Weiser’s quick 1880s growth included a courthouse, school and hotels. Then came a fire

“A Big Fight at Weiser City,” read the Statesman’s headline on July 22, 1882.

“Gray Brothers’ Saloon Captured. Sheriff J.P. Gray & Brother are the proprietors of a large saloon in Weiser City, and the sheriff has been in Boise City on business for several days past. He informs us that he has just received news from Weiser City that a big fight came off in his saloon on the 17th instant in which seven (not seven hundred) men were engaged, and that all the furniture, bar fixtures, liquor, cigars, etc. were demolished. The tumblers, bottles, and decanters suffered the most, but both parties, the fighting whisky and the fighting men were badly punished.”

As the county seat of Washington County, Weiser needed a courthouse, and the Idaho Tri-weekly Statesman reported on Oct. 4, 1881, that “the courthouse, school house and several other buildings” were under construction. On the last day of 1881, the Statesman noted: “The new courthouse at Weiser City is about completed. We learn that it is a commodious and substantial building and will for many years be amply sufficient to supply the wants of Washington County.”

On Aug. 31, 1882, the first issue of the Weiser City Leader newspaper was published. Stories printed in that issue included: “The school house is being furnished with new desks and otherwise improved” and “Bill Allison is the happiest man in Washington County. It’s a boy.”

Publishers Stine & Mitchell noted in that first issue of their newspaper, “We have pledged ourselves to publish a politically neutral paper.”

Travelers had a choice of places to stay in August 1882. Mrs. M.J. Fletcher, proprietress of the Weiser City Hotel, advertised that hers was “the oldest and largest hotel in town. The table is constantly supplied with the very best the market affords. Board and lodging per week $7.00. Day board $5.00. Single meals 50 cts. Every department of the house is first class.”

N.M. Hanthorn, proprietor of the rival Western Hotel, advertised in the same issue: “This house is newly finished and furnished and is now open for the reception of guests. This table will always be supplied with the best the market affords. Charges moderate.”

By September 1882, Weiser City was large enough that a traveling theatrical company stopped there for several days. The Leader reported: “McGinley Comedy Co. This company favored our town on Tuesday evening with a rare entertainment consisting of a two act drama entitled ‘The Golden Cross,’ followed by an olio of songs, dances, etc.” A week later the McGinley troupe supplied the music for a ball given by Mrs. Fletcher of the Weiser City Hotel. The music was called “superb.”

It was at that hotel that a fire started in May 1890 and consumed much of the eastern half of the town. The fire was started by the fall of a coal oil lamp. “The wind was blowing a gale from the northeast and the whole of the eastern half of the town was in flames within ten minutes. Thirty minutes served to complete the destruction of two blocks on Commercial Street.”

The Idaho Statesman noted: “The people of Weiser, with that courage typical of all Western pioneers, have resolved to rebuild, this time near the Oregon Short Line depot.”

This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 4:35 PM.