Burke: The Elusive Dream Hardcover – April 2, 2023

Burke The Elusive Dream: There is nothing more tragic or pathetic than a worked-out mining town. In its early days, everyone that came into town was an entrepreneur with an “Elusive Dream.” Some come with the dream to get rich, others to start their own business, some to start a family and others just to make a better living than the one they come from.The mines were not in Burke to support the town or its people. Just the opposite; everything and everybody was there to support the mines. The land, the timber, the town and yes -the men - were only valuable commodities. Three United States Presidents: Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelthad to interrupt their schedules to take necessary actionto deal with events from Burke. Five Idaho governors had to intervene with Burke related incidents, Governors NormanWilley and Frank Steunenberg, both declared Martial Law in Shoshone County because of the rebellious nature of Burke, resulting in their losing their bids for reelection and Steunenberg losing his life. James H. Hawley, a future governor of Idaho, would lead a legal team to support the union activities of the Burke Union. With former Governor Edward A Stevenson posting bail for the defendants. William Edgar Borah - an outspoken Republican United States Senator - would be retained twice to prosecute Burke Miners; andone of the most celebrated lawyers in U.S. history, Clarence Darrow, would defend them. President Theodore Roosevelt publicly accused Idaho Governor Frank Gooding and other officials of Idaho of accepting bribes from the Coeur d’Alene Mine Owner Association when dealing with the Burke Miners Union.No one got away unscathed, every life left a mark, some you can see others you must look for. This book came from my deep love of Burke and Burke Canyon. I began my research for this book at the age of 18, (three years before the legal drinking age at the time) in the bars of Burke. A lot of the information shared in this book is based on story told to me from old timers that thought I wasn’t listening with special thanks to the University of Idaho. Read more