An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 150

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [S.l.] : Western Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1524

USA > Idaho > Kootenai County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 150
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 150
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 150
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 150

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

turesome hunter or those of his prowling foe had ever trod the winding trails of the canyon or clambered up its rocky slopes. As soon would one have thought of building a town on the precipitous sides of the Rocky Mountains as in this dismal, inaccessible canyon. But towns are not always built in the fittest, most desira- ble locations. The new town sprang into existence in 1890, under the name of Vollmer, called for John P. Vollmer, who was instrumental in bringing the North- crn Pacific railroad through the Palouse country to Lewiston.

In July. 1890, A. T. Spottswood, Fred Veach, I. C. Hattabaugh and H. Hamlin, of Moscow, knowing that the railroad ran down Huff's gulch and realizing that there would be need of a supply point at this dis- tance from Moscow, purchased from J. W. Seat the quarter section of land on which the town is now situ- ated and in the fall of the same year formed a town- site company and platted the town. Later J. W. Seat and John P. Vollmer became interested in the com- pany. Spottswood and Veach erected the first store building, leasing the same to W. H. Smith for two years at fifty dollars per month. Mr. Smith at once put in a stock of general merchandise. J. W. Seat built a sawmill and also a store building, became postmaster in 1891, and the history of Vollmer began.

Vollmer was incorporated April 19, 1892, and the following citizens were appointed trustees : S. A. An- derson, A. H. Charles, P. J. Scallon, F. H. Finsen, L. Moore. A description of the original townsite is as follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of the south half of the northwest quarter of section seven : thence running east on a line between the north half and the south half of the northwest quarter of sec- tion seven, 250 feet to a point where said line inter- sects with the center of Chesnut street ; thence south- east on a line through the center of said street to a point where the center of said street intersects the cen- ter of Eighth avenue; thence southwest to a point where said avenue intersects with the line between the south half and the north half of the southwest quar- ter of section seven : thence west on said line to the southwest corner of the north half of the southwest quarter of section seven : thence north on township line to place of beginning, as per recorded plat of the Town of Vollmer ; and also beginning at the northeast corner of lot four in section seven, thence running south 40 rods on a line between the southeast quarter and the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section seven ; thence west 80 rods on a line between the south half and the north half of the southwest quar- ter of the southwest quarter of section seven, thence north 40 rods on township line to the southwest cor- ner of the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section seven; thence east 80 rods on a line be- tween the northwest quarter and southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section seven to point of beginning, being part of Daniels addition to Vollmer, all of the above described land being in township thirty-nine north, range three west of the Boise me- ridian.

At an election held September 6, 1897, to change

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the name the result was as follows: For the name "Troy" 29 votes, for the name "Vollmer" 9 votes. It appearing that the name Troy received a two-thirds vote, the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 13, 1897, ordered that the name of the corporation be changed from the "Town or Village of Vollmer" to the "Town or Village of Troy."

The present board of trustees consists of O. A. Johnson, Olaf Olson, chairman, William Duthie, E. E. Jolly, F. H. Christie, B. S. Nelson, clerk, August John- son, treasurer.

Among the pioneer merchants who, realizing the rich and varied resources of the country surrounding the town and the bright prospects in store for it, in- vested their money in goods and opened stores of gen- eral merchandise, were: W. H. Smith, who started the first store in 1891 ; T. H. Christie, who built and opened the second store in 1892, and O. A. Johnson, whose business was established in 1893. It was probably about this time that Vollmer of the M. & M. Co. in- stituted the saw mill which was recently sold to Watt & Bussong of Sprague, Washington. Two saw mills were erected in 1892 by J. W. Seats and Vincent & Boe, both on the creek out of the town. Even in these early days the public spirit of the town was indicated by the sustaining of two vigorous newspapers, both Republican in politics. The Vedette, edited by T. E. Edmondson, was established in 1891. The Vollmer News, now known as the Troy News, began publi- cation in 1894. Charles Moody, editor. He was fol- lowed in succession by J. C. Peterson, A. G. Greer, John F. Hoffman and J. C. Peterson. The present editor and owner is B. S. Nelson.

The pioneer school house was built in 1893. It is now a prosperous institution with an enrollment of 190 pupils. The school board consists of T. H. Chris- tie, Olaf Olson and Mr. Greenstreet. Three teachers are employed at present, viz : Prof. T. O. Green, prin- cipal, Miss Antoinette Halverson, intermediate depart- ment, at a salary of $45.00 per month, and Miss Alta Cole, primary department at a salary of $45.00 per month. The school grounds are located in section thirty-one which belongs to the State University. An addition is promised to the school building this sum- mer. The property is valued at $1,800.

On February 1. 1893, a serious fire occurred at Troy, involving a total loss of $24.000. Lieuallen & Lestoe's loss alone footed $10,000 on which there was some insurance. Erickson & Company's loss on their building was $10,000.

Again on a Saturday night early in June, 1893, Troy was visited by another disastrous fire. Starting in the drug store of C. W. Vail, it was soon beyond control of the firemen. Everything in the block was burned with the exception of the Vollmer Milling and Mercan- tile Company's store, which was saved by the great efforts of the fire department, whose equipment con- sisted of an old fashioned engine operated by eight men and with which water was pumped from the creek some distance away. Losses sustained were as fol- lows : C. W. Vail. $2,600 ; Johnson Lumber Mill Com- pany. $300 : H. E. Jacobson, $700: Dr. Butler. $250.

Buildings and goods were partly insured. The block was soon rebuilt and business resumed by former oc- cupants.

A little over a year ago, this thriving little village had less than 300 inhabitants. Today it boasts a popu- lation of 500 and is building up rapidly, a number of new houses being now in course of construction.

Troy rejoices in an equable climate, experiencing 110 extremes of heat or cold. Situated about 12 miles from Moscow, on the Spokane-Lewiston branch of the Northern Pacific railroad. Troy comes within the famed agricultural territory of the Palouse country whose rich soil of black loam, ranging in depth from one to six feet, yields bountiful productions of grains of all kinds and fruits of all varieties, for which is found good market, both at Moscow and in the mining camps of the Cedar mountains. What are known as the "Canyon lands" contain valuable timber, pine, fir, cedar and tamarack. On these lands, too rough for cultivation stock graze for several months in the year without other feed or care.

The present business directory of the city includes : L. D. Strahl, J. P. Vollmer, T. H. Christie and O. A. Johnson, who conduct stores of general merchandise ; C. A. Sullivan and Reitman, meat markets; confec- tioners and cigar store; Miss Anna Kuntzer, milliner ; Jno. H. Bolton and O. Olson, hardware; Mr. Olson is also postmaster; drug store, Dr. Nest and Alex Charles; the Troy Boarding House, Jno. Peterson, proprietor ; and Hotel Reitman; jewelry stores, J. F. Knott and Eric Anderson; blacksmiths, John Simp- kins and B. J. Strickling; livery stable, Shepherd & Stoops ; two barbers, Hays Brothers and A. F. Hegge ; Dr. Olson, physician; Scott Ogden, attorney-at-law. There is a local and long distance telephone exchange ; a water system is under discussion. The Bank of Troy has a capital of $25,000, E. J. Dyer, president ; Fred K. Bressler, vice-president ; Thos. H. Brewer, cashier. It was established March 1, 1891. Scott Bergen is engaged in the real estate and insurance business, as are also Alex Olson and Ogden & Greear. M. Ber- gerson and W. C. Reitman are interested in buildings and lots, owning considerable property. J. A. Bjork- lund deals in farm implements; E. E. Cooper sells flour, feed, wood and posts ; there are four warehouses for grain storage, owned by Jolly Bros., Tacoma Gran- ite Co., W. C. Reitman and William Duthy. A cold storage plant accommodates farmers in storing their fruit ; the Jacobson Mill began cutting lumber in April of this year; D. A. Wood owns a saw mill. The steam roller process flour mill, owned by J. D. Jolly & Co., is of great advantage to the town and convenience to the farmers, as an immense amount of grain is milled here and shipped out as flour. It has a capacity of 40 barrels per day. The mill is located at the forks of Bear creek, just below town. Lodges and churches are exceptionally well represented in this place, there being three churches, the Swedish Luth- eran, the Methodist and Christian, and six lodges : the I. O. O. F., K. of P., W. of W., M. W. A., Yeoman, and Women of Woodcraft, all of which have a good membership.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

Centrally located, the headquarters and nearest supply point for the white pine belt which extends across the famous Potlatch-St. Mary's region to the St. Joe river, Troy will soon out-class many of the larger and older towns of the Palcuse country.

JULIAETTA.

Juliaetta is a thriving town of about 500 population on the Spokane and Lewiston branch of the Northern Pacific railway, about 20 miles from Lewiston. It is beautifully situated on the banks of the Potlatch river amid the wooded hills, which add to its healthful- ness and picturesqueness. It receives its support from a wide range of excellent agricultural lands, on which large crops of wheat, oats, flax, hay and fruit are raised each year. The town was founded and platted by R. Schupfer, who in 1878 filed on a quarter section of land there. The home he built in the improvement of his farm is about one-quarter of a mile from the pres- ent business center of town. In 1882 Mr. Schupfer opened the first general merchandise store. Charles Snyder, a pioneer rancher in that vicinity, succeeded in having a postoffice established on his farm, which he named Juliaetta, in honor of his daughters, Julia and Etta Snyder. Later, when Mr. Snyder moved his store and postoffice to the present town the name Juliaetta attached to the village. Later Mr. Snyder built the first hotel there, the Snyder house, which is now known as the Grand Central. In 1885 N. B. Holbrook, attracted by the excellent water power, established the pioneer flour mill. It is still in opera- tion by Mr. Holbrook and his son and the product is shipped as far as Portland and San Francisco. In early days the only transportation was by stage to Moscow. In the winter of 1890-91 the railroad reached Juliaetta. John P. Volimer and Chief Engineer Han- sen of the road were given a half interest in the town- site for bringing the railroad. The grade between Juliaetta and Troy is 160 feet to the mile. With the advent of the iron horse the village began to take on size and importance.

April 19, 1892, the town was incorporated with the following trustees : Charles Snyder, Jr., Rupert Schup- fer, H. Nichols, T. R. Carithers and F. P. Zeigler. The description of the townsite follows: Beginning at the point where the south line of section 9, township 37. north range 3 west of Boise meridian intersects the big Potlatch river : thence running in a northeast- erly direction along the county line to where said coun- ty line intersects the middle line of section 34, township 38, north range 3 west of Boise meridian; thence north to the center of said section; thence west one mile ; thence south one-half mile; thence west one- half mile ; thence south one-half mile, thence east one- half mile ; thence south one-half mile; thence east one- fourth mile; thence south one mile; thence east to place of beginning. Lately an addition of 40 acres has been made to the townsite under the name of Vineland.

The first school was a frame structure called Har- mony hall. It was built in 1885 right on the banks

of the river. January 10, 1900, when warm rains and a Chinook wind brought on a freshet, the school was washed away. That same high water washed out a number of bridges along the stream, carried away the mill dam and did great damage to the railroad grade. Last year a fine new school house was erected at a cost of $3,000. The present enrollment of pupils is about 130, but this number is expected to be increased to 175 by fall. This will require the construction of an addition of two rooms to the building. The school board consists of: President, N. B. Holbrook; sec- retary, H. N. Smith, and treasurer, F. J. Fox. Mrs. Mattie E. Headington, formerly county superintendent, is in charge of the schools. The other teachers are Miss Flora Waite and Miss Sophia Schupfer. Four churches are represented in the town. The Catholic and Presbyterian congregations own neat structures. Services are also regularly held by pastors of the German Lutheran and United Brethren denominations. Secret societies and fraternal orders are represented by lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World and Star of Beth- Ichem.

The abundant water power of the Potlatch river is used to some extent. The stream there flows swiftly in a narrow channel, affording easily developed power for all demands which may be placed upon it by future industrial enterprises. The Holbrook flour mill, where is manufactured the celebrated brand of flour, "Pride of the Potlatch," is operated by power derived from the stream. A new sawmill has just started up at a location three miles above the town on the river. The lumber yard, which will have a capacity of 1,000,- 000 feet, will be on Main street in the town. The en- tire output of this mill for some time to come will be required to meet the demand in Juliaetta and vicin- ity, caused by the construction of many new buildings. A brickyard is also in operation and finds a ready market for its product. Seven wagon roads run from Juliaetta up the hills to the farming ridges surround- ing the town. There are four grain warehouses. One of these is at the flour mill. Lawrence & Porter, grain buyers and bankers, own the others. One of them is situated at the top of the hill on the edge of the grain growing plateau. This is connected with an elevator on the town level by an aerial tramway for lowering the grain This same firm conducts a private banking business. There are two excellent and pros- perous general merchandise stores in the town, con- ducted, respectively, by Fox & Debaum and by Kite & Shull. Both carry large stocks. J. G. Redberg has a large store devoted to hardware, stoves and im- plements. H. G. Schabbel has a well supplied furni- ture stock. Other stores and business men include the following : U. G. Marsh, who was postmaster in 1885-86, druggist; B. N. Trout, dry goods and no- tions ; J. L. Whitted, barber : Trout & Roberts, paint- ers and paper hangers; Star Meat market, wholesale and retail, W. C. Joslin, manager ; I. X. L. Stables, S. T. Dunlap, proprietor ; B. F. Bowers, shoes and millinery; Henry Kennedy, blacksmith ; Dr. G. A. Mc- Kay, optician ; T. J. Stephens, blacksmith ; E. Mertha,

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

meat market; Dr. J. C. Waite, physician ; Dunlap & Mckay, real estate. There are two excellent hotels, the pioneer hostelry, the Grand Central, conducted by Mrs. Wm. Kalke, and the Palace hotel, occupying a new brick structure, and run by Taylor & Fox. The town boasts of a first class weekly newspaper. It is Republican in politics. The publication was started Feb. 5, 1903, as the Register by D. T. McMackintosh and H. W. Weber, of Kendrick. Under the manage- ment of W. A. Turner, local editor, a bright, readable publication is being issued and is helping wonderfully in attracting people to the town and developing its resources.

Juliaetta has every reason to expect a bright future. With the development of the agricultural and horti- cultural regions surrounding it the town is sure to

grow. The semi-tropical climate makes possible the cultivation of vineyards, a field which promises great development. The pioneer vineyardist is realizing an annual income of from $2,000 to $2,500 from four acres. All the cereals and all the fruits of the tem- perate zone yield abundantly. Almonds are raised with success. Irrigation is not needed. The present town trustees are Chairman E. W. Porter, S. T. Dunlap, Daniel McGlinn, John Whitted and J. G. Rheberg. B. N. Trout is clerk. Mr. Dunlap is also justice of the peace. The town officials are active in assisting the upbuilding of the town. At a recent session an ordinance was passed providing for the establishing and maintenance of a water system, for which a company has asked a 50 years' franchise.

CHAPTER IV.

DESCRIPTIVE.

-" "Tis the land that lies 'Neath the summer skies In the heart of the happy hills."

The hills of the Palouse have a charm for all who see them in their glory of grain and hay fields; of groves and orchards sloping up their sides or outlined against the sky on their rounded tops ; of villages and cities with their terraced and shaded lawns and beau- tiful homes. There is no land where the summer sun paints and decks more lavishly than in this well favored country. Latah county lies in the southeastern por- tion of what is known as the Palouse country. Its northern half is drained by the Palouse river and its tributaries, the main stream rising in Township 42, range 2 west of Boise meridian. The South Palouse river also rises in Latah county a few miles north- east of Moscow. This and Paradise creek are the principal streams which, with their confluent branches, drain what is known as Paradise valley. The streams of the Genesce valley are Cow creek, Thorn creek and the sources of the Little Potlatch, the two former flowing south and west into the Snake river, and the latter flowing southwest to a junction with the main Potlatch. The main stream of the Potlatch country is the Potlatch river, the east and west forks of which rise in the eastern part of the county. Tributaries of this river from the north are Little Potlatch, Middle Potlatch, Bear creek, Pine creek, Hog Heaven creek and smaller streams; from the east Cedar creek, Elder creek and Ruby creek. The area of Latah county is 1.080 square miles. It lies between parallels 461/2 and 47 north latitude, the 47th parallel intersecting its

irregular northern boundary. The 117th meridian of longitude west of Greenwich passes east of Moscow. About one-third of the county on the east, northeast and north is very heavily timbered with white and yellow pine, cedar, fir and tamarack. Within the county limits the Potlatch Lumber Company owns 42,674 acres of deeded timber lands and 39,480 acres of timber purchased from the state, from which the company is allowed twenty years to remove the tim- ber. These 82,154 acres have been valued this year for assessment at $251,000. Outside the holdings of this company, the remainder of the lands of the county both timbered and agricultural, are owned mostly by resident occupants, either as unimproved homesteads or timber claims or as improved farms and stock ranches. In many parts of the county are valuable mineral de- posits. In another portion of this work will be found the early and late mining history of the county. That these mines will some day be worked with profit there is no doubt. At the present time transportation facil- ities are lacking in some locations, in other localities improved methods and machinery are needed and in all sections there is a lack of capital that will some day be supplied, and when that time comes mining will become one of the leading industries of Latah county.

The mean annual precipitation, rain and melted snow, ranges from twenty-five to thirty inches, accord- ing to elevation and proximity to the mountains. With this precipitation distributed to every month of the ycar crops seldom suffer from lack of moisture. While there is only a slight precipitation during July, August and September, cultivated crops will thrive and grain crops do not suffer.

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

The mean temperature of summer is not too high for comfort and yet is high enough to bring a rapid development in all farm crops adapted to this region. Severe thunder storms, cyclones and tornadoes are un- known. Severe wind storms seldom occur and are never known to have done any considerable damage to property. Extremes of heat and cold are unknown. The soil does not freeze to any considerable depth in the fields. Vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes and parsnips, remain in the ground all winter with little danger of injury from frost. Snow falls to the depth of six to fifteen inches ; but seldom remains more than four weeks, except in the higher and timbered por- tions of the country where the inhabitants enjoy sev- cral weeks of good sleighing each winter. Plowing and seeding is often continued in the farming sections until Christmas, and again taken up in February and March for spring crops.

The winters are tempered by the chinook winds, and settlers rely more upon these winds in the spring than upon the rains to precipitate the snows from the higher altitudes and take the frost from the soil. We have been fortunate in securing from the weather bureau at Portland a scientific explanation of the Chi- nook winds, which we reproduce as follows :

The term "Chinook wind" had its origin from the tribe of Chinook Indians (now almost extinct, but which was very strong and powerful some sixty to seventy-five years ago), that had its home in the southwestern portion of Wash- ington, on the Columbia river. Local historians relate how the northwest wind in the winter season, being the harbinger of fair weather, was called by the trappers at Astoria "the wind from over Chinook camp."

As the trappers scattered to the east of the Cascades, they occasionally encountered a warm southerly wind which grad- ually assumed the name of Chinook wind. It was so named from its mildness, resembling to an extent the mild, balmy wind from over Chinook camp. As the trappers spread over the northwestern portion of the United States, the warm southerly wind of winter continued to be called by them "Chinook wind," until the term becoming common, was finally accepted by meteorologists.

The term was first used, so far as is disclosed by research among the files of the Monthly Weather Review, published by the U. S. Meteorological Service, Washington, D. C., in con- nection with the warm, south, southwest, west, northwest and sometimes north, winds in Montana.

To the earlier extension of the military telegraph lines in Montana than in Washington and Oregon, is due the fact that the term Chinook was first applied to the warm winds of Montana. The operators or observers employed on these tele- graph lines used the local common name applied to the wind by the stockmen in their reports.

The name was thus first applied to the wind in Montana, and yet to a large extent some meteorologists are of the opinion that the Chinook winds are only east of the Rocky Mountains, and the name is erroneously applied to warm southerly winds in winter to the west of the Rocky Mountains.

As the term had its origin west of the Rocky Mountains, really to the west of the Cascades, the writer maintains that the term "Chinook wind" can be and is properly applied to the warm southerly winds of winter west of the Rocky and Cascade Mountains. The Chinook is more readily observed in Montana and to the north thereof, due to the preceding low temperature and the rapid and marked rise produced by the Chinook, though marked rises in temperature west of the Rocky and west of the Cascade Mountains are frequently ob- served In the American Meteorological Journal, Vol. 3, p. 469, is to be found the following definition of a Chinook :

"Warm, dry, westerly, or northerly winds, occurring on the eastern slopes of the mountains of the Northwest, beginning at any hour of the day, and continuing from a few hours to several days." This definition is perfectly correct so far as it goes : but the writer's idea of the definition of a Chinook is : A warm, dry, or moist wind from the southeast, south, or southwest, west of the Rocky Mountains, and from the south- west, west, or northwest, to the east of the Rocky Mountains, beginning at any hour of the day or night, and continuing from a few hours to several days. Such definition is more in accord with the causes which produce these warm winds and agrees with the original application of the term as understood by those who originated or created it.

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 150

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: [S.l.] : Western Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1524

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [S.l.] : Western Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1524