In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776 — and many years later a lawyer is born.

I hope everyone has been having a great weekend. In and around the barbecuing, baseball games, family gatherings and fireworks—take a moment to read and think what it is all about.

If you have been paying attention, you should know the "boy" in the excerpt below.

"The Fourth of July in Farmington began with a fanfare from the town's brass band, resplendent in gold and white, rumbling down Main Street in a wagon pulled by a four-horse team. Later, in a shady grove by the river, there'd be fried chicken, iced lemonade, a baseball match, fireworks at a recitation of the Declaration of Independence—and always a lawyer over from the county seat to deliver the patriotic oration.

The boy would see the lawyer's horse and buggy at the hotel in the morning, and think 'how nice they were, and how much money a lawyer must make.' When the visitor got up to speak, the boy noticed his 'nice clothes—a good deal nicer than those of farmers and other people who came to hear him talk—and his boots looked shiny, as if they had just been greased.' He talked very loud, 'and seemed to be mad about something, especially when he spoke of the war and the Bridish (sic), and he waved his hands and arms a great deal.' On he went in the midday sun, about the flag, and the G.A.R., and because our people were such great fighters,' and how they must be 'ready to fight and to die' for that flag. The farmers clapped their hands and said the lawyer was 'a mighty smart man' and 'could talk louder than anyone we had ever heard.' The boy thought 'what a great man he was, and how [he himself] should like to be a lawyer.'"

—above from Big Trouble by J. Anthony Lukas (p. 300-301)

Again this year I am posting the Declaration of Independence. See below. Nothing I could write would top it.

Read it if you haven't...Read it again if you have.

Click on the image below to use my Footnote.com viewer to examine and navigate this document.



Transcribed version located on last years post: The Declaration of Independence.

More food for thought...

Merciless Indian Savages

Interpreting the Declaration of Independence by Translation (Spanish, French, Italian, etc.)

Thomas Jefferson and the American Symphony

Why U.S. is not a Christian Nation

Wikipedia - Thomas Jefferson

Wikipedia - Declaration of Independence

7th & Main Street Caldwell, Idaho - Panorama

You have probably seen this familiar view on the blog before of the Caldwell Banking & Trust Company. Here is another of the 100+ year old postcards I recently picked up. They seem harder to find in recent years so I am happy to get an extra.

This particular card is postmarked Caldwell, Idaho April 10, 1906, a little over three months after the assassination of Governor Steunenberg. Along the side is written the message: "4/2/06 where I am today and will leave my surplus coin here." Click here to see the Automatic Teller and read more about saving your coins at the Caldwell Bank.

To go along with the above, I found this more rare double panorama card of the intersection at 7th and Main Street in Caldwell, Idaho. It is a printed and colored version patterned after the panorama photographs (here is one of Caldwell) that were popular in their day. I don't believe a lot of double cards were made due to the difficulty with mailing and most ended up separating or torn in half on the fold. First lesson of archiving, if you have a newspaper, post card or document that is folded, get it unfolded, flat and protected ASAP. This one has a weak fold with some slight separation but still holding pretty well. It was mailed to me...folded! Never again.

Click on the photos for enlarged views.

On the far left we get a peek of the 7th Street side of the Bank & Trust, going to the right we see the City Hall at what was then the far end of 7th Street, the Saratoga Hotel before the top floor addition was added, an Interurban car making its stop in front of the hotel and I believe what would be the I.O.O.F building on the far right. Someone correct me if I am wrong. At the opposite end of 7th Street from the City Hall would be the Old Train Station where it still sits today after a bit of restoration and refurbishing.

In addition to those cited above, you may remember a number of other blog posts related to this historic Caldwell, Idaho intersection.

7th and Main Street - Caldwell, ID

"Caldwell Commercial Bank, Caldwell, Idaho"

Caldwell Banking & Trust Co.

"Interurban cars running through Main Street of Caldwell"

COI Spotlight #3: The College of Idaho and Idaho’s Governors

You may not have yet noticed this new page on the College of Idaho (COI) website. It highlights those Idaho governors with historical ties to the COI.

The College of Idaho and Idaho’s Governors

First up on the list is Dr. Boone. He was never governor but is did run twice for the office and was of course the long time president of the COI. One of the other new items on the website is that you can now read the complete text of That Man Boone by H.H. Hayman. I have a copy of it on the bookshelf too.

The first governor on the list is Frank Steunenberg. Click on the picture below (or while on the above linked page) of a young Frank Steunenberg.
While you are on the archives website, browse the George L. Crookham Papers from the Steunenberg administration. Many letters and documents are available online related to mining and labor issues in Idaho during the late 1800's/early 1900's and the assassination of then Ex-governor Steunenberg in 1905.

Just under Frank you will find John T. Morrison, who played an important if not surprising roll in the Haywood Trial that you can read about on page 333 of Big Trouble. Click on the "Page 333" to read the page or open up your own copy if you have one.

A couple related blog posts:
Monday, January 26, 2009
Newly Found Photo of a Young Frank Steunenberg circa 1880
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Sterry and Blatchley Halls-College of Idaho-circa 1910
Sunday, November 14, 2010
College of Idaho (COI) Archives Spotlight (#1) A.K. Steunenberg - did he die of a broken heart?
Monday, February 14, 2011
COI Archives Spotlight (#2) - 1/12/1890 original letter - Frank Steunenberg to family in Iowa

Gun Hunt

Still looking for more information on the Colt Single Action Army (serial # 172175 as posted on the web by the auction house) that allegedly belonged to Harry Orchard.

Same for the Savage 1895 that was given to Governor Steunenberg. It may have come directly to him as a gift from the Savage Arms Company or from one or a group of mine owners. Unfortunately I do not have the serial # to track its origins.

Also, I have been looking at other Savage 1895's for sale (not the 1970 anniversary edition and not an 1899), 26 inch octagon barrel in original .303 caliber. Deluxe version preferred with original checkered stock but I know those are few and far between. None or few mods, drill holes or additions. I am looking for a collector's item, original condition, not a hunting rifle but maybe some plinking if shootable. Reality priced based somewhere around book value. I am not a big collector with deep pockets but my teenage interest in antique arms has been re-kindled. Historical weaponry, though often related to war and tragic events, carries with it many great stories about our history.

Always at least looking at other Civil War, Spanish-American and WWI & II armaments.

Not sure where this photo was taken but liked it nonetheless so added to the collection recently. Appears to be Spanish- American war circa 1898. Anyone with more knowledge and a sharper eye might be able to tell if those are Krags, Trapdoors or something else the men are carrying. Click on the pic for enlarged and clearer view.

Brief History of the 1st Idaho Volunteer Infantry

1st Lt. George Steunenberg
of the 1st Idaho Volunteer Infantry
Writes of the Trip from Hawaii to Manila

George was one of Governor Frank Steunenberg's brothers

Roster of the 1st Idaho Volunteer Infantry

Re-visiting the Clarence Darrow Digital Collection..again, again, again...

This is just such a massive and great collection that opportunities to research new items will never end. Of course I have a great interest in the Haywood trial but the scope and influence of Darrow's life goes far beyond those months in Boise during 1907. Here is another look, starting with the Haywood trial link. Click on the photo below (those receiving email updates may see a link only) to be taken to the Clarence Darrow Digital Collection at the University of Minnesota Website. Be sure to scroll down when you get there as more documents and photos have been added.