The Idaho Republican, September 20, 1918:
DEATH OF W. G. DAVIDSON
W. G. Davidson departed this life on Tuesday, September 17, at 7 a.m., after failing rapidly for several months. He had been living at the home of his son, Arthur, at Mackay for some time, and was brought back to Blackfoot the 9th of September.
The funeral was conducted on Tuesday afternoon, and burial was made at the Grove City cemetery.
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The Idaho Republican, September 24, 1918:
THOMAS
On Wednesday, Sept. 8 the body of W. G. Davidson was brought to Thomas by his son Mr. and Mrs. John Baker of Goldpoint, and interred in the cemetery here. Elder P. G. Johnston of Blackfoot came out to the burial and delivered a short address. Deceased was seventy-nine years old, and is an old pioneer of Blackfoot and the surrounding vicinity. He leaves two sons a daughter and a number of grandchildren to mourn his loss.
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The Bingham County News, August 26, 1915:
RICH
By the kindness of Mrs. S.P. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Davidson were invited to ride with her to the Old Folks' re-union last week at Groveland. It was late when we got there and the morning program was over, but we were in time to get a seat at the first table with the kiddies. The tables were loaded with the best eatibles the country afforded, and the kiddies performed their duties good and fast, and a more industrious crowd cannot be found every day. There were five or six hundred at the meeting, and the afternoon program came off with Bishop Buchanan and President Duckworth as managers. The judges and assistants were Mr. and Mrs. Dalton of Riverside, Mr. and Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Lindsay of Riverside. Ten young men sang a very pretty and appropriate song. Mrs. Inskeep and her two little daughters sang and danced to the delight of all present, and were called upon the second time. They were pronounced the best singers and dancers in the country. Mrs. Duke also sang a very pretty song. The presents for the old folks were too many for my pencil to describe, and were distributed impartially, and everybody seemed delighted and satisfied with the day's sport, the old folks were grateful to the young folks for the generosity and attention. The Rich district was represented by Mrs. S.P. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Davidson, Mr. and Mrs. Alma Clough, and Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Thompson. President Duckworth read the origin of the word Idaho wrote by W.G. Davidson and published in the Optimist.
**********************************************
The Blackfoot Optimist, June 24, 1915:
The origin of the word "Idaho": The Writer, John Youst, Van Hulette, William Blair, Mart Rowley and 'Thaddius the Stiff', were camped about the first of November, 1862, on the Payette river near where the town of Emmett now stands. We were on our way to the new El Dorado, the Boise basin, mines that had lately been discovered by Captain Grimes and party from Oregon. We had seen some Indians enter the brush on the Payette river before we camped. We were finishing our meal, a late dinner or an early supper when we saw two persons in the south-east, one-and-a-half or two miles away coming toward the Payette river quartering, and would strike the Payette about a mile below us. But we could not tell whether they were white folks or Indians. I said "boys if any of you will go with me, we will head them off and see who they are," a little Britisher named Mart Rowley jumped up and said he would go, and we put on our guns and started, aiming to head them off a mile before they got to the river. We had not gone very far before we discovered that they were two Indians, a squaw and a buck, and when we got near enough we gave them a friendly sign, or salute which was returned by the buck. When we got near enough to each other we began to make signs and talk to each other, but did not make much headway until we got close to each other, and then I invited them to go to the camp with us and get something to eat, which they readily agreed. He said he hadn't had anything to eat since early that morning, and that he and his squaw were hungry. Mart took the lead, buck and squaw next, and I brought up the rear. When we got to camp and got something to eat, the buck got quite talkative before he got through eating, and said he had been with some of the soldiers at times as a guide. He said that he lived in the north, and that there was a big high mountain on the east side of his tepee, where he had lost his little girl about ten or twelve years old, and thought some bad Indians had stolen her, and that he had come down to the Snake and Payette rivers to find her, and that if he could not he would return to his northern home to see if she had returned, and that if she had not, he would go to Forts Walla Walla and Vancouver and see if the soldiers had found her. One night about ten years ago, he said, his squaw got sick in their tepee and keep-looking out at the big snowcapped mountain for day to come. Finally she spoke in a sort of laugh, "Ida, Ida," and that morning a little girl was born and he named her Ida, and now my squaw is most crazy and goes about calling for her Ida. She heard me calling O, Ida, and she got the cart before the horse, and says Ida, ho, and that is the origin of the word "Idaho."
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The Bingham County News, June 13, 1912:
June 5th was W.G. Davidson's 73rd birthday, and fifty years has been spent in Idaho, where he has voted at every election in state and county. A number of his friends and relatives dined with him on that day, among them was his niece, Mrs. T.C. Yates of Dallas, Texas, having never seen her before, and it has been fifty-two years since he has seen any of his folks. The guests present were Mrs. George E. Campbell and Miss Ethel Campbell, Blackfoot; J.A. Campbell and son, Campbellville; Mrs. John Brown, Rich; and Mrs. Baker, Rich.
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The Idaho Republican, February 22, 1907:
The Real Thing
Souvenir stick pins made of Snake River flour gold sent to any address on receipt price. I make them in sizes from $1 to $5, pure gold, mounted on a two inch pin. Just the thing for wearing in a tie or cravat. Address W.G. Davidson, Gold Point Mines, Via Blackfoot, Idaho. (Note: Mr. Davidson operates a placer mine and will give good values in pure gold from the mine. Editor.)
**********************************************
The Salt Lake Telegram, August 16, 1906:
GOLD IN BLACK SAND.
W.G. Davidson of Blackfoot, Ida., who has been operating a placer mining scheme for several years at Rich, Ida., some time since sent specimens of the black sands, of which he had much laid aside, to the Government experimental plants for test. The reports he has just received show that every ton of these sands carries $25 gold.
This discovery is of the greatest value to Davidson, as he has found that by the use of the Wilfley table the main part of the gold can be saved, and that, in addition to the gold values, there are about twelve pounds of zircon per ton, worth 10 cents a pound.
Mr. Davidson also sent some concentrates for a fire test, which assayed $674.26 per ton of concentrates and $12.60 per ton of original gravel.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, November 17, 1905:
W.G. Davidson has been mining for gold and platinum near Gold Point, below the Watson ranch, and has sent some specimens to the testing station at Portland which shows good values in platinum which have hitherto been lost in treatment.
**********************************************
The Blackfoot News, June 9, 1894:
W.G. Davidson has recently taken out $128 from 100 yards of gravel on his placer claim near Blackfoot.
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The Idaho World, April 28, 1870:
COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
The following proceedings have been handed to us by L.O. Benedict, Esq., Secretary of the Convention:
In pursuance of a call of the Central Committee, the County Democratic Convention of Boise county met at the Masonic building in Centerville on Saturday, April 23, for the purpose of electing Delegates to the Territorial Democratic Convention and also for the purpose of nominating a full county ticket.
On assembling at the Hall they were called to order by Mr. Wm. Lynch of Placerville, Chairman of the County Central Committee, whereupon Mr. Frank Harman was chosen temporary Chairman and Mr. L.O. Benedict, of Centerville, temporary Secretary.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of the following named gentlemen, were appointed a Committee on Organization and Order of Business: Jesse Bradford, Robert Fugate, Moses H. Kempner, Green White, James A. Abbott.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of D.B. Mooney, Frank Cooper and Con. Healy, were appointed on Credentials.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of Jno. Vesey, W.G. Davidson, J.J. Tompkins, George Tregaskis and A.D. Saunders, were appointed a Committee on Resolutions.
A recess of an hour was then taken, and upon reassembling the several Committees reported as follows:
The Committee on Credentials reported the following persons as entitled to seats in the Convention:
Idaho City - Green White, Chris Hafendorfer, J. Sayles, Jr., Franz Gebhardt, Francois Miller, J.J. Tompkins, J. West, J.J. Walker.
Buena Vista Bar - A.D. Saunders, S.B. Thompson and John F. Husseman.
Pine Grove - C.H. Watts, Geo. Tregaskis.
Last Chance - S. Chamberlain.
Minnchaha - Frank Cooper, Oliver Call (by A. D. Saunders, proxy).
Gold Hill - Moses H. Kempner, Julian Mourat (by Moses H. Kempner, proxy).
Pioneer City - John Convery, John Vesey, Matt Ryan and Robert McGuinness.
Centerville - B.R. Hughes, Michael Neilon and Frank Harmon.
Boston - Robert Fugate and W.H. Decker.
Placerville - Jesse Bradford, Joseph Fulton and John T. Swain.
Granite Creek - Con Healy, Michael Keernon and John Leary.
Square Creek - Thos. Hass (by E.A. Stevenson, proxy).
Horse Shoe Bend - Wm. G. Davidson and D.B. Mooney.
Upper Payette - James A. Abbott.
On motion, the report was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business reported as follows:
To the Hon. Chairman of the Democratic County Convention: Your Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business beg leave to submit the following report:
1st. For Permanent Chairman, Frank Harman. 2d. For Secretary, L.O. Benedict; 3d. The election of Delegates to the Territorial Convention; 4th. The nomination of Sheriff; 5th. Assessor; 6th. Auditor; 7th. Treasurer; 8th. County Clerk; 9th. Coroner; 10th. Superintendent Public Schools; 11th. County Commissioner; 12th. Probate Judge; 13th. Road Supervisors; 14th. District Attorney; 15th. Members of Council; 16th. Members of Legislature. Voting to be by ballot.
On motion, the report was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on Resolutions reported the following which were adopted unanimously:
Resolved, That the Democracy of Boise county are in favor of the free institutions of Government established by the Fathers of the Republic, and are unalterably opposed to every attempt to establish a despotism, a monied aristocracy, or any other form of Government in our country than that instituted and founded by Washington, Jefferson, Madison and their compatriots.
Resolved, That the so-called Reconstruction Acts and policy of the Republican or Radical party were conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity, brought forth and nursed in bigotry, intolerance, fanaticism, fraud and corruption, and that we are opposed to them in toto from beginning to end.
Resolved, That the administration of President Grant is a shame and a reproach to a free and intelligent people, in useless extravagance, unblushing, wholesale corruption and usurpations of despotic power in a time of profound peace, without a parallel in the history of any nation or people.
Resolved, That we are in favor of an honest and economical administration of all public affairs.
Resolved, That we are in favor of equal and exact justice to all industrial pursuits, and are opposed to protection by legislation and taxation of manufacturing interests, to be paid willingly or unwillingly by over nine-tenths of the American people who consume manufactured products.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the payment of every dollar legally and justly due by the Government, not one dollar more nor one dollar less, and that taxation should be equal and uniform upon all property, including United States bonds, and all other evidence of public indebtedness, and that we denounce the financial policy of the present administration in paying a premium on bonds which, according to law, the Government is entitled to redeem at par.
Resolved, That we are unalterably opposed to any and all attempts to "reconstruct" the laws of nature, and of nature's God, in seeking to join together and equalize socially and politically what an All Wise Being in His infinite wisdom has placed asunder and made dissimilar and unequal in the different races of mankind.
Resolved, That we are in favor of just and reasonable compensation, no more nor no less being paid to all our public servants.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the importation or introduction into our country of Chinese or any other inferior race, either to compete with white labor, for the purpose of citizenship, or for any other purpose whatever.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the oppressed people of all nations struggling for their liberty, and are in favor of an immediate recognition of Cuban independence, and that we are in favor of universal amnesty for all political offenses committed by our own people.
Resolved, That we are in favor of all legitimate encouragement being extended to the immigration of permanent white settlers into Idaho Territory from the older States and from European shores.
Resolved, That recognizing the fact that this Territory owes to her children a good and efficient education, we are in favor of the immediate adoption of comprehensive and thorough educational systems.
**********************************************
The Idaho World, April 21, 1870:
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES. - In accordance with the programme as arranged by the County Central Committee, the Democratic Primary elections were held last Saturday. Candidates had been active and busy for some time past in canvassing the various precincts and drumming up their supporters, and quite a large vote was polled in the different precincts. In Idaho City the ticket supported by the friends of Col. S.A. Merritt was elected by 46 majority out of a vote of 295, the other ticket being supported by the friends of Mr. John Gorman and Mr. John Taylor. Everything passed off quietly until late in the evening, when a couple of skirmishes took place which were soon suppressed.
The following are the names of the Delegates elected in the different precincts:
Idaho City - Green White, Chris Hafendorfer, J. Sayles, Jr., Franz Gebhardt, Francois Miller, J.J. Tompkins, John West, J.J. Walker.
Buena Vista Bar - A.D. Saunders, S.B. Thompson, John F. Husseman.
Pine Grove - George Tregaskis, _ Watts.
Last Chance - S. Chamberlain.
Minnchaha - Frank Cooper, Oliver Call.
Gold Hill - Moses H. Kempner, Julian Mourett.
Pioneer City - Matt Ryan, John Convery, Robt. McGuinness, John Vesey.
Centerville - B.R. Hughes, Michael Nealon, Frank Harmon.
Boston - W.H. Decker, Robt. Fugate.
Placerville - Jesse Bradford, Joseph Fulton, John T. Swain.
Granite Creek - Con Haley, Michael Kiernon, John Leary.
Square Creek - Hans Nesbet.
Horse Shoe Bend - Wm. G. Davidson, D.B. Mooney.
Upper Payette - C. L. White.
As the County Convention meets on next Saturday, our candidates will soon be in the field. From the character of the gentlemen who have been elected as Delegates from the various precincts, we have every confidence that a strong ticket will be presented to the people for their support, and the campaign may then be considered as fairly opened. We desire to see the ball kept rolling, and let the campaign be as sharp, hot and decisive as possible. The Radicals in this county require another lesson and we wish to see one administered that will prove a quantum sufficit for all time to come.
In this connection we cannot pass over in silence the conduct of a few of the Mongrel crew who have been actively working and still are engaged in endeavoring to sow dissensions in the ranks of our party. They were extremely officious on the day of the primaries, and seemed to take as much interest in Democratic affairs on that day as some of the most anxious and sanguine aspirants for official positions. Such officious intermeddling in affairs that did not concern them was anything but creditable to the parties engaged in it, and was quite in contrast with the conduct and course pursued by Democrats on the day of the Radical primaries. No Democrat evinced the slightest disposition to obtrude or thrust himself forward in any manner upon his Radical opponents, and a little courtesy or delicacy, if not common sense, should have deterred Radicals from thrusting their noses in where they could not but know that their room was better than their company.
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The Topeka Tribune, March 24, 1860:
Democratic Ticket,
For County Commissioners,
WM. M. JORDAN,
WM. P. ROBERTS,
S. L. MUNGER.
For Assessor,
A. L. DAVIDSON.
For Township Trustee,
Geo. W. Anderson.
For Justices of the Peace,
J. Fin Hill,
Byron Jewel.
For Constables,
S. P. Thompson,
Wm. G. Davidson.
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1860 Census - Occupation: Laborer (Soldier Township, Shawnee Co., Kansas Territories)
1870 Census - Occupation: Farmer (Payette Valley, Boise Co., Idaho Territory)
1880 Census - Occupation: Farmer (Territory No. 2, Ada Co., Idaho)
1900 Census - Occupation: Miner (Rich, Bingham Co., Idaho)
1910 Census - Occupation: Miner, Industry: River (Richfield, Bingham Co., Idaho)
DEATH OF W. G. DAVIDSON
W. G. Davidson departed this life on Tuesday, September 17, at 7 a.m., after failing rapidly for several months. He had been living at the home of his son, Arthur, at Mackay for some time, and was brought back to Blackfoot the 9th of September.
The funeral was conducted on Tuesday afternoon, and burial was made at the Grove City cemetery.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, September 24, 1918:
THOMAS
On Wednesday, Sept. 8 the body of W. G. Davidson was brought to Thomas by his son Mr. and Mrs. John Baker of Goldpoint, and interred in the cemetery here. Elder P. G. Johnston of Blackfoot came out to the burial and delivered a short address. Deceased was seventy-nine years old, and is an old pioneer of Blackfoot and the surrounding vicinity. He leaves two sons a daughter and a number of grandchildren to mourn his loss.
**********************************************
The Bingham County News, August 26, 1915:
RICH
By the kindness of Mrs. S.P. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Davidson were invited to ride with her to the Old Folks' re-union last week at Groveland. It was late when we got there and the morning program was over, but we were in time to get a seat at the first table with the kiddies. The tables were loaded with the best eatibles the country afforded, and the kiddies performed their duties good and fast, and a more industrious crowd cannot be found every day. There were five or six hundred at the meeting, and the afternoon program came off with Bishop Buchanan and President Duckworth as managers. The judges and assistants were Mr. and Mrs. Dalton of Riverside, Mr. and Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Lindsay of Riverside. Ten young men sang a very pretty and appropriate song. Mrs. Inskeep and her two little daughters sang and danced to the delight of all present, and were called upon the second time. They were pronounced the best singers and dancers in the country. Mrs. Duke also sang a very pretty song. The presents for the old folks were too many for my pencil to describe, and were distributed impartially, and everybody seemed delighted and satisfied with the day's sport, the old folks were grateful to the young folks for the generosity and attention. The Rich district was represented by Mrs. S.P. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Davidson, Mr. and Mrs. Alma Clough, and Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Thompson. President Duckworth read the origin of the word Idaho wrote by W.G. Davidson and published in the Optimist.
**********************************************
The Blackfoot Optimist, June 24, 1915:
The origin of the word "Idaho": The Writer, John Youst, Van Hulette, William Blair, Mart Rowley and 'Thaddius the Stiff', were camped about the first of November, 1862, on the Payette river near where the town of Emmett now stands. We were on our way to the new El Dorado, the Boise basin, mines that had lately been discovered by Captain Grimes and party from Oregon. We had seen some Indians enter the brush on the Payette river before we camped. We were finishing our meal, a late dinner or an early supper when we saw two persons in the south-east, one-and-a-half or two miles away coming toward the Payette river quartering, and would strike the Payette about a mile below us. But we could not tell whether they were white folks or Indians. I said "boys if any of you will go with me, we will head them off and see who they are," a little Britisher named Mart Rowley jumped up and said he would go, and we put on our guns and started, aiming to head them off a mile before they got to the river. We had not gone very far before we discovered that they were two Indians, a squaw and a buck, and when we got near enough we gave them a friendly sign, or salute which was returned by the buck. When we got near enough to each other we began to make signs and talk to each other, but did not make much headway until we got close to each other, and then I invited them to go to the camp with us and get something to eat, which they readily agreed. He said he hadn't had anything to eat since early that morning, and that he and his squaw were hungry. Mart took the lead, buck and squaw next, and I brought up the rear. When we got to camp and got something to eat, the buck got quite talkative before he got through eating, and said he had been with some of the soldiers at times as a guide. He said that he lived in the north, and that there was a big high mountain on the east side of his tepee, where he had lost his little girl about ten or twelve years old, and thought some bad Indians had stolen her, and that he had come down to the Snake and Payette rivers to find her, and that if he could not he would return to his northern home to see if she had returned, and that if she had not, he would go to Forts Walla Walla and Vancouver and see if the soldiers had found her. One night about ten years ago, he said, his squaw got sick in their tepee and keep-looking out at the big snowcapped mountain for day to come. Finally she spoke in a sort of laugh, "Ida, Ida," and that morning a little girl was born and he named her Ida, and now my squaw is most crazy and goes about calling for her Ida. She heard me calling O, Ida, and she got the cart before the horse, and says Ida, ho, and that is the origin of the word "Idaho."
**********************************************
The Bingham County News, June 13, 1912:
June 5th was W.G. Davidson's 73rd birthday, and fifty years has been spent in Idaho, where he has voted at every election in state and county. A number of his friends and relatives dined with him on that day, among them was his niece, Mrs. T.C. Yates of Dallas, Texas, having never seen her before, and it has been fifty-two years since he has seen any of his folks. The guests present were Mrs. George E. Campbell and Miss Ethel Campbell, Blackfoot; J.A. Campbell and son, Campbellville; Mrs. John Brown, Rich; and Mrs. Baker, Rich.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, February 22, 1907:
The Real Thing
Souvenir stick pins made of Snake River flour gold sent to any address on receipt price. I make them in sizes from $1 to $5, pure gold, mounted on a two inch pin. Just the thing for wearing in a tie or cravat. Address W.G. Davidson, Gold Point Mines, Via Blackfoot, Idaho. (Note: Mr. Davidson operates a placer mine and will give good values in pure gold from the mine. Editor.)
**********************************************
The Salt Lake Telegram, August 16, 1906:
GOLD IN BLACK SAND.
W.G. Davidson of Blackfoot, Ida., who has been operating a placer mining scheme for several years at Rich, Ida., some time since sent specimens of the black sands, of which he had much laid aside, to the Government experimental plants for test. The reports he has just received show that every ton of these sands carries $25 gold.
This discovery is of the greatest value to Davidson, as he has found that by the use of the Wilfley table the main part of the gold can be saved, and that, in addition to the gold values, there are about twelve pounds of zircon per ton, worth 10 cents a pound.
Mr. Davidson also sent some concentrates for a fire test, which assayed $674.26 per ton of concentrates and $12.60 per ton of original gravel.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, November 17, 1905:
W.G. Davidson has been mining for gold and platinum near Gold Point, below the Watson ranch, and has sent some specimens to the testing station at Portland which shows good values in platinum which have hitherto been lost in treatment.
**********************************************
The Blackfoot News, June 9, 1894:
W.G. Davidson has recently taken out $128 from 100 yards of gravel on his placer claim near Blackfoot.
**********************************************
The Idaho World, April 28, 1870:
COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
The following proceedings have been handed to us by L.O. Benedict, Esq., Secretary of the Convention:
In pursuance of a call of the Central Committee, the County Democratic Convention of Boise county met at the Masonic building in Centerville on Saturday, April 23, for the purpose of electing Delegates to the Territorial Democratic Convention and also for the purpose of nominating a full county ticket.
On assembling at the Hall they were called to order by Mr. Wm. Lynch of Placerville, Chairman of the County Central Committee, whereupon Mr. Frank Harman was chosen temporary Chairman and Mr. L.O. Benedict, of Centerville, temporary Secretary.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of the following named gentlemen, were appointed a Committee on Organization and Order of Business: Jesse Bradford, Robert Fugate, Moses H. Kempner, Green White, James A. Abbott.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of D.B. Mooney, Frank Cooper and Con. Healy, were appointed on Credentials.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of Jno. Vesey, W.G. Davidson, J.J. Tompkins, George Tregaskis and A.D. Saunders, were appointed a Committee on Resolutions.
A recess of an hour was then taken, and upon reassembling the several Committees reported as follows:
The Committee on Credentials reported the following persons as entitled to seats in the Convention:
Idaho City - Green White, Chris Hafendorfer, J. Sayles, Jr., Franz Gebhardt, Francois Miller, J.J. Tompkins, J. West, J.J. Walker.
Buena Vista Bar - A.D. Saunders, S.B. Thompson and John F. Husseman.
Pine Grove - C.H. Watts, Geo. Tregaskis.
Last Chance - S. Chamberlain.
Minnchaha - Frank Cooper, Oliver Call (by A. D. Saunders, proxy).
Gold Hill - Moses H. Kempner, Julian Mourat (by Moses H. Kempner, proxy).
Pioneer City - John Convery, John Vesey, Matt Ryan and Robert McGuinness.
Centerville - B.R. Hughes, Michael Neilon and Frank Harmon.
Boston - Robert Fugate and W.H. Decker.
Placerville - Jesse Bradford, Joseph Fulton and John T. Swain.
Granite Creek - Con Healy, Michael Keernon and John Leary.
Square Creek - Thos. Hass (by E.A. Stevenson, proxy).
Horse Shoe Bend - Wm. G. Davidson and D.B. Mooney.
Upper Payette - James A. Abbott.
On motion, the report was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business reported as follows:
To the Hon. Chairman of the Democratic County Convention: Your Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business beg leave to submit the following report:
1st. For Permanent Chairman, Frank Harman. 2d. For Secretary, L.O. Benedict; 3d. The election of Delegates to the Territorial Convention; 4th. The nomination of Sheriff; 5th. Assessor; 6th. Auditor; 7th. Treasurer; 8th. County Clerk; 9th. Coroner; 10th. Superintendent Public Schools; 11th. County Commissioner; 12th. Probate Judge; 13th. Road Supervisors; 14th. District Attorney; 15th. Members of Council; 16th. Members of Legislature. Voting to be by ballot.
On motion, the report was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on Resolutions reported the following which were adopted unanimously:
Resolved, That the Democracy of Boise county are in favor of the free institutions of Government established by the Fathers of the Republic, and are unalterably opposed to every attempt to establish a despotism, a monied aristocracy, or any other form of Government in our country than that instituted and founded by Washington, Jefferson, Madison and their compatriots.
Resolved, That the so-called Reconstruction Acts and policy of the Republican or Radical party were conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity, brought forth and nursed in bigotry, intolerance, fanaticism, fraud and corruption, and that we are opposed to them in toto from beginning to end.
Resolved, That the administration of President Grant is a shame and a reproach to a free and intelligent people, in useless extravagance, unblushing, wholesale corruption and usurpations of despotic power in a time of profound peace, without a parallel in the history of any nation or people.
Resolved, That we are in favor of an honest and economical administration of all public affairs.
Resolved, That we are in favor of equal and exact justice to all industrial pursuits, and are opposed to protection by legislation and taxation of manufacturing interests, to be paid willingly or unwillingly by over nine-tenths of the American people who consume manufactured products.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the payment of every dollar legally and justly due by the Government, not one dollar more nor one dollar less, and that taxation should be equal and uniform upon all property, including United States bonds, and all other evidence of public indebtedness, and that we denounce the financial policy of the present administration in paying a premium on bonds which, according to law, the Government is entitled to redeem at par.
Resolved, That we are unalterably opposed to any and all attempts to "reconstruct" the laws of nature, and of nature's God, in seeking to join together and equalize socially and politically what an All Wise Being in His infinite wisdom has placed asunder and made dissimilar and unequal in the different races of mankind.
Resolved, That we are in favor of just and reasonable compensation, no more nor no less being paid to all our public servants.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the importation or introduction into our country of Chinese or any other inferior race, either to compete with white labor, for the purpose of citizenship, or for any other purpose whatever.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the oppressed people of all nations struggling for their liberty, and are in favor of an immediate recognition of Cuban independence, and that we are in favor of universal amnesty for all political offenses committed by our own people.
Resolved, That we are in favor of all legitimate encouragement being extended to the immigration of permanent white settlers into Idaho Territory from the older States and from European shores.
Resolved, That recognizing the fact that this Territory owes to her children a good and efficient education, we are in favor of the immediate adoption of comprehensive and thorough educational systems.
**********************************************
The Idaho World, April 21, 1870:
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES. - In accordance with the programme as arranged by the County Central Committee, the Democratic Primary elections were held last Saturday. Candidates had been active and busy for some time past in canvassing the various precincts and drumming up their supporters, and quite a large vote was polled in the different precincts. In Idaho City the ticket supported by the friends of Col. S.A. Merritt was elected by 46 majority out of a vote of 295, the other ticket being supported by the friends of Mr. John Gorman and Mr. John Taylor. Everything passed off quietly until late in the evening, when a couple of skirmishes took place which were soon suppressed.
The following are the names of the Delegates elected in the different precincts:
Idaho City - Green White, Chris Hafendorfer, J. Sayles, Jr., Franz Gebhardt, Francois Miller, J.J. Tompkins, John West, J.J. Walker.
Buena Vista Bar - A.D. Saunders, S.B. Thompson, John F. Husseman.
Pine Grove - George Tregaskis, _ Watts.
Last Chance - S. Chamberlain.
Minnchaha - Frank Cooper, Oliver Call.
Gold Hill - Moses H. Kempner, Julian Mourett.
Pioneer City - Matt Ryan, John Convery, Robt. McGuinness, John Vesey.
Centerville - B.R. Hughes, Michael Nealon, Frank Harmon.
Boston - W.H. Decker, Robt. Fugate.
Placerville - Jesse Bradford, Joseph Fulton, John T. Swain.
Granite Creek - Con Haley, Michael Kiernon, John Leary.
Square Creek - Hans Nesbet.
Horse Shoe Bend - Wm. G. Davidson, D.B. Mooney.
Upper Payette - C. L. White.
As the County Convention meets on next Saturday, our candidates will soon be in the field. From the character of the gentlemen who have been elected as Delegates from the various precincts, we have every confidence that a strong ticket will be presented to the people for their support, and the campaign may then be considered as fairly opened. We desire to see the ball kept rolling, and let the campaign be as sharp, hot and decisive as possible. The Radicals in this county require another lesson and we wish to see one administered that will prove a quantum sufficit for all time to come.
In this connection we cannot pass over in silence the conduct of a few of the Mongrel crew who have been actively working and still are engaged in endeavoring to sow dissensions in the ranks of our party. They were extremely officious on the day of the primaries, and seemed to take as much interest in Democratic affairs on that day as some of the most anxious and sanguine aspirants for official positions. Such officious intermeddling in affairs that did not concern them was anything but creditable to the parties engaged in it, and was quite in contrast with the conduct and course pursued by Democrats on the day of the Radical primaries. No Democrat evinced the slightest disposition to obtrude or thrust himself forward in any manner upon his Radical opponents, and a little courtesy or delicacy, if not common sense, should have deterred Radicals from thrusting their noses in where they could not but know that their room was better than their company.
**********************************************
The Topeka Tribune, March 24, 1860:
Democratic Ticket,
For County Commissioners,
WM. M. JORDAN,
WM. P. ROBERTS,
S. L. MUNGER.
For Assessor,
A. L. DAVIDSON.
For Township Trustee,
Geo. W. Anderson.
For Justices of the Peace,
J. Fin Hill,
Byron Jewel.
For Constables,
S. P. Thompson,
Wm. G. Davidson.
**********************************************
1860 Census - Occupation: Laborer (Soldier Township, Shawnee Co., Kansas Territories)
1870 Census - Occupation: Farmer (Payette Valley, Boise Co., Idaho Territory)
1880 Census - Occupation: Farmer (Territory No. 2, Ada Co., Idaho)
1900 Census - Occupation: Miner (Rich, Bingham Co., Idaho)
1910 Census - Occupation: Miner, Industry: River (Richfield, Bingham Co., Idaho)
The Idaho Republican, September 20, 1918:
DEATH OF W. G. DAVIDSON
W. G. Davidson departed this life on Tuesday, September 17, at 7 a.m., after failing rapidly for several months. He had been living at the home of his son, Arthur, at Mackay for some time, and was brought back to Blackfoot the 9th of September.
The funeral was conducted on Tuesday afternoon, and burial was made at the Grove City cemetery.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, September 24, 1918:
THOMAS
On Wednesday, Sept. 8 the body of W. G. Davidson was brought to Thomas by his son Mr. and Mrs. John Baker of Goldpoint, and interred in the cemetery here. Elder P. G. Johnston of Blackfoot came out to the burial and delivered a short address. Deceased was seventy-nine years old, and is an old pioneer of Blackfoot and the surrounding vicinity. He leaves two sons a daughter and a number of grandchildren to mourn his loss.
**********************************************
The Bingham County News, August 26, 1915:
RICH
By the kindness of Mrs. S.P. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Davidson were invited to ride with her to the Old Folks' re-union last week at Groveland. It was late when we got there and the morning program was over, but we were in time to get a seat at the first table with the kiddies. The tables were loaded with the best eatibles the country afforded, and the kiddies performed their duties good and fast, and a more industrious crowd cannot be found every day. There were five or six hundred at the meeting, and the afternoon program came off with Bishop Buchanan and President Duckworth as managers. The judges and assistants were Mr. and Mrs. Dalton of Riverside, Mr. and Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Lindsay of Riverside. Ten young men sang a very pretty and appropriate song. Mrs. Inskeep and her two little daughters sang and danced to the delight of all present, and were called upon the second time. They were pronounced the best singers and dancers in the country. Mrs. Duke also sang a very pretty song. The presents for the old folks were too many for my pencil to describe, and were distributed impartially, and everybody seemed delighted and satisfied with the day's sport, the old folks were grateful to the young folks for the generosity and attention. The Rich district was represented by Mrs. S.P. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Davidson, Mr. and Mrs. Alma Clough, and Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Thompson. President Duckworth read the origin of the word Idaho wrote by W.G. Davidson and published in the Optimist.
**********************************************
The Blackfoot Optimist, June 24, 1915:
The origin of the word "Idaho": The Writer, John Youst, Van Hulette, William Blair, Mart Rowley and 'Thaddius the Stiff', were camped about the first of November, 1862, on the Payette river near where the town of Emmett now stands. We were on our way to the new El Dorado, the Boise basin, mines that had lately been discovered by Captain Grimes and party from Oregon. We had seen some Indians enter the brush on the Payette river before we camped. We were finishing our meal, a late dinner or an early supper when we saw two persons in the south-east, one-and-a-half or two miles away coming toward the Payette river quartering, and would strike the Payette about a mile below us. But we could not tell whether they were white folks or Indians. I said "boys if any of you will go with me, we will head them off and see who they are," a little Britisher named Mart Rowley jumped up and said he would go, and we put on our guns and started, aiming to head them off a mile before they got to the river. We had not gone very far before we discovered that they were two Indians, a squaw and a buck, and when we got near enough we gave them a friendly sign, or salute which was returned by the buck. When we got near enough to each other we began to make signs and talk to each other, but did not make much headway until we got close to each other, and then I invited them to go to the camp with us and get something to eat, which they readily agreed. He said he hadn't had anything to eat since early that morning, and that he and his squaw were hungry. Mart took the lead, buck and squaw next, and I brought up the rear. When we got to camp and got something to eat, the buck got quite talkative before he got through eating, and said he had been with some of the soldiers at times as a guide. He said that he lived in the north, and that there was a big high mountain on the east side of his tepee, where he had lost his little girl about ten or twelve years old, and thought some bad Indians had stolen her, and that he had come down to the Snake and Payette rivers to find her, and that if he could not he would return to his northern home to see if she had returned, and that if she had not, he would go to Forts Walla Walla and Vancouver and see if the soldiers had found her. One night about ten years ago, he said, his squaw got sick in their tepee and keep-looking out at the big snowcapped mountain for day to come. Finally she spoke in a sort of laugh, "Ida, Ida," and that morning a little girl was born and he named her Ida, and now my squaw is most crazy and goes about calling for her Ida. She heard me calling O, Ida, and she got the cart before the horse, and says Ida, ho, and that is the origin of the word "Idaho."
**********************************************
The Bingham County News, June 13, 1912:
June 5th was W.G. Davidson's 73rd birthday, and fifty years has been spent in Idaho, where he has voted at every election in state and county. A number of his friends and relatives dined with him on that day, among them was his niece, Mrs. T.C. Yates of Dallas, Texas, having never seen her before, and it has been fifty-two years since he has seen any of his folks. The guests present were Mrs. George E. Campbell and Miss Ethel Campbell, Blackfoot; J.A. Campbell and son, Campbellville; Mrs. John Brown, Rich; and Mrs. Baker, Rich.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, February 22, 1907:
The Real Thing
Souvenir stick pins made of Snake River flour gold sent to any address on receipt price. I make them in sizes from $1 to $5, pure gold, mounted on a two inch pin. Just the thing for wearing in a tie or cravat. Address W.G. Davidson, Gold Point Mines, Via Blackfoot, Idaho. (Note: Mr. Davidson operates a placer mine and will give good values in pure gold from the mine. Editor.)
**********************************************
The Salt Lake Telegram, August 16, 1906:
GOLD IN BLACK SAND.
W.G. Davidson of Blackfoot, Ida., who has been operating a placer mining scheme for several years at Rich, Ida., some time since sent specimens of the black sands, of which he had much laid aside, to the Government experimental plants for test. The reports he has just received show that every ton of these sands carries $25 gold.
This discovery is of the greatest value to Davidson, as he has found that by the use of the Wilfley table the main part of the gold can be saved, and that, in addition to the gold values, there are about twelve pounds of zircon per ton, worth 10 cents a pound.
Mr. Davidson also sent some concentrates for a fire test, which assayed $674.26 per ton of concentrates and $12.60 per ton of original gravel.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, November 17, 1905:
W.G. Davidson has been mining for gold and platinum near Gold Point, below the Watson ranch, and has sent some specimens to the testing station at Portland which shows good values in platinum which have hitherto been lost in treatment.
**********************************************
The Blackfoot News, June 9, 1894:
W.G. Davidson has recently taken out $128 from 100 yards of gravel on his placer claim near Blackfoot.
**********************************************
The Idaho World, April 28, 1870:
COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
The following proceedings have been handed to us by L.O. Benedict, Esq., Secretary of the Convention:
In pursuance of a call of the Central Committee, the County Democratic Convention of Boise county met at the Masonic building in Centerville on Saturday, April 23, for the purpose of electing Delegates to the Territorial Democratic Convention and also for the purpose of nominating a full county ticket.
On assembling at the Hall they were called to order by Mr. Wm. Lynch of Placerville, Chairman of the County Central Committee, whereupon Mr. Frank Harman was chosen temporary Chairman and Mr. L.O. Benedict, of Centerville, temporary Secretary.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of the following named gentlemen, were appointed a Committee on Organization and Order of Business: Jesse Bradford, Robert Fugate, Moses H. Kempner, Green White, James A. Abbott.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of D.B. Mooney, Frank Cooper and Con. Healy, were appointed on Credentials.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of Jno. Vesey, W.G. Davidson, J.J. Tompkins, George Tregaskis and A.D. Saunders, were appointed a Committee on Resolutions.
A recess of an hour was then taken, and upon reassembling the several Committees reported as follows:
The Committee on Credentials reported the following persons as entitled to seats in the Convention:
Idaho City - Green White, Chris Hafendorfer, J. Sayles, Jr., Franz Gebhardt, Francois Miller, J.J. Tompkins, J. West, J.J. Walker.
Buena Vista Bar - A.D. Saunders, S.B. Thompson and John F. Husseman.
Pine Grove - C.H. Watts, Geo. Tregaskis.
Last Chance - S. Chamberlain.
Minnchaha - Frank Cooper, Oliver Call (by A. D. Saunders, proxy).
Gold Hill - Moses H. Kempner, Julian Mourat (by Moses H. Kempner, proxy).
Pioneer City - John Convery, John Vesey, Matt Ryan and Robert McGuinness.
Centerville - B.R. Hughes, Michael Neilon and Frank Harmon.
Boston - Robert Fugate and W.H. Decker.
Placerville - Jesse Bradford, Joseph Fulton and John T. Swain.
Granite Creek - Con Healy, Michael Keernon and John Leary.
Square Creek - Thos. Hass (by E.A. Stevenson, proxy).
Horse Shoe Bend - Wm. G. Davidson and D.B. Mooney.
Upper Payette - James A. Abbott.
On motion, the report was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business reported as follows:
To the Hon. Chairman of the Democratic County Convention: Your Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business beg leave to submit the following report:
1st. For Permanent Chairman, Frank Harman. 2d. For Secretary, L.O. Benedict; 3d. The election of Delegates to the Territorial Convention; 4th. The nomination of Sheriff; 5th. Assessor; 6th. Auditor; 7th. Treasurer; 8th. County Clerk; 9th. Coroner; 10th. Superintendent Public Schools; 11th. County Commissioner; 12th. Probate Judge; 13th. Road Supervisors; 14th. District Attorney; 15th. Members of Council; 16th. Members of Legislature. Voting to be by ballot.
On motion, the report was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on Resolutions reported the following which were adopted unanimously:
Resolved, That the Democracy of Boise county are in favor of the free institutions of Government established by the Fathers of the Republic, and are unalterably opposed to every attempt to establish a despotism, a monied aristocracy, or any other form of Government in our country than that instituted and founded by Washington, Jefferson, Madison and their compatriots.
Resolved, That the so-called Reconstruction Acts and policy of the Republican or Radical party were conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity, brought forth and nursed in bigotry, intolerance, fanaticism, fraud and corruption, and that we are opposed to them in toto from beginning to end.
Resolved, That the administration of President Grant is a shame and a reproach to a free and intelligent people, in useless extravagance, unblushing, wholesale corruption and usurpations of despotic power in a time of profound peace, without a parallel in the history of any nation or people.
Resolved, That we are in favor of an honest and economical administration of all public affairs.
Resolved, That we are in favor of equal and exact justice to all industrial pursuits, and are opposed to protection by legislation and taxation of manufacturing interests, to be paid willingly or unwillingly by over nine-tenths of the American people who consume manufactured products.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the payment of every dollar legally and justly due by the Government, not one dollar more nor one dollar less, and that taxation should be equal and uniform upon all property, including United States bonds, and all other evidence of public indebtedness, and that we denounce the financial policy of the present administration in paying a premium on bonds which, according to law, the Government is entitled to redeem at par.
Resolved, That we are unalterably opposed to any and all attempts to "reconstruct" the laws of nature, and of nature's God, in seeking to join together and equalize socially and politically what an All Wise Being in His infinite wisdom has placed asunder and made dissimilar and unequal in the different races of mankind.
Resolved, That we are in favor of just and reasonable compensation, no more nor no less being paid to all our public servants.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the importation or introduction into our country of Chinese or any other inferior race, either to compete with white labor, for the purpose of citizenship, or for any other purpose whatever.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the oppressed people of all nations struggling for their liberty, and are in favor of an immediate recognition of Cuban independence, and that we are in favor of universal amnesty for all political offenses committed by our own people.
Resolved, That we are in favor of all legitimate encouragement being extended to the immigration of permanent white settlers into Idaho Territory from the older States and from European shores.
Resolved, That recognizing the fact that this Territory owes to her children a good and efficient education, we are in favor of the immediate adoption of comprehensive and thorough educational systems.
**********************************************
The Idaho World, April 21, 1870:
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES. - In accordance with the programme as arranged by the County Central Committee, the Democratic Primary elections were held last Saturday. Candidates had been active and busy for some time past in canvassing the various precincts and drumming up their supporters, and quite a large vote was polled in the different precincts. In Idaho City the ticket supported by the friends of Col. S.A. Merritt was elected by 46 majority out of a vote of 295, the other ticket being supported by the friends of Mr. John Gorman and Mr. John Taylor. Everything passed off quietly until late in the evening, when a couple of skirmishes took place which were soon suppressed.
The following are the names of the Delegates elected in the different precincts:
Idaho City - Green White, Chris Hafendorfer, J. Sayles, Jr., Franz Gebhardt, Francois Miller, J.J. Tompkins, John West, J.J. Walker.
Buena Vista Bar - A.D. Saunders, S.B. Thompson, John F. Husseman.
Pine Grove - George Tregaskis, _ Watts.
Last Chance - S. Chamberlain.
Minnchaha - Frank Cooper, Oliver Call.
Gold Hill - Moses H. Kempner, Julian Mourett.
Pioneer City - Matt Ryan, John Convery, Robt. McGuinness, John Vesey.
Centerville - B.R. Hughes, Michael Nealon, Frank Harmon.
Boston - W.H. Decker, Robt. Fugate.
Placerville - Jesse Bradford, Joseph Fulton, John T. Swain.
Granite Creek - Con Haley, Michael Kiernon, John Leary.
Square Creek - Hans Nesbet.
Horse Shoe Bend - Wm. G. Davidson, D.B. Mooney.
Upper Payette - C. L. White.
As the County Convention meets on next Saturday, our candidates will soon be in the field. From the character of the gentlemen who have been elected as Delegates from the various precincts, we have every confidence that a strong ticket will be presented to the people for their support, and the campaign may then be considered as fairly opened. We desire to see the ball kept rolling, and let the campaign be as sharp, hot and decisive as possible. The Radicals in this county require another lesson and we wish to see one administered that will prove a quantum sufficit for all time to come.
In this connection we cannot pass over in silence the conduct of a few of the Mongrel crew who have been actively working and still are engaged in endeavoring to sow dissensions in the ranks of our party. They were extremely officious on the day of the primaries, and seemed to take as much interest in Democratic affairs on that day as some of the most anxious and sanguine aspirants for official positions. Such officious intermeddling in affairs that did not concern them was anything but creditable to the parties engaged in it, and was quite in contrast with the conduct and course pursued by Democrats on the day of the Radical primaries. No Democrat evinced the slightest disposition to obtrude or thrust himself forward in any manner upon his Radical opponents, and a little courtesy or delicacy, if not common sense, should have deterred Radicals from thrusting their noses in where they could not but know that their room was better than their company.
**********************************************
The Topeka Tribune, March 24, 1860:
Democratic Ticket,
For County Commissioners,
WM. M. JORDAN,
WM. P. ROBERTS,
S. L. MUNGER.
For Assessor,
A. L. DAVIDSON.
For Township Trustee,
Geo. W. Anderson.
For Justices of the Peace,
J. Fin Hill,
Byron Jewel.
For Constables,
S. P. Thompson,
Wm. G. Davidson.
**********************************************
1860 Census - Occupation: Laborer (Soldier Township, Shawnee Co., Kansas Territories)
1870 Census - Occupation: Farmer (Payette Valley, Boise Co., Idaho Territory)
1880 Census - Occupation: Farmer (Territory No. 2, Ada Co., Idaho)
1900 Census - Occupation: Miner (Rich, Bingham Co., Idaho)
1910 Census - Occupation: Miner, Industry: River (Richfield, Bingham Co., Idaho)
DEATH OF W. G. DAVIDSON
W. G. Davidson departed this life on Tuesday, September 17, at 7 a.m., after failing rapidly for several months. He had been living at the home of his son, Arthur, at Mackay for some time, and was brought back to Blackfoot the 9th of September.
The funeral was conducted on Tuesday afternoon, and burial was made at the Grove City cemetery.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, September 24, 1918:
THOMAS
On Wednesday, Sept. 8 the body of W. G. Davidson was brought to Thomas by his son Mr. and Mrs. John Baker of Goldpoint, and interred in the cemetery here. Elder P. G. Johnston of Blackfoot came out to the burial and delivered a short address. Deceased was seventy-nine years old, and is an old pioneer of Blackfoot and the surrounding vicinity. He leaves two sons a daughter and a number of grandchildren to mourn his loss.
**********************************************
The Bingham County News, August 26, 1915:
RICH
By the kindness of Mrs. S.P. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Davidson were invited to ride with her to the Old Folks' re-union last week at Groveland. It was late when we got there and the morning program was over, but we were in time to get a seat at the first table with the kiddies. The tables were loaded with the best eatibles the country afforded, and the kiddies performed their duties good and fast, and a more industrious crowd cannot be found every day. There were five or six hundred at the meeting, and the afternoon program came off with Bishop Buchanan and President Duckworth as managers. The judges and assistants were Mr. and Mrs. Dalton of Riverside, Mr. and Mrs. Hammond and Mr. Lindsay of Riverside. Ten young men sang a very pretty and appropriate song. Mrs. Inskeep and her two little daughters sang and danced to the delight of all present, and were called upon the second time. They were pronounced the best singers and dancers in the country. Mrs. Duke also sang a very pretty song. The presents for the old folks were too many for my pencil to describe, and were distributed impartially, and everybody seemed delighted and satisfied with the day's sport, the old folks were grateful to the young folks for the generosity and attention. The Rich district was represented by Mrs. S.P. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Davidson, Mr. and Mrs. Alma Clough, and Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Thompson. President Duckworth read the origin of the word Idaho wrote by W.G. Davidson and published in the Optimist.
**********************************************
The Blackfoot Optimist, June 24, 1915:
The origin of the word "Idaho": The Writer, John Youst, Van Hulette, William Blair, Mart Rowley and 'Thaddius the Stiff', were camped about the first of November, 1862, on the Payette river near where the town of Emmett now stands. We were on our way to the new El Dorado, the Boise basin, mines that had lately been discovered by Captain Grimes and party from Oregon. We had seen some Indians enter the brush on the Payette river before we camped. We were finishing our meal, a late dinner or an early supper when we saw two persons in the south-east, one-and-a-half or two miles away coming toward the Payette river quartering, and would strike the Payette about a mile below us. But we could not tell whether they were white folks or Indians. I said "boys if any of you will go with me, we will head them off and see who they are," a little Britisher named Mart Rowley jumped up and said he would go, and we put on our guns and started, aiming to head them off a mile before they got to the river. We had not gone very far before we discovered that they were two Indians, a squaw and a buck, and when we got near enough we gave them a friendly sign, or salute which was returned by the buck. When we got near enough to each other we began to make signs and talk to each other, but did not make much headway until we got close to each other, and then I invited them to go to the camp with us and get something to eat, which they readily agreed. He said he hadn't had anything to eat since early that morning, and that he and his squaw were hungry. Mart took the lead, buck and squaw next, and I brought up the rear. When we got to camp and got something to eat, the buck got quite talkative before he got through eating, and said he had been with some of the soldiers at times as a guide. He said that he lived in the north, and that there was a big high mountain on the east side of his tepee, where he had lost his little girl about ten or twelve years old, and thought some bad Indians had stolen her, and that he had come down to the Snake and Payette rivers to find her, and that if he could not he would return to his northern home to see if she had returned, and that if she had not, he would go to Forts Walla Walla and Vancouver and see if the soldiers had found her. One night about ten years ago, he said, his squaw got sick in their tepee and keep-looking out at the big snowcapped mountain for day to come. Finally she spoke in a sort of laugh, "Ida, Ida," and that morning a little girl was born and he named her Ida, and now my squaw is most crazy and goes about calling for her Ida. She heard me calling O, Ida, and she got the cart before the horse, and says Ida, ho, and that is the origin of the word "Idaho."
**********************************************
The Bingham County News, June 13, 1912:
June 5th was W.G. Davidson's 73rd birthday, and fifty years has been spent in Idaho, where he has voted at every election in state and county. A number of his friends and relatives dined with him on that day, among them was his niece, Mrs. T.C. Yates of Dallas, Texas, having never seen her before, and it has been fifty-two years since he has seen any of his folks. The guests present were Mrs. George E. Campbell and Miss Ethel Campbell, Blackfoot; J.A. Campbell and son, Campbellville; Mrs. John Brown, Rich; and Mrs. Baker, Rich.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, February 22, 1907:
The Real Thing
Souvenir stick pins made of Snake River flour gold sent to any address on receipt price. I make them in sizes from $1 to $5, pure gold, mounted on a two inch pin. Just the thing for wearing in a tie or cravat. Address W.G. Davidson, Gold Point Mines, Via Blackfoot, Idaho. (Note: Mr. Davidson operates a placer mine and will give good values in pure gold from the mine. Editor.)
**********************************************
The Salt Lake Telegram, August 16, 1906:
GOLD IN BLACK SAND.
W.G. Davidson of Blackfoot, Ida., who has been operating a placer mining scheme for several years at Rich, Ida., some time since sent specimens of the black sands, of which he had much laid aside, to the Government experimental plants for test. The reports he has just received show that every ton of these sands carries $25 gold.
This discovery is of the greatest value to Davidson, as he has found that by the use of the Wilfley table the main part of the gold can be saved, and that, in addition to the gold values, there are about twelve pounds of zircon per ton, worth 10 cents a pound.
Mr. Davidson also sent some concentrates for a fire test, which assayed $674.26 per ton of concentrates and $12.60 per ton of original gravel.
**********************************************
The Idaho Republican, November 17, 1905:
W.G. Davidson has been mining for gold and platinum near Gold Point, below the Watson ranch, and has sent some specimens to the testing station at Portland which shows good values in platinum which have hitherto been lost in treatment.
**********************************************
The Blackfoot News, June 9, 1894:
W.G. Davidson has recently taken out $128 from 100 yards of gravel on his placer claim near Blackfoot.
**********************************************
The Idaho World, April 28, 1870:
COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
The following proceedings have been handed to us by L.O. Benedict, Esq., Secretary of the Convention:
In pursuance of a call of the Central Committee, the County Democratic Convention of Boise county met at the Masonic building in Centerville on Saturday, April 23, for the purpose of electing Delegates to the Territorial Democratic Convention and also for the purpose of nominating a full county ticket.
On assembling at the Hall they were called to order by Mr. Wm. Lynch of Placerville, Chairman of the County Central Committee, whereupon Mr. Frank Harman was chosen temporary Chairman and Mr. L.O. Benedict, of Centerville, temporary Secretary.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of the following named gentlemen, were appointed a Committee on Organization and Order of Business: Jesse Bradford, Robert Fugate, Moses H. Kempner, Green White, James A. Abbott.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of D.B. Mooney, Frank Cooper and Con. Healy, were appointed on Credentials.
On motion, a committee of five, consisting of Jno. Vesey, W.G. Davidson, J.J. Tompkins, George Tregaskis and A.D. Saunders, were appointed a Committee on Resolutions.
A recess of an hour was then taken, and upon reassembling the several Committees reported as follows:
The Committee on Credentials reported the following persons as entitled to seats in the Convention:
Idaho City - Green White, Chris Hafendorfer, J. Sayles, Jr., Franz Gebhardt, Francois Miller, J.J. Tompkins, J. West, J.J. Walker.
Buena Vista Bar - A.D. Saunders, S.B. Thompson and John F. Husseman.
Pine Grove - C.H. Watts, Geo. Tregaskis.
Last Chance - S. Chamberlain.
Minnchaha - Frank Cooper, Oliver Call (by A. D. Saunders, proxy).
Gold Hill - Moses H. Kempner, Julian Mourat (by Moses H. Kempner, proxy).
Pioneer City - John Convery, John Vesey, Matt Ryan and Robert McGuinness.
Centerville - B.R. Hughes, Michael Neilon and Frank Harmon.
Boston - Robert Fugate and W.H. Decker.
Placerville - Jesse Bradford, Joseph Fulton and John T. Swain.
Granite Creek - Con Healy, Michael Keernon and John Leary.
Square Creek - Thos. Hass (by E.A. Stevenson, proxy).
Horse Shoe Bend - Wm. G. Davidson and D.B. Mooney.
Upper Payette - James A. Abbott.
On motion, the report was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business reported as follows:
To the Hon. Chairman of the Democratic County Convention: Your Committee on Permanent Organization and Order of Business beg leave to submit the following report:
1st. For Permanent Chairman, Frank Harman. 2d. For Secretary, L.O. Benedict; 3d. The election of Delegates to the Territorial Convention; 4th. The nomination of Sheriff; 5th. Assessor; 6th. Auditor; 7th. Treasurer; 8th. County Clerk; 9th. Coroner; 10th. Superintendent Public Schools; 11th. County Commissioner; 12th. Probate Judge; 13th. Road Supervisors; 14th. District Attorney; 15th. Members of Council; 16th. Members of Legislature. Voting to be by ballot.
On motion, the report was unanimously adopted.
The Committee on Resolutions reported the following which were adopted unanimously:
Resolved, That the Democracy of Boise county are in favor of the free institutions of Government established by the Fathers of the Republic, and are unalterably opposed to every attempt to establish a despotism, a monied aristocracy, or any other form of Government in our country than that instituted and founded by Washington, Jefferson, Madison and their compatriots.
Resolved, That the so-called Reconstruction Acts and policy of the Republican or Radical party were conceived in sin and shapen in iniquity, brought forth and nursed in bigotry, intolerance, fanaticism, fraud and corruption, and that we are opposed to them in toto from beginning to end.
Resolved, That the administration of President Grant is a shame and a reproach to a free and intelligent people, in useless extravagance, unblushing, wholesale corruption and usurpations of despotic power in a time of profound peace, without a parallel in the history of any nation or people.
Resolved, That we are in favor of an honest and economical administration of all public affairs.
Resolved, That we are in favor of equal and exact justice to all industrial pursuits, and are opposed to protection by legislation and taxation of manufacturing interests, to be paid willingly or unwillingly by over nine-tenths of the American people who consume manufactured products.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the payment of every dollar legally and justly due by the Government, not one dollar more nor one dollar less, and that taxation should be equal and uniform upon all property, including United States bonds, and all other evidence of public indebtedness, and that we denounce the financial policy of the present administration in paying a premium on bonds which, according to law, the Government is entitled to redeem at par.
Resolved, That we are unalterably opposed to any and all attempts to "reconstruct" the laws of nature, and of nature's God, in seeking to join together and equalize socially and politically what an All Wise Being in His infinite wisdom has placed asunder and made dissimilar and unequal in the different races of mankind.
Resolved, That we are in favor of just and reasonable compensation, no more nor no less being paid to all our public servants.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the importation or introduction into our country of Chinese or any other inferior race, either to compete with white labor, for the purpose of citizenship, or for any other purpose whatever.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the oppressed people of all nations struggling for their liberty, and are in favor of an immediate recognition of Cuban independence, and that we are in favor of universal amnesty for all political offenses committed by our own people.
Resolved, That we are in favor of all legitimate encouragement being extended to the immigration of permanent white settlers into Idaho Territory from the older States and from European shores.
Resolved, That recognizing the fact that this Territory owes to her children a good and efficient education, we are in favor of the immediate adoption of comprehensive and thorough educational systems.
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The Idaho World, April 21, 1870:
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES. - In accordance with the programme as arranged by the County Central Committee, the Democratic Primary elections were held last Saturday. Candidates had been active and busy for some time past in canvassing the various precincts and drumming up their supporters, and quite a large vote was polled in the different precincts. In Idaho City the ticket supported by the friends of Col. S.A. Merritt was elected by 46 majority out of a vote of 295, the other ticket being supported by the friends of Mr. John Gorman and Mr. John Taylor. Everything passed off quietly until late in the evening, when a couple of skirmishes took place which were soon suppressed.
The following are the names of the Delegates elected in the different precincts:
Idaho City - Green White, Chris Hafendorfer, J. Sayles, Jr., Franz Gebhardt, Francois Miller, J.J. Tompkins, John West, J.J. Walker.
Buena Vista Bar - A.D. Saunders, S.B. Thompson, John F. Husseman.
Pine Grove - George Tregaskis, _ Watts.
Last Chance - S. Chamberlain.
Minnchaha - Frank Cooper, Oliver Call.
Gold Hill - Moses H. Kempner, Julian Mourett.
Pioneer City - Matt Ryan, John Convery, Robt. McGuinness, John Vesey.
Centerville - B.R. Hughes, Michael Nealon, Frank Harmon.
Boston - W.H. Decker, Robt. Fugate.
Placerville - Jesse Bradford, Joseph Fulton, John T. Swain.
Granite Creek - Con Haley, Michael Kiernon, John Leary.
Square Creek - Hans Nesbet.
Horse Shoe Bend - Wm. G. Davidson, D.B. Mooney.
Upper Payette - C. L. White.
As the County Convention meets on next Saturday, our candidates will soon be in the field. From the character of the gentlemen who have been elected as Delegates from the various precincts, we have every confidence that a strong ticket will be presented to the people for their support, and the campaign may then be considered as fairly opened. We desire to see the ball kept rolling, and let the campaign be as sharp, hot and decisive as possible. The Radicals in this county require another lesson and we wish to see one administered that will prove a quantum sufficit for all time to come.
In this connection we cannot pass over in silence the conduct of a few of the Mongrel crew who have been actively working and still are engaged in endeavoring to sow dissensions in the ranks of our party. They were extremely officious on the day of the primaries, and seemed to take as much interest in Democratic affairs on that day as some of the most anxious and sanguine aspirants for official positions. Such officious intermeddling in affairs that did not concern them was anything but creditable to the parties engaged in it, and was quite in contrast with the conduct and course pursued by Democrats on the day of the Radical primaries. No Democrat evinced the slightest disposition to obtrude or thrust himself forward in any manner upon his Radical opponents, and a little courtesy or delicacy, if not common sense, should have deterred Radicals from thrusting their noses in where they could not but know that their room was better than their company.
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The Topeka Tribune, March 24, 1860:
Democratic Ticket,
For County Commissioners,
WM. M. JORDAN,
WM. P. ROBERTS,
S. L. MUNGER.
For Assessor,
A. L. DAVIDSON.
For Township Trustee,
Geo. W. Anderson.
For Justices of the Peace,
J. Fin Hill,
Byron Jewel.
For Constables,
S. P. Thompson,
Wm. G. Davidson.
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1860 Census - Occupation: Laborer (Soldier Township, Shawnee Co., Kansas Territories)
1870 Census - Occupation: Farmer (Payette Valley, Boise Co., Idaho Territory)
1880 Census - Occupation: Farmer (Territory No. 2, Ada Co., Idaho)
1900 Census - Occupation: Miner (Rich, Bingham Co., Idaho)
1910 Census - Occupation: Miner, Industry: River (Richfield, Bingham Co., Idaho)
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