Newspaper articles from the Idaho Statesman, Boise City, Ada County, Idaho
October 20, 1881
John Smith had his thumb and two fingers badly broken while oiling machinery in the Custer mill a few days ago. There being no physician on the Yankee Fork he went to Challis to have the wound dressed.
November 27, 1891
CUSTER IS BOOMING
The Mines of That County Never Looked Better.
The Bay Horse Sports Taken in by a Six-Foot Sprinter
Correspondence of The Statesman:
Challis, Idaho, Nov. 23-Large crowds gathered from Challis, Clayton and all
parts of the county to witness the 100-yard foot race at bay Horse yesterday
(Sunday) between Fred Matthews of Salmon City and Billy Elder, the favorite
sprinter of Bay Horse. Elder has been in training for the past ten days at
Challis under his manager, Al Ginigar, while Matthews has been holding the turf
down at Clayton for several days past. Matthews is not the real name of the "ped."
as he defeated the Salmoneater of that name some four weeks since and is also
alleged to have thrown a race at Hailey. He is a fellow 6 feet high, weighs 200
pounds, light complexion and is about 24 years of age. He sometimes travels
under the name of Marx but what his real name was your correspondent was unable
to learn. Suffice it to say that he is no cow boy sprinter although he says he
used to hoe corn in Missouri. The race was called at 2 o'clock but it was 3:30
before the contestants were ready. There was comparatively little scoring. Elder
and Matthews in blue and red tights respectively, soon came down the track like
a flash but from the start the stranger left Elder in the lurch by four feet and
at one time glanced sidewise to see where he was and apparently checked himself
somewhat to see where his contestant for glory and boodle was. He passed the 100
yard line in just 10 1/2 seconds and beat Elder by four feet. The judges were
J.H. Van Camp of Challis, and C.W. Pratt of Bay Horse. Betting ran high and the
Ram's Horn miners and the sporting fraternity of Bay Horse went broke over their
favorite. Marx and his pards must have rounded up $600 or $700 beside the $300
stake money. It is expected that another race between the parties will take
place shortly.
Lawyer Millon A. Brown of Houston bid in the Grand
Prize mine which was sold under a sale of execution by Deputy Sheriff Bob Street
on Friday last. The amount paid was $15,050 and was bid in by Mr. Brown for L.B.
Smith of Rochester, New York. Hon. J.C. Fox of Challis, was the next
highest bidder who ran it up $15,000. The mines, Mr. Brown says, will be placed
in working order next spring and a large force of men employed.
Custer county never had brighter prospects than she has
right now. Challis, Clayton, Bay Horse, Custer, Bonanza, The Yellow Jacket and
the Saw Tooth region all have most excellent showings and will make a fine
showing next spring. Large forces of men will be placed at all these points.
The Mammoth mine, located about eight miles from
Houston, which has been in litigation for the past two years will be opened in
the spring and a big force of men employed.
Col. Broadhead of Ketchim, has recently taken a trip
out to the Yellow Jacket Mines which are located 55 miles northwest of Challis.
He is thinking of making an investment in some of this mining property as the
country gives every indication of paying out in a manner that will surprise the
natives. Morrison & Steen Bros. will start their ten stamp mill next season and
there is every indication that the country will receive a large amount of
development.
Placer diggings in this region pan out as high as
$7.50.
J.H. Jenkins has taken out grey copper ore that runs as
high as $135.00 per ton.
Thomas Grooms and Andy Hensley have also several very
good prospects.
Estes Mountain is also revealing its hidden treasurers
in a surprising manner.
The McFadden mine located thirty miles northwest of
Challis has been leased by F.O. Smith, Jack Moore and R. Jones, who have
guaranteed to take out 1500 tons of ore. The ore runs 132 ounces to the ton.
Ed. Smith and Mr. Buller of St. Louis, who have
bonded the Montana mine from which a quarter of a million has already been taken
out, are highly elated over the large amount of ore in sight. These mines are
also located on Estes Mountain.
The Smiths are running a 100-foot tunnel to tap the
main ledge. They have already run down a shaft about twenty feet and taken out
$6000 in gold from a small seam.
J. Dorgan, foreman of the Greyhound mine, says the mine
is a magnificent piece of property and the fourteen men employed the past season
have taken out ore that has netted the owners handsomely.
Billy Trapp, of the firm of Reese & Trapp, of Challis,
will open the saloon formerly known as "The Fashion" at Clayton on Thanksgiving
eve. Billy is popular with the boys and is a rustler.
Rev. F.W. Nash, pastor of the Congregational church at
Ketchum, preached in Bay Horse on Saturday night and in Challis Sunday morning
and evening to a large congregation.
Messrs. Eldredge and Hardy of the Montpelier Observer
will shortly give the people of Custer county a new paper to be known as The
Graphic. These gentlemen are well known in Idaho as active and wide awake
newspaper men and the interests and resources of this rapidly developing portion
of the state of Idaho will be well handled by them.
O.J. Salisbury, who is Bay Horse's Haggin, has returned
to Salt Lake to spend the winter. The Rams Horn mines are now under the
supervision of T.H. Latimer.
©Shauna Williams