Imagine a vast, almost level, oblong tract of nearly 30,000 acres, about sixteen miles in length by four or five miles in average width, surrounded on all sides by tree clad mountain ranges, like some titanic amphitheatre. The slanting rays of the October sunlight heighten the dark green of the great fields of clover, timothy and alfalfa, and give the gold to the yellow stubble of wheat and oats. Close into it run little spurs of the darker green of the timber. Across it trails half way the dark brown ridge of the new rail¬road grade, over which, very soon now, the great steam horse will come in, shrieking the birth of a new era of man’s ambition and power.

Quiet and peaceful it all lays as in the days back when the first white man stood on the hilltops and looked with wondering eyes into the beautiful spot of nature. There are few such valleys, even in this wonderful west of ours. As it lies there in the solemn stillness of the bright October afternoon, there is a charm about it that enters the memory, never to be driven out.

As we drive down the steep road, one feels as if coming back to some well-remembered spot. The little mountain stream that ripples on into the heart of the great valley gives one a glad welcome. Almost without effort, one recognizes in the dark brown fertile soil the wonderful possibilities of production it contains, here and there, dotting the level stretch are farmsteads in the great stacks of gray brown hay tell of almost fabulous yields of clover and timothy. It is little wonder the valley was settled away back in 1862, and that it has been a paradise of the stockman and the rancher ever since. They tell tall stories of three or four tons of timothy and clover hay and immense yields per acre of wheat and oats, and one does not question them. They say potatoes grow tops like rank weeds, and the farmers get tired of digging them, they yield so prodigiously; that cabbage get like bushel baskets in size, and firm and hard clear through, and one believes it all readily.

Although the altitude is about 1,000 feet, [actually 3,868 ft.] there are a number of small orchards in the valley, and they tell you that in point of keeping qualities and flavor they beat the world’s, the apples from these orchards, and they give you one and you are convinced that what they say is true.

It is all ideal. As you drive across the valley and approach the town of Meadows, lying nestled up on the slope with the big green pines and firs for a background and the rich teeming soil coming into your nostrils from the furrows just over there where the plow still stands, you can fully understand the feeling of attachment the home feeling of the people who live in this glorious valley,

I saw alfalfa, which were reported to have yielded five to seven tons yearly, and was told that they had not been irrigated for fifteen years. Water is plentiful for irrigation all over the valley, however, and each tract has the best of water rights. I saw a number of orchards, planted to mixed varieties, and the trees all looked exceedingly thrifty and were all overloaded with splendid fruit. There is not doubt about being able to raise apples. Immense reaches of yellow stubble land and other reaches of dark brown soil newly turned over the fact of big areas in grain. Haystacks galore on every hand in the valley show the productiveness of the alfalfa, clover and timothy.

–

Now in 1946 the valley has been built up into a big town. The Boise Payette Lumber Company moved in and cut the trees, and the valley is cut into parts by fences, roads and irrigation ditches. The mountains around still have a heavy growth of young timber on it, and are still very beautiful. The southern end of the valley is largely built up of homes, and the main highway cuts the town in half.

There are many more houses and buildings now than there was then, and the roads are built up and paved. The pastures are not as abundant in grass as they used to be, but they still give plenty of grass and hay.

This map was drawn by Hilda Balbach in 1945.

Nov. 17: It is estimated here that the improvements in properties, business blocks, residences, hotels, school, etc., approximate $150.00 [sic], This is a wonderful showing, in view of the fact that the foundation for the $25,000 P. & I. N. depot practically the first building started in the new town, was put in only a little over a year ago. Most of the buildings here were built this year. In addition to having one of the finest depots in the state, New Meadows will have in Hotel Heigho, when completed in January, one of the finest hotels in the state. As a matter of fact, there are in Idaho at present only five hotel buildings that may be said to excel Hotel Heigho. This hostelry is planned for the accommodation of commercial travelers and tourists. The scenic wonders of this section of the state, the magnificent summer climate, the splendid sports that here offer themselves to the nimrod and hunter, are attracting the tourist and traveler to this part of the Gem State.

Business District of New Meadows

The beautiful valley with its 30,000 acres of plow land, the millions of feet of tributary timber, the rich mineral resources made tributary by the P. & I. N. extension through Long Valley in the near future, are for the great development this town and entire surrounding territory.

Hotel Heigho, now under course of construction will be a 53 room hotel, the sixth finest in the State. It is built for the accommodation of commercial travelers and tourists. This hotel will be completed by the first of the year and will cost $56,000.

New Meadows has the following establishments:

Meyer & Metz [or Hetz?], $5000 store building; Howard & Loe, hardware dealers; Phil Hubbard, bakery; Mack Thompson occupies the upper floor with rooming house. Clarence LaFay, barber shop and I. N. Ripper’s cigar and soft drink parlor, occupy the next building.

The townsite building is next, and is occupied by W. H. Edwards’ barbershop. Mr. Edwards lives upstairs.
The Meadows Valley Bank is occupying temporary quarters next door.

The Coeur d’Or building, owned by Mrs. Jo. Hancock, is occupied upstairs by herself as a rooming house. Below is the elite pool and billiard hall, owned by Percifield & Lond, formerly of Old Town. French & Dutcher, architects, have neat offices adjoining.

Loe Brothers, general merchants, occupy the large building on the corner. To show that business is good in New Meadows, this firm made $1200 cash sales Saturday and Monday of last week, and their book account for the two days was $1200 more.

Howard & Howard’s building comes next and is occupied by H. P. Shmitz’s meat market. Then comes the Balbach building, occupied by the W. W. Donahue restaurant.

Opposite is the location of the $10,000 Meadows Valley Bank building, which is now under course of construction. J. H. Hill formerly of Nyssa, is the efficient cashier of this bank.

The Dr. T. E. Martin Building is next, and is occupied in front by the New Meadows Post Office, James M. Hart being the postmaster. Dr. Martin has his office and residence in the rear.

Across the street is the Straight & Oldridge building used as card room, cigar, and confectionery and soft drink stand. The North side of this building is used by Mrs. H. B. Oldridge as a restaurant.

The New Meadows Tribune occupies the next building with a splendid newspaper plant. Frank L. Roberts, formerly publisher and editor of the Payette Lakes Progress, is the publisher and editor of the Tribune. Balbach & Buiter are owners of the building. Mrs. M. M. Retch has millinery store in this building.

Before reaching the business district, the incoming traveler finds all the properties of the P. & I. N. railroad, of which Colonel E. M. Heigho is the president and general manager. The handsome depot, costing $25,000, is located here. The other P. & I. N. properties here are the freight station, car shops and round house, section house, tool house, large coal bins and stock yards.

In this part of town is the Mitchell & Mathias forwarding house, where all freight for the interior points is handled. Opposite is Dryden & Sons livery stable.

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The first high school was held in what is now Middle District grade school. Then it was moved to Beaumont Grade School, until the present high school building was built in 1939.

The Beaumont Grade School was built in 1911. Previous to this time there was no school in New Meadows.

The first school in Meadows Valley was a small one-room log cabin on Goose Greek, just across the road from Jack Iric’s place. It was built In 1889 by some of the settlers. The first teacher was Mrs. William Campbell, mother of Harold Campbell.

The next school was held in a house out by Bolin Abshire’s place. The teacher was Miss Florence Brown. Some of the students of this school were Mrs. C.C. Irwin, and the Clark brothers, Fred and Alfred. The Clark brothers rode horses, walked or skied about four miles to get to school. There was a certain trick played on Alfred Clark, but by popular demand it cannot be published.

Middle District was next, and for a while it was high school, grade school and all. It is the oldest school still in use in the valley.

We were unable to secure any information on the grade school at Old Meadows.

The Congregationalists had a church building at Meadows, and for a while maintained regular service, but in later years they too were without a pastor. During the summer of 1921, Rev. J. L. Riley, Pastor of the M.E. Church of Council, Idaho assisted his brother, Floyd K. Riley in tent meetings at Meadows. At these meetings several were baptized but none were received into the M.E. Church, and no M.E. Church was organized.

In the fall of 1922, Rev. C.R. Arches arranged with the authorities of the Protestant, Episcopal and Congregational Church for the withdrawal of the churches from the Valley and for the transfer of both church buildings to the M.E. Church, as there were not enough people for all the churches here.

Small Methodist classes were then organized at both Meadows and New Meadows. At the Annual Conference in September 1923, Meadows Valley was made a separate charge with Edwin Deacon appointed pastor. When he arrived he found only 14 remaining of those who had joined the proceeding spring, with 8 residing in New Meadows and 6 at Old Town. During the first years, there were no marked changes and very little progress made.

During April 1925, Rev. R.C. Lee, the M.E. pastor from Weiser, conducted revival meetings here for a week. After the annual conference, Rev. Deacon returned to his church. During February, Rev. Smootz of Oregon was secured for evangelistic work, and at the end of the meetings 5 were received for preparatory membership into the church. During the summer of 1925, Rev. Deacon asked to be removed because of his age, he being 65 when he retired.

After Rev. Deacon left, Rev. Smootz followed, and during his ministry, Jennie James and Irene Erwin became full members of the church—also the Wymans and Mrs. Witherspoon and D. J. Yoakum. He was removed to Joseph Oregon, and Rev. Floyd White followed him, and the new members during his ministry were as follows: Mrs. Berl Crane, George and Lima Hurd, Agnes Johnson, the Ledingtons, and Sarah Steckman. He moved to Nyssa, Oregon in 1932. Rev. Eaker, Quinn, Johnson and Robinson followed. The first ministers each had his ups and downs as the man before, and each gained more members for the M.E. Church until the present membership is around seventy full members.

Two other churches are active in the valley.

ASSEMBLY OF GOD
This Church was started in Meadows in 1943 and prospered greatly. Mr. Kindel was Pastor, and plans were laid for starting a Church building that spring.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—Information on this church was not available.

On January 7, 1914 the Cattlemen’s Association of Meadows Valley was organized. Officers of the first year were President, John McMahan; First Vice Pres¬ident, Edward Osborn, and John A. Wilson was Secretary.

Officers in 1945 were S. J. Farrell, President; Ward Branstetter, Vice President; Rollie Campbell, Secretary-treasurer; Albert Campbell, Association representative; and Henry Clay and Howard Dryden were the advisory board members.

This association was started by J.A. Mitchell, W. H. Campbell, John McMahan, Edward Osborn, D. I. Royer, W. Branstetter, Henry Clay, C.A. Campbell, M.H. Dryden, Walter White, A. P, Krigbaum, E.D. Wallace, Ed Goodman, and Ota Becker.

The first meeting was held at John McMahan’s residence, but changed to holding the meetings at the Forest Station in 1945.

There were eighteen members the first year, and in 1945 there were ten members. They met once a year unless special meetings were called.

This organization has rubbed poison weeds from range territory, built trails, built watering troughs, built drift fences, sowed grass seed, bought sheep allotment and added to cattle allotment. They offered rewards for conviction of theft of live stock. They became a member of the American Cattle Association.

PARENT-TEACHER’S ASSOCIATION

In 1942 the PTA of New Meadows was organized. The officers for the first year were Mrs. Reid Soper, President; and Mrs. Clifton Evans, Treasurer. There were thirty-nine members the first year and seventeen charter members. The organization was sponsored by Mrs. L. W. Buchholz who attended the P.T.A. convention. The present year of 1945 the officers were, Mr. Morin as President, Vice President was Mrs. H. C. Rich as first and Mrs. Kinoff as second, Mrs. Bower was the Secretary and Mrs. C.L. Buffaloe was Treasurer.

At the present there are 59 members and $232.93 in the treasury. In the se¬cond year the P.T.A. sponsored several High School parties. The school board, student body, and P.T.A. bought a nickelodeon for the high school. At that time the P.T.A. was making plans for improvements at the Grade School, including a fire Escape.

LADIES AID

The Ladies Aid of Meadows Valley was organized in December 1926.
Mrs. Byron Irwin was chairman of the first meeting, held at her home in New Meadows. The constitution and by-laws were written by Mrs. Mack. No record has been kept of the officers of the first year.
Officers of the organization then were Mrs. John Harm, President; Mrs.. Thomas Clauson, Vice President; Mrs. S.J. Farrell, Secretary; and Mrs. Carl Peterson was Treasurer.

Beginning in 1934 the members of the Ladies Aid Society made about 200 calls to the sick and shut in people. They collected clothing for the Children’s Home, China Relief, Russian Relief, and European Relief. Mending and sewing was done for the Red Cross and the hospital, Approximately $4,100.00 was raised by the organization, and it was spent to pay $5.00 a month for ten years on the minister’s salary. Drapes, decorations, new roof, piano, and a carpet was bought for the Church. Material, stove, rug, davenport, and chair, were bought for the parsonage. The labor was mostly donated. They made contributions to the Red Cross, Children’s Home, Scout Building, War Fund, Council Hospital and people who lost their homes by fire. They gave gifts to the sick children and helped with the Christmas treats at Sunday School. They bought flowers for the sick and shut in. Less than $100 of this money had been sent to foreign missions.

There were about twenty-five members the first year, and twenty-two in 1945; six of them were charter members. There was about $50 in the treasury then. They met at the home of the members. In August 1944 the name was changed from “Ladies Aid” to “Women’s Society of Christian Service.”

AMERICAN LEGION

The American Legion was organized and the national charter was granted by Congress in 1919.
There are many American Legion branches in America, but American Legion Post 111 of Meadows Valley was organized in 1945, and thirty-five members joined the first year.

The officers of the first year were Mr. Swick as Commander, Mr. Noel Thomas as Adjutant and Secretary, and Mr. R.L. Cochran succeeded him as Commander for l945. At the end of 1945 there was $21 in the treasury.

The legion met the second Monday or the month in the R.P.L. Hall. It was start¬ed in France by Ouentin Roosevelt, the son to Theodore Roosevelt. It is the largest of the veteran’s organizations. It had a membership of well over two million, and expected to have three and one half million by convention in the fall.

One thing of importance that was started by the American Legion Post 111 was the building of a hall for the Scouts of Meadows Valley. Other organizations help¬ed, and now the Scouts own their own building. The American Legion encourages ed¬ucation by awarding a medal to the outstanding, boy and girl high school student each year.

GIRL SCOUTS

The Girl Scouts of Meadows Valley was first organized in 1937-1938. Their first leader was Mrs. Samuel E. Tyson, Assistant leader was Ruth Shobrook. The troop committee was Mrs. James A. Wilson, Mrs. Albert Campbell, Mrs. Clyde Miller, Mrs. Howard Bishop, and Mrs. Roy Wyman, Twenty girls registered the first year.

In 1940 Mrs. Earl Miller was the leader. The troop committee was Mrs. Albert Campbell, Mrs. Waldo Baker, Mrs, Roy Wyman, Mrs. LaMoine Lafay, and Mrs. S. E. Tyson. Thirty-eight girls registered.
In 1941 and 1942 Mrs. Earl Miller was again chosen leader, Assistant leader was Mrs.Ted Wagner, Mrs. W.A. Metsner was assistant for the Brownie Scouts. The troop committee Mrs. W. H. Spickelmire, Mrs. Roy Brooks, Mrs. Reid Soper, Mrs. L. W. Bucholz, and Mrs. Waldo Baker. There were thirty-two girls registered that year, and twelve Brownie Scouts.

The year 1946, Mrs. M.G. Jacobson was the leader. Assistant leaders were Mrs. D. W. Middlekauff and Mrs. Claude Merin, Mrs. Virgil Wadell was the Brownie leader, and Mrs. John Harm was their assistant.
The troop committee was Mrs. Earl Miller, Mrs. W. J. Law, Mrs. Floyd Whitlow, and Mrs. Rex Knapton. Twenty-four girls scouts and fourteen Brownie Scouts were registered.

BOY SCOUTS

The Boy Scouts of Meadows Valley was reorganized February 29, 1943. Sponsoring the institutions were the Labor Union—1944, L.D.S. Church—1945, and the Odd Fellows Lodge—1946. Officers of the Club then were Claude Morin, scout master, and Kenneth John¬son, Steve Wisdom, Edwin Hanson, Tom Stevens and John Steckman were committee men. They met each week at the Scout Hall.

In 1945 twenty-six boys belonged, and it grew to eighteen members. Fourteen boys were first class scouts, and twelve were Star Scouts. They purchased eighteen uniforms. They also helped in all types of charity drives.

There was also a strong Cub Scout organization, with John Harm as Cub Scout Master, and Mesdames Morin, Kenny Johnson, Stevens, Shaver, Adair and Lae as Den Mothers.

GRANGE

The Meadows Grange was organized October 4, 1933 with thirty charter members. The first year George S. Mitchell was the Master and Jenness Campbell was secretary. The first meeting place was at the I.O.O.F. Hall. The officers in 1945 were Bob Reumiser, Master; Mrs. Ted Clausen, secretary; and Mrs. W.E. Hanson was the treasurer. They met at the B.P.L. Hall. Then there were fifty members. It was started by Mr. George S. Mitchell, Mrs. Harold Campbell, and Mr. Charles Wyman.

The Grange has always upheld the highest ideals for the Community and worked to make this one of the best communities. They bought salt, groceries, and coal for the benefit of the Grangers, and at the time were trying to secure the employment of a County Agent to help with various crops, live stock, and weed control.

MATRON’S CLUB

In 1936 the Matron’s Club was organized. The Junior girls club started it, and it was an organization for the young married women. Thelma Abshire was treasurer for the first year.

In1945 the officers were, Mrs. Ed Morgan, president; Mrs. Warren Loomis, vice president; Mrs. Tom Stevens, secretary; Mrs. Ray Forrey, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. Carl Shaver was the treasurer.

Over years they have done welfare work and donated to different causes. At that time they had $100 in their treasury. They met at the homes of the members and at the B.P.L. Hall.

REBEKAHS

Wild Rose Rebekah Lodge No. 102 was organized March 8, 1911. Officers for the first year were Ethel Roden, Noble Grand; Annie Mitchell, Vice Grand; the Secretary was Mrs. Schubury. Officers of the year 1945 were Carolyn Hancock, Noble Grand; Myrtle Day, Vice Grand; Hazel Wisdom, secretary; Ruby Nixon, Financial Secretary; and Mary Adair is the treasurer.

At first there were eighteen members, and at present (l945) there are 114. Approximately $54 was in the treasury the first year, and in 1945 they had $340.87.

It was started by the Odd Fellows and their wives. The meeting place was the I.O.O.F. Hall.

ODD FELLOWS

The Odd Follows Lodge was organized on October 22, 1902. Officers in 1945 were George Matteson as Noble Grand; Gordon Logan, Vice Grand; Fred Gildroy as Secretary; Steve Wisdom was Financial Secretary, and Tom Clauson was the Treasurer.

WOMEN’S CLUB OF THE MEADOWS

This Women’s Club was organized in 1908 and federated in 1909. The colors of the second district were white and gold, and their flower was the Syringa.

It was started by Mrs. C.B. Irwin, Mrs. A.B. Lucas, Mrs. J.E. Freeman, Mrs. G. S. Mitchell, Mrs. Caroline McMahan, Mrs. Orianna Hubbard, Mrs. McRea, Mrs. Morthias, Mrs. Adamson, Mrs. Gilbert, Ruth Mayo, Mrs. Bergh, Mrs. Turner, and Mrs. Jones.

Officers of the first year were Mrs. C.B. Irwin as president; Mrs, A.P. Lucas as vice president, Mrs. Maude Jones was secretary; and Mrs. Orianna Hubbard was the treasurer.

Officers of the year 1945 were Mrs. L. Robinson as president; Mrs. John Harm, first vice president; Mrs. Wm. Baker, recording secretary; Mrs. Steve Wisdom, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Joaquin Arte, treasurer. Mrs. Henry Love and Mrs. R.L. Campbell were Parliamentarians.

They met the first and the third Wednesday of each month. They held their regular meetings at different homes, and the special meetings were held at a hall.

The Club has not grown very much in the last few years. Many of the old members have passed on, some have moved on, others have organized another club called the Good Will Circle at Meadows, and some have joined in with the Boise Payette.

They have studied flower culture, had nature talks, world’s fair side light, century of progress, history, women who have made history, public welfare, community betterment, Idaho citizenship, household hints, health, music, forestry, mining, Russia, impromptu program by post and teachers from 1883 to 1935 at teacher’s reception. They have organized a Junior Club, had debates, and have studied the state capitol and flower. They have always donated to most worthy things, and have had splendid meetings and some grand times.

Mrs. J. A. Mitchell also said that at one meeting she had fifty club members at her home, and many times Mr. Mitchell hitched the horses up to the sled, and took a load of members to some club meeting before they had snow plows and town people had no way to go.

Names of the post president from 1908-1909 to 1932 -1933 are Mrs. C.B. Irwin, Mrs. A.B. Lucas, (two terms), Mrs. W.H. Campbell (two terms), Mrs. Edward McMahan (two terms), Mrs. Lewis Kimbrough, Mrs. J.M. McCully (two terms), Mrs. Lee Highly (two terms), Mrs. R.L. Campbell (two terms) Mrs. G.S. Mitchell (two terms), Mrs. Blake Hancock, Mrs. P.A. Wood, Mrs. Eston Freeman, Mrs. Albert Campbell, Mrs. E.J. Osborn, Mrs. J.H. Witherspoon, and Mrs. Clarence LaFay.
In 1934 there were 45 members.

THE LADIES AUXILIARY

The Ladies Auxiliary was started in 1934 at Cabarton, Idaho, and was then the Ladies Aid. Mrs. Flora Morgan was the first president. The membership was very small. After moving to MacGregor the membership grew to 25. Moving to New Meadows, there being a Ladies Aid, this organization was changed to the Boise Payette Auxiliary.

They help the Red Cross, Children’s Home, Community Hospital,, and Boy Scouts. Meetings are the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Some officers were: President, Mrs. Ethel Kinoff; Secretary, Treasurer, Mrs. Tom Clauson.

UNION

The Labor Union of Boise Payette – Local A.F.L. #2733 has sponsored dances to raise money for the tuberculosis and infantile paralysis drives. They have given money to the Boy Scouts, and for school children’s Christmas treats.

Officers for the first year were Albin J. Reynolds as President; Mrs. McFall, treasurer, and Ted McDougal was financial secretary. Officers of 1945 were E.A. Weller president, D.W. Middlekauf as vice president; H.C. Rich as recording secretary; Arthur Gough an financial secretary and Gordon Maxwell was the treasurer. They hold their meetings at the B.P.L. Hall.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

This organization was started March 18, 1946. The first, meeting place was at LaFay’s Hall. Mr. Evans and Mr. Crabtree started it.

R.L. Campbell was the president; C. E. Evans, vice president; W.E. Hanson, secretary, Hazel Wisdom was treasurer. Temporary chairmen were Kenny Johnson and Rey Brook.

The Chamber of Commerce met once a month . There were sixty members. So far all they had accomplished was forming their organization and filling their committees for work.

THE GOOD WILL CIRCLE

The Good Will Circle was organized about 1935. At present there are about 20 members. The officers during this term were Mrs. Bob Rumiser, Mrs. L.E. Campbell, Mrs. Gene Keska, and Mrs. Phil Woods.

They met every two weeks at the homes of members. They have painted, kalsomined, and put a new metal roof and new steps on the Old Meadows Church. They also furnished a room, and extra bed and numerous things for the hospital. They give to all charitable causes, and have done a great deal of good in the community.

The ladies do quite a bit of sewing, and whenever anyone loses their home by fire, or any tragedy strikes, the Good Will Circle is one of the first organizations to give help.

ROD AND GUN CLUB

The Rod and Gun Club of Meadows Valley was organized about thirty-four years ago. Sim Reed was president, C.C. Irwin was vice president, and Carol Hood was secretary the first year.

The year 1945 the officers were President Carl Shaver, Vice President Claude Buffalo, and Herb Fitz was the secretary. There were about one-hundred members then. They met at the I.0.0.F. Hall.

There was a Literary Society which also helped entertain everyone. At these parties they sang, had readings read, debated various subjects. They took their basket lunches and ate after they were too tired to play any more games. Everyone, young and old, went to this Society.

During the winter, folks went on skis to parties and dances. Many times people from Round Valley came up to dances, and people from Meadows Valley went there. Christmas was celebrated with a dance and a tree. Christmas gifts were put on it for everyone.

July fourth, Independence Day, was celebrated at a grove east of Meadows. They had a speaker, had the Declaration of Independence read, and sang songs. They set tables and had basket dinners. Sometimes they took washtubs full of food. Everyone ate until there was no more to eat. Games were played, and egg races and foot races for the men and boys were enjoyed. To finish the night, a dance was held. Tickets cost $l. The hotel served a midnight supper at 50¢ a plate.

Horse racing and baseball games were enjoyed for a week at a time. People from Grangeville, Riggins, and other places came for the races. ‘Tin Horn’ gamblers came and purses were put up for the winning horse. The racetrack was located in back of the Loyal Campbell home.

The Riggins baseball team came up, and they and the Meadows team played their games by the week. Today we have basketball, football, baseball and other games at the High School gym.

The first cattle were tall, slim rangy type that never got fat enough to make good beef. The present type of cattle is short and chunky type which get fat quickly and are sold here or shipped to markets below, where they’re sold in the sale ring by an auctioneer to the highest bidder.

The first cattle in the valley were owned by Cal White, which were the tall, slim type. The Circle C Ranch own the biggest herd of cattle in the valley at present, and have for a long time. They also own more land in the valley than anyone at present. Every fall there are several carloads of cattle shipped out of the valley to below markets by the cattle owners. Information on how many carloads were shipped this year was not made available.

The Balbach Bros. owned two good sized mills. One was located near the Tommy Carr ranch. The other was located out on Mud Creek. This mill was the largest of the two mills.

The largest of the mills in the valley was the Cavette mill which was located where the shop is now located. It had a dry kiln and a planer in it, which none of the other mills in the valley had. This mill burned about 1929. This mill was the last big lumber mill until Boise Payette Lumber Company moved to New Meadows in 1940. There have been other mills in the valley after the Cavette mill, but they were small mills. One of them was the Dryer’s mill which was now located on the hill leaving the valley going toward Council.

The mills of the Boise Payette Lumber Company are located in Council and Emmett. April first, Jack Morgan took over the Boise Payette Lumber Company operations after having purchased it.

The Wiston Addition or the Company’s house is larger than New Meadows was before the Boise Payette Lumber Company took their houses from MacGregor and moved them here.

The lumber companies brought money, social life and other benefits to the community. Also the lumber company has done a lot for New Meadows, and we hope that the valley will always prosper from it and other things.