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From: Milton Clay< >
Subject: [HANDCART-L] DOWNING of MONTPELIER, IDAHO. JUDY, take note!
Date: Sun, 01 Mar 1998 09:09:25 -0800

My sincere apologies to all, particularly Judy.
Judy has ask for info on a family that I knew at one time in my youth.
Unfortunately I hit a wrong button and wiped all evidence that she ever
existed.
With this multiple posting and forbearance on the part of those who rail
at such things I do hope to contact here once again

Good Morning Judy,
I knew a Mr. (I can not remember his first name) Downing of Montpelier,
Idaho, or rather I should say my father , Milton B. Clay, was a friend
of his and I as a youngster knew him.
This Mr. Downing was a son of John. Downing who had a ranch North of
Montpelier and co-owned with a Mr. DERRICUT, it was known as the D &D
Ranch and as far as I am aware it is still in existence though not as
extensive as it once was due primarily to inheritance taxes. Whether any
Downings are still involved with the ranch I know not.

He( the son of John) and Dad were very great friends and fellow Moose
Lodge members. Masons also, I believe. Mr. Downing was an avid
photographer and instilled several such as I to become avid also. He
had a dark room in one of the upstairs rooms( which was called the
Downing Manor) of his home and was gracious to all who
showed interest in his hobby.
I do not know if he ever did any commercial work, he could well have.
His home was one of the finer in Montpelier, located on the corner of
Main Street and 5th Street.
Do you know, I do not remember ever seeing him drive an automobile, but
surely he must have.
When I knew Mr. Downing he was running the Burgoyne Hotel, located in
the center of town. This hotel was part of a complex of enterprises of
the Burgoyne family. The Burgoyne Cafe, which I think was also purchased
by John Downing and the Hotel suffered no name change upon the purchase.
What has occurred after the son's death I know not.
My memories of him are primarily before WW2 which caused my absence from
the community and a little after.
My father had a very severe heart attack just prior to wars end and had
to retire from his life of industrious work, so it was that Mr. Downing
hired dad to "help" supervise the operation of Hotel matters as he was
able. It was a sincere hand of assistance, but not free gift for Pop
really had to stir his shanks at times. Mr. Downing, as near as I
remember never allowed free flow from his pocket.
His yard and home and fence and hotel were always in good repair, caused
by the many who stopped by his door for a meal.
I have no memories of him during and after the war years except that I
knew he remained true to his commitments to his friends and community.
Mr. Downing and his father, John, were stalwarts of Montpelier and
Bear Lake County life and has been written about in the histories of
that town and county. One local writer, Pat Wilde, in particular has
included him in his histories of the area
publication. Pat is still living I believe and living in Montpelier. It
may be possible to find him on the internet.
If not let me know no luck and I will try to run him down.
Milton B. Clay
Lancaster, CA

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• [HANDCART-L] DOWNING of MONTPELIER, IDAHO. JUDY, take note! by Milton Clay< >