YANKEE FORK
&
LOON CREEK
GRAVE SITES
H. Arthur Packard
GRAVE SITES OF YANKEE FORK AND
LOON CREEK MINING DISTRICTS
Published by the
IDAHO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
POB 1854
BOISE ID 83701-1854
Send corrections and additional information to the address above.
Revised 2002 May 14
YANKEE FORK GRAVE SITES
1
AND CEMETERIES
GREENWOOD GRAVE SITE
Near summit on Old Toll Road from Challis to Custer
(someone has started calling it the Custer Motor Way or some fool name no one ever heard of before)
Keene, Robert
Born about 1859 in Iowa, son of Charles A. Keenes and Harriet C. Mitchell.
Died 1889 spring, at Greenwood Station.
Grave said to be marked but not found by author.
Was harnessing a horse at Tollgate when he was kicked and badly injured. Taken to nearby Greenwood Station where he died and
was buried.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census, Silver Messenger 1909 April 6; McGown & Southwick nd; Edna McGown pc).
CUSTER CEMETERY
Half a mile above Custer, just above Swift’s Gulch, on left side of road when going upriver. Watch for picket fences.
Davis, John D.
Austrian.
Died 1904 February 12 near Bonanza from injuries and suffocation in a snow slide on trail to Charles Dickens Mine.
(McGown in Yarber 1963:180; Prospector nd; Idaho Statesman 1904 February 26; Southwick & McGown 1978a; Nelson 1990:330;
gs).
Lang, John
Born 1849 in New York.
Died 1881 January 19 near Custer of injuries and suffocation in a snow slide off Baldy Mountain.
Carried the mail. Name also spelled Laing, Llang or Lliang. Lost note in Friends of Custer file says it should be Lang. Lang used in
Silver Messenger 1890 November 2.
(McGown in Yarber 1963:33;Silver Messenger 1890 November 2; McGown & Southwick 1978a; Nelson 1990:330).
Lomas, T.D.
Austrian.
Died 1904 February 12 near Bonanza of injuries and suffocation in a snow slide on trail to Charles Dickens Mine.
(McGown in Yarber 1963:180; Prospector & Silver Messenger 1904 February 2; McGown & Southwick 1978a; Nelson 1990:330).
Shultz, Baby boy
Born at Custer to Michael and Minnie Shultz.
Died at Custer, age about one year.
(gs;1880 Idaho Territorial Census; McGown in Yarber 1963:32-3; McGown & Southwick 1987a); Nelson 1990:330.
Sprague, H. - Colonel
Born about 1825.
Died 1880, age about 55 or 60 (Forest Service replacement head board). Age 85 or so (Nelson 1990:330. She read the original
marker in 1958 or earlier).
Thompson, Julian
Born 1880 October in Custer, son of George B. Thompson and Belle W. Rily.
Died 1881 April 18 at Custer of convulsions.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; McGown in Yarber 1963:33; McGown & Southwick 1978a; Nelson 1990:330; gs).
Zeller, Henry
Born about 1830.
Died August 1880 , suicide, age 50.
(Yankee Fork Herald nd; Challis Messenger 1880 Aug 21; McGown & Southwick 1978a; Nelson 1990:330).
CUSTER SCHOOL HOUSE MEMORIAL SITE
Johnson, Josephine
2
Johnson, Anne
Johnson, Ulga
Born in Sweden, daughters of Nels Johnson and Mary Larson (Larsdoter) and came to the US in 1878.
Died 1890 February 2 of injuries and suffocation when a snow slide buried their family home opposite the slide chute near the
Custer Mill.
Memorial site immediately behind the schoolhouse. A clipping found in their mother’s purse after her death says they were bur ied
across from the mill opposite a canyon. An old photograph shows a white blur in that position that could be a white picket fence.
Behind a schoolhouse is a curious site to choose for a memorial. It is thought that an early investigator, unfamiliar with th e concept
of pit toilets, mistook the resulting depressions for graves.
(McGown in Yarber 1963:1,20; Forest Service replacement head board; McGown pc; misc. notes in Custer Museum files; Anita
Southwick, pc).
CUSTER MIDTOWN GRAVE SITE
Near flagpole in Custer.
Unknown
Died 1880 July 4.
During flag raising ceremonies, ropes of the flagpole atop the General Custer Mill became tangled. Other versions of the story
mention the Miner’s Union Hall. A young man volunteered to climb the pole. The pole broke and he was buried where he fell.
Customarily, 4th of July ceremonies were held at the Miner’s Hall, which would put it in midtown Custer, where the grave is said to
be.
(McGown in Yarber 1863:43).
BONANZA CEMETERY
Take road past Forest Service Guard Station in Bonanza. Keep going until you get there.
Ah Sam
Born in China.
Died 1894 in Custer, shot by Ah See, cook from Black’s Mine.
Bones probably returned to China.
Cook at Montana Mine.
(Silver Messenger 1894 September 11; McGown in Yarber 1963:).
Ah Young
Born in China.
Died 1900 June 4, heart attack, at dredge on Stanley Creek.
Cook at Stanley Dredge. Buried there, later exhumed and moved to Bonanza Cemetery. Bones possibly returned to China.
Received residence certificate # 136652 signed at Helena, Montana.
(Coroners inquest).
Anderson, Chris
Born about 1850 in Sweden (McGown & Southwick 1978b).
Born 1848 in Germany, father born in Norway (1900 Idaho Census).
Died 1903 December 9 at Lucky Boy Mine.
Custer pioneer.
(1900 Idaho Census; Silver Messenger 1903 December 15; McGown & Southwick 1978b:1).
Armstrong, John - Johnny
Born 1850 June 25, England.
Died 1880 August in an explosion at Summit Mine.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census;Yankee Fork Herald 1880 August).
Baird, Edward
Born about 1837.
Died 1897 June 3, age 60, in Custer (near Bonanza McGown & Southwick), suicide by gunshot.
3
Old-timer in the area. Had been a soldier (probably Civil War)
(Southwick & McGown 1978b:6; Silver Messenger 1897 June 3; Southwick & McGown 1978b:6).
Barker / Barber, Martin
Born 1854, Bash County, Kentucky.
Died 1889 March 25, Nevada House, Custer, of spinal meningitis.
Prospected Sheep Mountain and Seafoam areas. Owned Vanity, Mountain King, Ella Day, MKH and other claims.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; unidentified newspaper clippings in Custer Museum files, presumed to be Yankee Fork Herald or
Silver Messenger ; Southwick & McGown 1978b:1).
Bellamy, Harry
Born 1852, Ireland.
Died 1912 December 2 at Custer.
Quartz miner, foreman of Lost Packer and Montana mines.
(1900 Idaho Census; Southwick & McGown 1978b:1).
Benefield, Emma
Born 1843 in Iowa.
Married John R. Benefield.
Children: Emma May
Died 1880 October 13
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; Southwick & McGown 1978b:1; Jim Ivers pc).
Benerelli, Eliza Emma
Married J.R.Benerelli.
Died 1880 October 13.
Name appears to have come from reading of a decayed headboard and is the only record known for this name. Possibly same as
above.
(headboard in Southwick & McGown 1978b:1)
Burton, Estella M. Stowell - Stella
Born 1851 October 23 in Connecticut.
Married James W. Burton in Utah.
Children: Mabel Estella
Winifred E.
William
Grace
Died 1903 May 1 at Custer. Services read at the Miner’s Union Hall by Margaret McGowan, teacher.
Ran Burton Rooming House and Restaurant.
(1900 Idaho Census; coroners inquest; Southwick & McGown 1978b;1; obit. probably Silver Messenger 1903 May 5).
Burton, James W.
Born about 1840.
Married Estella M. Stowell in Utah.
Died 1895 November 21 in Bonanza (Bonanza Grave Sites says Custer) of blood poisoning after being scratched while unloading a
trunk.
Merchant; postmaster; GAR Lincoln Post #15 of Challis.
(Silver Messenger 1895 November 26; McGown & Southwick 1978b:1; McGown pc).
Carroll, John
Possibly born about 1835 in Ireland.
Died 1893 April 13.
Of Bonanza, may be buried in Bonanza or Challis.
May have been in Placerville as early as 1863; probably the I. Carroll (hand written I and J frequently not distinguished) of the Loon
Creek gold rush; owned the Daniel O’ Connell.
4
(1863 Poll List; 1870,1880 Idaho Territorial Census; McGown & Southwick 1978b:6; Custer Historical Data, Mines and Mining
book).
Cary, Michael - Mike
Born 1850, Ireland
Died 1897 October 21 in Custer.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; Silver Messenger 1897 November 2; McGown & Southwick 1978b:1).
Cearley, James L., Captain - Jim
Born 1839 in North Carolina.
Married Emma J. Wilmett in Camas Prairie, Idaho County, Idaho
Territory.
Children: Elmer M.
Clifford
Ethel
Albert
James Jr.
Lena L.
Grover C.
Edward L.
Oscar W.
Died 1902 March 17 at Gladys, in a cave-in at the Lucky Boy Mine.
William Bowen, president of the Western Federation of Miners #54 conducted graveside services
.
Rode Pony Express in Humboldt Nevada; in Idaho as early as 1863; Lieutenant of volunteers in Nez Pierce War, took command
when captain killed and commissioned to rank of captain. Rancher; quartz miner.
(1863 Poll List; 1870, 1880 Idaho Territorial Census; 1900 Idaho Census; gs; coroners inquest; McGown in Yarber 1963:124 -7;
Silver Messenger 1902 April 1; McGown & Southwick 1978b:2).
Cearley, James Jr. - Jimmie
1881 July, son of James L. Cearley and Emma Wilmett.
Died 1937 May 8 in Bonanza of silicosis while sitting in his chair in front of the small cabin at the lower end of Bonanza. H ad been a
quartz miner since he was 16 or possibly younger; Clayton Silver mines in later years
(pay check for 1897 August 31 in Custer Museum files; gs; death certificate; McGown & Southwick 1978b:1; Jim, Cliff and Lucille
Pierce pc).
Centauras, Henry
Born 1847, Hanover Germany.
Died 1921 July 16, in Custer.
Mined along the Salmon River from Sunbeam Dam to Burnt Creek. Made a stake and returned to Germany where it was reported
the fortune was taken away by authorities. He returned to Idaho and began mining again to make another fortune
(1870 Idaho Territorial Census; death certificate; gs; McGown & Southwick 1978b:1; Edna McGown pc).
Centauras, Herman
Born 1849, Hanover Germany.
Married Margaret Myers in 1878.
Died 1923 in Custer.
Had a dairy in Custer and a claim up Muley Creek; watchman at General Custer Mill.
(1900, 1910 Idaho Census; death certificate; McGown in Yarber 1963:45,97; Bill Sullivan pc, Custer Historical Data file #2; McGown
& Southwick 1978b:1).
Centauras, Margaret Myres
Born 1855 March 28 in Hamburg Germany, daughter of William Myers.
Married Herman Centauaras in 1878.
Children: Annie
Mary/May
Otto
William
Died 1929 May 1 in Challis of pneumonia.
5
Came to US age 17; came to Custer about 1887.
(1900, 1910 Idaho Census; gs; death certificate; Silver Messenger 1900 September 25; McGown & Southwick 1978b:1; Edna
McGown pc).
Centauras, Mary / May
Born 1882 October 23 in Prussia.
Died 1900 September 18, age 17, in Custer, of typhoid fever.
(1900 Idaho Census; gs; death certificate;Silver Messenger 1900 September 25; McGown & Southwick 1978b:2; Edna McGown
pc).
Ceramelini, Andrea (Scaramelini in McGown & Southwick 1978:4)
Born in Italy.
Died 1910 July 8 in the Sunbeam Mine.
The airshaft of the Sunbeam Mine plugged with ice and snow. Andrea climbed up from inside and placed a charge of black powder
at the plug. He miscalculated the time necessary to reach safety and was killed in the explosion
(gs; McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Silver Messenger 1910 July 19; McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Giampedraglia pc).
Cereghino, Joseph
Born 1848 in Italy.
Died 1905 October 31 in Bonanza of consumption (TB).
(1900 Idaho Census; Challis Messenger 1905 November 7; McGown & Southwick 1978b:2).
Cirigino, Joe
Killed in Sunbeam Mine cave in “last week” but no date given. No place of burial mentioned in newspaper.
(Silver Messenger nd; McGown & Southwick 1978b:6).
Claude, Joseph
Born 1834.
Died 1879 September 15, age 45, explosion and falling rock in Golconda Mine near Bonanza.
First death at Golconda Mine.
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:2).
Clawson, Calvin C.
Born 1840 in Lancaster Pennsylvania.
Married Czarina Llewellyn 1858 April 28 in Monial Wisconsin.
Died 1911 May 15 at home just above the mouth of Jordan Creek.
1864 with Jim Bridger through the Big Horn & Yellowstone countries; 1866 crossed the plains with an ox team (Greene says 1859 possibly both true); 1878 came to Custer; operated assay office; edited Yankee Fork Herald and wrote for Silver Messenger.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; 1900 Idaho Census; death certificate; coroners inquest; McGown & Southwick 1978b:2; McGown in
Yarber 1963; Green 1987:7-11).
Clawson, Czarina Llewellyn
Born 1840 January 29, Morgantown West Virginia, daughter of Joseph Llewellyn and Louisa Fry.
Born 1840 in New York.
Married Calvin C. Clawson 1858 April 28 in Monial Wisconsin.
Children: Llewellyn
Died 1905 February 14, at home just above the mouth of Jordan Creek.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; coroners inquest; McGown in Yarber 1963; McGown & Southwick 1978b:2; Green 1987:7-11).
Clendennen / Cleudeuuin, Theodore - Theo
Born 1843, Kentucky.
Died 1899 February in Custer, of silicosis.
Came to Custer about 1884.
(Challis Messenger 1899 February 14).
Crafts, Trevor
Born 1891 September, son of Myron Crafts and Fannie Hays King.
Died before 1889, in Custer.
6
Father owned Black’s Mine. First child born in Custer.
(School records; McGown in Yarber 1963:34).
Crogen, A.M.
Died 1896.
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:2).
Cross, Julius W.
Born 1865 October, in Indiana.
Married Nellie Thomas, widow of E.N Thomas.
Died 1905 December 2, in bed, of apoplexy.
General stores in Custer and Ives; prospector; postmaster in Custer.
(1900 Idaho Census; Challis Messenger 1905 November 28; Silver Messenger 1905 December 12; McGown & Southwick 1978b:2;
Gladys Pfeiffer Smith interview 1975 March 6, Custer Museum).
Davenport, Alice Leona
Born 1928 January 2, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, daughter of James E. Davenport and Mabel L. Fawcett.
Died 1935 September 12, in Hailey, of blood poisoning.
Lived with her Lightfoot grandparents in Bonanza. Cut her foot while visiting her parents in Clayton. It became infected and she was
taken to Hailey to see a doctor. Died there that night at 11:45 PM.
Funeral services by Forest Service personnel from CCC Camp at Bonanza.
(death certificate; Jim, Cliff & Lucille Pierce pc; Edna McGown pc;).
DeLavallie / LaValle, Geoffrey Poquette
Born 1820 March in Canada.
Widowed, wife not known to have come to the Yankee Fork.
Died 1905 November 19 near Bonanza of injuries from a fall at his sawmill.
Had sawmill on West Fork; wagon maker.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; 1900 Idaho Census; McGown in Yarber 1963:37; McGown & Southwick 1978b:2).
Dudley, John P.
Born about 1844 in Kentucky (1900 Idaho Census). Born about 1847.
Divorced.
Died 1907 March 14 in Custer
Lived 30 years in Custer; Custer County commissioner; carpenter and quartz miner.
(1900 Idaho Census; Silver Messenger 1907 March 17; McGown & Southwick 1978b:2; Bart Nordling pc; Zelma Zieglar Gilmore
interview).
Dunn, Margaret - Biddy
Born 1856 in Ireland (Southwick & McGown 1978b:3).
Born 1869 in Massachusetts, parents born in Ireland (1900 Idaho Census).
Married William Dunn about 1888, possibly in Custer.
Died 1908 November 9 in Custer from cancer.
Came to US age 2; lived in Massachusetts; 1885 came to Custer; ran Nevada House.
(1900 Idaho Census; death certificate; Silver Messenger 1907 March 19 (date does not check with either her or his obit); McGown
in Yarber 1963:41; Southwick & McGown 1978b:3.
Dunn, William
Born 1843 in Chicago (Bonanza Grave Sites).
Born 1846 January in Illinois (1900 Idaho Census).
Married Margaret about 1888, possibly in Custer.
Died 1907 July 8 at the Nevada House in Custer (McGown & Southwick say July 6).
Came to Custer 1879.
(1900 Idaho Census; death certificate; Silver Messenger 1907 July 9; Edna McGown notes; McGown in Yarber 1963:20; McGown &
Southwick 1978b:3).
Duvall, John
Born 1833 in Missouri.
Died 1890 August 1 in Custer.
7
Miner.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; Idaho Statesman 1890 August 15).
Ernst / Ernest, Baby Girl
Born about 1899 in Bonanza, daughter of George A. Ernst and Susie Williams.
Died about 1899 in Bonanza
(Death certificate)
Geer / Greer, Jasper W.
Son of D. and M. Greer.
Died age 2 years, 5 months and 4 days
(Southwick & McGown 1978b:3; gs).
Geer / Greer, W.
Son of D. and M. Greer.
Died 4 years and 9 months old.
(Southwick & McGown 1978b:3; gs).
Hardy, George
Born about 1867.
Died 1902 August 5, suicide by pocket knife at Hartford Mine.
(Silver Messenger 1902 August 8; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3; Bart Nordling pc; Zelma Zieglar Gilmore pc).
Harvey, John
Born 1843 January in Maine.
Married Louise Bence 1909 December 26 in Bonanza .
Died 1917 in Custer.
Quartz miner; partner with William Rankin in Rankin Creek claims.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; 1910 Idaho Census; McGown in Yarber 1963:139-141; Carrie Casto Williams interview 1975 March
6 in Custer Museum files; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3; Custer County Book of Marriages #1 in McGown & Southwick 1978b:3).
Harvey, Louise Bence - French Louise
Born about 1849 in France.
Married 1. possibly LaSalle &/or Bence.
Married 2. John Harvey 1909 December 26 in Bonanza .
Died 1911 November (Silver Messenger; 1909 in other sources which is probably incorrect).
Came to Custer as housekeeper for Judge Arthur R. Smith; ran Nine Mile House; owned Pine Grove Hotel and Saloon in Upper
Sunbeam.
(1910 Idaho Census; clipping, probably Silver Messenger 1911 November; McGown in Yarber 1963:139-41; McGown & Southwick
1978b:3; Custer County Book of Marriages #1 in McGown & Southwick 1978b:3).
Heins, George
Died 1898 September 17 in Custer
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:3; Silver Messenger 1898 September 27; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3).
Holems, Johnson
Died 1897 February 16 at Gladys, in an explosion in the Lucky Boy Mine caused by “defective fuse”.
Part of a crew of strikebreakers brought in from Park City Utah in 1894 when Custer Miner’s Union went on strike. No record of
burial so may be buried elsewhere.
(Challis Messenger 1897 March 2).
Jarvis, Ethel Cearley - Ethie
Born 1876 September, possibly in Mount Idaho area, daughter of Captain James Cearley and Emma J. Wilmett.
Married Henry Brad Jarvis about 1899.
Child: Claude, born 1900 March.
Died 1902 August 25 in Custer.
(1900 Idaho Census; Challis Messenger 1902 September 2; McGown in Yarber 1963:126; Jim, Cliff and Lucile Pierce pc).
Jarvis, Jessie
8
Born 1879
Died 1897 April 3 in Custer. Fell and hit her head on a rock.
(Silver Messenger nd).
Johnson, Kathy
Born 1880 July 6 in Custer, daughter of Peter Johnson and Annie Ryan.
Died about 1891, age 11.
(Yankee Fork Herald 1880 July 10; Belle Thompson notes in Custer Historical Data #1, also oral history tapes; McGown in Yarber
1963:).
Knapp, Henry M.
Born 1823 in Florida.
Died 1909 December 2 at Sunbeam on Jordan Creek, of senility, age 76.
(Census?; death certificate; Silver Messenger 1909 December 7; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3).
Laundry, George
Born 1849 June in Maine.
Died 1905 March 3 in Custer of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Sawmill and small mine owner
(1900 Idaho Census; McGown in Yarber 1963:37; Silver Messenger 1902 September 30; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3; Custer
Historical Data, Mines and Mining).
Lanyon, William - Banjo Bill
Died 1897 October 20 in Custer
(Silver Messenger 1897 November 2 in McGown & Southwick 1978b:3; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3)
Lee, John H.
Born 1847 July in Illinois.
Married but wife not known to have come to the Yankee Fork.
Died 1888 January 24 in Custer.
Came to Custer from Rocky Bar; general store in Custer.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; Yankee Fork Herald 1(46):2; Edna McGown notes; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3).
Lynch, James
Born 1851.
Died 1896 January 8 in Custer from silicosis.
(Silver Messenger nd)
Maxwell, Rufus A.
Born in Missouri, son of Samuel H. Maxwell.
Died 1880 August 22.
(Silver Messenger 1880 August 28).
McAllister, Daniel
Born 1854 in Ireland.
Died 1897 June in Custer.
Miner.
(Silver Messenger nd)
McCauley, John
Born 1836 in Ireland.
Died 1899 November 23.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; Challis Messenger 1899 November 29).
McCullough, Peter
Born about 1873 in Indiana.
Died 1906 January 16 at Sunbeam from injuries and suffocation in a snow slide near Montana Mine. Not found for three days
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:3; Challis Messenger 1906 January 30; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3).
9
McGovern, Thomas
Born 1851 in Massachusetts of Irish parents.
Died 1909 November 19.
Lived on Yankee Fork for thirty years; had High Tariff, Union, Maggie and Dewey claims on Fourth of July Creek.
(Probate records)
McMahon, William
Born about 1870 in California.
Died 1906 January 16 from injuries and suffocation in a snow slide near Montana Mine. Not found for three days
(probate records; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3; Challis Messenger 1906 January 30; McGown & Southwick 1978b:3;).
McNab, John
Born 1852 in Texas.
Died 1897 May 20.
(Silver Messenger 1897 May 25).
McNaughton, Charles - Thomas
Born 1867 in Belfast Ireland.
Died 1907 March 6 in Custer at the Nevada House.
Resident of Custer for eighteen years.
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Silver Messenger 1907 March 19 in McGown & Southwick 1978b:4).
MacNamer/ Macnamar, Timothy
Born 1829 August in Baltimore Maryland.
Died 1910 July 12 in Bonanza.
Quartz miner.
(1870,1880 Idaho Territorial Census; 1900 Idaho Census; Silver Messenger 1910 July 12; McGown & Southwick 1978b:4).
Moore, John
Born 1840 December 16 in New York.
Died 1883 July 2 in Stanley.
In Loon Creek gold rush, mined there in 1870s; mined at Stanley; estate sold the Yellow Jacket, Red Jacket, Blue Jacket mining
claims to A.P.Challis and Henry Sturkey 1888 May 5.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; probate records; McGown & Southwick 1978b;4).
Morler / Moler, Christian
Born 1845 in Germany.
Died 1899 November 9 in Custer (Challis Messenger 1889 November 21). McGown in Yarber says died in Spokane of stomach
cancer.
In Loon Creek gold rush; came to Bonanza in 1877; foreman, later superintendent, of General Custer Mine and Mill; Custer Cou nty
treasurer
(Challis Messenger 1889 November 21; McGown in Yarber 1963:39,118-9).
Mullen, John
Born 1847 January 1847 in Ireland.
Died 1907 March 26 in Custer of silicosis.
Came to US at age of two; grew up in Brooklyn, New York; in Loon Creek gold rush; prospector and miner. He gave a different age
in each census.
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Silver Messenger 1907 April 2; McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Yarber 1963:).
Murphy, William
Died 1900 December 12 in Custer, suicide with “borrowed” gun from McGowan’s Saloon. Lived in upper end of Custer .
10
(Coroners inquest).
Murray, William
Suicide during week before Christmas, in Custer, probably in 1900.
Place of burial not given, probably Bonanza.
(Silver Messenger ,1900 December 25; McGown & Southwick 1978b:6).
Ollson, Charlie
Died 1880 September 5. Fell from framework of Custer Mill four days earlier.
Came to Yankee Fork from California .
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Yankee Fork Herald 1880 September 5; McGown & Southwick 1978b:4).
Olsen, George
Born 1877 August in Sweden.
Died 1900 November 3, crushed in a cave in at the Lucky Boy Mine near Custer
(1900 Idaho Census; Challis Messenger 1900 November 13; McGown & Southwick 1978b:4).
Olson, Nels
Died 1905 January in Custer of stomach cancer.
Had ranch on Warm Springs Creek.
(probate records; Challis Messenger 1905 January 31).
Pierce, Clifford C.
Born 1908 in Montana, son of James Chester Pierce.
Married Lucille Shoemaker of Clayton 1935 January 31.
Died 1992 January 26 at Anaconda Montana. Ashes and memorial only.
(Challis Messenger 1935 January; Jim Pierce pc).
Pierce, Clifford L.
Born in Bonanza, son of Clifford C. Pierce and Lucille Shoemaker.
Died 1936 July 17 in Bonanza.
(gs; McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Jim, Clif & Lucille Pierce pc ).
Pierce, James Chester
Born 1873 November 2 in Montana
Married Sarah J.?
Died 1935 July 30 in Bonanza, suicide because of extremely painful cancer
Had mentioned to his son “If I hadn’t been a man in this country, I would have liked to have been a tree”. Now a pine tree grows
from where his heart was buried. His family half believed the tree was fulfillment of the old man’s wishes.
(gs; McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Jim, Cliff & Lucille Pierce pc).
Pierce, Lucille Shoemaker
Married Clifford C. Pierce 1935 January 31.
Children: Clifford L.
Shirley Mae
Jim
Died 1991 March 31 in Challis. Ashes and memorial only.
(Challis Messenger 1935 January; gs).
Pierce, Sarah J.
Born 1887 January 19.
Married James Chester Pierce?
Children: Clifford C.
Died 1953 August 22 in Bonanza
11
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Jim, Cliff & Lucille Pierce pc).
Pierce, Shirley Mae
Born 1935 in Bonanza, daughter of Clifford C. Pierce and Lucille Shoemaker.
Died 1935 November 29 in Bonanza.
(gs; McGown & Southwick 1978b:4; Jim, Cliff & Lucille Pierce pc)
Poquette, Jeremiah - Jerry
Died 1905 November 29 in Bonanza (Silver Messenger 1905 September 23 in McGown & Southwick 1978b:4).
Lived across Yankee Fork from Jerry’s Creek, named for him. Kept freight station at Jerry’s Creek
(1900 Idaho Census; probate records; McGown in Yarber 1963; Challis Messenger 1905 October 3; McGown & Southwick
1978b:4).
Rapp, Benjamin Franklin - Frank
Born 1841 December in Pennsylvania.
Died 1901 October 28 on Basin Creek near Stanley.
In Loon Creek gold rush; operated livery stable in Bonanza; claims in Joe’s Gulch near Stanley; postmaster in Stanley when he died.
His friends each claimed he owed them differing amounts when he died and collected the same from his estate. This was a
common practice at the time among close friends as can be seen in the county probate records.
(1870, 1880, 1900 Idaho Territorial Census; McGown in Yarber 1963:109; Silver Messenger 1901 October 5; McGown & Southwick
1978b:4; McGown 1983:66).
Reece, Elmer
Born in Pennsylvania, son of David Reece.
Died 1882 June 8 of scarlet fever.
William Hyde, owner of the Lucky Boy Mine, hired Elmer, age 10-12, to teach him to play snookers. The next day Elmer came down
with scarlet fever. Mr. Hyde caught it from him and they both died.
(Farms 1988).
Riley, James
Died suddenly 1897 February 19 in Custer .
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:4).
Romer, Silas
Born 1852 July, in Ohio.
Died 1903 October 4 of injuries and suffocation in a snow slide between Custer and Sunbeam Mine.
Carried mail monthly in winter between Custer, Sunbeam Mine, and Loon Creek. When a child became sick at Sunbeam and
needed medicine from Custer, Silas, against his better judgment, volunteered to make the trip. He made it to Custer but was c aught
by a snow slide on the return trip. The child is said to have recovered anyway.
His hat hung in a tree for many years to mark the spot where he died, a memorial to a local hero. Place of burial not recorde d,
probably Bonanza.
(1900 Idaho Census; Edna McGown pc; McGown in Yarber 1963:;
Steel, James E.J.
Born about 1835 in Ohio.
Died 1880 March 4 in Bonanza, of cold and fever.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census Mortality Schedule; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5).
Steen, James M.
Born about 1862 in St. Clair, New Brunswick.
Died 1900 June 12 in Bonanza of Bright’s disease.
Worked for Morrison at Jordan Creek; later owned the Morrison claims by 1895
(Custer County Death Register 1907-1911; Silver Messenger 1900 June 19; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5).
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Stratton, Jacob H.
Born about 1836 in Virginia.
Died 1906 June 11 in Custer of pneumonia.
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:5; Silver Messenger 1906 July 24; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5).
Sullivan, Child
Born 1887 in Custer, child of Michael Sullivan.
Died 1889 March 15 in Custer.
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:5; Silver Messenger 1909 March 16; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5; Bill Sullivan pc)
Sullivan, Daniel
Born 1870 in Michigan
Died 1904 May 5 in Custer of pneumonia .
(Challis Messenger 1904 May 4).
Swensson, F.O.
Died 1880 November.
(McGown & Southwick 1978b:5).
Swensson, Johanna
Born about 1842 in Sweden.
Married F.O.Swenson.
Died 1880 September 28 in Bonanza. Services by Rev. John F. Taylor.
Owned Franklin Hotel.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; gs; McGown in Yarber 1963:; Yankee Fork Herald in McGown & Southwick 1978b:5).
Taylor, Edna
Born 1875 in Minnesota, daughter of Rev. John F. and Rose D. Taylor Died 1879 November 5 in Bonanza of scarlet fever .
First natural death in Custer.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census Mortality Schedule; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5;Yankee Fork Herald 1879 December ).
Taylor, John
Born in China
Died 1904 April 24 in February at his cabin in Custer near the Miner’s Union Hall.
Placer miner and gambler.
While the coffin was being transported from Custer, it slipped off the bobsled and slid down the hill. There it stayed until spring
made it possible to retrieve the coffin and proceed with the burial in the Chinese section. Bones may have been returned to China.
(Edna McGown notes; McGown in Yarber 1963:143; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5).
Terry, Mike
Died 1887 October 21 in a cabin in Custer.
(Challis Messenger 1897 November 2)
Tully, Francis S. - Frank
Born in England (McGown & Southwick 1978b).
Born about 1825 in Wales (1880 Idaho Territorial Census).
Died 1898 March 21 in Custer
(McGown in Yarber 1963; Challis Messenger 1898 March 29; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5).
Turnbull, Anna
Born 1852, Ontario, Canada.
Married James W. Turnbull.
Died 1894 November 20 following childbirth at Bonanza (Silver Messenger says pneumonia).
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(McGown in Yarber 1963:; Silver Messenger 1894 November 11; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5).
Turnbull, Thomas
Born 1878
Died, ”a young man” in Bonanza
(Silver Messenger nd)
Vance, Darah J.
Born 1837
Died 1907 March 14
(Probate records).
Varney, Dudley B. - Captain
Born 1838 in New Hampshire.
Born 1837 November (1880 Idaho Territorial Census; 1900 Idaho Census) in Maine (1870 Census).
Died 1906 May 7 in Bonanza (Custer in McGown & Southwick 1978) from a spinal injury when a horse fell on him.
1864 with Jim Bridger through the Big Horn & Yellowstone countries; 1869 in Loon Creek gold rush; owned Montana Mine; 1878
Idaho Territorial legislature; in Custer for many years
(McGown in Yarber 1963:16; Silver Messenger 1906 May 15; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5).
Wilson, Jack J.
Born 1881 in Rarie, Idaho.
Died 1933 February 10 in Bonanza of sickness and old age.
Lived on Yankee Fork for 30 years
(Coroners inquest signed by Jimmy Cearley and two Lightfoot brothers).
Wright, E.J. - Buck
Born about 1858 in Ireland.
Died 1900 September 27 in Custer, suicide by morphine.
(Coroners inquest; Silver Messenger 1900 October 2; McGown & Southwick 1978b:5)
BONANZA BOOT HILL
Hawthorne, Agnes Elizabeth King
Born about 1845 in London, England.
Married 1. Richard King.
2. Robert Hawthorne 1880 August 5.
Died 1880 August 11 in Bonanza, shot by unknown person.
(1880 Idaho Territorial Census; misc. notes in Custer Museum files; McGown in Yarber 1963:; gs).
Hawthorne, Robert
Married Agnes Elizabeth King 1880 August 5.
Died 1880 August 11 in Bonanza, shot by unknown person
(misc. notes in Custer Museum files; McGown in Yarber 1963:; gs).
King, Richard
Born in England.
Died 1879 July 14 in Bonanza.
Shot by Bill Dillon, his partner, over disagreement on sale of a city lot in Custer
Lizzie and Richard King blew into Bonanza one day and while Richard went into promoting building lots and materials, Lizzie g raced
the bar in the Franklin Hotel and promoted business. She did well enough that when Richard was shot by his partner, she had her
own cabin built and bought the bar across the street.
Meanwhile, according to tales told by some, Charles Franklin had fallen madly in love with Lizzie. He was crushed, when after all he
had done for her, she married Robert Hawthorne who had just come into town. Six days after the wedding, Lizzie and her new
husband were shot by an unknown assailant. Charles buried the newlyweds and left town to live in the Stanley Creek area where he
died of a supposed broken heart a few years later. Some say he was buried with her locket clasped in his hand.
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However, according to McGown in Yarber, he didn’t leave Bonanza until 1890, eleven years after his supposed heartbreak and
since he wasn’t found for some time after his death, it’s highly doubtful anyone spent much time investigating what he had in his
hand.
(misc. notes in Custer Museum files; McGown in Yarber 1963:165).
GRAVE SITES BELOW BONANZA
Unknown
Unconfirmed sighting in 1952 of two graves by Jennie Solberg on the south side of the ridge half a mile south of Bonanza. Graves
had Chinese markings
(Jennie Solberg pc).
Bonikson, Bill
Died probably 1952 on Rankin Creek.
Cabin door open, food still on the stove with the fire out, his favorite .222 rifle still leaning beside the door, but no sign of Bill. Body
has never been found. He had had trouble with two Stanley men living at Silver Creek. Some claim the two men evened the score
and hid the body in a mineshaft.
Unknown
Possible gravesite circled by rocks located one thousand feet upriver from Blind Creek and high to the west on a small flat just
above the old mining ditch. There was a death among the crew that dug the ditch but the newspaper account says he was buried at
Challis. Burial on Blind Creek makes better sense.
LOON CREEK GRAVE SITES
UPPER MAYFIELD CREEK GRAVE SITE
Gibson, Ike - Cougar Ike
Born about 1914.
Died 1968 on Mayfield Creek, suicide by dynamite.
Despondent when his high-grade tungsten mine wouldn’t sell, Cougar Ike sat on a box of dynamite and lit the fuse. His neighbors
knew something was wrong when his dogs showed up at their place without him. They investigated, found him blown to bits and
literally picked him out of the trees and placed him in the hole made by the dynamite.
(Tom Demurest of the Diamond D Ranch, pc).
IVERS CEMETERY
Breen, Frank
Born 1864, Massachusetts.
Died 1908 August 14 at Ivers, shot by Lee Warner because they were in love with the same girl.
McGown & Southwick say he was buried at Bonanza.
(McGown in Yarber 1963:136-72; McGown & Southwick 1978b:1; Silver Messenger 1908 August 25 in McGown & Southwick
1978b:1; Jim Ivers pc).
Devernordi, D.
Died 1905 of pneumonia.
(Challis Messenger 1905 May 18; probate records; Jim Ivers pc).
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Garritson, Erskine White - Gary
Born 1860 April 14, Statton Island, New York, son of Jacob C. Garritson and Harriet Ketchum.
Died 1927 of cerebral hemorrhage while shoveling snow off roof of the Ivers Mill.
Watchman for the Lost Packer Mine at the time of his death.
(probate records; Jim Ivers pc).
Metcalf, John H.
Born 1860 September 6, Vermont or Canada.
Married Hannah Johnson Malm about 1897, later divorced.
Died alone 1926 August 30 at Ivers of exposure and lack of food.
(1900,1910 Idaho State Federal Census; probate records; McGown & Southwick; Jim Ivers pc).
Osborne, Ralph Wise
Died after 1914 September 29 at Ivers when he choked on his false teeth.
Corporal in Company H, Battalion 2, US Cavalry in the Spanish American War; only gravestone in Ivers Cemetery
(Jim Ivers pc).
Talifero, (Martin or Arthur)
Died 1908 July 18 at Ivers from internal injury in an accident at the Lost Packer Mine.
(Silver Messenger 1908 June 23).
Unknown carpenter
Died in 1912, suicide by drowning in water tank at Ivers Mill
There is some thought that this may be Lee Warrens, a carpenter, that shot Frank Breen. If so, he may have had a bit of help in
committing suicide.
(McGown & Southwick ; Jim Ivers pc; Jim, Cliff & Lucille Pierce pc).
CASTO CEMETERY
Murray, Jack
Died 1907 May 5 at Casto from overdose of morphine.
(Silver Messenger 1907 May 14; probate records).
Rader, Andrew Jackson - Charlie
Born 1845, Missouri.
Died 1911 June 11 at Casto from inflammation of the bowels.
(1900, 1910 Idaho State Federal Census; Yankee Fork Herald nd; probate records).
CASTO GRAVE SITE
Alberts, Peter
Born 1842, Pennsylvania, of German parents.
Married Josephine Amanda Friedman Merritt, known as Cowboy Joe, in 1890.
Died in 1910 in Casto.
His cabin was on the small flat on the creek side of the road across from the present rock house in Casto. He was buried in his front
yard. Hugh Johnston, in a later mining operation, removed all traces of the grave
(1870,1880 Idaho Territorial Census; 1900,1910 Idaho State Federal Census; Jim Ivers pc; Green 1987:27-9 ).
ORO GRANDE CEMETERY
Haggart, Clagget
Died before 1872 in Oro Grande.
Not in 1870 census so may have died previous to that time.
16
He was a brewer; brother to Frank Haggart
(Silver Messenger nd).
Haggart, Frank
Born about 1839, he claimed in Italy.
Married Louise before 1870.
Children: Frank, born about 1869.
Louise, born about 1869 in Idaho Territory.
Died before 1872 in Oro Grande.
Brewer; brother to Clagget . In Loon Creek gold rush.
(1870 Idaho Territorial Census; Silver Messenger nd).
Foy, Tom
Died before 1872 in Oro Grande of consumption.
(Silver Messenger nd).
Unknown, a stranger
Died of consumption in Oro Grande
(Silver Messenger nd).
Unknown
Died in Oro Grande of injuries received from a falling stump
(Silver Messenger nd).
Unknown, a young man
Died in Oro Grande of pneumonia
(Silver Messenger nd).
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MIDDLE FORK AREA
Helmke, John C.
Born 1845 August, Germany.
Died 1925 June 17 of asthma.
(Silver Messenger nd).
Selmer, Ben
Born 1901 December 31, Wisconsin.
Died 1932 May 18 when he drowned in Loon Creek. Buried on Lovell Ranch.
Trapper and miner
(Silver Messenger nd; Bill Sullivan pc).
Greenlee, Claude
Drowned in the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. No record of burial
(Bill Sullivan pc).
FALCONBERRY RANCH GRAVE SITE
Dellen, Fred - Teddy
Born 1889, son of Christian Dellen and Anna Bahm.
Drowned in Loon Creek 1904 May 25, age 15. Buried at mouth of Sammie Creek at Norton Bar.
Parents operated Dellen Hotel in Bonanza .
(probate records; McGown & Southwick 1978b:2; Bonnie Sullivan Stillwell interview; Edna McGown pc; Randolph 1989:107)
SOLDER’S BAR GRAVE SITE
Eagan, Harry
Solder wounded during Sheepeater War. Attempted to amputate his leg but he died during the field operation. Said to be the on ly
solder in Idaho to be buried where he fell in battle.
(Brown 1971; Randolph 1989;44).
REFERENCES
Coroner’s inquest records
Custer Museum files, including interviews, oral history tapes, and Historical Data books, probably now located at headquarters of
Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center near Challis, Custer County, Idaho.
Custer County Book of Marriages, Custer County Courthouse on Main Street, Challis, Idaho.
Custer County Death Register 1907-1911, Custer County Courthouse on Main Street, Challis, Idaho.
Death certificate
School records, District offices in Middle School Building on Main Street, Challis Idaho.
Idaho State and Territorial Federal Census - 1870, 1880,1900, 1910.
Brown, William Carey 1971. The Sheepeater Campaign, Idaho, 1879. Facm. reprint, Shorey Book Store.
Demurest, Tom of the Diamond D Ranch, Custer County, Idaho.
Farms, Agusta Bixler 1988. The Letters of William Birelie Hyde. Privately printed. This may be difficult to find. There are, or have
been, copies at the Challis City Hall and library in Challis, Idaho.
Giampedraglia
Gilmore, Zelma Zieglar, Custer Museum files.
Green, Roberta 1987. They followed the Glory Trail. Privately printed.
Ivers, Jim Jr. Park City, Utah.
McGown, Edna Niece, 417 Altair Drive, Twin Falls ID, 83301.
McGown, Edna & Anita Southwick 1978b. Bonanza Grave Sites, Custer Museum files.
McGown, Edna & Anita Southwick 1978a. Custer Grave Sites, Custer Museum files.
Nelson, Marjory Ramey 1990. Footprints on Mountain Trails. Privately printed.
Nordling, Bart, deceased.
Pierce, Jim, Cliff and Lucille Shoemaker. Deceased.
Probate records, Custer County Courthouse on Main Street, Challis, Idaho.
Randolph, Julia I. 1989. This Quiet Ground. Privately printed.
Solberg, Jennie, deceased.
Stillwell, Bonnie Sullivan interview, Custer Museum files.
Sullivan, Bill, Challis, Idaho. Deceased.
Yarber, Esther 1963. Land of the Yankee Fork. Privately printed.
18