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 />
I was but seven years old, but <strong>the</strong> following incidents, which happened<br />
along <strong>the</strong> way, were impressed in my memory:<br />
We were looking for "Buzzard's Roost", our next stopping place,<br />
when we came to a small log cabin near <strong>the</strong> road. A long-whiskered<br />
native was sitting on a bench in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cabin smoking his pipe.<br />
We inquired <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old men how far it was to "Buzzard's Roost". He<br />
replied, "Only about three feet, Mister."<br />
"When we came to an Indian reservation, <strong>the</strong> chief wanted 50 cents<br />
apiece to graze our horses, consisting <strong>of</strong> about forty head. Dr. Delapp;<br />
<strong>the</strong> spokesman for <strong>the</strong> party, took a plug <strong>of</strong> tobacco from his pocket<br />
and gave it to <strong>the</strong> Indian, who took it and walked away, seemingly perfectly<br />
satisfied. We grazed our horses unmolested.<br />
~fy mo<strong>the</strong>r, who died in 1922, at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 82 years, kept"a diary <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> dail:" happenings on <strong>the</strong>ir journey to <strong>Washington</strong> Territory, and<br />
shortl~.. before she passed away, she gave it to me and told me to preserve<br />
it. The following excerpts are taken from <strong>the</strong> original:<br />
Diary <strong>of</strong> Mrs. Leonard J. Wormell's trip <strong>by</strong> covered wagon<br />
from Occidental, Sonoma County, California, to Dodson Ranch<br />
near Anatone, <strong>the</strong>n Columbia County, now Asotin County, ·<strong>Washington</strong>,<br />
started May 22, 1880, and ended July 26, 1880.<br />
"Left our home near Occidental, Sonoma County, California, on<br />
May 22, 1880, on our journey to <strong>Washington</strong> Territory. Went to within<br />
two or three miles <strong>of</strong> Bloomfield, and stopped over Sunda-y at <strong>the</strong><br />
home <strong>of</strong> Mrs. Huntley. (Mrs. Huntley was Leonard J. Wormell's<br />
sister.) Wind blew very hard all <strong>the</strong> way down. Ida came very near<br />
falling out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wagon and under <strong>the</strong> wheel. (Ida was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
twin sisters, age eight months.) -<br />
"Monday, May 24th: Went to Petaluma with Mrs. Huntley and<br />
family and was joined <strong>by</strong> Mark Stewart. Bought supplies and camped<br />
three miles from <strong>the</strong> citv.<br />
•<br />
"Tuesda:y, May 25th: 'Vent through <strong>the</strong> hills to Sonoma and on into<br />
Napa Valley and camped for <strong>the</strong> night six or seven miles from Napa<br />
City. Stopped for dinner near <strong>the</strong> insane asylum just out <strong>of</strong> Napa<br />
City. In <strong>the</strong> afternoon went on and camped one or two miles out <strong>of</strong><br />
Bridgeport, Sonoma County .<br />
•<br />
"Saturday, .rune 12th: Drove on fifteen miles to "Buzzard's<br />
Roost," a desolate place, indeed.<br />
"Sunday, June 13: Obliged to travel all day. No feed at "Buzzard's<br />
Roost" and hay at $40.00 per ton. Traveled nineteen miles<br />
over <strong>the</strong> mount.ains to Burney's Valley.<br />
40