Cassia County ID Archives Biographies.....Rivers, William abt 1835 - February 2, 1885
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Chris Storey chrissy_7@q.com October 22, 2009, 2:02 pm

Source: Betty Marker
Author: Betty Marker

 In 1885 the spark of a water usage dispute ignited the fuse of the intense 
individualism of the Cottonwood ranchers. It is believed that John Iverson 
accused Rivers of an impropiety regarding the Cottonwood water. This dispute 
was serious enough that Iverson caused Rivers' arrest and subsequent detention 
in the Cassia County jail at Albion. In those days, one of the duties of the 
sheriff was to take his prisioners from the jail to an eating house for meals. 
The dining room was part of, or close to a bar. It was at the Albion Saloon, 
on the evening of January 31, 1885, that Rivers, in a mood of rage,derision, 
or both, threatened to slap the sheriff's face. If not his life, then Stark's 
reputation as a peasce officer was at stake. Fact, not hearsay, tells that the 
sheriff, acting in a forthright, if extreme, manner, shot Rivers through the 
abdomen. The mortally wounded man was taken th a nearby hotel and put to bed. 
His wife Eleanor, and a doctor were sent for. Rivers lingered in great pain 
for about twent-four hours. He had time to relate that during the Civil War 
he, a Northener, had come upon Stark, a Confederate soldier, drinking from a 
stream and had spared Stark's life. Yet Stark had shot him on what he 
considered small provocation.
 Originally Bill was buried across from his Cottonwood ranch home, but new 
owners of property requested he be removed, thus he is now buried at the Warm 
Springs Cemetery. On his tombstone: W'm Rivers-Died Feb 2 1885-Aged 49 years-
Life is short-Death is certain.
 

Additional Comments:
 William was not a scoundrel, but a hard working, husband and father, simply 
living in the old west.
 Rumor says that William Rivers actually was moved from his first burial spot 
because his spirit haunted the area.

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