In the spring of 1915 the Arbon correspondent of the American Falls Press judged from the logs at John Payne's sawmill that it would be a building year. Arbon had been in Oneida County until 1913 and was now in Power County. Through the rest of that year the paper's Arbon and South Arbon columns followed the valley's canyon sawmills, and the houses that went up, a line or two at a time.
Logs at Payne's mill
John Payne, an English-born railroad man, was one of Arbon's early settlers and kept a store with his wife Emily. On April 29, 1915, the column reported that he had dislocated his shoulder a few days before and could not run his engine at the sawmill. A Frank Jones took charge for a few days. The correspondent added:
From the appearance of the large quantity of logs at the mill there will be a considerable amount of building this year in Arbon.
Some building had already begun. The same column reported Melvin Bailey's wedding and said the couple would live on his homestead, where he had "recently built a fine dwelling" (the Bailey family). Two weeks later Payne himself was building "a fine dwelling in Knox canyon, where his saw mill is located." Knox Canyon's stream had watered the valley's first ditch. In May the right-hand road in the canyon was repaired, with new bridges, for those who wanted to log, and in June new homesteaders were building on claims they had just filed there. "Even the mountain ranges are being homesteaded," the Central Arbon column said, "which is gradually crowding out the sheepmen."
Mills changed hands too. On May 6 the column reported only that "Mr. Walker" had sold his sawmill to "Mr. Calhoun," with no first names and no location.
Nunnelley's mill in Bull Canyon
At the Summit end, W. A. Nunnelley, a Kentucky sawmill man, ran a mill in Bull Canyon. On June 3 the South Arbon column said he was repairing it and meant to start sawing in a few days. Two men, probably Ed Hooker and Gus Brahmstadt (the scan garbles both names), were logging in the canyon and "are going to get their building done before the rush at harvest time."
Rain slowed the work. On June 17 the column said Nunnelley "has had to close his saw mill for a few days on account of heavy rains in the mountains," and the loggers were waiting for the roads to dry. In mid-July George Bollinger, W. H. Smith and several neighbors were in the canyon getting out logs.
The same July column reported an accident at the mill. Alvin Jensen, who did not work there, "just stepped on the carriage and had his hand on the headblock as the carriage came back." The sawyer, Mr. Angle, did not see him in time to stop the engine, and all four fingers of Jensen's right hand were badly cut. In August Nunnelley went to Malad for a new belt for his mill.
On September 2 the column, which called the past ten days the hottest in that part of the country since its settlement six years before, told of a fire:
Some one put out a fire on the flat above Nunnelley's saw-mill, last Tuesday afternoon after it had done considerable damage. It soon spread and got into the timber in several of the branch canyons where it burned until sometime during the night.
The wording leaves unclear whether someone set the fire or put it out.
Houses all season
The Press's county "Building News" of July 8 listed William Allard, who sat for Power County in the Idaho House that year, building a five-room house on his ranch at Arbon. On August 12 Allard, P. A. Hartley, E. E. England, J. P. Kelly and A. Hatfield of Arbon were hauling house bills, that is, the lumber ordered for a house, from the Idaho Lumber company yard at American Falls. Not all the valley's lumber came from its own canyons. In September E. Hatley of Arbon was building a house on his ranch, and at South Arbon Roy Smith was putting up a bungalow on his homestead.
One builder had already proved up, that is, lived on and farmed his claim for the required years and made final proof for his title. On September 16 the column reported:
Mr. George Bollinger is erecting a house on the homestead belonging to his wife and they intend to make that their home Mr. Bollinger having proved up on his homestead some time ago.
His wife, Sarah, died at Pocatello the next year; her story is among the Stories.
At the south end, Mr. McIntyre, the contractor building the Highland school on Mamie Nunnelley's land, found help so hard to get in the busy season that he brought men from Malad Valley.
By the start of December T. B. Evans had moved his family into their new home west of the Central school. At about the same time the valley's line was connected by telephone with American Falls, and a telephone man from Pocatello moved the switchboard into the Evans house (the first long-distance call). Two years later the Press described it as a modern four-room frame dwelling on a concrete foundation. Before it the family had lived for sixteen years in "a cabin of sawed logs."
After the season
Nunnelley also ran a threshing crew that fall. In early October Robert Angle, who had been running the mill, took Nunnelley's "big engine" back to Bull Canyon. On November 11 the column reported that "W. A. Nunnelly has started his saw mill again and will saw as long as the weather permits," and that Emmett Lee and Bob Stott had been logging that week.
In the spring of 1916 the Bull Canyon mill burned, with about 16,000 feet of lumber (the Nunnelley mill fire). In June 1916 the Arbon column reported that "Jack Payne moved his engine up to his sawmill and will soon commence sawing." This was probably John Payne, who was also known as Jack. In March 1917 Mrs. E. A. Logan's history of the valley reported that "Two saw mills are doing good business," and wrote of "John Payne, an old engineer," who owned "a good farm and a good saw mill in Knox canyon." She credited William A. Nunnelley and others whose names the scan scrambles (apparently David Ripley and the Dawson brothers) with making it possible for the valley's farmers "to erect many new buildings."
The article as printed
American Falls Press, April 29, 1915, page 4. Transcribed from the page scan's digitized text, checked against the clipping for the opening lines. The last three items are jumbled at the foot of the column in the digitized text and are given in the order their lines most likely ran; the paragraph breaks are supplied.
ARBON NEWS.
Mr. John Payne has been suffering from a dislocated shoulder. A horse kicked or crowded against him in some way a few days ago, throwing his shoulder out of place. His injury was so painful he was unable to run his engine at the sawmill. Mr. Frank [illegible] Jones took charge for a few days until Mr. Payne was a little better.
From the appearance of the large quantity of logs at the mill there will be a considerable amount of building this year in Arbon.
Two of Arbon's popular young couples joined the throng of wedded bliss a few days ago.
Miss Ruth Evans, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Evans, of this place was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Mr. Jess Keeler on Thursday, April 8th, at Pocatello, Idaho. Mr. Keeler has a homestead here where they expect to make their home. Mr. and Mrs. Keeler spent a few days in Salt Lake City, returning here Wednesday the 14th. A wedding reception was given by the friends of the young couple at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Evans, the bride's parents, the same evening. An excellent supper was served. They received many beautiful gifts. Mrs. Keeler was formerly telephone operator here.
Another wedding of interest was that of Miss Stella Johnson and Mr. Melvin Bailey, which occurred at Salt Lake City, April 8. After a few days spent in Salt Lake City they visited in Pocatello, where the bride's mother resides. They will make their home on Mr. Bailey's homestead, where Mr. Bailey recently built a fine dwelling. The best wishes of the friends of both young couples are [illegible] on their journey through life.
A delightful social gathering was had by the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Bailey, when they met at the home of the groom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Bailey, Tuesday evening April 13 and surprised the young couple who had just returned from Salt Lake City. An elaborate luncheon was served at a late hour.
We have had several good rains here the past week which has done the fall and spring grain an abundance of good. There has been a large acreage of spring grain sown this year and the dry farmers are looking for more rains and good crops.
Mr. T. Donnelly arrived a few days ago from Dayton, Wash, and expects to start a stock ranch and also to seed a number of acres this spring. Mr. Donnelly has many friends here as there is quite a settlement of Washington people here.
At the school election held in district No. 12, at the Central schol, Monday, April 19, Mr. Add Affleck was elected trustee, Mr. Allard's term having expired. The school board is now composed of Mr. J. E. Keeler, clerk, Mr. John Bullock and Mr. Add Affleck. Various matters of business were voted upon. There will be two or three school wagons employed to bring the children to and from school. Arbon is [illegible] four schools now, one known as the Pauline school, the Central school, the Valley View school and the school held in the Congregational church, about nine miles from the Central schol.
Dell Dalton was a visitor in Pocatello a few days ago on business.
Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Ferguson have returned from several weeks' sightseeing at the world's fair at San Francisco.
Alfalfa is looking good for this time of the year.
The gophers are beginning to be quite numerous in this locality.
Mr. Conrad [illegible] has rented eighty acres of Brig [illegible] and is busy breaking the sod.
"Clean-up" day was observed on Friday, April 23 at the Central school. A general clean-up was made of the school grounds and a delicious lunch was served to the workers.
The Raleigh agent is in town displaying and taking orders for their teas, coffees, etc.
J. R. [illegible], road overseer, is doing some splendid work on the roads in this district.
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Bailey were in Pocatello a few days ago on business.
[illegible] is putting in a large acreage of spring grain.
V. [illegible] Randall has returned from old Kentucky where he has been for some time. He thinks Idaho is good enough for him.
Now is when the farmers ought to get busy to rid their fields of June grass and weeds that prove so fatal to their crops.
The Sunday school which met at the Valley View school house last year, reorganised a few weeks ago. It will be a union school. The name has not been selected yet. Mr. Bramstedt was elected superintendent. The attendance last Sunday was good and we hope it will so continue. The hour of meeting is ten o'clock. Come and bring your friends.
Mr. Lester J. [illegible] and Ida R. Whitaker were married at Pocatello last week. They are well known here. Congratulations.
Miss [illegible] returned to Elkhorn, Idaho, the 27th after a visit here with her pareents.
Mr. [illegible] Hatley of Samaria, came over in his car for a few hours the other day.
On this site: the first sawmill, which lists the valley's later mills, and the Summit and Arbon area histories.
Sources
- American Falls Press, April 29, 1915, page 4
- American Falls Press, May 6, 1915, page 4
- American Falls Press, May 13, 1915, page 8
- American Falls Press, May 20, 1915, page 8
- American Falls Press, June 3, 1915, page 4
- American Falls Press, June 17, 1915, page 1
- American Falls Press, July 8, 1915, page 1
- American Falls Press, July 15, 1915, page 1
- American Falls Press, August 12, 1915, page 4
- American Falls Press, August 12, 1915, page 5
- American Falls Press, September 2, 1915, page 1
- American Falls Press, September 2, 1915, page 8
- American Falls Press, September 16, 1915, page 2
- American Falls Press, October 14, 1915, page 6
- American Falls Press, November 11, 1915, page 5
- American Falls Press, December 2, 1915, page 3
- American Falls Press, December 9, 1915, page 1
- American Falls Press, June 1, 1916, page 1
- American Falls Press, June 22, 1916, page 8
- American Falls Press, March 29, 1917, page 7
- American Falls Press, December 14, 1917, page 3