Lincoln Days 2025

Minidoka and Cassia Counties celebrated their joint Lincoln Days this year on February 22. It was the first time held at Wick’s Steak Place in Declo. Minidoka County Republican Central Committee chaired the Lincoln Days Committee for the two counties. Many thanks to the committee members who organized and orchestrated the event, from the silent auction, donations, auction, meal, location, and more!

It was a great crowd for an election off-year. Denton Darrington, and Virgene, both attended this year. Denton is the longest serving Idaho Senator in Idaho History. Kelly Anthon, and Joelle, also attended and was one of our speakers. Kelly is currently the Senate Pro Tem and stands on the shoulders of Denton Darrington in the Senate.

Here is a copy of the program I received. The final agenda had a change for the national anthem performer, I believe Kiya Fife. The lot fell on me to conduct. I made note that it was George Washington’s birthday. I brought to attention that he was born 11 February 1731, but with the change from the Julian to Gregorian calendars, it moved from 11 February 1731 to 22 February 1732. Imagine if government tried to do that now! How many people would refuse? How many would say it was a deep state secret agenda? How many decades afterward would we hear about it? What would you do if you lost over a year of your life due to a calendar change?

Many others attended the Minidoka – Cassia Lincoln Days. Some of them include Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke, and Sarah; Idaho’s Secretary of State Phil McGrane; Idaho’s Comptroller Brandon Woolf; members of Senator Risch’s office including our Region Chairman Mike Mathews; members of Senator Crapo’s office; LD 27 Representative Clay Handy, and Kristine; all six county commissioners for Minidoka and Cassia (Jared Orton, Dan Schaeffer, Sheryl Koyle, Leonard Beck, Bob Kunau, and Kent Searle); and other local county elected officials.

Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor, Scott Bedke

Robert Moore was kind enough to donate a portion of the proceeds from the auction of two of his paintings at our Lincoln Days.

Idaho’s Secretary of State Phil McGrane

Idaho Republican Chairman Dorothy Moon, and Darr, were also in attendance representing the party. Locally Minidoka Chairman Jenny Bateman and Oneida Chairman Bryan Kerr were present (I serve as Chairman of Cassia County Republican Central Committee).

Idaho’s Senate Pro Tem, Senator Kelly Anthon representing Cassia, Minidoka, and Oneida Counties

Sen. Kelly Anthon spoke on the history and representation of Denton Darrington and his imprint/impression left on Idaho politics and history. He gave a brief overview of the currrent legislative session and the sausage being made in Boise.

Representative Clay Handy representing Cassia, Minidoka, and Oneida Counties

A note was made of the passing of former Cassia Chairman Tim Preston, also a native of Declo.

Idaho Republican Party Chairman Dorothy Moon

It was a successful Lincoln Days for the two counties. We will be headed over to Oneida County’s Lincoln Days on 15 February 2025. Looking forward to the trip and time associating with the good people of Malad.

I look forward to planning our Lincoln Days for 2026, which will be in honor of the Semiquincentennial (250th) of the Declaration of Independence.

Chalk Cave

5 years ago, April 2020, Ted Tateoka and I went exploring the desert. We were hunting for Chalk Cave in Blaine County, Idaho. We found a couple of caves not far off the old Picabo Desert Road, one of which was Chalk Cave.

You can tell it is early spring because of the matted desert grass.

We wandered our way through Chalk Cave, which isn’t very big. But it was well visited in the past. I snapped this picture. We never recommend you paint, carve, or in any way deface any cave. It is actually a crime, but most people never get busted.

Lavon Larsen, 20 Jan 1937

I would have to go back and check to see if I could read what is above the name. This appears to be Its Lavon Larsen 1938, 1/20/37. I believe this is Maud LaVon Larsen, born 25 October 1917 in Twin Falls, Idaho. She shows as living in rural Jerome County in 1935 pursuant to the 1940 Census. She married Louis Francis Bulcher on 31 December 1943 in Twin Falls. She passed away in Twin Falls on 26 November 2013.

Search Through Old Trust Revives Drama of Lincoln’s Assassination

Another article clipped by my Grandparents, Milo and Gladys Ross. We do not know why this was clipped.

The top of the article shows it was published in the Ogden Standard-Examiner, Thursday, August 12, 1976.

“Newspaper reporting account of the death of Abraham Lincoln is displayed by Mrs. E. J. Krull of 1362 23rd.

Written by Milo Ross – “1860 – 64 – John Wileks Booth

“The drama of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln came to life again for an Ogden man this week. Sifting through the contents of an old trunk, E. J. Krull of 1362 23rd found a yellowed, tattered edition of the New York Herald dated April 15, 1865.

“Chronicling the assassination of the man whom many historians believe to have been America’s finest president, the newspaper shows the tragedy of the Civil War had been overshadowed by the events of the previous evening in Ford’s Theater.

“The edition outlined an almost chronological account of the events that transpired following the shooting of the president by actor John Wilkes Booth and the simultaneous attempted assassination of Secretary of State Seward.

“A series of accounts describtd Mr. Lincoln’s deteriorating condition, the scene around his deathbed and finally, a bulletin indicated the president had passed away at 7:30 a.m. on April 15.

“Mr. Krull noted the old newspaper had been found while sifting through a trunk that belonged to his wife’s parents.

“Of six total columns on the front page, about 4 1/2 were dedicated to the assassination while the remainder were mostly accounts of the Civil War events including the escape of Jefferson Davis and his Confederate Cabinet to Dansville.

“Ironically, there was only one more item in the four-page newspaper that merited more columns of space than the presidential assassination.

“Nearly 9 1/2 columns inside were devoted to glowing testimonials about the incredible curative powers of “Kitchel’s Linament” and Kitchel’s Spavin Cure.”

I did some homework to find out more about Mr. & Ms. Krull.

Eielt J Krull was born 11 November 1900 in Clark County, South Dakota, and passed away 13 August 1987 in Ogden, Utah. He married Thelma Blaine, previously married as Nelson, in 1943. Thelma was born 29 August 1901 in Ohio and died 3 May 1991. Eielt is buried in South Dakota, Thelma is buried in Colorado.

6th Grade, Paul Elementary, Paul, Idaho

Front(l-r): Augustin Gonzales, James McCray, Sharlyn Maughan, Kami Klosterman, Emily Neibaur, Erin Zemke, Kyle McCoy, Douglas Hayden, Ryon Carney; Middle: James Mendenhall, Fenton Mayes, Colleen Harper, Monica Woodland, James McKenzie, Mandy Kaster, Deanne Williams, Amber King, Wade Moss, Frank Peterson; Back: Tom Kunzler, Wes Grace, Ben Frank, Carrie Presley, Kevin Orton, Travis Butcher, Paul Ross, Jeri Lyn Parks. Absent Chad Higley.

I have mentioned before when I shared class pictures from Paul Elementary for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Grades, that I was glad to have other classmates who allowed me to scan the class photos. All mine were lost due to a flood in our basement while I was on my mission in 1998-2000. I am happy to report that the missing 3rd and 6th Grade pictures have been provided, thanks to Erin Zemke.

This is our 6th grade class picture from Paul Elementary, Paul, Idaho. This was the 1990 – 1991 school year.

Normally I organized photos with married names and dates. Since all are still alive, I will forgo any of the dates. I have added the married last name for the ones I know. If you have corrections, please let me know.

Frank Peterson

James Corless Mendenhall (1935-2013)

Travis Butcher

Ryon Paul Carney (1978-1991)

Ben Frank

Augustin Gonzales

Wes Grace

Colleen Harper married Barnes

Douglas Hayden

Chad Higley

Mandy Kaster

Amber King

Kami Klosterman married Beall

Thomas Kunzler

Sharlyn Maughan

Fenton Mayes

Kyle McCoy

James McCray

James McKenzie

Wade Moss

Emily Neibaur married Haynes

Kevin Orton

Jeri Lyn Parks

Carrie Presley

Paul Ross

Deanne Williams

Monica Woodland

Erin Zemke married McKindree

Former Cache Physician Dies in Fairfield, Idaho

I wrote previously of a book I have that belonged to my Great Grandfather, Joseph Nelson Jonas. The book was given to me by Ellis Jonas along with a couple of others. Inside the book was this clipping, presumably put there by my Great Grandmother, Lillian Coley Jonas. I have no clue about its significance, if any. It was clipped and put there in the book for some reason.

“Word was received yesterday afternoon of the death of Dr. Wm. B. Parkinson, Jr., of Fairfield, Idaho. He had been ailing for the last year and was being treated for heart trouble at the time of his death in a hospital at Twin Falls, Idaho.

He was a son of the late Dr. Wm. B. Parkinson, Sr., and Elizabeth B. Parkinson, of Logan and was born at Morgan, Dec. 24, 1877, moving to Logan with his father’s family when a small boy. He graduated from medical school in Chicago and came back and practiced in Wellsville and Logan and settled in Lewiston where he practiced for many years. Later he moved to Fairfield, Idaho, where he was practicing at the time of his death.

“Surviving are his wife and the following children: Mrs. Ben Red of Price, Mrs. Hugh Johnstone of Oakland, Calif., Floyd Parkinson and Mrs. Beth Blair of Lewiston, Paul of Price, and Peggy Parkinson of Lewiston, and seven grand children.

“The brothers and sisters are Mrs. George W. Leishman, Mrs. Ada England, Elizabeth Parkinson, and Mrs. Afton Nielsen of Logan, Mrs. Winnifred Jennens of Detroit, Michigan. Dr. George T. Parkinson, Twin Falls, Ida., Mrs. Hazel McAlister of Preston, Dr. Fred B. Parkinson, Cedar City. Mrs. Veda Worley of Salt Lake, Mrs. Karma Parkinson of Franklin, Dr. Wallace Parkinson of San Francisco, Calif., Don Parkinson of Texas, Mrs. Edith Shaw of Provo, and Mrs. Arthur Rallison of Whitney, Idaho.

“Funeral services are being held at Fairfield, Idaho Thursday morning at 10 a. m. Burial will be at the Logan cemetery. Short services will be held at Logan graveside at 3 p. m. Friday.

“Friends may call at the W. Loyal Hall mortuary in Logan Friday from 10 a. m. to time of graveside rites.

John Reese’s 9th Grade Class

Back (l-r): Cleone Carver, Vera Wayment, Margaret Freestone, Emza Musgrave, Jean Etherington, LauRene Thompson.  Third: June Wayment, Miriam Weatherston, Ellis Lund, Ray Charlton, Ivan Hodson, Warren Williams, Ruth Wade, Tamara East, John Reese.  Second: Lyle Thompson, Milo Ross, Eugene Maw, Earl Hipwell, Bill Hill, Keith Hodson.  Front: Ted Christensen, Wayne Rose, Howard Hunt, Orlo Maw, Owen Wayment, Ellis Stewart, Delmar White.

This my Grandpa Milo Ross’ 9th Grade class.  I believe this was at Weber High School, but I cannot confirm what grade year switched between Plain City School and Weber High School in Ogden.  Several of these boys died in World War II.

Mr. John Major Reese (1896-1976), teacher.

Cleone Carver (1921-1994)

Ray S Charlton (1920-1991)

Edwin “Ted” Daniel Christensen (1921-2005)

Talma Bernice East (1921-2006)

Vesey Jean Etherington (1921-2000)

Margaret Freestone (1921-2017)

John Earl Hipwell (1921-2000)

William Stanley Hill (1919-1945)

Benjamin Keith Hodson (1920-1970)

Ivan Alma Hodson (1919-1982)

Howard Hunt (1921-1944)

Ellis Marion Lund (1921-1984)

Orlo Steadwell Maw (1921-2004)

Wilmer Eugene Maw (1920-2009)

Emza Ameriam Musgrave (1922-2007)

Wayne East Rose (1921-2017)

Milo James Ross (1921-2014)

Ellis Wayment Stewart (1921-1940)

James Lyle Thompson (1921-1999)

LauRene Thompson (1921-2010)

Ruth Wade (1921-2012)

June Ellen Wayment (1920-2012)

Owen Urry Wayment (1921-2008)

Vera Mary Wayment (1921-1989)

Miriam Weatherston (1921-2001)

William Warren Williams (1921-1988)

Heber Delmar White (1921-2008)

Vicki’s Class Pictures

These are photos shared to me of Victoria “Vicki” Kay Feldtman Ross. I don’t know anything more than what I have listed on the photos. I believe she graduated from Weber High School in 1963, or would have graduated. She married Dad, Milo Paul Ross, 5 March 1963 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. She was born 23 December 1945 in Ontario, Malheur, Oregon and passed away 31 December 2018 in Twin Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho.

4th Grade Ms. Morby, Vicki is back row, fourth from the right
Vicki is middle row, sixth from the right
Mixed Chorus: Back row (l-r): Robert Grieves, Arnold Burr, Deon Mayhew, Bill Fife, Bob Findess, Tommy Bartow, Ronald West, Jay Holley, Rex Judkins, Lynn Gould, James Petterson; Third row: Dee Bradshaw, Doug Giles, Dan Thompson, Blair Hadley, Dave Vesnieuw, Deloy Bentley, Doug Cheshire, Kenneth Groberg, Roger Bingham, Alan Cox, Kent Cevering; Second row: Adele Buff, Tamara Houston, Linda Perkins, Mary Carver, Betty Leach, Jolene Anderson, Carol Johnson, Linda Mapes, KayLynn Peterson, Linda Neilson, June Thompson, Carol Wheeler, Betty Yoshida, Linda Taylor, Judith Jensen; Front row: Jane Meldrum, Virginia Parker, Joyce Gunnerson, Susan Martinson, Donna Marchant, Linda Wells, Carolyn Kingston, Jelene Flinders, Vicki Feldtman, Annette Maw, Lynda Panunzio, Kay Ohlson, SheriLyn Gibson

These names are taken from the back of the photo. Please correct if you think I have them wrong.

3rd Grade, Paul Elementary, Paul, Idaho

Back(b-r): Mrs. Ella Suhr, Shane Ball, Kaleb Winn, Scott Torix, Genevive Olivas, Kevin Orton, Jamie Mingo, Kristi Jensen; Middle: Jeff Hayden, Karlene Hansen, Jacob Timmons, Jalene Woodward, Paul Ross, Adrienne Neibaur, Archie Winnett, Nathan Jones; Front: Shaun Bettazza, Alfonso Jaramillo, Nicole Catmull, Emmy Mendoza, Erin Zemke, Kelli Osterhout, Cody Strunk, and Michael Thompson.

I have mentioned before when I shared class pictures from Paul Elementary for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th Grades, that I was glad to have other classmates who allowed me to scan the class photos. All mine were lost due to a flood in our basement while I was on my mission in 1998-2000. I am happy to report that the missing 3rd and 6th Grade pictures have been provided, thanks to Erin Zemke.

This is our 3rd grade class picture from Paul Elementary, Paul, Idaho. This was the 1987 – 1988 school year.

Normally I organized photos with married names and dates. Since all are still alive, I will forgo any of the dates. I have added the married last name for the ones I know. If you have corrections, please let me know.

Ella Lucille Senften Suhr (1927-2005)

Shane Ball

Shaun Bettazza

Nicole Catmull married Manning

Karlene Hansen married Ashcraft

Jeff Hayden

Michael Hollis now Thompson

Alfonso Jaramillo

Kristi Jensen married Rich

Nathan Jones

Emmy Mendoza married Deal (interesting side note, I remember coming back from a field trip at Craters of the Moon and dropping her off at home out near Kimima, our whole group of busses stopped)

Jamie Mingo married Harman

Adrianne Neibaur

Genevive Olivas

Kevin Orton

Kelli Osterhout married Bates

Paul Ross

Cody Strunk

Jacob Timmons

Scott Torix

Kaleb Winn

Archie Winnett

Jalene Woodward married Richman

Erin Zemke married McKindree