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> Pioneers<br />
\Ve lived just far enough out <strong>of</strong> town to have a house full <strong>of</strong> company<br />
on Sunday. Many a time I've had 25 people for Sunday dinner.<br />
We always had plenty <strong>of</strong> food. 'Ve killed four or five hogs a year,<br />
smoked <strong>the</strong> hams, made barrels <strong>of</strong> sauer kraut. 'Ve had two cows and<br />
some chickens. Our work wasn't as hard <strong>the</strong>n as now. 'Ve raised<br />
wonderful vegetables in those days, and were not bo<strong>the</strong>red <strong>by</strong> worms<br />
in our gardens.<br />
'Ve bought only flour and sugar. We planted a big orchard on our<br />
farm, including apples, pears, cherries, gooseberries and strawberries.<br />
One summer, while I was canning, a friend from Iowa visited me. I<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered her some fruit to can and she took back a hundred cans ",vith<br />
her on her return.<br />
Vancouver had only four stores when we traded <strong>the</strong>re. Our church<br />
used to have a lot <strong>of</strong> entertainments. I <strong>of</strong>ten made ice cream for our<br />
socials. 'Ve got ice from Vancouver. Reverend Pickles was one <strong>of</strong><br />
our ministers.<br />
I had nine children and never had a doctor.<br />
a doctor in those days.<br />
It wasn't easy to get<br />
I remember <strong>the</strong> day that 'Vashington Territory became a state. 'Ve<br />
had fire works and a speaker and lots <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> men got drunk.<br />
We always celebrated <strong>the</strong> Fourth <strong>of</strong> July with picnics.<br />
11fASON THURLOW<br />
Okanogan County<br />
In 1887, with Bob Cruett and our pack outfits, I went into <strong>the</strong> Okanogan<br />
country. \Ve stopped at Malott's, <strong>the</strong>n came across <strong>the</strong> range,<br />
twenty miles into <strong>the</strong> Methow. There was jnst a trail going up <strong>the</strong><br />
valley. There had been two settlers <strong>the</strong>re <strong>the</strong> year before, but <strong>the</strong>y<br />
had gone. Two trappers had <strong>the</strong> valley to <strong>the</strong>mselves. I bonght out<br />
a homesteader for $22.50. There was a good log house on <strong>the</strong> place.<br />
This is now <strong>the</strong> best ranch in <strong>the</strong> country. I returned to Ellensburg<br />
but in April, with several o<strong>the</strong>rs, I was back in <strong>the</strong> Methow. 'Ve<br />
drove a wagon to Malott and packed <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> way. A plow<br />
came over <strong>the</strong> mountains on a pack horse.<br />
I returned again to Ellensburg, to settle my affairs. My wife was<br />
sick with <strong>the</strong> measles, and died that night. There were four young<br />
children. Three years later I married again.<br />
A lot <strong>of</strong> people came in and homesteaded, became discouraged, and<br />
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