Ten pioneers of the Coeur d'Alene Mining District

Early December, 1913, now 110 years ago, ten of the Coeur d’Alene Mining District’s earliest pioneers happened to encounter one another at the corner of Sixth and Cedar streets in Wallace. 

Miner James F. Callahan — not yet the millionaire he’d become from shipping zinc to Europe during World War I — suggested a group photo be taken at the nearby Barnard Studio. The Wallace Miner newspaper celebrated the pioneers pictured and the era when these men first arrived in the District.  

“But it was a grand period,” the article stated, “the likes of which can never be duplicated, free from regrets, for all about they can see the results of the hardships and privations they endured in the transformation of the wilderness into a place of happy and prosperous homes.”  

Cameo descriptions and arrival dates were provided for each man pictured. 

William Osburn arrived from Montana on May 8, 1883, at what is now Wallace, but then was merely a cedar swamp. He crossed the swamp on a long corduroy bridge, stretching from the south end of now Sixth Street, ending near the old ball park. Bill Osburn first resided above Eagle, but on March 18, 1886, he acquired a large tract of land, known as the Osburn Ranch. The town of Osburn was named for him.

Judge Alexander E. Mayhew (1829-1914) reached Eagle on June 28, 1884, from Butte, Mont., to successfully litigate the first case tried in Eagle, receiving $1,000 for attorney fees.  He moved his office to Wallace in 1890. Mayhew served in the Idaho Legislature in 1887, was representative to the Idaho Constitutional Convention in 1889, and was elected to the State Senate in 1894, soon becoming Judge of the First District Court.

Wynn D. Evans (1856-1919) came from Missoula, taking the Evolution Trail to land at Eagle on Sept. 28, 1883.  He located the Idora, Blue Grouse and Mountain Goat mines. 

David Cromie (1847-1922) arrived at Eagle the summer of 1883, and was involved in bitter litigation over his Widow mining claim on Prichard Creek.

John Lefevre accompanied Wiliam Osburn from Frenchtown, Mont., arriving at Eagle on May 10, 1883.  

James Francis Callahan (1858-1921) arrived at Eagle in October 1883 by way of either a military boat over Coeur d’Alene Lake or through the Fourth of July Canyon. In 1886, Callahan came to the upper Nine Mile area north of Wallace and located what would become the fabulously wealthy Interstate-Callahan mine.

Patrick Gearon (1861-1923) journeyed from Montana over the Bitterroots to Eagle City, arriving Nov. 12, 1883. In 1888, he went to Burke to run a tunnel on the Hidden Treasure lead mine with “Long Shorty” Gaut. He moved to Wallace, becoming president of the Success Mine and owning a mine brokerage business with James Howarth. His diverse interests included ownership of both the Carter House and the Ryan hotels in Wallace — the latter is still in operation today at Sixth and Cedar streets.

Jesse W. Tabor (1854-1939) was one of the first to come via the Trout Creek Trail and pulled a toboggan into Eagle on Jan. 17, 1884. He later moved to Burke and worked the Tiger Mine before establishing his Wallace merchandise store, Tabor’s, at Sixth and Cedar streets in 1889. 

Jack Alger came over the Belknap Trail, arriving at Eagle on March 1, 1884, with toboggan, hoping to sell a keg of nails to the miners for $100. He settled near Osburn and operated the Nellie Mine.

Henry Harrison Ellers (1849-1917) arrived at Prichard Creek in February 1884 through the Fourth of July Canyon, bringing 22 cayuses for a pack train.

The research library at the Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd., Coeur d’Alene, is available by appointment through the winter. The exhibit hall will remain closed until April 1. Gifts and a great selection of books can be purchased from our website at museumni.org.