Huckleberries contacted poet Linda (Hall) Beeman, formerly of Wallace, who has written a book of rhymes, entitled "Wallace, Idaho." Here's the phone interview from moments ago:

Huckleberries: What inspired you to pen a book of poems about Wallace, Idaho?

Linda Beeman: I came back for the centennial celebration of the 1910 fire a few years ago. That set off a series of memories and flashbacks. It flowed pretty naturally. I also read several books about Wallace and the area, like Timothy Egan's "The Big Burn." I was amazed how much I didn't know about my home town."

• Huckleberries: How long did you live in Wallace?
• Linda Beeman: I was 5 when we moved there in 1952 until I graduated from high school 1965.
• Huckleberries: Did you actually go to Wallace's infamous houses looking for school donations?
• Linda Beeman: I did not but Bruce Austin did. I went door-to-door in our neighborhood. Bruce was in my class. I think he ended up living in Spokane and selling insurance. He was a real entrepreneur. He would go to the houses -- and our class always won prizes for selling the most candy.
• Huckleberries: Which poem in the book is your favorite?
• Linda Beeman: The one about my father, "R.G." He was a poignant subject for me. He was a careful, prudent man. I think he always longed for a wider world. He was in the Navy. After that, I felt like he settled in order to provide a good home for my mother and myself.
• Huckleberries: Have you written any other poetry?
• Linda Beeman: Yes, but this is my first book. I have some collections but they've never been published like that before.
• Huckleberries: What took you away from the Silver Valley?
• Linda Beeman: Mills College in Oakland, Calif. I now live on Whidbey Island.
• Huckleberries: Is there any North Idaho/Spokane book store selling "Wallace, Idaho"?
• Linda Beeman: I'm working on it. I'm talking to Aunties in Spokane. I'm sure next summer I will be doing some readings in Missoula, Moscow and Boise.
• More information including how to buy Linda's book here.