Early life in Caldwell Idaho

Here are a couple more old photo's I ran across from among the items at my parents home. They were taken somewhere in Caldwell, Idaho.

Above are my Aunt Doris, Uncle's Frank ('Bud'), Jule ('Juke') and Carrol ('Cal'). I believe I have the boys right as they always looked a lot alike and had those "bowl" haircuts when they were young. My mother Brenda was probably a couple years away yet. I would place this circa 1916/17.

Above my grandmother Francis Steunenberg holding my mother Brenda Steunenberg (born 8/26/1918). I would guess they are standing next to the family home. Circa 1919 in Caldwell.

This photograph of an early Caldwell home comes from Early Caldwell Through Photographs compiled and written by Elaine C. Leppert and Lorene B. Thurston. It is included here to show the structural similarities to the home in the previous photograph of my grandmother and mother. Montie Gwinn, mentioned in the caption above, would go on to become a leading citizen of Caldwell, a business partner of the Steunenberg's, vice president of the Caldwell Bank and would rub elbows with all of the towns finest as a member of the IOOF.  Before long, Montie would be moving into a much bigger house.

This one we have seen before. I am not exactly sure where in Caldwell my grandma Francis and grandpa Julian Steunenberg were living at the time. My mama Brenda is on he far left. Elsewhere on the blog I identified her in this photograph as the "little pip squeak". She laughed and always ribbed me about it.

One of the stories is that grandma and grandpa and the kids lived in this home that is now a pump house at Luby Park, not far down the road from Canyon Hill Cemetery. It's on what would have been Kimball Avenue in those days before it was split up by freeways and such. However, I don't believe the home dates early enough. I have more and better pics of it somewhere but can't locate them at the moment. The pump house windows and doors have long ago been sealed and painted over.

Above photograph of Caldwell taken from Canyon Hill. It also comes from Early Caldwell Through Photographs. Click on any of the above photos to enlarge for better viewing. A.K. Steunenberg's house is referenced in the caption and can be seen on the right before it was remodeled. If you have any knowledge of and/or recognize the surrounding buildings or land that might help identify the location of my grandparents first home—please let me know. 

Idaho governor's killer left wife, daughter behind

Idaho governor's killer left wife, daughter behind

The other side of famous Idaho criminal Harry Orchard

Idaho Statesman 
The other side of famous Idaho criminal Harry Orchard
Click on the above title for the newspaper article.  

Published: September 4, 2012

By ANNA WEBB — awebb@idahostatesman.com

Harry Orchard

College of Idaho archivist’s research tells the story of assassin Harry Orchard’s family.

A Public Silence Broken
The Murderer Harry Orchard’s Forgotten Family 
By Jan Boles, Archivist, the Robert E. Smylie Archives, The College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho

Dog Tags, Ribbons & Pins.

Jule Steunenberg Memorial Page.
Click on the above to view more information about Jule on my FOLD3 account.

I have posted on the blog before about my Uncle Jule "Juke" Steuneneberg—one of my mother Brenda's three brothers. Please click on the link and read the story as it will give you the background information to better understand the discovery of these items.

Click above to enlarge.

This was a completely unexpected find at the home of my mother and father—as these items have never been seen before that I am aware of. As we were going through things at the house, my wife Cindy found a small box and came immediately to show me what was in it. I was flabbergasted to say the least! Of the twenty airman that disappeared that day in 1946, ten in each B-17G, four bodies were recovered—one being Jule. It makes sense that the dog tags came back with his remains and would have been returned to my grandparents, Francis and Julian Steunenberg. However, I was never aware of their existence, much less the additional ribbons and pins. I am guessing that a few other items may be missing, either lost over the years or as a result of the collision of the B-17's—with all major wreckage having immediately sunk to the bottom of the ocean. To have these surface some 66 years later is quite amazing.

I will be posting more about these items and additional photographs of my three uncles from their tenures in the military. I have started to research the above items but if you are knowledgeable and have more information please email me.

Sorry if any typos as I was rushing a bit to get this one posted.

A couple of Frank Steunenberg photos & his granddaughter (my mom) Brenda at the Statue in Boise, Idaho

As we go through stuff from the house where Mom and Dad lived for the past ten years, we still find the occasional treasure or photograph we did not know existed. That is as it should be as doing so helps in the processing and grieving for those we have lost. Items with a Steunenberg connection will be shared here from time to time in the days, weeks, months ahead.

Governor Frank Steunenberg

I thought we had long ago found all the photographs of Frank but here is another one I discovered stuffed in an envelope with other Steunenberg family photos. I may have seen this pose before but did not realize we had one of the original cabinet cards. This was taken at Myers photo studio in Boise, ID. Not dated but I am guessing pre-governorship and during Frank's term in the Idaho legislature.The classic buttoned collar—no tie.

Statue of Governor Frank Steunenberg with Brenda Steunenberg standing at the base. Circa 1937.

A rather somber picture of my mother Brenda Steunenberg, a granddaughter of the governor, taken in 1937 at the statue in Boise. That would put mom at about age 19. I was not even a thought yet and meeting my dad was years away. With her serious expression and dark conservative suit, I am guessing she may have been in Idaho for a family funeral...though I could be totally wrong. Not the usual smile or playful self we are accustomed to seeing.

A real photo postcard of the statue

No writing or date on the above card. It was with the other above photographs and is printed on AZO paper with the four corner squares in the stamp box placing it in the 1927-1940 range. I would estimate it was taken mid 1930's.

More to trickle in as time allows.

John T. Richards Sr. - Born 3/6/1926 - Died 8/30/2012

As some of you know already, my father, John T. Richards Sr., born on 3/6/1926, passed away on Thursday, 8/30/2012.

A kid born in Philly. Circa mid 1930's

He died at his home in Paso Robles, CA, just as he had wished, as dad did not want anything to do with hospitals or care facilities. His health had been failing and although one is always taken off guard when the moment arrives—his passing was not totally unexpected. Dad had been very clear in his desire to join my mother Brenda as life became increasingly challenging. It has been a rough ride in recent years. As many of you have experienced too, we have been in the process of making arrangements and going through and cleaning up things at the house.

L to R: Grandpa & Grandma Richards, Grandpa and Grandma Steunenberg.
Circa 1962

Much of the Richards' side of the family prior to my Grandmother Mary E. Costello Richards (an immigrant from County Mayo, Ireland) and my grandfather Robert J. Richards (aka Ricciotti, a 1st generation Italian American)—remains hidden. Unlike the Steunenberg's, with much having been written, photographed and preserved—we have very little information and no photos of Richards' generations prior to my grandparents.

Dad was a hard guy to get information out of and not much was known about the Richards' genealogy other than grandma and grandpa and maybe an uncle and aunt back east. There was so little in any of the family photo albums that sometimes I started to think maybe we had Italian mafia connections. Just kidding...but he has left us without revealing very much and no doubt I am going to have to start digging a little deeper I guess. As even with the Steunenberg's, one has to be prepared and ready to accept the Richards/Ricciotti road of history no matter where it might lead.

As time allows, I will throw a few more items on here.

Rest in peace Dad.   

Still has the suspenders, and now baggy pleats and puffing a Camel.
Circa: Before my time.

L to R - my Dad, Grandma Francis, my mom Brenda and Grandpa Julian Steunenberg at the ranch in Escondido, CA. A lot of good memories there.
Circa later 1950's/early 1960's?

In Memoriam

Loreen Steunenberg Dinwiddie 

2/4/1903 - 8/25/2012

109.5 years!

Loreen was previously married to Frank W. Steunenberg (son of Eveline Belle and Ex.-Governor Frank Steunenberg). Loreen and Frank W. are survived by two daughters,  Lois Beth Steunenberg Allen and Florence Alice Steunenberg Willoughby 

Loreen Dinwiddie, 108, Credits Vegan Diet for Longevity

Oregon Member Sees 108th Birthday

Services are pending. My understanding is that Loreen will be buried in the Steunenberg plot at Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell, Idaho where she will join many other kinfolk. More information to come. 

Postmarked Boise, Idaho, May 9th, 1907

Here is a post card of Boise showing Main Street and the Idanha Hotel. The card is very common and this one is not in very good shape.  So why bother buying and posting it here on the blog?

The interesting thing about this one is the date indicated by the writer, 5/8/1907, and the Boise, ID postmark of May 9, 1907. Do you know why?

Hint (I am inserting some punctuation that was commonly left out in those days): the writer says, "Does this scene look natural. Trial starts in morning. Have seen your papers?"

Here is a short blurb on the trial in question:
"With the Adams case out of the way for the time being, the state could move ahead with the prosecution of the Western Federation Officials.  After Fremont Wood replaced Judge Bryan and Boise replaced Caldwell as the scene of the trial, the trial of William D. Haywood was finally set for May 9th, 1907."
—Debaters and Dynamiters: The Story of the Haywood Trial by David H. Grover

So not a major historical discovery but an interesting postcard nonetheless. These old cards allow us to reach back and touch a moment in time from someone who was actually there on May 9th, 1907.

Related:
Monday, September 14, 2009
"6/14/(19)07 Big crowds here, on account of Haywood trial"

Steunenberg District Signs mark Caldwell’s past - Idaho Press-Tribune: Members

Steunenberg District Signs mark Caldwell’s past - Idaho Press-Tribune: Members.

Previous related blog post:
Saturday, January 28, 2012
New Signs for the Steunenberg Historical District in Caldwell, Idaho

Steunenberg Family Genealogy

Every so often, Walter Steunenberg sends out an update of the family genealogy.  I'm a history lover but never had the patience for tracking the hundreds of names and multiple generations. However, I am not sure what I would do if someone had not continued this labor of love—as I use this document frequently for reference. Walter provides an invaluable service and continues a tradition of work that began with Grace Steunenberg Croookam, was continued by Helen Maria (Keppel) Toal and contributed to by many family members over the years, including my mother Brenda Steunenberg Richards.

See: Saturday, April 19, 2008 - Tracing the Family Roots

As in the past, I have saved this genealogy record of the Willem Hendriks Steunenberg line of the family to Google documents. You can access it by clicking on the link below. It is about 63 pages and may take a couple minutes to download. Once the document opens, you may want to click on the formatting icon (¶) if all the various marks are still visible. Turning formatting off makes for much easier reading.

 Willem Hendriks Steunenberg

Below are other family lines that Walter has available. Email or write Walter directly if you have his address or let me know and I will request a copy. 

Peter Jansen Steunenberg

Arent Willems Peter Steunenberg

Gerit Hendriks Steunenberg

Jan Hendriks Steunenberg

100,000

Sometime last night (no, I didn't stay up for the event, shoot off fireworks or have a toast), the blog had its 100,000th visitor since 2/10/2008. Now, I am not so big headed as to think it really means much of anything or compares to winning a gold medal at the Olympics. The majority of those hits are probably from me and people wandering aimlessly lost through cyberspace and landing here by mistake—but it is a milestone nonetheless. If maybe 10%, 5% or even 1% were actually where they wanted to be or 1/2% or 1/4% or even less stop by on a regular basis—I am elated. For a blog with a very narrow focus, pretty specific to one state and one family—not too shabby.
Thank you all.

Tara A. Rowe said...

I don't know how much of a percentage I make up, but I'm a better historian for having read your blog all this time. Congratulations on the milestone.

August 9, 2012 7:42 PM

John T. Richards Jr. said...

Thanks Tara. Happy to have you stopping by now and then. John

August 10, 2012 7:49 AM  

 

Harve Haskell said... 

Dear John:  I would imagine a good number of those hits were              intentional because the history you provide your visitors is important information and gleaned from sources not usually in the mainstream historical database. I certainly have appreciated your website and blog and am very grateful to you for all the effort you've put into it. Thanks so much!!   Harve Haskell 

August 09, 2012 7:35 AM 

 

  

John T. Richards Jr. said.. 

Thanks Harve: 

Happy to have you as one of the 100k! John

Aug 2012 07:44:05 -0700

"Give us a Man" by George E. Steunenberg

George Steunenberg
Maybe he should
have run for office.

I still need to get the rest of George's Song's of a Soldier posted on the blog. However, this poem is not from the book but is among many others he also wrote. Being we are now well into election season, and politics is awash with millions of dollars for TV commercials in search of your vote, I thought Give us a Man would be in order (I would add "or a Woman" although might have to rework the poem a bit).

*Any similarity to presidential candidates, past or present, real or imagined, is purely coincidental.

Give us a man in the White House!
   A man who can fill the chair!
Who won't begin seeking another term
   As soon as we've placed him there.
Who will think of the country instead of himself—
   We have such men in the land—
Who will throw the political game to the winds
   And tackle the job on hand!

Give us a man in the White House!
   A man you can see in a crowd.
Who isn't afraid to speak his mind,
   But doesn't speak too loud.
Who will stay on the job when he's needed there,
    But will not kill himself with work.
Who when he must face a camera
   Will do it without a smirk.

Give us a man in the White House
   Who will fearlessly face the facts.
Who will cut his talk down to the minimum
   And speak through his deeds and acts.
Who will fire that army of bureaucrats
   No matter what bosses may say,
And his name will go down in history
   As the man who saved the day!

(Another version with an alternative ending)
Gives us a man in the White House
   Who will fearlessly face the facts.
Who will keep his mouth out of the radio
   And speak through his deeds and acts.
Who will face any danger when duty calls
   And if need be forfeit his life.
And for god's sake give us a president
   Who isn't afraid of his wife!

1952 Eisenhower VS. Stevenson. You may not see the screens below if receiving as an email blog notice. Come to the blog. Political commercials were sure a lot more fun and less expensive to make back in the 1950's.


See more: Museum of the Moving Image - The Living Room Candidate

Where is Stonewall's Arm?

Where Is General Stonewall Jackson's Arm Buried? - National Parks Traveler

The Curious Fate of Stonewall Jackson's Arm - NPR

 'He has lost his left arm; but I have lost my right arm.'
—General Robert E. Lee

General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson.

Although no doubt my great grand uncle, Private Lewis Simpson (click here for blog posts about Lewis and his brother Justus)), would have wanted to get a shot at Stonewall Jackson, it was actually the General's own troops that accidentally shot him in the arm.

Private Lewis Simpson, 89th New York Volunteers, Company K. Courtesy of the Frazier Farmstead Museum

  'He [Stonewall Jackson] will wake up some morning to find his stonewall all gone to thunder and his soul singing rebel anthems with the Devil and his Angels in Hell.'
—Private Lewis Simpson

From Eighty-Ninth Infantry
SIMPSON, LEWIS L.—Age, 19 years. Enlisted, September 17, 1861, at Unadilla, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. K, October 21, 1861; discharged for disability, February 5, 1863, at Frederick City, Md. —Rosters of the New York Infantry Regiments during the Civil War

Lewis was wounded in the left leg at the Battle of South Mountain. As with General Jackson and so many Civil War soldiers, amputation was at that time the best and most effective means of saving a life. Lewis' left leg was not amputated in a field hospital. Instead, the surgery took place three days after he was wounded and had been evacuated to the U.S. Military Hospital in Maryland. Hopefully conditions were at least somewhat more sterile. 

Tombstone for "Stonewall" Jackson's left arm.

The Civil War

Amputation Kit

How a Civil War amputation was performed.

Amputation of the leg 

Amputation of the arm 

"Preserving the stories behind Idaho law"

Copyright ILHS

A recent online article in the Idaho Statesman reminded me once again of the Idaho Legal History Society (ILHS). The ILHS was formed in 2005, the 100 year anniversary of the assassination of my great-grandfather, Governor Frank Steunenberg. Hence, I was very pleased with the design chosen for their logo. Although many important legal events and individuals are scattered throughout the state's history, it seemed appropriate that Idaho's crime and trial of the century would be the focal point of the societies inception. Their sponsorship of the stage play,  The Gate on 16th Avenue, and support and participation in Idaho Public Television's production of Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century, was a fitting start to the societies preservation efforts. I was fortunate to have attended both the play and and the premiere of "Assassination" and continue to enjoy a lifetime's worth of memories and historical interests connected to those events. By all means, yes, thank you ILHS for "preserving the stories behind Idaho law."

Preserving the stories behind Idaho law 
The Idaho Statesman

Idaho Legal Historical Society Website

Some Highlights from the ILHS website:
The Trial of Big Bill Haywood

ILHS Newsletter Winter 2012 (Sheep versus Cattle, "Stocky" Stockslager, "Diamondfield Jack" Davis, etc.)

Flashback Blog Posts:

Sunday, February 15, 2009

 The Idaho Legal History Socie

Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Legal History Lesson from 1901
 

Saturday, June 27, 2009
Visit to the The Idaho Pen - 11/8/2007
 

Friday, September 25, 2009 A Couple of Personal Notes I Received Regarding the Frank Steunenberg Assassination & Haywood Trial Historical Events/Projects of 2005-2007
 

Monday, June 29, 2009 of Premiere Night - Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century

FOLD3

www.footnote.com

Don't forget to check out my Fold3 pages now and then. I suggest clicking on "Spotlights." Those receiving this as an email update may not see the above image. Click instead on: Recent Spotlights.

For a good July 4th activity, explore the Revolutionary War Collection. Some aspects of navigation on Fold3 will be limited for non-subscribers.

Monday, July 4, 2011

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776 — and many years later a lawyer is born

Sunday, July 4, 2010

The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America

Have a safe and happy Independence Day.