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 41
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ERNEST L. BALLARD.
The clerk of the district court and ex-officio auditor and recorder of Owyhee county, Idaho, residing in Silver City, is a native of the state of Virginia, his birth having occurred in Lynchburg on the Ist of February, 1862. His ancestors, leav- ing their home in England, crossed the briny deep to the New World and became residents of Penn-
sylvania at the time William Penn founded the colony. They participated in the events which go to make up the early history of the Keystone state, and representatives of the name also fought for America in the war of 1812. Removing from Pennsylvania to Virginia, the family became identified with the interests of the south. Henry Clay Ballard, the father of our subject, was born, reared and educated in the Old Dominion and became a railroad contractor. He married Miss Sally Pollard, and during the civil war he served as a captain in General Munford's cavalry in the Confederate army. He continued to reside in Virginia until 1880, when he removed to Colo- rado. He is now engaged in railroad contracting in British Columbia, and has reached the age of fifty-seven years. For many years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplifies the beneficent teachings of that order. His wife died in 1880, in her fortieth year, leaving the husband and two children to mourn her loss. The daughter is now. Mrs. Carr, of Liberty, Missouri.
The son, Ernest L. Ballard, is indebted to the schools of the Old Dominion for the educational privileges he received. He remained a resident of Virginia until 1880, when he went with his father to Leadville, Colorado, where he engaged in mining for about a year. He then went to Georgetown in the same state, and there devoted his energies to railroading and mining until June, 1886, at which time he came to Owyhee county, Idaho. He followed mining at Flint for three years, and on the expiration of that period made a tour of the prominent mining localities on the Pacific slope, returning to Silver City after an absence of a year and a half. He has since re- mained in Owyhee county, and in 1893 was elected county sheriff. He acceptably filled that position and in the fall of 1894 was elected dis- trict clerk for a term of four years. His fidelity to duty and his promptness in the discharge of the tasks that devolved upon him led to his re- nomination in the fall of 1898. Over his public record there falls no shadow of reproach, and he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who hold public office as a sacred trust.
Mr. Ballard was married April 30, 1893. to Miss Nellie L. Stevens, of Flint, a daughter of W. S. Stevens, a respected pioneer of Owyhee
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county. They have one child, William Henry, of the elbow joint, thereby shortening the mem- and throughout the community they are held in high regard.
WILLIAM T. RILEY.
William T. Riley was one of the founders of the town of Hailey, and throughout the period of its existence he has been identified with its development, and his name is therefore insep- arably interwoven with its history. The won- derful upbuilding of the northwest is due to such men,-men of enterprise, sagacity, sound judg- ment and rare discrimination, whose methods are practical and whose plans are comprehensive and far-reaching.
Mr. Riley was born in Allegany county, New York. March 31, 1843. His father, John Riley, was born on the Emerald Isle, came to America when a young man and was married in Mon- mouth, New Jersey, to Miss Mary Bowles. They became pioneers of western New York, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. He was a member of the Catholic church and his wife belonged to the Episcopal church. His death occurred in the forty-fourth year of his age, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy years. Of their family of three sons and four daughters, only four are now living.
The youngest son of the family, William T. Riley, was reared and educated in Allegany county and had attained the age of eighteen years when President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers to aid in suppressing the rebellion. When the need for soldiers became more press- ing, he offered his services, and in September, 1861, was assigned to Company D, Eighty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years in the Army of the Potomac. When that period had elapsed the south was still uncon- quered, and Mr. Riley determined to stand by the Union until the supremacy of the national government should be permanently established. He re-enlisted in General Hancock's army, and participated in all of the many battles of the Army of the Potomac, in which that vast body of brave men won honor and glory. At the battle of Locust Grove, following the battle of Gettysburg, he sustained a gunshot wound in his right arm, which has resulted in resection
ber five inches and rendering it almost useless; but, notwithstanding it is a great hardship, it is nevertheless a badge of the greatest honor, ever indicating his faithful service. He partici- pated in the grand review in Washington, the most brilliant military pageant ever witnessed in the New World, "wave after wave of bayonet- crested blue" sweeping by the President's stand, amid the applause of a grateful nation anxious to yield its tributes of praise and love to the heroes who through four years had followed the starry banner.
When hostilities had ceased and the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Riley returned to his home. He came to the west at the time of the building of the Union Pacific Railroad and conducted stores all along the line, finally locat- ing at Kelton, where he engaged in merchan- dising and also served as postmaster, stage agent and express agent. In 1881 the great Wood river excitement was at its height, and he came to Blaine county, where in connection with John Hailey, A. H. Boomer and two others he laid out and platted the town of Hailey. He has since . been closely identified with its interests and has been one of its most successful and useful citi- zens. After platting the town he had charge of the sale of its lots, and much of its property has passed through his hands, while he still has con- siderable realty here. For some years he con- ducted a drug store, under the firm name of Riley & Tracy, and enjoyed a good trade. In 1890 he was appointed register of the land office, where he remained for four years and was also county treasurer and agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company. He withholds his support from no movement or enterprise for the public good, and his work in behalf of the town has rendered him one of the most valued citizens. He became active in the organization of the water company, which has brought pure water from the mountains under pressure, thus secur- ing to Hailey a good water supply for both fire and domestic purposes. He has been superin- tendent of the company since its organization and to him is due much of the credit for securing this most necessary adjunct to the prosperity of the town.
In 1871 Mr. Riley was united in marriage to
Thomas Me Jeffreys.
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Miss Frances Heckman, of Angelica, New York, and their union has been blessed with four sons and six daughters. The eldest daughter, Jessie M., is now principal of the Ketchum school, and was recently the prominent candidate of the fu- sion party for superintendent of schools. The younger children are Bertha B., Mary and Esther (twins), and Harriet, John H., Russell T. and Weston T. Six of the ten children are now living.
The family are members of the Episcopal church, and are greatly esteemed in the town in which they reside. Mr. Riley is a member of the lodge and chapter of the Masonic frater- nity, has filled various offices in the former and is past master workman in the local lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a very prominent and influential member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is past com- mander of the department of the state of Idaho. He is therefore widely known among those who wore the blue and has the warm regard of his old associates in arms. His life has been one of activity and usefulness, and he is to-day as true to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag upon southern battle-fields.
THOMAS M. JEFFREYS.
Thomas M. Jeffreys, probate judge and super- intendent of public instruction in Washington county, Idaho, is a native of Oregon, his birth having occurred in Yamhill county, on the 7th of April, 1852. His father, Woodson Jeffreys, was born in Jackson county, Missouri, in 1825, and in early manhood, in Oregon, married Jane Forrest, also a native of Missouri, They crossed the plains to Oregon in 1845, being nine months in accomplishing the long and weary journey across the plains, their way being beset by many obstacles, difficulties and dangers. They located on government land in Yamhill county, and dur- ing the first winter suffered many hardships and privations. Their stock of provisions was almost exhausted and they subsisted on boiled wheat and what game they could kill. Mr. Jeff- reys also participated in the wars with the In- dians in those early years of his residence in the northwest, and was a brave pioneer and a man of sterling character. In 1865 he came to Idaho, accompanied by his wife and five children, and
purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land at Weiser, where he built a residence and began the development of the farm upon which his widow yet resides. In connection with his brother he was extensively engaged in stock- raising, both in Oregon and Idaho. They were enterprising, ambitious and fearless, and recog- nizing an excellent business opportunity, they drove large herds of cattle to the Carriboo coun- try, where by furnishing the miners with beef, they made large sums of money. Mr. Jeffreys departed this life in 1881, at Weiser, at the age of fifty-six years, respected by all who knew him. His wife, who still survives him, is now sixty- five years of age, and like her husband is a consistent member of the Christian church, In the early days he served as county commissioner when the county comprised Ada, Canyon and Washington counties, and discharged the duties of that important position with promptness and fidelity. He was an important factor in the de- velopment of the state, and his labors proved very effective in opening up this region to the advance of civilization.
Judge Jeffreys, whose name introduces this review, was the eldest child of Woodson and Jane Jeffreys. He spent his youth in his parents' home and was well fitted for the practical and responsible duties of life by liberal educational privileges. His early advantages in that direc- tion were supplemented by a course in Kentucky University, at Lexington, Kentucky, where he was graduated in the law and commercial de- partments in the class of 1876. He then returned to his home in Idaho, where for some years he was successfully engaged in school-teaching, be- ing numbered among the most efficient educators of the state. For five years he was also engaged in general merchandising at Weiser, but is now devoting his energies to the public service, faith- fully performing the duties entrusted to his care.
Since attaining his majority he has exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, and is a recognized leader in the party ranks in this section of the state. In 1881 he was elected a member of the territorial legislature and has also served for two terms as treasurer of Washington county. On his retirement from that office he was elected probate judge and superintendent of schools, and
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is now serving his second term in those offices, discharging his duties in a manner highly satis- factory to the people and creditable to himself.
In 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Jeffreys and Mrs. M. G. Jewell, who by her former marriage had one son, C. W. Jewell. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffreys have a daughter, Ethel F. They have a nice home and fruit farm at Weiser, and occupy a leading position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society. They are valued members of the Baptist church, and give their support to all measures tending toward the moral and educational advancement of the com- munity.
HON. DE FOREST H. ANDREWS.
It is the enterprise and character of the citizens that enrich and ennoble the commonwealth. From individual enterprise have sprung all the splendor and importance of this great west. The greatest business men have developed from the humblest origins, and from clerkships have emerged men who have built up great business enterprises. Among those who have achieved prominence as men of marked ability and sub- stantial worth in Boise is the subject of this sketch, De Forest H. Andrews, one of the most successful real-estate dealers of Idaho.
A native of Auburn, New York, he was born on the 23d of May, 1841, and is a representative of one of the old families of that state. His grand- father, Salmon Andrews, was a resident of Syra- cuse, New York. His father, Salmon S. An- drews, was born in the Empire state, and there married Miss Saralı Stolp, a lady of German descent. In 1843 they removed to Aurora, Illi- nois, where for a time Mr. Andrews was engaged in farming. Later he removed to Valparaiso, Indiana, where he died at the age of seventy years. Mrs. Andrews then made her home with her son in Leadville, Colorado, where she died in the sixty-eighth year of her age. This worthy couple were the parents of eleven children, but only three are now living.
De Forest H. Andrews acquired his education in the public schools of Indiana and Illinois. Throughout his business career his energies have been devoted principally to stock-raising, to min- ing and to real-estate dealing. In 1860 he emi- grated to Colorado, where he engaged in mining,
at Leadville and Aspen, and in Gilpin and Boul- der counties. He was successful in his ventures there and ultimately sold his mining interests for eighty-five thousand dollars. In 1890 he came to Boise and purchased property, since which time he has engaged in the real-estate business, both on his own account and for others. He has been a very prominent factor in the growth and up- building of the city, for through his instrumen- tality many substantial improvements have been made. He has large realty holdings in the Thatcher, Broadway, Park, South Boise and Londoner additions, and the amount of his sales would reach a large figure.
In 1872 Mr. Andrews married Mrs. Isabella L. Rice, a native of Steubenville, Ohio, and to them were born five children, but all are now deceased. By her former marriage Mrs. Andrews had three children,-George W., Nellie N. and William C., all of whom have reached mature years. She is a valued member of the Congre- gational church and a lady whose many estim- able qualities have gained her many friends.
On attaining his majority Mr. Andrews gave his political support to the Democratic party. Later he became one of the organizers of the Greenback party, and is now a Populist. He was one of the founders of the enterprising little city of Nevadaville, Colorado, and for some time was its progressive and efficient mayor. When there was a fusion between the Populist and Democratic forces he was nominated for election as a member of the state legislature, but was de- feated at the ensuing election, in Gilpin county, Colorado. In 1896 he was nominated on the Democratic-People's party ticket in Ada county, Idaho, and elected by a safe majority. As a member of the legislature he was instrumental in introducing and securing the passage of the irrigation bill, a very important measure, result- ing greatly to the benefit and improvement of the state. In 1898 he received his party's nom- ination for governor, a high tribute to his worth and an unmistakable indication of his popularity in Populistic circles. His business career is one most commendable. He follows most systematic methods, is thoroughly reliable, has strict regard for the ethics of commercial life, and, by enter- prise and careful management, has secured a most gratifying success.
FRENTE SALTLAKE
SCENE BH PAPRENDI CETER
Scene on Alpheus Creek.
CHAPTER XXI.
OWYHEE COUNTY-ITS HISTORY, TOWNS, INDUSTRIES.
I N 1862 the present county of Owyhee was a part of Boise county, which comprised all of the western portion of Washington Ter- ritory lying south of what was then called Idaho county, its area being nearly equal to that of Penn- sylvania. When Idaho was created a territory by act of congress, March 3, 1863, Boise county be- came part and parcel of the territory of Idaho, and at the first session of the territorial legisla- ture, held at Lewiston, Idaho, Owyhee county was created, December 31, 1863, out of all terri- tory south of Snake river and west of the Rocky mountains.
In 1864 Oneida county, and in 1879 Cassia county, were cut off of Owyhee county, reducing it to its present limits. Its northern boundary line is the Snake river. Cassia county on the east, state of Oregon on the west, and the state of Nevada forms its southern boundary. Its area is 8,130 square miles, being somewhat larger than the state of Massachusetts. Its name, "Owyhee," is believed to have been borrowed from the Ha- waiian language, and to have been given to the Owyhee river by two Kanakas in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company.
Prior to the spring of 1863, Owyhee county was an unexplored country, inhabited only by bands of hostile Indians, while at that time the diggings of Boise basin and Oro Fino boasted of a population of over ten thousand miners. A legend of the early immigrants to Oregon of the "Blue Bucket diggings," in the vicinity of the Owyhee mountains, wherein they used sinkers of gold for fishing purposes, led several adven- turous spirits to organize a party of discovery at Placerville, in May, 1863. The party consisted of the following: Michael Jordan, A. J. Miner, J. C. Boone, P. H. Gordan, L. C. Gelir, G. W. Chadwick, Cy Iba, William Phipps, Joseph Dor- sey, Jerome Francisco, John Moore, J. R. Cain, W. Churchill, H. R. Wade, A. J. Reynolds, James Carroll, William Duncan, Dr. A. F. Rudd,
F. Height, W. L. Wade, John Cannon, M. Con- ner, C. Ward, R. W. Prindall, D. P. Barnes, W. T. Carson, J. Johnson, A. Eddington and O. H. Purdy, in all numbering twenty-nine.
We take the following from the narration of O. H. Purdy, a member of the party, a well- known citizen of Silver City, who was killed in the skirmish with the Bannack Indians at South mountain, in June, 1878:
We crossed Snake river at the mouth of Boise river, traveling in a southwesterly direction, until we came to, at that time, quite a large stream, which we named, in honor of the laziest man in the company, "Reynolds creek." We camped here one day. During the day, two of the party, Wade and Miner, ascended the divide westerly from camp, on a tour of observation, and dis- covered still farther south and west what appeared to be a large stream, judging from the topographical for- mation of the mountains, which were well timbered. This was reported to the balance in camp.
The next morning (May 18, 1863), our party of twen- ty-nine men and about sixty horses and mules was headed in the direction of the supposed water-course, which we reached about four o'clock p. m., at a point we named "Discovery Bar," about six miles below where Booneville now is. The locality presenting a favorable place for camping, it was so agreed. Dr. Rudd, a verdant emigrant, not waiting to unpack his mule, took his shovel, and, scooping up some of the loose gravel on the bank of the creek, "panned it out" and obtained about a hundred "colors." The excite- ment and amazement which followed this "discovery" can better be imagined than described. In ten minutes, every man, with pan and shovel (except the lazy man), was busy digging and panning, and upon their return about an hour after, each man had favorable prospects to exhibit.
The prospecting continued up the creek for ten or twelve days, when, at "Happy Camp," the laws of the district were made and adopted, the creek and district named, and claims located-the creek and district tak- ing the names of two of our company, Michael Jordan and W. T. Carson.
It may be interesting to know the future of this party of twenty-nine, but a great many of them have unfortunately passed into obscurity. Michael
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Jordan and James Carroll fell victims to Indians in 1864. H. R. Wade was the first county treas- urer-elect, and he and W. T. Carson died at Silver City in 1865. William Duncan died in 1873, in Nevada. J. R. Cain moved to Boise valley. Height and Iba emigrated to southeastern Idaho, and Height recently sold the Hailey hot springs, of which he was the proprietor. Purdy. as stated before, met his fate by Indians in 1878. The return of the party to Boise basin with the news of the discovery at once created a "stampede" for Owyhee, and the mining towns of Boone- ville and Ruby City were speedily in course of erection, and gold hunters busily engaged in changing the formation of Florida and War Eagle mountains. In July, 1863, the first quartz ledge was discovered and located, in Whiskey gulch, by R. H. Wade & Company. A few days after, the Oro Fino quartz ledge was discovered and located by A. J. Sands and Svale Neilson, who a month later also located the "Morning Star." The first quartz mill, called the "Morning Star," with an equipment of eight stamps, was erected by Moore, Fogus & Company. In May, 1864, the Oro Fino Gold & Silver Tunnel Com- pany was incorporated in Carson district, to run a tunnel through Oro Fino mountain, on which were at that time thirty locations, one of which was the "War Eagle," which gave its name sub- sequently to the mountain. The tunnel com- pany, however, never materialized, though the project has again been agitated in the later days.
The great discovery of 1865 was the celebrated Poorman mine. According to Professor Gilbert Butler, it was discovered by O'Brien, Holt, Zerr. Ebner, Stevens and Ray, and was first called the "Hays & Ray." Some say it was discovered by D. C. O'Byrne, and others mention Charles S. Peck. It is said that it was first discovered by Peck, about one thousand feet from the present discovery shaft, in which he (Peck) uncovered a rich chimney, but concealed his discovery, and, finding that it lay within the boundaries of the Hays & Ray claim, endeavored to purchase the mine from the owners, but was unsuccessful. The chimney, however, was uncovered by an- other company of prospectors, and the mine was then named the "Poorman," on account of the discoverers being without capital to work it. Peck was subsequently given an interest in the
mine by the owners, but in the meantime a fight for possession was imminent, the owners barri- cading the entrance of the mine and mounting a couple of pieces of ordnance, naming the forti- fications "Fort Baker." The ore taken from the Poorman was a silver chloride, richly impreg- nated with gold, easily worked, and soft as lead, which it resembled, tinted crimson, which gave it its name of ruby silver. As it came from the mine it readily sold for four dollars an ounce, which was said to be much below its real value.
At a depth of one hundred feet a body of na- tive ore was uncovered weighing about five hun- dred pounds, which was one solid mass of ruby silver crystals, specimens of which were exhibited at the Paris exposition of 1866 and were awarded a gold medal. Two thousand tons of second and third-class rock yielded $546,691.59, and tailings went over $70.00 to the ton, first-class rock rang- ing from four thousand dollars to five thousand dollars per ton. Other mines of note were dis- covered in Carson, Mammoth and Flint districts, and between 1863 and 1865 two hundred and fifty mining locations were recorded, the principal ones, aside from those previously men- tioned, being the Golden Chariot, War Eagle, Ida Elmore, Whiskey Gulch, Minnesota, Silver Bullion, Hidden Treasure, Noonday, Centurion, Golden Eagle, Allison, Blazing Star, Montana, Home Ticket, Floreta, Silver Legion, Eureka, Calaveras, Caledonian, Empire, Dashaway, Red Jacket, Mahogany, Stormy Hill, South Chariot, Illinois Central, Belle Peck, North Extension Poorman, South Poorman, Lucky Poorman, Big Fish, Boycott, Glenbrook, Clearbrook, Idlewild, North Empire, South Empire, San Juan, Du- buque, Silver Cloud, Louisiana, Ruby Jackson, Silver City, Ruth, Sinker, By Chance, Potosi, Rattling Jack, St. James, Northern Light, Crook & Jennings, Brannan, Home Resort, Savage, Piute. Miami, Lone Tree, Home Stake, Little Fish, Silver Cord, Golden Cord, Standard, Phi- lox. Webfoot, Wilson, Idaho, Gentle Emma, Stoddard, Ohio, Henrietta, Tremont, Crown Point, Redemption, Booneville, Empire State, Florida Hill, Seventy-Nine, Paymaster, Cumber- land, Black Jack, Leviathan, Sierra Nevada, Yreka, Owyhee Treasury, Avenue, Rose, Hud- son, Phoenix, and Carson Chief, all in Carson district, besides the Webfoot and Garfield in
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