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 />
MRS. PHOEBE JUDSON<br />
By Her D.aughter, Mrs. Annie Ebey<br />
'Vhatcom County •<br />
'Vhen we left home, <strong>the</strong> point <strong>of</strong> our destination was Puget Sound,<br />
Oregon Territory. We started <strong>the</strong> first day <strong>of</strong> March and later in <strong>the</strong><br />
same month 'Vashington was formed <strong>by</strong> surveying from Oregon all<br />
<strong>the</strong> country north <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Columbia. There was a slight sense <strong>of</strong> disappointment<br />
at <strong>the</strong> change <strong>of</strong> name, for <strong>the</strong> word "Oregon" had<br />
grown very dear as <strong>the</strong> name <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country wherein lay our ideal<br />
home.<br />
·What did we know about <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soil, having no experience<br />
in agricultural methods. 'Ve selected our building place close to<br />
<strong>the</strong> timber, <strong>by</strong> a spring <strong>of</strong> crystal water, making sure <strong>of</strong> one unfailing<br />
luxury, should we be deprived <strong>of</strong> all o<strong>the</strong>rs .<br />
:Mr. Judson at once began to fell <strong>the</strong> fir trees and hew <strong>the</strong>m to build<br />
our habitation, <strong>the</strong> dimensions <strong>of</strong> which were sixteen <strong>by</strong> eighteen feet,<br />
surmounted <strong>by</strong> a shake ro<strong>of</strong>, and <strong>the</strong> floors <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> style called puncheon.<br />
The shakes, puncheon, doors, bedstead, table and stools were<br />
made from lumber split from a green cedar tree.<br />
The fireplace he built <strong>of</strong> blue clay that was hauled from some distance,<br />
mixed with sand, <strong>the</strong>n pounded into a frame model. When it<br />
became dry, he burned <strong>the</strong> frame, which left <strong>the</strong> walls standing solid.<br />
An old gun barrel, <strong>the</strong> ends embedded in ei<strong>the</strong>r jamb, answered for<br />
a crane to attach <strong>the</strong> hooks to hang <strong>the</strong> pots and kettles. The chimney,<br />
built <strong>of</strong> sticks and mortar, ran up <strong>the</strong> outside <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house.<br />
·When <strong>the</strong> crevices were chinked with moss, we moved into our rudely<br />
built cabin, with scarcely an article to make it look attractive or<br />
home-like. Holes were sawed through <strong>the</strong> logs for windows, and over<br />
<strong>the</strong>m white muslin curtains were hung to keep out <strong>the</strong> cold and let in<br />
<strong>the</strong> light. .<br />
Mr. Judson put up a few three-cornered shelves in <strong>the</strong> chimney corner,<br />
on which was arranged china and glassware, which consisted <strong>of</strong><br />
three china plates and one glass tumbler which were brought to us llew<br />
just as we were starting over <strong>the</strong> plains.<br />
These articles, with our camping outfit <strong>of</strong> camp kettles, long handled<br />
frying pan and Dutch oven, comprised all our household effects,<br />
with <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> a broom. I <strong>of</strong>ten thought, while traveling through<br />
clouds <strong>of</strong> dust on <strong>the</strong> alkaline deserts, that if I could only get into a<br />
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