100 years ago in North Idaho: Siblings struggle to save brother injured in tree accident

From our archives, 100 years ago

Jesse Cains, 29, was on Marble Creek, near Avery, Idaho, sawing a tree when the tree fell in an unexpected manner.

Cains was struck on the head and fell off the platform he was standing on. One of his brothers was also struck, breaking his arm. Jesse was unconscious but still alive.

His sister, two other brothers and the brother with the broken arm knew they had to get Jesse to a hospital quickly. They fashioned a stretcher out of two poles and canvas and began carrying him to the railroad line 8 miles away. They took turns carrying the poles on their shoulders as they made their way through forest and snow. Sometimes the snow was up to their waists. Even the brother with a broken arm took his turns.

They were within sight of the railroad station at Ethelton, Idaho, when Jesse Cains died. His body was then taken by rail to St. Maries.

From the jail beat: Jessie Merriam was described as a young, slender woman – but apparently she packed quite a punch.

She was arrested for vagrancy, and when she was taken to the women’s ward she proceeded to trash every bed in the place. She swung mattresses so violently that “most will have to be repaired before they can be used.”

She had been arrested at least 10 times previously, but was “usually a model prisoner.” Authorities blamed “some strange brand of liquor” for her outburst.