Richard and Philippa Hawes, pioneers of the territory, are laid to rest here along with two of their seven children. They were married for 56 years and died just 18 months apart.
Richard, or Dickie as he was more commonly known, was born in Cornwall England and came to the country as a lad of 12. He first located in Massachusetts where he spent some years then he went to CA via the Ismuth. From CA he went to NV where he engaged in mining. It was there where he became an enthusiastic mason and remained so until the hour of his death. He came to Silver in 1872 as the foreman of the then famous Poorman Mine on War Eagle Mt. He was known as Cap’n Dickie according to the custom of his people.
On April 3, 1874, he married Philippa Edwards, whose parents also were from England. She was born in Jacksonville California in 1856 and came to Fairview, then a flourishing mining camp on War Eagle Mountain, with an uncle and aunt in 1873.
Their wedding proved to be one of the historically romantic events of the camp, according to the local newspaper. A fierce snowstorm rage on old War Eagle at the time and minister, Rev. Purdy of the Episcopal Church of Silver City, did not reach the camp until midnight. Then all men, some 75 or 80, were called from the depths of the mine to witness the ceremony and partake of the bountiful wedding feast, which was spread in the mine boarding house.
The young couple went to housekeeping in a cottage ready and waiting and their home soon became known for its kind and generous hospitality, a reputation it has maintained throughout the 56 years of their married life. In those early days Bishop Tuttle and other men prominent in the affairs of Idaho at that time, were frequent and welcome guests at their home,
The couple was survived by a daughter, Mrs. R.H. Leonard of Silver, three sons, Will and John of Silver, and Richard Jr. of Boise and eight grandchildren.
An infant daughter, Rose, and son Frederick, who died at age 29, are buried here. Grandchildren Lewis and ??? Leonard are buried nearby.
Their son Willie Hawes was one of the last year-round residents of Silver City, serving as a historian and caretaker of the town until his death in 1968. Mildretta Adams writes in her book Historic Silver City - The Story of the Owyhees that, “This self-styled keeper of the keys was, in a large measure, responsible for the town being preserved as well as it is, and for this Owyhee County owes him a debt of gratitude.”
