In late 19th century, a noted Boise judge and attorney had an impressive mansion built

L. B. Lindsey was elected Boise’s first mayor in 1867, but refused to take the oath of office or serve in the position. This is just what the voters who elected him wanted, for they resisted having any kind of city government at all.

Henry Prickett, an English-born attorney, was appointed to the position and took the oath of office in the chambers of Judge John Cummings on Nov. 18, 1867. He resigned two months later to resume his law practice, but would be somewhat active in local affairs thereafter.

His front-page ad in the Idaho Tri-weekly Statesman on March 27, 1868, read: “H.E. Prickett, Attorney and Counselor at Law, and Notary Public. Will Practice in All the Courts of the Territory. Collections made and promptly remitted; Conveyancing done with neatness and dispatch. Claims against the government prosecuted; and having had large experience in public land matters, he will promptly attend to all business with the U. S. Land Office for homestead and pre-emption claimants.”

The 1870 U.S. Census confirms that Prickett was born in England, was 41 years old, and had a wife, Martha, 35, who was born in Ohio. Also sharing the household were Susan Warden, a single woman, 48, “without occupation,” and John Ching, Chinese cook, 25.

On April 19, 1870, the Statesman noted: “Mrs. H.E. Prickett has returned to Boise City, after spending the winter in the eastern states. Also the wife and daughter of Judge Heed. They all return in good health.” (Albert Heed would run for mayor in July 1872 but lose to George H. Twitchell, 136 to 105).

In 1876, Prickett was appointed to the Idaho Territory Supreme Court.

On Aug. 15, 1878, “Judge H.E. Prickett arrived here with his family yesterday, coming all the way from Malad City by private conveyance (rather than by stagecoach). Judge Prickett says that Tendoy and his Indians have certainly left the Lemhi country and gone to hunt buffalo. There are not more than five lodges of Indians remaining near the Lemhi Agency. The Judge considers the Overland Road now perfectly free from danger.”

“JUDGE PRICKETT’S SPLENDID RESIDENCE” was the Statesman headline on June 5, 1883. “It is on Main Street, nearly opposite the Assay Office, and is growing steadily under the hands of a full force on mechanics, working under the supervision of the contractor, Mr. Babcock.”

On Jan. 17, 1884: “Judge H.E. Prickett moved into his new residence at the upper end of Main Street yesterday. This is the most stylish and probably the most expensive residence in the city.”

Prickett had little time to enjoy his mansion, for he died in Hailey on June 14, 1885. Curiously, his obituary in the Statesman does not mention that he had once served as mayor of Boise City for two months.