Idaho Meanderings

This blog contains history, photos, etc. related to Idaho from the late 1800's/early 1900's. My mother, Brenda Steunenberg Richards, was born in ID. Much of it pertains to the assassination of my great grandfather, Gov. Frank Steunenberg, the trial of Bill Haywood & grew out of the 100 year commemorations of those events. Along the way I toss in a bit of the Wild West, old guns, radios, military, etc. Your comments are welcomed. If using my images, please just ASK. Thank you.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Idaho governor's killer left wife, daughter behind

Idaho governor's killer left wife, daughter behind
Posted by John T. Richards at 11:48 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Newer Post Older Post Home
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Idaho Meanderings Update

Although still posting and checking this blog from time to time, I am not as active as I was in its earlier years. I have ventured out a bit into some Facebook History groups but will have to see how that goes. The jury is still out. However, please do not hesitate to comment, contact me directly or to pass along historical notes of interest. I started the blog over a decade ago and I do apologize for the many links that are no longer active and some formatting changes by Blogger that scrambled a few posts. I try to update pages when I am linking or utilizing them for other sites but correcting every link is a near impossible task. Enjoy the history.

Photographs

Many photographs appearing on this site are the property of John T. Richards (JTR). They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the authors written permission. Copyright 2020 John T. Richards (JTR). All Rights Reserved.

Idaho History Related Facebook Groups

  • IDAHO HISTORY 1860's TO 1960's
  • HISTORY OF BOISE IDAHO 1863-1983
  • NORTH IDAHO HISTORY

You Are Entering The...

You Are Entering The...

GOVERNOR FRANK STEUNENBERG

GOVERNOR FRANK STEUNENBERG
My Great Grandfather

What got this blog started?

  • A Good Hanging Spoiled - The Verdict, July 28th, 1907
  • Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century

Please Click On & Sign The Guest Book And/Or Make A Comment. Check it out! Thanks.

Please Click On & Sign The Guest Book And/Or Make A Comment. Check it out! Thanks.

Search This Blog


Top 10 most popular posts all time.

  • Sign My Guest Book - Don't be shy, stop in and say howdy. Click on the this link & then "Comments."
  • Idaho Penitentiary
  • Browsing the Library of Congress photographs
  • Real Photo Postcard Caldwell Banking & Trust Co. circa 1903-1905
  • More from Songs of a Soldier by George Steunenberg - Elimination
  • *I don't care a continental!
  • "Bad Man" and/or "Hair Trigger" Bob Meldrum
  • More Reader Comments, Joe Hill, Unions, Violence/Non-Violence, Harry Orchard, etc.
  • Draft Registration-Julian P. Steunenberg
  • The Idaho & Oregon Land Improvement Co.

BLOG ARCHIVE: Click the arrows to see list of items

  • ►  2023 (2)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  May (1)
  • ►  2022 (1)
    • ►  October (1)
  • ►  2021 (4)
    • ►  October (1)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (1)
  • ►  2020 (11)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (1)
    • ►  October (1)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  July (2)
    • ►  May (2)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2019 (9)
    • ►  December (1)
    • ►  November (2)
    • ►  October (1)
    • ►  September (1)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  April (2)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2018 (7)
    • ►  December (2)
    • ►  November (2)
    • ►  October (3)
  • ►  2017 (11)
    • ►  October (1)
    • ►  September (5)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  February (3)
    • ►  January (1)
  • ►  2016 (18)
    • ►  December (4)
    • ►  November (3)
    • ►  August (2)
    • ►  June (1)
    • ►  May (2)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (4)
  • ►  2015 (36)
    • ►  December (6)
    • ►  November (6)
    • ►  October (3)
    • ►  September (3)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  July (2)
    • ►  June (4)
    • ►  May (2)
    • ►  April (4)
    • ►  March (1)
    • ►  February (2)
    • ►  January (2)
  • ►  2014 (34)
    • ►  December (8)
    • ►  November (7)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  September (7)
    • ►  June (4)
    • ►  May (5)
    • ►  April (1)
  • ►  2013 (38)
    • ►  December (3)
    • ►  November (4)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  September (1)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  July (4)
    • ►  June (6)
    • ►  May (5)
    • ►  April (4)
    • ►  March (4)
    • ►  February (1)
    • ►  January (3)
  • ▼  2012 (66)
    • ►  December (5)
    • ►  November (6)
    • ►  October (3)
    • ▼  September (9)
      • Musician Gary Eller strums up Idaho history
      • New York Canal & Government Dam
      • Recordings from the past
      • Early life in Caldwell Idaho
      • Idaho governor's killer left wife, daughter behind
      • The other side of famous Idaho criminal Harry Orchard
      • Dog Tags, Ribbons & Pins.
      • A couple of Frank Steunenberg photos & his grandda...
      • John T. Richards Sr. - Born 3/6/1926 - Died 8/30/2012
    • ►  August (6)
    • ►  July (5)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (5)
    • ►  April (5)
    • ►  March (7)
    • ►  February (6)
    • ►  January (6)
  • ►  2011 (68)
    • ►  December (7)
    • ►  November (6)
    • ►  October (4)
    • ►  September (5)
    • ►  August (6)
    • ►  July (7)
    • ►  June (5)
    • ►  May (12)
    • ►  April (4)
    • ►  March (2)
    • ►  February (6)
    • ►  January (4)
  • ►  2010 (67)
    • ►  December (6)
    • ►  November (7)
    • ►  October (6)
    • ►  September (5)
    • ►  August (6)
    • ►  July (5)
    • ►  June (6)
    • ►  May (8)
    • ►  March (5)
    • ►  February (5)
    • ►  January (8)
  • ►  2009 (110)
    • ►  December (8)
    • ►  November (6)
    • ►  October (5)
    • ►  September (11)
    • ►  August (6)
    • ►  July (10)
    • ►  June (11)
    • ►  May (12)
    • ►  April (5)
    • ►  March (9)
    • ►  February (12)
    • ►  January (15)
  • ►  2008 (116)
    • ►  December (10)
    • ►  November (19)
    • ►  October (8)
    • ►  September (8)
    • ►  August (9)
    • ►  July (6)
    • ►  June (7)
    • ►  May (9)
    • ►  April (13)
    • ►  March (6)
    • ►  February (8)
    • ►  January (13)
  • ►  2007 (9)
    • ►  December (9)

Bring back the Steunenberger!

Bring back the Steunenberger!
My mom, Brenda Steunenberg Richards circa 1989 in front of the Steunenberg building & Olde Towne Eatery in Caldwell, ID.

Home of the Steunenberger

Home of the Steunenberger
Close up of the sign with a drawing of Governor Frank Steunenberg. Anyone know what happened to Olde Towne Eatery and this sign? Let me know if you do.

GUNS, WARS, MILITARIA, WILD WEST, GUNSLINGERS

I do a very modest amount of collecting of relatively inexpensive arms & militaria. Enough to tinker with, research historically, & use for a bit of plinking. Let me know if you have any items of interest. For gun dealers with something to sell related to what you see on this blog, I am a FFL 03 Curios & Relics licensee. Of course if it is a handgun, even one 100 years old and/or on the C&R list, I live in CA & we all know what that means...more red tape.

Julian Steunenberg

Julian Steunenberg
My gramps Julian Steunenberg. Probably 18-20 years old. Looks like perhaps the fence around the home of Frank & Belle Steunenberg in the background. I am going to guess this is pre-assassination of his father but not long before. Circa 1904-5. Although Belle would not agree, Julian probably wishes he had been given a chance to draw on Orchard before Frank was killed.

And moved up here to be with Julian-Annie Oakley with pistol & whip?

And moved up here to be with Julian-Annie Oakley with pistol & whip?
Could be but that's actually my grandma Frances Beardsley Wood Steunenberg, circa 1905-06. Probably with my grandpa Julian in Idaho or Washington not too long before they married. I am guessing she strapped on Julian's gun for the photo...but maybe she had her own! Not sure what happened to this pistol or any of the other family firearms from that era except for Frank's 1895 Savage.

Idaho Girl

Idaho Girl
Looks like this Idaho gal was trying to copy my grandma!

Lawmen (?). Guarding/ protecting the star witness.

Lawmen (?). Guarding/ protecting the star witness.
Left to Right: Pen guard Daniel W. Ackley (later became deputy Warden), assassin Harry Orchard, Deputy Rudy Barthell (spelling? I once saw Barthell described as a sidekick of Meldrum but can't find much information on him), Charles Siringo up the stairs (working for the Pinkerton's), 'Bad" Bob Meldrum & Warden Whitney. This photo is a cropped version from a postcard in my private collection. Do you have this card or any similar ones? Let me know. Click on the photo.

Related Western History Magazine Articles

Related Western History Magazine Articles
Click on the True West cover for their website.

  • True West. "A Case for Murder" "Mass bombings, revenge and labor upheaveals come to a head at a murder trial 100 years ago"-Mark Boardman
  • The West. The Regeneration of Harry Orchard. Oct. 1969
  • The American West. The Bomb at the Governor's Gate. Winter 1965
  • The American West. Portrait for a Western Album-"Big Bill" Haywood: Champion of Western Miners. Sep/Oct 1979
  • Old West. The Middle Years of Bob Meldrum. Spring 1970
  • Frontier Times. Wyoming's Mysterious Badman (Bob Meldrum). Winter1961
  • Frontier Times. Martial Law in the Coeur d"Alene. Nov. 1971
  • American History Illustrated. The Lion & the Fox-The Story of the Big Bill haywood Trial. April 1978
  • American Heritage. Shootout in Burke Canyon. Aug. 1971

Instructor with my daughter.

Instructor with my daughter.
She is on on target. Out shoots the old man.

Black Powder Musket

Black Powder Musket
Smoken!

"Bad Bob" or Charlie Siringo he ain't!

"Bad Bob" or Charlie Siringo he ain't!
but John can hit a stationary target...now and then. I'll keep working at it.

Winchester 1894

Winchester 1894
A little instruction from one of the local cowboys before stepping up to the firing line.

Newest Additions - Railway Express Agency Train Police

Newest Additions - Railway Express Agency Train Police
Colt Police Positive Special in .38 New Police (NP) AKA .38 S&W. More to come in a main post soon. Click on the pic to see the NRA Museum example (not a great picture). As you can see, mine looks better.

Mausers

Mausers
I was lacking a Mauser in the collection as they were among the first rifles I studied as a kid (not sure studied is the right word as didn't do a whole lot of it) but never owned or handled one. Picked up a couple decent specimens recently—a Yugo M24/27 (below) and a Swedish 1938 (above). If you know these rifles, feel free to educate me.

Yugo 24/27

9/11 Revolver - Officer Walter Weaver

9/11 Revolver - Officer Walter Weaver
I was browsing the NRA Museum site and this item grabbed my attention. Be sure to click on the video in the lower right side of the page.

Member Garand Collectors Association

Member Garand Collectors Association
I have an M1 Garand with a Winchester Receiver 12/1943

M1 Garand

M1 Garand
Uncle Cal Steunenberg circa WW2.

M1 Carbine

M1 Carbine
Carbines on the ends and Garand in the middle. I don't recognize these boys but looks to be the same camp. I bet Uncle Cal is behind the camera on this one.

A closer look at the carbine.

A closer look at the carbine.

Frank's Savage 1895

Frank's Savage 1895
Governor Steunenberg's 1895 .303 Savage. Too bad Frank didn't have a chance to get Orchard in his sights first. Click the pic.
  • NRA Museum - Savage Model 1895 Lever Action Rifle

Harry Orchard's Colt?

Harry Orchard's Colt?
Similar but not this one. Harry carried a revolver, maybe the Colt Army sold at auction (click on the pic). He was no gunslinger or marksman unless looking at someones back. Sometimes he used parts as trigger mechanisms in bomb making.

NEW 4/27/13! Here is the Colt referenced above that may have actually belonged to Orchard.

NEW 4/27/13! Here is the Colt referenced above that may have actually belonged to Orchard.
Click photo to see the blog entry.

Bob "Hair Trigger" Meldrum

Bob "Hair Trigger" Meldrum
"Meldrum was widely known as 'Hair Trigger' Bob because of his habit of shooting men-armed and unarmed-on the smallest provocation. The wooden grips on his .44 Colt revolver bore fourteen notches...."

WANTED

WANTED
Bad Bob. This is a copy of an alleged geunine wanted poster but I have never seen the real thing. May have been fabricated later but I like it nontheless.

More Historical Arms

More Historical Arms
Enfield No 3 Mk I Bolt Action Rifle (I have one but this pic is from the NRA). Click image

NRA Firearms Museum

NRA Firearms Museum
Agree or not with the NRA, their museum is top notch.

M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).

M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).
Cal Steunenberg with the M1918A2 BAR. None in my gun safe yet but maybe some day.

Closer look at M1918A2 BAR

Closer look at M1918A2 BAR

VINTAGE LEATHER

VINTAGE LEATHER
Photo from Walsall Leather Museum.

The Leather Workers' Journal

The Leather Workers' Journal
Sept. 1906-Article on Steve Adams Trial. Click image for article.

Gun Leather & related

Gun Leather & related
From my collection. Nice fleece lined rifle scabbard.Click on the pic for history on Eubanks, Pioneer and Idaho Leather Co's., Boise, Idaho. Ben Wetzel at Idaho Leather Co. says this one is circa 1940-1950.

Eubanks Leather, Boise Idaho

Eubanks Leather, Boise Idaho

Another Idaho Leather Co. Scabbard

Another Idaho Leather Co. Scabbard
This is a more plain scabbard, not tooled or lined. Ben Wetzel from Idaho Leather Co. estimates it was made between 1955 to 1969 and is for a 760 Remington with a 22" barrel. Fits my 8mm French Lebel with an 18" barrel pretty well.

Detail of the above scabbard

Detail of the above scabbard
Idaho Leather Co. Boise Idaho

Harry's Leather Holster?

Harry's Leather Holster?
Click on the image to read about it.

U.S. Army Signal Corps. EE-8-B field phone.

U.S. Army Signal Corps. EE-8-B field phone.
Leather case but might as well show you the the other parts too.

Shows the fold down flap and headset and central unit inside. There is a handcrank on the side.

Shows the fold down flap and headset and central unit inside. There is a handcrank on the side.

Admirial Dewey, George Steunenberg & Idaho in the Spanish-American War

Admirial Dewey, George Steunenberg & Idaho in the Spanish-American War
George Steunenberg

U.S. Sprinfield Model 1888 Trapdoor

U.S. Sprinfield Model 1888 Trapdoor
The Model 1888 & earlier versions were used in the Spanish American War. This pic from the NRA website. I got a pretty nice one at a local gun auction. Click the pic for more.
  • Spanish-American War
  • 1st Lt. George Steunenberg of the 1st Idaho Volunteers
  • Gathering at the Golden Gate: Mobilizing for War in the Philippines, 1898
  • Idaho in the Spanish-American War
  • Roster of 1st ID Volunteers
  • Admiral Dewey
  • The Idaho Flag
  • A Brief History of the 1st Idaho Volunteer Infantry

RADIO STUFF

RADIO STUFF
Member American Radio Relay League. Click image.

BC-348L Receiver

BC-348L Receiver
From my personal collection. Used in B-17, B-24 & B-29 Aircraft circa WWII. One would have been on each of the two B-17G's that collided while searching for other downed aircraft near Coiba Island, Republic of Panama on 7/20/1946. Twenty crew, ten each plane, were lost, including Uncle Jule "Juke" Steunenberg.

BC-348-H

BC-348-H
Very similar internally (as well as outside as are all BC-348's) to the "L" as I wanted the option to swap out most parts as needed.

Dog tags, ribbons & pins.

Dog tags, ribbons & pins.
Of the 20 who perished in the two B-17G's, 4 bodies were recoverd, one being Uncle Jule. Click the pic for the blog link.

News Article

News Article
Army ID's 20 in Air Crash

Member Radio Museum

Radio catalog: more than 239 431 radios with 595 691 schematics, 1 435 391 pictures plus radio forum.
www.radiomuseum.org

Silent Key W6WFV

Silent Key W6WFV
Cal Steunenberg in the communications truck taking down a message circa WWII, U.S. Army Signal Corp. Click photo to visit the FOLD3 Memorial page (under construction).

Hallicrafters SX-71

Hallicrafters SX-71
My first real receiver was given to me by Uncle Cal Steunenberg & was an old Hallicrafters. May not have been this exact model but similar. Not sure what happened to it after I went away to college. Mom & Dad probably didn't want to haul a boat anchor around & my interests were focused elsewhere. Had to add this nice one to the collection. I also have the R-46 speaker to go with it.

Hallicrafters S-40A

Hallicrafters S-40A
I found this photo of Uncle Cal's old radio setup which confirms he had a S-40A receiver. This would have been in the later 1940's after WWII had ended. Looks like his CW corner with headset on the right, a key paddle on the left & perhaps some kind of homespun transmitter on top. Uncle Cal gave me the S-40A as my 1st radio, probably early 1960's. Wish I had hung onto it. I have included a link to a S-40A restoration. Click on the photo. I guess one of these is now on my project list.

R-46 Hallicrafters Speaker

R-46 Hallicrafters Speaker
Pretty good shape but on the list for a little restoration.

Cal's QSL card

Cal's QSL card
Given to my son when Josh got his technician license.

Old Hams

W6WFV
William-Six-William-Frank-Victor (My Uncle Cal)
Silent Key Cal Steunenberg
Today we generally use the NATO phonetic alphabet, adopted in 1956. I remember Uncle Cal always using the Western Union phonetic alphabet. Of course, his radio days started well before 1956 (WWII in the Pacific) and continued well after. See: CQ, CQ, CQ

John's Call Sign: KJ6DOV
Kilo-Juliet-Six-Delta-Oscar-Victor (getting old in years but still a newbie to Ham Radio).

I don't tweet or text when driving. Click pic to enlarge.

QUICK LINKS

  • The Verdict by John Richards Jr.
  • The First "Trial of the Century"

Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century.

Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century.
Idaho Public Television. Click on the image above or below.

London Times 1907.

London Times 1907.
Coverage of the trial. Click on image.

RELATED HISTORY LINKS

  • Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century
  • From Statehouse to Bull Pen
  • New York Times Coverage of Haywood Trial
  • PETTIBONE V. NICHOLS, 203 U. S. 192 (1906)
  • The Trial of William "Big Bill" Haywood

IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS (click on the pic). The above picture shows Cordelia Farrer in her DeLamar home and comes courtesy of the new ISHS digital collection. Click on it to be taken to the ISHS Digital Photographs website.

Idaho State Historical Society (links no longer functioning).

  • Miners Silver City (Bill Haywood)
  • Arguments Presented In Favor of Commutation (Harry Orchard)
  • Frank J. Smith Papers
  • James Henrey Hawley Papers
  • William Borah Collection
  • A.K. Steunenberg Scapbook
  • Idaho Landscapes (formerly Idaho Yesterdays)
  • Haary Orchard Photo
  • James H. Hawley Papers
  • Nina Ettinger-Steunenberg Papers
  • Frank Steunenberg Collection
  • ISHS Digital Collections

PEOPLE, NAME, RELATIVE SEARCH. EMAIL ME.

  • Steunenberg (new ones!).
  • Ricciotti (my Italian name became Richards).
  • Maxon-Wood
  • Maria Pasqualina - Lavonier married Angelo Ricciotti-my great gp's on father's side.
  • Keppel-My Dutch side.
  • James McParland kinfolk.
  • Harry Orchard/Albert Horsley relatives.
  • Costello/Costelloe-County Mayo, Ireland.
  • Beardsley-My English roots

NEW! IDAHO POSTAL HISTORY, POST MARKS, COVERS, POSTCARDS, ETC.

NEW! IDAHO POSTAL HISTORY, POST MARKS,  COVERS,  POSTCARDS, ETC.
Spanish-American war cover addressed to Gov. Frank Steunenberg and mailed from the Philippine Islands on January 7, 1899. Click on the image to read and see more.

Real Books

Real Books

J. Anthony "Tony" Lukas.

J. Anthony  "Tony" Lukas.
Author of "Big Trouble: A Murder in a Small Western Town Sets off a Struggle for the Soul of America." Tony committed suicide just before the book was released.

OTHER BOOKS OF INTEREST

OTHER BOOKS OF INTEREST
Cabal of Death
  • A Review of "Blue Genes" by Christopher Lukas
  • Big Trouble (Preview)

ONLINE BOOKS

  • Proceedings and Debates of the Constitutional Convention of Idaho, 1889
  • An illustrated history of north Idaho : embracing Nez Perces, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone counties, state of Idaho
  • Arguments Presented in Favor of Commutation at the Hearing Before The Pardon Board of the State of Idaho in the Matter of the Application of Harry Orchard (ISHS)
  • Boise Commercial Club. Boise Idaho
  • Borah, W. Closing Arguments of William Borah
  • Celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Establishment of the Seat of Government in the District of Columbia
  • Flower, B. O. The Arena
  • Friedman, Morris. The Pinkerton Labor Spy
  • Grover, David. Debaters & Dynaniters (preview only)
  • Harriman, Job, 1861-1925. The class war in Idaho. The horrors of the bull pen. An indictment of combined capital in conspiracy with President McKinley. General Merriam and Governor Steunenberg, for their crimes against the miners of the Coeur d'Alenes ([1900])
  • Hawley, James H. History of Idaho. Vol. I
  • Hawley, James H. History of Idaho. Vol. II
  • Hawley, James H. History of Idaho. Vol. III
  • Hawley, James H. History of Idaho. Vol. IV
  • Hays, Samuel H. Report to the Governor of Idaho on the Insurection in Shoshone County. Courtesy Boise Public Library
  • Horsley, Albert E. (aka Harry Orchard). The Confessions & Autobiography of Harry Orchard
  • Langdon, Emma F. Labor's Greatest Conflicts
  • Mine Owners' Association (Colorado). Criminal record of the Western Federation of Miners, Coeur d'Alene to Cripple Creek. 1894-1904 (1904])
  • Munsterberg, Hugo. On the Witness Stand: Essays on Psychology and Crime
  • Munsterberg, Margaret. Hugo Munsterburg His Life And Work
  • Official Proceedings of the 17th Annual Convention of the Western Federation of Miners
  • Proceedings and Debates of the Constitutional Convention of Idaho, 1889
  • Siringo, Chartles. A Cowboy Detective
  • Steunenberg, Frank Jr. Greater Love
  • Strahorn, Carrie Adell. Fiftenn Thousand Miles By Stage.
  • The IWW, Its History, Structure and Methods
  • The Labor History of the Cripple Creek District: A Study in Industrial Evolution
  • The Labor War in Colorado
  • Violence and the Labor Movement

NEW LINKS (will be moved down after a stop here). Update: Stayed here I guess.

  • 1907 Bomb Murder of Sheriff Harvey Brown
  • A Few Caldwell, ID Pictures
  • Ada County, ID (IDGENWEB Project)
  • Albert E. Horsley (Harry Orchard) Diaries
  • Alternative Radio
  • American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
  • American Federation of State, County and Munipal Employees (AFSCME)
  • Arouse ye Slaves!
  • Boise Dept. of Arts & History
  • FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE: A REFLECTION ON THE ETHICS OF CLARENCE DARROW
  • Family Search
  • Governors Assassination Drawing New Interest
  • Haywood Trial: A Review
  • Haywood Trial: Closing Argument of W.E. Borah
  • Idaho Ghost Towns
  • Idaho Humanities Council
  • Idaho Legal History Society Spring 2011 Newsletter
  • Idaho Mines
  • Idaho National Bank Notes
  • Idaho Yesterdays Online
  • International Union of Mine, Mill & Smelter Workers (Mine-Mill)
  • International Workers of the World (IWW)
  • Kurt House-Old West Collectibles
  • Legends of America - A Travel Site for the Nostalgic & Historic Minded
  • Lord, Walter, HE GOOD YEARS FROM 1900 TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR
  • Preservation Directory
  • R.H. Vincent-Boise History-Examiner.com
  • Rebel Graphics
  • San Francisco Public Library
  • The Autobiography of Mother Jones
  • The Illustrated History of the State of Idaho
  • The Weiser Wonder
  • United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
  • Washington Digital Archives
  • Western Federation of Miners (WFM)
  • Who Blew Up the Independence Depot?
  • William "Big Bill" Haywood: Labor Agitator

Colorado Mining Related Links/Towns

  • Colorado Historical Society
  • Victor Heritage Society
  • Gov. James Peabody
  • Ludlow
  • CO Coal Field War Project
  • The Labor War in Colorado
  • CO Ghost Towns & Mining Camps
  • Colorado Labor Wars
  • Victor, CO
  • Western Cover Society
  • Historical Maps of Idaho
  • Primer on Postmark Types
  • Idaho Doane Postmarks
  • Idaho County on RootsWeb
  • Postal History.org
  • Idaho Postal History & Several Nice Covers
  • Jim Forte Postal History-Idaho
  • National Postal Museum-Idaho

NEW! STEUNENBERG, ID & CAMAS PRAiRIE AREA & RAILROAD

NEW! STEUNENBERG, ID & CAMAS PRAiRIE AREA & RAILROAD
  • High Line of the Camas Prairie Railroad
  • The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude
  • Ferdinand, ID (& Steunenberg)
  • Fedinand/Steunenberg, ID Google Satelite Map

Idaho Legal History Society

Idaho Legal History Society
Click on the ILHS Logo to visit the website, read the newsletter & become a member.

WANTED! BY THE PINKERTON NAT. DETECTIVE AGENCY

WANTED! BY THE PINKERTON NAT. DETECTIVE  AGENCY
HAVE YOU SEEN ANY OF THE ITEMS, PEOPLE AND/OR LOCATIONS BELOW? PLEASE EMAIL ME.

MISSING!

MISSING!
"Harry Orchard Blows Up The Independence Colorado Train Depot" by John Boak. (This painting is missing, lost or stolen in New York City in 1988. Please let me know if you see it.)

SEARCHING FOR POSTMARK-STEUNENBERG, IDAHO

SEARCHING FOR POSTMARK-STEUNENBERG, IDAHO
March 22, 1910 4-bar postmark of “STEUNENBURG, IDAHO.” Post Office records have the name correctly spelled as “STEUNENBERG.” Click the pic for related blog post.

An Early Caldwell, ID School

An Early Caldwell, ID School
Recognize it? Maybe know any of the kids? Click on the pic to see a larger scan and a few other Caldwell pictures.

The Town of Steunenberg, Idaho?

FOUND!!...at least on maps, a postcard with a peek of the town and an Idaho County plat map.

Frank's Pinback

Frank's Pinback
I am always on the hunt for more of these pinbacks. c. 1894-1898 as indicated on the back.

John's Pinback

John's Pinback
The only pinback button I have ever been given. Not looking for any more.

"Indians Ball Team"

"Indians Ball Team"
From where? Not family related. Old style glove & ball with it.

Steunenberg Clock?

Steunenberg Clock?
This clock belongs to some folks in Boise. It reportedly belonged to Governor Steunenberg at one time, then was given or sold by a Steunenberg relative to a clock maker/clock shop in Caldwell. The shop is long gone. Please let me know if you recognize it.

Julian & Francis Steunenberg House?

Julian & Francis Steunenberg House?
This house is located in Luby Park and Rose Gardens on the corner of Illinois Street and Marble Front Road, Caldwell, ID. Widows and doors are sealed and it is now used as a pump house. If anyone knows more history about it or has earlier pictures I would sure like to hear from you.

Recognize this woman?

Recognize  this woman?
Sitting in the courtroom at the Haywood Trial.

Missing Orchard Items

Missing Orchard Items
Have You Seen These Harry Orchard Items? Click the pic for more info.

Unidentified picture

Unidentified picture
This comes from one of my mother's albums and my grandmother before her. We thought maybe it was "Major" George E. Steunenberg, brother of the Governor. Any of the family know as doesn't seem to look like George S. when compared to other pics.

WANTED! DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION OR ARE RELATED TO ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS?

WANTED! DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION OR ARE RELATED TO ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS?
Pinkerton Wanter Poster for Jack Simpkins (from Big Trouble)

  • William L. "Jack" West aka "Four-Gun Jack"
  • Relf Bledsoe
  • Lyda Southard (Killed 5 husbands/Escaped ID Pen)
  • L. J. “Jack” Simpkins
  • Jeff "Soapy" Smith
  • Jackson "Diamond Field Jack" Davis
  • Harry Orchard aka "Albert Horsley"
  • Hannibal "Seven Devils" Johnson
  • "Bad Man" Bob Meldrum

BRENDA STEUNENBERG RICHARDS (My Mom)

BRENDA STEUNENBERG RICHARDS (My Mom)
"The Cross" c 1925 at the Frazier Farmstead in Milton, Oregon. Click on the above or below picture.

"The Cross Story"

"The Cross Story"
Frazier Farmstead Museum, Milton, OR. Click on the picture.

QUOTES

"If you destroy the labor unions in this country, you destroy liberty when you strike the blow, and you would leave the poor bound and shackled and helpless to do the bidding of the rich."
Clarence Darrow

"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.
"
Robert F. Kennedy

"History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days."
Winston Churchill

A FEW BLOGS

  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Caldwell Guardian
  • IWW
  • Legal History Blog
  • New World Travels (my brother Gary)
  • Soapy Smith - What's New
  • South Fork Companion
  • Stonekettle Station
  • THE LOST VALLEY
  • The Political Game
  • The Stupid Shall Be Punished
  • The Trail
Show 5 Show All

TREASURE FROM A DUMPSTER DIVE

TREASURE FROM A DUMPSTER DIVE
This outstanding 1906-07 Idaho criminal court docket is now at the COI archives. It was rescued from a dumpster and documents many of the well known names and ensuing events immediately following the assassination. Even my grandpa Julian S. is in there as a witness to Orchard being in Caldwell, ID. Amazing stuff! More coming later. Check those dumpsters!

Criminal Docket

Criminal Docket
Probate Court docket from 1906.

Wikipedia

Wikipedia
Keep in mind that Wikipedia, although useful and interesting, is a reader-compiled reference that can be written and modified by anyone. Inaccuracies and opinions do permeate the material.
  • About Wikipedia
  • Admirial Dewey
  • Albert Horsley
  • Assay Office Boise, ID
  • Banock War
  • Bill Haywood
  • Boise Barracks
  • Boise, Idaho
  • Burke Canyon
  • Caldwell, Idaho
  • Charles Moyer
  • Charles Siringo
  • Clarence Darrow
  • Coeur d' Alene
  • College of Idaho
  • Colorado Labor Wars
  • Cripple Creek Miner's Strike 1894
  • Ed Boyce
  • Egyptian Theatre Boise
  • Elihu Root
  • Ethel Barrymore
  • Eugene Debs
  • Frank Gooding
  • Frank Steunenberg
  • George Pettibone
  • Habeus Corpus
  • Harry Orchard
  • History of Idaho
  • Hugo Munsterberg
  • Idaho Gov. Elections
  • Idaho Historic Places
  • Idaho Historical Society
  • Idaho Museums
  • Idaho Potato Museum-Needs Help
  • Idaho Press Tribune
  • Idaho State Capitol
  • Idaho State Capitol
  • Idaho Statesman
  • Idaho Territory
  • Independence Mine
  • IWW
  • J. Anthony Lukas
  • J. Anthony Lukas - Common Ground
  • James Hawley
  • James McParland
  • Josh Ritter
  • L.A. Times Bombing
  • Labor Spies
  • Lee Morse
  • Leopold & Loeb Trial
  • Lewis & Clark
  • McNamara Brothers Trial
  • Mine Owners' Association
  • Morris Friedman
  • Moyer vs Peabody
  • Old Idaho State Pen
  • Orin Hilton
  • Pinkerton Detectives
  • Pullman Strike
  • Rosalie Sorrels
  • Sacagawea
  • Samuel Gompers
  • Scopes Trial
  • Silver City, ID
  • Spanish-American War
  • State of Idaho
  • Steve Adams
  • The 24th Infantry
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • Turn State's Evidence
  • Utah Phillips
  • Victor, CO
  • Walter Johnson
  • Western Federation of Miners Union Hall
  • WFM
  • William Borah
  • William Jennings Bryan
  • William McKinley
  • Women's Suffrage in U.S.

FUTURE OFFERINGS, OTHER IDEAS, THINGS YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT

FUTURE OFFERINGS, OTHER IDEAS, THINGS YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT
The reading room? Idaho Pen facilities. No cushioned seats here. Click pic for website.

  • No Neck Ties Allowed.
  • A Season for Sorrow.
  • Diamondfield Jack.
  • Hugo Munsterberg & forensic psychology at the Haywood trial.
  • Silver City & Delamar.
  • A Biography of Frank Steunenberg.
  • Judge Byron Johnson's Conspiracy Theory or Who Was the Real Harry Orchard.
  • Guns, knives, dynamite and other weapons of Big Trouble.
  • More poetry of Major George Steunenberg.

SANTA....or DARROW

SANTA....or DARROW
In "Miracle on 34th Street", Kris Kringle tells lawyer Fred Gailey: "I believe you're the greatest lawyer since Darrow". Picture courtesy Jan Boles via Fred/Piper Walters & the School of Law at the University of Minnesota. Eamil me if you want a larger scan.

A beauty in archival cardboard and nails too.

A beauty in archival cardboard and nails too.
Ethel Barrymore. Scott Fife: The Idaho Project. Photo courtesy of Scott Fife and Boise Art Museum. All rights for use retained by the artist.

Ms. Ethel Barrymore

Ms. Ethel Barrymore
Ms. Ethel Barrymore was appeariing in a leading role at the Pinney Theater in Boise during the Haywood trial. It raised quite a stir when she made an appearance at the trial and took her seat in the gallery at the other great stage play taking place in town. She was dressed in all her finery, including one of those hats. This is a picture/postcard dated 1905.

Walk the Wall

Walk the Wall
Idaho Pen, Boise ID

LABOR, UNIONS, RELATED ARTICLES & WEBSITES

  • Anarchy Archives
  • Eugene V. Debs Internet Archive
  • Fighting Fire With Fire: A REFLECTION ON THE ETHICS OF CLARENCE DARROW
  • IWW
  • Organized Crime in the Labor Market
  • United Farm Workers

The gravesites listed here have been moved to my Find-A-Grave Big Trouble Cemetery. Click image

The gravesites listed here have been moved to my Find-A-Grave Big Trouble Cemetery. Click image
John on a bright Boise morning in Boise, ID

MORE CEMETERIES, GRAVE SEARCHES, SPIRITS, HAUNTINGS & OTHER MACABRE KIND OF STUFF

  • Dark Destination-Old Idaho Penenitentiary
  • Death of Haywood
  • And the Idaho Pen too but I don't see Harry.
  • Frank Steunenberg - Find a Grave
  • The Political Graveyard

HISTORICAL MUSIC, BALLADS & POETRY (WIN Media, MP3 or other media player needed for music tracks)

HISTORICAL MUSIC, BALLADS & POETRY (WIN Media, MP3 or other media player needed for music tracks)
Bona Fide on Premeire Night at the Egyptian (courtesy of Bona Fide).

  • A Season for Sorrow or "A Ring About Orchard." Not a lot of info on this opera. I have an old photocopy of the program & a 1-18-1990 article from the Idaho Statesman. Anyone have the script, music, other info? Let me know. I do see they have the music at BSU and hope to see it or get a copy sometime.
  • Annotated Bibliography of Early Idaho Songs
  • AUDIO FILE: Idaho Waltz. The rendition here of "Idaho Waltz" by Sean Rogers was field recorded in December 2007 by Gary Eller.
  • AUDIO FILE: Salmon River Song . Studio recording was made in December 2007 by Rob McIntyre (vocal), Marv Quinton (bass), Bruce Alkire (banjo and fiddle) and Gary Eller (guitar).
  • AUDIO: "Dynamite Harry" performed by Bona Fide
  • AUDIO: "Grave of Lizzie King" sung by Gary Eller
  • AUDIO: "Oh Daddy My Daddy" by Bona Fide & Friends at the Idaho Pen (I think they were only visiting)
  • Bean Soup Tragedy by Frank Steunenberg (see scan below)
  • Big Bill Haywood by Bob Feldman
  • Burt, Olive Woolley. American Murder Ballads. (see "The Song of Harry Orchard" on 1/5/08 blog post)
  • DAWG Music (ok..I snuck this in as a fan of David Grisman & his mandolin)
  • In Memory of Ex-Governor Frank Steunenberg (see 1/5/08 blog entry)
  • IWW Songs-University of AZ Exhibit
  • Josh Ritter & Hillary Hahn
  • Live Oak Music Festival-One of our favorite stops
  • Rosalie Sorrels: Way Out in Idaho
  • Steunenberg, George E. Song's of a Soldier
  • Steunenberg, George E. The Hermit of Waialua
  • Steunenberg, Major George E. Memories of Hawaii and Other Verse
  • The Little Red Songbook
  • The Song of Harry Orchard (see 1/5/08 blog entry).

MISS LEE MORSE

MISS LEE MORSE
  • Miss Lee Morse - some great 1920's-1950's music and a part of Kooskia, ID history. Check out some of the band members in "Her Bluegrass Boys" (not bluegrass music although I love that too) and be sure to click on "Her Songbook" for all the great recordings that are available for your listening pleasure.
  • This is a link to the Univ of Idaho-Lee Morse collection

ART, PAINTING, DRAWING, SCULPTURE

ART, PAINTING, DRAWING, SCULPTURE
"Harry Orchard Blows Up The Independence Colorado Train Depot" by John Boak

  • John Boak, Artist - "Harry Orchard Blows Up The Independence Colorado Train Depot"
  • Scott Fife-Big Trouble Project, Boise Art Museum
  • Gilbert Riswold-Bio
  • Charles N. Landon, Illustrator Haywood Trial
  • Charles Ostner - Gov. Steunenberg Portrait
  • Al Steunenberg's Wood Projects
  • CORNELIA HART FARRER, Idaho Painter & Historian. See pic of her painting under "Poetry, Lyrics, Songs, Sayings, Art, etc toward end of blog.
  • Peg Steunenberg, Wildlife & Plant Illustrator
  • Gilbert Riswold - Steunenberg Statue
  • Scott Fife-Picture of the Idaho Project
  • Scott Fife-Sculpture
  • Gregory Pole, Northwestern Cowboy & Wildlife Artist

CONTEMPORARY & VINTAGE MAGAZINES

CONTEMPORARY & VINTAGE MAGAZINES
Articles about the trial, the various characters and participants & related stories. All of the magazines listed below are from among my personal collection. Email if you want more information about a particular item.

  • Gleaner Online. Harry Orchard: An Assassin Who Found God. February 2006
  • McClure's Magazine. The Confession & Autobiography of Harry Orchard. May 1907-April 1908
  • Vanity Fair. Big Trouble-The 1905 Assassination That Shook America. Oct 1997
  • The Outlook. Martial Law in Idaho. April 1900

DETECTIVE & SPY STUFF/WEBSITES

DETECTIVE & SPY STUFF/WEBSITES
Pinkerton Badge (just a copy I have of one). Click to read more about the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

Police & Private Detective Stuff (Good & Bad)

  • Bob Meldrum-good guy or bad guy, duputy or gunslinger?
  • The Railroad Police
  • Charlie Siringo
  • James McParlan
  • The First Private Eye Library Receives Pinkerton Archives
  • The Thrilling Detective Website
  • Pinkerton's National Detective Agency Records
  • The P.I. Museum

Detective/Pulp Magazines

  • Startling Detective. On the Trail of Harry Orchard, Dynamite Assassin. April 1933.
  • Saga-True Adventures for Men (come all ye women too, jr). Dynamite Harry Orchard. June 1958
  • True Detective. Hell's Emissary & the 38 Dead-Crime Classic from the Files of the Pinkertons. April, 1941.

ARCHIVES, MUSEUMS, HISTORICAL SOCIETIES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

ARCHIVES, MUSEUMS, HISTORICAL SOCIETIES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Jan Boles, Archivist (aka Haywood Trial Jurer), COI Smylie Archives
  • Boise Art Museum
  • Boise City Historian
  • Boise State Univ Special Collections & Archives
  • Bonner County Historical Society
  • Canyon County Historical Society and Museum
  • Center for Idaho History & Politics
  • College of Idaho Archives-Steunenberg Papers
  • Denver Library (some nice collections/pics)
  • Emu-Z-Um
  • Gooding County Historical Society
  • Historical Museums of Idaho
  • Idaho Genealogical Society
  • Idaho State Historical Society
  • Idaho State Historical Society Digital Collections
  • ISHS Oral History Project
  • Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
  • National Archives
  • National Register of Historic Places
  • Owyhee County Historical Society County Historical Society
  • Pinkerton Detective Agency Papers
  • The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude
  • Univ of Idaho Special Collections & Archives
  • Walla Walla University Archives

COMMISSIONS

  • Idaho Commission on the Arts
  • Idaho State Capitol Commission
  • Preservation Idaho

REFERENCE & SEARCH TOOLS NOT LISTED ELSEWHERE

REFERENCE & SEARCH TOOLS NOT LISTED ELSEWHERE
Historian at work. John at the COI Archives 3/2007
  • Canyon County Idaho Rootsweb
  • Idaho GenWeb Project
  • Fold3.com
  • Internet Archive
  • Digital Atlas of Idaho
  • LibraryThing
  • WorldCat

"THE EXPLOSIVE MINING WAR OF 1899: TAKING A STAND IN THE COEUR D'ALENES"

"THE EXPLOSIVE MINING WAR OF 1899: TAKING A STAND IN THE COEUR D'ALENES"
John with 2006 Idaho History Day and National Jamestown Award winner Katie Forsythe for her project entitled "The Explosive Mining War of 1899: Taking a Stand in the Coeur d'Alenes." Katie was my guest at the Boise Little Theater on 3/15/07 for the stage play "The Gate on 16th Avenue" (photo courtesy of Jan Boles).

Other Articles, Publications & Websites of Interest

  • Fire In the Hole
  • Idaho Statesman News Stories-For a Price
  • ISHS: The Murder of Governor Frank Steunenberg
  • Transitions May/June 1996

MORE GOOD WEBSITES TO VISIT

MORE GOOD WEBSITES TO VISIT
The Egyptian Theatre, site of the premeire of "Assassination." Go catch a good movie. Click on the pic and the other links below.
  • Oregon-California Trails Association
  • Silver City program from Idaho Public TV
  • Crookham Company
  • Caldwell Train Depot
  • Old Idaho Penitentiary
  • The Egyptian Theratre

I GUESS THIS IS NOW THE IDAHO POTATO SECTION

I GUESS THIS IS NOW THE IDAHO POTATO SECTION
A lovely sack of Idaho Potatos at the Potato Museum in Blackfoot, Idaho

Idaho Potato Song

Potato Museum

Potato Museum
Blackfoot ID, Where's the chives?

Idaho Potato Pin

Idaho Potato Pin
Can't say I have worn it.
Watermark theme. Powered by Blogger.