She Started in a Tent and Fed the Men Who Built the Great Northern

Mrs. Anna Quick, born Booth, died at Sweet, Idaho, last Thursday.

Mrs. Quick was one of the pioneers of Newport, having lived here since 1890, two years before the Great Northern construction work was started. Deceased was the pioneer hotelkeeper in this section of Idaho, having served the first meals ever served in Old Town. She started in a small shack and a tent located near the present site of the Newport Hotel, a few days after her arrival here. From the small beginning she kept at work and finally made enough money to construct the present building and operated it as a hotel until last September, when she was compelled by reason of ill health to lease the property. Later on she sold the place and retired from active business life.

Last fall she was taken ill and after consulting specialists found that she was suffering from a cancer on her face. She was treated by local physicians until April of this year, when she went to take treatment from a specialist at Sweet, Idaho. All efforts to stop the ravages of the disease were unavailing and after months of suffering she passed away.

Mrs. Quick was born in New York on July 6, 1842. She was married to Elijah Quick in Detroit, Mich. In 1888 the family removed from Kansas City to the Big Bend country and resided there until 1890, when they removed to what is now Old Town. At that time there were but two residents of Old Town. After the death of Mr. Quick, which occurred in Kansas City, she was married to James Despain, who was a resident of the Big Bend country and who died several years ago.

Probably no woman in this section of Idaho was better known than Mrs. Quick. For years her hotel was the only place in this vicinity and was headquarters for all of the men engaged in the construction of the Great Northern. After the work on the road was completed and the mills started, her house became the popular resort for all of the millmen. A hungry man was never turned away from the hotel while she was operating it. She was a mother to all of the men who made the place their home.

From the union with Mr. Quick seven children were born. Of these but four are still alive. They are: Daniel, Frank and Mrs. Meda Collier, of Newport, and Mrs. Belle Houchins, of Spokane. There are 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren surviving the decedent.

The funeral services were held from Miller's Undertaking Parlors on Sunday last and were conducted by Rev. Robinson. There was a large attendance of old-timers and friends of recent years. The interment was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.