An Early History of Cache County…

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Compiled by M. R. Hovey, Secretary, Logan Chamber of Commerce. January 1, 1923 to January 1, 1925. Also as printed in the Logan Journal, beginning August 4, 1923.

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Cache Valley In Idaho

First Settlement in Idaho, Franklin, Spring of 1860

For a number of reasons Franklin has an interesting history. It was the first permanent settlement in Idaho, although at the time it was thought to be a part of the Territory of Utah. Being the farthest settlement north of those in the Valley for several years and on the direct Indian trail through the Valley, it had a number of thrilling experiences.

As an introduction to the account of the early history of Franklin, it is appropriate to mention a number of the first discoveries of Idaho. Much of the following information is taking from the historical account of Franklin, compiled in 1910 by Mr. S. P. Morgan for the Idaho Semi-Centennial Celebration.

The name Idaho is generally supposed to be a corruption of an Indian word, E-dah-hoe, meaning “The Gem of the Mountains,” some claim that it means in Indian tongue, “Shining Mountain,” but the terms are closely synominous. The poet Joaquin Miller, claims that the honor naming Idaho belongs to Colonel Craig and dates from 1861. Another writer claims that the word Idaho is not a Nez Perce word and says, “The mountain that Joaquin Miller speaks of may be named with somewhat similar appellation, but most likely the whole story grows out of the fertile imagination of the poet. Idaho springs, Colorado, were known long before Idaho Territory was organized.” Colorado should have been named Idaho. It was the name first placed in the bill which created Colorado and afterwards changed.

Pleased by the beauty of the country, William H. Wallace, the delegate to Congress from the Washington Territory, introduced a bill in Congress creating a territory out of the eastern part of Washington and suggested Idaho as an appropriate name. The name was adopted and ex-Senator Nesmith of Oregon, states that it is familiar with the Nez Perce, Shoshone and flat Head Indian tribes.