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Man’s Donation
of cemetery plots an expression of his gratitude.
By Micki Moen
Messenger Index
One story in the bible’s New Testament describes how 10 men were healed of
blindness but out of the 10 only one returned to say “thanks.”
Here is the story of one man who is offering a gesture of gratitude to the
residents of Gem County for a kindness bestowed upon his gamily many years
ago.
This is what Kern Riggs said in a letter to Gem County Commissioners:
“Enclosed please find two documents number 149 and 150 that show we own two
grave sites in the DeClark section of the Emmett cemetery. We wish to give
them to the people of Gem County. Do we need to sign a paper to make the
gift official? May we hear from you if a document needs to be created to
make the transfer official?
We have acquired two gravesites in the Boise area and we have lived in Boise
for over 52 years and feel we don’t need them (the Emmett plots) any longer.
“Why give these plots to Gem County”?
“Mother was left with three children to raise. Gem County sent mother $15 a
month for food and I will never forget that action for it saved the day for
us. Mother’s sister gave us three quarts of milk each evening. We raised
potatoes and other food crops complementing our need for food. Many times I
drove to the Letha store to buy groceries. I remember that a 48 pound Picket
sack of flour cost one dollar. You might say we ate a great deal of bread
and milk. So we never went hungry. As far as I can calculate mother received
$1,395 from Gem County. Someday before long I am going to send Gem County
some money against that amount. But at the present time, please accept the
enclosed gift to the county.
“My sister two years younger than I died in December 1984 and my brother
five years younger died in August 1991 so I am the only survivor of my
family at age 92.”
Riggs, nephew of Ada Riggs Coon, for who Ada County is named graduated from
Emmett High School in 1926. He came to Emmett with his mother, brother and
sister at age 9, after his father died in 1917, he said. The family lived 5
miles west of Emmett, according to Riggs, near the recently demolished
Vanderdasson School, which the young boy attended.
“We lived in a two room shack built for us on our grandmother’s place, Riggs
said. Because it was such a difficult time for his family, rigs said Gem
County’s gift left a marked impression on his young mind. And knowing things
were easier for his mother meant a great deal and still does, he said.
When trying to remember his impressions of school days in Emmett, Riggs
said, “I tried to play football, but I fell and broke my collarbone.”
So much for athletics. But Riggs was more scholarly.
Temporarily certified as a teacher right after high school, Riggs earned
full certification from Albion State Normal School in 1930. In 1958, he
earned a degree in education from the College of Idaho.
For 45 years Riggs taught all over southwestern Idaho. He returned to Emmett
in 1946 as a non-teaching principal at Wardwell School for two years.
“It was a big school, four stories high,” said Riggs, where the Methodist
Church now stands.
Although money came easier to Riggs than it had to his widowed mother,
making ends meet wasn’t always easy, he said.
“Teachers never were paid generously,” he explained “We had three sons, so I
did carpentry work to supplement my income.”
Today, Riggs is an Idaho history buff, who spends his days back in
“Grandpa’s Shop” where an interesting mix of historic memorabilia and modern
technology keep his active mind busy. He recently acquired a computer
complete with all he needs for his failing eyes to see what he is doing
including a very large monitor. Bu the techno-giant is nestled among musty
quality historic books, signed by the authors. Autographs of Actor Spencer
Tracy, along with Cecil Andrus, Emmett’s sheep king Andy Little and other
Idaho political figures are among his treasures. A hundred-year-old painting
by his Aunt Ada, (remember, the Ada County namesake) fills its proper space
on his wall, accompanied by other more recent family artifacts.
To add current events to his extensive knowledge of Idaho history, Riggs
spends a good deal of his day painstakingly reading state newspapers using a
lighted device with powerful magnifying capabilities one word at a time.
Riggs lives in Boise with his wife of 62 years, Margaret. They have three
sons. The two eldest are retired and the youngest Charles has worked for
Untied Airlines sine 1960, after graduating from the University of Honolulu,
Hawaii in 1960.
“My sons are old folks now,” said Riggs. “My wife and I are the old, old
folks. I’ve lost track of the count of grandchildren.” Riggs also has
several great-grandchildren.
There isn’t much that escapes Riggs’ sharp min in spite of his age and
failing faculties.
“What was done for my family really stuck with me.” He said. “I was very
impressionable and never forgot it.”
Apparently he also remembered to say “thanks.”
Commissioner Ed Mansfield said no decision has been made on what the county
will do with the two Emmett Cemetery plots. |
