First Christmas Services in the Boise Basin

On December 25, 1863, Roman Catholic Fathers held the first Christmas services in the gold towns of the Boise Basin.

More details on this event have been posted on the blog for Sourdough Publishing. A version of this material also appears in my book, Idaho: Year One – The Territory's First Year.

Stock Raisers of Idaho

Truman C. Catlin is one of many ranchers featured in my book about the development of the Idaho stock raising industry:
Before the Spud: Indians, Buckaroos, and Sheepherders in Pioneer Idaho. 

Of course, as noted by the title, the native inhabitants – with their extensive horse herds – sheep ranchers also played a role in that history. For more information about the book, including a full Table of Contents, visit my related Sourdough Publishing blog.

First Territorial Legislature Meets

On December 7, 1863, the newly-elected legislators for Idaho Territory met for the first time, in Lewiston. They had a lot to do get the Territorial government up and running.

More details on this event have been posted on the blog for Sourdough Publishing. A version of this material also appears in my book, Idaho: Year One – The Territory's First Year.

Elections Give Idaho Territory a Government

On November 29, 1863, the Golden Age in Lewiston, Idaho Territory, published an "Extra" to inform readers about the latest election returns, which had come in from the east side of the Continental Divide. Combined with the ballots already in hand, these returns would finally give Idaho an elected government.

More details on the item have been posted on the blog for Sourdough Publishing. A version of this material also appears in my book, Idaho: Year One – The Territory's First Year.

Sesquicentennial: Newspaper Tries to Educate Readers

On November 23, 1863, the Evening Bulletin in San Francisco reprinted a description of where Idaho’s Boise Basin mining towns were located. The item, originally published in Idaho City, was prompted by the “numerous blunders” a local newspaper editor had read in various letters and reports.

More details on the item have been posted on the blog for Sourdough Publishing. A version of this material also appears in my book, Idaho: Year One – The Territory's First Year.

Sesquicentennial: Owyhee Mines

On November 17, 1863, The Oregonian published a report that said the "Owyhee" mines – where Silver City, Idaho, was soon to be – were probably as rich as "advertised" in letters and stories coming from the area.

More details on the report have been posted on the blog for Sourdough Publishing. A version of this item also appears in my book, Idaho: Year One – The Territory's First Year.

Sesquicentennial: Legal Furor in California

On November 6, 1863, newspapers in California had much to say about the case of three accused murderers from Idaho Territory. Their lawyer was trying to head off an order to extradite them back to the Territory for trial.

More details on the case have been posted on the blog for Sourdough Publishing. A version of this item also appears in my book, Idaho: Year One – The Territory's First Year.