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It is through the thankful generosity of Kern Riggs that Gem County has developed this website. In appreciation of Kern's gift to Gem County we would like to dedicate this website to him.

Kern moved to Gem County at age 9, after his father died. His mother worked hard to raise her 3 children. Gem County sent the Riggs family $15 per  month to help. This left an impression on young Kern, knowing that this made things easier for his mother meant a great deal to him.

At age 92, after serving the people of Idaho as a teacher for over 45 years, Kern expressed his gratitude by donating 2 cemetery plots (both in the DeClark section of the Emmett cemetery) and by sending a check in the amount of $4,200, according to Kern's calculations, three times the amount sent by Gem County to the Riggs family. 

Read article published in the Messenger Index "Man's donation of cemetery plots an expression of his gratitude"

Read letter sent by Kern to Gem County "Dear Friends"