Cedron, Idaho
The Community of Cedron
The south end of the "Bates District" and lying west of the river, was settled by a large number of home seeking pioneers between 1888-90, including: Grandpa and Grandma Richard Drake and children-some married; Ed Rice, Jim Elliott, Jim Davis, John Dalton, Henry C. Bowles, Amer Aller, Jerry Warden, George Walton, John Hinkley, a Mr. Maddox and Mr. Heniger, members of the Paul family and a single man, Pete Bouquet. These must have been greatly impressed by the abundance and lushness of natural growth forest nearby, live and sparkling mountain stream flowing to the river, plus flowing springs of water-and the tall grasses of range for livestock. They stayed, or most of them.
Others followed within the decade (1890-1900), which included: John and Danny Condit and families; the Jess Brandons: the Adelbert Rices; Samuel Kunzes; John Miller family, Ulrich Schiers and family. Singles were Tilly Turner and John Furguson (who later married), plus Ed and Dick Kearsley (not known if at the time there were single men.)
The first public school was a log structure, built by community effort, and parents took pride in fashioning desk-seat furniture for the few children. Mr. Hugh Bames, it is purported, taught one term of summer school in 1898, and because he could not qualify as a teacher, the offering was discontinued. A Miss Tilly Turner from Indiana came out and taught two terms of school, before filing on ground which James Kunz later secured. (Note: it was this young woman who, purportedly gave the community the name of "Cedron Heights"- but she turned her attention to domestic life, by marriage to John Furguson.) (Note: the reader might keep in mind that this region of Idaho, locally was administered first by Bingham County; followedbyFremont County, and briefly by Madison County, then become Teton County July 1915.)
By 1910, virtually all agricultural lands had been claimed and fenced. Travel was confined to established lanes and routes in the community
The Josephites, or Reorganized Church, in 1900 established a branch for their numbers at Cedron. They put to use the old log schoolhouse. and used it until the branch had to be closed, because of too few in number to pursue organized effort. Meanwhile, a mounting concern was building within the community for "self-determination" in both religious and school facilities.
A Public school was established; and a branch of LDS Church created, breaking from the community of Bates.(See the book on public schools titled, "Education in the Upper Snake River Valley (1880-1950) by Harold Forbush . These changes occurred approximately in 1915-16. On 17 March 1918, Milford Kunz was ordained first bishop of Cedron Ward. Successive bishops have been chosen and ordained: James H. Kunz (21 August 1941); William E. Schiess (11 May 1947); Monroe Dustin Jr. (9 November 1958); Burton W. Kunz (8 August 1965). The population of Cedron in 1958 was 132. Now Cedron is part of Victor Second Ward.
From helpful persons, a census of those living within the Cedron community in 1940 has been compiled, giving names of family, plus children in numbers, namely: Carol and Priscilla Anderson-1; Pat and Maggie Ivan Bell-1; Asa and Gertrude R. Drake-5; Loy and Jessie Drake-1; Fred (Ted) and Viola B. Drake-children gone; Monroe and Eva K. Dustin-3; Gerald and Mrs. Hibbert-5; Duane and Laverne Kunz-1; Ellis and Jessie T. Kunz-3; Burton and Leatha M. Kunz-3; Alma and Mary G. Kunz-6; Frank and Grace D. Kunz-3; James and Arleigh D. Kunz-3; Merle and Maurine T. Kunz-2; Milford and Lucy K. Kunz-7; Robert and Sophia M. Kunz-6; Victor and Irma Kunz-3; Walter and Nora M. Kunz-4; Evan and Evelyn Meecham-5; Fred and Gulda Miller-5; John and Clara Miller-1; Mrs. Kunz; Roy and Ruth E. Miller-4; Samuel and Goldie T. Miller-6; Clara and George McMurdie-5; Merle and McDonald-1; Edwin and Viona Schiess-3; Ervin and Ruby M. Schiess-6; Alvin and Maude Smith-6; George and Elva Taylor-3; Ezra and Clara Weeks-4; Marvin and Eunice Williams-3; Jake and Polly Zohner-6;-totals 180.
Mr. Asa J. Drake provided current culinary water facilities (no community-held) at Cedron community. His report follows: beginning at the south end Ezra Weeks, George and Elva Taylor and Loy and Jessie Drake each got their culinary water from the Drake Creek, which ran from Drake Canyon at what now is 900 So. Ted and Viola Drake used gravity-flow water from Paul Spring which is on the bench to their west and higher than the home. Henry and Blanche Drake also used water from this source.
To my best knowledge Carl and Priscilla Anderson used water from a spring behind their home. James and Arleigh Kunz; Dale and Betty Kunz used water directly from Grove Creek-first dipping water from the spring; later installing a gravity-flow culinary pipeline for both houses.
McDonald's hand-dug a well and used a bucket, lowered into the water in the summer and fall. In the spring, the well often overflowed the cistern. Ellis Kunz hand-dug his well. Walter Kunz lived southwest of the old "Sedrine Heights" schoolhouse on the south side of what currently is 700 So. They had a hand-dug well.
The well for the new brick schoolhouse was hand-dug. I understand that after the brick schoolhouse was erected and a hand-pump installed, a horse fell into the old well and died. The old well was then filled in. The well for the new school still functions.
McMurdies. Vie Kunz, Oilie, Ed, Ervin and Nephi Schiers (Schiess) and Evan Meecham dipped water out of Patterson Creek at the mouth of the Canyon, until McMurdies moved. The others went upstream of Patterson Creek - about 200 yards - and installed a settling box, then gravity-flow pipeline to each home.
After Walter and Nora Kunz moved from South Patterson Canyon to the old Margaret Rice home, on the flat, they, as did Margaret, used a branch of Patterson Creek to dip water until about 1960. Then laid a gravity line pipe for quarter of a mile west, for a good flow of water. It would freeze, so they dug a well.
Richard Asa and Martha Drake, and Asa and Gertrude Drake, dipped water from Patterson Creek, until Asa dug a forty-foot-deep well and used a hand pump about 1929. The Drakes lived on Cedron flat and the wind blew snow into the hole made to retrieve water for the house and stock. It became a major chore to keep the water hole open during the winter. Asa said he could observe the stars all day long, from the bottom of this deep well.
Milford Kunz dipped water from Bouquet Springs. They installed a gravity culinary system from Bouquet Springs after World War II
Cedron LDS Church took water from the ditch running southeast from the Sanford Forbush home on Bouquet Creek. The practice of dipping from this creek was abandoned about 1945 and water was brought from individual homes for the sacrament service, until the ward was disorganized in 1973. Outdoor toilets, built by W.P.A. were used until that time.
The deacons filled the glass sacrament cups from the ditch. One deacon decided to dip the tray with cups into the water of the ditch. The cups just floated away, not all retrieved. The deacons had to crawl through a fence to reach the ditch. One decided that he could, with sacrament tray in .hand, jump the fence. He hooked his shoe heel on the top wire and glass cups were scattered all over the road-Richard and Phoebe Drake dipped water from Bouquet Creek. Monroe and Eva Dustin dug a well after World War II
Alvin Smith obtained his culinary water from Henderson Creek in the mouth of the canyon, until they moved away about 1945.
Jim and Arleigh Kunz began married life at the mouth of Henderson Canyon, but they homesteaded on a dry bench. David Schiers told me he helped Jim dig their well. David hauled all dirt from the well using a bucket, tied to a rope. They dug all winter. In the spring, Dave declared he had the best grip in his hands ever in his life.
Marvin and Eunice Williams hand-dug a well. John Kunz and families dipped water from Paradise Spring - also called Sulphur Springs. Robert and Sophia Kunz hand-dug a well.
John and Clara Miller put a dam in Paradise Springs and made the upper Miller's Pond. This dam raised the water level enough to run a ditch north around the edge of the hill. The ditch was used for culinary water year-round.
Jake and Polly Zohner used the springs near the Teton River for culinary water as did the Auerbachs and Ripplingers.
_________
”Tales of the Big Hole Mountains,” pp. 163-165
Others followed within the decade (1890-1900), which included: John and Danny Condit and families; the Jess Brandons: the Adelbert Rices; Samuel Kunzes; John Miller family, Ulrich Schiers and family. Singles were Tilly Turner and John Furguson (who later married), plus Ed and Dick Kearsley (not known if at the time there were single men.)
The first public school was a log structure, built by community effort, and parents took pride in fashioning desk-seat furniture for the few children. Mr. Hugh Bames, it is purported, taught one term of summer school in 1898, and because he could not qualify as a teacher, the offering was discontinued. A Miss Tilly Turner from Indiana came out and taught two terms of school, before filing on ground which James Kunz later secured. (Note: it was this young woman who, purportedly gave the community the name of "Cedron Heights"- but she turned her attention to domestic life, by marriage to John Furguson.) (Note: the reader might keep in mind that this region of Idaho, locally was administered first by Bingham County; followedbyFremont County, and briefly by Madison County, then become Teton County July 1915.)
By 1910, virtually all agricultural lands had been claimed and fenced. Travel was confined to established lanes and routes in the community
The Josephites, or Reorganized Church, in 1900 established a branch for their numbers at Cedron. They put to use the old log schoolhouse. and used it until the branch had to be closed, because of too few in number to pursue organized effort. Meanwhile, a mounting concern was building within the community for "self-determination" in both religious and school facilities.
A Public school was established; and a branch of LDS Church created, breaking from the community of Bates.(See the book on public schools titled, "Education in the Upper Snake River Valley (1880-1950) by Harold Forbush . These changes occurred approximately in 1915-16. On 17 March 1918, Milford Kunz was ordained first bishop of Cedron Ward. Successive bishops have been chosen and ordained: James H. Kunz (21 August 1941); William E. Schiess (11 May 1947); Monroe Dustin Jr. (9 November 1958); Burton W. Kunz (8 August 1965). The population of Cedron in 1958 was 132. Now Cedron is part of Victor Second Ward.
From helpful persons, a census of those living within the Cedron community in 1940 has been compiled, giving names of family, plus children in numbers, namely: Carol and Priscilla Anderson-1; Pat and Maggie Ivan Bell-1; Asa and Gertrude R. Drake-5; Loy and Jessie Drake-1; Fred (Ted) and Viola B. Drake-children gone; Monroe and Eva K. Dustin-3; Gerald and Mrs. Hibbert-5; Duane and Laverne Kunz-1; Ellis and Jessie T. Kunz-3; Burton and Leatha M. Kunz-3; Alma and Mary G. Kunz-6; Frank and Grace D. Kunz-3; James and Arleigh D. Kunz-3; Merle and Maurine T. Kunz-2; Milford and Lucy K. Kunz-7; Robert and Sophia M. Kunz-6; Victor and Irma Kunz-3; Walter and Nora M. Kunz-4; Evan and Evelyn Meecham-5; Fred and Gulda Miller-5; John and Clara Miller-1; Mrs. Kunz; Roy and Ruth E. Miller-4; Samuel and Goldie T. Miller-6; Clara and George McMurdie-5; Merle and McDonald-1; Edwin and Viona Schiess-3; Ervin and Ruby M. Schiess-6; Alvin and Maude Smith-6; George and Elva Taylor-3; Ezra and Clara Weeks-4; Marvin and Eunice Williams-3; Jake and Polly Zohner-6;-totals 180.
Mr. Asa J. Drake provided current culinary water facilities (no community-held) at Cedron community. His report follows: beginning at the south end Ezra Weeks, George and Elva Taylor and Loy and Jessie Drake each got their culinary water from the Drake Creek, which ran from Drake Canyon at what now is 900 So. Ted and Viola Drake used gravity-flow water from Paul Spring which is on the bench to their west and higher than the home. Henry and Blanche Drake also used water from this source.
To my best knowledge Carl and Priscilla Anderson used water from a spring behind their home. James and Arleigh Kunz; Dale and Betty Kunz used water directly from Grove Creek-first dipping water from the spring; later installing a gravity-flow culinary pipeline for both houses.
McDonald's hand-dug a well and used a bucket, lowered into the water in the summer and fall. In the spring, the well often overflowed the cistern. Ellis Kunz hand-dug his well. Walter Kunz lived southwest of the old "Sedrine Heights" schoolhouse on the south side of what currently is 700 So. They had a hand-dug well.
The well for the new brick schoolhouse was hand-dug. I understand that after the brick schoolhouse was erected and a hand-pump installed, a horse fell into the old well and died. The old well was then filled in. The well for the new school still functions.
McMurdies. Vie Kunz, Oilie, Ed, Ervin and Nephi Schiers (Schiess) and Evan Meecham dipped water out of Patterson Creek at the mouth of the Canyon, until McMurdies moved. The others went upstream of Patterson Creek - about 200 yards - and installed a settling box, then gravity-flow pipeline to each home.
After Walter and Nora Kunz moved from South Patterson Canyon to the old Margaret Rice home, on the flat, they, as did Margaret, used a branch of Patterson Creek to dip water until about 1960. Then laid a gravity line pipe for quarter of a mile west, for a good flow of water. It would freeze, so they dug a well.
Richard Asa and Martha Drake, and Asa and Gertrude Drake, dipped water from Patterson Creek, until Asa dug a forty-foot-deep well and used a hand pump about 1929. The Drakes lived on Cedron flat and the wind blew snow into the hole made to retrieve water for the house and stock. It became a major chore to keep the water hole open during the winter. Asa said he could observe the stars all day long, from the bottom of this deep well.
Milford Kunz dipped water from Bouquet Springs. They installed a gravity culinary system from Bouquet Springs after World War II
Cedron LDS Church took water from the ditch running southeast from the Sanford Forbush home on Bouquet Creek. The practice of dipping from this creek was abandoned about 1945 and water was brought from individual homes for the sacrament service, until the ward was disorganized in 1973. Outdoor toilets, built by W.P.A. were used until that time.
The deacons filled the glass sacrament cups from the ditch. One deacon decided to dip the tray with cups into the water of the ditch. The cups just floated away, not all retrieved. The deacons had to crawl through a fence to reach the ditch. One decided that he could, with sacrament tray in .hand, jump the fence. He hooked his shoe heel on the top wire and glass cups were scattered all over the road-Richard and Phoebe Drake dipped water from Bouquet Creek. Monroe and Eva Dustin dug a well after World War II
Alvin Smith obtained his culinary water from Henderson Creek in the mouth of the canyon, until they moved away about 1945.
Jim and Arleigh Kunz began married life at the mouth of Henderson Canyon, but they homesteaded on a dry bench. David Schiers told me he helped Jim dig their well. David hauled all dirt from the well using a bucket, tied to a rope. They dug all winter. In the spring, Dave declared he had the best grip in his hands ever in his life.
Marvin and Eunice Williams hand-dug a well. John Kunz and families dipped water from Paradise Spring - also called Sulphur Springs. Robert and Sophia Kunz hand-dug a well.
John and Clara Miller put a dam in Paradise Springs and made the upper Miller's Pond. This dam raised the water level enough to run a ditch north around the edge of the hill. The ditch was used for culinary water year-round.
Jake and Polly Zohner used the springs near the Teton River for culinary water as did the Auerbachs and Ripplingers.
_________
”Tales of the Big Hole Mountains,” pp. 163-165
