"Historic Silver City - The Story of the Owyhees" by Mildretta Adams c. 1960
pp14-15
(Silver City lost the County Seat position in 1934) "Silver City was temporarily licked. The town died by inches as the county officials moved away. In the '40's and during World War II, many of the buildings were torn down and moved away to be rebuilt as homes in the valley. Treasures of the glorious past were hauled out and sold for a song. As word spread that Silver City had become a 'ghost', buildings were ransacked and much valuable property was destroyed. The power company removed its lines from the area and Silver City was in darkness, after having been one of the first towns in Southwest Idaho to have power.
Only one man kept the faith. Willie Hawes, who had been born in Silver City in 1876, 'lowed as how there was no better place for him to live, and elected to remain there. This self-styled keeper of the keys is, in a large measure, responsible for the town being preserved as well as it is, and for this Owyhee County owes him a debt of gratitude. Silver City was much publicized in the '40's as a Ghost town, and Will Hawes as a year round resident came in for his share of glory. Probably the most photographed man in Idaho, Will Hawes at 85 lends a colorful air to the old town. In the winter time he is content to keep the bean pot boiling and the sour dough crock in order. He keeps 'in touch' with the outside world by telephone and radio. When spring 'breaks', and the roads are open Willie emerges forth with an amazing energy to 'make law and order prevail.'"
pp14-15
(Silver City lost the County Seat position in 1934) "Silver City was temporarily licked. The town died by inches as the county officials moved away. In the '40's and during World War II, many of the buildings were torn down and moved away to be rebuilt as homes in the valley. Treasures of the glorious past were hauled out and sold for a song. As word spread that Silver City had become a 'ghost', buildings were ransacked and much valuable property was destroyed. The power company removed its lines from the area and Silver City was in darkness, after having been one of the first towns in Southwest Idaho to have power.
Only one man kept the faith. Willie Hawes, who had been born in Silver City in 1876, 'lowed as how there was no better place for him to live, and elected to remain there. This self-styled keeper of the keys is, in a large measure, responsible for the town being preserved as well as it is, and for this Owyhee County owes him a debt of gratitude. Silver City was much publicized in the '40's as a Ghost town, and Will Hawes as a year round resident came in for his share of glory. Probably the most photographed man in Idaho, Will Hawes at 85 lends a colorful air to the old town. In the winter time he is content to keep the bean pot boiling and the sour dough crock in order. He keeps 'in touch' with the outside world by telephone and radio. When spring 'breaks', and the roads are open Willie emerges forth with an amazing energy to 'make law and order prevail.'"
"Historic Silver City - The Story of the Owyhees" by Mildretta Adams c. 1960
pp14-15
(Silver City lost the County Seat position in 1934) "Silver City was temporarily licked. The town died by inches as the county officials moved away. In the '40's and during World War II, many of the buildings were torn down and moved away to be rebuilt as homes in the valley. Treasures of the glorious past were hauled out and sold for a song. As word spread that Silver City had become a 'ghost', buildings were ransacked and much valuable property was destroyed. The power company removed its lines from the area and Silver City was in darkness, after having been one of the first towns in Southwest Idaho to have power.
Only one man kept the faith. Willie Hawes, who had been born in Silver City in 1876, 'lowed as how there was no better place for him to live, and elected to remain there. This self-styled keeper of the keys is, in a large measure, responsible for the town being preserved as well as it is, and for this Owyhee County owes him a debt of gratitude. Silver City was much publicized in the '40's as a Ghost town, and Will Hawes as a year round resident came in for his share of glory. Probably the most photographed man in Idaho, Will Hawes at 85 lends a colorful air to the old town. In the winter time he is content to keep the bean pot boiling and the sour dough crock in order. He keeps 'in touch' with the outside world by telephone and radio. When spring 'breaks', and the roads are open Willie emerges forth with an amazing energy to 'make law and order prevail.'"
pp14-15
(Silver City lost the County Seat position in 1934) "Silver City was temporarily licked. The town died by inches as the county officials moved away. In the '40's and during World War II, many of the buildings were torn down and moved away to be rebuilt as homes in the valley. Treasures of the glorious past were hauled out and sold for a song. As word spread that Silver City had become a 'ghost', buildings were ransacked and much valuable property was destroyed. The power company removed its lines from the area and Silver City was in darkness, after having been one of the first towns in Southwest Idaho to have power.
Only one man kept the faith. Willie Hawes, who had been born in Silver City in 1876, 'lowed as how there was no better place for him to live, and elected to remain there. This self-styled keeper of the keys is, in a large measure, responsible for the town being preserved as well as it is, and for this Owyhee County owes him a debt of gratitude. Silver City was much publicized in the '40's as a Ghost town, and Will Hawes as a year round resident came in for his share of glory. Probably the most photographed man in Idaho, Will Hawes at 85 lends a colorful air to the old town. In the winter time he is content to keep the bean pot boiling and the sour dough crock in order. He keeps 'in touch' with the outside world by telephone and radio. When spring 'breaks', and the roads are open Willie emerges forth with an amazing energy to 'make law and order prevail.'"
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