Field trip day here in Salmon, ID.....Elmer Keith Grave/House

[THREEDFLYER]

I have been coming to Salmon Idaho for about 15 years and lived here for just over a year now and thought I would track down the burial site for Elmer Kieith and his family. I also drove up above the courthouse in town and found his old home.....which happens to be up for sale by the current owners.

Elmer and Lorene had two children and their daughter died very young during an influenza outbreak. There was a severe snowstorm when she became gravely ill and the Dr. could not make it out to the Keith Ranch in Gibbonsville to give aid. Elmer had his son Ted bundle up and try to walk down the highway towards town to find help.....but it was in vane, Druzilla died soon after Ted left the house.

Elmer's wife refused to live so far from town, hence they bought the place in Salmon. (Side note: The Keith ranch in Gibbonsville is still in the family)

Here are some photos of the headstones and a current photo of the house along with a black/white photo of the same house from the 1940's when my hunting partner lived in Salmon and his father knew and did some hunting with Elmer. (Note the handgun cartridges on the stone below Elmer's name)

If anyone of you folks would like to own Elmer's home drop me a PM or Email and I will put you in touch with the owner.....they are trying to sell without a realtor.

 

[Jebus35745]

Nice little trip Tom, you're looking for a home, buy Elmer's. What is the asking price? Always thought it was cool that you visited this area for years and now you live there!! Above their headstone of Theodore between the trees in the background is a beautiful view of mountains. Envy you living there except for the freezing temps you experience.

The picture on the porch is a perfect era in an area for outdoor activities. Could see the young boy out all day long with that.22 rifle. What a life.

At the NE Ohio Bunch we had 3 of Elmer's guns visit us. Actually held the engraved 44 mag with ivory grips, Bob R owns it. Larry

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Thanks Larry, we are fortunate to be able to call Salmon our "Temporary" home for another year or so.

I spoke with the owner/seller of Elmer's home and they are asking in the $650K range for the home and she said they are open to offers.

The place is actually in great shape and has an outbuilding with garage that I assume would have been Elmer's workshop.

I may ask for a tour of the home one of these days just to get eyes on the inside.

My wife and I need to be closer to convienences or I might consider staying in Salmon......but someone out there in SWCA land might want to grab that place!!

 

[THREEDFLYER]

By the way, in the black/white photo.....the young boy on the right with the rifle is Ted Keith and the boy on the left is my now 86 year old hunting partner Dwight Williamson.

And that photo was taken in the 1949 timeframe, shortly after Elmer's daugher died and the family bought the house in town.

 

[S&W ucla]

Nice pics. Had the pleasure of meeting Ted at the SWCA in Boise. Been through Salmon a few times, even considered some property going towards Lemhi pass. Beautiful country, just too far away.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Nice pics. Had the pleasure of meeting Ted at the SWCA in Boise. Been through Salmon a few times, even considered some property going towards Lemhi pass. Beautiful country, just too far away.

Although I never met Ted face to face, we had many phone conversations in the few years before his passing. A very interesting man in his own right, but dad got all the attention of course.

And yes, this area is VERY remote, but that's what keeps it small and uncrowded.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I met Ted Keith in 1987 at the Reno NRA convention. He had Emer's Stetson hat on display. I gave him some bucks for Elmer's Memorial in Salmon. At that time I did not know he was 4 years younger than me

 

[Dashriprock]

Thanks Larry, we are fortunate to be able to call Salmon our "Temporary" home for another year or so.

I spoke with the owner/seller of Elmer's home and they are asking in the $650K range for the home and she said they are open to offers.

The place is actually in great shape and has an outbuilding with garage that I assume would have been Elmer's workshop.

I may ask for a tour of the home one of these days just to get eyes on the inside.

My wife and I need to be closer to convienences or I might consider staying in Salmon......but someone out there in SWCA land might want to grab that place!!

The last time the house was for sale, there were lots of pictures on the realtor's website. You could clearly see Elmer's handwritten notes on some of the boards in the room where he did some indoor load development. Don't recall if it was basement or attic. I saved those photos to a hard drive, I'll see if I can find them.

Big request is if you do get in there is please see if you can find them and get some fresh photos -- heh!

 

[THREEDFLYER]

I spoke with the owners and they do not recall seeing any notes, but I am hoping to get into the house sometime in the next couple of weeks when they are back in town.

And I will post photos.

 

[S-W4EVER]

That's pretty cool! I enjoyed reading Elmer K3ith's books back when I was attending college (mid '70's). My impression of him was he was "No brag, just fact".

 

[THREEDFLYER]

That's pretty cool! I enjoyed reading Elmer K3ith's books back when I was attending college (mid '70's). My impression of him was he was "No brag, just fact".

Unfortunately the local Salmon folks are not as enthusiastic regarding Old Elmer as those of us from elsewhere.

Not much mention of him in town, just a small display in the small museum.

There are many reasons for that, but let's keep this on an upbeat tone, LOL!

 

[M29since14]

I always enjoyed his writing, but I'm not sure about the "no brag" part. I do think the great majority of the time he could put his money where his mouth was.

I once wrote him a letter asking something or other. I don't recall what. I was pleased to get back a typical Elmer response - one paragraph, with a bunch of words and sentences crammed together into a bit over half a page. Signed "Keith."

I think all his letters were about like that. I may still have it lying around here somewhere. Quite a character. And a lot of experience and knowledge to back up the character.

 

[Bald1]

Looks like his daughter passed at 17. What happened?

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Looks like his daughter passed at 17. What happened?

See my original post for details

 

[S-W4EVER]

Unfortunately the local Salmon folks are not as enthusiastic regarding Old Elmer as those of us from elsewhere.

Not much mention of him in town, just a small display in the small museum.

There are many reasons for that, but let's keep this on an upbeat tone, LOL!

I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[Bald1]

See my original post for details

Geez I completely missed a paragraph hurrying to photos