Revered businessman, politician in Boise had town of Hailey, Idaho, named after him

“Returned,” noted the Idaho Tri-weekly Statesman on April 20, 1875. “Hon. John Hailey arrived at home by Wednesday evening’s stage. He is looking well and has evidently borne his Congressional honors in the same business-like way that he does private matters. We have not had much time to talk with him, but he reports that the usual appropriation for the Territory has passed, and that $7,500 has been appropriated to run the Assay Office and it will not be closed as was feared some time ago.”

That summer, “John Hailey, President, called a meeting of the officers of the Agricultural Society.” The paper noted that Hailey had 8,000 sheep wintering at his ranch on Dry Creek, and that he fed them hay every day.

When the young nation celebrated its centennial in 1876, who was chosen as president of Idaho’s Centennial Committee? John Hailey, of course! He was also president of the Ada County Agricultural Society and was “on the grounds this week fixing things and arranging for the fair and races.” He was unanimously re-elected in 1877 and 1878.

In January 1877, Hailey was elected to the Ada County Board of Commissioners, and promptly chosen to be its chairman.

With the threat of Indian attacks on the Overland Road in July 1878, Hailey was chosen Captain of Volunteers. Among those in his command was his son, John Hailey Jr.

On April 7, 1881, an ad in the Statesman reminds us that John Hailey was still superintendent of the Utah, Idaho & Oregon Stage Company. “Coaches leave Boise City, Idaho daily for Kelton, Winnemucca, Walla Walla, The Dalles and all intermediate stations on regular time, connecting with steamers on the Columbia River. … Rates of fare: Boise City to Kelton, $55, Winnemucca, $55, Umatilla, $35, Walla Walla, $35, The Dalles, $45. Good Coaches! Good Stock! Skilled Drivers, and reliable performance of service on time.”

On Jan. 19, 1882, the Statesman reported, “Hon. John Hailey has purchased Alex Toponce’s interest in the Blackfoot and Wood River Stage Company, and is now superintendent of all the stage lines running into Wood River. In a few days the transfer of the road will be made and ‘Uncle John’ will have all the say about ‘home stations’ etc.”

In June 1882, ”John Hailey recently bought thirty-seven head of stock and several stage coaches, a portion of which arrived in this city on Wednesday. The outfit was the equipment of a line running into Colfax, Washington Territory, which has been displaced by the railroad.”

The Owyhee Avalanche of Silver City noted on June 3, 1882: “We hear from the Statesman that Hon. John Hailey, superintendent of the U, I, & O. Stage Co. has returned to Boise after having been absent some time in California on stage business. The people will be pleased to know that the stage company will continue running the stage lines throughout nearly the whole Territory. No company would give better satisfaction to the public or come nearer carrying the mails according to contract than the one above named, as long as Mr. Hailey is the superintendent, which position he will continue to hold.”

The gold rush to the Wood River country of the 1880s led to yet another evidence of John Hailey’s popularity: the town of Hailey was named for him.