Gem
Gem
The First Mining Town
Gem was one of the settlements in Burke Canyon, and the location for the Helena-Frisco mine; which was one of the biggest producers at the time.
Gem was different than all the other towns, with the exception of the mining and church on Sundays. Second in size to Burke in population and business life in Gem was filled with certain luxuries that the other towns lacked. There were general store that families could shop, salons pool halls a large union hall that sponsored Saturday night dances and the single men would find themselves visiting the brothels in Burke, Gem or Wallace.
On their off time the miners would enjoy a night full of drunken pleasure and gambling. The businesses were booming. As every other town in the valley however, it was consumed by fire and most of these amenities were destroyed.
The men endure long work hours at the mines and mills, big surprise, while the women, if employed, worked at the local stores hospital or school, more than likely doing some sort of paper work. The children in Gem didn’t have to walk large distances to attend the local school Gem supported its own grade and high school. Gem was also the home of the Miner’s Union Hall, which served as the center planning base for the Coeur d’Alene Mining wars; resulting in Marshall law being passed on the district twice.
“January 28, 1893 – SHOOTING SCRAPE IN IDAHO. ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE FRACAS LOSES AN ARM.
Review special from Wallace, Idaho, says: A shooting scrape occurred at Gem, Idaho, tonight between Sol Samuels and Thomas Reed. Reed began to abuse Samuels and the latter drew a revolver and shot at Reed, who promptly landed a charge of shot at close quarters into Samuel’s right arm, making amputation necessary. Reed was brought to Wallace and locked in Jail. Immediately after the shooting there was serious danger of lynching him.”
Birds eye view of Gem
Gem’s local Mine
“December 20, 1895 – MINE ACCIDENT NEAR GEM. TWO MEN IN THE FRISCO FATALLY INJURED BY AN EXPLOSION.
Thomas Lewis accidentally exploded a box of percussion caps at the Frisco mine, near Gem, Idaho, today, fatally wounding Thomas Noonan and Frank Richardson and seriously injuring himself. All are miners. Noonan is president of the Miners’ Union at Gem. His eyesight was destroyed and he was otherwise frightfully hurt.”
“February 23, 1909 – QUARREL LEADS TO SUICIDE.
Following a quarrel with his wife because she had bought some articles at a store and had them charged without consulting him, J. S. Murray, a miner, committed suicide at his home in Gem, Idaho, this morning, by swallowing strychnine. He leaves his wife and five children”