The Johnston Brothers
The Johnston brothers--Dave, Tom, and Dennis--were also early Dixie Slough settlers. It has been said that Tom and Dave Johnston were traveling east to Fort Bridger in 1864 with a load of traps when one of the team horses died. The young men took turns "getting into the harness" until they reached the area and chose to settle.
Their cabin, out in the area of the present J.R. Simplot Co. plant, was built near a little spring in a grove of trees.
It was made of cottonwood logs from the Boise River, had a dirt floor, a roof of tulles and earth, along with a fireplace for heating/cooking.
Their cabin is now in the Caldwell City Park.
In 1864 the Johnston's address was "Boise River, Boise City, Idaho Territory." Tom, writing to his brother in Missouri, wrote how to find him: "If you ever came to this country, you can find us 25 miles below Boise City--2 miles and half below the canyon."