Butte County
IDGenWeb
At the time of the publication of a
research article in the year 2000 on the Goodale Cutoff of the Oregon Trail
system in Idaho, which information included mostly an area of western Butte
County, the interest of the authors was heightened concerning part of the Trail
area on the eastern approach to the passing of the Craters of the Moon basalt
fields. That interest began with questions about the location of Champagne Stage
Station, found on the Cutoff in the early 1880s and several times mentioned in
the former research, and a question about the source for the naming of Champagne
Creek.
Adding to the curiosity about these questions an unidentified
ancient log structure still existed along the ruts of the Cutoff near the lower
end of the Champagne Creek valley and drainage. The structure was and is in full
view about 200 yards off the northern side of highway U.S. 20-26-93 about 12
miles SW of Arco, Idaho. No historian, BLM official (it sits on BLM land), or
any other former researcher/writer on the Goodale seemed to know anything about
the identification of the structure or the origin of the name Champagne Creek.
One former writer, Fred Dykes of Pocatello Idaho, had been given a possible lead
to the identity of the structure site, but this was later shown to be incorrect
information. Local old-timers around Arco, including one man who for many years
had owned the adjoining land on the north and east of the log structure, did not
seem to know anything about the structure. This appeared to the authors to be a
blank check of history waiting to be filled in with correct information!
Beginning at the structure research of its history soon led to the start of a
story of mystery and human interest, which was still available in many forgotten
and undiscovered documents found archived from Idaho to Canada and back to
Minnesota. Exploring the records of Butte County at Arco and the former Alturas
County records at Hailey, Idaho, which Alturas County had covered the area in
the 1880s, only began the story. The leads led to people who once settled the
area, one primary character who had eventually left Idaho, went back to Canada,
and within a few years had then settled in the Duluth, Minnesota area.
The research also led to a conclusion that Butte County has very little written
history, although the facts about early settlers and events of the area
constitute a rich and interesting legacy for that County. In so many of the old
documents and records, which have been stored away from most men's memory and
interest/access, can be found stories of wonder and excitement. It may be that
residents of that County will not necessarily follow the old adage that, 'people
who do not know their history are condemned to relive their past,' but it could
be that there are many things to be learned from their history that would make
present living more interesting and meaningful.
To the pioneers that
endured hardships and shaped the life of this area of Idaho, and who found the
land and resources of this County to be so valuable, this book is dedicated. It
is also dedicated to the distant descendent of the primary character mentioned
above who first gave the authors some early leads to the discovery of much
information that structured this story.
It is hoped that at least a bit
of the excitement and pleasures, which that descendent experienced in her
revelations of the information that went into this story, and the comparable
emotions of the authors will be passed on to some who read and identify with the
characters and history. It is also hoped that this might be a new beginning for
the production of writings by others that will expose the valuable and
worthwhile history of Butte County. Such is just waiting for those who are
willing to give the time, relive the provocations and stimulations of the past,
and dedicate themselves to finding all that is still hidden in the records!
The reading of this book can be greatly enhanced by the visiting of the
reader to the sites and areas portrayed therein. One advantage found in the
facts of the sparse population of this County and natural barriers in the
geology of the land that have prevented change is that the primitive condition
of the area is largely the same as 120 years ago. As the unchangeableness of the
lava flow of the Craters of the Moon is evident, so much of the whole Goodale
Cutoff of 140-150 years ago is also still the same as yesteryear. Many miles of
the exact ruts made by iron rimmed wheels of covered wagons can still be
examined and walked. And the other sites that are described in this book are
still evident just as they were to the first men in the area. Thus also many of
the important sites of history have not been covered by "progress!" Bricks and
boards still lie exactly as they have fallen over the years from the shelters
that were once built to protect some of the ancestors of men of the area today.
Since there were so few source books or other accumulated information
sources in which historical research material could be found, and the Endnote
information also includes all Bibliographical information, a Bibliography is not
included with this printing. Most sources were original documents from
historical archives, personal records of descendants, and written/verbal bits
and pieces of scattered information included in emails and phone conversations.
The writers' research has been aided by many people
who are only identified by an email address, and are found in many American
States as well as Canada. The unselfish assistance of so many strangers and
people who have communicated by mail, by way of the Internet, and by other
electronic means has made possible the gathering of much information that would
have taken years and much travel. They are too numerous to list here but can be
found in the Endnote information as they contributed to this Book. There are
others, however, who helped greatly in finding the real story that is herein
written.
The writer's appreciation is extended to members of the Idaho
State Historical Society, Librarians of several area Libraries, Court House
workers in Canyon, Ada, Blaine, and Butte, Idaho Counties, archive and
historical record workers in Quebec, Canada, and many genealogists and
researchers in St Louis County, Minnesota. Especially significant was help
obtained from keepers of the St. Louis County historical Interact Web pages, an
unmatched and valuable site that stores a wealth if information on that area's
history.
Bobbi Hoyt gave many hours of her time in Duluth, Minnesota
obtaining obituaries and other records that were otherwise unreachable by the
authors. Other names of significance who contribute via the Internet are Jackie
Decker, Debbie Rychlak, Martha Costello, Irene Lawson, Lynn Goutouski, Jerry
Callinan, Edith Bialecki (Smoky), and Renee Cummings. And there are others who
are also thanked though not named.
We also acknowledge the contributions
of the descendants of the Champagne and Noyes families who contributed from
around the USA. Much information which was given could not be included in this
volume on Champagne Station, but certainly enriched the whole story for the
authors. This could be the beginning of a follow up sequel to the history.
Picture contributions are acknowledged from Dick and Babe McClelland, Margaret
Walthour, Mary Jeneson, and Timothy Gladwin. And to the other Champagne,
DeRoche, Pritchard, and McClelland, descendants and extended family members as
well as Pat Larsen, who shared family information of the two principal
characters of the story, our thanks. The friendships and correspondence with
several of these people have given encouragement and meaningful thanks to the
authors for their work on this Book.
We also name Fred Dykes, early
Goodale researcher and writer, Richard Hill, BLM Archeologist, Idaho Falls,
Idaho, and Nancy Pippin, BLM research assistant, Boise, Idaho for support,
encouragement, direct assistance and/or companionship in visiting the sites of
the story.
Most of all we acknowledge the amount of assistance and the
sharing of her family history by Lorry Champagne Durling of Cranston, Rhode
Island, who at first heard doubtfully about our Idaho 'A. Champagne,' but then
gave opportunity to eventually identify him as her Louis Adolphe Beaugrand dit
Champagne! The volumes of email that have passed between our addresses are
innumerable, and together carded a detailed correspondence that assisted so much
in putting all the facts together.
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This page was last updated 03/10/2022