| Cottonwood
to celebrate 150th year in 2012, area history included
(Cottonwood history continued from last week) As explained, the 1930’s were filled with all kinds of new government programs trying to get a hold on what was going on, not only here, but all over the United States, anal over the world as well. Some families, because of death and sickness were in dire straits. Many had to accept some sort of relief program to get by. Some of these programs were on the state and local level, some came from the federal government, but the most important part came from family and friends. There was no “hot lunch” or such at school. A lot of us remember sharing “fat” sandwiches at school with those that came without a lunch. When word got out, friends and neighbors would quietly drop off food and clothes to those in need. Believe you me, it wasn’t just those in the front pews who bore the brunt of these “help thy neighbor” programs. I remember people coming into the local merchants, dropping off some money with “See it gets to those who need it.” Some of these people were only one step away from needing a little help themselves.! Remembering these times with a tear in the eye makes me proud of our people. The time kept moving on and now the first generation of family here in Idaho was passed to the second and all these tricks of making a living were being already learned by the ever younger third generation. Working skills weren’t the only thing being taught to the young folks. They were learning how to deal with more than one problem at a time. How to build a family around Pride, Determination and Patriotism. Sometime about 1930, the Sisters start with education, and then on the job training to provide medical care. The needs of the area had been served by a number of mid-wives and doctor trained assistants up to this time. To the right of this article you will see a photo of a clock that hung in the main entrance (beside the stairs and next to the waiting room) during this time and up to the building of the present day hospital. Talk about history! This clock could tell you the time and date of all babies born during these years! As well as those treated by doctors, nurses and staff during all the mid-century years. The main part of the backbone was still in place as we went to the funerals of people who died from lack of some of the drugs we have today. All this trouble in the world around us and we still attend weddings and others parties with cause for celebration. Just look around you-the same people who helped bury one of the local citizens on Tuesday or Thursday came to join in the wedding celebration on Saturday. Cottonwood, Keuterville, Greencreek and Ferdinand-we were all in this “making of history” together (and it’s been that way ever since.) Let’s take a look at some of the people who came to this area and became part of our history. Many came through succession-taking up education because someone else in the family was a teacher. Same way with nursing, doctors, lawyers, etc. Some of the new and growing market was made up by farmers and ranchers already here. To market their produce brought the railroad depot agents, members of the section crews and bridge crew. Then all the people who worked in the Sales Yard and the Elevator Company. Then the people who worked in other business lines. The people who worked in local and state government and all those who held U.S. Government jobs like the Forest Service and BLM. Later on the Air Force Radar Station, the Job Corps and the State Prison. The Idaho we all know and love was made and maintained by people and their talents which sustained us all. These then were the people who stood up and said, “I’m here” as the clouds of WWII moved in over us. As this threat of war moved over the whole country it was obvious we had to do even more. We read about and saw the results of “lend lease” which just started to fuel-up the factories and ship building. We all could see it coming and then it was here. Once again our young men were leaving to fight. Some even before war was officially declared. Markets for all farm products started to rise and worry spread over every family when they saw their own or the neighbors young men sucked into the vacuum of war closing in from the East and the West. Think of the gloom and fear that was shared by your family and neighbors at this time. The young men who first went to the new high school in Greencreek in the mid 1930’s would be some of those going into service in the 1940’s. 
Ralph Terhaar provided the identifications for the above class of 1929. Front from left are Imelda Wimer, Margery Ford, Dorothy Barth, Marian Waters, Leona Dreps, Gertrude Hussman and Mary K. Hattrup. Middle from left are Rupert Romig, George Kurdy, L. McMahon, Teacher Art Ficks, John Kurdy, Ray Holes and Henry Seubert. Back from left are Ralph Whitson, Clarence Keith, Bud Sager, Ray Terhaar, Roland Nash, Clyde Simmons, Geo. Holes, Stan Kopczynski and Orville Carlson. The 1929 Class Poem By Ray Terhaar From out the busy world beyond Our call has come; and we must go To seek what lies before us there. Dear Class mates, be it weal or woe; The laughing voice of “Twenty-Nine” The dear old halls shall know no more; Behind us now those carefree days; Before us swings life’s open door. No trumpet blast or beat of drums, No roar of welcome of acclaim Will greet us there ‘tis ours to scale The lofty heights of worldly fame. We do our humble, valiant best For home and country, God and right, We go; and for dear Twenty-Nine We’ll keep our ideals burning bright. Our fondest hope, our highest aim Is that we may through life be true To all the noble things we’ve learned Where’er we are, Whate’er we do. And so we say our sad farewells, Oh Classmates dear, but still in heart Fond memories shall keep us bound Forever, through we now must part. 
This is a current photo of the jail which was built in 1903 after vandals burned the jail built in 1901. In 1901 the jail cost lest than $100 to build but the above replacement jail cost about $300 in 1903. 
Remember this clock. It’s chime and time say you and yours through many anxious times before you heard the newborn baby cry. Above two photos by Don Hoene. Remember When Remember when… Milk was home delivered before breakfast? Groceries were delivered twice a day? Cars were parked along Main Street front wheel to the curb? After funeral service the bell tolled the deceased’s age? Getting your first driver’s license? Who put the first dent in the family car? Your first ride on the bus to Lewiston or Boise? The first passenger train ride? You walked more than 1/2 mile to school? With the holidays coming up the next 150 year committee meeting will be Thursday, Dec. 1st at 2 p.m. at the Library. Need some help with family histories? Call Deb Clark or Don Hoene and we will try to assist you. Remember when the WSCS did all those fundraisers for the community church? Remember some of the women who were very active in those efforts? Mrs. Bill Jungert, Mrs. Wilbur Box, Miss Isa Butler, Mrs. Ella Shields, Mrs. Charlotte Inglish, Mrs. Willie Jungert, Mrs. Elmer Jungert. Hats off to this organization. Remember Msgr. J.M. Verhoeven? He came here in 1933 and spent 35 years here as pastor of St. Mary’s Church. Remember Fr. Kuiper and his love of trail rides? Ralph Terhaar brought us up to date with the names of the 1929 class in last week’s paper. His dad was in the class and wrote the poem published alongside the photo on page 7. 
Hillcrest Farms in 1917, J.F. Jenny Proprietor. The farm was originally owned by the Seubert family and purchased by J.F. Jenny. Shown is the large barn that was restored in recent years just northeast of Cottonwood. Photo courtesy of Claudia Gehring. 
The original John Hoene Implement building which is now part of Hometown Auto. That is John Romain on the tractor to the right. You can see the old Cottonwood School and the barn shaped gym and the old church on the hill in the background. Photo courtesy of Claudia Gehring. |
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