TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
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Told<br />
<strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pio-neers<br />
MRS. JESSE E. GIBSON<br />
Grant County<br />
There were 110 wells when we came here. Water was hauled from<br />
Willow Springs and sold for one dollar per barrel. It was buried in<br />
<strong>the</strong> barrel in a hole in <strong>the</strong> ground <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> shack, and got<br />
green and slimy between fillings.<br />
Babcock and Benson owned Trinidad Bar, now called Crescent Bar,<br />
and had a big stationary steam outfit on <strong>the</strong> river and raised alfalfa,<br />
wheat and sheep. Their place 'was later platted and sold for orchard<br />
tracts. They had an idea <strong>of</strong> a string <strong>of</strong> windmills and reservoirs, to<br />
lift <strong>the</strong> water from <strong>the</strong> Columbia river, 800 feet over <strong>the</strong> ridge. It was<br />
not practicaL Water was pumped from <strong>the</strong> river onto <strong>the</strong> flat, however.<br />
The fuel for <strong>the</strong> engine was supplied <strong>by</strong> driftwood from <strong>the</strong><br />
river. There was plenty <strong>of</strong> good driftwood, but it took four horses<br />
10 pull a load <strong>of</strong> half a cord over <strong>the</strong> hilL<br />
MRS. MINNIE PETERSON<br />
Clallam County<br />
Candles for lighting <strong>the</strong> Ford home were made first from tallow,<br />
and later, when sheep had been brought in, from mutton tallow. 'When<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ford cattle herd increased so that some animals could be sold,<br />
<strong>the</strong> stock was driven overland to Port Townsend. This trip, which<br />
followed somewhat closely <strong>the</strong> line <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> present road to Pysht and<br />
<strong>the</strong>n along <strong>the</strong> beach past Dungeness and Port Discovery, required<br />
six weeks <strong>of</strong> time.<br />
JAMES F. McMAHAN<br />
Lewis County<br />
When we first began to take loads in wagons over <strong>the</strong> road, <strong>the</strong>re<br />
were no ferry boats. :Men would unload <strong>the</strong>m and ferry over in small<br />
boats and canoes. Then <strong>the</strong>y would tie two canoes toge<strong>the</strong>r, put two<br />
wheels in each canoe, and take <strong>the</strong> wagon over. They would <strong>the</strong>n reload<br />
<strong>the</strong> wagons, s"im <strong>the</strong> horses across, hitch up and start again.<br />
Gradually <strong>the</strong> roads improved very gradually until <strong>the</strong> autos came.<br />
Now we can go to Chehalis and back in three and four hours, instead<br />
<strong>of</strong> from six to ten days.<br />
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