Idaho's Remarkable Women by Lynn Bragg

Author:Lynn Bragg
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781493023219
Publisher: TwoDot

The Bemises purchased property on the banks of the Salmon River, where they built their ranch house. The Salmon River was called “The River of No Return” because once supply boats had made it through the river’s rapids, they could not go back upstream. Originally called the “Bemis Place,” the ranch eventually came to be known as the “Polly Place.” In 1911 a nearby creek was named “Polly Creek” by a government survey team floating the Salmon River. The name was suggested to the surveyors by Polly’s closest neighbors.

Although the river-canyon terrain was steep, Polly managed a flourishing vegetable garden. She supplied fruit and vegetables to the miners traveling the river, while Charlie operated a ferry. In addition to farming, tending to her beloved animals, and hunting with her husband, Polly loved to fish and compare her catch of the day with her nearest neighbors—two prospectors named Charlie Shepp and Peter Klinkhammer. As Charlie Bemis aged and became more and more incapacitated, Shepp and Klinkhammer looked after the Bemis ranch and aided in many of the day-to-day chores.

Two tragedies occurred in Polly Bemis’s life in 1922. First, her beloved ranch home burned to the ground in August. The bedridden Bemis was helped to safety by Charlie Shepp. As Shepp wrote in his diary, “Got the old man out by the skin of my teeth.” Sadly, Polly’s faithful dog, Teddy, perished in the fire.

The second tragedy occurred on October 29, 1922, when Charlie Bemis died of his ailments, possibly tuberculosis. Following Charlie’s death, the grieving Polly was taken by friends to Warren to live.

In 1923, seeking medical attention, Polly visited Grangeville, where she experienced her first automobile ride, picture show, and shopping trip for ready-made apparel and where she saw her first train. The following year friends took Polly to Boise to see the sights of the big city, including the elegant Idanha Hotel and high-rise buildings with elevators and electric lights. Charlie Bemis had told Polly they would never even see the railroad, but she experienced the wonders of modern society after his death. Although Polly enjoyed the sights of the city, she reported that it made her tired to see so much at once. Polly returned home to a newly constructed cabin built by Shepp and Klinkhammer. Now in her seventies and in need of assistance, Polly deeded her land and personal property to the two prospectors in exchange for lifetime care for herself and the ranch.

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