Thurston County, Washington - The whole text, 1914 (part 7 of 9)

In 1865 the family removed to Rochester, Minnesota. Here after a year spent in business, principally in buying wheat, he entered the law office of Hon. C. C. Wilson, as a student, later attending a course of law^ lectures at the University of ]\Iichigan.

In 1868 he began legal practice at Goshen, Indiana, in partnership with the late Hon. J. J. Brown, of Spokane, who had been a schoolmate at Wabash and Ann Arbor.

Yielding to the persuasions of his family, he determined to remain at Rochester. Here he was elected City Attorney in 1869, when barely twenty-four years of age.

Early in 1870 he came to Washington Territory, bringing with him a very considerable sum of money, which had been intrusted to him for investment by his father and businessmen of Rochester.

After looking over the ' ' Sound ' ' couiitry he selected Olympia as his home, considering it likely to be selected by the Northern Pacific Railway Company as its western terminus.

He opened a law office in the old "Good Templars Hall," paying office rent, by acting as janitor of the building. He did not remain long in this location for in the early fall of 1871, he was found in the Cushman Land Office building with a pretty fair ott'ice equipment and a considerable law practice. This progress seems quite remarkable when we recall the great strength of the Olj^mpia Bar, which at that time carried such names as Selucius Garfielde, 0. B. McFadden, J. E. Wyche, Elwood Evans, B. F. Deiinison, Eiisha P. Ferry and Henry G. Stmve, all strong men and some of them giants in the law.

In September, 1871, he was married to ]\Iiss M. Cecelia Bateman, of Lamont, Michigan, a woman of great intellectual ability and unusual force of character. He continued to reside at Olympia until 1881, when he removed to Walla Walla. In 1875 he was appointed U. S. Attorney for Washington Territory, which office he held by successive appointments, for ten years.

In 1889 he was elected delegate to Congress on the Republican ticket and the Territory having been admitted as a State before he took his seat as delegate, he was elected the first U. S. Senator, drawing a four year term. Ex-Gov. Watson C. Squire was the other Senator elected. He was a candidate for reelection to the Senate in 1893, but by a strange combination of circumstances and political factors, the session was deadlocked and there was no election. He was appointed by Gov. McGraw to fill the vacancy, but the appointmeut was unavailing, under the rule and precedents of the Senate.

Mr. Allen was the overwhelming choice of his party both in State and Legislature, but a sufficint number of Republicans refused to go into caucus to prevent his election. On the expiration of his Senatorial term in 189-1, he removed to Seattle, where he practiced his profession until his death, January 28, 1903, from an attack of angina pectoris.

Recollections Of A Native Son

A peculiar charm hovers about the scenes of one's early childhood ; an atmosphere surrounds them that ever appeals to the adult, and no matter how far removed from the place of birth and boyhood, in later years, the call to return, even for a short period, to renew fond recollections, becomes irresistable.

Especially is this true with a western born boy, whose earliest recollections are of a social condition that was crude, and of a people, though not of the caste of Vere de Vere, were honest, chivalrous and generous to a fault. To the boy whose lines were cast in the Puget Sound region in the late 50 's and early 60 's, the development of the country from a peopleless wilderness to populous towns and cities is to him almost incredible, encompassed in so comparatively short a time.

I was born in Olympia before the great Civil war was declared. The Capital City was then the metropolis, Steilacoom had an existence stimulated by an army post located where the asylum now is, and Seattle, the present giant of the Northwest, was a hamlet composed of a few people living upon their original pre-emption claims.

Olympia 's means of communication in those days was by a stage line to the South, coaches leaving every other morning and returning every second day, providing the axles were strong enough to withstand the awful roads. To the north, on the Sound, the Eliza Anderson, a side-wheeler, with a walking beam, plied, leaving the head of the Sound Sunday night at 12 o'clock and returning some time during the latter part of the same week. It cost one $15 to make the trip one way to Victoria, berths and meals extra. Each trip the old steamer would go out loaded with passengers and freight, many cattle being driven in and shipped this way, which made the route a very profitable one, together with a mail contract, and during the many years of her service the old Anderson probably earned her weight in gold. When the Alaska gold discovery was made she was sent up to run on a northern route and was wrecked.

Mr. And Mrs. G. C. Blankenship Pioneer Reminiscences 283

An incident of my early life occurred, beyond my recollection, but of which I was told by my parents. My father being Sheriff of Thurston County, he held in custody an Indian named Yelm Jim, who was held for murder. In those days domestic help could not be had. Any woman arriving in the country could be married in fifteen minutes if she so chose, and it was generally noticeable that Barkis was willing. The housewife was thus dependent solely upon the squaws. To supply this deficiency in our own household, on especially liard days for my mother, my father would heavily iron Yelm Jim and bring him to the house as a playmate for me and thus relieve a tired housekeeper of the added care of a troublesome child. To the da.y of my departure from home at the age of eighteen, Yelm Jim was my firm friend.

Among the boys of those days still resident in the state were Harry McElroy, well and favorably known, still a resident of Olympia ; the Percivals, Sam and John, well known in Thurston County; Sam Woodruff, Superintendent of the Home for Feeble Minded at Medical Lake ; Sam Crawford, of the firm of Crawford & Converj^ of Seattle, a pioneer real estate firm; Gilmore Parker, who was long a steamboat man on the Sound, and who recently died in Seattle ; James P. Ferry, son of Governor Ferry, now a resident of Seattle ; the McFaddens, Frank, James, Cal and Kob, sons of Judge 0. B. McFadden, all of whom are still living except James ; James Frazier, still a surveyor in Olympia; the Garfieldes, William and Charles, the former dead and the latter living in Alaska; H. E. Allen, a young brother of Senator Jno. B. Allen, who was a promising lawyer in Spokane, but whose poor health caused his retirement from the profession before his death ; Charles Evans, now employed in the city hall in Tacoma ; C. S. Reinhart, Clerk of the Supreme Court ; Henry Murphy, son of Editor John ]\I. ]\Iurphy, who long was in charge of the mechanical work on the Washington Standard, now dead; Theodore Brown, who died a few years ago; Clarence and Alvin Coulter; the Moores, Schooley and Waldo, the latter of whom died a few years ago ; the Reeds, Thomas and Mark, sons of Thomas M. Reed, the former a resident of Alaska, a lawyer, and the latter managing a large logging interest in IMason County. All more or less my companions in the days of real sport.

Our education was undertaken by several teachers, at different periods employed to teach the district school, held in a two-story building occuping the northwest corner of Sixth and Franklin. Among these educators were a Mr. Boynton, C. B. Mann, who long since deserted the profession to become a business man and a successful one ; L. P. Veneu, Miss Giddings, later wife of Thomas M. Reed ; I\Iiss Slocum, now the wife of W. E. Boone, a retired architect of Seattle ; a Mr. Kaj^e, a better scholar than disciplinarian, v-^ho was succeeded by Freeman Brown, both scholar and disciplinarian, who took no pains to conceal an iron hand in a velvet glove, and when remonstrating with a refactory pupil Vv'as a cyclone in action.

Then, too, some of us attended private schools. L. P. Venen long taught in the old Odd Fellows' building, on the east side of Washington street, between Fourth and Fifth. Miss Lord for a time taught a private school. She came to this country with her mother in the old Continental, the ship chartered to bring a large number of women from New England, Vv'hen they were a drug on the market, to the Territory of Washington, where they were in demand and were known as the Mercer g-irls, a man by the name of Mercer having conceived and executed the undertaking. Many estimable girls accompanied this expedition and were later married here. Miss Mary O'Neil, still a resident of Olympia, was a primary teacher, as was, also, Jacob Hoover, who was later a successful lawyer and banker in Spokane.

There were no graded schools then and the now expensive luxury, the high school, was unknown. All were contained in not to exceed tAvo rooms, where the a b c's and Caesar's Commentaries or Virgil were pursued with more or less vigor. It was not found necessary then to furnish playgrounds and gymnasiums, the former we boys found v/henever wanted and gjannastics were furnished b,y the parents on the woodpiles or in gardening, where youthful exuberance of spirits was worked off in a way at once beneficial to the youngster and profitable to the ancestor who boarded him.

Two of Olympia 's boys, brothers, Avho received the rudiments of their education here, and desirous of higher education, were graduates of the University of California, in a way very creditable to themselves, and worthy of being mentioned.

Fioneer Reminiscences 2S5

In order to save their means for school purposes, they walked part of the way to California, and each, on graduation, was valedictorian of his class, the younger brother one year later than the elder. These boys were Harry and John Wliitworth, sens of Eev. Geo. F. Whitworth. Harry Whitworth is now a civil engineer in Seattle, and John, who was a lawyer in San Francisco, died all too young.

The simple pleasures of those days were ample. The hunting grounds for the boys of that time are built up with residences now. The Des Chutes at Tumwater Falls was excellent fishing grounds, and salmon, salmon trout, and tom and rock cod were plentiful in Budd's Inlet. There vv^ere no restrictions in those days and it was common for the expert shots to take stations on the i\Iarshville bridge (to the vrestside) and Swantown bridge (to the eastside) and shoot the ducks on the wing when passing over in flocks. Then one could even dig clams whenever or wherever desired without being embarrassed with a trespass sign.

The "public square," what is now Capital Park, v/as donated by Edmund Sylvester for park purposes, was a baseball grounds. Upon the southeast corner, for many years, stood an old blockhouse which served as city bastile and county jail. This, as a place of retention, Avas exceedingly popular with the prisoners, as any one desirous of taking leave, tired of confinement, could easily do so without the aid of officer or habeas corpus, reh'ing only on his own personal efforts.

Swimming was indulged in promiscuously without the formalities of bath houses or bathing suits. Above the Swantown bridge, back of the old Barnes residence, was well patronized, as was also a little wharf in the rear of the old Olympic hall, where the K. of P. hall and the Bolster & Barnes business block are now located. Ladies, desiring to cross the bridge for Marsh ville, were well aware of the informality prevalent among the boys, and accepted as established the fact that at any hour of the day and until early candle light in the Summertime, there was spread out for her gaze an exaggerated September ]\Iorn scene which she could pretend to .ignore and go her way, or she could take a boat and cross the bay lower down. The boys' prerogatives in this respect were never interfered v/ith until later regulation forbade bathing in the city limits without a bathing suit. The tideflats were left as bare in those days as now at low tides, and the impatient boy would strip and lie wallowing in the soft mud like a hog, until the tide came in and washed him off. At any time during the summer, one could make any young hopeful cringe b}' making a show to touch him upon the back, so raw was the average youngster from exposure to the sun's rays.

Baseball, during the early daj^s and during the period of underhanded pitching, was a favorite amusement and Olympia alwaj's had a good club, plenty good enough to hold the championship over the Victoria club, with which it played several games. Which suggests an amusing incident : At the time when the San Juan archipelago was still in dispute and Emperor William had been accepted by both sides to the controversy as umpire, but had not rendered his decision, there was a big game to be played between Victoria and Olympia. The Olympia boys were preparing for their trip to Victoria when there was posted upon a bulletin board on a Western Union telegraph blank, the following purported dispatch from Washington: ''Emperor William has decided to let the result of the coming baseball game between Olympia and Victoria dictate his decision of the international boundary question." Olympia won and Emperor William decided in favor of the United States, but it is not likely that he ever heard of the ball game. But there were those who took the above dispatch as authentic.

The great event of every boy's life - his first circus - T recall vividly. The tent was pitched upon the ground now occupied by the Kneeland Hotel, Harris' building and the Capital National Bank. It was known as Bartholomew's, and was a good one for the day. It was brought cross country, and arriving late, the preparations for the performance were hurried. As a result, the seats fell three times, causing injury to several. After the third trial Bartholomew appeared and notified the people that he would refund their money or he would erect the seats and make another trial at their pleasure. The true Western spirit became evident and the cry went up: "Set 'em up again, we'll stay with you all night," and they did. The second circus visiting this section came by water from Portland, met witli heavy storms and lost much of its stock and its performance was much impaired from this fact.

Looking backward, how insignificant incidents impress one. As the war had just closed and Indian war spirit had not entirely died out, juvenile military companies were a favorite diversion, which suggests an incident, showing the great political sagacity of Schooley Moore, who should be a politician now instead of a timber cruiser. One evening, the youth of the town meeting to organize, Schooley Moore had candidates for Captain and First Lieutenant which he desired to elect. Accordingly he went to each member confidentialh* and whispered: "Vote this ticket - Smith for Captain, Treen for First Lieutenant, yourself for Second Lieutenant." The result was that Smith was elected Captain, Treen First Lieutenant and every other man in the company had a vote for Second Lieutenant.

This isolated corner of the country was not frequently visited by the great men of the country, though I do remember seeing Wm. H. Seward, the scar fresh upon his face, which the would-be assassin had placed there, when the great national tragedy was enacted, after he had spoken in the old Tacoma Hall, where the K. of P. lodge room is now. And later I remember of an evening when the people of Olympia were to be addressed from wagons, which had been drawn up about the corner of Main and Third Streets, where the old Pacific Hotel then stood. Boy-like, I was to the fore and occupied a seat I found vacant in one of the wagons. I was somewhat astonished later when a gentleman near me arose and began to speak. I found out afterward that the man was Schuyler Colfax, afterwards Speaker of the House of Representatives, and still more recently Vice President, with President Grant.

I recall the half-masting of the flags over public buildings here when the news of Lincoln's assassination was received, but was hardly able to appreciate the full import of the deed, or to fully sjmipathize Avith the deep feeling entertained by our patriotic citizens. I recollect that the old Presbyterian Church was effectively decorated for the Sunday fol-

At the age of fourteen I entered upon a political career, brief and unsuccessful. The federal government allowed the Territorial Legislature, for the first time, to employ a page. My grandfather was a member of the House, which gave me a ''pull," and I became an active candidate for the place. The caucus was held before the Walla Walla delegation arrived, and I was successful. Hillory Butler, then well advanced in years, afterward a King County capitalist, r\dio owned the Butler Hotel, was caucus choice for Sergeant-atarms, and all went merrily on until the arrival of the Walla Walla delegation, who announced they had a candidate for Sergeant-at-arms who must be landed. They were too strong to be denied. This caused the displacement of Mr. Butler, and, as his Seattle property had not become as valuable as it did later, he was of necessity in line for a place. Under these circumstances I v/as removed and Mr. Butler given the pageship, which he had good reason to regret later, for Francis Henry, who was a member of the House from Thurston County, cartooned him most unmercifully in his juvenile occupation, which quite hurt the feelings of the dignifierl Hillory Butler, who was a Southerner of the old school.

Of the boys who figured as my youthful companions Sam Woodruff stands out as a bright particular star. Gifted in many ways Sam was always a stellar attraction in all Euterpian and Thespian events by local talent. Sam and I were bunkies for j-ears and during this time conceived the idea of becoming cranberry merchants, gathering our product from the vicinity of Black Lake. Accordingly, one bright morning, we started out for the lake with our utensils packed upon the back of a buckskin cayuse. We were not experts in making the diamond hitch, so familiar to the woodsman, but the horse was covered after a fashion, with blankets, frying pans, cups, etc. For convenience Sam had tied the halter, by which he was leading the horse, to his belt. Bej^ond Tumwater a hornet came in violent contact with our pack animal, who started to run, and as Sam was securely attached, he ran, too. Whereupon the loosely packed kitchen utensils commenced to rattle, and then it may be fairly stated that that cayuse became frantic. There was a split in the atmosphere and that animal was gone. With a very taut halter, Sam went along - not that he wanted to, but more because the impulse was irresistible. As m}' partner was aware his life depended upon his keeping on his feet, he did so, but in so doing it is no exaggeration to state that in following his leader he touched only the very high places. Following along, picking up the scattered cooking utensils as they dropped from the frightened animal, I would see the firm impact of Sam's heel in the sand here and there, about twenty-five feet apart, till the exhausted animal stopped of his own accord and saved my partner's life, for it is sure that if Sam had gone down he would have been dragged to death, and the State of Washington would have lost the best institution man that it has had.

Among these I recall Annie Pixley, who became a famous actress. Her father, in the early days, barn-stormed the country, using Annie and her sister Minnie as stellar attractions. Their specialties were song and dances and very good they were. In off professional seasons Pixley ran a sort of a merry-go-round. I recall being struck and knocked out by one of the imitation horses. When brought around I found my head pillowed in the pretty Annie's lap. In later years, when I saw her as the buxom Gretchen, playing to Joseph Jefferson's ''Rip Van Winkle," I felt not at all disinclined to be kicked by a mule, in order to be resuscitated by so fair a means.

May Tilley, daughter of Rice Tilley, a well-to-do livery man, who long ran a business in the old barn removed to make room for the new city hall, became the Countess Starva, and as such attracted considerable attention with her beauty. She died a few years ago, leaving a considerable fortune to her brothers, Frank and Guy, Olympia boys.

There lived down the bay, on the east side, many years ago, a truck gardener, who came to town frequently with the products of his garden, and, after disposing of them would return home, frequently' "stewed." He had a squaw wife. Our little village was somewhat exercised when we learned that in a circus about to come to the town there was a lady bareback rider, Linda Jeal, and that she was the daughter of "our old Jeal." It was a proud day for the old man when he came to town, accompanied by his squaw wife in brig'ht array. The talented daughter, be it said to her credit, gave the old man a gracious reception.

At the same time there was on our theatrical circuit a monologue artist, singer and dancer, named Charles Vivian. He was an exceptionally handsome Englishman, talented and well educated. He was the father of the Elks. Vivian was a great favorite on the Sound. After the show, when he had taken himself to a saloon for refreshment, he was especially entertaining. I remember him telling with great glee how Jeal had tried to persuade him to marry the fair Linda, graphically portraying how profitable could be made the combined talents of the couple.

Woven into the w^oof of the life of Lucky Baldwin were the lives of two Olympia-born girls - one shot him, the other married him. After Baldwin had acquired his immense fortune, he met Verona Baldwin, daughter of A. J. Baldwin, a pioneer of Thurston County. He persuaded her to go to his ranch in Southern California, there to teach school. For some injury - fancied or real - that Verona experienced there, she shot Lucky on the stairway of his own hotel, the Baldwin, in San Francisco. In 1857-8 there was here a man named A. A. Bennett, who, for a short time engaged in contracting and building. While here a daughter w^as born to ]\Irs. Bennett, after which they moved to San Francisco, where Mr. Bennett opened an office as an architect. Lucky Baldwin secured his services for some work on his Southern California ranch. The architect took his very pretty daughter, Lily, with him for a trip. Thus it was that during the time Mr. Bennett was engaged in his professional services, the fair Lily, a young woman of hardly thirty, met Lucky Baldwin, aged sixty or over, with a reputation that would shame any one, and they were married. Notwithstanding the fact that Baldwin was over sixty when married, he lived for many years thereafter, and when he committed the only commendable act of his life by dying, Lily Baldwin shared in his estate to the extent of $800,000, so the newspapers said. But she had earned it.

Pioneer Reminiscences 291 A Reluctant Bridegroom

At one time there appeared in Olympia a man calling himself Charles Henry DeWolf, claiming to be a physician, who delivered a course of lectures on phrenology, free love and kindred subjects. During his career in Olympia, Charles Henry contracted what he called a conjugal alliance and matrimonial copartnership, which w^as announced as follows:

"Married - At the house of the bride's parents, Dr. C. H. DeWolf of Philadelphia, Pa., to Eliza A. Hurd, of Olympia, in the following manner: 'We, the undersigned, hereby announce to the world that we have contracted a conjugal alliance and entered into a matrimonial copartnership, believing in the divine right of souls to dictate their own forms and the inspiration of Mother Nature and Father God as being above custom, and priestly ceremony, however long dignified by legal enactment and Christian dictation. This act we perform, taking upon ourselves the responsibility in the presence of these witnesses, whose names accompany our own on this public declaration Made this 13th day of May, 1862.

On Sunday night Charles Henry and his new partner, went to the home of the bride's parents, intending to take the early morning boat down Sound. The deputy sheriff went aboard the boat and intercepted the party.

On the w^harf at Olympia had been erected a temporary observatory, a field glass, mounted on a tripod, and many were the scientific observers.

About 11 o'clock the same day, DeWolf was arraigned before Justice Bigelow, plead not guilty to a charge of violating the matrimonial law. El wood Evans appeared for the Territorv and defendant for himself.

Charles Henry DeWolf, M. D., F. F. L. S., and a minister of the gospel, had a right to marry himself, he declared, and then let loose a Pandora's box. this ingenious, self-possessed unscrupulous dog. The peacock, whose little heart is one beating pulse of vanit}^, was not more vain. He assumed to desire martyrdom at the hands of "sneaking, lying, peddling, begging clerical sons of Ahab ; the drunken Justices and besotted Judges and their black-hearted and villainous supporters."

Judge Bigelow bound the defendants over in the sum of $1000 to appear before the district court, and the bride's father furnished the bail and released the gay Don Juan and his victim.

Tuesday Charles Henry was apprehended on a charge of open and notorious fornication and sent to jail. On trial he repeated his former wild talk. He would never be married by a lawful party. It was degrading to his manhood to think of it. He would bow to no "fawTiing, hypocritical, thieving priest ; no drunken, mercenary justice or corrupt judge for the senseless words: 'I pronounce you man and wife.' Olympians were incapable of appreciating his high motives. Future generations would recognize his mart^Tdom."

If you ever saw a hailstorm, thunder and lightning both included ; if you ever saw the briny ocean, with the waves in high commotion, rise like unto snow-capped mountains, that was Chas. Henry.

The Justice dismissed the charges against DeAVolf, who paid the costs. Charles Henry was married by a Justice and his free love career brought to an end. The current newspaper has this notice.

"Be virtuous and you will be happy." Thus did tlie worthy pioneers resent the intrusion of an unscruplous charlatan upon an worthy family and saved from dishonor an illusionized but virtuous woman.

Although the Eastern people regarded the extreme west as wild and woolly, and do so still to a less extent, yet the fact remains that the standard of civilization has always been held high. The country from the first was peopled by an educated and refined, but hardy people, who, with the courage of their convictions, held morality in great esteem, especially as applied to the integrity of the home, and enforced its recognition with rigid firmness.

I recall a man living in the primitive Olympia, who had a large family and was brutal in his treatment of both wife and children. The ladies of the town held a mass meeting and addressed a letter to the brute, notifying him to mend his ways or be treated to a coat of tar and feathers, preparatory to being conducted to the city limits. The man took the delicate hint and left town soon after. There are old ladies living in Olympia today who signed that letter.

George D. Shannon

Among the men most prominently identified with the financial development of Olympia was George D. Shannon, who was one of the leading spirits in the organization of the Olympia Light & Power Company. Mr. Shannon sank a very comfortable fortune in this enterprise, which, although disastrous in the eventual outcome to the original promoters, was one of the most important steps ever taken in Olympia 's development.

In the year 1870 I\Ir. Shannon was appointed superintendent of construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad, when that line was being built between Kalama and Taeoma, and at that time came to Olympia to make his home. After spending a few years in the city, he became the owner of the magnificent farm of 11,000 acres on the Nesqually bottom. Here he lived for about twenty years lavishly entertaining the foremost men of the State, and being generally regarded as a prince of good fellows, highly respected and liked for his sterling qualities.

In the late '80s Mr. Shannon, with others organized the Olympia Light & Power Co., and was also one of the original incorporators of the First National Bank of Olympia, of which institution he was a trustee at the time of his death.

Soon after Mr. Shannon's arrival in Olympia he became the warm personal friend of Governor E. P. Ferry, and through that executive was appointed a member of the State Building Committee and was acting on the Board of Trustees of the Western Washington Hospital for Insane at the time the main hospital building was erected.

While on a visit to the World's Exposition of 1876, Mr. Shannon was married to I\Iiss ]\lary A. Kennedy, of Cleveland. Ohio, and brought his bride to the West with him upon his return.

started in a railroad career, working his way up until in 1858 he was appointed superintendent of construction of the Winona & St. Peters Railroad, on the completion of which ]\Ir. Shannon was made conductor on the first passenger train ever run west of the ]\Iississippi in Minnesota. He followed railroading in that state until 1868, and subsequently engaged in railroad contracting in New York, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Mr. Shannon was a 32d Degree j\Iason and upon the occasion of his death in 1895 the ]\Iasonic Fraternity from all over the State gathered in Olympia to honor their brother. The funeral services were in charge of this brotherhood and the interment was in Masonic Cemetery.

P. M. Troy'S Reminiscences Of The Olympia Collegiate Institute

Among the foremost of the educational institutions of the earlier Territorial days was the Olympia Collegiate Institute, and the associations and remembrances of that school are still treasured in the minds of many of the foremost men and women of the now flourishing State of Washington.

Desiring a sketch of this once famous place of learning, the compiler requested Mr. P. M. Troy to contribute a chapter of his reminiscences as an attendant at the 0. C. I., which request that gentleman very kindly complied with.

I came to the school in the Autumn of 1888. L. E. Follenbee was then principal. L. P. Venen was the instructor in Greek, Latin and the higher mathematics. A Professor W. H. Lewis was in charge of the primary department. John L. Henderson was principal of the commercial department. There was also a music teacher, whose name I now forget. There were between two and three hundred students. It was then the first school in the Territory. There was a normal course, and a commercial course. I attended this school from the Fall of 1888 to the Summer of 1890, when I was graduated from the normal department.

Among those who were in attendance when I was there were Mr. W. C. Hazzard, now living in Wisconsin, and formerly Superintendent of the Olympia schools ; A. C. St. John, now a prominent merchant of Chehalis ; Joel E. Stearns, now a county official at Chehalis; Harris Ward, now a minister in the M. E. Church ; C. B. Seeley, also a minister in the M. E. Church ; C. V. Leach, subsequently County Clerk of Thurston County, and now an official in the postoffice at Olympia, Washington ; A. L. Callow, subsequently County Clerk and County Auditor of Thurston, now a merchant at Elma ; Miss Nellie Trewick, who subsequently became Mrs. Geo. H. Gilpen. now residing in Portland, Oregon ; Miss Emma Campbell, who subsequeutly became ilrs. ]\I. B. Christopher, of Bellingham ; ^liss Olive Parker, now Mrs. Olive AVoods, of Waitsbiirg, AVash. ; Miss Lavira ]Marr, now Mrs. A. C. St. John of Chehalis ; Miss IMary Chilberg, who subsequently became Mrs. A. L. Callow ; Miss Eva Sturclevant, who subsequently became Mrs. P. M. Troy; ^Miss Jessie Barr, who subsequently became Mrs. Geo. S. Hopkins, and George S. Hopkins, now a prominent coal operator at RoshTi, Washington; W. W. Hopkins, since prominent in Thurston County politics; D. S. Troy, who is now State Senator from Chimacum; Arthur E. Cornelius, a farmer at La Conner and many others whom I cannot now think of.

The school reached its high tide during the summer of 1890. There was a change in the management in the autumn of 1890 and the school flourished during the next year, 1891, but with the oncoming of hard times it went under. Then, when the State of "Washington was admitted, there was a corresponding rise of the State University, and a corresponding decline of private institutions.

The Oh'mpia Collegiate Institute was a flourishing school in Olympia, Washington, for many years, and as I said before, for a number of years was the leading educational institution of the Territory of Washington.

L. E. Follansbee was followed as President of the school by Rev. M. A. Covington, in the autumn of 1890, and a complete new teaching force took charge of affairs that autumn. C. V. Leach took Prof. Lewis' place in the fall of 1889, in the primary department.

Building A Pioneer Meetin' House

The story of how the Rev. J. F. DeVore built the first Methodist Church on Puget Sound is a well known one to the Thurston County pioneers. Rev. DeVore went to Capt. Crosby, owner of the first saw mill on the Sound, and asked the doughty captain how much lumber he was willing to contribute towards the erection of a new church in Olympia. "As much as you will raft in one day into the waters of the Des Chutes River with your own hands," replied the captain, with a sarcastic smile, regarding with no great degree of favor the scholarly-looking man before him. "Very well, I thank you in behalf of the church, and will be on hand in the morning," said the preacher.

How well this servant of God performed his part of the contract is told in verse by a native daughter of Thurston County, Lilla Spirlock, as related to her while she was a child, by "Squire Plum," one of the old landmarks of the early civilization of this county - long since gone to his reward. The building erected with the rafted timber is now Ep worth Hall, situated on Fifth street, south of the original location on Fourth street, where it was removed many years ago to the site of the new M. E. Church and when that was built, to the rear part of the lot where it now stands. It was built in the early 50 's, and nearly all the lumber used in construction was rafted by the interpid clergyman from the Tumwater mill - the first saw mill on Puget Sound - owned by Capt. Crosby.

When the West was all new and the frontier life Bristled with dangers for children and wife. When obstacles met within those early days. Were oft hard to overcome by primitive ways; When I was a child on Squire Plum's knee, He would tell stories of the wild woods to me, The ruggedest kinds of wild frontier tales, 'Bout Indian scouting with savage detail. And when I was good - didn't bother his curls - As good as could be, like his own little girls. He'd sing me songs, then tell other things And memory and heart around them still clings.

The writer of this poem, Lilla Spirlock, vv^as the daughter of one of Thurston County's pioneer families, Avho for many years made their home at Plum Station. The mother, Qlrs. Cordelia Spirlock, came to Washington when but a child of twelve years, in company with Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Plum, after whom that section of the county was named, and the "Squire Plum" mentioned in the poem.

Mrs. John G. Sparks

Mrs. John G. Sparks - Grandma Sparks, as she is affectionately called hy her intimates - was born and christened Margaret Isabella Scott, in the year of 1820. She was a native of South Carolina, but removed with her family to Georgia when she was but five years of age and later lived in Arkansas. In 18-41 she was married to AVilliam A. Brewer of that state. From this union ten children Avere born, six of whom are still living: Mrs. Martha A. Crowe, of Walla Walla ; John F. Brewer, of Eugene, Oregon ; Mrs. Ed. Harris of Boisfort, Washington; Mrs. A. C. Sherwood, of Satsop; James H. Brewer, of Taeoma, and Llrs. C. B. Mann, of Olympia.

Mrs. Mann, in speaking of her mother's life, said: "The further West spirit was in the blood of father and mother when they were young and full of energy, and breathed ever stronger and stronger from the air of the early 50 's. So on i\Iarch 16, 1853, this heroic pair, with their small children, started by wagon over the Old Oregon Trail to the far-off North Pacific coast.

"When we talk of hardships in our lives we ought to blush with shame when we compare our trials with the dangers and difficulties encountered by this young couple. Eight long, weary months on the way from their old home were they until they finally reached Eugene, Oregon, in November. Once they never tasted bread for five weeks ; once, when they were travelling through a narrow valley, five hundred Indians seemed to rise from the ground and, surrounding the frightened emigrants, demanded all their food. The redskins enforced their demands by stampeding all the emigrants' cattle and shooting a buffalo calf. It was only after a pow- Avow lasting nearly all day that the Indians were shown that the party would all starve if robbed of their supplies that a final agreement was reached that the emigrants would give the robbers one-half of all their food and provisions if they would not further molest them. Every article of food which the emigrants were carrying with them to sustain life in the new country - flour, bacon, dried fruit, corn meal - everything, was impartially divided before the Indians would allow the Darty to proceed on their way.

"On the trip a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Brewer. 'My husband was kind.' said mother, 'and wished to lay by for a few days, but I said, 'no, just put a feather bed in the bottom of the wagon and drive on. He did so and all was well with me.' "

In 1858 Mr. Brewer died, leaving the wife with a large family of small children dependent upon her. In 1860 the family moved to Grand Mound, Thurston County, thus giving the mother and children the right to be numbered among the pioneers of this county.

At the time of her death it was said by one who loved "Grandma Sparks": "In laying away the body in which her heroic spirit had dwelt for over ninety-two years we parted with one who was strong, cheery, courageous and religious. We shall miss her."

Early Newspapers

The Columbian was first printed in a small building immediately opposite where the Washington Standard was printed for so many years, by T. F. :\IcElroy and J. W. Wiley. The name of the Columbian, in its second year, was changed to the Pioneer. A few years later R. A. Doyle bought the material for another newspaper, l)ut it was merged into the Pioneer, which afterward appeared as the }*ioneer and Democrat. This journal continued publication until 1861. The material afterward passed into the hands successively of A. ]M. Poe, Poe & Watson, Wilson & Head, B. F. Kendall, Abbott & Co., and was used by all these firms in the publication of the Overland Press, a semi-weekly paper, the first number of which appeared in 1862. The name was changed to Pacific Tribune in 1864 and its publication continued by R. H. Hewitt, sKC(!edcd ])y Chas. Prose-h. The Washington Standard com-

The newspaper men of the early days were as a rule iiicii of. exceptional ability, some of them practical printers, who saved the time of making copy by standing at the case, stick in hand, and composing able articles on state affairs, economics, and devoting much space to current politics.

"Scorpion - the name means a vile snake - a reptile - a venemous serpent, with poison on its tongue, vengeance in its heart, and ready to deal deatli to all who may come in contact Avith it. It moves noiselessly along the path of the unsuspecting passerby hissing, bites and retreats, leaving a loathsome, slimy trail. * * * And now let us contrast the conduct of our valiant citizen soldiery with his snakeship Scorpion - heaping its vile abuse upon an absent soldier. We mean Governor I. I. Stevens. Can the white-livered, cowardly, crawling reptile Scorpion look such a man in the face and utter one word of disparagement against him. No! No!! He would rather seek employment at one cent per day to dig for himself a coward's grave, beneath the bosom of the earth! And such a Scorpion's grave should be in some dark, gloomy and secluded spot, where the sun's glorious rays, that greens the grass, can never reach his resting place. Let him rest in ignominious solitude, and depart

" 'Avaunt and (piil my sight! Let the eartli hide thee! Thy bones are marrowless! Thy blood is cold ! Hence ! Horrible shadow ! Let justice be done tliough the TL'avens fall!' "

The same paper referring ta James Buchanan, Democratic candidate for President, says, '"he is riding on the topmost wave of Eternal Democracy, which is ever rising higher iind higher and like the tide of

"By reflecting, sitting alone in our room with our eyes closed and our mind's eye soaring away into the eternal realms of thought, and gathering knowledge from the falling spray of the fountain of eternal realities, while scintillations from the great central sun of intellectual light awaken latent powers of the mind into active existencies."

In the year 1867 Frank Clark, on the Democratic ticket, ran against Alvin Flanders, on the Republican ticket. Flanders was not a speaker, while Ciark was quite a fluent talker. To even up in the campaign the Republicans put Selucius Garfielde, a brilliant orator, on the stump, and he accompanied Flanders throughout a hard fought campaign. This situation gave rise to the following poem, printed in the Washington k^^tandard :

Some of the early editors were nothing if not grandiloquent and elaborate, given much to poetic quotation. The simple announcement of a dance for Fourth of July, 1854, is made in the following language :

"Active preparations are on foot by the votaries of Terpsichore to celebrate the evening of the Fourth at the new and spacious hall in process of erection by ]\Ir. L. Ensign, which will be in readiness for the occasion. Room for the million can be obtained at the low price of $5 per couple, for v\^hich more than value received cannot fail to be derived by an indulgence in the nice things which will be provided for the occasion.

" 'On with the dance, let joy be unconfined ; No sleep till morn when youth and pleasure meet, To chase the glowing hours with flying feet.' "

But the above excerpts are not intended to lead the reader into the erroneous idea that these journalists devoted their talents solely to fierce denunciation or frivolous generalities Frequently when occasion demanded these men wrote editorials that would command notice in any publication, ranging from Ihe ridiculous to the pathetic, running the gamut from bitter personal aiul political attack to the finer expressions of brothel'- ly love and good will, always uniting in eloquent tribute to the fellow pioneers, as they, one by one, quit the scene of their activities. Then, too, they were a unit in their efforts for the upbuilding of the Territory and developing its latent resources.

These early editors, of whatever party or creed, were I)owerful factors in the advancement of this then unknown section of the United States, and were poorly rewarded pecuniarily for their efforts.

Thomas Milburne Reed

Thomas M. Reed, who at the time of his death in 1905. was the oldest Grand Secretary of ]Masons in length of service in the entire world, and was honored by that noble fraternity as no other man in Washington. When death came to Mr. Eeed in the 80th year of his age he had survived all but one or two of the brethren wdio were associated with him when the Washington Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was organized in 1859, and his funeral was attended by perhaps the most notable assemblage of Freemasons ever gathered together in Washington. The Masonic funeral ceremony was conducted by the Honorable Louis Ziegler, of Spokane. Some fifteen or twenty years before Mr. Eeed's death a fraternal compact was made between three Past Grand Masters of Washington: Colonel Granvile 0. Haller, U. S. A., of Seattle; Hon. Louis Ziegler, of Spokane, and Hon. Thomas Milburne

Reed, of Olympia, to the effect that one or other of the survivors should conduct the Masonic ceremony at the burial of the departed. With the death of T. M. Reed, Louis Ziegler was the last remaining one of the three friends and the Masons who were gathered from all corners of Washington to attend the funeral will not soon forget the words of philosophy, love and eulogy so touchingly pronounced by the last survivor of the compact.

Thomas M. Reed was born at Sharpsburg, Bath County, Kentucky, on December 8, 1852. He was of sturdy North Ireland Presbyterian stock and until the day of his death preserved unshaken the faith of his ancestors and never ceased to take an active part in the management of the Presbyterian congregation to which he belonged, although singularly free from trace of prejudice or bigotry.

Thomas M. Reed's mother died when the lad w^as but twelve years of age and he went to live for a while with a brother of his deceased mother. At the age of fourteen we find him laboring on his uncle's farm for eight dollars a month and his board for nine months of the year. The winter months were devoted to school. Out of the $72 earned during the working months the young man clothed himself and paid for his winter's schooling.

When Mr. Reed was about 18 years of age he was employed to teach a country school, and after a summer's experience at this work he secured a position in a country store, earning several promotions in the course of the five years following.

The most important step the young man took upon reaching his majority was to join IloUoway Lodge No. 153, F. & A. M., in his native Bath County. He received on July 7, 1847, the Sublime Degree and became Secretary in his Lodge.

When the news of the great gold strikes of 1848 in California found its way into the Blue Grass state. Reed decided to cut loose and strike for the Eldorado of the Pacific. He arrived in California on July 26, 1849, and engaged at once in the pursuit of the Golden Fleece and alternately filled positions of Postmaster, County Treasurer, County Superviser and Justice of the Peace, which latter occupation was the incentive to his study of the profession of law.

Resolving- to shift the scene of his activities to Puget Sound, Mr. Reed came to Olympia in 1857, and became the agent of the "Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express. Later he kept a store in the Capitol City. F'rom 1872 to 1880 he devoted most of his time to the survey of public lands in Western Washington. In the year of 1877, the counties of Thurston and Lewis elected him to the Territorial Council, which elected him their President. At the close of the session Mr. Reed was elected Territorial Auditor, w^iich position he held until 1888.

In 1889 he was elected a member of the Convention to frame a Constitution for the new State of Washington and was then elected State Auditor, where he remained until 1893. this term closing his career as a public servant.

From December 8, 1858, Mr. Reed's thirty-third birthday, when he was installed as its first Grand Secretary, to the day of his death, nearly forty-seven years later, he loved and cherished the Grand Lodge of Washington with marvelous devotion and in all those years never missed a State Communication except once when he was unavoidably detained in Idaho and the one which occurred in June, 1905, a few weeks prior to his death. His inability to attend the latter Communication was the source of intense and pathetic disappointment to him.

On the occasion of a visit to his old home in Kentucky, Mr. Reed was married to Elizabeth Hannah Finley and two sons were the result of this union - Thomas Milburne Reed, jr., now of Nome, Alaska, and Senior Warden of Anvil Lodge, of that place, and Marcus Edward Reed, manager of the Simpson Logging Company and a Past Master of Olympia Lodge No. 1. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Reed married Miss Eliza Carter Giddings, who became the mother of Emma Reed Ingham. By a third marriage to Hattie A. Fox, he had a son, Garnett Avery Reed. All of Mr. Reed's children are married, respected and jjrosperous.

Thomas Milburne Reed died at his handsome home in Olympia on the 8th day of October, 1905, thus fulfilling a wish he had often expressed in life that his life might go out in gloriously fine weather. The day of his death and the day on which his funeral was held were heavenly bright and peace- fill. In the words of his friend of many j^ears, Hon. John Arthur, in a memorial service in memory of Thomas ]\Iil l)urne Reed, voices the question of King David mourning over the death of Abner, "Know ye not that there is a prince and great man fallen this day in Israel?" in giving expression to his grief over the passing of Thomas IMilburne Reed into his rcAvard.

Some Tumwater Reminiscences

In 1869 ]\Ir. and ]\Irs. Alfred D. Sprague with their seven children arrived in Olympia after a trip full of hardships - coming by wagon, ])y foot and again by wagon from Boise Cit}', Idaho.

Mr. Sprague was the type of man that is always a pioneer, a descendant of those English pioneers to New England and who later joined what was called the great Ohio Exodus.

After the marriage of Alfred Sprague to Whilmina Sager the young couple took up a constant quest for new places. They lived in five different states, each one a little farther west.

Three children were born to them in Arkansas, two in Kansas, two in Colorado, one in Idaho and two in Washington. Of these ten children three girls and three boys are now living. The oldest daughter. Belle (]\Irs. David Dodd), was married and living in Idaho, and Avas never in Washington. She had five children. She died in 1888. Olive lives at Friday Harbor. Etta, now ]\Irs. Gelbach, lives at Spokane. Hattie, ^Irs. Underwood, lives in ]\Iexico and California. Fred lives in Alaska. Roderick lives at White Bluffs, Wash. The latter is well known in Olympia on account of his editorial worlc on the morning Olympian.

Alice, jMrs. E. R. Rabbeson, a universal favorite, died in her young wifehood leaving" two children. Winfield and Randolph. The latter died in childhood and Winfield lives in Olympia.

Ada, the seventh child and the youngest daughter, is the only one of the children living in Olympia. She is the wife of Dr. J. W. Mowell, a Pennsylvanian who came to Washington in the '90 's. Mrs. Mowell lives within a block of the first house in which the Spragues lived in the state of Washington. The original house was much smaller, of course. It was known as the Hayden place to old timers. It is on Main Street between Tenth and Union. Though not among the early pioneers, coming as they did in 1869, the Spragues knew all the pioneers and in complying with a request for her to contribute some of her reminiscences of early days in Tumwater, ]\Irs. Mowell relates the following :

"As most of my journey to Washington was made in my mother's arms, it is not strange that I do not remember the exciting incidents of the trip, though I listened with bated breath in later years to the hair-breadth escapes and thrilling adventures.

"We lived for a time in the old Barnes place, and later moved to Bush Prairie, as being the only house obtainable nearer the homestead my father wished to take up. There at the Kuhn place, my brother, Frederick, was born, and here we lived until a small clearing Avas made on the homestead and a substantial log house was built.

"While pioneer life was full of hardships for the elders it was full of joy for the youngsters. Looking back over our childhood, it seems like a long day of playtime. We had wonderful adventures in the woods about the place. We built houses of round sticks of several stories for our dolls, which often were sticks themselves, or at best 'rag dolls'. My first china doll was given me by a neighbor, Mrs. Harn, whose little girl had died. It was a precious possession, but never so dearly loved as my rag babies.

"Though the real pioneer days were past when we came to Thurston County, the pioneer spirit still throve, and a family in trouble as we were with sickness and other hardships incident to making a living in a new place, found sympathizing neighbors as far away as South Union.

"My sisters, Kate and Meda, are remembered by many pioneers. Meda, who died four years later, had gone back to the home of our oldest sister, Belle, hoping the change might benefit her health. She failed to regain her health, however, by this change and we never saw her again.

"Adjoining our farm was that of the Dittman's. ]\Irs. Dittman spoke nothing but German and my mother and she found much comfort in being able to talk in their mother tongue. Our next nearest neighbors were the Helsers, and all old settlers remember the time-honored joke on the man in search of an introduction at a dance in Olympia when I\Ir. Helser was one of the floor committee. The gentleman asked for an introduction to a certain lady and was hurriedly told to 'Go to Helser'. A fight was only averted by an explanation.

"Mr. Benj. Gordon's place on Bush Prairie was always a joy to me. I know every nick of the orchard, and Mr. Gordon alway treated me to big sticks of cinnamon bark.

"Jesse Ferguson's farm was another place I loved to go. At threshing time my mother always helped the Ferguson girls cook for the threshers. Work was traded in these days and at log rolling time on our place the neighbors helped my mother. One of the sorrows of youth, that is still a regret, was a wonderful dinner I could not eat because of sickness, when there was a log rolling bee at our place.

"My father's death in 1875 was a cruel blow to my mother and to us all. He was such a buoyant, hopeful disposition, that hardships and discouragement that would have crushed many men, only stimulated him to greater effort. But his l^hysique was never strong, and the extremely hard work clearing a place and logging it, too, broke him down and he died in the prime of life.

burden of the support of the family. JMy brother, Oliver, left school and went to work, and to him we owe more than we can ever repay. He was my mother's stay and comfort till her death in 1881 at the early age of 48.

"With mj^ mother's German and my father's New England ancestry, it is small wonder that the every nerve was strained that the children should have as good an education as the times permitted. Consequently during all these years, with few exceptions, we moved into Tumwater every winter for the term of school, usually six months, and out to 'the place' as we always called it, in the spring in time for the usual spring work on the farm. I think my father went back and forth during the day to go on with the dairy.

. "When we first came to Tumwater the Crosby, Biles, Ostranderand many others families were there. We lived one winter in the Brewer place, upstairs. This was later known as the Cameron place and was a familiar landmark for many years. Later we lived in a part of the down-stairs, and it was here my father died. Directly opposite the place lived the Dudley Barnes'. Linre Barnes, now of Seattle, and I. being near the same age became great friends. The Shattucks lived next door and beyond them the Scotts, across the street I think the Bakers lived, and also I think the Lees. Mrs. Lee taught in Tumwater. The S. K. Taylors also lived here - the Coopers further down, near the bay; the Cornels, Hugh, Joe and John ; the Cambys ; the Ira and Sam Wards.

"The Crosbys had the historical mill and a large store. George Biles also had a large store and Mrs. Biles tells me Olympia people traded in Tumwater to a great extent.

"Dr. Ostrander lived in Tumwater then, as did also the Eastman family. Mr. Rice, whose son, Elmore, afterwards achieved distinction as a violinist, was living there then. On the hill was the Barnes place - quite a pretentious place at that time.

"The school house on the hill, near the site of the present building, was a small one-room affair and to this day I remember my first appearance there. I was in deadly fear of the teacher, who taught with the rod ever in his hand.

Later school was held in the T. L. A. Hall, which is still standing, a monument to the energy of the residents who organized the society and built the hall. This Tumwater Literary Association Avas a flourishing society for many years. They gathered together quite a library, and had very interesting sessions. In this hall dances were held for many years.

"School was held in the lower floor and once when some of the older boys had planned to eject the teacher, during the scuffle which followed my sister, Etta, now Mrs. Gelbach of Spokane, put all we children out of the window and then clambered after us, whither most of the school followed. School in those days never lacked for excitement. Kate Ward (Mrs. Knapp), Fannie and Florence Ostrander (Mrs. IMoore and Mrs. Crosby), Fannie Crosby (Mrs. Ostrander), and many others probably remember that day as vividly as I do.

''Across the bay was an Indian village and whenever there were rumors of war we children used to terrify ourselves with imagining that these Indians would capture us. The old squaws with their baskets of olalies, or of oysters, clams or fish hanging over their backs suspended from a broad band across the forehead, were familiar sights to our youthful eyes. The site of this village has long been overgrown with small trees and underbrush.

"]\Iany names throng my memory as I think over those days which were spent in Tumwater, but as they are probably all mentioned in other reminiscences I will omit them, but if a complete list could be compiled of all who have lived in Tumwater, many well known names would be there.

"One beautiful, solemn custom was followed in Tumwater until the early '80's. This was the tolling the age of one who had just taken leave of this life. The first stroke of the bell sent a hush of sympathy over the town, and the close, friendly life then made all well acquainted with all that was happening so the people knew who had gone to rest. Almost the last for Avhom the bell tolled was our mother. This custom in a small community seemed a beautiful one to me and as long as Grandfather Biles, as he was universally called, lived and was well enough to attend to outside matters, this custom and another was kept up. The other custom was the community Christmas tree held every Christmas Eve at the little church on the hill. This church, built first as a union church, was afterwards absorbed by the IMethodist Church and as I think still of that denomination. Mr. Biles was for many years Superintendent of the Sunday School and the mainstay of the church.

"The old place, on which we lived only long enough for my mother to prove up after my father's death, has remained intact for thirty years, but not occupied.

"]\rr. Gelbach, while in a reminiscent mood during his long illness in 1914, told many interesting things of early days and Mrs. Gelbach has transcribed the following, which vrill interest many pioneers :

"In April 1870 there embarked on the Steamer Ajax. clearing from San Francisco for Portland, Oregon, a group of men who became for manj- years identified with the fortunes of Thurston County.

"The first in importance was Mr. Saloman, who bore an appointment from President U. S. Grant as Governor of the Territory of Washington ; second IMajor Hayden, who came as Internal Revenue Collector.; Mr. B. B. Tuttle, a deputy Revenue Collector, and Mr. R. G. O'Brien, who served as Secretary to Major Hayden.

"Among the non-officials were Mr. Phillip Hiltz, Mr. Stuth, bringing his bride from Germany, and Mr. George Gelbach. ]Mr. Gelbach started West with the intention of settling in Portland, Oregon, but was persuaded by the Olympia party to continue his journey to Puget Sound.

"Major Hayden, Mr. Tuttle and ]Mr. O'Brien were gifted with fine voices and formed a trio whose singing gave great pleasure to the passengers.

"On arriving at Portland many honors were paid to the new Washington Governor, in which the whole Olympia party shared. Carriages drawn by four horses were provided for a trip to Hillsborough where Mr. Scott, father of the famous Oregonian editor, and no less famous suffragist, Abigail Scott Duniway, kept an inn. A boutiful old-time feast was spread for the guests. Several days were spent in Portland waiting for the arrival of the Steamer California to take the passengers over the bar and through the Straits to Puget Sound.

"Amongst the freight loaded in Portland was 1,000 bushels of wheat billed to Mr. Nelson Barnes for his mill at Turawater. When approaching the bar on the outward voyage a siorni threatened and the Captain ordered all passengers inside the cabins and everything was made fast for heavy seas. The order was obeyed by all except Mr. Gelbach, who preferred to take his chances outside. The decks were twice washed by huge waves, but he clung to ropes for dear life and escaped being washed overboard. When quiet waters were reached the Captain was surprised to find him still aboard, a wetter and a wiser man.

"When the little hamlet of Seattle was reached the steamer lay by to enable the inhabitants to entertain their Governor. Chief on the program was a dance, which was greatly enjoyed by the steamer's passengers.

"On the sixth day of May, 1870, when the California neared the head of Puget Sound, the little group of men stood on her deck eagerly gazing for a glimpse of their new home G-overnor Saloman, Major Hayden and ]\Ir. Ililtz had served in the Civil War, but as the close of that event was but five years in the past they were still young men. The remainder of the party were in their early twenties. When the steamer rounded Doffelmeyers Point, Olympia lay revealed under the morning sun, in all the greenery and bloom of IMay, a beautiful and welcome sight, and it was well that the young and hopeful company could not read beneath this smiling welcome that Thurston County held no great fortune nor signal honor for any of its members.. As they drew nearer ]Mr. Hiltz exclaimed enthusiastically, 'That is the place,' and he remained true to the opinion, living in Olympia for the remainder ot his life; as did IMr. Stuth also, who probably of all the partv came best equipped fiiiancially. lie met business misfortune early in his Olympia career from which he never recovered. Governor Saloman made his home in Olympia till his successoi was appointed and later died in San Francisco. IMr. Tuttlt went to Portland, Oregon, where he died a few years ago. Major Hayden, who was joined by his family, lived in Olympia for many years, removing later to Seattle where his death occurred. Mr. O'Brien occupied the office of Clerk of tht Supreme Court for a number of years, later organizing the State National Guards, in which he was deeply interested.

After losing the command of the State Militia he went to California, where he lived nntil his death, which occnrrea recently. He is remembered as the father of the IMilitia.

"Mr. Gelbach cast his lot with the little village of Tumwater, where he maintained a continuous residence for 27 years. He built a flouring mill there, and conducted a successful business until the panic of 1893 relieved him with many others, of future business cares. He then served four years as County Treasurer. Mr. Gelbach now resides in Spokane, the only living member of the little party that so gaily steamed into Olympia Harbor 44 years ago.

"In connection with the present high cost of maintenance of the state, ]Mr. Gelbach recalls an incident of Territorial days which makes interesting reading now that the taxpayers are called upon to foot the enormous bills for the state's expenses.

"Governor Saloman oecMpied an office over George Barnes' bank, an adjoining room being used by the Secretary of State. One day when ]\Ir. Gelbach was in the office the executive, Secretary Nick Owings and Auditor T. M. Reed entered into a discussion concerning the cost of maintaining the Territory for the ensuing year. It was the general concensus of opinion that $35,000 would be amply sufficient."

David T. Drewry

Living in peace, contentment and plenty on the magnificent farm where they have made their home for the past fifty odd years, was found Mr. and Mrs. David T. Drewry when the compiler was on the quest of genuine pioneers, as surely this venerable couple could be so designated as IMr. Drewry arrived in the year 1853 and his wife probably a couple of years later, the memories of the two were a little vague and indistinct in regard to exact dates, but they both knew they came here while the entire country was all but an unbroken wilderness and through their yonthful pluck and energy they certainly performed well their share in making at least their own holdings bloom and flourish.

Well kept fields reaching for long stretches along the county road, a fine garden spot, flowers, and thoroughly modern farm house are there today as witnesses of the thrift and industry of the couple^ - young and in the freshness of youth when their life was started on the farm a half century ago, and now as the shadows of life's evening approach, waiting with cheerfulness and serenity for the night to fall ; happy in their children, grandchildren, and with a mutual love and dependence upon each other that was very touching to witness.

D. T. Drewry came to this country as the driver of one of Col. Wm. Cock's ox teams from their old home in Missouri, where his bo^^hood had been spent, although the young man was a native of Kentucky but having been left an orphan at a very earl.y age, had been adopted by an uncle living in Missouri. The lad w^as but seventeen years of age when the trip was started and although the journey was made in the regulation way of travl in those days - over the old Oregon trail with ox teams. Col. Cock with his family was so well equipped for the trip, his oxen were so w^ell fed and cared for that only ninety traveling days were consumed from the time the start was made from ]\Iissouri till the Willamette valley was reached - an unusually short time in those days. They had no sickness, no trouble with the Indians and no particular disasters to delay them from reaching their destination.

After spending the winter in the Willamette valley, Col. Cock decided to come on to Puget Sound, and indeed, this point had been where he had originally intended reaching when he made up his mind to emigrate. All places in the West looked alike to the young David so he came along with his friends. Col. Cock opened and, for several years, was proprietor of the historic hotel knoAvn as the Pacific House and Drewry assisted him in the work about the place for several years.

When the Indian war of 1855-56 broke out Drewry was made wagon master of a train of thirty wagons chartered by the government to haul supplies from the Cowlitz landing to the Puyallup valley, where the troops were encamped. Al- though the young man was never in an actual engagement Avith the enemy his train was at one time so close to the White River battle that the men could distinctly hear the reports of the guns and shouts of the men. The teamsters corralled their Avagons and waited for some time, expecting an attack, but they were not molested.

"They don't have such teachers now," said the old man as he began musing over those vanished days, "and they don't have as good times as they used to either. In those days we vrere all like one big family, dancing on the slightest provocation, and how we did use to dance - none of your silly jigs and whirlings that the young folks seem to think is the thing now. We boys were glad to pay $5 a ticket to a dance. We took our best girls and danced quadrilles, polkas and waltzes all the afternoon and all night. Dances were dances in those, days, too, with a big supper of ham sandwiches, home-made cakes and pies and gallons of coffee thrown in at midnight.

"When I first came to Olympia the white women I can remember were Sarah Yantis, Jerusha Hays, Mrs. Scott, Charh)tte and L-ucy Barnes, Mrs. Cock and her three daughters, Carrie, Annie and Roxie, and ]\Irs. George Barnes. There may have been a fcAv others but my memory fails me."

IMrs. Drewry, when but a young girl of fourteen years of age, arrived in Olympia with her parents from her home in New York City. Their trip was by way of the Isthmus and they were among the passengers on the first train connecting the Atlantic and Pacific over the route of the now Panama Canal. They had the hardship of having to take their choice of walking or riding a mule over a considerable gap in the road which was considered unsafe for the little cars to cross «!wing to the settling of the earth under the ties.

A . brother of Emaline Weed, as ]\Irs. Drewry was then known, Charles Weed, had preceded his family to Puget Sound and wrote back to his mother, urging her to join him in this land of golden opportunities. His advise to his mother, while good in the main, v\'as faulty in the respect that he told her not to bother to bring any furniture or supplies with her on the long trip as everything could be procured here. Mrs.

Weed followed her son's advise, but upon her arrival in Olymjiia discovered that what women and girls considered absolute necessaries a young man accustomed to a frontier life had grown to regard as perfectly dispensible luxuries. Bedding, pillows, cooking utensils and every kind of conveniences were impossible to buy. Mrs. Weed was delighted to procure a few^ bird's feathers from an Indian squaw w^iich she enclosed in some articles of white clothing to make their first pillows. The first apples the family could obtain were given them by I\Ir. George Bush, who by that time had a fine orchard in bearing. The Bush and Drewr.y families in latter years became neighbors and firm friends, as the Weed family bought a piece of land on the Des Chutes river near the Bush place and lived there till the marriage of Emaline to young Drewer\ in 1858.

Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Drew^ry bought the place on which they still live, but which v\^as originalbv the Jones homestead. Here their children were born and from there Avere carried forth three of their children, never to return, Harvey, Carrie and Frederick, their baby.

Although Carrie and Frederick w^ere taken while still of a tender age, the death of their son, Harvey, in 1911, was a crushing blow to the parents, now growing old and dependent upon their children for love and care. He was a young man. full of life and vigor, with a wife and children to cherish and protect, when he met with an instantaneous death while v/orking in the field.

Of the remaining sons, the eldest. Almond, has a handsome country home within a few rods from the old home and the youngest son, Edward V., with his family, lives with his parents in order to give the old couple the care and attention they need and which only loving hands can give them as the wife and mother has lost the sight of her eyes and is entirely blind. Her husband and children have surrounded her with every comfort and convenience and take delight in filling the remaining days with all the pleasure and happiness within their power to bestow.

The Bush Family

Clinging like the last withered leaf on the tree, only waiting for the passing breeze to waft him to join his parents and five brothers lives Lewis N. Bush, the youngest son of that liardiest argonaut of them all, George Bush and his faithful wife, Isabella James Bush.

The Bush family arrived in what is now known as Thurston County as early as 18-15, while this section was an unbroken wilderness and with their party consisting of about thirty people were the very first settlers north of the Columbia River.

The original families consisted of the Bush family, father, mother and five sons, William 0., Joseph T., Eeilly B., Henr> Sanford and Jackson J. ; Mr. and Mrs. M. Simmons with theii four sons, Mr. and Mrs. McAllister with their son and two daughters; David and i\rrs. Talitha Kindred and their son John K. ; the Jones family, consisting of father and mothei and sons Lewis and ]\Iorris and daughter, Elizabeth and twc !-:ing!e men, Samuel Crockett and Jesse Ferguson.

When the start was made from the old home in Missouri the elder Bush had laid in a bountiful stock of supplies, enough to last him and his own family for several years ol frontier life, but all his associates had not been so well equipped and even before the last and final stop was made there was a shortage of necessities among several ol the emigrant families. Bush, with the generosity and kind heartedness which was his most marked characteristic, divided Avith the less fortunate, even to the subsequent deprivation ot his own family.

Keaching Puget Sound, the families settled on what ha& ever since been known as Bush Prairie, and took up donatior. claims of 640 acres to a family. Lewis Bush enjoys the dis tuiction of being the only man living on an original donatior, claim west of the mountains. In every other instance the orig inal owners of claims have parted with them, but the Bush claims has descended in an unbroken line frt/m the father

The first winter spent on Puget Sound was one to try mens' souls, there was absolutely nothing in the way of provisions to be bought for love or money. It is true the Hudson Bay Company had a post on the Nesqually with Dr. Tolmie manager, but already there was a feeling of jealousy springing up in the minds of the managers of the company, over the rapidly increasing number of emigrants coming to share the ranges and preempt the fertile land. The agents were forbidden to extend aid to the settlers, so although Dr. Tolmie wa^. inclined to feel kindly towards the newcomers, he was for bidden to openly sell them the necessaries of life.

Clams, salmon, game and oysters were the substantiak of diet eked out, with a little wheat and dried peas, which still remained of the stores. The settlers learned to eat with relish the roots of ferns which they used as green stuff. Flour there was none until the Simmons mill was finished in Newmarket.

The men of the new settlement went right to work l)uilding cabins for shelter for their families against the winter weather, which Avas about to close in on them. The cabins were covered with split shakes and the floors were of puncheon, while the few simple articles of furniture were manufactured from the cedar logs lying in profusion on the ground.

IMr. Bush, shortly after his arrival, set out fruit and shade trees, the seeds of which he had brought Math him from his old home. Manj^ of these trees grew and flourished and stand to this day, noble monuments to the hardy old pioneer

George Bush died in 1863 and his wife a couple of years later. After their deaths the homestead passed into the hands of his three sons, W. 0., J. T.. and H. S. Bush. In time W 0. Bush married and became the father of the lady who is now Mrs. George Gaston and John Bush. Lewis Bush, in speaking of his earlier experiences on the old homestead, said :

"Yes, those were hard times. We all had to scramble for enough to eat. There was simply nothing we could buy from any market for several years. I remember one summer day an old squaw came to our house with something to eat. which she wanted to sell. ^Mother tried to dicker with her lint she onl.y wanted clothes. Jloney was of no use to her. Shf wanted a shirt for one of her papooses. Now, we had been away from home a long- time and clothing was getting scarce but mother wanted whatever it was the squaAv had S3 badly that she stripped the shirt off of my brother Sanford's back and gave it to the siwash.

"I was born on the homestead after the folks reached Bush Prairie, so I cannot remember as well as could my brothers about the Indian war. I know we were all anxious and worried for several months and when the first scare was on and the red skins had killed McAllister and Northcraft father moved his family into the Fort at Tumwater for a while. But as time went on he was anxious to get back to his place, as were the other settlers of our neighborhood, so they went to work and built a fort of their own on father's farm.

"Saplings probably fourteen feet long Vv'ere cut from the woods and a trench dug several feet deep. In this trench was set upright the saplings in a double roAv clear around the enclosure. This made a high wall which was practically bullet proof. Inside this enclosure w^ere the cabins of the settlers - each by themselves. We were comfortable enough and live5 that way for several months. This fort was ahvays knowr as Bushs' fort.

"I was a big lad, probably twelve years old, before I had my first pair of shoes. There were none to be had in all the country, so I was forced to go barefoot, not that I considered that any hardship, for I was used to it and only wanted shoes to put on style with. Well, when the first sailing vessel came into harbor at Olympia. father went on board to see what of the cargo he could buy. There was a whole box of shoes of all sizes among the articles father bought. Of course, the elders had first pick at the shoes and when I had a turn at the box there was only one pair of No. 10s left. They would have been big enough for any large man but I was only toe tickled to get them and wore the shoes with great pride or Sundays and special occasions. Those shoes lasted me foi years.

"Mother made friends with Dr. Tolmie and it was through him that she got her first start in poultry and sheep. She had traded for a few hens from a French familv who were con neetecl with the Hudson Bay Company, and -when one of thesf hens showed her willingness, to set, mother got a setting of tnrkey eggs from Dr. Tolmie. She was very successful with this hatching and by coddling those young turks soon had a nice flock. Dr. Tolmie had not been so lucky with his turkey? so he told mother he would trade her a fine ewe for everv turkey she would let him have. She was glad to do so anc' in that way she got the first start of the large flock of sheep which Avas one of the greatest sources of profit in a fcAv years. From Dr. Tolmie also we got the first start of hogs. Well, sr we lived for years, always getting ahead a little and I am glac to say. always having a little to share with our poorer neigh bors. Neither father nor mother could bear to deny anyone v\'ho applied to them for assistance."

Lewis Bush might have gone on and related how the Bushs, father and sons were always willing and ready to extend a helping hand to the settlers who soon began to pour into the country. The Bush farm was the stopping place between the settlements of Olympia and New Market and the Cowlitz landing and there are still men and women living who can recall being entertained at this home. Night or day the Bushs kept open house to all comers - no one was turned away without being fed and sheltered and in many cases their wagons carried substantial gifts of fruit, garden truck and grain from ^Ir. Bush's abundant stores.

Mr. George H. Himes relates a story about the elder Bush which is given here as being characteristic of the open handed generosity of not only himself but his six sons as well. One year there was a great scarcity of grain. The yield, owing to unfavorable conditions, was unusually small. Seattle by this time was quite a town and speculators from that place came to Mr. Bush and offered him an almost fabulous price for all his harvest. They were astounded when their offer was refused, and were very chagrined over their failure to corner the output of grain. They asked ]\Ir. Bush what he intended doing with his surplus.

"I'll just keep my grain to let my n('iglil)ors who have had failures have enough to live on and for seeding their fields in the spring. They have no money to pay your fancy

With the flight of years the Bush homestead developed into a model farm nnder the skillful management of W. 0. Bush, who took great pride in raising and preparing for exhibition samples of the grain and produce grown on his place. Exhibits were made at the World's fairs of Philadelphia, Chicago and Buffalo, which attracted general attention and won for Bush medals and diplomas from all three fairs. These exhibits were of inestimable value in advertising the resources of the Territory of Washington and besides the medals and diplomas awarded IMr. Bush personally the County of Thurston and the Territory and State of Washington were also awarded medals for the best exhibit of grains made by an> section of the entire United States. In the planting, selection and arranging of the specimens IMr. Bush was assisted by hi*' young daughter, Belle, who took as great an interest and pride in the exhibit as did her father. That young girl is no\% Mrs. George Gaston of Olyrapia.

Pioneer Reminiscences 325 Captain Samuel Willey

In reviewing the list of men who have been most prominently identified with the development of Thnrston County business it was considered appropriate to mention the men who organized what has for many years been known as the iS. Willey Navigation Company.

Although the Willeys', father and sons, were not the first men to venture their fortunes in water craft plying between Olympia and down Sound points, their steamers ^lultnomah and City of Aberdeen were so well known on Puget Sound that they are actually a part of the history of Thurston County.

Captain Samuel Willey was one of the gold seekers in California as early as 1859, leaving his family in their home in Cherryfield, Maine, while he pursued the search of the Golden Fleece. After having enjoyed a fair measure of succes5> from mining in Syskiyou County, Mr. Willey decided to re turn to the East again. He remained with his family until 1867 when he came out West again, this time settling in Mason County. The family were then sent for and the fortunes of the Willeys became identified with this section of the country lie engaged in lumbering during the first few years of his Washington residence, but when, in 1880, his son, Lafayette, P. L., and George, organized the S. Willey Navigation Com pany the elder Willey removed to Olympia and built his comfortable home on Eighth street, where he died in the year 1897.

The Willey family consisted of the father and mother three brothers and a sister. Shortly after their arrival here the brothers took the contract for carrying the mail between Olympia and Oakland, which was then the county seat of Mason County. For two years the brothers carried the mail twenty-five miles in a row boat and then over a country road for a further twelve miles, until finally they felt justified in investing in a tiny steamer, the Hornet. This gave place within a short time to the Susie, which in turn was replaced by the

AVilley. This latter steamer was quite a good-sized craft and was put on the run between Olympia and Shelton. In 1889 the Willeys purchased the Multnomah and a little later the City of Aberdeen and put them on the run between this citj and Seattle, the elder brothers becoming Captains of the boats The sister of the Willey brothers, Lucretia, was an especially pretty and charming young girl and Avas an undisputed belle of ]\Iason County up to the time of her marriage to Mr. Leighton and came to Olympia to make her home. Sht became the mother of two children, Charles Leighton of Seattle and her daughter, Bertha. IMrs. Leighton died at the home of the latter in Olympia in 1911.

Elisha Nelson Sarjent

When on August 28, 191-1:, Elisha X. Sarjent passed ovei the Great Divide, there disappeared one who had been a familiar landmark in Thurston County for the past 65 years - one who had been identified with the development of thii> section of "Washington from earliest pioneer days.

Elisha Sarjent was gathered to his fathers after a lift rich in experiences such as are encountered by but few - nont in these later days. Coming to Puget Sound in the wintei of 1849-50 he at once identified himself with the frontier life of the region he had selected for his future home. Mr. Sarjent lived to the ripe old age of eighty-seven years and at the funeral his friend of many years. Hon. Allen Wier, pronounced the following heartfelt eulogy :

"Elisha Nelson Sarjent Avas born September 8, 1827, ir Fountain County, Indiana. In 1849 he left Indiana on his way to the gold fields of California. While crossing the plains he was lost for fourteen days before he got back to hi« train. lie did not remain in California long, but purshed his way north and west and arrived at Puget Sound on a sailing vessel during the winter of 1849-50, thus identifying himsell with the original and adventurous gold seekers commonly known as '4ners.' He helped to build the first house in Olympia, thus his identity as one of the real argonauts of Thurston County is established.

"Among his experiences in the then unknown wilds of the great Northwest, was being shipwrecked in Queen Charlotte Sound, among the Northern Indians, in the winter of 1851-52. vv'hen he and others were captured and held among hostile savages during a period of fifty-three days. Among his com.- panions was John Thornton, a respected old-time citizen and resident of Clallam County, in this State.

"In 1853 Mr. Sarjent went out from the Puget Sound basin across the Cascade ^Mountains and met the incoming immigrant train and piloted the new comers through the Natchez Pass into Pierce County. This was the first influx of settlers coming by way of the Natchez Pass. Among those coming at that time were members of the Himes family who settled in Olympia, and the family of Mrs. Frasier, who was reported as coming into this country riding on the back of an ox.

"He took a donation claim near Grand ]\Iound, in Thurston County, where his house has stood for something like sixty-five years, and where he was married more than fiftyfour years ago. His wife, who was Miss Lucretia Mounts, has been by his side during these years, a faithful helpmeet through good and evil report. Their two sons, Fred Sarjent and Asher Sarjent, with their families were among the sorrowing mourners at the funeral.

"Mr. Sarjent was one of the most modest of men, seldom speaking of these trying times that tested the courage and manhood of those who had to stand guard at block house defenses and protect the women and children from hostile attack. Nevertheless, his duty was always cpiietly performed, and with credit to himself. No one ever heard of a dishonorable act on his part, and a significant comment by one of his nearest neighbors was that during an intimate acquaintance of something like sixty years, when line fences were often

''Could anj^thing more fully attest the sterling worth of the hardy manhood and womanhood of our honored pioneers? "May their shadows never be less, and the worthy example thus shown be followed by later comers.

"Nelson Sarjent has gone to his reward. Like a sheaf of fully ripened grain, he has been gathered. His example has been one of duty fully performed. His place among the army of worthy citizens who demonstrated their right in the front rank of worthy pioneers of this great Northwest has passed beyond question.

Mr. P. D. Moore

Hale, clear-minded, genial and active with a life of almost ninety years stretching out behind him, Mr. P. D. Moore is a remarkable example of the staunch timber that went towards the making of the men and women of the past century.

When this grand old-young man was asked to contribute some of his reminiscences of early days on Puget Sound, of which he was in a position to recall many, owing to his long residence here and the many stirring events of which he was a participant, Mr. Moore said:

"It is over fifty years since I first came t') Olympia and on my arrival I was pleasantly surprised to find not only a charming climate and magnificent scenery but its people educated, cultured, enterprising and extremely hospitable and neighborly, reminding me of a New England town. Of cours*^ the country was new and the town young, but the people were as one family, helpful, generous and sociable. Whether it b*^ a funeral or a dance everybody was there. IMoney was plentiful and prices of products and goods were high, but there were no croakers or kickers. In 1864 Blockhouse Smith sold to Charlie Williams five tons of butter at 55 cents a pound. Th'^ same year the only 4th of July celebration on Puget Sound wa" at Olympia when seventeen steamers brought crowds and it was estimated that between four and five thousand peopk assmbied at the Capital grounds to do honor to the Nation's birthday. Governor Pickering presided. On Christmas day. the only Christmas tree was in the hall of the AVashington hotel (now the NeAv England Hotel), but there were presents en that tree of a total value of over $2,500 and everybod\ was there.

''The principal merchants of Olympia when I first came here were Chas. E. Williams, Edmund Sylvester, L. Bettman George Barnes, I. Lichtner and I. Harris. But we also had the "Busy B's" - Bush, Barnes, Biles, Billings, Blankenship. Brown, Bettman, Bigelow and Beatty. They have all passed to the "Great Beyond", except Mr. Beatty, who still remains with us in the enjoyment of a ripe old age.

"In 1863 I was appointed by President Lincoln, Collector of Internal Revenue for Washington and Idaho, and then 1 brought my family from New Jersey, and on the Bark Naramisie they were sixty-three days coming from San Francisco to Puget Sound, breaking the record for time in coming from San Francisco.

"In- those early days - the '60s - there were many exciting and interesting events. In the session of the Legislature in 1868 the House of Representatives elected me its Chaplain, the firxt instance of a free-thinking Quaker being elected to that office. At the same session Miss Peebles, now Mrs. Mackintosh, of Seattle, and mother of Judge Mackintosh, was elected Enrolling and Engrosing Clerk, being the first woman elected to serve in a legislative body in the history of the world. I may add she done her work so promptly and ably that she received the unanimous commendation of the House of Representatives.