Caldwell received a telephone message Tuesday night from Amos Lively stating that Lyons was at “Cub” Moulton’s near Emmett, and was willing to give himself up. Ex-sheriff D. D. Campbell was engaged to take a team and make the trip, which resulted in Lyons arriving in Caldwell at 6 o’clock Wednesday morning. Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Thursday, December 29, 1898 L. A. Lyons, on trial at Caldwell last week, for the killing of W. H. Bradley last September, at Parma, was found guilty of murder in the second degree. He was given a life sentence.
Payette Enterprise October 19, 1933 Payette Enterprise Payette, Idaho Thursday, October 19, 1933 FORGER IS SENT TO PENITENTIARY Jim Stevens, charged with issuing bad checks must serve from one to 14 years in the Idaho State Penitentiary. Stevens who is rather a drifter in this community, was arrested at New Plymouth some three weeks ago by Sheriff J. C. Stewart, and a charge filed against him for forgery, and at the time demanded a preliminary hearing was placed in the Washington County jail, and on Monday of this week was brought to Payette where he entered a pleas of guilty, and was sentenced by District Judge John C. Rice to serve one and one half to 14 years, and Tuesday morning was taken to Boise by a prison guard to commence serving his term.
Payette Enterprise July 1, 1920 Payette Enterprise Payette, Idaho Thursday, July 1, 1920 FOUND GUILTY OF WIFE DESERTION
Quite a sensational case was tried in the Probate Court before Judge Luther last Friday when John A. Augusten was the defendant charged with dissertion and non-support of his wife and two small children. The case lasted until a late evening session, the jury however rendered a verdict of guilty after but a few moments deliberation. Failing to give a bond after the elapse of forty-eight hours, in the sum of $500 as a guarantee of payment of $50.00 per month for a period of six months in support of the wife and children, the court imposed a fine of $300 and a sentence of six months in the county jail. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/id/payette/newspapers/foundgui449gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 1.3 Kb
Payette Enterprise August 9, 1917 Payette Enterprise Payette, Idaho Thursday, August 9, 1917 FIVE KILLED BY TRAIN SMASHING INTO AUTO Father, Mother, Two Brothers, Sister death, One Sister Still Lives and Doctors Have Hopes for Recovery. Five in one family killed when O. S. L. train crashes into auto. One of the most fatal accidents that ever occurred in the history of Payette was that on Monday morning when the east bound Pony crashed into an auto carrying Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hahn and their four children, just beyond the cut about two miles north of Payette. The Hahn family who live on a stock ranch near Council drove down to Payette last Friday to visit at the home of Mrs. Hahn’s mother, Mrs. A. Fifer, and sister, Mrs. A. Beckstead, and on Saturday Mr. Hahn and two sons Frank and Joe drove to Boise where Frank was examined for service in the army, returning to Payette in the evening, and on Monday morning the family after eating breakfast with Mrs. Fifer, started for their home near Council, and arriving at the crossing about two miles from Payette was struck by the Pony going east. Just how the accident occurred will perhaps never be known, but is thot that through excitement some way, the engine was of the car was killed on the track. It was struck square in the center and carried a distance of about one hundred and fifty feet, totally demolishing the car, and killing instantly Mr. Hahn and son Frank, who was driving the care, the train was stopped after passing the crossing about three hundred and fifty feet. It was a heart rendering sight that met the eyes of the train crew and passengers. The dead and mangled were strewn along the west side of the track for two hundred feet, Joe the younger son, was pinned under the fragments of the auto. The dead and wounded were put on the train and brought to Payette, where every care possible was given to the wounded, at the Woodward building, by Doctors Woodward & Woodward and others who rendered assistance. Mrs. Hahn and the eldest daughter Elsie, passed away shortly after being brought to town. Joe, the younger son died shortly after noon. Alice age 13, is still living her injuries are body bruised and several cuts on the head but no bones are broken. Dr. Stewart of Boise, was called in consultation with Drs. Woodward & Woodward, and it is thought she will recover. The six people in this car were the entire family living at home. Two older sons Harry Hahn and William Hahn, are married and both live near Council, who were notified and arrived Monday evening. A sister of Mrs. Hahn who lives in Butte, Montana, arrived Tuesday. Mr. Hahn, Sr., was 60 years of age, his wife, Mrs. Alice Hahn, 45; Frank Hahn, Jr., 25; Joe Hahn, 20; Elsie 17. The five white caskets containing the bodies of the unfortunate victims were taken to the Methodist church at one o’clock Wednesday afternoon where the funeral services were conducted by Rev. G. W. Barnes at two o’clock. After the reading of a chapter from the Bible and prayer, two of the bodies were taken to the cemetery, one hearse returning for the third, while the funeral sermon was being preached over the remains of the father and mother. After which a large procession of sorrowing friends followed to the last resting place of what was but a few days ago five out of six of a happy family, while little Alice age 13, the only survivor of this unfortunate family lay semi-conscious yet to learn the fate that has befallen the rest of the family, and that if she is spared to live, must take up the battles of life without the guiding hand of a father or the tender care of a mother. She will have the guard and protection of two stalwart brothers and other relatives, but no one can take the place of mother. Words can not express our heartfelt sympathy for this child in her tender years and other relatives who will mourn the loss of their dear ones who were dashed into eternity without a moments notice.
Payette Enterprise Payette, Idaho Thursday, August 9, 1917 CORONER HOLDS INQUEST Coroner McDonald held an inquest Monday and Tuesday to determine the cause of the death of five members of the Hahn family which occurred last Monday morning at the road crossing two miles north of Payette. The jurors summoned were Calvin Keller, Geo. Rezac, Dr. R. I. Hurd, O. A. Walling, J. H. Howard, and Will Wells. The verdict rendered was to the effect that death was caused by an unavoidable accident and the blame placed on no one. Additional Comments: Burials were made at Riverside cemetery in Payette.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com December 14, 2005, 4:15 am Payette Independent December 6, 1900 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Thursday, December 6, 1900
A Boy And an Ax.
Thanksgiving morning William Van Doozer, proprietor of the Hotel Idaho, informed Marshal Little that Charles Williams, a boy whom he has had employed as a dish-washer, had absconded with an ax belonging to that hostelry. The marshal hunted the young man up and placed him under arrest, but, later in the day, at the solicitation of Van Doozer, he was released.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com April 10, 2006, 1:51 am Payette Independent May 18, 1899 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Thursday, May 18, 1899
A Bicycle Club.
At a meeting held at the drug store of T. E. Jones last Friday evening for the purpose of organizing a bicycle club, there was an enrollment of 22 members. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. T. E. Jones; vice-president, Miss Freddie Chase; secretary, Miss Alta Stroup; treasurer, Mr. C. B. Coxe; captain, Miss Gertie Bussey; lieutenant, Mr. Will Coughanour; starter, Mr. Lloyd Pence; coacher, Mr. James Edwards. The following committees were appointed: On by-laws—Messrs. Coxe and Devers. On entertainment—Miss Chase, Miss Lauer and Mr. Earl Venable. On runs—Messrs. Loyd Pence, Ed Lauer and Arno Jacobsen. On badges—Miss Bussey, Mr. Iven Jeffries and Mr. Marquardsen. Mr. Coxe, Miss Chase and Mr. Devers were appointed on a committee to select a name for the club and report at the next meeting Friday evening, May 19th.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com February 13, 2006, 1:31 am Payette Independent April 26, 1894 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho April 26, 1894
A Little Scrap.— When the east bound passenger pulled into Payette station this (Thursday) afternoon a couple of fellows were discovered on top of a car and were driven down by the brakeman. They were loath to give up the prospect of a free ride without a struggle and one of the fellows proceeded to engage the brakeman in a little fistic encounter. Sheriff Ireton, who was just ready to get on the train, stepped in and confronted the hurricane deck pilgrim with a formidable six-shooter. The sheriff was not decked out in the royal robes of office that are supposed to distinguish a high sheriff from a common herd, and the stranger didn’t appreciate having a common duffer with legs encased in overalls, take such liberties with him, hence he continued his warlike demonstrations until reminded of his mistake by a sharp rap over the knuckles by the sheriff’s gun. The tramps were then turned over to Deputy Marshal Windle and locked up in the town jail.
Payette Independent 12-13-1900 1900 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Thursday, December 13, 1900 A Good Gold Prospect The Hon. Peter Pence states that, together with three others, he is developing a quartz prospect on upper Squaw Creek in the vicinity of Walker's mill. The ledge was discovered last spring and men are now at work sinking a tunnel. Mr. Pence says that they have had several assays made that are better than the ordinary and that they expect the property to be a valuable one.
Payette Independent October 22, 1896 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho October 22, 1896 The Willow Creek coal measures are all right. Dan Coates was in town yesterday and gave us an account of the progress that is being made. The tunnel has now reached a depth of about 19 feet, and the vein of coal has increased from 2 feet 9 inches to 4 feet. As depth is attained the pressure has naturally made the coal more compact and of better quality. Samples brought in by Mr. Coates are far superior to that brought in a few days ago. The work of development will be pushed with a good deal of vigor from now on, and it is confidently expected that many of the people of the Payette Valley will be using fuel from the Curtis mine before long.
Payette Independent April 15, 1904 Payette Independent Payette, Idaho Friday, April 15, 1904 Coal Vein Discovered. According to the Weiser Signal, Nephi Purcell, a former will known rancher of the Payette Valley, now has fair prospects of becoming a coal baron. Under date of March 13, the Signal says: N. Purcell, proprietor of the Hot Springs ranch several miles east of town, was in the city yesterday exhibiting some fine samples of coal taken from a vein discovered by his son, Lester, some time last fall. The vein is located about 25 miles from the railroad, the exact location of which Mr. Purcell would not reveal. He stated hat the samples shown were from surface cropping, of which there was a large body. The samples will be sent away for assay and if returns are satisfactory Mr. Purcell and sons will at once proceed to nie on the lands.
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