Local Ferries Took Their Toll
by Bob Gunter
Divers look for victims of a Ferry Boat Accident, Sandpoint Idaho.
In our day and time the crossing of a river is an easy thing to do. There are bridges at every desirable location and they are crossed without a thought. It has not been too long ago that most of the rivers in Bonner County were crossed by the use of ferries.
To many people today the thought of crossing a river on a ferry borders the romantic and speaks of a time when things were calm and less hurried. The history of the ferries in the area reflects many disasters that occurred while people were trying to get to the other side.
The Pend d'Oreille Review reported one such disaster in December of 1923. Dr. R.N. Jackson and his nurse, Mrs. Fred Walters, were responding to a call for help from a family that lived on the other side of the river.
Dr. Jackson drove his car off the ferry at Seneacquoteen thinking the ferry had reached shore. A search party used a tugboat to try recovering the bodies and a professional diver was later utilized. The bodies of both victims were eventually recovered and the county mourned the death of the two prominent citizens.
In August 1925 the local paper, the Pend d'Oreille Review, again reported the death of two local youths. Six young people were returning from a picnic when their car slipped off the ferry at Seneacquoteen. Four of the young people escaped death but Lilly Isabelle Olson, a teacher, and Joseph Sherman Bassett were drowned.
Not all the ferry accidents resulted in death. The Review, in 1916, reported the fact that a tourist, Mr. A. Greenburg, had driven to the area in search of land to purchase. He and his companion reached the Laclede Ferry about 11:00 PM and not realizing he was on an open ferry he drove his car into the river. The two occupants jumped into the deep water when they saw the water splashing over the front tires of the vehicle. The automobile was recovered the next day and Mr. Greenburg stated that he liked the area so much that he intended to find a suitable place.
On December 11, 1924 the Review again reported a disaster on the Pend Oreille River at Newport. John F. Duncan, a pioneer of Washington, died when his car plunged into the river. In the auto with Duncan was Vincent Brown. He was pulled from the icy water by the ferryman and survived.
During the time that the ferries were in operation there were many accidents and near disasters. The crossing of the river on a ferryboat was adventurous but it was not without hazards.
To see more great old photos of Sandpoint and the surrounding areas :: Click Here ::
All photographs have been used with permission of the Bonner County Museum.
Some records indicate a ferry operating in 1893. Since that was at least 10 years after the Northern Pacific came through, it is most likely that there was a considerable amount of river crossing during the construction of both the railroad bridge and trackage on both sides.
Dr. Jackson Accident in December of 1923, Sandpoint Idaho.
Old Sandpoint
To experience the charm of a town one must live there. Bob Selle is an old-timer in the Sandpoint area. Here, in his own words, he gives us a peek at a young person's...
Early Sandpoint "Hang Town"
Today Sandpoint, Idaho is known for its beautiful lake and majestic mountains. It is known as a good place to find serenity and a sense of peace. But the Sandpoint...
McFarland House
The old building is called the McFarland House by practically everyone that lives in the Sandpoint, Idaho area. It is located on the corner of Highway 95...
The Fish House
The whistle of the strange looking craft broke the silence as it pulled away from the City Docks of Sandpoint...
Street Cars
In the early days of Sandpoint, Idaho there was quite a transportation problem. For most people there were two ways of getting around-walk or ride a horse...
USO Club
The community Hall in Sandpoint, Idaho took on a national function in 1942. The YMCA leased the hall from the city for $1 a year to be used as a USO club...
2nd Sandpoint Hospital
It was on May 23, 1903 that the Northern Idaho News heralded the opening of Sandpoint's second hospital by stating, " Dr. Ones F. Page established a hospital...
First School
In the early years of the pioneer town called Sandpoint, it was a struggle for parents to educate their children. Funds had to be subscribed to hire the teachers...
Along the Wild Horse Trail
Long before the white man came there was a trail. The Indians for time immemorial had used it. The old trail started on the Spokane River and ran through...
Bonner County Poor Farm
Pat Gooby has lived in Sandpoint all his life and as a child did chores at the old County Poor Farm. I asked Pat to tell me a story about the farm and here...
Coming Home
We sat on the lawn in front of the house that had meant so much to her. She, and her three children, had come from Seattle for a time of remembering...
Hope, Idaho
The first white man to come to the area was the famed David Thompson, map maker and fur dealer. He had traveled from Canada and built Kulyspell House...
The Campfield Ferry
The Idaho Territorial Legislature granted a license to operate a ferry to Charles H. Campfield and Associates. That was on December 22, 1864. The authorized...
Sandpoint had no Ferry
On April 18, 1891, C.R.Martin and A.T.Dickinson received a license for $36.00 after posting a $1,000.00 bond, authorizing them to operate a ferry at...
Here and There in Sandpoint 2
At one time Priest Lake was the scene of a movie camp owned by Nell Shipman. She was an old time movie star and produced movies at Lionhead Lodge...
Library in the Early Years
The roots of the present library system in Bonner County, Idaho, started in 1905 when a few individuals opened a "free reading room". Hope was...
Logging in Bonner County
Bob Selle has lived in this area since 1923. He was seven years of age when his family came to the Sandpoint area. His first experience in logging...
The Sundance Fire
The Selkirk Mountains still show scars from the devastating effects of the Sundance fire. The fire started on August 23, 1967 with a lightning strike...
Pend Oreille Lodge
The two old chimneys still stand like two fingers pointing to the heavens. They are all that remain of what once was a show place along the banks of...
Sandpoint 1901-1902
When you walk the main streets of today's Sandpoint you will find most of the businesses are geared to meet the need of the tourist that frequent the area...
Smelting Companies
It was in March, 1903, that the Kootenai County Republican announced that "ground will be broken in ten days" for the new smelting company located at...
Technology
Men invent things for two reasons: There seems to be in every person a desire to find a better way of doing things and the second reason for invention is to make...
Train Technology
Sandpoint, Idaho, came into being because of the railroad and timber. The advances in technology in these two areas are mind boggling. Follow the railroad...
The War Years 2
Many people came to Sandpoint during the war years. Two of them were Beth Knight and Price May. Her story, in her own words, continues and she tells about...
Trestle fr. Sunnyside to TrestleCr.
The picture is of the old trestle that used to go from Sunnyside to Trestle Creek just a few miles from Sandpoint, Idaho. In the picture there is seen...
©Copyright 1998- by Sandpoint.com - All rights reserved