Boise’s Two Month Mayor: Henry Prickett
Sue Paseman, with Todd Shallat
On November 18, 1867, Henry E. Pricket became the Boise City first mayor. Born in England in 1839, Prickett lived with his wife Martha and daughter Ida in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. In the 1860s he served one term in the Wisconsin
state legislature before moving his family west to Idaho City, then to Boise in 1865. Two years later the family moved to a brick Second Empire house on Main and Third. In 1906 the same house was purchased by James Hawley, Boise’s 21st mayor.
Key Events
- 1866 – 1868: Snake Indian War
- 1867: First National Bank opens at Seventh and Main.
- 1867: Masonic Hall opens at Seventh and Main
- 1867: Owyhee Miner’s League becomes Idaho’s first labor union
- 1867: Shoshone relocate to Rattlesnake Camp above Boise city
- 1867: U.S. states ratify the 14th amendment
Prickett had served one term as a Republican in the Idaho Territorial Legislature and was still with his law firm in 1867 when he agreed to serve briefly as mayor. After three years in Boise working on tax matters, Prickett opened a law firm with Joseph Miller. Prickett was later appointed Register in Bankruptcy for the Territory. He was also a notary. As an attorney, Prickett was said to be “courteous, considerate and conscientious magistrate whose only aim was to do justice and honestly administer the law.”
Prickett’s appointment as mayor was a fitful start for a town an anti-government, anti-municipal town. On December 12, 1864, the Idaho legislature had incorporated “Boise City.” The act required the voters to approve a charter in a city election. In the election of March 21, 1865, however, the charter failed by twenty-four votes. Again on January 11, 1866, the Boise voter rejected incorporation. But later the legislature forced the issue with the stipulation that “a temporary mayor and council be named in the next charter.” On the May 7, 1866, having run against the charter, the mayor-elect and the newly elected city council refused to take the oath of office. Again, on January 21, 1867, “anti-charter” party easily won. City official refused to organize.
Eventually it was the threat of losing land that convinced the voters of Boise to approve a city charter. Without a municipal government, it was increasingly hard for Boiseans to secure title to city lots. Grudgingly, in 1867, the voters approved a commission form of city government. Still there were anti-party leaders who refused to participate. When mayor-elected L.B. Lindsey refused to take the oath of office, city father asked Henry Prickett. Thus appointed in the chambers of Judge John Cummins, the English-born attorney from Wisconsin became the city’s first acting mayor.
“Be it Resolved,” said City Council on Pricketf’s first day in office, November 18, 1867, “that the Mayor of said City be directed to enter at the United States Land Office Established at said City, the Town Site of Said Boise City According to the Map or Plat herewith accompanying; In Trust for the Several Owners thereof in accordance with the Laws of Congress.”
Prickett’s first official duty was to establish a “Town Site Fund” for the purpose of running the city. Council authorized the mayor to solicit up to $600 in loans in order to pay for basic improvements.
In January 1869, about two month after taking office, Prickett resigned. Resuming his law practice, he ran unsuccessfully for the territorial council of Ada County. But in 1876 he was rewarded with a territorial appointment to the Idaho supreme court. Retiring from the court in 1884, he entered into a new law practice with Boisean John M. Lamb. Prickett was also a mason at Boise’s Shoshone Lodge.
On June 14, 1885, Prickett died in his sleep during a visit to Hailey. He was sent back to Boise via the railroad line to Kuna. A delegation consisting of Mayor James Pinney, John Lemp, Prickett’s law partner John M. Lamp, and Adam Gasser went to Kuna and delivered Judge Prickett’s remains to the Masonic Hall. He was interred in the Pioneer Cemetery. When the widow Martha Prickett died on August 13, 1890, she was interred at his side.
“Be it Resolved,” said City Council on Pricketf’s first day in office, November 18, 1867, “that the Mayor of said City be directed to enter at the United States Land Office Established at said City, the Town Site of Said Boise City According to the Map or Plat herewith accompanying; In Trust for the Several Owners thereof in accordance with the Laws of Congress.”
Prickett’s first official duty was to establish a “Town Site Fund” for the purpose of running the city. Council authorized the mayor to solicit up to $600 in loans in order to pay for basic improvements.
In January 1869, about two month after taking office, Prickett resigned. Resuming his law practice, he ran unsuccessfully for the territorial council of Ada County. But in 1876 he was rewarded with a territorial appointment to the Idaho supreme court. Retiring from the court in 1884, he entered into a new law practice with Boisean John M. Lamb. Prickett was also a mason at Boise’s Shoshone Lodge.
On June 14, 1885, Prickett died in his sleep during a visit to Hailey. He was sent back to Boise via the railroad line to Kuna. A delegation consisting of Mayor James Pinney, John Lemp, Prickett’s law partner John M. Lamp, and Adam Gasser went to Kuna and delivered Judge Prickett’s remains to the Masonic Hall. He was interred in the Pioneer Cemetery. When the widow Martha Prickett died on August 13, 1890, she was interred at his side.
Key sources
“The Arrival and Burial of Judge Prickett’s Remains.” Idaho Tri-Weekly Statesman, 18 June 1885.
“Boise.” Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series, Number 800. 1986
“Boise Building Chronology.” Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series, Number 672. Revised 1983.
“Boise City and Urban Area Population, 1863-1980.” Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series, Number 363. Revised 1995.
“Boise City Charter.” Idaho State Historical Society Reference Series, Number 30. 1983.
Boise City Council Minutes, 18 November 1867, p. 1
Hartman, Hugh H. The Founding Fathers of Boise: 1863-1875. Idaho State Historical Society, 1989.
“Sad News of Judge Prickett’s Death.” Idaho Tri-Weekly Statesman, 16 June 1885.