USA > Idaho > Lemhi County > Early history of the Upper Lemhi Valley > Part 2
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
Other references to the Hays family are herein, and to continue:
Schoonover from Gilmore, Murphy from Emmett and Wilbur Stroud.
3 kids & home made wagon, Ivan Reddington, Lester Allred and Marvin Reddington.
Deer with horns in the velvet.
14
Nellie Reddington Mulkey
The Kaufmans were among the earliest settlers, living on the Henry Yearian place by the creek. Later, they rented "Grandpa" Stevenson's restaurant and Mrs. Kaufman operated the stage office in Junction, for a time. They then moved to Birch Creek.
After the turn of the century, the Upper Lemhi Valley had become a prosperous place. The families were mainly transplanted stock from the older states of the Middle West and East. Naturally, they did establish in their new homes, the religious beliefs of their fathers. There were people of the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Episcopalian beliefs, which when combined, became the stable, permanent and reliable citizens of the Upper Lemhi Valley. This is still evidenced in our present generation.
It is not possible to recall or to mention all the families who came, settled and became permanent residents of the Upper Valley, but of these settlers whom I should like to mention, there follows:
Uncle Abe Lipe, who came west with the Swartz and Cottom families, married Nancy Yearian, sister of Sarah Yearian Reddington, a sister-in-law of Milton Reddington. The ranch he owned was bought by Gus Mulkey, who sold to Floyd Whitaker, its present owner.
Stage Coach in Junction. Driver, Jess Shurett; the boy, Harvey Lipe; the big man on the ground with light hat, Wilbur Stone; in the cowboy hat, Art Pyeatt; center, sitting on top, G. L. Webb; on top in the back, Wilbur Hays; riding shotgun on front seat, Billie Cannon; inside the stage, Jimmy Barrack; and Bert Ellis on the coach.
15
John Warren took up the ranch now owned by Dare Anderson. He sold to Ed Gray, then it was sold to Bill Peterson, who in turn gave it to Dare Anderson.
Vern Tingley had a dairy ranch on Dairy Creek in "Big Eight Mile" Canyon. These places were just "squatters' rights". Will Vreeland worked for Vern.
Joseph Yearian took up the ranch now owned by Truman Chapman. Joseph sold the place to Gilbert Yearian, who in turn sold it to Ted Ellis. Russell and Bob Benedict bought it from Ellis, later selling it to Chapman.
John and Lige Stroud took up the Stroud ranches, which were later sold to Sam Mckinney.
Jack Smith owned a small ranch under the bar, across from the Stroud ranch, later he sold it to T. J. Stroud.
Abe Elder owned the Barrows Ranch. Charles Noble worked for the Benson Estate, later this place was sold to Woolwine, who in turn sold it to Dave Clark, later it was sold to Floyd Whitaker.
George Martin was quite a noted citizen. He took up land later selling it to Dewey Allhands, who in turn sold to Sid Chorn, then it was bought by Lloyd Clark. Martin drove the Armsted stage for many years, carrying the mail without fail.
"Curley" Stewart married Docia Yearian, daughter of Henry and Mary Yearian. Stewart had three brothers, Bob, Lee, and "Chicken". Bob married Lillie Yearian. Lee came there with his family, living in Junction until it was moved to Leadore. Chicken was a bachelor, and owned a place near the Barrows Ranch.
Across the Lemhi River from the Gib Yearian Ranch, was land taken up by John Yearian, who sold it to Eddie Yearian, who in turn sold it to John Reddington. The next owner was Siegel Tobias.
-50
function I day
- 1-1: 1518.
POST CARD
Dear clara Jest -assied to day. I am at inoties IT 2 A.M. 1913 NAME
Je nveCORRESPONDENCE HERE
Le penche Jolors after Inflere hope kan are) Dellong alone alcuniket don't he witaby for part time will
elard freddoin Beidenhangh Hall moucom
Idatio
content for self your
BIRD'S EYE -
VIEW-LEADORE
Postcard written to Miss Clara Reddington (Proulx) from Junction in 1913.
OUTWARD BOUND FROM LEADORE, IDAHO
16
SOUVENIR
Junetion School Lemhi County, Oduho.
1898-1899.
frank OD. Immel.
: EAOMER.
APHOOL BOARD.
.
Ass't Chi mani
Clerk!
Graduation announcement trom the Junction School.
Pupils.
Lillie Vreeland Peter Vreeland
Will A. Vreeland
Joe Yearian
Lillie Yearian
Doshia Yeasian
Edward Shelley Hugh McDeivitt
Emma llays
Birtha Hays Jacob Hays
Mammie Daniels
Lettie lee
1.emmy Lee
Chas. F. Lee
Lucinda Lee
Jessie Patton
Willie Patton
John D. Patton
Fannie Patton
Elmer J. Stroud
Laura Stroud
Glenn Stroud
Chauncey Stroud
Bessie Stroud
Minnie Reddington
Clara Reddington
Wilda McRea
Retta Tobias
Ethel Tobias
Rodney Tobias
"Little Eight Mile" Ranch was taken up by Sam Williamson, one of the early school teachers. Part of the ranch, was sold to Bill Mulkey, then to Bill Rusk, and it is now owned by the Mahaffey Estate.
The little town became the center of a happy, prosperous community. It was the stage station, connecting Junction with Montana to the East, and Idaho Falls to the south. The freight wagons stopped there for repairs, feed and lodging.
As the livestock industry expanded, and other products became marketable, the discovery of mineral ore at Gilmore, added to discovery earlier in the Salmon River area. With the discovery of lead at Junction and other mining activities, a better method of shipping products became necessary.
As time went by, and the need became even greater, the following people organized and incorporated the Gilmore & Pittsburgh Railroad Company Limited. They were: W. A. Mccutcheon, Robert B. Little, J. H. Crehan, C. H. McCracken, all of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and W. F. Stone of Junction, all of whom promoted the building of the railroad from Armstead, Montana, to Salmon, Idaho. Gilmore was included on the route, and the entire completion dated early in May, 1910.
Naturally, one would expect the railroad to pass through Junction. To the consternation and dismay of the residents, it was revealed that one of the property owners, Tom Powell, had refused a right of way. Hence Junction was "by passed" at a distance of two miles. As a result, the town of Leadore was established, and still serves as a mining and livestock raising center.
Countless tons of ore were shipped from the area. It took intricate engineering to plan and lay tracks over the mountains. The problem was solved by a series of "switch backs" and the train thus maneuvered alternately, forward and backward.
Reluctantly, the people of Junction had to migrate elsewhere. The post office and schools were discontinued there, and along with W. F. Stone's Store, the drug store and other business firms, were moved to Leadore.
This left only a few of the older residents and Jack Decker's small grocery store at Junction. As time went by, the people and the buildings disappeared. Only those graves of settlers who had departed this life remained at McRae's cemetery.
Leadore from 1910 to 1925 became a thriving town. Built and established was a bank, the post office, drug, as well as other stores, two hotels, telephone office, barber shops, garages, a moving picture show house, a meat market, and it became the headquarters of that district of the Salmon National Forest. A railroad station (or depot) was built, and for the upper valley, schools, both elementary and secondary, along with churches, came into use.
The following stayed and worked on the railroad: Andy Burnham, Ed Malloy, Harold Robinson, Jack Haines, Frank Proulx, Alex Waugh, Mrs. Alex Widdowsen, Harry Saline, Earl Williams, Kenneth Yearian and Harvey Lipe, Jerry Ryan, Joe Steele, Lang McCormick, and Luke Blecka.
17
Among those who served as station agents were: George Radford, Tom Ball, Art Ruika, Lawrence McGivney, and Vern Chandler.
There are probably others who worked on the railroad or at the station, but their names are not recalled.
Schools
Even though the early settlers were struggling to establish a community center at Junction in the first years of the "seventies", they were also entertaining thoughts of the future, and thus having the welfare of their children in mind, it was imperative that they establish schools.
The first school in the Junction area was a one room log cabin, located between the old "High House", and the McRae Ranch. In 1873, eight grades were taught here by Mr. Ramsden, the schoolmaster. This was organized as District No. 2.
The log structure became inadequate, so in the early 1880's, a larger log building, with a sod roof, was built. Here the pupils were taught the three R's, to the tune of the hickory stick.
At the turn of the century, a frame building was erected in Junction, then another larger one was built, for there were one hundred pupils by then. This frame building was used until 1918. After the brick building in Leadore was finished, the frame schoolhouse was moved to a ranch, half way between Junction and Leadore, and became the residence of H. C. Christensen and family.
The earliest school at Lemhi or Yearianville, was built by Thomas Pyeatt. It was made of logs, adobe, and had a dirt roof. It was on the corner of his ranch. The teachers lived with the families of their pupils, and conducted school from four to six months in the winter. Some of the teachers were: S. A. White, Miss Flora North, Miss Emma Russell (Mrs. T. H. Yearian), and Geneva Wells.
The school was known as Idaho School District No. 3; and Thomas Pyeatt was Chairman of the Board. John Reese, son of Gilliam Reese, was one of the first graduates of this school. He later graduated from college, and became a history teacher, a writer and a historian of renown. Don Pyeatt was one to graduate. He then went to Valparaiso University in Indiana, and also attended San Jose Business College.
In 1902, the Bannister school was instituted as District No. 4. Later this school was moved down Tex Creek to the "Chicken" Stewart place. Then on toward Leadore to where Highway 28 crosses Tex Creek, and was then called the Plum School.
About 1908 Gilmore residents created a school which was known as District 20. The first teacher was Beth Yearian (Brenner). This district was closed after World War II when Gilmore became mostly, a ghost town.
The Cottom School was organized in February 1912, as District No. 29. Ernest Benedict, John B. Reddington and Morris H. Cottom financed and constructed the building. The county furnished the equipment and paid the teacher. This building can still be viewed from where Highway 28 meets Cottom Lane, a solitary log structure.
The Tingleys, Vern, Joe, Flora (Brown), Ray, and Walt.
Grandpa Shelley and Old Kie . . .
Ruby Proulx Purcell, Bessie, and Rose Hays.
18
-
Elsa and Maemie Reddington
4 generations, Tom, Vern, Etna, and Steven Chandler.
,
Mr. and Mrs. Jake Hayes, December 16, 1933.
In 1912, the Lee Creek Community was in need of a school. So they used an old sod roofed building, and then constructed a new frame one.
In 1915, there was another District organized to accommodate the "D. C. Bar" residents.
The great structure of the brick building at Leadore, was dedicated, February 1, 1918. The school Board members were E. M. Yearian, John B. Reddington, E. R. Benedict, Don C. Reed, Claude H. Benson and Loy H. Lee. Mrs. Jennie Mulkey was clerk of the Board. It was a two story building with ten classrooms, a gymnasium, an electric light plant, steam heat and long corriders. There was also an auditorium, used by the school, and for community affairs. It included elementary and secondary levels, and was in use for thirty years. Then re-organization took place and District No. 2 became District No. 292, and included all of the schools from "17 Mile" to the Clark County Line.
At one time, District No. 2 was one of Idaho's richest school districts, due to the taxes from the mines, ranches, and the railroad. I am happy to relate that I had the privilege of teaching many years in District No. 2, and No. 292. The schools of the Upper Lemhi Valley have contributed from those attending, and those graduating, many outstanding citizens among whom are two, rated as millionaires.
John Reddington, Charley Backee, Tom Harvey, Milford Allred, Lester Allred, Marvin Reddington, sitting are Charley Kummer and William Backee.
19
SE SE SEC. 21
To Salmon
2
"Pool Hall" Forum
28
Restaurant Pearl Chandler
Tyler House2 George Lisanan
"High House"
Stephenson Residence
"Livery Stables"
Junction
W F Stone
* Residence ·
W.F. Stone
"ice House"
Fred W Chose
· Junction Merc." George yearian
Horse Trail
RED ROCK ROAD
C.L Kirlley M.D.
* Saloon ** Thomas D Powell
L.C Fyhrie Store
* Store" AF Wright
*Store" E.A Stone
* Dwelling House" Edward '& Denny
Betcher Shop
John Warren RASIdENCE
Jim Patric
withom Forlín
" Store Warehouse" Wilbur F. Stone
Deese
Barber Shop"
Percy
Reese
Tin Shop
Wilbur Stone
· Residence" Henry yearion
Taylor Rasidanca
-
7
* Residence " Con Gilstor
"Butcher Shop
Lee wentworth "Butcher Shop-
Virgil B. Stewart
* Residence* John Stroud
" Blocksmith Shop" Jacoba I ina
7
Ed Patton
To Armstead
20
Junction Hotel
SW SW/SEC. 22
MAIN
NWWW SECA
STREET
· Residence " John Learian
NE NE SEC. 28
John Beddington
INV Lipe
Jess Sherrit
William A. Vresland
Jess Sherrit
Vacant Lot
Rood (Charles Fox)
WJ Orthon
Methodist Church
T.R. Deniny
Dist. "2 School House
JH Rothery
JR. Shoonover
John Decker
vocant Lot
Sam Shelly
Junction
Charles Ellis
(Canyon Cr.)
Susan Clark
To Gilmore
21
- TOWN OF JUNCTION Informotion racetved from Kenneth yearian,
John Reddington and the Lambs County Recorder TIGN - R 2GE
-
Creak
Waugh Dwelling Place
NE NW SEC. 27
Lemhi Agency and Yearianville Country -- Contributed by Dorothy Pyeatt Baker
The Pyeatt Story
On April 26, 1865, when the Army of the Confederacy surrendered all of their troops, the gates of Andersonville Prison swung open to one of the most tragic groups of history. A sick and weakened bunch, they were released to make their way home. Among these was young Thomas B. Pyeatt, who served with Company K, Illinois Regiment, with honor under Sherman until captured at Vicksburg.
With no formal medical training except what he had received in the Army, he had been one of the medics in prison. In the field, he had served as a bugler and medical assistant. Thomas never forgot the horrors of gangrenous amputations he had helped perform while at Andersonville.
Returning to his home in De Quoin, Illinois, he married Pelisha Gill, and had three children, William Butler, born December 25, 1872; Cornelia Ann, born June 28, 1868, and Leo Arthur born August 3, 1874. The war devestation had been great, and many of the young men were looking to the West for opportunities.
Late in 1868, Thomas and Gillian Reese bade their families farewell and with one wagon and team, along with saddle horses, set out to find a new home and wealth. Having heard great tales of the gold fields at Leesburg, this was their intended destination.
Upon finding unclaimed verdant farm land on the Lemhi River, they quickly decided to settle there. The two men staked out their lands adjoining each other, built a "dug-out" to bring their families to, paid their taxes and assessments, then started their perilous journey back to Illinois. What little money they had left was gone so they worked for their "found" on the trip home, taking many months.
Arriving in De Quoin, they set about assembling their stock, household goods, clothing and animals, and some farming equipment. Finally, they started out, Pelisha driving one wagon, Thomas the other, and the children herding the livestock. The Reese family were similarly equipped. In May, 1877, they arrived at the "dug-out" in time to start spring planting.
Both families lived in the "soddie" for sixteen months; then the men were able to build the first log cabins with dirt floors and dirt roofs. These poor cabins must have been like heaven. Yet the dirt roofs blew off, so leaked and generally made housekeeping miserable. In 1878, Thomas left his family in the protective care of Mr. Reese, and made the weary trip to Corinne, Utah for more tools and other supplies.
In rapid succession more children were born; Thomas Burleigh in 1879, he only lived three years. His father diagnosed his trouble as lockage of the bowels, but it was probably appendicitis. His grave is in the family plot in Yearian cemetery, north of Leadore. Then came "still born" twins, who are buried together on a knoll, overlooking the George Ellsworth ranch buildings. In February 1884, Don J. was born, followed in 1886
arble, Education is to the human soul."-ADDISON.
DIPLOMA OF HONOR.
kanwn in the world current everr u bere - ARNOLD,
A MERITED
CERTIFICATE FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP. Aunited to
for Diligence and Stress in the Study of
with we fly to heaven -snak
Young the anin session favor ichdal
ESPRANK
The Form ending :a: 34, 1886 Ranh
12 Class S1. Nul in Class 4
, Jeachet.
The mind In & Kehl th which en sure as a mann sows pot wheat, so sure will the
devil be to sow tores,-BENTHAM.
Diploma of Honor given to Willie Pyeatt at the Lemhi School in 1886.
Mark and Lillie (Vreeland) Purcell.
Ignoraone is the curse of Cod : Knowledge the wing where-
Milford Allred and John Reddington
22
Three of the 4 original 1918 graduates from Leadore High School who attended the 50th year dinner June 29, 1968. William Yearian, Frances Benedict Owens and John A. Reddington.
Saddlin' up at Cruikie's. . .
Joe Murphy, Mike Maer, Newt Cooper, Alex Cruikshank, and two others.
Haying at the John Reddington ranch. On the rake, Tom Harvey, standing and holding Lester Allred, Cora Reddington, Granny Reddington, Charley Backey, John Reddington, Clara Proulx, Marvin Reddinaton, and Ollie and Milford Allred are all in view.
by Florence Effie, and in 1891 by McPherson Gilbert. All the children, born in Idaho were delivered by their father, except McPherson. At that time, Thomas was in Boise, serving as a State Legislator. The only help his wife had, at McPherson's birth, was that of the oldest daughter, Nelia. The baby was named in honor of Thomas' great friend, J. M. McPherson.
The children, when grown and educated, married: Cornelia to Edward Milton Yearian of Junction; William Butler to Esther Amonson; Leo Arthur to Virginia Lively; Don J. to Georgia Holgate; McPherson Gilbert to Martha Sprinkle of Dillon, Montana. Mr. and Mrs. Pyeatt lived to see eleven grandchildren, and passed away in 1922 and 1927.
Thomas served as Chairman of School District No. 3, as a County Commissioner, and on the Republican Central Committee, helping in every way to build a home, county and state from the territory in which he chose to live.
Mike Myers, a bachelor, arrived from Missouri on the Lemhi River in 1868. After spending two years prospecting for mineral ore, and working on ranches, he filed on the land across the river from the Reese Ranch. This property is now a part of the William Snyder ranch. Myers' home was headquarters for all the neighborhood bachelors. After he passed away, Roll Denny and family, then the Frank Alphin family made the ranch their home. Some of the best fishing holes, on the Lemhi River, are in Myers Lane.
Mike Spahn took up the ranch at the mouth of Reese Creek, now known as the Snyder place. The Spahns had a son, Karl, and a daughter who lived most of her life in California. Karl served in the State Legislature, several terms and was a progressive and highly respected citizen. After K. O. and Mrs. Spahn retired from running the ranch, that job was taken over by his stepson, William Snyder; and has now passed on to William Snyder, Jr. This is one of the pioneer ranches left that is occupied by members of the original settlers' family.
Peter and Christina Amonson owned a ranch between Myers and Cottom Lanes. It is presently owned by their grandson, J. C. Amonson. In the old log house, still standing in a grove of cottonwood trees, Peter and Christina raised their family: Albert, Anker, Oscar, Esther (Pyeatt) and Clara (Diggles), all of whom are now deceased. There are several descendants living in Lemhi County, Oscar's widow and oldest son, John (Sammy) live on the old D. C. Ranch on D. C. Bar.
Frank B. Sharkey arrived at Napias Creek from Elk Mountain in July 1866, and there discovered gold which started a "gold rush" of mostly recently discharged Civil War veterans. When the gold deposits were mostly mined out, the seven thousand inhabitants of Leesburg drifted away, many settled in the valley either to become ranchers or engage in various business ventures.
Mr. Sharkey moved to the Cady Ranch on the Reservation, post office address, Sunfield, Idaho. He married the daughter of Mr. Cady and they had one daughter, Margaret. His second wife was Annie Pyeatt, sister of Riley Pyeatt. Their children were: Jack who died during service in World War I. Olive, who married Rev. Frank Bonner, Helen married Byron Gordon, Adele
23
married George Radford who was station agent at Leadore many Author's Note: I am grateful to Mrs. Baker for telling some years. Clair married Murdock McNicoll, and still lives in Salmon. of the early history of the area adjoining the Upper Valley. It The Rev. Bonner was the first Presbyterian minister in Salmon, is not possible to recall nor mention all who came. Mrs. Oberg and later lived in many states and the Philippine Islands. and other historians have written much of the Lemhi Agency story, so with a "thank you, Dorothy", I shall continue my bit
Mr. Radford resides at St. Maries, and often visits home of history, interspersed with more of Mrs. Baker's writings -- folks. Margaret, first daughter of Mr. Sharkey, was wed to Robert Kirkham, and they were the parents of the following Lemhi County
residents: Mrs. Paul (Beth) Albertson, Mrs. Gilbert (Margaret) Rucker; Mrs. Sam (Olive) Langfitt, and Frank Kirkham, now deceased.
Maggie, as she was affectionately known, was a practical nurse and midwife. Many members of homes in the valley, had reason to be very grateful for her tender ministrations.
Mr. Kirkham arrived in the valley with George Barrows who settled at Leadore, and also a Mr. Spencer who lived at "Seventeen Mile" on the old Reservation. His daughters were Mildred, wife of Frank Havemann, Salmon hardware merchant, and Berniece married Eddy Malloy, a railroad conductor.
War Mothers, Red Cross Workers, and Teachers at Leadore taken in 1917 or 1918 . . . during a Liberty Bond Drive.
Back Row, I to r Maggie McRea, Molly Waugh, Cora Reddington, Grace Grossman, Anna Burns, O. S. Johnson, Myrtle Burr, Alma Reddington, and Susie Lee, Middle Row, Kate Lydon, Mrs. Currie, Anna Saline, Cornelia Yearian, H. K. Biegler, Mrs. Churchill, Mrs. McFall, W. B. Hart, Julia Keating. Front Row, Patty Lipe, Mary Tobias, Maude Butts, Mrs. Pierce, Minnie Proulx, Florence Chase, Hattie Bohannon, Mrs. Lunney and Mrs. Cole.
Steven Chandler, Cora Reddington, Lois Chandler two of her great-grand children.
HAZELTINE
24
Indians
Because the lower Lemhi Valley and Salmon River area were settled many years before Junction, the Indians had lived there, too.
History of early Idaho reveals that there were many buffalo, as well as an abundance of other wild game and fish, both salmon and steelhead trout to provide the Indians' food. The natural meadows provided feed for their horses, so they felt free to roam the entire valley.
Lewis and Clark had long since explored the country seeking an outlet for the coastal fur industry. The buffalo gradually disappeared, and with the coming of the white man, as settlers, the Indians migrated some to Montana, some to Fort Hall, while some remained in the valley. Today, there is an Indian Village in the outskirts of Salmon.
Alex Cruikshank, who was well known around Junction, lived in "Cruikshank Canyon", now Railroad Canyon, later moved to junction, was a scout for the U.S. Army, under General Howard's command. He related a story," Chasing Hostile
Indians" which was published in the Salmon City Recorder; and later included in Pearl Oberg's book, "Between These Mountains".
A brief incident of residents of Junction encountering the Indians follows: One morning when John Clark went to get his milk cows at the beginning of Bannock Pass, now Railroad Canyon, he saw forty Indians coming down the Creek, now known as Junction Creek, led by Chief Joseph. He gave the alarm, and everyone was excited trying to get to the stockade.
Among them was Grandma Clark, who it is reported had a pan of bread set to "rise". In her haste, she grabbed the pan of dough, rushed out to mount a horse, and it is said she mounted him with her face toward his rear end.
The Nez Perce Indians wanted the people to come out of the stockade, but the people refused the command. The Indians left the same day for Nez Perce Canyon, where it is said they built fortification. It is believed if the Indians and white men had met, there would have been a slaughter of white men.
One more incident as related, and then let other historians write of the Indian, their coming and going.
Indians who lived in the Lemhi Valley included I to r; Coo-ey, Ten Wingo, the wife of Chief Tendoy in her dress with string of elk's teeth covering the top and Archie Nappo.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.