N. Idaho sale of large farm planned

The Steelsmith brothers grew up in northern Idaho, graduated from Troy High School, never married, are not known to have traveled more than a few hundred miles, invested wisely, became local legends, and plowed all their profits back into the land they loved.

On Tuesday, that land - all 3,000 acres of the Steelsmith brothers' farm - goes up for auction in what local officials say is the largest land auction in Latah County history.

"We've got people coming from California, Oregon, Wisconsin, Montana, Texas and New York," Bill Erwin, property representative for the Steelsmith family, told the Lewiston Tribune.

The property is located east of State Highway 99 between Troy and Kendrick. The auction is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the University-Inn Best Western in Moscow.

The land will be auctioned in 15 tracts ranging from 4.6 to 780 acres. When that is complete the amount of money bid will be added and then bidding will reopen to see if anyone is willing to pay more to buy the entire 3,000 acres.

"There are people around with a lot of money who are looking for a home for it," said Latah County Commissioner Jack Nelson. "I've heard estimates (for all 3,000 acres) from six to eight million dollars."

Clarence Steelsmith died in 2005 at age 92, and Laurence Steelsmith died in January 1998 at age 81. Neither had a funeral, and both were cremated and their ashes buried in the same grave in the Bethany Cemetery near their property.

"They were both bachelors and they were like two halves of a whole," said Erwin.

An auction several years ago of farm machinery brought in more than $2 million. Locally, the brothers were said to have owned more equipment than needed because they considered the machines in some ways toys, and took great care in keeping them in perfect condition.

"They had twice as many combines as needed," said Nelson, who considered the Steelsmiths neighbors and friends. "They had a $200,000 combine sitting there just in case they needed it."

Nelson said he didn't think they ever traveled past Spokane, Wash.

"One time they bought cars just alike - 1959 Ford Fairlane 500s - same color and everything," Erwin said. "They didn't want anybody to know which brother was going where."

Darline Knowles, a Steelsmith brothers' niece, walked the farm on Friday.

"This was like my ground," Knowles said of her childhood memories. "I know my roots will always be here. I've roamed all over these hills."

The pioneers of the family, Benjamin and Hazel Steelsmith, arrived in the area in the late 1800s by train and bought 166 acres, said Erwin, who married into the family. They had six children - Clarence and Laurence, and four daughters. One daughter, Alice V. Cave, lives in Spokane.

Erwin said money from the auction will be divided among a dozen people who hold stock in the two limited-liability companies listed under the name of each Steelsmith brother.

"They were wonderful men. They farmed for fun," said Lois Reed, a Latah County deputy treasurer who said the brothers always paid their taxes on time with a smile. "I was depressed when Laurence passed away."