An illustrated history of the state of Idaho, containing a history of the state of Idaho from the earliest period of its discovery to the present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future; illustrations and biographical mention of many pioneers and prominent citizens of to-day, Part 100

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Idaho > An illustrated history of the state of Idaho, containing a history of the state of Idaho from the earliest period of its discovery to the present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future; illustrations and biographical mention of many pioneers and prominent citizens of to-day > Part 100

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State Attorney General Roberts returned the following opinion to the state superintendent of public instruction: Women possessing the con- stitutional and statutory qualifications can vote at all school elections; but to vote upon the proposition as to whether a special tax shall be levied women must possess, with male suffragists, the additional qualification of being "an actual resident free-holder or head of a family."

On May 5, 1892, the Republicans held a state convention at Pocatello, and a nominating con- vention in August following, at which they advo- cated the free and unlimited coinage of silver, the creation of a federal department of mines and mining at Washington, protection of labor and capital, prompt action in allotting lands in the Nez Perces Indian reservation. certain amendments to the immigration laws, and hold- ing the Democrats responsible for the crippling of western industries. For the state ticket they nominated, in August, W. J. McConnell for gov- ernor, Frank B. Willis for lieutenant governor, James F. Curtis for secretary of state, George M. Parsons for attorney general, Frank Ramsey for auditor, W. C. Hill for treasurer, J. S. Brandon for superintendent of public instruc- tion, and Willis Sweet for congressman.

During the same season the Democrats, also holding state conventions in May and August, at Pocatello, declared, like the Republicans, in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of silver, but unlike them declared in favor of several re- forms which have ever since characterized their party. In August they nominated A. J. Crook

for governor, J. B. Wright for lieutenant gov- ernor, B. F. Chaney for secretary of state, T. J. Sutton for treasurer, J. H. Anderson for auditor, J. R. Westen for attorney general and L. L. Shearer for superintendent of public instruction.

Meanwhile the Prohibitionists, representing three counties, met to the number of twenty-five and nominated a full state ticket.

The entire Republican ticket was elected, by a majority of two thousand and more.

The state officers for the year 1893 were: Wil- liam J. McConnell, governor; Frank B. Willis, lieutenant governor; James F. Curtis, secretary of state; William C. Hill, treasurer; Frank C. Ramsey, auditor; George M. Parsons, attorney general; B. B. Lower, superintendent of public instruction; Isaac N. Sullivan, chief justice; and Francis E. English and Thomas M. Stewart, associate justices.

The second session of the legislature, which meets each alternate year, began January 2, 1893, and continued until the evening of March 6. The delays brought about by the Democrats and Populists in the senate defeated many important measures. By them a rule of obstruction was inaugurated, and bills were held back until the last days of the session, when it became too late to consider them in the house. Among the bills held back was one reducing the state-tax levy from eighty-five to sixty-five cents on the one hundred dollars. The levy of eighty-five cents had already produced a surplus and there was no law providing for the lending of the funds. An- other bill failing to pass was that which provided for a reapportionment of the representation of the state. Much time was spent in an effort to pass a general law for the division of counties and the removal of county seats.

The governor withheld his signature from a bill that reduced the liquor license fron five hun- dred dollars a year in the large towns to three hundred dollars, making the cost of license uni- form in large and small towns. The bill was

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HISTORY OF IDAHO.

passed over the governor's veto in the senate, but the house refused to act with it. The Coeur d'Alene city school of mines bill was not ap- proved, because several of its provisions con- flicted with the state constitution, and several were of doubtful meaning. The act authorizing county commissioners to issue bonds for the pur- pose ofrefunding the indebtedness of their respec- tive counties was held to give too much latitude to the commissioners, and it was not signed nor was the bill defining the property relations of husband and wife. Just before the close of the session an appropriation bill to cover the state expenses for the years 1893-4 was rushed through the senate, and the house was forced to concur and pass it without amendment. A bill was passed enfranchising the Mormons not guilty of polygamy. Thirty thousand dollars more was appropriated for the Idaho exhibit at the World's Fair at Chicago. Acts were passed organizing the state normal at Lewiston, providing for the establishment of a soldiers' home, for the pro- tection of game and fish, providing for the de- struction of coyotes, wild-cats, foxes, lynxes, bears, squirrels, rabbits, gophers, muskrats, panthers and cougars, defining and prohibiting certain practices of the nature of gambling, pro- viding for the prevention of fruit-tree pests and for their extirpation, and prohibiting employers from discriminating against labor organizations; and congress was memorialized to pass a law for the free and unlimited coinage of silver.

In 1893 it was estimated that the Mormon voters in the state reached the number of about three thousand in Bingham county, seven hun- dred in Bear Lake county, three hundred and fifty in Cassia county, and eight hundred and fifty in Oneida county. To most of these the right of franchise was extended during this year (1893), by a modification of the "test-oath" clause in the law.

In August, 1894, the platform adopted by the Republican convention at Boise reaffirmed the doctrine of "protection," declared for the free coinage of silver, at the ratio of sixteen to one, and advocated the submission of an equal-suf- frage amendment to the state constitution; while the Democrats, also at Boise and in the same month, declared for revenue for tariff only, and, like the Republicans, for the free coinage of silver

at the ratio of sixteen times as much silver to the dollar as gold. The Populists also held a convention, indorsing the platform of the Demo- cratic party of 1892 at Omaha, Nebraska. The ensuing election gave the Republicans the usual majorities. The Populists polled a vote nearly as large as that of the Democrats for some of the offices and even larger for some. The state officers elected were: William J. McConnell, governor; F. J. Mills, lieutenant governor ; I. W. Garrett, secretary of state; C. Bunting, treasurer ; Frank C. Ramsey, auditor; C. A. Foresman, superintendent of public instruction; A. Case, adjutant general; George M. Parsons, attorney general; John T. Morgan, chief justice of the supreme court ; and J. W. Huston and I. N. Sulli- van, associate justices.

The ensuing legislature met January 7, 1895, and continued in session until March 9. Among the measures passed at this session was the repeal of the law passed unanimously at the preceding legislature providing that all obligations should be paid in gold or silver, all contracts to the con- trary notwithstanding, the ground for repeal be- ing that the measure had been detrimental to the business interests of the state. An act making a new legislative apportionment was passed pro- viding for a senator for every county, while repre- sentation in the house was fixed upon the basis of one representative for every five hundred and thirty-six votes or fraction over one-half of that number cast at the preceding election. The new game and fish law abolished the office of county game and fish warden, specified what are the closed seasons and prohibited the transportation of or dealing in hides of wild animals and hunting with dogs. Three irrigation bills were passed. One was the joint irrigation bill, providing means of accepting the gift of one million acres of land under the Carey act from the federal government, and two measures providing for the organization of irrigation districts, a system of water measure- ments and the fixing of water rates in certain emergencies by the district courts. Under the new system it was proposed to purchase existing ditches or construct new ones by issuing bonds based upon the property of the district and taxing all the land in the district for the payment of the bonds.

A radical change in the system of locating

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HISTORY OF IDAHO.

mines was made by a new mining law, the most important feature of which was a provision re- quiring a locator to sink a shaft at least ten feet within two months after location, or to make other cuts equivalent.

By this legislature the "age of consent" was still further raised, being now made eighteen years.

In March the office of state engineer was cre- ated, to which the governor appointed Frank B. Mills, the lieutenant governor, who accordingly resigned his elective office.

This legislature abolished the counties of Logan and Alturas and created from that terri- tory the county of Blaine, and also established the county of Lincoln from the southern portion of the new county of Blaine; repealed the test oatlı, passed a law requiring marriage licenses, and memorialized congress to adopt the free coinage of silver, and recommended state constitutional amendments permitting woman suffrage and the election of a prosecuting attorney in each county, instead of district only, as previously.

In March George L. Shoup was elected again to the United States senate, the fifty-second and final ballot being: Shoup, Republican, 27; Willis Sweet, also Republican, 12; and A. J. Crook. Populist, 14.

In 1895 the state supreme court decided that women were eligible to practice law, the statutes to the contrary notwithstanding. This court also affirmed the constitutionality of the law providing that water companies shall furnish water free for fire purposes and other great public emergencies.

The state officers for 1896 were: William J. McConnell, governor; Vincent Bierbower, lieu- tenant governor; Isaac W. Garrett, secretary of state; C. Bunting, treasurer; Frank C. Ramsey, auditor; George M. Parsons, attorney general; A. H. Capwell, adjutant general; C. A. Fores- man, superintendent of public instruction; Fred- erick J. Mills, state engineer; John T. Morgan, chief justice of the supreme court; J. W. Huston and Isaac N. Sullivan, associate justices; and Solomon Hasbrouck, clerk of the court.

May 16, 1896, the Republicans held a state convention at Pocatello and selected delegates to the national convention. It declared the rein- statement of silver to be the paramount issuc. O11 August 8 the state central committee convened at

Boise and divided into two factions, each claim- ing to be the regular committee and proceeding accordingly to fill the vacancies in their respective bodies by special appointments. The silver Re- publicans met August 17, in the same city, and made a declaration of principles similar to those of the May convention, and in addition congrat- ulated Congressman Wilson "on his able and exceptional work" in congress, and unequivocally approved the "action of Senators Teller, Cannon and Dubois and their associates who left the na- tional convention" at St. Louis, and also approved the nomination of Bryan and Sewall for president and vice president of the United States.

At the Republican state convention which met at Boise August 26, the following nominations were made: For representative in congress, John T. .Morrison; justice of the supreme court, Drew W. Standrod; governor, David H. Budlong; lieu- tenant governor, Vincent Bierbower; secretary of state, Isaac W. Garrett; attorney general, John A. Bagley; auditor, Elmore A. McKenna; treas- urer, Frank C. Ramsey; superintendent of public instruction, Charles A. Foresman; and inspector of mines, Theodore Brown.

Being dissatisfied with the regular nominations of the Republican convention, the silver Repub- licans, September 26, named a ticket headed by W. E. Borah for representative in congress, Edgar Wilson for justice of the supreme court, and Frank Steunenberg for governor. This ticket was filed with the secretary of state as the regular ticket of a Republican state convention, and the same ticket was also filed by petition as the "Electors' Democratic ticket."

The Democrats and Populists fused on the principal issues of the day in naming their ticket, under the name of the "People's Democratic party." They agreed that the succeeding legisla- ture should select a man front the "present Pop- nlist party" for United States senator. O11 August 21 this party nominated R. P. Quarrels for supreme justice; Frank Steunenberg for gov- ernor; R. E. McFarland for attorney general; George H. Storer for treasurer; and B. F. Hast- ings for inspector of mines; while the Populists named James Gunn for representative in con- gress, C. C. Fuller for lieutenant governor, James H. Anderson for auditor, George J. Lewis for

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HISTORY OF IDAHO.

secretary of state, and Lewis Anderson for superintendent of public instruction. On October 5, George F. Moore was selected by the Populist and Democratic state committees as their candi- date for lieutenant governor in place of Mr. Fuller, resigned.

In the exciting election of November, 1896, the "People's Democratic" ticket was successful, their presidential electors polling 23,192, against only 6,324 for the Mckinley electors. At the same time the proposed constitutional amend- ments providing for county attorneys and county superintendents were carried, while the equal- suffrage amendment received six thousand more votes than were cast against it, though not a majority of the votes cast at the election. The last mentioned issue, however, was taken before the supreme court of the state, December II, which decided that when a proposed amendment to the constitution receives a majority of the votes cast on the proposition whether or not it is a majority of all the votes cast at that election. the amendment is carried.

The history of the struggle which thus cul- minated in final victory for the advocates of a female-suffrage amendment to the state constitu- tion is interesting to trace.

The movement first took definite shape in the political arena at the Populist state convention of 1894, where, after a hard fight, the passage of a favorable resolution was secured. A similar resolution was then passed by the Republican state convention. Popular indifference to the movement, however, was widespread; and poli- ticians of all parties, while nominally supporting it, seemed to think that when the matter came to a general vote it would be swept into oblivion. The women, however, kept up an active agitation, forming an association for that purpose. The result was that the state legislature passed a bill submitting to the voters of the state the question of a change of the constitution so as to allow woman suffrage. Thereafter the battle was kept up vigorously. A state convention was called in Boise in November, 1895, to which eight counties sent delegates. Another state convention assem- bled in the capital city July 1, 1896, at which

the plan of campaign was fully outlined. So pronounced was the sentiment thereafter aroused that all the political conventions in the state rec- ommended the woman-suffrage amendment to favorable consideration. The campaign increased in vigor as the polling day approached, the women refraining from taking sides with either Republicans or Democrats. The official count showed 12,126 votes for the amendment and 6,282 against it.

Although receiving six thousand more votes than had been cast against it, the amendment did not receive a majority of the votes cast at the election,-the total vote being 29,697. Thus some doubt remained as to whether or not it had carried, which doubt was based on certain clauses of the constitution regulating the passage of amendments. This doubt, however, was finally dispelled, December 11, 1896, when the supreme court unanimously decided that the amendment had carried, though it had not received a majority of the votes cast at the election. A majority of those cast on the proposition was held to be sufficient.

The following legislature (1897) elected Henry Heitfield, Populist, United States senator, over Frederick T. Dubois, silver Republican, by a vote of thirty-nine to thirty. The same body fixed the legal rate of interest at seven per cent., estab- lished a sheep quarantine system, and provided for a state board of arbitration for settling labor troubles.

Governors of Idaho. Years.

William H. Wallace. 863-4

Caleb Lyon. 1864-6

David A. Ballard. 1866-7

Samuel Bard. 1870

Gilman Marston .1870-1

Alexander Connor. 1871

Thomas M. Bowen 1871

Thomas W. Bennett.

.1871-6

Mason Brayman. 1876-80

John B. Neil. 1880-3

John N. Irwin. 883

William M. Bun. 1884-5

Edward W. Stevenson 1885-9

George L. Shoup. . 1889-91

William J. McConnell 1891-6

Frank Steunenberg. 896-1901

CHAPTER XXXIX.

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS.

JAMES BAXTER.

C APTAIN JAMES BAXTER, of Boise, is a native of England, his birth having oc- curred in Norwich. His parents were Frank and Mary (Gunn) Baxter, who came with their family to the United States when the Captain was very young. They resided near New York city for some years, and then removed .to Paterson, New Jersey. The father was a horti-

JAMES BAXTER IN 1865.

culturist by occupation and successfully engaged in the cultivation of vegetables and flowers. Soon after his arrival in America he took steps toward becoming naturalized and was recognized as a valued and influential citizen. He served as county commissioner in New Jersey for a number of years, and was also county sheriff, in which

positions he discharged his duties with signal ability. After a residence of thirty years in America, he died at the age of seventy-eight. His widow still survives him, and at the age of eighty- seven years is living in Paterson, New Jersey, where she has so long made her home. She was the mother of thirteen children, seven of whom grew to years of maturity and are still living.

In the public schools of New York city James Baxter began his education, which he continued in Paterson. Subsequently he attended the school of mines at Columbia College, New York, and was graduated there as a mining engineer and metallurgist. He learned the machinist's trade with the Rogers Locomotive Company, of Paterson, New Jersey. In 1856 he went to Chili and for three years was master mechanic for the Southern Railroad, of that country. In 1859 he returned to the United States and purchased a plantation in Mecklenburg county, North Caro- lina, called the Jugnot, because of its gold indi- cations. After six months spent in developing this and finding no gold in paying quantities, he abandoned it and went to Colorado, locating a mine in Gilpin county, and was engaged in erect- ing mills and other machinerv.

But now the trouble between the north and the south, occasioned by the slavery agitation, brought on the civil war, and, realizing the need of the Union for all its loyal sons, Mr. Baxter put aside all business interests, disposed of his prop- erty and returned to New York, where in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, First New York Regiment of Engineers. During his service he was promoted successively to the ranks of cor- poral, sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain. He also served for some time on the staff of General Gilmore. He was injured several times, the last time at Fort Johnson, South Carolina, by a shell which broke his hip. He was mustered out near the Appomattox river,

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James Baxter.

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HISTORY OF IDAHO.

in May, 1864, and went home, it was supposed to die, but owing to the aid of a strong constitution he eventually recovered from his injuries, al- though for two years he was obliged to go about on crutches. He suffered much, but finally re- covered and then went to Colorado again, and to the South and Central Americas, where he was engaged in mining.

In 1883 Captain Baxter went to Mexico, where he was engaged on the construction of smelters and a railroad. He first visited Idaho in 1874, at which time he operated extensively in the At- lanta and Rocky Bar. In 1892 he came to Boise and established a foundry and machine shop known as the Boise Iron and Reduction Works, in which he manufactures quartz mills and all kinds of mining machinery. He has built as many as twenty mills, each one of which, when erected properly, has been a complete success and given the fullest satisfaction to the owners. Captain Baxter is meeting with a well deserved prosperity in this undertaking, owing to his com- prehensive understanding of the business, his thoroughness, reliability, and upright dealing.

In 1854 Captain Baxter was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Langworth, of Paterson, New Jersey, and they have had eight children, of whom four are living, namely: Julia, wife of C. V. Smith; Fannie, wife of James Williams; Charles F. and Carrie, the latter at home. Captain Baxter and his family are members of the Baptist church, and in Boise they live in a pleasant and commo- dious home, whose hospitality is enjoyed by their many friends. The Captain is a Royal Arch Mason. He was made a Master Mason in Nevada Lodge, No. 4, of Colorado, in 1866, and subse- quently took the chapter degrees in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1868. He was a charter mem- ber of Alturas Lodge, No. 12, of Idaho, was its worshipful master for four years, and is now a valued member of both the blue lodge and chap- ter of Boise. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity since 1871 and is post commander of Phil. Sheridan Post, No. 4, G. A. R. He is a progressive and public-spirited citizen who is as true to-day to duty as when he followed the stars and stripes through the great southern rebellion. He ever supports all measures for the educational, social, material and moral advancement of his city and state, and at

all times has lived so as to command the esteem of his fellow men, which is accorded him in a large degrce.

SIMON HARRIS.

Simon Harris, of Silver City, is a native of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, born April 18, 1851, and is of English descent, his parents, Elijah and Caroline (Mitchell) Harris, both being natives of England. In 1844 the father crossed the Atlantic to America and took up his residence in Mineral Point, where he was married. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California and was quite successful in his business ventures in the Golden state. Several times he made the trip across the country to California, Colorado and Montana, and in 1872 came to Silver City. He is now living in Wisconsin, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife departed this life in 1894, at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living.

In the public schools of his native town Simon Harris was educated, and was reared upon a farm, but during the greater part of his life has engaged in mining. He came to Silver City, October 16, 1872, when a young man of twenty-one years, and engaged in mining on War Eagle mountain. He worked in the Golden Chariot mine in 1873-4. when it was one of the greatest producers in the state, its stock advancing to twenty-two and even twenty-four dollars per share. Miners were paid by the foot for drilling and it was a prosperous era on the old mountain. Mr. Harris was elected president of the Fairview Miners' Union, in March, 1875, and six months later the organiza- tion had fifteen hundred members in good stand- ing. The following year he filled the responsible position of treasurer in that organization.

He was married in Silver City, December 5, 1880, to Mrs. Bertha Lewis, of Peru, Illinois, and a few weeks afterward they visited Arizona, Washington, D. C., and the old Harris home in Wisconsin, whence they returned to Silver City. In July, 1881, Mr. Harris took charge of the Black Jack Mine for a short time and was foreman of the Trade Dollar Mine from 1892 un- til August, 1893, at which time he resigned his position, making a trip to the east, visiting the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and many places of interest in the capital city of the nation, returning to Idaho in May, 1894.

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HISTORY OF IDAHO.

At the general election in 1896 Mr. Harris was chosen a justice of the peace of Silver City, which position he has since acceptably filled. At the formation of the Silver City Miners' Union, in August, 1896, he was elected its vice-president, and in 1897 was elected its recording secretary. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1872, when he took the de- grees of the order in Wisconsin, and soon after his arrival in Idaho he transferred his member- ship to Owyhee Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., which organization he represented in the grand lodge in 1888. In November, 1875, he was a representa- tive to the grand lodge of Good Templars from Fairview, and he is also a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, having served as master of Sil- ver City Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., in 1892, and as high priest of Cyrus Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M., in 1897. He is also a member of Idaho Com- mandery, and his wife is a valued member of the Episcopal church, while both are highly esteemed residents of Silver City and have a large circle of warm friends.

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An illustrated history of the state of Idaho, containing a history of the state of Idaho from the earliest period of its discovery to the present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future; illustrations and biographical mention of many pioneers and prominent citizens of to-day, Part 100

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1014