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 <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pioneers<br />
<strong>the</strong> ducks flew against this obstruction, <strong>the</strong> Indians would kill <strong>the</strong>m<br />
with <strong>the</strong>ir paddles.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, I have seen ducks on this island so numerous in <strong>the</strong><br />
uncut grain fields that when disturbed and <strong>the</strong>y flew up from <strong>the</strong> field<br />
<strong>the</strong> sky would be darkened.<br />
Quails were brought to <strong>the</strong> island <strong>by</strong> E. D. Warbass and Gus H<strong>of</strong>fmaster.<br />
California Mountain quail shipped to <strong>the</strong> island via Victoria<br />
had cost <strong>the</strong>se men $5.00 a dozen.<br />
Gus H<strong>of</strong>fmaster had 100 head <strong>of</strong> cattle and 500 sheep on Spiden Island<br />
(near San Juan) and 300 sheep on Henry Island. H<strong>of</strong>fmaster<br />
had <strong>the</strong> contract <strong>of</strong> furnishing beef to <strong>the</strong> English camp. Times were<br />
good when <strong>the</strong> military camps were on <strong>the</strong> island. Boats would bring<br />
excursion parties over from Victoria on <strong>the</strong> Fourth <strong>of</strong> July, and everyone<br />
had a good time, even though <strong>the</strong> territory was held jointly <strong>by</strong>'<br />
<strong>the</strong> two governments. This was when Capt. Bissel was in command<br />
at <strong>the</strong> English camp. There was not much celebrating when Capt.<br />
Gray was in command.<br />
Victoria was <strong>the</strong> principal trading center for <strong>the</strong> islands in those<br />
days. Nearly everyone ,,\''10 lived near <strong>the</strong> water owned a sloop or<br />
some kind <strong>of</strong> craft. Smuggling was <strong>the</strong> principal vocation <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>se earlier settlers and continued so for a number <strong>of</strong> years before<br />
<strong>the</strong> government became active in stopping it.<br />
There were Indian ponies on <strong>the</strong> island, none weighing more than<br />
1,200 pounds. Fa<strong>the</strong>r had brought three or four good horses, two<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se from blooded stock, One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> latter, "Blackjack", was sold<br />
in Victoria for a good price.<br />
Cattle were sent to <strong>the</strong> island from Victoria and turned loose. These<br />
were to be used for meat for <strong>the</strong> soldiers. I recall how wild <strong>the</strong>y were,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> settlers ran to get out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
The Kanakas came in as packers for <strong>the</strong> Hudson's Bay Company.<br />
'When <strong>the</strong> island became <strong>the</strong> possession <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United <strong>State</strong>s, <strong>the</strong> Kanakas<br />
were not. allowed to become citizens. During <strong>the</strong> first. years, <strong>the</strong><br />
settlers had flint lock guns, but when <strong>the</strong> soldiers came to <strong>the</strong> island,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y bought better rifles.<br />
I remember <strong>the</strong> Indian cooking dishes that were made from slate<br />
rock.<br />
\Ve had no trouble with <strong>the</strong> Indians, for my mo<strong>the</strong>r aften treated<br />
<strong>the</strong>m with bread spread with syrup. rro <strong>the</strong>m, this was a great treat.<br />
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