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GENEALOGY 979.601 L54PR
EARLY HISTORY OF THE UPPER LEMHI VALLEY
by Clara Proulx
JUNCTION HOTEL
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EARLY HISTORY OF THE UPPER LEMHI VALLEY
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.
Clara Proulx
Clara
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Forward
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.
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"Granny" Reddington
Grandma Clark at her home in Junction in 1906.
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Milton Reddington and Julia Frost Irvin Reddington. This photo was taken in about 1863 and reproduced from a tin-type.
Junction, Idaho
Junction and Leadore
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.
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 for 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 Allred
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.
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Junction School
First hotel in Junction that burned in the early 1900's
Methodist Church in Junction
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.
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. they came to Lemhi and
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settled. Later Claude Benson owned this ranch. His wife was the former Nora Yearian, daughter of Henry and Mary Yearian, whose other children were Lillie, 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 Lillie. Margaret married Ed McRae, and Lillie 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 Gilster 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.
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.
John Milton Burns Reddington
Cora Reddington
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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 Purcell.
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.
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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 1. 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
War Department, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, Augr. 23, 1882
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.
Respectfully retained t. the " mansiones of Pensions Grillo Reddingla."Einigung CA., 00 Porgiment Veluntres , was enrolled on the . 10 day of . , 1869, at Cartuningtand , and
is reported : Les. if MGP. S.l. t. Aug. 64 ex refonte to band 30;55. Mal, i Hab abcant on Distintos for food, Mardin May 65. Dalt Vilathe 1864.63 and sound calle as Millones Paddington !. Dieterand lan 2. 1. 65 media: te livres absentside
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Mrs. Vreeland's 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 Lora Cork; 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 1, 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, Tomp Denny, John Clark, George Shelley, Pete Vreeland, Will Patton, sitting, Albert Ellis, Billy Figley, and Alex Cruikshank.
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Taken in front of Sam Shelley's home in about 1918. I to r, Maemie Reddington, Ivan Reddington, Elsa Reddington, Grandma Reddington, Molly Shelley, Molly Waugh, Cora Reddington, Joe Yearian, Ollie Aland Lester, Grandpa Shelley and Marvin Reddington.
Fishin 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.
Elsa Reddington, Ollie and Lester Allred, Ivan Reddington, Grandma Reddington and Maemie Reddington.
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Joe Bush and George Shelley
Maemie, Marvin, and Elsa Reddington
Chauncey Stroud
and Dorothy died in early childhood, Don married a Boise girl; and Betty Jane married William Simpson.
1, (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 follows 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.
Three sons of the Proulx's served their Country during World War 1, 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.
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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 Schwartz -- Their children, all deceased, were Wilfred, Herbert, and William. John Doud's wife, lived at Elkville, Illinois.
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.
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