Local History of Weiser

LOCAL HISTORY OF WEISER.

Written for the Outlook Club by Adriatta A. Hixon

The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal
Weiser, Idaho · Saturday, March 26, 1904

In attempting to give some of the local history of Weiser, we have found some difficulty in deciding what would best be set forth.

We have dwelt more largely on locals of an early date, than those of a later, as recent are more familiar to all.

If through some misunderstanding we should have erred in any statement, we would ask your kindly consideration, remembering that facts gleaned from memory might occasionally be slightly defaced, however, we have endeavored to give only the truths.

Perhaps we should have begun at the time when Weiser began to upbuild as a town. Yet it may not be amiss to refer back, to forty years ago, when the first house was brought here from Idaho City by Hon T.C. Galloway. It was located near the Weiser River, not far south of where the residence of F. E. Smith now stands. It was stage station, supply house, etc., for the benefit of the traveling public to which it was known as the “Old Dead Fall”.

At a later date S.M. Jeffreys and family occupied the house for some time, but the early mining excitement of Boise Basin finally died down, the road became less frequented, hence the house was vacated, remaining so for several years.

During the spring of 1878, with her father’s family, the writer had her actual introduction to the immediate vicinity of Weiser. They found it necessary to remain overnight at this place, consequently took possession of the deserted house. Inside was made more cheery by lighting up the old fireplace.

Outside, an old dilapidated barn stood near by. Our eyes wandered out over the wide expanse of gray-green monotony. Nothing but tall sage-brush interspersed with rank, waving grass. Lately accustomed to the foliage and verdure of the Willamette valley, we thought there should have been noble oaks and evergreen trees sprinkled over all those dull hills. No mossy banked brooks gurgled down their sides, no ferns, no velvety meadows, no cozy homes; nothing beautiful excepting the sky. What an unprofitable wilderness of the desert it presented to our young eyes. Not appreciating the wealth of the soil we could see nothing to indicate any coming civilization. Only the deeply worn wagon road suggested the far distant busy world.

The nearest telegraph offices had been at Boise and Baker City during the early seventies, but they proved unsuccessful, and the line was torn down during the later part of the seventies.

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The lone traveler who then must spend the night where Weiser City now is, drew very near to his camp fire as the wild cries of the night succeeded the darkness, and longingly thought of faraway friends and “Home, Sweet Home.”

In the fall of 1878, S.M. Jeffreys fitted up the old house as a P. O., adding merchandise, etc., and again took possession of it. Here in 1879 his son. J. W. Jeffreys, found his birthplace. Thus he has not only the distinction of being the first child of Weiser, but also of being born in the first house of Weiser. Weiser is honored in sending this young man as her first fruits to the war of Manila. The P. O. before mentioned then took the name of Weiser Bridge.

It is supposed by some that the name of “Weiser” is an Indian word. By others it is stated that it sprang from the name of Jack Weiser (pronounced Wi- ser), who was an early trapper. Such being the case should custom make the name to be pronounced Weiser or should it be called Wiser?

In 1879 Washington county was struck off from Ada county. After a heated contention the county seat was awarded to Weiser, Salubria being her strongest rival. The locating of the county seat at this place might be cited as the first inducement toward making a town at Weiser. A wooden court house was soon constructed near where the present one now stands.

In 1880 a number of little houses began to spring up around in the sagebrush. Besides the mercantile house before mentioned, there was another, owned by Kofman, Hass & Co.; a hotel with John Smith as proprietor, a feed stable, a blacksmith shop, etc.

Weiser’s first school was taught in a little board house about 12×15, with a half window on either side. It was northwest of the present court house. The sage-brush, then came up to the door. The teacher was Miss Ella Jeffreys, now Mrs. McGrew of Weiser. She states that she had about 15 scholars, that the furniture was of the rudest kind – rough board benches, etc. That the owner of the house often came in to inspect the condition, with regard to wear, of his building, advising her to have the children be more careful about opening and closing the door, as the hinges might suffer; and so on. This house continued to be used as a primary room for several years, even after a better school house was built. It was finally moved and still partly remains back of the Claybough store in East Weiser. In 1882 the first school house was built northwest of the court house grounds. It was considered quite a high-toned affair, being an unpainted plank strücture with brown, bare walls, and two double glass windows on each side. It was also used as a church for a number of years. Some of the early teachers were Miss Sadie Utley, David Gorrie, D.P. Maryatt (brother of the late T.P. Maryatt), Charles Hale, and Miss Jeffreys, previously mentioned. At the time when Charles Hale was teaching in ’82, there was an average attendance of 40 scholars.

The first paper of Weiser was published Thursday, August 31, 1882, by Stine & Mitchell. It was called The Weiser Leader, in November, 1882 J.W. Haworth took charge of the paper; January, 1883. Dr. S.M.C. Reynolds became editor; then Henry D. Street took his turn for a short time. Wm. P. Glenn succeeding him. Thus the Leader changed hands four times in a little over two years of its infancy.

Continued on Page 2 (of 3)

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From Lois Hill Titus

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Local History of Weiser

The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal
Weiser, Idaho · Saturday, March 26, 1904

In attempting to give some of the local history of Weiser, we have found some difficulty in deciding what would best be set forth.

We have dwelt more largely on locals of an early date, than those of a later, as recent are more familiar to all.

If through some misunderstanding we should have erred in any statement, we would ask your kindly consideration, remembering that facts gleaned from memory might occasionally be slightly defaced, however, we have endeavored to give only the truths.

At a later date S.M. Jeffreys and family occupied the house for some time, but the early mining excitement of Boise Basin finally died down, the road became less frequented, hence the house was vacated, remaining so for several years.

The nearest telegraph offices had been at Boise and Baker City during the early seventies, but they proved unsuccessful, and the line was torn down during the later part of the seventies.

************************************************************************************************************************************

**************************************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

****************************************************

********************************

The lone traveler who then must spend the night where Weiser City now is, drew very near to his camp fire as the wild cries of the night succeeded the darkness, and longingly thought of faraway friends and “Home, Sweet Home.”

It is supposed by some that the name of “Weiser” is an Indian word. By others it is stated that it sprang from the name of Jack Weiser (pronounced Wi- ser), who was an early trapper. Such being the case should custom make the name to be pronounced Weiser or should it be called Wiser?

In 1880 a number of little houses began to spring up around in the sagebrush. Besides the mercantile house before mentioned, there was another, owned by Kofman, Hass & Co.; a hotel with John Smith as proprietor, a feed stable, a blacksmith shop, etc.

Continued on Page 2 (of 3)

[ Page 1 | 2 | 3 ]

From Lois Hill Titus

************************************************************************************************************************************

**************************************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

****************************************************

********************************

If you have questions about this page, want to start or join a discussion about it, or add new information, please visit our Facebook Group, “Weiser Area Memories.”

Also See Days of Yore
Also See Categories

A-Z Lists:

People

Places

Events

Categories

Too many Names on the A-Z Lists?

Now easily Search by Name!

Searching Tip – Use the least amount of words necessary, and choose the correct name from the results.(e.g. “Jones,” not “T Jones,” “T. Jones,” “TS Jones,” “T.S. Jones,” “Ted Jones,” etc. – just “Jones.”)

A-Z Lists:

Local History of Weiser

The Weiser Semi-Weekly SignalWeiser, Idaho · Saturday, March 26, 1904

In attempting to give some of the local history of Weiser, we have found some difficulty in deciding what would best be set forth.

We have dwelt more largely on locals of an early date, than those of a later, as recent are more familiar to all.

If through some misunderstanding we should have erred in any statement, we would ask your kindly consideration, remembering that facts gleaned from memory might occasionally be slightly defaced, however, we have endeavored to give only the truths.

At a later date S.M. Jeffreys and family occupied the house for some time, but the early mining excitement of Boise Basin finally died down, the road became less frequented, hence the house was vacated, remaining so for several years.

The nearest telegraph offices had been at Boise and Baker City during the early seventies, but they proved unsuccessful, and the line was torn down during the later part of the seventies.

************************************************************************************************************************************

**************************************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

****************************************************

********************************

The lone traveler who then must spend the night where Weiser City now is, drew very near to his camp fire as the wild cries of the night succeeded the darkness, and longingly thought of faraway friends and “Home, Sweet Home.”

It is supposed by some that the name of “Weiser” is an Indian word. By others it is stated that it sprang from the name of Jack Weiser (pronounced Wi- ser), who was an early trapper. Such being the case should custom make the name to be pronounced Weiser or should it be called Wiser?

In 1880 a number of little houses began to spring up around in the sagebrush. Besides the mercantile house before mentioned, there was another, owned by Kofman, Hass & Co.; a hotel with John Smith as proprietor, a feed stable, a blacksmith shop, etc.

Continued on Page 2 (of 3)

[ Page 1 | 2 | 3 ]

From Lois Hill Titus

************************************************************************************************************************************

**************************************************************************************************************

********************************************************************************************

****************************************************

********************************

If you have questions about this page, want to start or join a discussion about it, or add new information, please visit our Facebook Group, “Weiser Area Memories.”

Also See Days of YoreAlso See Categories

A-Z Lists:

Searching Tip – Use the least amount of words necessary, and choose the correct name from the results.
(e.g. “Jones,” not “T Jones,” “T. Jones,” “TS Jones,” “T.S. Jones,” “Ted Jones,” etc. – just “Jones.”)

The Weiser Semi-Weekly Signal
Weiser, Idaho · Saturday, March 26, 1904

Also See Days of Yore
Also See Categories