Of early Boise’s wealthy residents, none had more riches and press than C.W. Moore

In August 1871, the Idaho Statesman published a list of what it called the “Heavy men of Ada County” — referring to their wealth, not their physiques. The names will be familiar to regular readers of this column, since we have written about all of them more than once.

Christopher W. Moore led the assessment roll with $43,185, followed by B.M. Durell, $39,000; John Hailey, $38,848; Cyrus Jacobs, $27,376; and H.P. Isaacs, $24,776. They were the only ones in Boise City with more than $20,000.

These were 1871 dollars, with a purchasing power today of many times over what they were worth then.

On Nov. 7, 1872, Moore advertised in the Idaho World of Idaho City: “Banking House and Assay Office of C.W. Moore & Co. (Successors to B.M. Durell & Co.) Agency of the First National Bank of Idaho.”

In the spring of 1874, the Statesman eagerly shared with its readers all the doings of its wealthiest citizen: “C.W. Moore, of the First National Bank, had returned home, and taken a drive with his new team that A.H. Robie brought up from Oregon. He expresses himself very much pleased with the way they get over the ground. He jogged around the racetrack with his heavy top buggy and another man in with him, in three minutes and a half.”

When Moore got a new two-horse family carriage from Columbus, Ohio, in June 1875, it was news in the Statesman: “We only saw the carriage as it passed by our office, take it to be more stylish than any ever brought to our city. John Lemon and A.H. Boomer, agents of the Northwestern Stage Co., drove the carriage in from Kelton in four days. How is that for time, 250 miles.” (Kelton, Utah, was still Boise’s nearest railroad connection in 1875.)

“C.W. Moore’s New Carriage. We took a good look at this new carriage the other day and pronounce it much the best one ever brought to this town. San Francisco or any of the large cities can scarcely boast of a much more splendid family vehicle. It is roomy spring-back cushioned, the body resting on eclipse springs, the hind ones known as platform springs, the wheels called Dodge wheels, gold mounted with gold lamps, the paint and finish is as bright as a mirror. With the carriage Mr. Moore purchased a splendid harness, rubber mountings and gold plated lining. The leather is as soft as a kid glove. He also has a single harness purchased at the same time with the same kind of trimmings which cost $200. Mr. Moore says he priced carriages of this style in San Francisco and that the lowest amount for which one was offered him was $900 in coin. This carriage was bought in Columbus, Ohio at a low figure and will cost $1,000 delivered here exclusive of the harness.”

In July 1879, the Boise City Republican reported: “Mr. C.W. Moore is removing the two buildings just west of his residence, preparatory for the erection of a large brick residence.”

The house Moore built had a Mansard roof, not half as elegant or impressive as the Queen Anne-style mansion he built in 1892 at the corner of Warm Springs and Walnut Street, for many years Boise’s most impressive mansion.