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By: Willard Adams Note: Last week the writer estab lished the boundaries of Oneida County and reported of the 26 post offices in Oneida county and that two of them were located in what is now Jefferson County. Last week's article dealt with the first office es tablished in what is now Jefferson County, Lava later called Camas. U. SS. MAIL HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY In 1464, King Louis XI of France established the forerunner of a public postal system with regular messen gers carrying messages and their ar rivals announced by golden horns. In those days the postman was hailed as the king’s courier, a man of such importance in the community, that his journey was delayed only at the hazard of extreme punishment or even death. Like most early postal systems, the service started by Louis XI was restricted to use by high of ficials of the court. It was more than a half century later, in 1516, that postal service was first made available to the public. In that year regular service was in auguraed between Vienna and Ber lin, but the costs were so prohibitive only the very wealthy could afford the service. The first postal system in England was established in 1523, with its use initially limited to members of the royal family. During the time of Queen Eliza beth of England, the warning phrase, “Haste, Post, Haste, For thy Lyfe, For Thy Lyfe, Haste,” was often written on letters to remind the “Post Boys” of their duty. Occasionally, a crude skull and crossbones was drawn alongside the addres to fur ther emphasis the need of safe and speedly delivery of the mails. The ‘Post Boys” with post horns and mail pouches across their saddle bags were the carriers of the Eliza bethan age and for approximately 200 years thereafter. Regulations required that the post horn be blown four times in every mile, and during the summer the “Post Boys” were required to ride at 7 miles per hour, during the winter at 5 miles per hour. Here in America the Aztec Indians utilized a crude “parcel post” system whereby messengers distributed their catch of fish among the various vil lages of their tribes. The Post Office at Market Lake, Oneida County, Idaho was established December 23, 1879 and John N. Ad ams was appointed the first post master. The following postmasters have served: John B. Cutshaw, December 4, 1882; Thomas N. Lauder, January 4, 1887. The office was discontinued August 20, 1888 but was reestablished April 17, 1888 and Norman Patrice was appointed postmaster. The County of Bingham was cre ated by the Thirteenth Territorial Legislature, Governor Bunn approv ing the act on January 3, 1885, and now Market Lake is located in Bing ham County. Etta Neeb was appoint ed April 26, 1893; Charles L. Har wood, December 1, 1893; Luella R. Carruthers, December 10, 1897; Chas. L. Harwood, August 31, 1899. The name was changed to Roberts, Janu ary 31, 1910 and again Charles L. Harwood was appointed postmaster; Lewis V. Ledvina, March 12, 1914; Rena E. Creaser, February 20, 1922; Mrs. Hazel L. French, June 12, 1926; Mrs. Anna R. Lake, May 7, 1935; Mrs. Merle Long, July 8, 1943; Mrs. Clara Hand, April 17, 1944, and is still serving at this writing. Thus, like the Post Office at Camas, Market Lake (Roberts) has been un der the territory counties of Oneida, Bingham, Fremont and Jefferson.
Newspaper Details
Rigby Star
Rigby, Idaho, US
Thu, Aug 27, 1959
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Marjorie F.
USA 12 Sep 2026
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