Told by the Pioneers - Washington Secretary of State

Told by the PiOneel"S
Horses were imported early, and horseback riding was popularbut
more as a matter of comfort and convenience in travel bv the older
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folk. As the roads gradually were opened, howenr, the maidens and
youths of the island took many romantic rides through the woods.
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Hunting was a popular and profitable sport, though the shootillg
of deer was scarcely considered sport, for the deer were so tame they
often strayed into the back vards of the farm homes. But there was
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large game in the forest, and wild fowl were plentiful. Great forest
wolves were occasionally heard as late as 1858, and many sheep, pigs
and calves were devoured by these fierce predators. The practice of
spreading strychnine on the carcasses of deer finally resulted in complete
extermination of the wolves. Bear are still (1936) seen on the
island.
Very few disputes marred the pioneer lives and in the early days
these were settled by arbitration. Prior to the nineties, when the island's
first lawyer settled in Coupeville, there was virtually no litigation.
It is notable, however, that resort to the courts grew more popuular
with the coming of a lawyer; and it is often remarked that had
no lawyer ever settled on the island, disputes would even up to the
present have been settled with less expense and ill feeling.
OLD FORT TOTrXSEXD
By James G. McCurdy
Jefferson COUlItv •
III the fall of 1856, Major Granville O. Haller was sent to Port
Townsend bay with orders to layout and build a fort. Enforcement
of the Indian treaties of 1854 had caused savage uprisings throughout
the Northwest, and Port Townsend pioneers, feeling the need of
protection, had appealed to the government for assistance. Port
Townsend was subject not ouly to possible attack from the local Iudians,
but also to the savagery of the more ferocious Haidahs from
Queen Charlotte Island, who spurred the upper Sound Indians on to
even more treacherv.
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It is believed in Port Townsend that this small settlement would
have been wiped out before the fort was established had it not been
for Chetzemoka, better known as the Duke of York, chief of the Clallams,
who had become a friend of the white men and did much to keep
Ilis people frem massaering the whites.
~fajor Haller had much difficulty in building Fort Townsend. At
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