In 1885, Sam and Charley Smith arrived in the panhandle of Idaho. They formed Smith’s Passenger, Express and Fast Freight Line, a stagecoach and freighting service. Sam Smith began running the stage between Kootenai, Idaho and the Kootenai River. Smith's six-horse stagecoach teams could run the route in seven hours. 

William Eaton arrived at the Northern Pacific Railroad - Kootenai Station in 1888. He made arrangements to ship his merchandise north on Sam Smith’s freight wagons over the rough toll road; each team and wagon costing a silver dollar. The route traveled on the Kootenai Trail, through Mosquito Flats (Paradise Valley), and down the hill - now known as Cemetery Hill. 

In 1891, Sam Smith constructed a large barn and feed store in Eatonville. The buildings were headquarters for the stage line. Smith sent stages north, east, and south to Kootenay Lake, Crossport, and Kootenai Station. By January 1892, the stagecoaches were making three trips a week to Kootenai Station. 

By 1899, Sam Smith had retired from his stagecoach business and sold his Riverside Hotel in Bonners Ferry. It was said, “Sam lives on his ranch near Bear Creek.” 

This photograph of Sam Smith's stagecoach was taken on April 10, 1887. 

The Boundary County Historical Society and Museum, 7229 Main, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, sponsors this column.  

Visit the museum Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., or visit the website at boundarycountymuseum.org or the museum’s Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. The museum can be reached via email at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or by phone at 208-267-7720.