COLUMN: A word about Wallace

My thanks to History Corner reader Ron Roizen who pointed out that in Sunday’s column about Idaho Territory Congressman William Henson Wallace, the city of Wallace was named after a different Wallace. My mistake. Mea culpa!

Historic Wallace was founded and named after Colonel William R. Wallace who came to the Silver Valley, drawn by gold and silver discoveries. He purchased 80 acres on land which is now site of the city of Wallace. His wife, Lucy, was the first postmaster. Accounts differ on whether or not the two Wallaces were related. One article states:

“Colonel Wallace died in 1901, in Wittier, Calif. The newspaper epitaph only mentioned that he was a cousin to General Wallace, the author of Ben Hur. Idaho’s first Territorial Governor in 1863 was named William H. Wallace, but was not related to the town’s founder.”

However, numerous other sources link Congressman Wallace with General Lew Wallace, author of Ben Hur, stating that the General was his brother David’s son.

Perhaps a History Corner reader will set the record straight.

Meanwhile, my apologies for the mistake, and my thanks to all who care that history be accurate.

SYD ALBRIGHT

Post Falls