The Story of the Baker Family at Fruitvale

First Edition—by Dale Fisk

Note: the photo layout here is very messed up. Sorry.

Article by Ellis C. Baker, printed in the Cambridge News-Reporter, Jan, 19, 1967:

My father, the Rev. James L. Baker had been pastor of the Long Pine, Nebraska Methodist church for several years when he was transferred to Cambridge, Idaho in 1903 to be pastor for the Cambridge community. He left Mother and me in Long Pine so I could finish high school. We then arrived in Cambridge in 1904.

When father arrived there was no Methodist church in Cambridge. He began his work as Circuit Rider minister, serving various outlying districts, Dixie and Council being two of them. In winter he made his rounds by team and sleigh and he used a buggy in the summertime.

Father's salary was supposed to be $400.00 per year, but very little of this was ever paid in cash. Father and Mother were able to "get by" with donations of food of various kinds, received from the congregations of the several districts they served. They also received a yearly "missionary barrel" which contained various kinds of clothing and, at times, some dried fruit.

Father was supposed to advise the Missionary Society as to items of clothing, and whatever else, they needed. Sometimes they received some new articles, but mostly it was second hand material as donated to the Mission Society. Sometimes the articles received were absolutely useless, so far as Father and Mother were concerned.

One of the first things father did after arriving in Cambridge, was to build a parsonage so Mother and I would have a place to live when we arrived. Just where he managed to get funds for the parsonage is not known to me. He solicited funds for the new church.

During Father's efforts soliciting funds for the new church, he went into Dee Dunham's saloon and asked Dee if he wanted to donate to a good cause to benefit Cambridge. Dee gave him $50.00, which was the largest individual donation he received for the church. Some of the sisters of his congregation objected to using the money Dee had given, saying it was "tainted" money. Father's reply to that was, "I could not find a better use for this money." Of course, he used it toward buying materials for the new church. Then he was criticized for entering the saloon, and the opinion being that if he was going to accept that kind of money, he should have sent someone else to get it. Father's reply to that was, "Well, I knew that none of the sin and iniquity that might be in that saloon would rub off on me, but if I had sent someone else, it might have been his downfall." So ended the controversy.

There may have been more business houses in Cambridge at that time, but I remember that there was one church (Baptist), one drug store, two general merchandise stores, a meat market, two hotels (the Moran and the Hogadone), two blacksmith shops, two saloons (one owned by Dee Dunham), one doctor (Dr. Charles Schmitz), one dentist (Dr. U.M. Over), a post office, a bank, and a newspaper (the Cambridge News). [Actually it was the Cambridge Citizen. It didn't become the Cambridge News until much later.]

It took a little over two years to get the church completed. Knute Potter, a carpenter, donated some of his time to the building project, but the greater portion of the work was done by my father.

The Methodist church, built by the Rev. Baker, was purchased by members of the Upper Country Grange and has since been used as a Grange meeting place. It has been remodeled and there have been some additions, but the main room of the church is still three. Elise Mart [Elsie Marti?] recalls having attended Sunday school here, with a sister and brother, Florence and Rudy Rudger, during one of their visits here in 1920.

The parsonage adjoining the church was the property of Mrs. Mary Hulet when the Wm. Rhodes family leased the place and moved there in 1937. They purchased the place later, and Mrs. Rhodes makes her home there today.

After a few years as pastor of the Cambridge church, father was transferred to Council. He also built a church there, but I don't know how he raised the funds for that church.

During all those years, Father kept up his ministry of the outlying districts. It was during the early years of his ministry in Cambridge that he and Mother filed on a homestead seven miles north of Council. They lived there for many years until he was transferred to Cove, Oregon as pastor of the Methodist church there.

Both church and parsonage were already built at Cove and there were no outlying districts to serve. Father at last reaped the rewards he so very much deserved, and an easier life. He was quite happy in that little town.

When he retired from Cove, Father and Mother moved back to Cambridge and he again took up his circuit riding ministry, but only one or two points this time.

During the time he was in Cambridge and Council he conducted many funerals for the Masonic lodge, and at Christmas time they always sent him a nice check, which was gratefully received.

Father and Mother had five children, four sons: Clarence, Frank, Ernest and Ellis; and a daughter, Sadie (Mrs. Thomas Bell). I am now the only living member of the original Baker family.

In 1907 I bought the furniture in the Cambridge hotel from the Kingsbury and Watt Co., and leased the hotel from Harry Coon. In 1909, Blanche Wells, my high school sweetheart, finally decided to take me for a lifetime partner. Blanche was residing in Dodge City, Kansas, and when she came west it was arranged that I meet her in Weiser and we went on to Cove where Father performed our marriage ceremony.

The night before I was to go to Weiser to meet Blanche, I took a severe cold. Our marriage was supposed to be a surprise to Cambridge friends, but my cold was bad enough I decided to Call Dr. Schmitz. I told him it was imperative that he give me something to stop my cold. Of course he insisted on knowing shy, so I told him, on his honor, that I was to be married in a couple of days. "Oh, I'll fix you up so you'll be all right in a couple of days," that good doctor said. He was a practical joker, one of those who thought: "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men", and he pulled a lot of jokes. I should have known better than to confide in him. Can you guess what he gave me? Potassium Nitrate! It didn't help my cold a bit and I never did get even with him for that, no do I know whether Harvey Anderson, the local banker ever got even with him for the time he, Dr. Schmitz, telephoned Anderson to tell him he should go over to the Mose Hopper place and see the new born calf that had FORE legs in front. Anderson was about as mad as I ever saw him over that.

Blanche and I operated the hotel for about a year, then my sister, Sadie, her husband, Thomas Bell, and daughter, Gladys, came from Fort Collins, Colorado where they had been operating a dairy, and bought half interest in the hotel.

After a couple of years, Blanche and I sold our interest in the hotel to Mr. Dimmick. Later, the Bells bought Mr. Dimmick's interest and the Bells operated the hotel until Mr. Bell's death. (The Bell's daughter, Gladys, now Mrs. Claude Ogilvie, address Huntington, Oregon, and Maude Sheffield Donart were classmates in high school, graduating in 1916 with the second class to be graduated from Cambridge high school. Since they were Gladys and Maude then, we will call them that now. The two young ladies appeared on the graduation program, Maude playing the piano accompaniment for Gladys when she sang, "Till the Sands of the Desert Grow Cold." Maude, living in Salubria at the time, recalls that the Rev. Baker's home was her "home in Cambridge" when she stayed in town to attend school functions.

(Charles Donart added: "Ellis was a great baseball player. He played second base on the Cambridge town team. When I played on the Salubria team, I played against him; when I played on the Cambridge team, I played with him.)

Blanche and I lived most of the time since leaving Cambridge in 1921 in Seattle, except for two years in Spokane and 20 months in San Diego, Calif. While we were in Spokane I operated the Russell Machinery Co., until the Caterpillar Co. bought them out and I was transferred to San Diego. Neither of us liked the San Diego working conditions or the climate, so we came back to Seattle. I was employed by the Federal Pipe & Tank Co. until my retirement in 1956.

We have one daughter, Jeanne. She and her husband, Leonard Snyder, have two children, Moira, who finished high school last year, and Erich, a sophomore in high school. they live in Seattle so we see them quite often.

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Beginning here is a transcription of the hand-written autobiography of Mae Baker Merk. Some corrections of spelling and punctuation have been made, and comments [in brackets] inserted to explain certain locations, etc. by her grandson, Dale Fisk. Newspaper notes and other supplementary information have also been added.

One June day, the 9th to be exact, year 1899, a little girl came to live in the home of William Ernest Baker and his wife Ella. It was in a small mining town of Golden, Colorado. [Golden was 18 miles from Denver, but is now practically a suburb.] Ernest worked in the smelters there, and any odd jobs to keep the wolf away from their door. Sometimes the going was pretty rough as Ernest liked to be a good fellow, so was often coaxed to go to a saloon to have a drink. Sometimes it turned out to be too many, but we got by. One day as the children were playing in the yard, (that was the first born Mae Lorraine and the second James Leslie) a collector came to get a payment on a sewing machine that had been purchased, and we were really frightened. Then I remember the old Rag Man coming down the street (my dad called him a Jew) with his old white horse and wagon calling, "Any rags, any bones, any bottles today?" in a sing-song voice, his wagon piled up with old junk he had collected.

One day, we were moving to a ranch, way up in the mountains. It was a long journey for us. We moved into a big old log house. There were so many interesting things to see and investigate for two tots: big corrals, horses, cattle.

Sometimes Papa would take one of us to hunt the milk cows at night. He would tie the saddle strings for stirrups on the back of the saddle, then take the .22 rifle to get a rabbit or two for meat. One old cow would follow my mother around to be milked, so she gave us each a small pail, and we would get on each side and milk away until mama had time to finish her. Sometimes when the cow would be laying down, we would get on her back. She never kicked or got up to hurt us.

Papa was a horseman, and one day he and other men went out in the hills and caught a wild horse that had killed a man or two and hurt others. He put a long rope on it, and went into the barn, put the rope through the manger, took the end on out of the barn, and pulled it until he had the horse inside, as he would kill anyone if they got in with him. Also, he whip-broke the horse so he would come when told to. One day, he was driving this horse into the corral, and told me to run and open the gate. I didn't quite get it open when they got too close for comfort, so I picked up a rock and threw it at the horse, and of course that made him come right to me, so I really scrambled to climb the high gate.

My father also butchered for the man that owned the place, as the owner had a butcher shop. One day they were butchering, and they used a windlass to raise the critter up. My brother got too close, and the handle came loose and hit him. The blow knocked him down.

We also had a rattlesnake den under our house, which we had to be watching for all the time, and the house was full of mountain pack rats. One day mama baked a big plate of cookies, and had the table all ready to eat as soon as Papa came home from town. She covered the table, and went in another room to wait, but alas, when we went to eat, the cookies and some silverware were gone. Papa and a man he brought home, ate supper, then sat around the table talking, and playing the violin. As they patted their feet and played, the rats came and peeked from under the cupboard, and ran across the cloth that was on the ceiling. Papa got his .22 gun and shot them. I think they said they got close to 20 that night.

We moved next to another big ranch house we called the Bonn place, the first one was the Attow place. Here, we had a lot of experiences, but we didn't stay long. I believe we moved back to Mt. Morrison, then on the ranch where my mother folks lived to get ready to come to Idaho.

Cambridge Citizen, Sept 24, 1903

"Rev. J.L. Baker is the new pastor of the M.E. Church at this place."

Weiser Signal, May 21, 1904

"Rev. Baker, the Methodist minister from Cambridge, preached at the Alpine school house Sunday night."

The Children of James Lyman and Mary Adelade Baker:

Clarence L.= born about 1870 in Adelphi, Iowa

Traveled with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, doing rope tricks. (Not to be confused with Johnny Baker, Bill Cody’s step son and one of the show's stars.) Died March 1909 at Salt Lake City He was married to Alice GANT. He remarried to Myrtle AMENS.

Sadie A. = born May 17, 1874 at Adelphi, Iowa. Married Thomas Bell. Ran a hotel in Cambridge Died Mar 27, 1956 at Boise, Idaho. She married Thomas Alexander BELL MAR 1893 in Timnath,Larimer,Colorado. He was born 3 OCT 1869 in ,N.J., and died 28 JUN 1931 in Boise,Ada,Id.

Frank O.= born Sept 6, 1876 near Grand Island, Nebraska. Died April 13, 1922. He married Minnie Jane LONGENECKER 2 NOV 1902 in Long Pine,Brown,Nebraska, daughter of Jacob Levi C LONGENECKER and Luretta Jane MCDONALD. She was born 4 APR 1883 in Deercreek Tnshp,Carroll,Ind, and died 31 DEC 1971

William Ernest BAKER was born 1 NOV 1878 in Adelphi,Polk,Iowa, and died 28 NOV 1938 in Near Fruitvale, Adams County,Idaho. He married Mary Ella LONGENECKER 25 FEB 1899 in Morrison, Jefferson County,Colo, daughter of Jacob Levi C LONGENECKER and Luretta Jane MCDONALD. She was born 29 NOV 1881 in Delphi, Carroll County, Indiana, and died 30 OCT 1946 in Near Fruitvale, Adams County,Idaho.

Ellis C. = born December 12, 1884 at Fort Collins, Colorado. Married Blanche LaForge in 1909 at Cove, OR Ran the Smith & Webb store in Meadows in 1908, then the Hotel Cambridge in Cambridge from 1909 to 1915 or so. Died July 6, 1978 at Seattle, WA

In the spring of 1905, Papa and I got on the train to go to Idaho to see my father's parents who were Methodist pastors at Cambridge, Idaho. We arrived in April or May, I don't know which. My father went to work on a ranch to get his health back, as he only weighed 90 pounds. He had miner's consumption from working in the smelter so long. But Idaho air and climate soon had him back to health again. [Lucille Baker Balderson said he had a cough the rest of his life, but he also smoked cigarettes.]

I stayed with my Grandmother while my father worked out on ranches from Cambridge. Meanwhile my Grandfather and father had gone to Council Valley and filed on a homestead for each. [The grandfather to whom she refers was James Lyman Baker the Methodist preacher. His father, and his father’s father had been Methodist preachers. James may already have filed on his homestead before this time. Homestead Patents were issued for the Bakers: James - Mar. 30, 1908 Ernest - Jan. 23, 1914]

Mama and brother Leslie (Spike) came to Idaho in August, just a bit before school started. I started to school at Cambridge until we moved to Council Valley to our homestead by wagon and team of horses. [James Baker's was in the basin just south of the top of Fort Hall hill; Ernest’s was just on the north side of the summit.] We arrived late in the evening, so they put us to bed in a big box on the wagon. The next day was a time of looking things over. There was a small log cabin on the place, and a log barn. We cleaned and moved into the cabin, and spent our first winter there. The snow got so deep that winter, our house looked like a heap of snow with smoke coming out of the top. I went to school when I could, with some neighbors. We had about 2 1/2 miles to go. [to the school on the Isaac McMahan place south of Fruitvale.] [Lucile said they also had a 12' X 14' tent as part of their living space that winter. The log cabin may have been the old Biggerstaff stage station.]

In the spring when it began to thaw a bit, we used to walk on the crust, and Papa proudly showed Mama where the lines were for his and Grandpa's places. The snow covered all the low bushes, so we were surprised when the snow was all gone, to find we had a very brushy piece of land. That is still in the same shape, as not much land was ever cleared on our place. Grandad worked his land though, and opened up quite a large area to plant into potatoes, grain, etc. Dad and Grandad used a grubbing hoe, horses, and a stump puller that you wound cable around a drum with a horse going 'round and 'round until it tightened up on the clump of bushes, tree, or whatever, it gradually pulled until it pulled the top off or got it out by the roots. It was slow, but a bit faster than an ax or grub hoe, as you couldn't plow until the roots were out pretty well. There were pine trees, willows, service bushes, thorn bushes and chaparral: a kind of sprawling evergreen bush that grew about 4 or 5 feet tall, but covered a large amount of ground. It only had a small crown with roots and flat green waxy leaves. The willows were about the hardest to get out.

After the brush was out, it was piled and burned. That's where Mom and we children came in. We would lead, or ride the horse on the stump puller too, but we could drag the brush to a pile to be burned. [A stump puller was a winch type of machine that was anchored to the ground or something very solid. A chain, cable etc. from the puller was fastened to the stump. A horse then pulled a lever on the puller around and around in a circle. This turned gears that operated a very slow, but very strong, winch mechanism that pulled the stump out of the ground.]

Then the men got a disk plow that worked fine on meadow ground, or just sod, but when it hit a willow, or other root, it would really buck and roll, and you had to be pretty alert, or it would throw you off. One day as we were burning brush my Grandfather was plowing. He hit a root and it bucked him off right into a pile of burning brush. Fortunately, he wasn't burned, or hurt badly; just shook up a bit. He got right back on the plow, and went on as if nothing had happened. Of course the horse got pretty tired after pulling the plow all day, so [they] had to have lots of good hay and oats. My father was pretty particular about the feeding and watering of his team. Also, they had to be brushed and curried or "cuffed down" as he called it, each morning, and after a hard days work.

My father sold the timber off his homestead to get lumber to build a house on his homestead. The second winter, we had a large tent on a frame with floor, a smaller one to sleep in up by the spring where he was building the house. It was a two-story house so as to have more rooms without having very much roof to build, as the roof was the hardest part to make. He found a real straight-grained tree not far from the house that some friends helped make shingles for the house out of. Dad split and sawed them while the friend used a drawing knife to shape them thin. We children took our little wagon and hauled the shingles to the house and piled them. Those shingles were still on the house when it was torn down around 50 years later, and the house never leaked, as far as I know.

The next winter, we moved into our new house, even though it wasn't finished - only a few loose boards on the upstairs floor, but we children slept up there. That winter, the 13th of December, a sister was born (Ethel) and we had no Doctor, just an older neighbor lady who was very efficient: a Mrs. Tolbert Biggerstaff that lived in the canyon by the Weiser river, where the Glendale School was later built. She was a very good mid-wife. [Ethel was born Dec 13, 1906.]

Oct 25, 1905

"C.L. [Clarence] Baker, a son of Rev. Baker, has been visiting his parents in Cambridge for the last couple of weeks. Mr. Baker, jr., has traveled through England and France with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and said to be a very handy man with a rope."

According to records collected by Norman Catanzaro, Clarence Baker was murdered in England. (Date?) His belongings were sent home in a trunk. When the Baker house on Fort Hall Hill burned (Ernest Baker’s house) Clarence’s trunk containing his things, burned as well.

[The Ernest Baker family lived at "the Pearson place" during the winter of 1908, to watch a sawmill that was there. This place was the ranch between Starkey and Glendale.]

[The children of Ernest and Ella Baker were Mae, Leslie (Spike b. Mar 1901 - d.1965 at McCall), Ethel Jones (b. 1906 - d.1938 at Merk farm, Fruitvale), Grace Clemons (b.1908—d.10-31-2003), Roy (b.1914 - d.1956), Lucille Balderson (b.1917 - d. 1-26-1992), Albert (b.1920 - d.1971), Bill (b. Dec. 1911), and Wayne (b.1922 - d.1991).]

Meadows Eagle, May 7, 1908

"Will Moyer, with Smith & Webb [store in Meadows] since last fall, has taken charge of W.E. Webb's fine ranch, adjoining town, and his place in the store has been taken by Ellis Baker of Cambridge. [Ellis was Ernest's brother.] Mr. Baker is a capable and worthy young man and is already winning the goodwill of the patrons of this popular house."

Another column, quoted from the Cambridge News: "Ellis [Baker] is a good salesman and an industrious young man."

Council Leader, June 11, 1909

"Asa Kingsbury has disposed of his interests in the Cambridge hotel to Ellis Baker." "Messrs. Watt and Baker will continue to run the hotel in the same up-to-date manner...."

When I was 9 years old, I stayed with Sarah Yantis while Ralph [Yantis] and two brothers in laws (Ed and Harry [Tomlinson]) built a ditch from East Fork so they would have water for 2 desert claims. That was the winter Stub (Ray) Yantis was a baby (1909) and they lived in a small house on the place where Ray still lives. [On Fort Hall hill. Jack Yantis later bought this place.]

Council Leader, Sept 23, 1910

“Rev. J.L. Baker will preach at the Maccabee hall Sunday, Oct. 2, at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Baker has been sent to Council by the Methodist conference for a year and that denomination will establish a church organization here. All are invited to attend."

Council Leader, Oct 5, 1911

"Rev. J.L. Baker of Cambridge is in Council this week meeting old friends and attending to some business matters. He states that he is enjoying life in Cambridge and that he and Mrs. Baker like it there very much. He will be in town for several days."

In 1911, a young man from Council named Hugh Whitney murdered a man in eastern Idaho. Hugh and his brother, Charlie, committed other crimes an became a wanted fugitives for the next several years. Reverend Baker used to stay with the Whitney family occasionally on his trips to and from Cambridge. He said Hugh and Charlie were sometimes home when he stayed there, and they were always very respectful.[1]

Council Leader, Dec. 21, 1911 "Born - to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Baker and wife Dec. 11 a fine boy." [This doesn't match any birth records. Comes closest to Roy (1914)]

Council Leader, May 16, 1912 "Rev. J.L. Baker and son of Cambridge came up the first of the week and went out to do some work on his ranch near Fruitvale."

Council Leader, Apr 25, 1913 "Rev. J.L. Baker of Cambridge was in town Tuesday on the way to his homestead seven miles north of town."

Council Leader, Aug 15, 1913 Mrs. L.J. Longenecker and daughter, Hazel of Mt. Morrison, Colo. were visiting her daughter, Mrs. Ernest Baker for a couple wks... now to Cambridge to visit relatives.

Council Leader, Dec. 19, 1913

"W.E. Baker is going to Cambridge to assist his brother who is running a hotel."

Council Leader, Dec 25, 1914

"Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Baker are the proud parents of a new boy who arrived December 12." [Roy]

Figure 9--"McMahan" School at Fruitvale. Date unknown.

My brother [Leslie or "Spike"] and I were both going to school by this time, and we had a horse to ride. We went to the old Fruitvale school, built on the Isaac McMahan place (now known as the Earl McMahan place). [In 1990, it is Dick Raffety's place, about 3/4 mile south of Fruitvale, east of the main road.] This school was a small unpainted building, but was full of children. Before the one year was out, we moved into the new school house that stood there a good many years. The last teacher to teach there was Hattie Vasser. She later married Lester McMahan. Some of the pupils were Millie, Beth, Oliver, and Pete Robertson... Earl and Earnest McMahan... Myrth and Isaac II Whiteley...2 boys and 2 girls of the Walker family... [an unclear name that looks like "Knaves"]...Harry and Joe Tomlinson... Sam and Jasper Harp... Mae and Leslie Baker... Harold, Hallie, Charles, and Bill Hamm... and several others that I can't think of now. Some of the boys were nearly grown men, and used to tease us younger children. I went there until I was in the 4th grade. There were several of us Bakers that went through that little school to the eighth grade, and for some of us that was all the education we got. Leslie and I had each 2 years of High School at Council. Grace went to Caldwell for 2 years I believe too.

By that time, the Glendale school was built, and Grace Ludwig was our first teacher. [She was] from Indian Valley, and Clyde Stewart would drive clear up there with team and buggy or sleigh to get her Friday nights. She boarded through the week with the Biggerstaffs. Mr. Biggerstaff was a small man with a fiery temper, but was good to us children as a rule, and she was so good too. They had an apple orchard, and that was a rare treat to have an apple. So every once in a while, they would call us children in that went by their house, and give us apples or cookies.

One time when I was a girl, I was helping the Lester McMahans through haying ($3 a week) and George was a small child. He ran to the barnyard to meet his daddy. As he came from the field for dinner (noon) a colt following the team kicked him in the face, and laid his little face open. We had old doctor Brown come to sew it up. We had dinner nearly on the table, so we cleared it off and put a sheet on, and used it for an operating table. Lester and I held his feet, his mother his hands, and his grandmother [Lucy McMahan] gave the chloroform while doctor Brown put in some new gadgets (small hooks) to hold the cut. [George] pulled his hands loose, and pushed them all out, so [Dr. Brown] had to sew it with sewing thread, as the doctor hadn't brought cat gut along. [George] still had the scars the last time I saw him.

The News, Cambridge Idaho - Sept 24, 1915

"It is hard to imagine anybody else but Rev. Baker as minister of the Methodist church here [Cambridge]. It was Baker that built the parsonage and it was Baker that built the church, but he has decided to devote a few years to his ranch up near Fruitvale. He wants some 'wherewith to lay his head' in his old age. Rev. Baker will be missed by the church-going people in Cambridge. He was one of those quiet, unassuming persons who never sounded a trumpet before him, but somehow he always got results."

The News, Cambridge Idaho - Dec 17, 1915

Hotel Cambridge, run by Ellis C. Baker. [Rev. Baker's son - Ernest's brother] Came from Fort Collins, CO in 1909 - bought the Kingsbury & Watt interest in the hotel and the firm was known as Baker & Bell. In 1911 he sold his interest to Dimmick and engaged in other business. In April of this year he leased the hotel from T.A. Bell.

The News, Cambridge Idaho - Jul 21, 1916

"T.A. Bell has again taken charge of the Hotel Cambridge. Ellis will remain as chief clerk."

This is something Mae didn’t put in her autobiography. According to records collected by Norman Catanzaro: Sept 5, 1917 (when Mae was 18 years old) her grandfather, J. L. Baker, officiated her marriage to William B. Mosman. Mary Balderson Fewkes thinks she remembers her mother, Lucille Baker Balderson, saying that Mae had become pregnant by Mosman and “had to” get married. Mae lost the baby, and evidently divorced Mosman. This story was not common knowledge among many family members for obvious reasons.

The News, Cambridge Idaho - Aug 2, 1918

Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Baker to lease the S. & S. hotel at Midvale.

The News, Cambridge Idaho - Nov 12, 1920

"Obituary - Rev. J.L. Baker was born in a Methodist Parsonage in New York State, Aug. 14th 1848. When a child, his parents moved to New Boston, Ill. At the age of 15 he went to Iowa where he grew to manhood. Jan 9th, 1870 he married Mary Adalade Caldwell at Adelphi, Iowa. Five children were born to them, Clarence L., Sadie A., Frank O., William E., and Ellis C.

He taught school in Iowa and Colorado, for twelve years. Joined the M.E. Church at the age of ten years, and entering the active Ministry in 1898 continuing until 1918, a total of 20 years. On every charge he has built a church or parsonage and sometimes both. His was a pioneer work.

He laid a foundation that other need not be afraid to build on. His ministry in the Idaho Conference runs as follows;

Came to Cambridge in 1903 staying 5 years, then 2 years at Cove, Ore., Council for one year, Cambridge again for 4 years more, then for two years he preached at Fruitvale and other small places around there, working his farm at the same time.

He took up the work at Dixie in 1918, but was compelled to leave the work on account of his health.

He has one brother living at Edgemont, S.D., Rev O.S. Baker, one sister, Mrs. Laura B. Jackson of Olds Ferry, Ore., one half sister, Mrs. Samuel H. Clammer at Fort Collins, Colo.

On Jan 9th, 1920, Brother and Sister Baker celebrated their Golden Wedding here in the Cambridge M.E. church. His life may be summed up as follows: 62 years a Christian, 20 years a Methodist preacher, 12 years a school teacher.

He died at his home in Cambridge Monday, Nov. 8, 1920.

AN APPRECIATION

Seventeen years ago Rev. J.L. Baker was sent to the Cambridge and Salubria Valley Charge. Altho then past middle age, he was in the prime of all his mental and physical vigor. There was no Methodist Church in the Valley, and only a few Methodists.

He began work with his accustomed quiet vigor and tenacity. A church was built and paid for; a Parsonage was built and paid for; and for a short time he was called to other fields to build churches and parsonages; so that among the Church Officials he came to be called "The Builder."

Later he was recalled to Cambridge to round out his Ministerial work. In his last days he could not view the results of his work in Cambridge except with the utmost satisfaction. From first to last, his work was, indeed, well done.

He visited the sick and unfortunate, and performed burial services thruout the entire Upper Country.

Numerous instances are recalled of his driving miles and miles in the most inclement weather to administer comfort to the sick or bury the dead; and all this without hopes of remuneration or gain except the consciousness of a duty well done and an abiding faith of sure entrance thru the "Pearly Gates."

His sermons were masterpieces of spiritual uplift; his life the embodiment of every true virtue. No narrow sectarian thought ever emerged from his fertile mind. No man was ever revered in Salubria Valley as "Good Old Brother Baker." The poor, the well to do, the young, the old, the saint, the sinner, Protestant, Catholic, Scientist, and Agnostic all universally united in saying "He is a good man."

Nor have they waited until he has been taken away before expressing their appreciation. No man has been able to say a harsh or unkind word of the greatest preacher the Upper Country ever had; and when last January he and his good wife had reached their half century mark in conjugal happiness there gathered in friends of every Sect and belief to, in a feeble way, show their love for him.

He has gone. There is no one to take his place in the affection of the people of Cambridge and the Upper Country. But his influence will live forever and all who came in contact with his kindly spirit will always be better because of the exemplary life that he lived.

According to records gathered by Norman Catanzaro, a J.L. Baker is buried in the Canyon Hill Cemetery at Caldwell, Idaho. Official records (?) list him as a schoolteacher and preacher, born Nov 1, 1878 in Iowa. (? Has to be wrong date or wrong person.)

Adams County Leader, Mar 26, 1920

Boy born to Mrs. W.E. Baker Mar 19 [Albert]

Adams County Leader, June 30, 1922

Son born to Mrs. W.E. Baker, June 26, 10 lbs. [Wayne]

From Bill Baker, Feb 3, 1999: His dad, Ernest Baker, fired the boiler on the steam traction engine when the Wilkies were hauling lumber to the planer at Fruitvale.

We lived on Dad's homestead until about 1919, then the folks moved to Granddad’s place for a long time - I'm not sure just how many years. Then, after my father died [1938], Mom and the 2 youngest (boy and girl) Lucille and Wayne bought Grandad Bakers place. Wayne still has the place. [Wayne sold out in the early 1970s.] It now has electricity and running water.

[Family gossip is that Ernest was a lady's man, and had affairs with other women. Mary Balderson said that Ernest was gone a lot, and the place got pretty run down.]

We children grew up and married: me first, then Leslie, Ethel, Grace, Bill and Roy [at] the same time. Lucille and Wayne were the last ones.

Albert was married a few years after he went to Lewiston to herd sheep and [do] other work. Meanwhile, I married and went to Calif. to Alpheus W. Kite from Weiser. He was working up at Tamarack mill where Leslie (Spike) was, and he brought Alf home one weekend. Of course we didn't see many young men those days, so of course we decided we liked each other from the start. Later Spike brought another fellow home when they were building the highway from Council to New Meadows, and my older sister and he later married, so Spike decided no more friends home, as each time they married one of the family.

After Alf and I were married, we went to California where we stayed until our two children were born. Melvin was born Nov. 12, 1919 at [Eureka?] Calif., and 18 months and 1 day later, we were at Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Wanda was born - May 13, 1921. [Mae was in labor for 36 hours giving birth to Melvin. The doctor finally broke her pelvis to get him out. It was claimed that the birth was so difficult because Mae had ridden horses too much. Of course this was nonsense.]

We lived the winter before this at Merrill, Oregon. We then moved back to Grenada, Calif., and stayed until fall, and work was so scarce, we decided to come back to Idaho. So, in August, I came to visit my folks until Alf could get ready to come. Then we were going to go to Idaho Falls to try and get work at the Sugar factory, but Alf took suddenly ill, and passed away November 22, 1921 leaving me with two children 2 years and 6 months old to fight the battle alone.

Adams County Leader, Nov 25, 1921

“A.W. Kite, who resided near Fruitvale, died on Tuesday, November 22, after an illness of about eleven days. Mr. Kite was twenty-nine years of age. He is survived by his widow (formerly Miss Mae Baker) and two children, one two years of age [Melvin] and the other about six months [Wanda].”

[Not long after returning to Idaho, Alf became ill. Thinking he was constipated, he was given an enema and/or laxatives. Appendicitis was the actual cause of the illness, and his appendix burst.]

As soon as I could make arrangements, I went to Prescott, Wash. to work for a man that had his blind father and 2 boys to care for. Some old friends, Vera and Ora Taylor, got the place for me. I got about 5 dollars a month, and board and room. I stayed there from January to September. I came back to Fruitvale to work in the fruit, as I had to have some money to get winter clothes with. I worked through the peaches, pears and apples, and Mom kept the children. That was a heart-breaking experience as I never had been away from my babies before.

Later, I started doing home nursing for families having new babies. We had no hospitals at that time, but a good Doctor. Most women had the doctor to deliver their babies in the home, and a girl or woman was hired to care for the mother, baby and family, all for the grand sum of 5 dollars a week, or if you were lucky, a dollar a day. That was good wages. I have cared for the patient and baby, a house, several children, canned fruit, made kraut, washed by hand and cooked for hay or harvest hands, all for that money at each place.

The News, Cambridge, Idaho - Apr 21, 1922

Frank O. Baker died. Son of J.L. Baker, Apr 13 - Caldwell cemetery - survived by mother and one sister, Mrs. T.A. [Sadie] Bell of Cambridge, two brothers = Ellis of Seattle and Ernest of Council.

Adams County Leader, July 14, 1922

“Wednesday night a car driven by Leslie Baker, and will Jones, living near Fruitvale, rolled off the bank just south of Starkey, and is said to have been considerable of a wreck. The car was an Oakland and is said to have turned over two or three times, in spite of which fact both men were still in the car. Baker was badly bruised and Jones was also considerably hurt, but neither seriously, it is thought. Baker’s head was badly cut, and Jones was bruised up some, mostly internally, it is said. Judge Michaelson, who passed the place shortly after the accident, thinks the car is less injured than one would expect.”

Adams County Leader, Fri. Sept 8, 1922

Leslie Baker injured in dynamite accident

“A sack containing 24 sticks of dynamite, together with caps and other material, is reported o have exploded at Smith’s road camp, about 12 miles above McCall, last Friday, injuring Leslie ‘Spike’ Baker, and less seriously hurting three other men. It seems one of the men had 24 sticks of dynamite with caps, etc., in a sack, when someone called to him. He set the sack down and started to talk to some men in a blacksmith shop, when a spark from the forge started the sack to burning and one of the men grabbed it and undertook to dump it into the river. But the sack had burned somewhat and the bottom fell out, spilling the explosives on the ground. The resulting explosion is said to have changed the view of the landscape near the blacksmith shop quite materially.

Baker’s leg is reported to be quite severely injured and dirt and refuse were driven into the faces and person of the others. None, however, were seriously injured.”

Mar 23, 1923

Leslie Baker and W. B. Jones arrested for booze at Ridge school

“W.R. McClure, prosecuting attorney and Vollie V.Zink, sheriff of Adams County, attended the dance given at the Ridge schoolhouse Friday evening, in an official capacity. The result of their visit was that two young men, Leslie Baker and W.B. Jones, are in the county jail serving sentences for having liquor in their possession and for transporting liquor contrary to the provisions of the prohibition laws.

When brought before the court for hearing, both men pleaded guilty and were fined, but refused to pay over any money and are laying out the fines in the county jail.

For some time past complaint has been made that at some of the dances being given somebody seemed to be disposing of intoxicating liquors in violation of the law, and the officials evidently concluded it was time to call a halt. Accordingly, the sheriff and prosecuting attorney went to this dance and proceeded to search everyone who came in, it is alleged, until a goodly supply of liquor and other evidence was secured, it is stated and two persons were found with the goods in their possession.

Both the young men came to the dance on horseback, it is alleged and the officers not only brought the men in, but brought the horses also.

Monday the two prisoners were taken to Payette before Judge Varian in the district court, and there adjudged to pay a fine of $100 apiece and stay in jail 70 days. The horse and saddles have one of theme been released and another man claims the other. If the claim of the other man is not made good, it is likely the animal, with saddle etc., will be sold to help pay the fine.”

Mom (Alma) said she remembered the school dances very well, even though she was just a little girl. There was always lots of drinking and fighting. Grandma (Mae) loved to dance; Grandad (Russell) loved to drink. Mom usually got tired and tried to sleep on the benches along the side of the room as the dance continued into the night. It wasn’t uncommon for someone to come along and accidentally sit on her.

Adams Count Leader, Nov 30, 1923

Miss Ethel I. Baker married William B. Jones - both of Fruitvale

I also worked for Edna and Raleigh McMahan a few times through haying. Then Mr. Lappin (Charles Sr.) remembered as long as he lived when I helped them through haying but after I was married I did mostly nursing so I could make more money to take care of my little family better as those days we didn't get welfare or child support. We cared for ourselves and family. I made $2 a day doing the nursing bits. I really thought I was making money, but had to do all the washing serve meals, and give medicines. One lady I cared for was Mrs. Mark Winkler Sr. on the ranch now owned by Fred Lappin. [The first place north of the old Gould ranch, 3 miles north of Council. At this writing, it belongs to Richard Anderson.]

Mrs. Winkler was bed fast with a bone disease that made her helpless.

[From Listen! The Pine Trees Are Singing by Cary Davis George: Mrs. Carrie Winkler was an experienced driver of teams in her younger days. "She drove the covered wagon West with a big team of mules. However, twice she was thrown from runaway wagons. She hurt her back badly and had a terrible back trouble as she grew older. Eventually she became paralyzed."]

She [Mrs. Winkler] had two girls, I believe, by a previous marriage: Mrs. Sam (Lula) Osborn, and Tilda Davis... then 2 children by Mark Winkler: Anna, and Mark Jr. [They were] all married at the time I helped her. I kept my oldest girl, Wanda, with me part of the time while there, and sister Ethel took care of Melvin (or my mother at times). I went to Rigby, Idaho to see my in-laws the winter after working there so my children could see their other grandparents. By that time, I was getting $15 a month from the county to help take care of the children, so then I tried to stay home and take care of them myself. By not paying any rent, or buying fuel, I could get by, by being real careful, and staying on a strict budget. The only luxury I allowed myself was writing material. My folks gave me a half gallon of milk a day: a real sacrifice, as they depended on what cream they had for a living. So I used separated milk mostly.

Then in the spring of 1926, I believe April, I went with Dad and Bill Jones (brother in law) to Crooked River to Cook for the men at a new sawmill Jim Ward and Mr. Rooker were building. [This mill was located about 1/2 to 1 mile past the old Kramer stage stop. It was actually on Dick Ross Creek, a branch of Crooked River. It was not far to the west of the where the main road is today, and may have been quite close to where the old road used to run. W.S. Rooker was the manager of the Crooked River sawmill.] I lived, slept and cooked in a small tent. At first I left Melvin with Mom to go to school, or finish the term. As soon as the mill was cutting lumber, they built me a cook shack, and I started cooking for the mill crew. The log cutters camped, and some of the other help lived in tents, but soon lumber jack shacks were built all over the flat so a good many lived up there. But I still had 20 to 30 men to cook for.

Russell Merk and Clarence Wedding were cutting logs up there, and they batched, but Russell built a bedroom on the cook shack for me, so we got to know each other pretty well. [Russell Merk, born Dec. 31, l903, at Salubria, Idaho, had come to Fruitvale in 1924. His parents were Antone and Elizabeth Merk. Antone deserted his family, and went back to Missouri. Bill Baker said he was also working at the Rooker sawmill, and helped Russell build the bedroom.] Then we all went to the summit, as it was called [also called "Kramer"], to shivaree 2 couples that had just got married. Russell asked me to go with him, so that's how our romance started. We were married that July 3rd about midnight, at Fruitvale.

Adams County Leader, July 9, 1926—"Russell H. Merck (sic) and Mrs. May Kite of Fruitvale were married at the latter place on July 3 by J.J. Larkey, a justice of the peace."

[From Clint: “My grandparents told me in person that they got married while Grandma was cooking for a logging camp up on Crooked River. She had already been married once and had another child by another man. They were talking in the old cook shack as they drank the “pruno” or fermented prune juice that was there until they were both more than a little drunk. One of them suggested that they run off and get married—and so they did!”]

Bill and Ethel took us down. Mr. Larkey was a justice of the peace there. [He lived at the east end of Jonathan Ave. (2275), on the south side.] We got him out of bed to marry us. He had us sitting all around the room. He explained to us the laws of Idaho etc., then said, "I pronounce you man and wife", so we weren't sure we were married until we got our marriage license or certificate back. Russell had a model T Ford car that we traveled in back and forth to town etc., then he traded it for some potatoes to his step dad, Clarence Wedding. That's the way he proposed to me. He said he didn't know what he would do with all those potatoes.

[In later years, Mae and Russell said that on the night of their marriage, they had been drinking "pruno" (fermented prune juice), were a little tipsy, and got married on a lark. They were a little ashamed of this aspect of their start in life together, and told it only to illustrate the rough life they led before they became Christians. Lucille said they rode into town from Crooked River on an old cigar-shaped car when they got married. Russell sat astraddle the front part. It must have been a pretty wild night.]

The mill shut down early that fall, so we moved into Fruitvale. [Adams Co. Leader, Aug 19, 1927: "The Crooked River mill closed down last week and families are moving away."] We moved into the old hotel at Fruitvale.[On the SE corner of Rome Beauty Ave. and the Glendale - Fruitvale road.]

My sis moved into another place called the old Bill Harp place, and while there, she tried to crank their car, and broke her arm. [Adams Co. Leader, Aug 13, 1926: "Mrs. Bill Jones [Ethel] broke her wrist. Dr. Higgs came up and set the bones."] She carried Nadine to our place, and we called the doctor to set her arm. This happened about a month before Norman was born, so they moved in with us so I could care for her and family until the baby came. Then after he was born, we moved into another house that used to be the Fruitvale store, pool hall, real estate and what not in years gone by, and lived there until Alma was born.

[Alma was born March 30, 1927. This building was just south of the Fruitvale post office. It was later moved to just north east of the old bridge across the main Weiser River, 1/2 mile west of Fruitvale. It's long gone now.]

When she was a few months old, we moved into the old bunkhouse by the railroad track, as Russell was working on the railroad by that time, and made less rent. We had the railroad on one side, a few feet from the back door, the highway a less few feet from the other side, and a street [Monroe St.] on the south side. [This bunkhouse was located just north of the southern crossing of Monroe Street, between the tracks and the highway. There was a RR cattle guard on this crossing during the 1920's.]

We lived there until we filed on our homestead over by the folks that had been filed on by several folk I can remember: Bob Harp, Taylor Evans, Hanks, then Judd Ferris. He had built a shack down next to the new road, and cleared out a place, but there was still lots of brush and pine trees there yet; especially jack pines around the house. We built a room on back, and lived there long enough to prove up, then we moved to what we always called the Harp place down the canyon from Dad's homestead and joined his place. [In the canyon that runs down to Glendale from the top of Fort Hall hill.] We enjoyed more house room and water a little closer part of the time, but we had to haul water from Glendale in the summer. I carried my clothes over a quarter mile to a little stream to wash and bathe so we couldn't have to carry so much water. We raised a big garden there too, after we got some irrigation water from the Yantis ditch. We also had water in our well Pop dug. He dug a 30-foot well on our homestead, but it never had any water in it, so it was filled up. [Russell dug a lot of wells in the Fruitvale area over the years... all by hand.] We lived on the Harp place until Melvin was in the 8th grade, then in the spring, we moved to West Fork, over past Fruitvale, on the Wedding place. [This was next to the steep hillside below the present road, south of the Harrington ranch on West Fork. Alma was about 6 years old, and didn't finish her first year at school at Glendale because of the move.]

The children started to Fruitvale school then, and Dell had a lot of fights to prove he could take care of himself, which he did. We lived summers on the Wedding place, and winters at the old Finn place about a mile below, [the Schwartz place, originally Tom Glenn's homestead, then Finns lived there, then Abshires, now owned by Scism.] in a little house on the place, until the San Diego Produce Co. rented the Abshire place. Mr. Abshire had us move on the place to care for the buildings etc. Pop had worked for Mr. Abshire summers before this, so when the company started farming, we started working for them for two years. I cooked for the men, and Pop irrigated and farmed.

This is the end of Mae Baker Merk’s autobiography.

Adams County Leader, Mar 8, 1935:

Fruitvale: "The literary society was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Russell Merk gave the old rendition, 'The Face on the Barroom Floor' in a very pleasing manner."

THE FACE ON THE BARROOM FLOOR

1

It was a balmy summer evening, and a goodly crowd was there

Which well nigh filled Joe's Barroom on the corner of the square.

And as songs and witty stories came thru the open door,

A vagabond crept slowly in and posed upon the floor.

2

"Where did it come from?", someone said. The wind has blown it in.

"What does it want?", another cried "Some whisky rum or gin."

"Here Toby, seek him if your stomach's equal to the work.

I wouldn't touch him with a fork. He's filthy as a Turk."

3

This bandinage the poor wretch took with stocial good grace.

In fact, he smiled as tho he thought he'd struck the higher place.

Come boys, I know there's kindly hearts among so good a crowd.

To be in such good company would make a deacon proud.

4

Give me a drink, that's what I want. I'm out of funds you know.

When I had cash to treat the gang, this hand was never slow.

What? You laugh as if you thought this pocket never held a sou.

I once was fixed as well my boys as any on of you.

5

There, thanks, that braced me nicely. God bless you one and all.

Next time I pass this good saloon, I'll make another call.

Give you a song? No I can't do that. My singing days are past.

My voice is cracked, my throats worn out, and my lungs are going fast.

6

Say give me another whisky, and I tell you what I'll do.

I'll tell you a funny story, and in fact I promise to.

That I was ever a decent man not one of you would think,

But I was some four or five years back. Say give me another drink.

7

Fill 'er up Joe. I want to put some life into my frame.

Such little drinks to a bum like me are miserabley tame.

Five fingers there that's the scheme, and corking whisky too.

Well, here's luck boys, and landlord my best regards to you.

8

You've treated me pretty kindly, and I'd like to tell you how

I came to be the dirty sot you see before you now.

As I told you once, I was a man with muscle, frame and health,

Until misfortune and drink robbed me of all my pride and wealth.

9

I was a painter; not one that baubed on brick and wood,

But an artist, and for my age, was rated pretty good.

I worked hard at my canvas, and was bidding fair to rise.

For gradually I saw the star of fame before my eyes.

10

I made a picture perhaps you've seen, 'tis called the chase of fame.

It brought me fifteen hundred pounds, and added to my name.

And then I met a woman. Now comes the funny part.

With eyes that petrified my brain and sunk into my heart.

11

Why don't you laugh? 'Tis funny that the vagabond you see,

Could ever love a woman and expect her love for me.

But 'twas so, and for a month or two her smiles were freely given.

And when her loving lips touched mine, it carried me to heaven

12

Boys did you ever see a girl for whom your soul you'd give,

With a form like the Milo Venice too beautiful to live.

With eyes that would beat the Kohinoar, and a wealth of chestnut hair.

If so, 'twas she, for there never was another half so fair.

13

I was working on a portrait one afternoon in May

Of a fair haired boy, a friend of mine who lived across the way.

And Madeline admired it, and much to my surprise,

Said she'd like to know the man that had such dreamy eyes.

14

It didn't take long to know him, and before a month had flown,

My friend had stolen my darling, and I was left alone.

And 'er a year of misery had passed above my head,

The jewel I had treasured so had tarnished and was dead.

15

That's why I took to drink boys. Why, I never saw you smile.

I thought you'd be amused and laughing all the while.

Why what's the matter friend? There's a teardrop in your eye.

Come, laugh like me. 'Tis only babes and women that should cry.

16

Say boys, if you give me just another whisky, I'll be glad,

And I'll draw right here, a picture of the face that drove me mad.

Give me that piece of chalk with which you mark the baseball score.

You shall see the lovely Madeline upon the barroom floor.

17

Another drink, and chalk in hand, the vagabond began

To sketch a face that might well buy the soul of any man.

Than as he placed another lock upon the shapely head,

With a fearful shriek, he leaped and fell across the picture dead.

Added by Alma:

We lived on the Abshire place about 12 years; farmed it 8 years. [They never owned this place, just rented it.] We had four big horses: Cap, Queen, Nig and Bill.

From Clint:

In about 1933-34, when Mom was about 7 years old, a lady named Millie Bethel started a Union Sunday School in the Fruitvale schoolhouse. Mom remembers how Mrs. Bethel brought in people who could do object lessons and do “chalk talks” and how much she loved these as a child. In fact she was so taken by the chalk talks (you tell a Bible story while illustrating it with pictures drawn with chalk on a chalk board) that she later learned how to do it herself.

In the atmosphere of that little Sunday School, Mom first began to yearn to have a Christian family like some of the other children had—families where everyone did not fight and snipe and yell at one another. These families showed love to one another and it made a big impression on her young heart.

Mrs. Bethel apparently encouraged different preachers to come in and preach in the little schoolhouse whenever one was available. Somewhere in this period Grandma Merk was saved.

In the summer of what must have been 1934, Mr. Bethel put out a call to evangelists at Nampa First church of the Nazarene to come and hold an old fashioned camp meeting. Rev. F.D. Brown and his wife, and song evangelist, Otis Fesler, all agreed to come. A big tent was pitched down by the Weiser River bridge between what is now the Fisk ranch and Fruitvale. The meeting went on for at least two weeks as they often did in those days. Brother and Sister Brown both preached, as they were both Nazarene Elders. Many people were saved—including Russell Merk.

Grandad and Grandma Merk were not exceptionally bad people but they had both come from very rough backgrounds. Grandad had a still and was notorious for making bootleg whiskey. They often talked about Grandad running out of one side of a clearing with the “Revenuers” (Federal tax enforcement officers) coming in the other side. Someone in the family remembers Grandad hiding bottles of illegal moonshine between the rows of vegetables in the family garden at times.

Before he got saved, Grandad Merk stumbled onto a prayer meeting at the tent while he was on his way to deliver some vegetables to someone. He overhead Christians in fervent prayer for him—“that old bootlegger.” It touched his heart. He had a very long way to go to become a mature Christian but Grandad was on his way.

Rev. Brown kept coming back for some time to care for the new believers he had helped convert—traveling from Nampa to Council on horseback. It was said that we wore shabby and rather skimpy clothing and that he “almost froze” a time of cold weather.

Later the former song evangelist Rev. Fesler came and pastured the Fruitvale Nazarene Church, which continued to meet in the Fruitvale school. However, in the summer of 1936 the Fruitvale Nazarenes built a new church on the hill in Fruitvale with lumber that was salvaged from the old Council Methodist church, which was organized by my mother’s Great Grandfather about 1911. My great-great-grandfather, James L. Baker, was a well known Methodist circuit riding preacher who preached all over the area and started a great number of Methodist churches.

Unfortunately the Nazarene Church in Fruitvale later dwindled and died as most of the charter members but the Merks moved away. In about 1936 or 37, Rev. Martin M. Sweeney and his wife Bessie felt called to start a church in Council. They, of course, were counting on the support of Russell and Mae Merk of Fruitvale. The trouble is, when Rev. Sweeney came to call on the Merks, Russell met him at the door with a lighted cigarette (much to Granddad’s mortification!). Mom was about 9 or 10 at this time. Russell had got the victory over alcohol fairly quickly under the ministry of the Swinneys —but he struggled for a good long time over his nicotine addiction. He finally found glorious victory over that as well, but it was a painful and difficult process.

But Rev. Swinney was very patient, kind and encouraging of these new Christians, even though they greatly lacked required Nazarene behavior, Bible knowledge and Christian character. Church and Sunday school met in the Sweeney’s home for a time until the new church was built in the summer of 1938. Mom was saved while the church met in the Sweeney home.

When I was a boy I spent a lot of time at my grandparent’s house. They were pillars in the Weiser Church of the Nazarene. I can always remember what staunch mature Christians they were, making out their tithe check every Saturday night with a little something extra for the building program or something else.

Adams County Leader, Feb 18, 1943

R.H. Merk to preach at the Nazarene Church until new pastor is found.

By Alma: The Folks worked hard and made a better living than they ever had. [They] put up lots of loose hay, raised a big garden, canned, took care of the apple orchard, berries, pigs, and milked cows. They were faithful to the Church of the Nazarene. Pop thought he was called to preach, and started studying upstairs for a while. He did get a local preachers license, and filled in when the regular preacher was gone, and part of one year (?) when Jim Harmoning left.

Adams County Leader, Mar 25, 1938

Ethel Baker Jones died Mar 20 - age 32 born Dec 13, 1906

“After an illness of only a few day, Mrs. Wm. B. Jones of Tamarack died Sunday morning at the home of the sister, Mrs. Russell Merk at Fruitvale. Mrs. Jones has lived practically her entire life in this section of the county, coming here when only a small girl with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Baker. She leaves many friends to mourn her passing.

Funeral services were held at the Congregational Church in Council Monday afternoon with the Rev. M.N. Swinney of the Nazarene church conducting the services; Interment was made in the local I.O.O.F. cemetery.

Obiturary

Ethel Irene Jones, daughter of Mrs. And Mrs. Ernest Baker of Fruitvale, was born Dec. 13, 1906. She was married Nov. 24, 1923 to Wm. Blanchard Jones. Of this union were born five children: Ellen Nadine 13, Norman 11, Carol Jeane 10, Ronald Le Roy and Ladonna Lois, twins, 4 years.

She died mar. 29, 1938 at 8:30 a.m. after a short illness. Beside her husband and children, she leaves to mourn her death, her father and mother, Mrs. And Mrs. Ernest Baker, also five brothers and three sisters: Leslie Baker of Tamarack, William and Roy Baker of Horse Shoe Bend, Albert Baker of Lewiston, Wayne Baker of Fruitvale, Mrs. Russell Merk of Fruitvale, Mrs. W.A. Clemons of Spokane and Lucile Baker of Fruitvale.”

Nadine’s name was really Ella Nadine, after her grandmother Baker. Carols’ name is spelled Carol Jeanne. LaRoy’s name was not spelled LeRoy.

After Ethel died, Bill and the children moved to the old Robertson place north of Fruitvale. Nadine, Carol and Norman finished the school year at the Fruitvale school. Lucille lived with them and helped take care of the kids until Bill’s brother, John Jones, and his wife, Marie, came and talked Bill into moving to Middleton and going into the trucking business. Carol went to live with Bill’s sister, Louise Bliefernick in Boise just before the family moved. Sometime during the following winter (1939) Nadine, the twins, Ronald LaRoy and LaDonna Lois were sent to live with the Oglilvies on their farm on the Snake River not far from Huntington, Oregon.

John and Bill Jones sold their truck, and in May 1940 John, his wife, Bill and Norman left Middleton and traveled around Wyoming, Colorado and Nevada shearing sheep. Bill went his own way in late June or July. Norman wound up living with the Ogilvies for a while. Late that summer, Bill took Norman to live with Grandma Baker on the Baker homestead. Wayne and Lucille were also living there at the time. Norman attended the Glendale school that year—in the 8^th grade. Norman wrote: “During my school year at Grandmother Baker’s, Dad lived with Roy and Emma Baker on the old Baker homestead just north of Fort Hall Hill. Rod and Dad made fence posts for a living that year.

LaDonna (the girl twin) died of meningitis (the same thing that killed her mother) when she was seven years old, on May 7, 1940. Norman wrote: “That same month Dorothy Mink brought Elizabeth Catanzaro up to meet me. The Catanzaros wanted to adopt me. I didn’t want to leave Grandmother, but knew that I would not get to go to high school living tbere, so I opted to go with the Catanzeros.”

“The Ogilvies did not want to keep LaRoy after LaDonna died, so he was sent to foster homes for about a year until finally Gus and Pearl Young, who owned a farm in Meridian, Idaho, took him and adopted him. LaRoy changed his name to Lee. Sometime during the time I was with Gandmother Baker, Carol had trouble with Aunt Louise and went to live with the Minks in Weiser.” This was Mr. & Mrs. Fitz Mink, who had lived near the family at Glendale, but now lived at Weiser. Carol and Nadine were also taken in as foster children by the Minks. They didn’t actually adopt them. Norman was adopted by the Catanzaro family.

Adams County Leader, Dec 2, 1938

“The Fruitvale community and Council valley as a whole was saddened Monday with the news of the passing of W.E. Baker, a long time resident of Fruitvale community. Mr. Baker has been a resident of this section for many years and is widely known in the Upper country. He has lived for the past several years on his farm on the Fort Hall section and where his death occurred.

Obituary

William Ernest Baker was born at Delphi, Iowa, November 1, 1878. Three years later his parents moved to Colorado. In 1899 he was united in marriage to Mary E. Longenecker. They moved to Council valley in 1905. He has lived near Fruitvale from that time till he passed away at his home at 6:45 p.m. November 28, 1938 at the age of 60 years.

Those left to mourn his departure from this life are his wife, Mary E. Baker, five sons, James Leslie of Golden, Idaho, William Ernest of Horseshoe Bend, Roy of Fruitvale, Albert of Lewiston, and Wayne of Fruitvale and three daughters, Mrs. Russell Merk of Fruitvale, Mrs. Clemons of Spokane, Miss Lucille [Baker] of Fruitvale, fourteen grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Belle of Weiser, and a brother, Ellis Baker of Seattle.

Mr. Baker’s father was Rev. James Lyman Baker, a pioneer Methodist minister of Cambridge and Council in the early days and well known to the old timers of Council Valley.

Services were held Wednesday at 2:30 at the Congregational Church, with Rev. Martin Swinney of the Nazarene church conducting. Interment was made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.”

Adams County Leader, Nov 1, 1946 - Ella Baker died

Figure 24--Alma. Above, Left: high school

freshman, right, sophomore.

By Alma: Wanda and Melvin were mostly grown and gone by the time we moved to the Abshire place, but Dell and I did most of our growing up there. So many (good and bad) memories there. We kept Wanda's boy, Bobbie, and adopted him. He had his 3rd birthday with us. We had him about a year and it about broke all of us up when Sis took him back. He had a rough life between step dad and his own, and was later killed in active duty in Viet Nam about l967. [Bobbie was missing in action, and was never found.]

Talk with Alma 2004—Lizzy Weddings homestead was on the steep hillside below the road up West Fork. There were 5 or 10 acres down in the bottom where there was a garden. Alma and her parents, etc. lived there during the summer and at the Abshire house in the winter for a couple years. The house at the Abshire place was up on the hill—the house that Finns had.

Dell went to the Navy May 6, l944 and was discharged May 16, 1946.

I went to Northwest Nazarene College l945-6 and 1/2 year 1946-7 and 1/4 year 1947-8.

Nita McCullough stayed with us one summer during the war.

After the Abshire place, Mae and Russell moved to a farm near Midvale for about 1 to 1 1/2 years. Then they moved to the old McMahan place at Fruitvale which Lorne Rice then owned. They lived there for about 5 years in the mid 1950s, and then sold the place back to Rice. After that, they moved to Hermiston, Oregon (west of Pendleton) about 1956. They knew a preacher there who used to preach in Council. Russell worked on a big ranch while at Hermiston. They lived there about 2 years, and

Figure 29-- Dell, __, Wanda holding Kenneth, Pearl & Melvin Kite (baby is Jerry), Alma. __, __.

then moved to Weiser, on Commercial Street (next to old Mr. Seiber), and then to 1001 East Park Street.

Mae Loraine Baker Merk died January 26, 1975. She was 75.

Melvin Kite and Pearl were divorced and he remarried Thelma. She had three sons by a previous marriage: Terry, Steve and Walter Gentis. Terry was killed in a car wreck near John Day, Oregon. Steve was paralyzed from the waist down, and a third boy was killed. They were riding with a friend who was speeding. Steve was a senior in high school at the time and finished high school in a hospital in Portland. He came home to graduate in a wheel chair. Since then he has married, had a successful carrier in electronics and earned a pilot’s license.

Wanda Kite was married several times. Her first husband was Bill Taylor by whom she had a son, Bobby. Her second husband was Bob Jimmerson by whom she had a son, Kenneth. Bob Jimmerson died of leukemia, and Wanda remarried Delmer Smith. Wanda died about 1961.

LaDell Merk married Margaret. They were unable to have children. They lived on West Fork for many years and still do at this writing.

Russell Merk died, from a heart problem related to an irregular beat on January 11, 1976.

By Dale: My band, “Snake River” was playing at the Black Angus restaurant, and Nancy and I were going up to Council for a visit. We stopped in Weiser at Granddad's. He fixed us a big dinner (lunch) and had the next-door neighbors, Mr. & Mrs. Potter over to eat with us. After dinner, the Potters went home, and Grandad, Nancy and I sat in the living room talking. At about 3:30 Grandad stopped talking in the middle of a sentence as if he had to clear his throat. I noticed his eyes looked funny, and then realized they were rolled back in his head with a lot of white showing, and he was trembling. I called to him and shook him and he didn’t come out of it. I pulled him down onto the floor, put my ear on his chest and listened in vain for a heartbeat or breathing. I started trying a resuscitation method I had learned in the Army, but knowing more about CPR now, I probably wasn’t doing any good. I took his shoes off and put a blanket over him. While Nancy ran next door to get the Potters, I called for an ambulance. I felt like I was pretty much under control, but my voice shook so badly that I could hardly talk.

After the Potters got there, I gave Grandad mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until the ambulance arrived. I remember having to take Granddad's dentures out because they were loose in his mouth. The hospital was just down the same street (Park Street), so it was there very quickly. The attendant started CPR on him and instructed me to give Grandad a shot of oxygen after every three compressions. We kept this up all the way into the emergency room where I was asked to leave the room.

When Grandad first passed out, I felt horrified, but taking action kept my mind off of what was happening to some extent. After I left the ER I had time for it to soak in. There wasn’t much the doctor could do, and someone came out and told me he had died. I feel privileged to have been there when Grandad died. It felt as if, in a strange way, that it was like a private, personal good-bye.
From the Journals of Mae Baker Merk:

At Midvale--

June 9, 1949-- 50th birthday--feeling old.

At the old McMahan place at Fruitvale:

June 10, 1950--Pop surprised me with radio. Alma gave me cake box.

June 13, 1951--Kept Clinton. Went to West Fork for gravel with Pop.

July 2, 1951 Things as usual. Pop trying to hay. I drove tractor to haul bales in. Got lamp the kids got us for out 25th anniversary. Sure is a nice one.

July 3, 1951 Our anniversary.

Aug. 10, 1951 Mother Wedding's birthday.

Aug. 12, 1951 Big reunion of Mom's side of family. All the Baker children here but Albert. Aunt Minnie, Marvin & 2 children, Dorothy & hubby, Aunt Maud & Uncle Charles the last of Mom's family. Uncle Charles is very poorly. Had a good dinner at Evergreen Park. I wonder how many will ever get together again. We came to Lucille's [at East Fork] & ate melon.

Aug. 13 Russell got his teeth. Sure doesn't look natural. Hope they fit well.

Dec. 12 Got word Grandma Larkey died. Russell is to dig the grave and see to part of arrangements.

Dec 14 Went to Granny's funeral held at Cong. Church. I'm getting awfully nervous. Hope I don't get like I did last winter. Feel so blue cause kids can't be home for Christmas. Pop doesn't want to go anywhere. I stay in doors so close and get so nervous. I try his patience. Don't see why I was made this way. I just seem to be a damper on my family. I hope the Good Lord takes me home before I get any worse. I'm always saying & doing the wrong things. Pop gets so ashamed of me.

Jan 1-20, 1952 Snowed so much all month this far all fence posts were covered. Pop shoveled snow every day trying to keep roads, paths and buildings in shape. Is getting weary.

Jan 20-24 Snow and more snow. Roads just tunnels.

Jan 25 Had rain that settled snow 'till a few wires are showing. Had worst heart attack ever had. Couldn't go to church Sunday. Got Pop's breakfast Mon. morning (28) but layed around the rest of day.

Jan 29 Got Pop breakfast. Am feeling better but weak. Good crust on snow. Wish I could get outside.

Feb 1-11 Feeling some better, but so nervous but still talk too much. I get told off every time I get feeling better, then get upset again. Two words undo a week's gain.

Feb 16-29, 1952 Five feet of snow.

Mar 10-11 Alma came over to wash today. Her stove was wired in when she got home. I hope it isn't long 'till she goes to the hospital. [She was at least 8 months pregnant.]

April 1-15 Alma & Dick went to Boise to get house plans.

April 22 to 25, 1952 Alma isn't feeling well. Hope she goes to the hospital tonight.

April 26, 1952 Alma went to the hospital last night and baby was born this morning at 5. Had a lot easier time. Just hope all goes well. Named the baby Dale Lawrence.

May 1, 1952 Alma came home on 5th day feeling fine. Baby so sweet and good.

May 11 Alma had been feeling pretty well except one or two days of fever because she had too much milk. Thought she could go to Sunday school today but got sick, but better in afternoon.

June 1-10, 1952 I took care of Clinton and Dale from 5 to 9 in the evening. I sure love to, but it hurts so much to lift them. My chest hurt so bad all day. hope it gets better soon. My arm hurts this morning, but it's raining; that may be the cause.

June 12-19, 1952 Dell and Marge were over twice in a week [from Mt. Vernon] We phoned them Tuesday evening and they came over that same night. Looked at the place and made arrangements to buy it. Then went home Weds. to get rest of money. Jim Fisk promised $3,000.00 if they could raise the rest. They came back Friday night with money. Went to make out papers and Jim backed out on them. They sure were disappointed. Finally they went to see Laura (Ward) Hepp. She loaned them the money. They went home again Sunday Evening. Then Monday Pop went down and by noon Laura & Art decided to buy the place and let the kids pay them. We are all very happy.

June 23 Have felt so tired all day and my arms and chest hurt so bad.

July 19, 1952 Pop started [haying] Thursday 17 up at Stover's. We went to town Weds. afternoon to get groceries. Got $200.00 milk check. Also went to Finn's Shop and saw nice washer and Pop said if he would give us enough on our old one he would get it. I was happy, but didn't feel like we could afford it. He brought it last night and Alma came over today to wash and try it out. Sure is nice. Wasn't any mess at all. It's so easy to operate. no lifting water or tubs.

July 23, 1952 Blessingers moved Sat. 19th so the place is all Dell's now. Used the washer and like it fine. Pop got through haying at Stover's Monday 21st and turned the place back to Stovers and was sure relieved. Now he can put more time on our own place and take care of Dell's.

Oct 10, 1952 Bad day. Lucille got her back hurt bad. A tree fell on her. Poor child, she is suffering so much. Myrna and I went down twice and got diner for Jerry and boys.

Oct 15, 1952 Went to see Lucille. She is feeling lots better. One vertebra crushed, another out of place but have them back now so she feels better.

Dec 13 Mrs. Spear died

Mar 5, 1953. Went to Dr. He gave me a full physical exam. Found urine clear, blood count & pressure both normal. My heart and liver enlarged, also some irritation is lower bowel.

Mar 9 1953 Well, today is Clinton's 3rd birthday and we couldn't do a thing for him. He came over and gave us a big kiss.

Mar 21 Have been feeling bad for so long. Dr. had me come in for x-rays. Didn't find anything on intestines. Have to go back Weds. for stomach x-ray.

May 10, 1953 Mother's Day and I'm so alone. the children all remembered me, but not a one could spend the day. I get so lonely, especially on Sundays. Pop never wants to go anywhere, just sleep. I stay home all week and feel the need of relaxing. I get so pent up and need to be with other people, but I guess I never was meant to do things I've dreamed for years I could do when the children were grown.

May 11, 1953 Clinton was awfully sick. I had just got over there to make gowns for Lois Bowen's shower and he went into a convulsion. It was horrible. We put him in the bath tub and some color came to his face, but he didn't come to, so Hub took them to the hospital. He stayed over night. They brought him home again Tuesday morning, but he kept having a high temp. 102 - 103 but today or evening he started sweating, so hope the fever has broken. We kept Dale 2 nights.

June 2, 1953 Thunder storm. Alma thinks lightening struck their woodshed.

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned today. Was a beautiful ceremony.

June 5, 1953 Yesterday was Dick and Alma's wedding anniversary (3rd) Dick gave Alma a nice card and got a car. It's real nice too. She said he got a wedding band too. It hurts to see her gradually slipping from the old paths. I'll just have to pray a little harder. It may take a lot of fasting too. The wonderful experience she once had its hard to believe she could leave light to go back in darkness.

June 9, 1953 Well, another birthday. 54 Sure won't be long 'till 60, six more years.

July 22, 1953 Lois Bowen had a baby girl. Makes two for her. Heard Lucille was pregnant again. Just hope it is only one. [Her last babies were Harold and Gerald--twins.]

Sept 5, 1953 Pop would love to go fishing a few days, that would be fun, but there's cows to milk, 14 of them.

Oct 8, 1953 The man Dell thought would rent his place backed out. Dick Mink was killed last night. He was cutting seed and some way the combine killed him.

I have to run the school bus at night. Pop started running it Monday 5th.

Oct 22, 1953 Jerry Balderson turned his pickup over last night. It's sure hard on Lucille when things like that happen, but Jerry didn't get hurt. He is cutting logs for Rice and Robertson on Harvey Harrington's place.

The leaves are falling fast. Winter will soon be here. Our bills aren't all payed and no money for paying on the place. Pop is picking apples. We are about naked for clothes, but will make it some way.

Nov 15, 1953 Clinton has been pretty sick with stomach flu. Dick had it too. They are going to get his tonsils out just as soon as he is over this, and they can get him ready. I'm like Alma, I dread it but it has to be done.

Sunday, Nov 22, 1952 Tomorrow would be Alf's (Kite's) birthday. He would be about 58 or 9 years old. Delmer's birthday is the 23rd too. Now Melvin & Wanda are both as old and older than their daddy was when he passed away. It was just 32 years ago today that he died. I wonder where or what we would be doing if he were yet alive. He would be getting old too.

I was down to see Wanda Weds. & Thurs. They took me to Nampa to see Norma Jean and I saw television the first time. I was disappointed in it, and felt very much in need to be in prayer meeting. the time is too serious and short to take up our time with such trivial things as radio and television.

It's nearly time for Lucille to have her new baby.

Nov 28, 1953 Well, this is a red letter day. Earl McMahan's house burned to the ground tonight. Pop had gone to bed early. I was just fooling around when Alma (F.) called and the fire was well started the. I was just out of the bath tub, so got dressed and went down. The building was nearly gone then. We all helped and got most everything under cover so it wouldn't storm on it, then fixed lights so they could milk the cows and came home at 1:30.

Sunday -- Well, we had a few hours sleep then got up again. Did chores then Pop went to help move as there were two moves to make. Fane & E. up at the little house. Earl & Irene at Lesters old place.

Dec 4, 1953 Pop went to Cambridge to the John Deer show so I had to take the school bus.

Dec 9, 1953 Well, Lucille had her baby girl this morning at 2:10. Is a tiny little thing, but will be OK we hope. Lucille looks good. She had a natural birth without any help.

Dec 14, 1953 Lucille named her baby Mary Ann. She has quite a time but she is to go home today. I went in to see her last night. She doesn't have to wear her brace now, but can't nurse the baby.

We are going to town today to shop and see what we can trade. Pop wants a bigger deep freeze and I want to trade my two stoves for a combination range.

Dec 15, 1953 Bob's 16th birthday and no one knows where he is or how he is doing.

Pop ordered an Amana freezer yesterday. I sure don't know how we are going to manage it. It sure seems awful to me to get expensive things like that and the house not painted and our clothes are more rags than anything else. Lyons blood coming to the surface I guess. He can't fight it forever I guess. I only wish God had the influence people have. What are our creditors going to think just keeps going thru my mind.

Dec 28, 1953 Pop's birthday is Thursday. He will be 50. He really thinks he's old.

Jan 20, 1954 All the cows are dry but two. I sure hate the time when there isn't any income, but we have the school bus. That is $50.00 a month. It sure helps.

Wayne and Louise were married the 7th.

Jan 22, 1954 We went to Fred's & Amy's last night to see television.

Jan 23, 1954 Went to Fred's & Amy's again, but we both don't care for television.

Mar 9, 1954 Well, today is Clinton's 4th birthday. We called him this morning and I sang Happy Birthday to him and he said "Thank you," so low. It surprised him I guess.

April 4, 1954 Alma just passed her 27th birthday.

May 2, 1954 Mel & June have a television installed. We saw the airial this morning. I hope they see something on it that will help them to be Christian

May 4, 1954 Well, more fun. Pop cut his hand pretty bad last night when he was cutting wood. Had several stitches taken. Went back to have it dressed today.

May 21, 1954 This is the last day to drive the school bus. We will miss the money, but will seem good not to have to drive.

May 25, 1954 Dell's birthday again. He is 29 years old. It sure doesn't seem possible and I don't seem to be able to do anything for my kids anymore.

June 10, 1954 Well, another year on my shoulders. 55 years is a long time. I thought I had kept so still o one would remember this year, but first thing Clinton sang Happy Birthday on the phone and Dale said happy to-day to me too. They are so sweet little guys.

June 30, 1954 Went to Weiser Sat. morning (26th) and got mother W. [Wedding, Russell's mother] from the hospital and brought her up here. She could get up and wait on herself pretty well 'till last evening when she got bad again. I'm wondering how long she will be in bed or how long I'll be able to stand up under all this, but the Lord knows my needs, so I'm leaving it in His hands. I've been so nervous and feel pretty tough most of the time, but He has given me strength.

July 6, 1954 Marble's house burned down the 2nd of July, but they saved nearly everything. They are like little lost children.

July 14, 1954 Mother W. is lots better but still won't try to do anything unless told to. I sure hope she starts trying pretty soon. She has been here nearly 3 weeks and it's been a daily chore to help her up & down, get her dressed, or back to bed, empty bed pans in & out of the wheel chair 7 carry her meal sot her, wash her teeth and bathe her, but I'm beginning to get a routine started so it isn't so hard.

July 23, 1954 Dick & Alma started on a trip this morning or near noon. Was to go as far as John Day.

Aug 2, 1954 Alma & Dick came home yesterday. They seemed t have had a good time, but were glad to be home again.

Russell took Mother W. to Weiser last Wed. (July 28). Sure seems good to be alone again.

Aug 9, 1954 Mrs. Emmerson passed away today. [She had been partially paralyzed and bed-ridden for a long time.] I stayed with her to the end and cleaned up after she was taken away.

Aug 19, 1954 Well, another old-timer has gone. Mrs. Bob Young passed away Tuesday eveing Aug 17.

Sept 8, 1954 Little Warren Rice has been awfully sick. He has been in the hospital a week today I believe. Had a burst appendix.

Sept 11 to 24, 1954 Everett Ryals passed away suddenly today from a heart attack. He had helped haul wood all morning and was ready to dat dinner when he got sick and told Bertha to take him to the hospital and he drove part of the way but didn't live long after he got there. Mel didn't get there until he was gone.

Nov. 8, 1954 Well, another old timer has gone. Laura Hepp [Ward] passed away yesterday Nov. 7. I don't know any details yet. That's 3 deaths since Aug 9. Mrs. Emmerson, Everett Ryals, Laura Ward Hepp. Grandma McMahan is very feeble-- also Mrs. Ham. They probably won't last too long. Mr. & Mrs. Fisk are both feeble too. We never know who will be next. Guy Marble has been feeling bad quite a lot lately too.

Nov. 11, 1954 Well, this is the year Armistice Day has been changed to Veteran's Day.

Dec 1, 1954 Alma is in the hospital and finally she told what I suspected. She thought last night she would have to go to surgery this morning, but we don't have any news that is positive.

Sam Emmerson got hurt last night. Got his leg under the big cat in the woods. Crushed his knee & ankle I think. Mr. Fisk came home yesterday.

Jan. [illegible, but is between Jan 3 and 19] 1955: Helen Fisk was operated on (breast removed)

Feb 10, 1955 Well Helen is home. Seems to be fine.

Feb 11, 1955 I went up to Mary's. They have television. I had to stay to see it.

Mar. 30, 1955 Alma's birthday. 28th. She is half as old as her mother.

April 14, 1955 Well, the talk with Fane & Ernest [McMahan] just made it sure we can't keep the place. We owe 1 year payment, interest & $80.00 for last year so [?] don't want us to keep it. Ernest doesn't say, but Tuesday Loren Rice told us he wanted it, so Today they are down to fix up the papers. I guess we will rent for 3 year from what I know now.

April 19, 1955 Went to Weiser to a Sunday School Rally. Bro. Potter was the speaker. He was really good. As usual Pop was cross and doesn't want to hear about it. Maybe if I live long enough I'll learn to keep my mouth shut, but good things are hard to keep bottled up.

April 26, 1955 Today is Dale's 3rd birthday, but it isn't much of a day for them as Mr. Fisk passed away last night at 11.

April 29, 1955 Today is Ernest McMahan's 63rd birthday. Also Jim Fisk was buried and such a crowd of old timers that I knew.

May 24, 1955 Bobby Jimmerson died the 20th and was buried yesterday at Payette. The last of the Robt. Jimmersons. Poor kid suffered so much.

June 16, 1955 Sarah Yantis passed away this morning about 6 o'clock.

Aug 10, 1955 Now we hear Helen has cancer in both lungs. Hub took her to Boise today. Unless God intervenes she won't last very long.

Aug. 11, 1955 Kept the boys so Alma could go to the Dr. She is so sick all the time. I don't think even a girl is worth it, and I'll bet it's another boy.

Aug 14, 1955 Helen came home for the weekend. She took treatments all week but I'm afraid it's all in vain. She is to go back tomorrow.

Rices had a baby girl, born Aug 13--Lucille's twins' birthday. Alma has been so sick. She takes pills and they make her sleepy. I hope it will soon be over.

Sept. 5, 1955 My first marriage wedding anniversary 48 years.

Sept 16, 1955 We answered an ad in the Idaho Farmer. Wonder if it will change our way of living any. Don't suppose we will get an answer.

Oct. 25, 1955 We decided to sell our cows an go on a vacation to see what we can find. We are going to take a trip the 21st if it's the Lord's will and look for work.

Nov 5, 1955 OUR FIRST BIG VACATION TRIP. Was gone 8 days. Went to Hermistion [Oregon]. Had one job then and spent Mon. Tues. looking about others. Found one better at $200.00 a month winter $250.00 summer. We are to move next week if possible.

Sat. Nov. 12, 1955 Hermiston. We arrived at Hermiston yesterday. Fred Glenn moved us. Got stuck in the Blue Mts. in a blizzard.

[They lived in their new place without electricity until Nov. 28]

Dec. 1, 1955 Got a letter from Alma today. Helen passed away 11:50 Tuesday night Nov 29. She doesn't have to suffer now.

Jan 25, 1956 Got a letter from Alma today saying Dick had surgery yesterday 24th. Was fine and Clinton lost his first tooth the 19th. Big day for the family.

Feb 28, 1956 The men started farming this afternoon, harrowing. Our wages will go up now. (I hope.)

Mar 9, 1956 Today is Clinton's 6th birthday--the first we've ever been away from him. I wonder if he misses us like we do he & Dale. It won't be long 'till I go back to be with Alma. I hope it's a girl.

Mar. 14, 1956 Left at noon for Alma's to stay with her when her baby is born.

Mar 15 - 20 Alma trying to hurry as I could stay with her. Baby boy born 1:52 on Tuesday Mar 20 morning weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. 22 in. long. A husky fellow. Went to see Alma in afternoon. She was up walking around.

Mar. 24, 1956 Alma came home. A little weak but took over car of baby.

Mar. 25 - 27, 1956 Did Alma's washing and ironing. Cleaned the house good and came home 27th. Gone nearly 2 weeks. Pop sure was getting lonesome. I sure was happy to get home too. I missed my Pop also.

April 26, 1956 Dale's birthday, 4 years old.

June 9, 1956 Another year added on. 57 is pretty close to 60.

July 27-31 We left Friday (27) for Idaho. Clinton & Dale really tickled to see us.

Aug 10, 1956 Mother Wedding's birthday 69 years

Sept 7, 1956 Phillip and Eula Mae Cameron have a boy born Aug 31. Named him Timothy Eugene.

Sept 20, 1956 We travel and do things fast. We have been to Weiser and back. Bought a home--ready to move too.

Sept 30, 1956 Our move is made. [Moved to 1020 East Commercial St. in Weiser.] We are partly settled. We just got back from Horseshoe Bend. Roy [Baker] was killed in a logging accident Friday 28.

We have had a weeks meetings now to start a new Pilgrim church.

Oct 2, 1956 Roy buried today and what a service. L.D.S.? All the family were together once more. One more gone. It's sad--but life. Wanda in hospital with lung hemorrhage. Dr. found it was pneumonia. So glad no worse.

Oct 30, 1956 Pop has been serving as pastor for the new Pilgrim church and has 3 programs on the radio.

Nov 1, 1956 Would have been dad Baker's birthday. He has been dead 18 years. How time flies.

Nov 7, 1956 Bro. Wellingham arrived today. Weiser Pilgrim church's first regular pastor. [They supported this church, but it went out of existence before too long, and they started attending the Nazarene Church.]

Pop working trowling cement at new school. Hope he gets more steady work 'till we make enough to see us thru and help in church work. Also hope Pop gets to feeling better.

June 9-10, 1957 Well, another birthday (58) I'll be 60 before I know it. We got a letter Sat. that changed things a bit. They want us back at Hermistion so we plan to go tomorrow (11th). Pop traded our car for a pickup. Studebaker 3/4 ton truck. Sure hope it isn't too hard riding to church in. We're such an unstable pair. Hope things work out in Oregon.

Aug 17, 1957 Left Hermiston. Arrived Weiser 2:30.

Aug 21, 1957 Pop went to work for school.

Sept. 3, 1957 Sam Osborn passed away today.

Oct 1, 1957 Mother W. moved into new home 1203 East Main.

Oct 12, 1957 We are to go to Council today to Mrs. Fisk's funeral.

Jan 6, 1958 Heard on radio Ernie Finn has passed away this morning. It doesn't seem possible. He talked to Pop Christmas on the phone. Poor Hattie.

Jan 6, 1958 Went to Council yesterday so Pop could help dig grave. Buried Ernie today. Bro. Cope preached a good sermon. Broke down tho. [Mae was very sick all this spring (1958).]

Feb 7 through __, 1958 Went to Alma's to be there when the new baby came. Was there two weeks before she came and was a girl this time and everyone happy. She was feeling punk all evening Sat. 22 but real good all day. We were up most of night. Took her to the hospital at 4 o'clock and baby was born at 7:45. Biggest baby. 8 lbs. 10 oz. but easiest birth for Alma. I have been with her each time but Dale's birth. They named her Mary Elaine. I stayed at Alma's till the next Sat. Mar. 1st and Clinton took mumps Monday 24th then measles in a couple of days. Suppose I'll be having mumps too, but maybe not.

Mar 25, 1958 Well, had mumps. Took them Mar 17th. Was in bed a week.

May 25, 1958 Lucille has a new boy today.

June 2, 1958 We had our annual family gathering Memorial Day. All were here but Spike & Albert but saw Spike & Edna Sunday. Lucille has a baby boy, but sure looks bad.

Beginning new book--five year diary. In front says, "Mae Lorraine Merk--1020 E Commercial, Weiser, Ida." Entries start on June 7, 1958.

June 26, 1958 Bad news first thing (6:30) Terry [Melvin's son] killed last night. Steve [other son] back broke. In hospital in Portland. Am leaving for John Day soon today.

June 27, 1958 Slept at Melvin's last night. They are to be home. Arrived evening all broke up. Steve holding his own. He took some food by mouth. Had air tube out. We are hopeful.

June 28, 1958 Terry's funeral

June 30, 1958 Alaska made a state.

July 31, 1958 Last day of 3 cent stamp. 4 cents tomorrow for letter.

Aug 29, 1958 Alma and boys came by bus.

Aug 30, 1958 Alma & Pop shopped. Kept baby and Larry.

Sunday, Aug 31 Dick cam in time for SS today so went with us. Boys fight so much. Makes me nervous, but happy to have them with us. Alma and Dick left after dinner.

Sept 2, 1958 Dales first day at school. Clinton's 3rd year.

Sept 8, 1958 John and Bonnie Fisk's first boy. Got letter from Alma. Dale making it fine at school.

Sept 9, 1958 Alma called at noon. Said Dale had fight first day at school

Dec 29, 1958 Went to Council. Stayed at Alma's. Our car broke down. Got another. '53 station wagon Chev. Traded old Studebaker pickup in.

Aug 7, 1959 Nelma has baby girl.

Aug 27, 1959 Busy day. Children here. Alma & Dick went to town. I kept Elaine, Larry & Dale. Ate dinner. Got ready to see Air Show. Was good but scary. Larry so scared. Ate supper. Kids went home. [Seems to me Dad said Grandma was so scared at one point at the air show that she tried to crawl under a car. I just remember the jets being SO loud.]

Oct 10, 1959 Pop and Alma took Elaine to the Dr. She got worse. Had to take her to hospital. Pop went home to take care of [deer] meat. I stayed to take care of boys. Elaine better. Dick went hunting with relatives and to hospital. Dale got sick now.

Oct 11, 1959 Elaine pretty sick. Baby in convulsions yesterday. Dick took Dale down early. Brought all back before noon. Larry cranky too. Hope Clinton is OK.

Oct 13, 1959 Alma called. Clinton feeling bad. Rest better.

Nov 12, 1959 40 years ago this morning at 5:30 a wee boy came to our house. It doesn't seem possible. I was just 20.

Dec 13, 1959 Ethel's 53rd birthday. She was with us 22 years ago.

Dec 26, 1959 Got letter from Alma. Elaine is sick too. Dale howled because they can't come down, so we are going up in the morning.

Dec 31, 1959 Pop's 56th birthday.

Jan 8, 1960 Nadine came to get TV set. Sure missed it tonight, but didn't die off as Pop thot we would.

Feb 22, 1960 Sent Elaine a birthday card. She wil be 2 yrs old tomorrow.

May 12, 1960 Alma and Dick got new car. Alma and family came so got dinner for them. Had to wait a long time for Dick and Dale. Elaine pulled plants up outside.

May 24, 1960 Dick came down. Brought Clinton. He went to Ontario to Dr. He let Clinton stay with us, but he is pretty restless.

May 26, 1960 Clinton went with Pop to school. Stayed till around 11 o'clock then started home. Got lost. Went Back. Pop brought him home. He is anxious to go to town tomorrow. House across tracks burned.

May 27, 1960 Clinton went with Pop on bus both ways as this is last day of school. Came home with Pop at noon. Fussed because it was so long till time to town.

May 28, 1960 Clinton having hard time finding things to do. Dick called from airport. Brought clothes for Clinton. Clinton excited he can stay. Played with neighbor children.

May 29, 1960 Sunday Went to SS. Ate dinner and drove out to Galloway dam to see if salmon were jumping. Lots of little fish. We came home and rested. Clinton was happy at Junior meeting.

May 30, 1960 Went to Council early. Decorated graves then went to Wayne's. Bill & Olivea, Gracae & Al, George, Donna & children, Lucille & children, Alma Dick & Children & us were there.

July 9, 1960 Police came yesterday. Asked about Sam Seiber. I hope I don't have to testify.

July 16, 1960 Cops didn't keep Sam long. He has to appear Mon. Mrs. Seiber hurt. I feel sorry for them.

July 23, 1960 Had to go up and make a statement against Sam Seiber. It doesn't look like they have a case.

Aug. 1, 1960 Dale came home with us Sat. eve. so he's lonely. Hope it's nice tomorrow so I can wash. Went to town for groceries. Dale went too.

Aug 2, 1960 Inez called. Said she would be here today. She came at 9:00. Brought mother Wedding down. We had good visit. Went to radio station. Took Mother & Dale.

Aug 3, 1960 Sam mad at me. Dale went with Pop. He just looks at the kids. Dale liked radio visit. Prayer meeting.

Aug 4, 1960 Alma coming down. Dale had tooth pulled. Jaw swollen.

Oct 23, 1960 Wrote to Alma. She wrote. She is pregnant again. Poor girl. Really hated it this time.

Nov 9, 1960 Kennedy elected president. First Roman Catholic & youngest man ever elected.

Mar 12, 1961 Charles Burt passed away last night.

Mar 14, 1961 New dial wall phone installed.

Apr 15, 1961 Started using dial phones in Weiser.

April 26, 1961 Dale's birthday. Hope his measles are better. Alma hasn't much longer to wait now.

May 12, 1961 Friday. What a day. Alma called at 2:00 this morning. We went up. Pop came home. We went to hospital at 6:30 or 7:00. Baby born at 11:15. Big goy. 9 lbs. 2 oz. Alan Dewaine. Dick didn't come till afternoon. got to bed 11:00 tired.

June 21, 1961 Clinton hurt his foot this morning. Sprained it bad. Pastor took him to Dr. and he had x-ray. No bones broken but bad sprain. It's so hot can't sleep at night. Betting so nervous.

Aug 10, 1961 Went up to Alma's

Dec 9, 1961 Alma, Dick and Clinton came about noon. Dick leaving for Calif. I came home with her. Cold. Baby Alan sick. So cold all night we didn't get much sleep.

Dec 10, 1961 So cold. Alan some better. Baby Alan so sick all night. We were up most of night. Alma all night bathing him.

Dec 11, 1961 Alan lots better but bowels not good yet, but he is happy. Kids so noisy. They fight so much.

Dec 12, 1961 We worked all day, sewing, etc. Mostly tried to keep warm. No damper in stove. Burns so much wood. No heat.

Dec 13, 1961 Alma went to town. Got damper for stove. Kids make me pretty nervous but try to hold it down.

Dec 19, 1961 Dick came last night. Went home on mail truck. I wonder if he was met with open arms. Bet he was.

Dec 31, 1961 Pop's birthday. 58 years old. Alma called. All had flu.

Feb 17, 1962 Alma called late evening saying she might be down tomorrow. Dick off to town again. What will become of that family? [She didn't go down.]

Feb 20, 1962 U.S. sent first man into space!! this morning.

Feb 21, 1962 Mexicans cleaning up Martin house on corner. Must have bought it. Pop sure will have to decide to or not to move. Prayer meeting.

Feb 22, 1962 Mexicans moving in. Sure have a lot of stuff. Must be buying and so many around all the time. Sure hate to see them moving in. Makes our property low value.

March 26, 1962 Lula [Osborn] came to say for sure she wanted the place. [She was buying it from Russell and Mae for $4,500] We are sure upset. Looked at house & [barn?]. No deal. Too old. Rented a place tonight. $45.00 [841 Galloway] Have to get moved somewhere.

Mar 27, 1962 Pop looked at place on E. Park. We decided to buy. $5,500. Can't hardly believe it's so cheap & big. Can keep my hens. Packed all day. Sure tired & nervous.

April 16, 1962 All excited over move. Got it all down there (at 1001 E. Park, Weiser) but so tired couldn't get much done before bed time. & so much outside to do. Don't know where to start.

June 13, 1962 Sam Emmerson died Sunday eve. 10th.

June 19, 1962 Dick, Linda & Clinton came down. Clinton stayed.

June 22, 1962 Alma came down to get car door painted & get Clinton. Sure a mob of kids with neighbors. Was good to be along again & quiet.

Sept 29, 1962 Jack Ryals hurt last night. Took him to Boise. Not expected to live. Mike had head injury.

Oct 1, 1962 Jack Ryals passed away this morning.

Oct 22, 1962 Exciting day. President Kennedy called men back to Wash. for conference. Looks like war close.

FAMILY TREE ON THE MERK BRANCH

An Irish man ____Lyons & a Blackfoot Indian woman—Children: John, (more?)

John C. Lyons married Ida Haite 1885 (probably in Michigan)

John C. Lyons—born 6-20-1861 at Midvale, Idaho— died 4-13-1945

Children: William M. Lyons (b. 4-20-1896 d.6-_-1971), Lizzy (Merk, Jacoby, Wedding), Bertha (Leddington), Clarrissa (Wikoff)

Bill Lyons married Margaret ____: Children: Juanita (Nita m. Elvin McCullough) b. about 1927, John, Robert (b. about 1924) & stepson, Mike Delane (listed in 1930 census as Dwain, age 9)

Bill Lyons died quiet young.

Clarissa Wikoff married Oscar Wikoff, the brother Frank Wikoff who is the father of Clarence Wikoff, Edna Addington-Lakey and Lila Coates. Clarissa and Oscar had 12 children.

1910 Census—T624, Roll 228 p. 2886—Washington County, Midvale:

John Lyons age 48 married 25 years born Michigan--father & mother born Michigan

Ida Lyons age47 married 25 years born Michigan-- father & mother born MO

Bill 15 born in Michigan

Clarrissa 7 born in Michigan

Elizabeth Merk 22 widow—born in Michigan (widow? Seems a mistake)

1910 Census—T624, Roll 228 p. 206a—Washington County, Midvale:

John Lyons age 49—married 27 years—b. Michigan--father b. U.S., mother b. Michigan

Russell—age 6—grandson—father b. MO, mother b. Michigan

Ida—b. Michigan—father b. Illinois, mother b. Illinois

Bill—age 14

Lizzy—age 23

Anton Merk married Lizzy Lyons Merk 12-25-1902 at Salubria

Children: Clattie (Clay-tee)—married Leonard Detzfeld

Children: Leta, Elaine, Sharon

Josie—married Elmer Bratton

Children: Hazel

Grace—married Roy Barnes

Clarence—died in 1928 in a car wreck

_____ —died as infant

Anton Merk had a brother, Henry who had one son and two daughters.

Aton Merk was tall (over 6 feet) and lean. After he and Lizzy were divorced, he remarried Effie May Rollings. He died 3-30-1957 at the age of 83. Effie died 1-25-1966

Lizzy was slender, with black hair and what seemed to me (Dale) a somewhat dark complexion. She remarried a man named Jacoby, by whom she had: Ed, Inez (Whittom), Georgie

Lizzy was remarried to Clarence Wedding. They had one child: Lois (Thrall)

Lizzy died in the 1960s at Weiser.

Russell Merk married Mae Baker Kite July 3, 1926……Mae had Melvin & Wanda Kite from marriage to Alf Kite.

Children: Alma Merk Fisk & LaDell Merk………………..Del and Marge had no children

Alma married Dick Fisk---- Children: Clint, Dale, Larry, Elaine, Alan

Clint married April Hill---Children: Forest, Spring

Dale married Nancy Varner (1973)—Children: Andrea. Divorced in 1982 and remarried

Anna Nicholsen—Children: Blaine Russell Fisk and adopted Jasmine Salazar (age 8) in 1998.

Larry married Patty Mains—no children. Divorced and married Penny Cameron. Children: Jim and Ashley.

Penny had Jeremy and Connie Cameron by her first husband, Tim Cameron.

Elaine married Phil Lacy—Children: Nathan, Heather

Heather married Adam Fry—Children: Taylor

Alan married Kim Nichols—no children. Kim had Christine and Eric by her previous marriage.

FAMILY TREE ON THE BAKER BRANCH

Samuel Baker & Perdita _____

Benjamin S. Baker & Phoebe Ellis

James Lyman Baker & Mary Adelade…………….Her parents were Joseph Caldwell &

Sarah Lotridge

William Ernest Baker & Mary Ella Longenecker

Mae Baker-Kite-Merk

Alma Merk Fisk

1-Jacob Longenecker & Chistiana ____

2-Samuel Longenecker & Maryann Cramer

3-Jacob Levi C. Longenecker……….|

& |

& |-----------Mary Ella Longenecker

3-Luretta McDonald…………………|

2-Andrew McDonald & Mary Ann McCain…….her parents: Daniel McCain & Magdalena Voorhis

1-Hugh McDonald & Catherine Sheets

The Children ofWilliam Ernest Baker & Mary Ella Longenecker:

(These should have embedded links to Ancestry.com files by Norman Catanzaro)

Mae Lurene BAKER was born 9 JUN 1899 in Golden,Jefferson,Colorado, and died 26 JAN 1975 in Weiser,Washington,Idaho. She married Alpheus W KITE 1920 in , son of George KITE. He was born 1892 in Rigby,Idaho, and died 1921 in Baker Hmstd,Near Fruitvale,Adams,Id. She married William B MOSMAN. She married Russell Horatio MERK 3 JUL 1926 in Fruitvale,Adams,Idaho. He was born 31 DEC 1903, and died JAN 1976 in Weiser,Washington,Id

James Leslie BAKER was born 20 MAR 1901 in Golden,Jefferson,Colorado, and died 30 AUG 1965 in McCall,Valley,Idaho. He married Edna May HOLBROOK 24 MAY 1924 in . She was born 17 APR 1906 in Pine Valley,Ore, and died 21 DEC 1989 in McCall,Valley,Id. Children: Edward, Warren, Donald. Edward’s wife is Janet Fleming’s sister.

Ethel Irene BAKER was born 13 DEC 1906 in Baker Homestead,Near Fruitvale,Adams,Idaho, and died 12 MAR 1938 in Merk Farm,Near Fruitvale,Adams,Idaho. She married William Blanchard JONES 24 NOV 1923 in Council,Adams,Idaho, son of Norman William JONES and May Isabell BRACKENBURY. He was born 28 SEP 1894 in Almo,Cassia,Idaho, and died 28 JUN 1977 in Weiser,Washington,Idaho.

Grace Winefred BAKER. She married William P CLEMMONS, (everyone called him “Al.”) son of George W CLEMMONS and Mary EDGE. He was born 9 AUG 1892 in Dadeville,Dade,Mo, and died 15 FEB 1978 in Weiser,Washington,Id. Children: George, Ronald

William Ernest BAKER. She married Olivia Baxter NIELSEN, daughter of Charles G. NIELSEN and Catherine Stuart BAXTER. She was significantly older than Bill and had children from a previous marriage. She was born 1 OCT 1897 in Wellsville,Cache,Utah, and died 1 NOV 1987 in Horseshoe Bend,Boise,Idaho. Bill remarried to Florence WHITTINGTON. He married Jessie Blanch STULL. Bill never had children of his own. Jessie and Bill are living near Sweet, Idaho at this writing.

Roy Harrison BAKER was born 12 DEC 1914 in Near Fruitvale,Adams,Idaho, and died 28 SEP 1956 in Scriver Creek,Near Crouch,Idaho. He married Emma Nielsen BYERS 24 MAY 1937 in Council,Adams,Id. She was born 12 OCT 1907 in Shelly,Bingham,Id, and died 15 AUG 1959 in Smiths Ferry,Valley,Id. Emma was the sister of Olivia Baker (Bill’s first wife.) Emma had two children by a previous marriage: Maxine and Jimmy. Roy & Emma had: Nolan and ________

Lucille Carmen BAKER was born 21 MAR 1917 in Near Fruitvale,Adams,Idaho, and died 26 JAN 1992 in Council,Adams,Idaho. She married George(Jerry) William BALDERSON, son of Elmer G BALDERSON and Anna Clara DE VRIES. They lived on Mill Creek and Jerry still does at this writing. Their children: John, Harold and Gerald (twins), Mary, Bill.

Albert Ross BAKER was born 19 MAR 1920 in Near Fruitvale,Adams,Idaho, and died 29 JAN 1971 in Anatone,Asotin,Washington. He married Betty Louise LEONARD. Louise and Albert divorced and she married Wayne Baker. (Louise was the sister of Wayne’s second wife, Mickie.) Louise and Albert had no children, He remarried Alice Jean HALSEY. Albert remarried Alice PARSONS. In Albert’s obituary, no wife is even mentioned. Children with either his second or third wife: Cheryl, Ernest, Paul, Alicia (Floch) Their mother died when the kids were quite young.

Wayne Lindell BAKER was born 26 JUN 1922 in Near Fruitvale,Adams,Idaho, and died 4 APR 1991 in Lincoln City,Tillamook,Oregon. He married Merna E “Mickie” JOHNSON. He married Mickie’s sister, Betty Louise STARK (Albert Baker’s former wife.) He married Violet Mae Owens in 1967. Violet had several children and they lived on the old J.L. Baker homestead on the west side of the Fort Hall Hill summit. Her son, Bobby, was killed when a car hit him on the highway in front of their place.

James Lyman BAKER was born 14 AUG 1848 in ,New York, and died 8 NOV 1920 in Cambridge,Washington,Idaho. He was buried 10 NOV 1920 in Canyon Hill Cem,Caldwell,Idaho. He was the son of 24. Benjamin Samuel BAKER and Phoebe Jane ELLIS.

Mary Adelade CALDWELL was born 7 NOV 1852/1853 in ,Polk,Iowa, and died 4 JAN 1936 on Ogilvie Farm, Malheur County, Near Huntington, Ore. She was buried in Canyon Hill Cem, Caldwell, Idaho. She was the daughter of 26. Joseph CALDWELL and 27. Sarah LOTTRIDGE.

Jacob Levi C LONGENECKER was born 17 MAR 1856 in Bedford,Bedford,Pennsylvania, and died 20 MAY 1917 in Denver,Denver,Colorado. He was the son of 28. Samuel LONGENECKER and 29. Maryann CRAMER.

Luretta Jane MCDONALD was born 14 MAR 1859 in Delphi,Carroll,Indiana, and died 19 MAY 1920 in Denver,Denver,Colorado. She was buried in Fairmont Cem,Denver,Denver,Colo. She was the daughter of 30. Andrew Harrison MCDONALD and 31. Mary Ann MCCAIN.

Their children were:

Mary Ella LONGENECKER was born 29 NOV 1881 in Delphi,Carroll,Indiana, and died 30 OCT 1946 in Near Fruitvale,Adams,Idaho. She married William Ernest BAKER 25 FEB 1899 in Morrison,Jefferson,Colo, son of James Lyman BAKER and Mary Adelade CALDWELL. He was born 1 NOV 1878 in Adelphi,Polk,Iowa, and died 28 NOV 1938 in Near Fruitvale,Adams,Idaho.

Minnie Jane LONGENECKER was born 4 APR 1883 in Deercreek Tnshp,Carroll,Ind, and died 31 DEC 1971. She married Frank Olin BAKER 2 NOV 1902 in Long Pine,Brown,Nebraska, son of James Lyman BAKER and Mary Adelade CALDWELL. He was born 6 SEP 1876 in Near Grd Island,Nebraska, and died 13 APR 1922.

Maude Inez LONGENECKER was born 5 JUN 1885 in Near Mt Morrison,Jefferson,Colo, and died APR 1954 in Wheatridge,Denver,Colo. She married Charles K SMITH 1 JAN 1901

Albert Ross LONGENECKER was born 12 MAY 1887 in ,Jefferson,Colo, and died 1903.

Jacob J LONGENECKER was born 30 JUN 1888 in ,Colorado, and died 25 JUL 1896 in Morrison,Jefferson,Colorado.

Hazel Idel LONGENECKER was born 5 MAY 1889 in Morrison,Jefferson,Colo, and died 31 OCT 1936 in Boise,Ada,Idaho. She married Roy WOODRUFF ABT 1914. He died 31 OCT 1936 in Boise,Ada,Idaho.

Benjamin Samuel BAKER was born ABT 1828 in ,New York, and died in Rockford,Winnebago,Ill. He was the son of 48. Samuel Benjamin BAKER and 49. Perdita

And

Phoebe Jane ELLIS was born 12 FEB 1832 in Albany,Albany,New York, and died 10 OCT 1915 in Ft. Collins,Larimer,Colo.

Children:

Olin BAKER.

James Lyman BAKER was born 14 AUG 1848 in ,New York, and died 8 NOV 1920 in Cambridge,Washington,Idaho. He married Mary Adelade CALDWELL 9 JAN 1870, daughter of Joseph CALDWELL and Sarah LOTTRIDGE. She was born 7 NOV 1852/1853 in ,Polk,Iowa, and died 4 JAN 1936 in Ogilvie Farm,Malheur,Near Huntington,Ore.

Will BAKER.

Laura BAKER

Figure 30—The Baker brothers (mostly) at Balderson’s place. “Al” Clemons, Bill Baker, Spike Baker, Russell Merk, Bill__, Wayne Baker, Jerry Balderson, Dick Fisk

Figure 31--The "Baker grandchildren" at Balderson’s—1962. Back row: Unidentified girl (hat) John Balderson, Dale Fisk, ___, Harold Balderson, Gerald Balderson, Clint Fisk, Melvin Clemons. Front: ____, Mary Balderson, ___, Elaine Fisk, Bill Balderson?, __, Larry Fisk, ___.

Figure 32--The Baker siblings: Bill, Mae, Wayne, Lucille, Grace, Albert, Spike

Figure 33--Wayne Baker's house on the original J.L. Baker homestead. This is looking west from below the highway. The original Baker house was on the grassy flat in the foreground. Russell and Mae Merk’s homestead was out of site to the right (north) toward the head of the basin.

Figure 36—Fruitvale school in the late 1930s or early ‘40s. 1-Alma Merk, 2-Nadine Jones 3-LaDell Merk, 4-Melvin Ryals, 5-Norman Jones, 6-Carol Jean Jones, 7-LaDonna Lois Jones, 8-LaRoy Jones.

Back row: Margery Allan, Tessie Elkins, Mayan McMahan, Nadine Jones, Betty Burt…teacher, Miss Tearink. 2^nd row from back: Leroy Bethel, LaDell Merk, Vernon Burt, Melvin Ryals, Norman Jones.

3^rd row from back: Alma Merk, Alverna Finn, Beverly Allan, Hollis Burt, Ivan Bethel, Donald McMahan, Jimmy Bates. 2^nd row from front: Joan Burt, Carol Jean Jones, Mildred Burt. Front Row: Tazwell Burt, Loraine Finn, Anna Catherine McGinely, Gail Hoxie, LaDonna Lois Jones, LaRoy Jones.

Figure 39--The Longenecker sisters: Hazel, Minnie, Maude, Ella Longenecker

Baker

Figure 40—Memorial day gathering at the Balderson’s place on Mill Creek. 1-George Clemon's wife 2-George Clemons 3-Wanda 4-Delmer 5-Kenneth Jimmerson 6-Grace 7-Alma 8-Al Clemons 9-Mae 10-Dick Fisk 11 & 12-Thelma & Melvin Kite 13-__?__ 14 Russell 15-Dell 16 & 17 Jerry and Lucille Balderson 18 & 19-Wayne and Mickie Baker 20 & 21-Probably Walter and Steve Gentis—Thelma Kite’s boys

Figure 44--Wanda and Delmer, probably in the late 1950s. Wanda died from heart problems about 1961.

Marvin R. Baker, son of Frank Baker, graduated from Caldwell High School in 1922

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[1] Alma Fisk