Frank Steunenberg was an Idaho Governor from 1897-1900. As a democrat he was able to gain the support of Silver Republicans, Populists, and the Labor party. Not born in Idaho, Steunenberg was born and raised in Iowa. He worked for two different newspaper printing companies, one in Knoxville, Iowa and the other in Des Moines.

Steunenberg moved to Idaho in 1887 to help his brother run the Caldwell Tribune. Soon he found himself engrossed in politics, serving as a member of the Idaho House of Representatives for Idaho first state legislature from 1890-1893. Four years later he was elected governor. He served two complete terms, in which he was said to uphold virtue and follow the rule of law.

During his second term in office striking minors in Northern Idaho began a bloody feud that ended when the Governor instated marshal law. The strikers and all those who participated in violent acts were rounded up and kept in stockades of poor quality. The minors, having been humiliated and reduced to living in squalor, held a grudge against Frank Steunenberg. In 1905 the striking minors received retribution when Steunenberg was assassinated by a bomb attached to the front gate of his house.

Frank Steunenberg is seen as a great governor because of his ability to maintain law and order against conflicting political parties and bloody riots. His memorial stands directly in front of the Capitol Building across the street. It is the biggest memorial out of the four that are located in front of the Capitol for all to see. It was dedicated in 1925. The memorial has a bronze plaque on the front under his statue exulting Frank Steunenberg for all his good deeds, while engraved on the back of the memorial are the words “Law and Order”.

Pictures taken by Thomas Weis on 11/28/2011.

References:

"Frank S. Steunenberg." University of Missouri, Kansas City. Accessed 11/20/2011. <http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/haywood/HAY_BSTU.HTM> "Frank S. Steunenberg: The Former Governor, The Victim." Idaho Public Television. Accessed 11/20/2011. <http://idahoptv.org/productions/specials/trial/thetrial/steunenberg.cfm>