NTDPG74 Guide to William Henry Thomas photographs Thomas (William Henry) photographs Finding aid created by Michelle A. Shannon University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives September 24, 2019
libspec@uidaho.edu
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-12-22. English Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives William Henry Thomas photographs PG 074 27 photographic prints Black and white photographs 1913-1919 27 black and white photographs taken by William Henry Thomas English .

William Henry Thomas (b. January 29, 1874 - d. 1922) was a miner, lumberman, and photographer who was born in Scott Bar, California and died in Blackfoot, Idaho.

"Will" settled on a homestead of white pine on Marble Creek (out of St. Joe and St. Maries) in 1908. While waiting the four years to prove himself so he could log the homestead, he worked as a miner and photographer.

Will was Superintendent of the Clear Grit Mine near Delta until 1912, when he started successful logging operations. Winters he worked in the mines, the Hecla Mining Company being one.

He was instrumental in building bridges for the pack horses across Marble Creek, and in spare time he took pictures of the homesteaders, surrounding towns, and interesting historical places.

Each 4th of July the homesteaders of the area would gather for a picnic, and Will would take their picture as a group. Many of these pictures are around because each settler would be given a copy. No names are recorded on our copies.

The pictures Will took are valuable because many of the places are gone, either from fire, flood, or neglect.

When the government tried to take back this forest land, Will went to court as his own lawyer and won his case. The property he owned is now almost the only land in that area not National Forest land. It is now owned by Bunker Hill.

In 1920, due to poor health from his mining activities, he moved his family to Blackfoot, Idaho, where he bought a farm, and where his wife's family lived. He died in 1922 at the age of 48.

Collection is open for research.

Source of acquisition is unknown.

Arrangement reflects original order.

 Idaho Panhandle (Idaho) Idaho Panhandle (Idaho) Idaho--History Frontier and pioneer life Mines and Mineral Resources Logging Group photo of the Marble Creek settlers (men, women, and children) during a 4th of July picnic 1 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches). Photo taken by William H. Thomas. Some of the known names: Daniel D. Thomas (front with beard), Martha Thomas (wife of William H. Thomas), the A.W. Nystroms, the Hubbels, the August Hansons, probably Dave Dollar (he had a logging camp nearby), the Ole O'Deans. July 4, 1913 English. Man standing on a log 2 1 photographic prints black and white photo (4.5 x 6.5 inches). Photo taken by William H. Thomas. Man in photo referred to as "A Sniper" - one who trims up the trees ready for the trip down the river. circa 1916 English. View of Snowstorm Mine and Boarding House covered with snow, Mullan, Idaho 3 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches). Photo taken by William H. Thomas. Written on verso: Closeup of this beautiful boarding house can be seen in the book "Mining Town" at the Wallace Museum. circa 1911 English. Boats and people at boat dock at St. Maries, Idaho 4 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches). Photo taken by William H. Thomas. St. Maries Hotel in background. circa 1912 English. The Thomas homestead 5 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4 x 6 inches) undated English. Cabin, meat and supply shed, bunkhouse and tent for loggers on the William H. Thomas logging camp and homestead along Marble Creek 6 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) circa 1916 English. Men standing on stacked logs with caption "building a bridge over Marble Creek" 7 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. Bridge was for the pack horses. circa 1912-1914 English. Logs and logging operations on the Thomas homestead on Marble Creek, Idaho 8 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas circa 1916 English. Crew of the Clear Grit Mine standing near an ore car and an entrance way in Delta, Idaho 9 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches). Information on back of photo: William H. Thomas (front) was Superintendent of the Clear Grit Mine from 1909 to about 1912. Clear Grit Mine had one tunnel approximately 2000 feet long and was a lead and silver mine. R.B. Bohannon was manager of the mine and owner of R&G Mining Company. In 1910, President Bohannon was awarded a gold medal for the best display of ore and mining display at the Spokane Interstate Fair. undated English. R.W. Nystrom homestead on Marble Creek, Idaho 10 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas circa 1912 English. Bunkhouse and cook shack at the Dollar Logging Camp and homestead of Dave Dollar 11 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) circa 1911 English. Portrait of William H. Thomas 12 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) undated English. Horses skidding logs at Marble Creek, Idaho 13 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. "Poker Dave" was supposed to be in the photo, but his head did not get in the picture. undated English. Mmen standing on finished bridge over Marble Creek 14 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. circa 1912-1914 English. Log flume along Bussell Creek and into Marble Creek, Idaho 15 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. Bussell Creek ran along the edge and through a corner of the William H. Thomas homestead on Marble Creek. 1919 English. The Rutledge log flume on Bussell Creek, Idaho 16 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas circa 1919 English. Town of Cornwall, Idaho with the Standard Mine and houses in view 17 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. The Standard Mine is labeled on the right and was torn down in 1985 and relocated. circa 1911 English. View of Gorge Gulch in Burke, Idaho 18 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. The Hecla Mining Company building is in the far right middle of the photo. The photo was taken from high up on the mountain at the bottom of the gulch. circa 1912-1914 English. Town of Gem, Idaho 19 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas circa 1911 English. Hecla Mine in Burke, Idaho 20, 21 1 photographic prints black and white photographs (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. Written on back of photo: image from "Mining Industries of Idaho". Development: principally by a 4-compartment vertical shaft, which is 2800 feet deep, and a 3-compartment vertical shaft from the 2000 foot level, which is 800 feet deep. Mine: 2 electrically driven I-R compressors, totaling 7500 cubic feet housed in steel and concrete buildings; one of the largest, most complete and modern mine plants in the U.S.; 2 electrically driven hoists, the main one being driven by a 2100 h.p. motor. Mill: 900-ton concentrator, including flotation. Lead, silver, and zinc mine. Average of 491 men employed. circa 1912 English. Hecla Mine base in Burke, Idaho 22, 23, 24 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. circa 1912 English. Town of St. Joe, Idaho covered in snow 25 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas circa 1912 English. Town of St. Joe, Idaho covered in snow 26 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. This is west of photo #25, around the curve of the St. Joe River. Hospital is in the lower right corner. Pilings (posts) outline the St. Joe River. circa 1912 English. Town of St. Joe, Idaho covered in snow 27 1 photographic prints black and white photograph (4.5 x 6.5 inches) taken by William H. Thomas. Around the next bend of the river from photo #26, featuring the logging and lumber mills part of the town. Boats docked at the building in the lower right corner - sign on the building reads, "Red Collar Inn - Boats leave." Boarding house is in lower left corner. circa 1912 English.