Ingacom, a history of the Inkom area : Inkom, Buckskin, Onyx, Lower Marsh Creek, and Blackrock

1989·21.6 MB·English

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INGACOM
A
History of
THE INKOM AREA
Inkom, Buckskin, Onyx, Lower Marsh Creek
and Blackrock
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We would like to thank these Businesses and individuals for their donations to help make this
book possible:
STATE OF IDAHO CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
BANNOCK COUNTY IDAHO CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
ASH GROVE CEMENT PLANT
BISHARAT'S MARKET
McNABB GRAIN
VILLAGE MART
ARLENE McNABB
TODD AND JEANINE GILBERT
IRELAND BANK
RAY AND BEVERLY PHILLIPS
RICHARD AND JOYCE STEPHENSON
SOLOMON'S SERVICE
We would also like to thank Karen Wardle, who designed the Inkom Logo. The Logo represents
Inkom History, you can see the Indian Rock, Rabbit Rock, Cement Plant Stack, Water Tower,
Narrow Gauge Railroad, Indian Trapper, and the First School. We think Karen did a "Great" job.
This book was complied by Marcell Wanner and Julie Miller to celebrate Idaho's Centennial Year
of 1990. The title of the book "Ingacom", means Red Rabbit. Inga means red and com mean
rabbit. Jessie Pocatello Pabawena of Fort Hall who knows the Shoshoni language verified this for
us.
We would like to thank all the people who made this book possible. The people of Inkom, Onyx,
Buckshin and Marsh Creek Areas. The people on the sub-committee. A Big thank you to
Merrilyn Bearnson, Lynn Parker, Joan Switzer, John and Karen McNabb.
The Inkom Centennial Committee consists of:
LoRene Chandler, Julie Miller, Marcell Wanner, Lynn Parker, Jodi Osterhout, Joann
Baron, Don Noble, Iris Bernier, Leta Shaffer, Ron Helmandollar, Rod Silcock and Dale Bowman.
The book was published by Mike Boyce - 1989
Cover Photo taken in 1926.
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FORWARD
As we near the Idaho Centennial year 1990. Our thoughts go back to memories of how it
used to be.
In this book we have tried to give you (the reader) an insight to revive and relive these
memories. To those new comers we give some history of the area, and by reading family
histories a chance to get acquainted with area residents.
We also have old maps, names of area school teachers, students, information on schools,
Indians, early pioneers, tragedies. Believe It or Not, etc., etc.
As early as 1889 people were in the Inkom area, the rail-road was here, trappers, hunters,
heavy freight wagons transported goods from Montana to Utah. The stagecoach had also had
a great part in transportation.
The Indians let the Railroad have land to erect a depot and water tower, which were
painted red. There was also a rail stop at Onyx. Chief Tendoy was impressed with the
railroad and protected the whites on many occasions.
The name Inkom is a popular derivation from the Shoshoni word eggakabni which means
"red structure". One version mentioned a red haired Indian.
It is believed that the first name applied to this area is Big Bend.
How did Inkom get it's name? I don't know, but this is my favorite story.
An Indian family named Jackson lived in Inkom. Their version of how Inkom got it's
name is this: A rock formation resembling a bull dog located above the present overpass
through Inkom, once had ears and looked like a Red Rabbit. In Indian red rabbit means
Inkapuppie, later shortened to Inkom. Local resident Wayne Hargraves a young boy at the
time remembers the storm when lightening struck the Rabbit rock and knocked off the ears
making it look like a bull dog.
Another version of the story is the Tendore's grandmother, whose name was Magozah, said
that in the Shoshoni language Ingacom means red rabbit.
The great rush for homesteads started from Pocatello with the railroad noon whistle on
Tuesday, June 16, 1902. The Pocatello tribune stated, "there is a feeling of tension noticeable
everywhere" 418,000 acres were opened for white settlement.
Every horse in the area was engaged for the land rush, an estimated crowd of 2,000 people
left from the Pocatello location. As soon as the land was staked off each Homesteader
rushed to Blackfoot to file his claim. Some of the horses were ruined and never worked
again.
Inkom was part of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation before the land rush.
Narcis Sorell and his wife Annie were already located on the Inkom site at the time of the
land rush. Settlers joined them here in 1902. The Jackson's were also in Inkom. A half
dozen years later Edward M. Webb, J. D. Damron, Charles Stewart, Sam Hargraves, John
Cornwall, Magnuss Larsen, Levi Wheeler, Jacob Barron, Robert French, James J. Caroway,
Gilbert Pidcock, Larry Preece, Dan McGinnis, Joseph Thompson, Willard Pidcock, Rastus
Barnard, Hyrum Pierce, Joe Munn, C. S. Skeem, Calvin Durfee, Arthur Reddish, Charles
Gardner, Al Sloat, L. B. Young, George A. Whitworth, Frank Ball, Joe Fitzen, Harry Williams,
Robert Steed, Thomas Richardson, Robert Smith, Robert Scadden, Jeff Stohl, Milo
A. Hendricks, George Simmons, Ed. Wilson and William Walker. Frank Sexton and William
McNabb came on the same train to Inkom. These first settlers lived in tents, dug-outs and
covered wagons until they could build homes. On October
15, 1902, school district No. 46 was formed. Logs were dragged through the snow with horses
single file to that first school location near the present Cockrell home on Inkom's main
street. One room school were also provided for pupils in Buckskin, Black Rock, and Lower
Marsh Creek. Onyx was a two room school house.
By 1904, a Latter-Day-Saint ward was organized with William. R. Damron as presiding
Elder. Mary Hiltbrandt also opened a post office and store in her home that year. Dairies
were started by Norcese Sorrell and George Whitworth. There was also a sawmill operation
established by Damron, Pidcock, Preece and Webb.
Two men H. A. Witthoft and Theodore H. Gathe bought the property known as the Inkom
townsite, from the Sorrells in 1912. They laid out the town, named the streets (same as they
are today) and sold lots for $100.00. The ad for property read, "Get choice location, secure
your lot now, only $5.00 cash down, balance $1.25 per week, no interest."
In 1912 telephones came to Inkom. Then in 1917, a Reverend Hunt held Sunday School in
his home and later services were held in the school.
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It was also in 1917 that the Sloat family built the Hiway Inn, as a Supper Club and
entertainment center. It was well known throughout the county, big companies held
conventions there. They were also known for their chicken dinners. It was also the Red
Cross Headquarters during World War I. All the boys called to war were given a going away
party at the Inn.
A flu epidemic hit Inkom in 1918, many died, area women helped care for the seriously
ill. There were no morticians to call, so the dead were washed, and dressed and laid out,
then family members would sit with them until time for burial. Caskets were home-made
and lined by the women of the community.
In 1928. J. Simons and J. B. Maxfield purchased 160 acres of hillside and river bottom that
contained vast amounts of Lime-stone and Silica suitable for the production of Portland
Cement. A plant was built and in July 1929 the first bag of Eagle Brand Portland Cement
was produced at Inkom. In 1974 over 5 million bags were marketed. The plant has been a
big factor in local economy.
Inkom was an unincorporated Village until 1946, at which time a Mayor form of city
government was set-up.
In recent years a new post office, grocery stores and a bank, also laundry facility and
service stations have been added. A new school, a community Bible Church and an L.D.S.
three ward chapel is also in use. Making this area a nicer place to live.
It is a community where people care about people. Many people who have moved away
come back here to live, because they feel it is home.
Marcell Wanner
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Silhouette of dog or rabbit overlooking Inkom. It is reported that lightning struck the
formation knocking the ears off, so it now looks more like a dog than a rabbit.
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The Early Fo!ks of Inkom
Tune: Solomon Le\\
Now would you like to know the folks who settled in this land.
A hale and hardy people they, a choice and friendly band.
We know we can't recall them all and we will miss a few,
But we will do our very best in naming them for you.
Chorus
Here's to the settlers, sturdy and staunch were they.
Here's to the settlers, opening up the way.
The Indians were here at first and humble their abode.
The Jackson's owned from Chandler Ranch unto the Skyline Road.
Sorrels had Inkom city land and Gilbert's acreage.
The Tendores claimed from Indian Creek to Blackrock's Portncuf bridge.
Chorus
Two white men came to Inkom just before homesteaders came.
The one man was called Jackson, Stewart was the others name.
From Indians one bought Stuart tract and put his cows to graze.
The other from the Indians bought the ranch now called Charolais.
Chorus
In 1902 the homesteaders of whom Ed Webb was first.
Came Struggling into the land for which they had a thirst.
The Damrons, Bishops, Hildebrants, the Pidcocks, Preece and Mauds.
The Williams, Dougans, McGunnie, the Hargraves and Thompsons.
Chorus
The Barrons, Cornwalls, Palmers, Skeem, the McNabbs, Humes, Andrews.
The Sextons, Simons, Romriell, Curzon, Hendricks and Mathews.
The Walkers, Norris, Wanamaker, Lish, Peirce, Homes, Buckley,
Cutler, Carter, Roberts, Cates, Smith, Wheeler and Murphy.
Chorus
Scadden, Fitzen, Fredrigil, Steed, Baker and Richardson.
Judkins, Fisher, Caroway, Ford, Tolman, Anderson,
Moffit, Ankens, Hotelling, Shaw, Stamps, Sloat, Young, Hagler,
Steed, Lewis, Whitworth, Roberts, Miller, Pope, Crane, Hunt, Pledger.
Chorus
Neeser, Curzon, Meese, Merrel, Lovell, Lisenbee.
Barnard, Brewcster, Scarbrow, Hull, young, Caroway, McKee,
Barret, Sourbough, Colling, French, Hopkins, Bartholomen,
McLaughlen, Chandler, Johnson, Garnner, Stohl, Hall, guess were through.
ABOUT SOME INKOM PEOPLE
Old timers say, "Don't forget Charlie Phiffcr." Charlie was a plasterer. He had a part in
helping build almost every home in Inkom in the early days and especially in the remolding
of the old Inkom School into a church.
Vera Damron is another person we can't forget. Inkom was her home for over 60 years.
She always had a raspberry patch. She sold berries in Pocatello, hauling them in with a horse
and buggy in the early years. Nearly all the young people in the area worked for her at one
time or another. She loved to make quilts, crochet lace and she crocheted over 125 mens ties.
She was a great inspiration to her many friends. This poem pretty well sums up our feelings
for her.
We've listened to her counsel for many, many years.
We've gained much from her wisdom,
and known her trials and tears.
We've tasted of her sweetness
and love her ready smile.
You'll find her in her garden,
work-in all the while.
She's taught us many lessons
a teacher loyal and true.
Our thanks we give this day to her,
and ask God's blessings too.
This poem is called "Vera" and written for her in her 80's.
We couldn't let this book go to the printers without thanking Lena Sexton for the many
things she has done for this community. She knew Inkom history backwards and forwards.
She has written many articles about our area not only for the newspaper, but for major
magazines and other publications as well.
She and Vera Damron were the ones who started the publication of "Yester-Years," which
has been a resource for books, histories, and just pure enjoyment of the early years of Inkom
for hundreds of people.
Lena at present is in Fairbanks, Alaska on the North Star Council On Aging, Inc., as an
older worker specialist for senior citizens over 60. Her husband, long time resident of Inkom
is there also. They also have a son living in Alaska, who works as a Highway Engineer.
Another lady deserving of great credit is Arvilla Lewis. She to my knowledge was the
only woman to operate a service station in Inkom, which she did the most part by herself,
with the help of small children. Made a living, sent her children to school for Nurse's
training, Electronics, etc., when they were older. Today they are caring for her.
Marcell Wanner
Arvilla Lewis and her
Service Station
during 1960,s and 1970's.
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