An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 247

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 247
USA > Idaho > Nez Perce County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 247
USA > Idaho > Shoshone County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 247
USA > Idaho > Latah County > An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho > Part 247

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).

The Wallace Board of Trade, in March, 1902, com- pleted all necessary details for the establishment of a publicity bureau, taking cognizance of the mines ot this particular district. To prospectors and small prop- erty holders blank forms were forwarded, with a re- quest that as full information as possible be furnished

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the bureau concerning mines, prospects and other hold- ings. Responses have been full and complete, and the enterprise is a commendable success. Free postal de- livery is not yet a fact in Wallace, but should the in- crease in postoffice business for the succeeding two quarters equal the last two, free delivery will, undoubt- edly be established. The census of 1900 gave Wallace a population of 2,265, and today it is claimed, on fairly substantial atuhority that there are within its limits 3.000 inhabitants.

The first serious loss by fire in Wallace occurred Sunday evening, July 27, 1890. This overwhelming disaster originated in the Central Hotel, on Sixth street. When the end came Wallace was, practically, in ashes. Ten minutes' service by the fire department resulted in exhausting the water supply, and the young city was at the mercy of the flames. Fanned by a stiff gale they spread up Sixth to Cedar street, leaped Cedar, and in a few minutes later the Hanley House and Club theater were ablaze. From this period the fate of the doomed town was assured. With the single exception of one building six blocks were destroyed, the one solitary edifice remaining in this section being the Pavilion, corner of Cedar and Fifth streets. Giant powder was brought into service to check advancing flames by blowing up buildings, but such efforts proved futile. So rapid was the work of destruction that absolutely nothing of immense stocks of goods was saved. One fatality resulted: An Italian, Centimio Denarco. was burned to death while in a drunken stu- por in the New State saloon, on Sixth street. Within the boundaries of Fifth street the river on the east and north, and the hills to the south, every business house and residence was destroyed. The loss, as estimated by the Murray Sun, was $500,000, with insurance of only $43.750. The business houses and dwellings burned were :

Sixth street, south of depot-Doell Bros.' saloon, Denver Shorty's saloon, Central Hotel, tailor shop, Ut- ley's Hall (I. O. O. F. building), bakery, millinery store, office of Grace & Horbress, Wallace Hotel, Han- ley House, Tim Morcarity's barber shop, Al. McHor- ter's barber shop, Tabor & Vinas' fruit store, J. M. Carmelius' harness shop, O. K. Clothing store, Joseph & Carlson, Julius Kline's saloon, G. H. Leghorn's cigar store, aHtliway building, Flaherty & William- son's saloon, 'Rayner's saloon.

West side of Sixth street. south of depot-Carpen- ter shop. New State saloon, Bee Hive clothing store, Louis Kosminsky, tailor, residence, Sutherland & White, livery, Barnard's studio, Eli Rechott, jewelry, K. B. Sauter, tin shop, shoe store.

Cedar street, from Fifth street east. north side- Myer's butcher shop, Pennly Hotel, McDonald & John- son, livery stable, J. B. Cameron's saloon, Jamison & Horton, saloon, William Kellem, restaurant, Steward Fuller's saloon, Palace restaurant, two dwellings and two other saloons.

Cedar, from Fifth street east, south side-Black- smith shop, two residences, D. C. McKissick, whole- sale liquors, Barger & Sears' butcher shop, vegetable store, Liverpool saloon, J. C. Boyer's barber shop, Mc-

Kissick & Fitz's saloon, Club theater, three residences, Carrie Young's saloon.

Bank street, from Fifth east, north side-W. C. Human's residence, Wallace block (W. T. Stall's and \V. C. Miller's offices ), Portland Manufacturing Com- pany's office, telephone exchange, McNab & Liver's drug store, Coeur d'Alene Clothing store, Mrs. Scho- field's dry goods store, Bolander's restaurant, Lang- well's residence, William Worstell's furniture store, ice house and new building.

Bank, from Fifth street east, south side-Scott Anderson, surveyor, Wallace Free Press office. Drs. Watkins & Sims' office, C. D. Porter's residence, Bank of Wallace, George & Human's block, including offices of Dr. Boston, W. A. Jones, Henry Ford and Henry L. Gregory, White & Bender, Howes & King. post- office, Heller Hotel, Vedder & McElroy, R. M. Dry- den's saloon, barber shop, Holley, Mason, Marks & Company, office of sampling works, D. C. Stetson, dry goods, clothing, etc., E. D. Carter's saw mill.

Hotel street, north side, from Sixth street, east -- Coeur d'Alene Miner office. E. D. Carter's office. three vacant buildings.

South side-Carter Hotel, stables, F. M. Frank s office, laundry.

Several warehouses, supposed to have been fire- proof, were, with the single exception of White & Bender's, destroyed, as were all the records of the postoffice, registered and ordinary mail, money orders, etc. Although Postmaster Dunn had removed this property to what he considered a place of safety, the flames insiduously crept toward that point and licked it up. In speaking of the generous proffers of aid the Murray Sun, of July 30, 1890, said :

"The towns of Mullan, Wardner and Osborn be- ing on the line of railroad, and in easy communica- tion with Wallace, sent car-loads of provisions early Monday morning. Offers of assistance were tele- graphed from Spokane and other towns, but were de- clined with thanks, the surrounding towns being amply able to relieve the temporary necessities of the people. The disaster was an appalling one, but not enough to injure the town temporarily, as the work of rebuild- ing will be on a larger scale than before. Petitions have been presented to the board of trustees of Wal- lace, praying that only iron, stone and brick buildings inay be erected in certain down town districts, and these petitions have been granted. Thus far the Coeur d'Alene Clothing Company is the only one that has failed, as a result of the fire."

Early in the morning of November 11, 1898, the Idaho Hotel, John B. Cameron's and Thomas Rey- nolds' saloon buildings, all two-story frame structures, were destroyed by fire, and the Fuller House badly damaged, involvnig a loss of $12,000, with insurance of only $500 on the Idaho Hotel's furniture. The latter property, owned by Glen McDonald, and leased by Johnson & Wilmot, contained forty-one rooms, all of which were occupied. In this disaster a rare qual- ity of heroism was displayed by Gus Enz, the night clerk. Discovering the fire he ran up stairs and awakened the sleeping guests, all of whom, with the

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

exception of John F. Moore, a waiter, and W. H. Dwyer, a cigarmaker, escaped. These two, and Enz, the faithful, courageous night clerk, were burned to death, the latter laying down his life to save others, and thus giving force to the words of the immortal stanza :

"Whether on the scaffold high, Or in the battle's van, The noblest place for man to die Is where he dies for man."

Mrs. Alice Finnegan, chamber maid, George W. Mitchell and William Palmer were seriously burned. As in the case of the great fire of 1890, immediate steps were taken to repair the damage sustained in the disaster of 1898. In both events Idaho pluck and energy were in evidence, and scarcely were the ashes of the 1890 conflagration cold ere temporary build- ings sprung up to be soon replaced by more substan- tial structures. The sentiment of the people of Wal- lace concerning the ramarkable progress in rebuild- ing the town is fittingly voiced by the editor of the Free Press in the issue of November 29, 1890:

Yesterday, four months ago, there were few men in Wallace who looked forward to such a cheerful and happy Thanksgiving as the one enjoyed on Thanksgiving last. On the twenty-eighth of July the town presented a scene of deso- lation. On Thursday last there was a rebuilt city, with sub- stantial brick blocks and frame buildings from one end of the burnt area to the other, covering nine squares. In the face of limited transportation, lack of building materials and labor suitable for the work to be done, the recovery from a bed of ashes in so short a time borders on the magic. The trans- formation is complete. Wallace is today a more substantial city than before the fire; more solidly built and more thrifty. Much of this is due to the handsome brick buildings that have been erected, which stand as monuments of enterprise in our pretty mountain home.

Among the most prominent of these edifices are the Hardware Block, erected by Holley, Mason, Marks & Company, D. C. McKissick's wholesale liquor block, Colonel Steward Fuller's new hotel, the National Bank block, the Bank of Wallace block, L. Manheim's block, Howe & King's, O. C. Otterson's White & Bender's and Mrs. A. A. Schofield's blocks. These are all new brick blocks, modern and com- pletely furnished. Their cost is not less than $100,- 000, which is very good testimony to the vitality of the business men of Wallace and their unshaken faith in the grand future of the town.

Following the terrible trial by fire of July 27, 1890, a new hose company was organized to replace the old fire department, which had been practically innocuous since that event. It was named Wallace Hose Company No. I, and comprised a membership of twenty active men, with Adam Aulbatich as fore- man. It came into being at a public meeting held November 2, 1890. Of the old department Scott Mc- Donald had been chief. The new company comprised, aside from Foreman Aulbach, Scott McDonald, first assistant, A. P. Horton, second assistant, Julius Kline, Jacob Lockman, James Hennessy, John Frazer, pipe-

men ; Peter Holohan, Jesse Tabor, hydrant men ; George Heller, H. D. Sawyer, Ed Sarbin, Lonis Kos- minsky, Charles Woodman, (). C. Otterson, Al Honeke, Harry Germond. A. H. Utley, Augustus Sutherland and J. M. Carmelius, hosemen. The pres- ent organization is partly a volunteer department, of which Fred H. Kelly is chief and M. C. Murphy as- sistant. The excellent water system was established in 1890, water being led from Placer creek, the reser- voir being on a high elevation south of the city, and affording a pressure of 450 pounds.

As early as 1889 a company was organized in Wal- lace for the purpose of exploring a system of light and water works. Some progress had been made in the en- terprise, but the fire of 1800 consunied the rather rudi- mentary plant, and seriously embarrassed the new or- ganization. The franchise and such property as re- mained were sectired by E. D. Carter, who rebuilt the lines and began to develop the system. In 1897 the Wallace Light & Water Company bought the interest of Mr. Carter. This company comprised J. A. Finch, A. B. Campbell, F. White, Richard Wilson and F. F. Johnson. At present the company is officered as follows: F. F. Johnson, president ; R. E. Strahorn, of Spokane, vice-president and manager : E. J. Dyer, secretary and treasurer, and D. C. McKissick, local superintendent. The capital stock is $125,000.

Quoting from the Murray Sun, of March 25, 1893: "The Providence Hospital at Wallace is an institution which has no equal of its kind in the state of Idaho, and no superior of its size in the United States." In May, 1891, a temporary Miners' Union hospital was located in the American House building on East Bank street. Its financial condition was ex- cellent, each miner connected with the various mines, with the Bunker Hill & Sullivan, having agreed to pay into the hospital treasury monthly dues of one dollar each. But at that period plans for a more elaborate institution were being prepared. On June 6. 1891, a committee of the Miners' Union and a citi- zens' committee met with Sisters Joseph and Made- laine, of Montreal, in the parlor of the Carter House to consider the question of the proposed new hospital. The citizens' committee compriscd Messrs. McKis- sick, Gibson and Aulbach. They were asked by rep- resentatives of the Miners' Union if there was any valid objection to a transference by the miners of the hospital scheme to the sisters. There being none, the plan was consummated. which provided that the Sis- ters expend the sum of $30,000 in the erection of a handsome. four-story brick building, with Mansard roof and a frontage of 100 feet, not including the verandas. It was provided that the depth of the build- ing should be from forty to eighty feet, the basement to be of stone, ten feet high. It was estimated that the structure would require 250,000 brick. Ground was broken for the new institution July 9, 1891. Concern- ing this handsome structure the Murray Sun of March 25. 1893, said :

The origin of this hospital was with the miners' unions. It had become an imperative necessity. Sickness was preva-

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lent, accidents numerous, and there was no place to take proper care of the unfortunates under their direction. The large membership of the unions justified the hospital, and in 1891 it was put under way. The generous offer of the people of Wallace was accepted, and the site located. This created serious opposition in Wardner, which town also wanted the hospital, and the friction between the factions led to the outbreak of the Coeur d'Alene strike in 1892. The miners, however, ignored the Wardner feud, and a temporary hospital was established in Wallace and arrangements made to erect a $10,000 building, this being the agreement made with the citizens of Wallace. The miners, through the conduct of the temporary hospital, for seven months, found that it was almost impossible for them to make a success of it. Several meet- ings of the executive committee were held and it was seriously proposed to give up the entire project and let each union take care of its own unfortunates. Then it was decided to enlist the aid of the sisters of mercy, and accordingly three sisters, including Sister Joseph. the present Lady Superior of the hospital, came to the Coeur d'Alenes on a tour of inspection and decided to accept the offer. The citizens committee of Wallace transferred the agreement to the sisters. At first only a temporary building was erected, a large, two-story frame structure. Finally, after numerous vexatious delays, work was commenced on the new brick building, pledged to cost $35,000, and this is now a reality. The citizens of Wallace have turned over a deed for the ground and water privileges.

The building is located on a block in the eastern portion of Wallace. It is substantially built of brick, with granite

foundation It is practically four stories high, as the base- ment is lofty and as pleasant as any of the upper three stories. All the stories are hard finished and divided into large wards and single rooms, which are as cheerful as it is possible to make them. The hallways are broad and stair-ways of easy grade, and a hydraulic elevator is always in operation. Every modern convenience has been introduced, including hot air furnaces, dumb waiters, electric lights, etc. The capacity of the hospital is about 125 patients. The hospital was only put in complete running order last week, although occupied for nearly a year.

On Saturday, September 10, 1887, the first rail- road to reach Wallace was completed to this point. It was a narrow gauge line, exploited by D. C. Corbin and associates, of New York city. At that time, the Burke extension was contemplated, but right of way had not been secured. A depot, 24x80 feet, had been constructed, and regular trains were running to Wal- lace on September 19, 1889. This road was subse- quently sold to the Northern Pacific company, washed out and abandoned in 1890.

The Northern Pacific Railroad Company ran its initial train from Missoula to Wallace, in August, 1890. In 1900 a new round house, with a capacity sufficient to accommodate six engines, replaced an inferior struc- ture. December 20, 1901, the company's officials first occupied the new depot, an elegant brick and con- crete edifice. ornate and picturesque, located on Sixth street. on the north bank of the South Fork of the Cocur d'Alene river. The concrete, of which the greater portion of this building is constructed. is com- posed of "tailings" from ore concentrators, and cement. Its cost was between $8,000 and $10,000. A new ad- dition to this building is contemplated.

On December 9, 1889, the Oregon Railroad & Navi- gation Company brought its first train in from Tekoa to Wallace, the terminus of the Tekoa division. At present, however, O. R. & N. business is carried as far east as Mullan, by special arrangement with the Northern Pacific Company. Both the Oregon Railroad

& Navigation Company and the Northern Pacific Com- pany have standard gauge extensions up Canyon creek to Burke, a distance of seven miles. The new depot of the O. R. & N. was built in 1901. G. A. Newell, the present local agent at Wallace, has been with the com- pany fourteen years, coming here June 11, 1889.

The banking history of Wallace is marked by con- servatism and business sagacity fully equal to that of any other town in Idaho, and superior to many. Un- settled financial conditions in 1893-4, of course, reacted upon all the banking centers of the Coeur d'Alenes, but in Wallace, particularly, recovery was rapid and financial loss far below the average. On January 2, (891, articles of incorporation of the Coeur d'Alene Bank, of Wallace, were filed in the office of the recorder of Shoshone county, by virtue of which the institution was authorized to transact a general banking business in the state of Idaho. The capital stock was $50,000; the directors John A. Finch, Amos B. Campbell, Pat- rick Clark, Charles M. Hall and Joseph K. Clark. In 1893 the bank appears to have passed into the hands of George B. McAulay and Van B. DeLashmitt, who owned, also, the Miners' Exchange, of Wardner. In April, 1893. the Bank of Coeur d'Alene asked for a receiver, attributing the catise af failure to bad debts, universal hard times and closing down of imporant mines. The liabilities were $70,679.73, of which $19,014.67 was due depositors, $18,561.25 to creditors holding certificates of deposit, and remainder to outside state banks, including $42,429.07, overdraft on Bank of Wardner. In the Bank of Coeur d'Alene Shoshone county had on deposit $18,435.22. This was secured ly attaching the bank building in Wallace. Assets were, personal property, including notes, loans, dis- counts, etc .. $72,729.20, and bank building at Wallace, $20,153.92.

In December. 1890, the Bank of Wallace had closed its doors, subsequent to a run which, for the time be- ing, had been successfully withstood.

August 8, 1892, the First National Bank of Wal- lace was organized with a capital of $50,000. The of- ficers were F. F. Johnson, president, Henry White, vice-president, Horace M. Davenport, cashier ; Charles W. O'Neil, R. R. Neill, Richard Wilson, Albert John- son, Henry White, C. E. Bender, and F. F. Johnson, directors. In 1903 M. J. Flohr succeeded Horace M. Davenport as cashier. The capital stock is $50,000; surplus fund, $10,000 ; undivided profits, $5,148 and circulation $42.700. President Johnson is treasurer of Shoshone county, president of the Wallace Light & Water Company and cashier of the Bank of North Idaho, at Murray.

The State Bank of Commerce, successor to the Bank of Commerce, which was organized in 1901, came into existence May 1, 1903. It is officered by Bennett F. O'Neil, president, Maurice H. Hare, cash- ier. Thomas L. Greenough, vice-president, and Charles Z. Seelig, assistant cashier. The directors are Thomas L. Greenongh. Albert Burch, Ewen McIntosh, August Paulson, G. Scott Anderson, Maurice H. Hare and Bernard F. O'Neil.

Erection of the Masonic Temple, in 1896, was an

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HISTORY OF NORTH IDAHO.

event worthy of the originators of the project, and the result creditable to the city of Wallace. Shoshone Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., appointed a committee in May, of that year, to arrange for the building of a combination temple and opera house. The resultant organization was known as the "Masonic Building Association, Ltd." Estimated cost of the structure was $7,000, half of which amount was pledged by members of the association. For the remainder bonds of the denomination of $25, drawing six per cent in- terest, due in ten years, were issued. The committee in charge of building operations were, A. B. Campbell, chairman, F. F. Johnson, secretary, George Steward, E. H. Moffitt and L. W. Hutton. January 1, 1897, the Temple was dedicated with appropriate Masonic cere- monies by members of Shoshone Lodge and chapter, O. E. S .. and several officers of the grand lodge of the state of Idaho. Spokane talent, mainly, was employed in the construction of this imposing edifice. The build- ing was erected by Huber & Huelter; plastering by John Coleman ; the heating apparatus was provided by the Griffiths Heating Company ; the painting and in- terior decorations were the work of John McFarlane . the scenery was painted by Herman Ludcke, while the stage mechanism was under direction of F. Thompson. Electrical appliances were provided by E. C. Morrow, of Wallace: Prusse & Zittel, of Spokane, were the architects. Total cost of the building was $20,000. The seating capacity of the opera house is 660; the stage is 58x28x45 feet in size, there are seven exits, toilet rooms, galleries and dressing rooms. The elec- trical plant consists of fourteen circuits, 350 ten and sixteen candle power. The second floor is divided into a lodge room, banquet hall, paraphernalia rooms and kitchen. Nearly all the fraternal societies of the city convene here, and, at present, the hall is utilized as a court room.

During the year 1892 a county seat contest was sprung, ostensibly between Murray, Osburn and Wal- lace, but in reality between Murray, the county seat, and Osburn. Wallace threw the weight of its influence and votes in favor of Murray, and the contest proved unavailing. But in 1898, at the expiration of the six- year limit, provided by law, to intervene between coun- ty seat imbroglios, the people of Wallace joined in a petition asking for removal of the capital of Shoshone from Murray to Wallace. Practically there was no contest. Sentiment was universal that the county seat should be located on the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene river. Consequently Wallace was the only real contestant. Of 3.335 votes cast, Murray received 864: Wallace, 2,471.

In December, 1902. the Wallace Public Library, near the corner of Sixth and Bank streets, was opened with pleasing social demonstrations. To the efforts of Rev. J. B. Orr, pastor of the Congregational church, the foundation and success of this institution are due, and he, at present donates his services as librarian. At its inception he paid the first month's rent, $30. On go- ing to a coal dealer he was informed that the dealers in the city would undertake to heat the building gratui-

tously. Thus it was with the electric light company, and Mayor Connor's suggestion that Mr. Orr apply for aid in paying the rent met with a cheerful response from the city council. Contributions of books flowed in, Mr. Orr taking the initiative with a liberal donation of volumes, and he was followed by the Episcopalians, who placed a generous addition in the city library. A free traveling library is sent out from the parent insti- tution. No fees are charged for the use of books. Two committees are assisting in this commendable work, the male members being representatives of fraternal societies in the city, viz. . George Warren, Masons ; Otto Freeman, Odd Fellows ; William Wourms, Wood- men of the World: Al. Crawford, Knights of Pythias ; J. R. Sovereign, Eagles; William Stoehl, Socialists ; Robert A. Marshall, Order of Washington; William Adamie, Shoshone Club. The ladies' committee com- prise Mrs. W. W. Wood, chairman; Mrs. A. R. Car- penter, treasurer : Miss Carrie Sovereign, Mrs. Harry Wood, Mrs. R. E. Seysler, Miss C. M. Hathaway, Miss Mamie Turner, Miss Agnes Sutherland. The library contains over 1,000 volumes, and the patronage of Wallace and surrounding country is increasing.

In August, 1891, Company A, Idaho National Guards, a Wallace organization, was mustered into service by Captain Langdon, of Company C, Moscow. The company comprised forty-three members, officered as follows : Captain, Thomas A. Linn ; first lieutenant, Robert Short ; second lieutenant, E. G. Arment ; order- ly sergeant, A. D. Short ; second sergeant, William Hood; third sergeant, A. G. Larsen ; fourth sergeant, A. H. Utley ; fifth sergeant, Fred S. Bubb ; first cor- poral, Robert Duncan ; second corporal, Hugh Ross ; third corporal, Jacob Lockman ; fourth corporal, John Van Dorn. Musicians, William Fitzpatrick, W. B. McCrary.

In response to a call of the citizens, signed P. F. Smith, chairman, a meeting was held at Masonic Tem- ple, July 1, 1902, at which was organized he Wallace Board of Trade. The following officers were chosen, who, with the membership, comprise the only board of trade in the Coeur d'Alenes: P. F. Smith, president ; O. D. Jones, first vice-president : T. D. Connor, sec- ond vice-president ; Herman J. Rossi, secreary ; L. L. Sweet, treasurer ; executive committee-T. D. Con- nor, W. W. Hart, L. L. Odell, J. R. Sovereign, J. A. Allen, H. E. Howes, M. M. Taylor, M. J. Flohr, Theo. Jamison, H. J. Read. O. D. Jones, Harry White, George S. Warren, Jacob Lockman, W. A. Jones. The board has a membership of ninety, meeting the first Tuesday in each month at the city hall. Harold J. Reach, chairman. P. F. Smith and Herman J. Rossi comprise a special committee on mining. Among fu- ture exploitations contemplated by the board are a street railway for Wallace, and electric lines from Wardner to both Burke and Mullan, requiring forty miles of rails, together with a wagon road, twenty-three miles in length, to tap the St. Joe timber belt, extending up Placer creek, over the divide, directly south of Wallace. The highest grade, near Summit, is ten per cent. In this vicinity several claim owners are now en-

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An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho, Part 247

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