Merry Christmas 2018

"Most valley schools before the consolidation had many "fun time" activities in common.  One of these diversions was the annual Christmas program.  Up to a month before Christmas teachers would reserve time to firm up dialogue and music from purchased play books to make parents and neighbors proud.  Boys and girls would make trips into the forest nearby to drag in trees and evergreen branches to  "deck the halls."  Learners made popcorn, cranberry, and paper chains to adorn the tree.  Some students rode around on horses to visit homes and solicit funds for candy and nuts.  I remember being totally impressed when Edna Hopkins gave my partner and me an entire quarter (which would then buy at least ten times what 25 cents would today).
In several schools the night of the annual Christmas program was made even more exciting when the proper person lighted the little candles on the tree and Santa Claus appeared in red and white regalia with his "ho-ho's" and gifts.  Electricity came to Swan Valley and made the Yule tree much safer in 1939- and thereafter.  Nevertheless, some of the excitement and flavor of the original Christmas program has been preserved by District 92." (Afton Bitton, Trumpeter's Dell, pages 215-216)

My reflections:  As a student of District 92 well after the consolidation, I too had a personalized experience, due to the hard work of our local teachers like Marian Packebush and Barbara Poole.  They wrote several original plays for the school Christmas programs.  I know they worked very hard on them and took pride in orchestrating an original program every year.  I'm grateful they kept these traditions alive.  Marian shared with me a transcript of the last play I took part in, as an 8th grader in Swan Valley Elementary.  They wrote parts to fit our personalities.  Daniel Lundquist and I stole the show in a futuristic adaptation of "The Christmas Carol" (circa 1992).  I've asked the school if they would like to revisit any of these, but at this time it's not looking like it will happen.  For the last several years the Christmas program has been a showcase of musical talent.  This year will include skits performed by the students.  It's always a good time, nonetheless;  just to share in the joy and camaraderie of the holidays is a blessing we all enjoy. -Audi

Mabel Winterfeld's 1994 Speech

Notes used for the speech given at the "Old Timers Party"

July 30, 1994

I've heard so many people talk of "The Good Old Days".  When were those days?  Perhaps they were honorable days originating as a special time or period.  I'm going to speak of my parents and the old time, relating to an earlier period.  
My parents were both born in Illinois, dad at Mt Zion (1870). and mom at Springfield (1877).  Dad's name, Rufus Daniel, came from his grandfather, "Ru" Daniel Traughber.  My mom's maiden name was Nellie Francis Hillman.  "Nellie" came from her aunt Nellie Cooper.  Both of their families were to move to Kansas and then to Monette, Missouri before they would meet and eventually wed.  The year my folks were married, without warning to ordinary observers, one of the worst financial panics in the U.S.  passed through, "The Panic of 1893".  They weathered many a hard time together.  To their union, 12 children were born.  Eight lived to maturity.  

Front Row: Lena and Mabel

Middle Row: Nellie, Paul, and Clara

Back Row: Harry, Rufus, and Clyde 

(picture from "Trumpeters Dell", photo courtesy of Delbert Winterfeld)

In 1862, Congress passed the Homestead and Exemption law, an agreement to occupy and cultivate such land for 5 years in exchange for ownership.  It changed to 3 years in 1912.  Because of ill health, my dad wanted to move west..  He first went to Everett, WA but there was no work and dad didn't like it.  With an invitation from Mr. Charles Ritchey to homestead land as he had done, my folks sold their home and orchard and left Monette for Swan Valley, Idaho.   We stayed in Idaho Falls for about 2 months.  Dad caught a ride to Swan Valley with Frank Calderwood and bought 80 acres with a large 3 room log house from Joe Edwards.  It had been homesteaded by Joe, Alex Martin's grandfather.  
The spring of 1914, with joyful songs of the birds and pretty wild flowers, found the Traughbers settled in Swan Valley and very, very busy.  Dad worked with his 3 sons, 8, 10, and 12, to get timber for fences, barns, etc on Pine Creek Bench.  The road to Victor had a steep grade at the end of the bridge.  One had to rough-lock the wagon with heavy log chains get down with a load.  Paul and Clyde's jobs were to take turns handling a measuring stick or herding cows at home.  On June 12, Clyde went with dad and Harry to handle the measuring stick while they cut timber.  A few yards in front of them 2 others were cutting timber.  While taking his measuring stick to dad, Clyde caught his foot in brush.  He fell, catching himself by throwing his foot upon the tree just as dad's ax came down with a bang, cutting Clyde's foot off.  All but a piece of cord in the heel was severed.  Dad put a tourniquet on Clyde's foot with a stocking from his other foot.  With help from the other 2 timber cutters, they loaded Clyde on a wagon and drove him to Victor to see the doctor.  The next day he had to be taken to the hospital.  Dad and a neighbor took him in the neighbor's white top buggy and horses.  Clyde stayed in the hospital until the middle of September.  He wore steel braces for several years.  

No, we cannot forget the love of family and neighbors working together in times of sickness and depressing times.  

-Mabel Traughber Winterfeld

Water is life.

Farming on the upper and lower Pine Creek benches in the early 1900's relied heavily on water storage in cisterns and God's gift of flowing water to fill them with.  An early trapper, Bill Wolfe, who had trapped in the area for over 50 years, told some of the first settlers on Pine Creek bench that the freshwater spring on the upper bench had never been known to run dry.  Besides Bill Wolfe and Mike Spencer, another reclusive mountain man living up Pine Creek, Dan Jacobs and his wife Rebecca Jennie were the first white people to live on Pine Creek bench. They homesteaded some 640 acres in 1901-1902 and purchased another 320 acres from Larry Hanson shortly thereafter.  They had first pick of acreage because Dan offered to finance the development of a canal from upper Pine Creek to the benches.  (Our Turn in Paradise, pages 65-67)  It must have been obvious to Dan that the success of the farm, especially one of such size, was dependent on water.

Diverting the water from Pine Creek to the benches was a huge idea for the times.  In 1900, congruent to applying for homesteads, Jacobs, along with Dan Post and Larry Hanson, founded the "Pine Creek Canal Company Limited".  The canal was built along the south edge of Pine Creek, beginning near Pine Basin.  The rudimentary road flanked the north side of the creek.  The location of the canal on the south side required a trestle be built. It was built from pine logs and stood nearly 100 feet above the canyon floor.  The wooden aqueduct eventually rotted out and was replaced with a siphon, consisting of 2 large pipes that dropped off the south side of the canyon and back up the other side to the canal.  The canal must have been completed by 1910, when Mr. Jacobs sold the land to Joachim Kruse.  Frank Stoltenberg reportedly finished the construction of the aquaduct as part of the sales agreement.  In 1923, Hank Kruse had hired H.L. Wiese to "walk the Pine Creek Canal with a shovel patching 'rat holes'".  (Our Turn in Paradise, page 76)  By the 1940's the ditch had been abandoned.

Here's a photo of a drawing from "Our Turn in Paradise". 

Part 6 of Gary Wiese's speech

We were happy as though we had good sense...

Part 6 of Gary Wiese's speech at the 2018 Old Timers Reunion.

This is probably the best part of Gary's speech.  

Enjoy. 

Part 5 of Gary's speech at the 2018 Old Timers Reunion

Tom Mix and Tony the Wonder Horse

Part 4 of Gary's Speech at the 2018 Old Timers Reunion

"Memories" by Gary L. Wiese

Upper Pine Creek Bench

“How the Wiese Family came to live on the upper Bench”.

Frank Stoltenberg came to our home in Ririe and told my father that Jenny Jacobs was looking for a renter. The rest of the story is history....

Photo courtesy of Candice Traughber

We arrived the fall of 1940. I was age four: no electricity, heat and cooking was by and on a Monarch wood/coal stove. The stove had a water reservoir attached that provided hot water, if there was a fire in the stove. Light was by oil lamp and gas lanterns, and we had a pantry. As I was looking at the pantry door I heard this verse on our radio :

"A mouse a-chewin on the pantry door, He’s been at it for a month or so. When he gets through he’d sure be sore. Cause there ain’t a darn thing in there."

The cream separator was cranked by hand, butter churned by hand. A root cellar and a large garden spot came with the homestead, as did the outhouse.  In those days the farm yard provided fried chicken or chicken and noodles any time the cook requested, and she dressed and cooked the bird.  Hauling in wood and coal to keep the household warm and fed was a constant labor. Electricity was wired in by the spring of 1941. By contrast the Kruse Ranch got electricity in 1936, and a modern bathroom, Evelyn says, about 1941.

The 1940 Census lists the following residents.

Mr. and Mrs. Russell Farnes and seven children

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Farnes & Virgil Cherry

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Jessen and six children

Mr. and Mrs. (little) Herman Jessen

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Johnston and one child, and

Madge Hutchens, sister in Law.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry (Hank) Kruse and three children

Mr. and Mrs. George Thomason and four children

Mr. and Mrs. Arno Winterfield

Mr. and Mrs. Herman Winterfield and two children

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Humphrey and three children

Part 3 of Gary's speech... Upper Pine Creek Bench

Barbara's Poem

To see him recite his sister's poem, you can watch Part 2 of Gary's speech at the 2018 Old Timers Reunion.  It is heartwarming.  Follow the link in the previous post to watch it.

Part 2 of Gary Wiese's speech at the 2018 Old Timers Reunion

Dry Farming on Pine Creek Bench

Part 1 of Gary Wiese's speech at the 2018 Swan Valley Old Timers Reunion

The Sam Weeks Family, circa. 1957

4 generations of the Samuel James Weeks and Minnie Alice ( Daniels ) Weeks family;  Also 4 generation of the Adams family:  Alvina, Earl & Mamie, Goodwin, Haacke.  Sam died in 1959 and "Min" died in 1965.

Part 2 of Delbert Winterfeld's talk about Pine Basin Ski Area

Lower Pine Creek School built in 1916 first school teacher was Jennie Fleming. 

Lower picture Gary & Lynn Wiese.

Pictures and Copy Courtesy of Larry Fleming;  

Pictures are from Lynn Wiese's book.

Prt 1 of 2 of Delbert Winterfeld’s speech at the 208 Swan Valley Old Timers Reunion.

Life Sketch of Doward Kopp

Life Sketch of Doward Kopp

Given by J. A. Fisher - Old Timers Day 7-27-91

Doward Kopp was born Oct. 8, 1917, at Annis, ID.  This was located between Lorenzo and Menan.  It was in the home of Mrs. Brown (a mid-wife).  She was the mother of Joan and John Fisher of Swan Valley.  Doward said he was "blessed with a good healthy birth, warm meals. but no clothes".  This was in the fall of the year and harvest time so he and his mother went home to the ranch in Swan Valley.   He grew up on the Kopp Ranch on Pine Creek Bench.  He said, "Dad gave me a straw hat, new pants, a pair of button shoes, handed me a milk pail and said 'Get busy, boy, we got lots of work to do', and it seems to me that's the way my life started."

He attended school at Pine Creek School.  One teacher taught all eight grades.  He had scars on his right thumb nail from the hot marble games he had at school playing with Bill Campbell and Joe Fisher.  He was a lover of the outdoors.  He loved camping, fishing, skiing, and working in the garden.He also liked to cook and he made especially good sourdough pancakes and biscuits.

He married Mary Osmond, who was his sister's seventh grade teacher.  This lends some credibility to his claim that he had to marry her to get out of the eight grade. 

He was a World War II veteran and Korean War veteran.  He was a charter member of the Swan Valley American Legion Post, and also of the Ammon American Legion Post.  He served as Commanders-- Seventh District Commander and Department Commander.  He helped with the building of the Legion Hall here in Swan Valley and was active in the Boy Scouts of America organization.  

Sponsored by the Legion, during the middle 1960's, Doward organized the project of putting and lighting and evergreen tree where the highways divide in the center of Swan Valley.  On a planned cold evening before Christmas, carolers traveled by cars, or a school bus, as far as Palisades -- stopping to sing along the way, then back to the Legion Hall for hot chili, drinks, and doughnuts.  The youth remembers this activity as an introduction to "caroling" -- something they had only heard about, but had never experienced.  

Doward and Harry Zitlau organized the Swan Valley Old Timers Reunion in October of 1963.  There were fifty (50) in attendance.  It was decided that it would be a yearly activity to be held on the last Saturday of July of each year.  Doward was Chairman of the first and President of the second Old Timer Community Reunion.  He was elected and served as President for several other terms.  The schedule he used is still being followed: sending fliers to remind former residents of time and place, potluck dinner at noon, business meeting for elelction of officers, and honoring guests, etc, passing the hat for donations to pay the expenses, and using an old timers orchestra for entertainment and dancing.  

Doward could see the need of a "Memorial Roll" honoring those that had passed away.  He built a cabinet with a glass door for the roll.  He also built the stand that now holds the guest book.  This year his name was added to the list {1991}.
 

The 7th Annual Old Timers Reunion and Meeting

                                          1969

The seventh Old Timers Party was held at the American Legion Hall with 110 in attendance.  Pot luck dinner was enjoyed by the group.

The meeting was called to order by the pres., Lew Daniels.  The Lords Prayer was recited in unison _ a moment of silent prayer followed.  Mrs. Harriet Kopp led the group singing "God Bless America", and then sang of yester-years, "Brandy Wine".
The minutes of the 1968 meeting were read and approved.  The election of the new officers resulted in the retaining of the present officers for 1970 year.  Lew Daniels, pres., Mrs. Tom Weeks and Mrs. Lorin Nickerson as vice-presidents, Mrs. Albert Harden, secretary-treasurer.

Lew Daniels suggested the early history and settlement of the valley be compiled and the group was in agreement.  Mrs Betty Clayton agreed, previous to the meeting, to write the history in story form.  Old timers were advised to check their family records for dates and happenings to be given to Mrs. Clayton.



Prizes were presented to Mrs. BerthaVanDorn, the oldest lady; Ed Daniels, the oldest man; Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Weeks, the couple married the longest; Mr. and Mrs. Banner Linville, the couple traveling the greatest distance; and Cy Yeaman, the oldest settler in attendance.  Each adult present was given a coffee mug as a remembrance of the 1969 party. 


Many old timers revived their dancing and singing abilities to the music presented by members and Idaho fiddlers, who entertained throughout the day.  Those playing included Hassel Vargasen, Ida. Fiddlers Pres.; John Kinkle; Ezra Weeks; Bill Butler; Jim Thompson; Norbert Brickman; Gard Bowman; d.J. McIvers; and Lew Daniels.
The groups spent a very enjoyable afternoon visiting.

Transcribed by Audi Sutheimer, Sec./Treas., OTR 2018

The 6th Old Timers Reunion

I love it when there are newspaper clippings in the book of records.  

Dancin'

Okay from left to right back row, Vickie Weeks, Martha Vollman, Karen Lundquist, Jeannette Weeks, Melvin and Joan Weeks, dance instructors, Kathy Weeks, Glenna Lee Weeks, Michele Jacobsen, Linda Campbell. Front row Mark Frisby, Randy Weeks, Denis Stoltenburg, Dusty Hincks, Quinn Jacobsen, Greg Bitton, Nathan Jacobsen, and Boyd Brown. I think I got them right. 

Photo and Caption Courtesy of Vickie Turnblom

the LDS Church

Here's an article from the newspaper, nearly 70 years ago.  Photo courtesy - Annette Lundquist

The Fifth Old Timers Reunion

July 29, 1967

The fifth Old Timers party began at 1:00 p.m. with a pot luck lunch.  The program opened by singing 'Idaho'.  There was a moment of silent prayer for those not there, followed by the Lord's prayer.  The minutes of last year's meeting were read and approved.  The 1967 officers were asked to remain in office for 1968.  Rehle (sp) Higham's dancing students presented some very delightful and entertaining dance numbers.  Mrs. Dora Daniels gave the early history of Swan Valley.  Ed and Lewis Daniels played several numbers on their violins and accompanied by Zina Burton, played for those who wished to dance.  

Prizes were given to Mrs. VanDoren, the oldest lady.   Mrs. Wanda Whisman, and  Mr. and Mrs. Harold Patterson came the longest distance.  

About 95 had a very enjoyable afternoon.  

Amt brought forward ('66) = $75.52

Expenses for 1967              = $16.13

Collections at 1967 party   = $41.91

Amt on hand                      = $101.30

Transcribed by Audi Sutheimer, Sec/Treas, OTR 2018

The Fourth Annual Old Timers Reunion

July 30 - 1966

The fourth Old Timers Party was called to order by President Amy Miller on July 30, 1966 at the Swan Valley American Legion Hall with quite a crowd present.  Minutes of 1965 were read.  New officers for coming year were put in.  Katie Highams - Pres., Margaret Jacobson -Vice Pres., Edith Weeks - Sec. & Treas.

There was a moment of silent prayer for those not here today.  Lord's Prayer was given in unison.  Elizabeth Weeks  sang 'My Favorite Things' and 'Sound of Music' with Edith Weeks accompanying her.  Fuller Martin played 'America' while Grace Traughber led us in song.  Susan Sargent played piano solo.  'Fantasie and Impromptu', also 'Ebb Tide'.  Poems were read by Amy Miller 'Pioneer Mother'.  Danny Traughber sang 'Memories', accompanied by his mother Grace.  Danny and Grace then sang 'Let the Rest of the World Go By'.  Danny and his two girls, Marian and Pam, sang 'Dear Hearts and Gentle People' with grandmother at the piano.  Danny then led the group in songs long remembered. "Silver Thread Among the Gold'.  Mrs. Ed Kopp sang 'Carry Me Back to Old Virginny', 'Wild Irish Rose', and 'There's a Long, Long Trail a Winding'.  The group joined in.  

A collection was taken in for the fund. $42.84.  Pat Fowler redone record bank.

Mrs. Miller read the poem "A Perfect Day' while Grace Traughber finished up by playing the same.  A Good time was had by all. 

Money paid out this year for napkins, punch, butter, cream, coffee, paper plates.  Pastor made up envelopes and stamps, came to $28.68.  Also included for Pat Fowler for redoing record book.  

Previous Balance - $61.36          Balance - $75.52

The 3rd Annual Old Timers Reunion

July 31st     1965

The third Old Timers Party was held at the American Legion Hall July 31st -1965.  Meeting was called to order by President Jerusha Beam.  

A moment of silent prayer in honor of those not there today.  The Lord's prayer was recited in unison.  

'America' was sung by all.  

A welcome was given by President Mrs. Beam to the ones that came out for the get together.  A musical number by Winifred Wheeler.  'Maria Elena' by Mr. Gallager.

Then minutes of the last meeting were read and treasurers report given. $13.64

There was no old business.  New officers were elected for the year ahead.  Vice President stepped up to President - Mrs. Amy Miller.  New Vice President - Gladys Winterfeld.  Sec & Treas - Lola Sargent. 

Mrs. Beam thanked all that helped in any way for the party today.  Each party will be held last Saturday in July.  Luncheon at 1pm.

Vocal solo was sang by Ivan Weeks - 'Memory Lane' and 'Your Eyes Have Told Me So'.  Vocal solo by Sandy French - 'Turn Around' and 'Roses'.  Winifred Wheeler consented to play for a few dances.

Collection $44.68

Here's a link to the 2nd Annual Old Timers Meeting Minutes:

(https://swanvalleyoldtimers.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-second-old-timers-reunion.html)

The Second Old Timers Reunion

July 25, 1963

The second old timers party was held July 25th at the Swan Valley American Legion Hall with Doward Kopp Chairman for both years (1963-1964).  Over one hundred people were present for the party which included pot luck lunch at 2pm and Mrs. Edward Kopp sang 'Til the Lands of the Desert Grow Cold', which was the request of an old friend Joan Fisher.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kopp were the oldest couple present. Mrs C.B. VanDoren, 84, of Idaho Falls, was the oldest woman present.  Julius Zitlaw of Idaho Falls was the oldest man.  Mr. and Mrs. Banner Linville of Gerald, Kansas, Mrs. Ken Reeves of Amarillo, Texas, and Mr. and Mrs. Dave W. Cavander, of Madrid, Oregon represented the farthest distance traveled.  Mr. and Mrs. Julius Zitlaw were able to have all five of their children present.  

This year they elected Mrs. Richard Beam President, Mrs. Amy Miller Vice President, Mrs. Albert Harden Secretary & Treasurer.  The last Saturday of July was set for the party each year. Pot luck dinner to be served at 1pm. 

Doward Kopp presented a tablet which the record names of the people attending the party were kept.  Also, one of those past away which is to be enclosed in a glass case to be kept in the Legion Hall for all to see. 

in order to cover expenses a free will collection was taken, which totaled $37.46.  

$16.00 paid to Doward Kopp.  $21.46 on hand.

Transcribed by Audi Sutheimer, Sec/Treas, OTR 2018

Never Going Anywhere

Here's another little ditty from Fawnell Fisher Blankenship...

'My brothers were having a coke in Changdon's Lodge, there in Swan Valley. In a booth, they overheard, “Too bad about those Fisher kids. They’re good kids, but won’t ever go anywhere.”  
Hee-hee: Gary’s a dentist, John, chemical engineer, after my hubby served 8 1/2 years (many on nuclear subs with 3 kids). I put him through dental school. He painted houses along the way.  We made it off that dry farm!!!  Even got a real toilet with running water.'

1st Grade 1974

With Jennifer Weeks Watson, Kathryn Newman,Leslie Weeks Rathe, Shela Sermon, Tyla Traughber,Willa K. Traughber, Steven Hasselstrom, Becky Weeks, Kerri Huyck, Jon Weeks, Jack Walker, Walt Ashment, Paula Ploc-her Smith and Rex Jessen.

Photo and Caption Courtesy of Alisa Jacobson

2018 Dam Kids Reunion

The Dam Kids Reunion is June 22-24, 2018. 

June 22nd is the BBQ at Sleepy J Cabins, at 5pm. 

Pot Luck on Saturday afternoon up at Palisades Trailer Park.  

The Valley Premier of “The Competition” starring Thora Birch and Kevin Klein will be Saturday evening at 7pm at the Irwin School.  This major motion picture was written and produced by Gary Fisher's grand-daughter.  It's free and it's a romantic comedy, so bring a friend.  

Good at making friends?

"I’d spend a large part of the summer alone. My brothers working; they started working, driving tractor, at 8 years old on our farm. (Thank God for Primary). 
I made my own friends. I took the mop and broom and turned them up-side-down. The broom, a high class lady with an an “up do”; the mop was a little more trampy. To this day, if I see a mop or a broom turned upside down, I stop and say, “Hi”.  -Fawnell Fisher Blankenship

"...my husband brought me a broom last year and stood it up in the bedroom to surprise me, it had a note taped on her mouth (red threads that hold broom together) saying, “Hi old friend, it’s been a long time.” -FFB

We were so Isolated on the farm.

In my emails back and forth with the Old Timers of Swan Valley, I get to hear some of the best stories about farm life, their pioneer ways, and the transformation that came with the building of the dam.  A couple weeks back, I was corresponding with Fawnell Fisher Blankenship and her brother Gary Fisher.  What a treat!  The whole Fisher family must have the literary gene.  Fawnell's descriptions are vivid.  Here a little ditty she shared with me:


"We were so Isolated on the farm. We didn’t do much to remember. But we did take a little ride on Sundays, sometimes up to Afton. I barely remember but as we drove along, my dad said, “See that little farm house, see that barn, look at that little farm.. take a good long look, it won’t be there next time we take a little drive.” I couldn’t quite understand until we took another drive. I’ll remember that to my dying day, the words my father said.. I was 5.
I was about 5 when my father showed us the land and the lake was not there, later he showed us the lake.  We just followed the road to Swan Valley, Irwin, on to Afton. There were only 5 of us so we all piled in the car. It was a few hours trip. They had slot machines in those days. Stopped at the log bar, called 'Palisades Inn' in those days.  I jumped high as I could and grabbed the handle of it; all I remember is getting in lots of trouble." -Fawnell Fisher Blankenship

She also conveyed to me that she never had a change of lifestyle on the farm, even when the boom in population happened because of the dam construction.  She only went to school in the little schoolhouse on Pine Bench in 1st grade....

"I’d spend a large part of the summer alone. My brothers working; they started working driving tractor at 8 years old on our farm. Our closest neighbors were 2 1/2 miles across the fields, Tony and Eddie Kopp.  Thank God for Primary....   with all the new kids that came with building the dam, ie, brand new school, I couldn’t wait til school started to be with all the new kids....  We had the most wonderful new one (school)." -FFB

James Richard & Lydia Jane (Howell) Daniels

My grandparents, James Richard Daniels & Lydia Jane (Howell) Daniels ca. 1881. James was born on March 29, 1855, near Wapakoneta Ohio. Lydia was born on September 16, 1864, in Franklin, ID. They were married August 13, 1881, in Oxford, ID. They homesteaded in Swan Valley in April of 1891.

My grandparents, James Richard & Lydia Jane (Howell) Daniels, taken about 1931 with my brother Lewis James (Jim) Daniels. He was born on September 26, 1929, in Irwin and died on April 8, 1958 in Bend, OR.

Photo and Caption Credit to June Daniels

Old rock school house Irwin, Idaho 1937

Old rock school house Irwin, Idaho 1937 . Thanks Yvonne Weeks Miller , & Melvin Weeks for their help in naming the kids .

A Brief History of Old Timers

I recently acquired the Old Timers Reunion Meeting minutes and records, dating all the way back to 1964, the 2nd year of the reunion.  I've transcribed a letter I found in the book from Ms. Afton Bitton.  She was the President of the board and read this to the group at the 2001 meeting. 

A Brief History of Old Timers                       7/28/2001

     
     Old Timers Reunion was basically the brainchild of Doward Kopp and Harry Zitlaw, commanders of Legion Post 97 at the time.  Doward and his wife Mary conducted the first reunion, aided by Harry Zitlaw and Russell McBride.  October 5, 1963 was the date.  The more than 50 who attended voted to have an Old Timers party once a year, so the annual reunion was instituted. 
     The second Old Timers party was held July 25, 1964, in the Legion Hall, with Doward officiating, [and the group] chose the traditional date of the last Saturday in July forever after or at least until the fading pioneers fail to support it.  Over 100 attended.  The first official election resulted in the following officers for the reunion. Jerusha Beam, President, Amy Miller, Vice-President, and Edna Harden (Ottino), Secretary/Treasurer.
     Every year thereafter residents and former residents of Swan Valley have congregated at the Legion Hall on the last Saturday in July for a potluck dinner, election of officers, and a program.  This year makes the thirty-eighth time.  The Swan Valley Commissary, for most of those years, has donated three gallons of ice cream.  For many of those years the Old Time Fiddlers have joined the party and made the music for dancing and listening.  
     New by-laws over the years have resulted in three important changes.  The Treasurer is always elected for three years for banking convenience (since 1993).  The Vice-President moves up to the President the next year whenever possible and the officers for the current year ask the people to serve as officers the following year before the meeting so the famous railroading does not occur.  These ideas were presented by past presidents, Afton Bitton, Max Bitton, and Joe Kruse, respectively.  Officers and members are always encouraged to make motions that will improve the Reunion.  There is not time to mention here all the 38 presidents and accompanying officers who have served us well.  However, a review of the records reveals that many have served as one officer or another three or more times.  Margaret Fisher Jacobson tops the lost at 7 times.  Lola Sargent is only 1 yard behind at 6 and by time she finishes her task at treasurer she will have reached 7.  Alex Martin, Gloria Hansen McVey, and Mabel Traughber Winterfeld come in at four times and seven persons have chalked up a score of three: Edna Kopp Harden Ottino, Margaret Ricks Weeks Howard, Barbara Weise Pool, Pat Thomas Hendrix, Joe Kruse, and Afton Bitton.  A number have served twice including Joe Fisher, Lena Zitlaw McCabe Weise, Bud Campbell, and Belle (Grubb) Beam.  All these numbers are subject to being raised if a more thorough record is available, but this will do for starters.  People who have not served their valley colleagues in one of these official capacities are in for a rare treat.  They should strive to be nominated.  The planning meeting often features cake and ice cream, as well as many good valley anecdotes.  
     Thanks again to Doward and Harry for realizing what a good thing a valley get together is.  I'd say the average attendance has been about 80 and the average number of fox-trots played by the Fiddlers about the the same.

Afton Bitton

July 28, 2001

Note from Audi Sutheimer, Sec/Treas, OTR 2018:

Afton's emphasis on acquiring officers leads me to believe there was concern about the reunion fizzing out because nobody wants to be in charge.  I will assure you, as an officer, I plan on continuing the traditions of the valley and preserving the heritage that was here long before I was.  I will run again when my three years is up (in 2019).  I have cleaned up the Old Timers Reunion book and found some gems to share with you.  I want to connect with you, the Old Timers, and get your oral histories written down, so they aren't lost to the next generations of valley residents, your families, and our community.  That's why I started this blog.  

I am also going to introduce a change to the by-laws at this years meeting.  I want to change the President and Vice-President to 2 year terms with a 3rd year carry over if no one accepts a nomination in an election year.  The VP will not be obligated to run for President, but may, if they choose to.  The Secretary and Treasurers seats were combined for many years and then in 1988 they were separated, only to be joined again in 2009.  The Sec/Treas. has to bring the other 2 new officers up to speed every year because they are changing every year.  Longer terms for the President and VP will curb some of that.  Furthermore, when a board is in place for a longer stint, they can accomplish more.  

That being said, the last thing I want to add to the Old Timers by-laws is advocacy for stewardship.  Our mission should not only be to throw a great party, but to work to preserve the heritage and record the history of the Swan Valley area. We have seen so many local relics disappear.  The Pine Bench School, for example, has been pillaged to the point you can see right through it.  I remember as a kid there were still chalkboards inside.  Now, it's all but gone.  That is a pity, but we have the ability to curb vandalism and preserve the historical content that is left.  I'd like to spend a little of the money Old Timers has saved over the years to put informational placards at some of these locations.  They would include historical info and private property markers with info about why it is wrong to steal or destroy these sights.  These are our antiquities being plundered.   You can send me your thoughts at svoldtimers@gmail.com or direct message me on the Swan Valley Old Timers Facebook page.  You can always share your stories there too.  

I hope to see you all at the Old Timers Reunion or at the upcoming Dam Kids Reunion next month.    

Take care,

Audi