Saturday, July 30, 2011

FROM PIONEERS TO POWER - post 3

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Table of Contents            post 4

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PART I - HISTORY OF THE GRAND COULEE DAM AREA - April, 1958

GRAND COULEE DAM AREA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STUDY HISTORY REPORT

Early History of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

COMMITTEE:

     Dayma Evans, Chairman
     Edith Rinker, Co-chairman  (related)
     Elsa Sandler, Editor
     Ruth Kelley, Co-editor  (1915-1965: my 1st cousin 1x removed)

REPORTERS:

     Helen Rinker  (1913-1986: wife of my 1st cousin 1x removed)
     Edith Alling
     Winnie Sanderson
     Gene Thoren
     Olive McCoy
     Jennie Sheely
     Doris Angell
     Katrina Trefry

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

This history could never have been written without the cooperation of many people of this area who so willingly contributed factual, as well as personal information.  We are grateful to every one of them

We appreciate the many hours contributed by the typing committee; Marge McClain, Chairman; Evelyn Schanzenback, Margaret Griffin, Eulalia Tollefsen, and Marge Denton.

We deeply appreciate the great assistance given us by Mr. Robert Smick, head of the commercial department of the Coulee Dam High School whose classes cut the greater portion of the stencils used.

We appreciate the privilege of using the Coulee Dam High School typewriters, and we are grateful to the Grand Coulee High School for the use of their typewriters and mimeograph.

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FORWARD

Coulee means a bed of a stream.  The Grand Coulee is the steep-walled trench line valley formerly occupied by the Columbia River.  [See note and links on p. 3]
To compile a complete history of the area surrounding the Grand Coulee Dam and extending out into the adjacent counties would require years of research and innumerable contacts, which is quite beyond the Committee at this time.

In working on the historical phase of the Community Development Program, it was decided that only the oldest pioneer families would be contacted.  However, in a few cases some with a few years less than fifty years residence were contacted and their interesting memories included.

Since there would be no Community Development Program in this area if it were not for the Grand Coulee Dam, the construction of which caused new communities to come into being, it is natural that we give here a brief history of the building of the Dam.  Then would logically follow the story of the towns around it.

History is written for the purpose of creating a better appreciation of the present.  The past events and experiences related in these pages record the life in each era of the development of this area, from the time of the Indians to the coming of the first white settlers who homesteaded the land, down to the building of the Grand Coulee Dam.

Through the lens of these past experiences, we perceive the new blessings ahead.  On the Archives Building in Washington, D. C., is this inscription: "What is Past is Prologue."   As a Washington cabbie once translated it, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!"  How true!  For with the coming of the Dam, the future development of this area holds unlimited horizons.

Interesting facets of these development up to the present time may be seen through the growth of the schools and churches, as well as the gradual improvement in the conditions under which the pioneers lived, and those which their descendants now enjoy.

In the early days the ferries played an important role as did the school house and post office.  The little school house and post office were the pioneer's discussion centers, his polling place, his picnic grounds, his fun spots, with dances, box socials and entertainments.  Hence, they appear over and over again in this narrative.

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The pioneer knew extremely severe winters, the struggle with hardships, illness and long distances to a doctor.  He saw ventures started only to fail.  He knew what death was.  Yes, it's all here.  Turn the pages and read their own stories, told in their own way, filled with fun and tragic pathos.

In them we hold the past.  In them we see the present too.

Elsa Sandler,
Editor

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     More recent scientific investigation points to ice age floods from a glacial Lake Missoula as what carved out the Grand Coulee.  Here is a link to PBS for links to more information: Mystery of the MEGAFLOOD

      See also The Ice Age Floods Institute (IAFI), an educational nonprofit founded in 1995.  Major accomplishments since inception are the formation of ten chapters across Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana with a large and diverse membership.  The Cheney-Spokane Chapter maintains a website which containes several interesting photo galleries and other information.

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A BRIEF CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRAND COULEE DAM

Early explorers through the Grand Coulee area recognized the Coulee as a former great channel of the Columbia River.  Almost from the beginning of this century settlers dreamed of re-diverting the waters of the river through this ancient channel to water their thirsty farms and grazing lands.  All recognized the colossal magnitude of the task. [See note and links on p. 3]

In 1918 active agitation began to see if something could be done to reclaim the rich Columbia Basin lands.  Public spirited citizens joined the ranks.  Proponents of the development quickly divided into two camps -- those in favor of a gravity flow from the Clark Fork, and those in favor of pumping into the upper end of the Grand Coulee.  After long arguments in congressional and legislative circles and in the public forums the "pumpers" won.  Experience proved the wisdom of this decision.

In March of 1933, the Washington State Legislature created the Columbia Basin Commission, its members appointed by Governor Clarence D. Martin.  Studies were made by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation led by Dr. Elwood Mead, Commissioner of Reclamation, to advise President Roosevelt that a low dam could be built at the upper end of the Grand Coulee for the sum of $60,000,000 which would serve to start the ultimate Columbia Basin Project.  In June of that year the State of Washington allotted $377,000 for preliminary studies, and authorized the Columbia Basin Commission to contract with the United States for the work.  A dedication ceremony in July of 1933 marked the beginning of the work.

Soon thereafter $63,000,000 was allotted from WPA funds to build the Grand Coulee Dam.  The work was assigned to the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation.  The firs stake was driven on September 9, 1933, near the right abutment.  Offices were opened in Almira on September 25, 1933, under the direction of the late F. A. Banks.  Contracts were let for diamond test drilling and for excavation of overburden.  The excavation for the dam started on December 13, 1933.

Early in 1934 a huge slide on the west abutment moved into the excavated area delaying the work.  Construction started in April on the Coulee City-Coulee Dam railroad, and on the highway from Coulee City to the Dam.  The railroad was completed early in December.  In August, President Roosevelt visited the dam site and was welcomed by 20,000 people.  Construction started on the towns of Coulee Dam and Mason City during the summer of 1934 and Mason City was completed by the end of the year.

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On New Year's Day of 1935, the first steel piling for the west cofferdam was driven beginning the work of diverting the Columbia River.  In March the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation offices were moved from Almira to Coulee Dam with quarters in the Columbia School.  In the spring of 1935 the first houses in Coulee Dam were occupied.  In June of 1935 a change order was signed authorizing the construction of a base for the high dam in lieu of the original low dam.   Thus work commenced on the design which ultimately brought Grand Coulee Dam to its present size and appearance.  There was great jubilation in all of the Dam towns when this occurred.

The first cement for the dam was delivered in November and the west mix plant placed in operation.  In December Governor Martin dumped the first official bucket of concrete in Block 16G of the Dam.

The winter of 1935-1936 was severe.  The Columbia River froze over from bank to bank at the Dam and remained frozen all through February of 1936.  The present steel highway bridge was opened for traffic on January 27, 1936.  By August 14, 1936, a million yards of concrete had been placed in the Dam.  It became necessary to freeze the now famous ice dam during that month.  First artificial cooling of the Dam concrete started December 10.    By the end of 1936  1,860,000 yards of concrete were in place.  hard winter again forced a virtual shutdown of construction and concrete work until March 8, 1937.

By may 1, 1937, common excavation was completed and the conveyor belts dismantled.  These conveyors had moved 12,132,600 yards of earth.  Concrete placement increased reaching 15,844 yards for a new daily world record on August 18.  At the end of August 1937, 7798 men were employed on the dam.  On October 2, 1937, President Roosevelt again visited the Dam to observe its progress.  In November and December the cross river cofferdams were removed.  Bids were called December 10 for the completion of the dam.

On January 10, 1938, two years, one month and four days after the first concrete pour, the Mason-Walsch-Atkinson-Kier Company completed the concrete under the first contract, having placed 4,525,209 cubic yards in the foundations.

February 7, 1938, the Consolidated Builders, Inc. (formerly Interior Construction Company) were awarded the contract to complete the dam and appurtenant structures.  They began work in March and in August went on a three shift per day basis placing concrete.  The clearing of the reservoir (Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake) started on October 21, 1938, with WPA forces.

The twelve pumping plant discharge tunnels were excavated by April of 1939.  During high water in the Columbia on May 14, 1939, all twenty of the lowest row of spillway outlet tubes were opened for the first time for river diversion.

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On May 25, the CBI Company set a new world record which still stands, when they placed 20,685 cubic yards of concrete in one 24-hour period.  They also excavated for and poured the first concrete in the pumping plant foundation on October 6, 1939.  During October another world record for concrete was set when the contractor poured 536,264 cubic yards for the month.  On December 11, 1939, the 9,000,000th cubic yard of concrete was placed in Grand Coulee Dam.  With its appurtenant works, Grand Coulee Dam finally contained 10,979,641 cubic yards of concrete.

By May of 1940 all steel penstock linings for the main units in the right and left powerhouses were in place.  Work started on installation of station service units LS-1 and LS-2.  In October of that year the installation of the spillway drum gates was begun.  Work commenced on installation of turbine L-3 and L-2 in the left powerhouse.  Cold weather in November closed down the concrete operations with about 35-000 cubic yards remaining to be placed.

During January of 1941 station service unit LS-1 was tested, producing Grand Coulee Dam's first electrical energy, and in March LS-1 and LS-2 were placed in service on the Bonneville Power Administration's system.  Work was begun on the 115KV and 230KV switchyards.  Grand Coulee Dam power was used by Coulee Dam and the Government section of Mason City in May of 1941 for the first time.

Construction of the 11-arch spillway bridge was started in June of 1941 and the work was completed on October 14.  In July the first main unit, L-3, a 108,000KVA generator, started its series of tests continuing until September 28 when it was placed in service on the Bonneville Power Administration's system.  Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941.  On December 12 all concrete required under the main contract with CBI was in place.

War brought swift changes to Grand Coulee Dam.  A work order to construct the right power house was issued to CBI on December 29.  Work which many believed would be delayed for at least a generation now became imperative.  January of 1942 saw main unit L-2 in service followed by L-1 in April.  Two generators destined for Shasta Dam whose powerhouse was not yet ready were diverted to Grand Coulee Dam and placed in Units L-7 and L-8 wheel pits.

June 1, 1942, at about 2:30 P. M., 15,000 people witnessed the first water pour over the spillway drum gates of Grand Coulee Dam.  On November 15 the War Production Board halted construction of the right powerhouse.

January of 1943 saw the completion of the CBI contract totaling $41,366,900 in work.  By the end of February, the Shasta Unit in L-7 was placed in service, and on May 8 the second Shasta unit in L-8 pit went into service.

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Power hungry war industries demanded more electrical production, and on August 9 Main unit L-6 was placed on the line, followed by L-5 on November 8 and L-4 on February 12, 1944.  This completed the unit installation possible in the left powerhouse until removal of the Shasta units.

In September of 1943 construction of the circular caisson dry dock was begun.  On June 8, 1944, first concrete was poured and by the end of the year work was completed, ready for channel dredging.

With the end of the War preparations were made for removal of the Shasta Units.  This work was completed by August 31, 1946, and the units shipped to Shasta Dam.  Preparations were made to install Coulee Unit R-7 in its own pit which work was completed and the unit ready for service on October 19, 1947.

Meanwhile work had resumed on the right powerhouse.  In the summer of 1948 on June 12, the Columbia River reached its highest flood peak since 1894.  The spillway and turbines of the Grand Coulee Dam passed 633,000 cubic feet of water per second.  Great damage occurred downstream as far as the mouth of the Columbia River, but Grand Coulee Dam sustained no damage.  The year 1948 is still called the "year of the big flood".

Power demands continued to climb and by July 12, 1949, main units R-1 and R-2 were in service, followed by R-3 on September 30, 1949.

President Harry S. Truman visited the dam on May 11, 1950, to dedicate the lake behind Grand Coulee Dam as Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake.  On April 14, 1950, generating unit R-4 went on line, with R-5 and R-6 on July 13 and October 7.  The following year, 1951, saw main unit R-7 completed in April, R-8 in June, and R-9 in September.

In November of 1950 assembly of the big irrigating pumps P-1 and P-2 was begun.  A celebration marked the starting of the first pump, P-1 on May 7, 1951.  Pump P-2 started to pump on July 5 with a sizable lake beginning to form in the Grand Coulee.  By this time the railroad had been removed, the old highway abandoned, and the new highway placed in service along the east Coulee wall from Grand Coulee to Coulee City.

On September 14, 1951, main generating unit R-9 in the right powerhouse was placed in service, completing the two powerhouses and bringing the rated capacity of Grand Coulee Dam up to 1,974,000 KW.  Thus, the dreams of two generations of people became reality.  But the name-plate rating of 1,974,000 KW did not limit the huge electrical generators of Grand Coulee Dam, great as it was.  On August 18, 1953, Grand Coulee Dam set a world record for one hour's production of 2,321,000 KWH,

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and this was done with only 17 of its 18 main units operating.  Since that time the giant powerhouses have continued to set new world records until at this time Grand Coulee Dam holds all world records for kilowatt production for one hour, one day, one month and one year.

On March 14, 1952, a serious accident occurred in the Dam when a spillway outlet gate tube access manhole was left opened to a gallery and its gate was inadvertently opened, admitting large volumes of water under high pressure into the Dam and powerhouses.  Fortunately Government personnel were able to close the valve before damage became great.  Measures were taken at once to prevent recurrence.

     [My grandfather, Sam Seaton, was one of the operating engineers working that day. -- Cousin Sam]

Do date six pumps have been installed for irrigation pumping.  This completed the work of construction until such time as the Basin lands are developed to require more water.  There remain six empty pump pits in the pumping plant.  The presently installed six pumps can supply sufficient water to irrigate 600,000 acres of land.

With the fame of Grand Coulee Dam spreading over the world, close to a half million visitors yearly come to see it.  A new tour center was completed in 1957 to care for these visitors.  Many come just to look, some to enjoy the bright summer sun, others to fish or to camp and explore the interesting surrounding country.

In November of 1955 the American Society of Civil Engineers named Grand Coulee Dam and the Columbia Basin Project one of the Seven Modern Wonders of Civil Engineering in the United States.

On March 11, 1958, at the new Tour Center, at Grand Coulee Dam, Mr. Louis R. Howson, President of the American Society of Civil Engineers, formally presented a beautiful bronze plaque which commemorated this feat.  Mr. Phil Nalder, Columbia Basin Project Manager, accepted the plaque on behalf of the Bureau and contractors who helped build the Dam and the Columbia Basin Project.


Prepared by Alvin F. Darland,
Power Supervisor of the Power
Field Division, of the Columbia
Basin Project of the United States
Bureau of Reclamation.

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Table of Contents            post 4

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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

FROM PIONEERS TO POWER - post 1


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From  PIONEERS TO POWER

Historical Sketches of the

GRAND COULEE DAM AREA


Grand Coulee Dam from Crown Point Vista

Satellite view of the dam and surrounding area




1976

A Project of the Bicentennial Association

© 1976GRAND COULEE DAM BICENTENNIAL ASSOCIATION


Reproduced by permission, with added notes and pictures, and formatted for this blog.

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    On July 24, 2011, I spoke with Edith Alling Lael, one of the surviving members of the Grand Coulee Dam Bicentennial Commission, about using material from this book, since much of it is either by or about members of my family and where they lived.  The Grand Coulee Dam is located on the site of my grandfather's homestead and the Grant County ferry, which he operated.  The lake it created covers the sites of the homesteads and ferries of several other members of the family.  All of my uncles and many other members of the family worked on or were in some way involved with the construction of the dam, and later, my grandfather was an operating engineer at the dam after it opened.  The dam has had such a profound impact on my family that our story cannot be fully told without also telling the dam's story.  Edith has kindly granted permission to use as much of the book as I wish, and mentioned that her grandfather helped to build the Grant County ferry. 


View of the dam looking across the lot where a Texaco service
station built by my parents shortly after WWII was located
until construction began on the third powerhouse
     Since the focus of this blog is on family, this edition of "From PIONEERS TO POWER"  will highlight family members and titles of sections most directly connected to the family in bold.  I will be adding pictures and links, and also hope to be able to add  new information covering the 35 years that have elapsed since the previous edition, which was published in manuscript form, and contained no pictures.

     As with most copyrighted content in this blog, unless otherwise noted in a particular post, permission is granted for free use for research or private use.  I only ask that you contact me by email to let me know who you are, how I may contact you, what you are using, and how you are using it.  For content of PIONEERS TO POWER, the owners of that copyright should also be contacted, especially for use other than private or research.


Cousin Sam


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Other websites of interest concerning the history and people of the Grand Coulee and Big Bend area:

Town of Almira

Welcome to Coulee City

North Central Washington Portal

Town of Wilbur

BIG BEND RAILROAD HISTORY
THIS BLOG FEATURES HISTORICAL INFORMATION ON THE RAILROAD LINES OF THE BIG BEND/COLUMBIA PLATEAU REGION OF WASHINGTON STATE.

More links concerning the Grand Coulee Dam Area



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1776                                                  BICENTENNIAL                                                        1976

Early in 1976 a meeting was held in the Grand Coulee Dam Area to discuss the celebration of the 200th Birthday of the United States of America.  As a result of that meeting, the Washington Territory Festival Association was incorporated and the Grand Coulee Dam Area Bicentennial Association was formed, and the following officers elected:  David Schmidt, President; Jack Morris, Vice President; Maxine Williams, Secretary; and Wayne Rawley, Treasurer.  The Association then planned the following community Bicentennial activities:

1.   Summer Arts Festival
2.   Permanent bandstand in a local park
3.   Fourth of July community-wide picnic
4.   Fourth of July fireworks display
5.   Community-wide tree plantings
6.   A 99 Year Memorial Time Capsule
7.   Gathering of local history

In writing a history of the Grand Coulee Dam Area it was decided to reproduce the April 1958 PIONEERS TO POWER book in its entirety and to update that book to the present time.

We hope as you read through this book, both part I and Part II, that you will relive some of the experiences and hardships of the pioneers of the area and of those who first came here when the Dam was being built.

The Grand Coulee Dam Area Bicentennial History Book Committee who made this new PIONEERS TO POWER book possible are:

     Jay Weber
     Helen Rinker  [1913-1986: wife of Sam C. Rinker, my 1st cousin 1x removed]
     Winnie Sanderson
     Nell Trefry
     Edith Alling  [mentioned in the a letter to Margaret (Seaton) Taschereau (my mother) by Lillie Lael (Mrs. Boyd) Kramer from Walla Walla, dated March 3, 1989]


     Virginia Beck
     Wayne Monteith
     Dayma Lange Evans
     Mrs. C. J. Rabideau
     Vera Rice
     Darlene Dittmer  (living)
     Welthy Buchholz
     Gladys Osborne
     Mary Link
     And many, many more

Special recognition is given to Carolyne Graham for retyping Part I, to Joanne (Jody) Lynch and Maxine Williams for typing Part II, and to Darlene Dittmer for indexing.

          Vesta Seiler, Chairman
          History Book Committee

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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

GRAND COULEE DAM WEB LINKS

Washington History Day Topic Guide

A selection of some of the better sites concerning the Grand Coulee Dam

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Washington History Day Topic Guide

http://washingtonhistoryday.wetpaint.com/page/Grand+Coulee+Dam

Lists Primary Sources; also a link to Secondary Sources:

History Link: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?keyword=Grand+Coulee+Dam&DisplayPage=results.cfm&Submit=Go Great River of the West:

Essays on the Columbia River by William L. Lang (Editor), Robert C. Carriker (Editor), David Lowenthal Northwest Passage: The Great Columbia River by William Dietrich The Organic Machine: The Remaking of the Columbia River by Richard White
A River Lost: The Life and Death of the Columbia by Blaine Harden
River of the West:
Stories from the Columbia by Robert Clark,
Voyage of a Summer Sun: Canoeing the Columbia River by Robin Cody
BPA and the Struggle for Power at Cost b Gene Tollefson

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BIG BEND RAILROAD HISTORY   http://sdp45.blogspot.com/
THIS BLOG FEATURES HISTORICAL INFORMATION ON THE RAILROAD LINES OF THE BIG BEND/COLUMBIA PLATEAU REGION OF WASHINGTON STATE.

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Grand Coulee Dam: History and purpose

Site has several links of interest, including construction photos, and an index to other pages on Columbia River History.

http://www.nwcouncil.org/history/GrandCouleeHistory.asp

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Grand Coulee Dam Project Tour
contains a bibliography and some interesting pages.

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug02/barnes/grandcoulee/gcdintro3.html

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Lake Roosevelt Admisistrative History
Chapter 2 includes a picture of the dam site taken January 23, 1934, showing the Grant County Ferry (not easily seen).

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/laro/adhi/adhi2.htm

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Northeast Washington Genealogical Society
Proudly Covering Stevens, Ferry and Pend Oreille Counties
Books to Aid You in Your Research

http://www.newgs.org/cpage.php?pt=23

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Monday, July 25, 2011

FAMILY SCRAPBOOK INDEX: MISCELLANEOUS

HANS KIENHOLZ=FLUCK
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/08/hans-kienholzfluck.html

CLASS OF 68  (Coulee City High School)
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/06/class-of-68.html

MARGARET'S SWITZERLAND TRIP
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/06/margarets-switzerland-trip.html

TOURING THE ORIENT
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/06/touring-orient.html

MARGARET'S TRAVELS
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/margarets-travels.html

ANNIVERSARIES
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/anniversaries.html

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/birth-announcements.html

"TEX"
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/tex.html

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTS
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/wedding-birth-announcements.html

POSTON - TASCHEREAU WEDDING
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/poston-taschereau-wedding.html

HANK AND MARGARET RETIRE
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/hank-and-margaret-retire.html

SAM & MARY SEATON 50th ANNIVERSARY
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/sam-mary-seaton-50th-anniversary.html

25th ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION (Henry and Margaret Taschereau)
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/25th-anniversary-reception.html

SAM SEATON'S LEGAL CASE, pt. 2
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/sam-seatons-legal-case-pt2.html

SAM SEATON'S LEGAL CASE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT re: GRAND COULEE DAM
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/sam-seatons-legal-case-against.html

SAM SEATON RECALLS DAYS OF THE OLD FERRY
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/sam-seaton-recalls-days-of-old-ferry.html

Notes for SAMUEL JONES SEATON
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/05/notes-for-samuel-jones-seaton.html

Letter from France, 1968
http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/04/letter-from-france-1968_02.html

ALMIRA HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1930

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

DAM DIGGING IS ONE-THIRD DONE

          from the Wenatchee World, February 10, 1934:

DAM DIGGING IS ONE-THIRD DONE
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Progress Chart Shows Contractors Far Ahead of Time Schedule
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     GRAND COULEE DAM SITE, Feb. 10.--With only about one-fourth of the allowed time passed, subcontractors under David H. Ryan, at the end of Thursday's three-shift routine had removed more than one-third of the contracted 2,000,000 yards of earth for the abutments of the giant hydroelectric dam here.
     According to the chart of progress kept by E. Paul Ford, general superintendent, the 666,666 cubic yard mark was passed sometime during the day on Thursday.  The volume moved is divided almost equally between the two sides.
        When working full force, five shovels are employed by Goodfellow Brothers
   on the east side and two shovels plus two 12-yard Le Tourneau scrapers on the
   east shore.
     After a rather hectic two days on Wednesday and Thursday when the rainfall made passage to the damsite over the highway leading to the Almira-Coulee City highway junction impossible, activity resumed normality again yesterday even though the highway was still closed.
               Visitors Walk
     The fallen sector of the road is still the main attraction here with many visitors coming in cars and walking to the damsite to see the sight.  Work was progressing rapidly yesterday as trucks dump load after load of sand and gravel on the roadbed.  However because work has been started on the lower end of the road with the top area undisturbed long rows of cars still lined the damsite highway above the crevices.
               River Current Turned
     The river bottom below the Goodfellow fill is bulging more and more under the weight of the fill pressure and Ford, who traveled up and down the river in his sea-sled "The Miss Coulee" remarked that the current running straight down the river before now had been turned toward the east shore because of the rising west side.
     The first sidewalk to be seen at the damsite was completed yesterday between the office of the Grand Coulee Development company and Thompson's Beer Parlor.  Although only about 25 yards long, the construction marks another step forward in the progress of the building of a city here.
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          from the Grand Coulee News, mid-February, 1934

Type of Dam To Be Selected In Two Weeks

     Selection of the type of dam to be constructed at Grand Coulee will be made in about two weeks, James O'Sullivan, chairman of the Columbia Basin Commission told the News Saturday.  Here with Mr. O'Sullivan were Rufus Woods and Senator Holands, members of the commission, who looked over work at the dam.  Mr. Rolands is the new member of the commission and this was his first visit to the damsite.
     Ten different designs are now being drafted by the reclamation office at Denver.  The commission will meet with the reclamation department in two weeks, when the designs will be completed.  The commission has not the power to choose the type, but acts in an advisory role.
     Reports current that a type had been chosen are erroneous, O'Sullivan said.  The commission, he declared, was working for a gravity type dam, with the base for the high dam.  Plans will include both the high dam and various types for the low gravity dam, that can be built into the higher dam later.
     Saturday and Sunday Frank A. Banks, chief engineer, and J. L. Savage, chief designing engineer, went over the dam site.  With Mr. savage was Dr. C. R. Burkey, chief geologist of the U. S. reclamation service, who was here to inspect the cores obtained in drilling to test the foundation.
     Dr. Burkey declared that the foundation was ideal for the dam.
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     from the Wenatchee World, February 10, 1934:

DAMSITE WATER SUPPLY TESTED
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Approval Of H2O Is Expected From Seattle--Electricity To Be Turned On
                _________

     GRAND COULEE DAM SITE, Feb. 10.--Dr. I. E. Sorenson, representative of the Spokane Medical Service Bureau here, who is also state health inspector for the damsite, yesterday announced that specimens of water from the various wells and springs hereabouts had been sent to Seattle for official test as to their purity.  It is anticipated that the drinking supplies will be approved.
        Richard Classen, manager of the Three Engineers, Inc., of Seattle, yesterday
   announced that the huge 400-kilowatt dynamo would be ready to go into action
   at the beginning of next week.  The big machine will furnish light for the damsite
   area in place of the three auxiliary units now being used.
     February 15 was the date set by officials of the company as the approximate date when the Grand Coulee townsite will be furnished with its first electricity.  Oil lamps are the most popular lighting facility at present with a few small dynamos also working.  The coming of electricity here will bring radio with it.  To date only battery sets, and few of them, can be heard here.
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          The following headline and caption appeared with a picture in the Wenatchee World,
     Feb. 6, 1934:

Pioneer Moves Out As Shovel Moves In--Moving Day For Sam Seaton

     SAM SEATON IS MOVING OUT.  Relentlessly and inexorably machinery and men move in on the time-weary homestead home of the damsite pioneer and in another day, perhaps even today, the house that was built from lumber floated down the Columbia will be brushed aside to make way for a dam.  The power shovel can be seen digging away only a few feet from the house.
     Seatonkanogan bank of the Columbia.

Friday, July 15, 2011

SEATON TO VACATE DAMSITE HOME

          The following are from the Grand Coulee News, early 1934:

Seaton to Vacate Damsite Home

     Sam Seaton, ferryman at the dam site, is given seven days by the federal government to vacate his present home, in an agreement signed by Seaton with Frank A. Banks, construction engineer, Wednesday.
     Seaton will be allowed to build two small houses, one for his family, and a second for operators of the ferry, at a place designated by Banks.  Construction of the new houses started yesterday.
     The agreement will permit Seaton to operate the ferry until either the bridge is completed or the work of the excavating starts on the dam proper.
     With the chicken house already demolished, it is only a question of days until the excavating on the east side will reach the Seaton house.
__________________________________________________________________________

(untitled)

     Did you ever stop to think that it must be pretty tough to stand by and see your old homestead disappear before your eyes.  Well, that is what is happening to Sam Seaton and family.  The big shovels are eating up the farm, devouring it in mighty chunks.  Almost like cannibalism.  A consoling thought is that while the work now is destructive, in the end it will be constructive.  The dam will endure as a monument to the constructive genius of man.
__________________________________________________________________________

NEW BOAT ARRIVES

     Another ferry boat, previously the property of McPherson of Brewster, was brought to the dam site this week by Tuttle Bros.  The boat is 56 feet long, with 16-foot beam.  It will be used as an auxiliary service for David Ryan, general excavation contractor, to supplement the barge now in use.  The new boat will carry about 22 tons.
__________________________________________________________________________

Settling of Road Forms Cracks in Damsite Highway

     Traffic to the dam site was threatened to be stopped this week when giant cracks appeared in the road leading to the dam.  The cracks bisect the road and lead up to the rock formation.  In places the road has settled at least two feet, and the condition is rapidly becoming worse.
     Joe Meehan, representative at the dam site for the Columbia Basin commission, said Wednesday that the commission had taken charge and would have the road repaired.  He believed the condition was caused by the natural settling of the road.  This road was put in only a year ago.  He discounted the theory that it was caused by any "pull" from the big dirt fill just below the road by Goodfellow Bros.
     Large cracks are also appearing in the "fill" on the east side of the river.
     This week was also marked by a big slide of dirt on the east side, across the Ross-Rowland boundary.  However, as the sub-contractors are paid by the yard, it is immaterial whether the dirt has to be excavated by Rowlands or Ross, the two sub-contractors on that side.
__________________________________________________________________________

Finish Airport by May 1

     The new airport for the damsite, located a mile and a half south of the dam, will be finished about May 1, according to John S. Peterson, working manager of the CWA in Okanogan county. 
     Okanogan county has secured $13,000 for development of the port, and it will be a first class field, when completed, Peterson told the News. 
     Work is now under way.  The sagebrush is being cleared off and the ground graded.  The runway will be graveled and will be 3400 feet long by 40 feet wide. *  C. Nitteberg is superintending construction.
     With Mr. Peterson was his son, John Jr., and Paul Johnson, both of Omak.

*     This airport no longer exists and has not existed in my lifetime.  There is a small community airport in Grant County a few miles south.--CousinSam
__________________________________________________________________________

Bridge Site Is Changed

     Change of the location of the bridge to be built across the Columbia at the dam site to 1000 feet farther down stream is announced by Frank A. Banks, chief engineer.
     Mr. Banks declared that plans are being rushed on the two center piers so that bids may be called as soon as possible, so that there may be the least possible delay.
     Bids will be called on two types of bridges, a cantilever and suspension type, within the next two weeks.  The cost will determine which one is finally selected.  Bids will be called within the next few weeks on the joint entry highway, also.

      In the mid 1940s my parents built and operated a Texaco service station on the Southeast corner across the street from the east end of that bridge.--CousinSam
__________________________________________________________________________

Sink Well In Canyon

     Final arrangements for the taking over of the water system franchise for Grand Coulee were being completed between Paul M. Donaldson and the N. C. Jannsen Drilling Co., Seattle, at Seattle yesterday.
     Water will be pumped from a well to be sunk in Rattlesnake canyon.  The pump will have a 346 head, the water being lifted to a reservoir at the 1575-foot level in Grand Coulee.  It will take about 4000 feet of pipe.  Location of the will is now chosen and drilling will start soon.
__________________________________________________________________________

          The type and style of the following clipping differs from the above; there is no note as to what paper it came from.

Last of Power Unit Taken To Damsite

Last of 400-Kilowatt Unit Which Will Furnish Light and Power for Damsite People

     The remaining unit of the 400 kilowatt power plant being installed at the damsite to furnish light and power for the damsite era was unloaded from cars here Saturday and on Sunday was transported to the damsite, where it will be installed with the 300 kilowatt unit taken there several days ago.
     The unit consists of a large two cylinder Diesel engine with direct drive generator and weigh nearly twenty tons.  It is the property of the three engineers inc., and was hauled to its destination by A. T. Warsinke, contractor from Spokane.  The large power unit formerly belonged to the Great Northern Railway.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

EVEN CHICKEN HOUSE TOSSED (1934)

          from the Wenatchee World, Jan. 24, 1934:

Sam Seaton's Back Yard Is Hub-Bub Of Activity Today
                _________

Even Chicken House Is Tossed Out Of The Way
                _________

     GRAND COULEE DAMSITE, Jan. 24.--Ferryman Sam Seaton's prize white Leghorn chickens, in which group is included a very cocky youn rooster, were without a home last night because during the day a shovel picked up their coop and moved it with a resounding crack and much flying boards out of the way of excavation work.
     When work bagins on a still lower level, Seaton's home will be lifted and destroyed in the same manner.  The entire backyard of the old Seaton residence has become a hub of activity.  Core drilling is going on near the house and shovels are digging immediately in back of it.
     Another building is on the way.  A welding plant is being constructed on the west side, near the gas station.  Work on the tire company service plant has also been started as has laying out of a row of houses on the hill between the Three Engineer's office and McCaslin's eating house.  The houses will be used as living quarters for men who will remain here permanently, such as foremen and others, who wish to bring their wives and families here.
     When thse structures have been completed the number of buildings on the damsite, used directly by the contractors, engineers, will be over the 100 mark.
     The huge generator of the Three Engineers, Inc., is slated to arrive today, according to Al Warsinski, moving contractor.
__________________________________________________________________________

           from the Wenatchee World, Jan. 25, 1934:

GRAVEL BED IS FOUND AT DAM
                _________

Contractors Uncover 20,000 Yard Deposit--Will Save Government Money
                _________

     GRAND COULEE DAM SITE, Jan. 25.--E. Paul Ford, general superintendent for David H. Ryan, excavation contractor, yesterday announced that a vein of 20,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel struck by Ross on the east side, would be hauled in trucks to a point near the bridge site and be used in the concrete for the bridge abutments and anchorage.
     The uncovering of the sand and gravel last week came as a surprise.  It was immediately tested as to fitness for use in concrete necessary for the $1,000,000 steel suspension bridge and was declared excellent in quality, according to Ford.
     The supply is to be hauled by the contractors to the bridge site beginning some time next week, or just as soon as the shovels are ready to begin on another lower 15-foot cut.  The discovery of the sand and gravel will save the government much money in the awarding of the bridge bids.
     The material to be used both for the bridge abutments and for the huge anchorage blocks which will hold the strong steel cables from which will hang the floor fo the bridge.
__________________________________________________________________________

          from paper uncertain, January 27, 1934:

ADD NEW FERRY AT COULEE DAM
                _________

     GRAND COULEE DAM SITE, Jan. 27.--(Special.)--Beginning the first of the week, Sam Seaton, pioneer ferry operator, will have a monopoly here no longer.
     Another ferry, formerly operated at Brewster, is making its way up the Columbia river now and will be put into operation here within four days, E. Paul Ford, general superintendent for David H. Ryan, announced yesterday.
     The "vessel" will be manned by Tuttle Brothers, owners of the 80-ton barge, Pomonavis, located here, and will be capable of carrying 30 tons, sufficient to take care of the heavy equipment that is being taken across the river daily from the west to the east side.
__________________________________________________________________________

          from the Wenatchee World, Jan. 27, 1934 (the headline is missing from this clipping):

     GRAND COULEE DAM SITE, Jan. 27.--Another Ferry, to take care of the ever-increasing number of cars and trucks hauling equipment across the Columbia river daily, will start service here within a few days, E. Paul Ford, general superintendent for David H. Ryan, excavation contractor told the World yesterday.
     The new river-crossing vessel is being transported up the river from Brewster and is known there as the "Brewster Power Ferry."  It is a side-wheeler type in contrast to the cable ferry now used by Sam Seaton, pioneer operator here.
     According to Ford, the new ferry will be operated by Tuttle Brothers and is capable of carrying 30 tons, thus enabling heavy trucks and other machinery to cross the river at greater speed and safety than on Seaton's vessel which is not equipedconveyer, Ford said.
     Extra-heavy equipment still will be taken across the Columbia on the 80-ton barge, "Pomonavis," also owned by Tuttle brothers.  The ferry, escorted by one of the launches located here, had arrived at Bridgeport from Brewster last night and will arrive here in about four days.
     The former Brewster vessel will use the slips, located about 100 yards downstream from the old landing, which to date have been used solely by the "Pomonavis."
     Ford pointed out that in the near future the roadway to Seaton's ferry would be dug up by the excavators and that unless Seaton planned to build a new roadway the present ferry would not be able to operate.
     Tuttle brothers have secured an official permit to operate in competition with Seaton, Ford said.

__________________________________________________________________________

           from the Wenatchee World (?), Feb. 8, 1934:

Uncle Sam Claims More Damsite Land
                _________

     SPOKANE, Wash., Feb. 8. (AP)--Uncle Sam laid claim to more land for construction of the Grand Coulee dam when today condemnation suit was filed against Eva D. Burdin of Okanogan county.
     By filing the suit the reclamation service takes title to the land and can use it pending adjudication of the sale price.  The land in question is assertedly needed for the reservoir to be created by the dam.

GRAND COULEE STILL PIONEER BERG (1934)

          from the Wenatchee World, Feb. 12, 1934:

Grand Coulee Is Still A Pioneer Berg
      * * *         * * *         * * *
Everyone Greets Neighbor With "Hello"
      * * *         * * *         * * *
Sheep Band Disrupts Town's Dignity
                 _________

               By HU BLONK
     GRAND COULEE DAM SITE, Feb. 12.--Just when Grand Coulee townsite, the most developed area here to date, was beginning to feel dignified and was adopting an air of a metropolis, along comes someone to take away that pleasant feeling of importance.
     Day by day, the growing town is gaining more and more the aspects of a real honest-to-goodness modern city.  Sidewalks came this week, graveled streets arrived two weeks ago, refrigeration plants have been installed in a few business houses, the water supply system will be here soon, electricity is just around the corner, with it will come radio, phone service is available, mail arrives every day, the weekly newspaper is doing a thriving business and various other things have made Grand Coulee townsite feel that it has a right to be proud.
               Is It Any Wonder
     No wonder that many of the residents were slightly perturbed and the civic dignity disturbed yesterday.  Some neglectful farmer, with malice aforethought, beyond question drove his herd of sheep right through mainstreet.
     Now everyone knowsokane, Seattle, Portland, all cities of unquestionable importance, certainly do not have bawling sheep cluttering down its avenues.  "There ought to be a law" certainly against degrading a city the size of Grand Coulee by running a herd of wooly creatures through its thoroughfares.
        Hard as it has tried, however, to paint the picture truly, Grand Coulee is
   still just a pioneer town.  Roads are still six-inches deep of mud during rainy
   weather, entrance to the townsite is still via a one-way road with rough
   bounces and shakes accompanying every ride to the town.
     Baths are at a premium, rooms too are costly.  Wallpaper is a luxury indeed, a sewage system a thing to dream of.  Main street is still pitch dark at night and the ever-present sagebrush plant still grows along the roadways.
               A Pioneer Spirit
     Everyone knows everyone else, a cheery "hello" accompanies every meeting.  The school is still a one-room building and books are few and far between.  Pressed trousers are a scarcity, the hightop shoes and rolled pantleg being the prevailing mode here.
     One-room cabins, tents and shacks, are "homes" to most of the pioneers here and a half-gallon wash basin is the bathtub.  Water is brought in by the bucket, running water would be "elite" here for sure.
     A post-office is to come here soon but now the newspaper office and its editor is the mailing place and the postmaster.  Housewives don't bemoan a half-inch of wet clay on their floors for rugs are yet in the coming.  Beer parlors with their poker games are still the community gathering places and tenders serve all there is unreservedly over the bars.
        But despite all the inconveniences and all the hardships, Grand Coulee
   is a happy town.  Everybody's optimistic and a pessimist can find a few to
   be pessimistic to.  For all who live here where the "big dam" is going up
   see better days ahead.
     Grand Coulee has more smiles per front foot than any city in the world.  Ask anyone here.

__________________________________________________________________________

          from the Seattle Post Intelligenser, 1934 (exact date not showing in clipping):

Newest Town of U. S. Springs Up on Grand Coulee
                _________

New Site Already Boasts Score of Business Houses; Dam Work Progressing
                _________

     Over on the river flats of Grand Coulee, where the sage brush grew undisturbed six months ago as it had grown for thousands of years, are the buildings of the newest town in the United States.
     And where the coyotes wailed at the moon as it rose above the buttes, is now the clamor and bustle of a town, the piping of machine-shop whistles and the grunt of steam shovels.
     For Grand Coulee, the town, has sprung up on the site of the great dam which is to span the Columbia River in the rugged basin cut by the river among the great hills.

SMALL HOMES GOING UP

     Under the shadows of the towering bare walls, baked by the suns of summer to yellow and brown and carved by the freshets of spring into weird sculptures, the townsite now boasts a score or more of business houses.  New small homes are going up every day as workers arrive to join the swarms of men laboring along the river banks.
     Contractors' camps and shops line the shores of the Columbia, and a ferry plies back and forth all day, transporting men and machinery across the swirling waters which soon will be tamed.

SHOVELS GNAWING AT HILLS

     Batteries of power shovels are gnawing away a hill on the west bank, excavating for the dam foundations.  The work goes on all night under huge floodlights which throw long reflections upward toward the lonely hilltops.
     One of the most difficult feats confronting the engineers of the project was in floating ponderous power shovels and other heavy equipment across the river so work could progress on both banks at once.  This was accomplished by the use of barges.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

MORE GRAND COULEE DAM ARTICLES, 1933-1934

     From the Almira Herald, 1933 (exact date missing).

START THE HIGH DAM NOW, OR IT MAY NEVER BE BUILT!

     The report of the Columbia Basin Commission, submitted to the legislature at its recent session, indicates the multiple arch type of dam, first planned by the bureau of reclamation, is no longer favored.  According to the report, three types are now being considered by the Denver office of the reclamation service, before final plans for the Grand Coulee dam are perfected.  The first is is a low dam of the gravity type; the second, a low dam of the gravity type superimposed upon the foundations for the high dam, which it is proposed to carry up to low water level; the third, construction of the proposed high dam as high as the $63,000,000 now available will carry it.
     The construction of the multiple arch dam, first proposed, would have meant the scrapping of approximately $34,000,000 worth of the property when the time came for building the high dam--which would be the equivalent to saying the high dam would never have been built, because Congress would never have stood for the waste. *
     The question now arises which of the tree types now proposed is the most feasible.  The first type can be discarded at once.  The second is better, but not good enough.  The only sensible plan would be to build right while we are building--and scrap nothing.  The third plan will undoubtedly be favored by Congress and a majority of the people of the State of Washington.  For after all is said and done, the reclamation feature of the development is the greatest.  Cheap power would be fine, of course, but we should look into the future in the interests of our posterity.
     It is the opinion of The Herald that if this Grand Coulee project is handled in a business-like way there will be no trouble getting money to complete it when the $63,000,000 is used up.
     The people of the state should stand solidly for the high dam.  The low dam spells failure of the entire project.

 *     He definitely did not have in mind a Congress like what we have now.--CousinSam

__________________________________________________________________________

          From the Almira Herald, January 19, 1934:

DAMSITE LANDOWNERS ARE ENTITLED TO MORE MONEY

     The federal government has offered the damsite landowners a fraction of the worth of their property,a s reckoned for other purposes, and they are supposed to meekly submit to this injustice.  It is said that low values were set on the land at the damsite so that no expensive precedent would be set.  When it comes time to buy the land further back, that will be flooded by the reservoir waters, the government agents can then point to the low prices the damsite land owners were willing to take, and thereby effect a staggering saving.
     It may sound like a very good argument, but it is rather inconsistent, it appears to The Herald. *
     The late William Raths, Sr., devoted many long years to his homestead; he looked forward to better days ahead for himself and his heirs--but now the children are offered a couple of thousand dollars to give up their home in order that property on all sides may be made more valuable by the big development.
     Sam J. Seaton, damsite ferryman, is asked to get out, give up the family home and sacrifice a ferry business that might prove worth thousands of dollars a year--sacrifice everything, his life's hopes and ambitions, for a pitiful seven thousand dollars.
     Julius C. Johnson, the man who undoubtedly ranks first among the local boosters for the Grand Coulee dam project--who has spent thousands of dollars of his own money to help finance the pioneering work of the project--is told that the government is taking his damsite 160 acres and offering him in payment the ridiculous sum of six hundred-odd dollars.  The highway and railroad right-of-ways run across the property, ordinarily bringing the landowner thousands of dollars;--not to mention the fact that a part of the main construction activity will also take place on this Johnson land.
     In the face of all this skimping by the government to save a few thousand dollars additional that rightfully should be paid each of the damsite landowners, the neat sum of $400,000 is to be spent or invested in a steel bridge, primarily for the use of the contractors who will build the dam; other hundreds of thousands of dollars will be spent on building up a government camp, that the comparatively few government employees that will supervise the building of the dam may live in comfort.   These things are proper; we offer no criticism of them, but merely use them as examples of the inconsistency.
     The government has brought court action to force acceptance of the low prices offered.  However, the damsite landowners will attempt to produce evidence to prove the land worth more, and the public will applaud their spirit and wish them success.

*     So when in the history of government has government not been inconsistent?--CousinSam
__________________________________________________________________________
          One week later:

GOVERNMENT WHOULD RESPECT RIGHTS OF ALL CITIZENS

     The editorial printed by The Herald last week on the low and seemingly unfair prices offered the damsite land owners for their property by the government received wide publicity in daily and weekly newspapers, and has caused much comment.  The pendulum of public opinion may be expected to swing toward these Columbia river pioneers.  It was reported early this week that the big steam shovels used in excavation work were already nearing the Sam Seaton home on the east side of the river, apparently threatening to dig its foundations from the ground.  This illustrates one of the hardships suffered by the damsite settlers--to be turned out of house and home, in the middle of winter.  Surely the federal government is not "too big" * to recognize the rights of its humble citizens!

*     Big government was "too big" then, and that was 78 years ago!--CousinSam

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

RESEARCH ON ROBERT VANSICKLE

United States Census, 1900 for Robert B Vansickle

Name:Robert B Vansickle
Titles:
Residence:Brents, Columbia, Condon, Grand Coulee, and Meridian Precincts, Lincoln, Washington
Birth Date:Jan 1863
Birthplace:Pennsylvania
Relationship to Head-of-Household:Self
Spouse Name:
Spouse Titles:
Spouse Birth Place:
Father Name:
Father Titles:
Father Birthplace:Pennsylvania
Mother Name:
Mother Titles:
Mother Birthplace:Pennsylvania
Race or Color (expanded):White
Head-of-household Name:
Gender:Male
Marital Status:Widowed
Years Married:
Estimated Marriage Year:
Mother How Many Children:
Number Living Children:
Immigration Year:
Enumeration District:0034
Sheet Number and Letter:6A
Household ID:108
Reference Number:27
GSU Film Number:1241747
Image Number:00248
HouseholdGenderAge
  Robert B Vansickle M
Child Albert L Vansickle M
Child Charles S Vansickle M
Electa J Bonney F
Child Myrtie M Bouney

__________________________________________________________________________

United States Census, 1910 for Rober B Vansickle

Name:Rober B Vansickle
Birthplace:Pennsylvania
Relationship to Head of Household:Self
Residence:Condon, Lincoln, Washington
Marital Status:Married
Race :White
Gender:Male
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace:Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace:Pennsylvania
Family Number:113
Page Number:8
HouseholdGenderAge
  Rober B Vansickle M49y
Child Albert L Vansickle M17y
Child Charles S Vansickle M16y

__________________________________________________________________________

United States Census, 1920 for Robert E Vansickle

Name:Robert E Vansickle
Residence:, Lincoln, Washington
Estimated Birth Year:1918
Age:2
Birthplace:Washington
Relationship to Head of Household:Son
Gender:Male
Race:White
Marital Status:Single
Father's Birthplace:Washington
Mother's Birthplace:West Virginia
Film Number:1821933
Digital Folder Number:4390969
Image Number:00862
Sheet Number:4
HouseholdGenderAge
Parent Charles S Vansickle M25y
Parent Myra V Vansickle F22y
Vallie L Vansickle M5y
  Robert E Vansickle M2y10m

__________________________________________________________________________

Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960 for Robert Vansickle

Name:Robert Vansickle
Death Date:03 Mar 1944
Death Place:Spokane, Spokane, Washington
Gender:Male
Race (Displayed on Form):
Age at Death:83 years 1 month 18 days
Estimated Birth Year:1861
Birth Date:
Birth Place:
Marital Status:Married
Spouse's Name:Mary Vansickle
Father's Name:Levi Vansickle
Father's Birth Place:
Mother's Name:Sarah Seaton
Mother's Birth Place:
Occupation:
Street Address:
Residence:
Cemetery:
Burial Place:
Burial Date:
Additional Relatives:
Film Number:2032393
Digital GS Number:4224995
Image Number:1705
Volume/Page/Certificate Number:360

__________________________________________________________________________

RESEARCH--LINCOLN COUNTY CEMETERIES

     To be included in this listing there must be a known or strongly suspected family or historical connection.  These are partial listings.

 LINCOLN COUNTY OBITUARIES 
http://wagenweb.org/lincoln/obits.html

__________________________________________________________________________

Wilbur Cemetery:

Dumas, Bessie, b. 1882, d. 1970, B-12/L-2
Dumas, Charles B., b. 1878, d. 1946, B-12/L-2

Rinker, Calidonia, b. Jun 12, 1853, d. 1932 Apr 13, w/o Samuel C., B-170/L-8
Rinker, Cora Lee, b. 1879, d. 1977, B-170/L-7
Rinker, Dale W., b. 1934, d. 1952, "Our son""A place is vacant in our home, which never can be filled", B-68/L-3, B-B
Rinker, Edith D., b. 1905, d. 1988, B-68/L-3
Rinker, Garnet A., b. 1898, d. 1987, s/w Wesley, B-52/L-12
Rinker, Helen E., b. 1913, d. 1986, s/w Sam C., B-170/L-4
Rinker, Royal E., b. 1905, d. 1994, B-68/L-3
Rinker, Sam C., b. 1908, d. 1992, B-"Together forever", B-170/L-4
Rinker, Samuel C., b. Jun 01, 1844, d. 1912 Oct 11, @68y 4m 4d, B-170/L-8
Rinker, Vallie, b. 1891, d. 1970, s/w Vera, B-170/L-6
Rinker, Vera, b. 1895, d. 1982, B-170/L-6
Rinker, Washington, b. 1872, d. 1922, B-170/L-7
Rinker, Wesley, b. 1896, d. 1989, B-52/L-12

Vansickle, Charles S., b. 1894, d. 1937, B-199/L-12
Vansickle, Faye M., b. 1915, d. 1995, B-199/L-10
Vansickle, Robert B., b. 1864, d. 1944, B-199/L-12
Vansickle, Robert Lee, b. 1911, d. 1974, B-199/L-7
Vansickle, Vallie L., b. 1914, d. 1983, B-199/L-10
__________________________________________________________________________

     The name Aldridge occurs in the family tree; further research will be required to determine if these are related.

ALDRIDGE, D. W.               1849-1914                        35/3
ALDRIDGE, NELLIE L.           1858-1915        s/w Alvin       35/4

                                                      7/30/1915
           Died: MRS. D. W. ALDRIDGE: MR. & MRS. D. W. ALDRIDGE came
          here  in 1899 & a son filed a homestead down near the Columbia
          River.


ALDRIDGE, J. A. MRS.           No information                   35/10
ALDRIDGE, J. A.                ( -1929 @70y)                    35/10 


                                                      11/21/1929
          Died: JACK ALDRIDGE, Pioneer, found dead in Cabin: Body
          found by neighbor, OTIS MARTIN in his little ranch house

          in Grand Coulee, near Steamboat Rock.  A victim of an
          accidental shooting. The entire top of his head having
          been blown off from a rifle shot. He was a pioneer
          having lived in Wilbur, Keller, & Coulee at intervals of
          over 40 years. His nephew SHORTY ALDRIDGE was in Wilbur
          making arrangements today. His only daughter is expected
          to arrive tonight from her home in Oregon. He was
          70 years old.  Brother to D. W. ALDRIDGE who was employed
          several years with The Wilbur Register.


Keller, Claude; ( b. Nov 3, 1913, d. Apr 17, 1956)  55/1                                                                                                        “Funeral services were held Thursday at Wilbur for Claude Keller, 42, former Sprague youth and manager of the Wilbur Grange supply firm. He had died suddenly the Tuesday previous. Keller was born at Uniontown, WA, on Nov 3, 1913. He was married to Alma Melcher, April 14, 1941, at Ritzville. He moved to Wilbur in March of 1943.  He is survived by his wife, Alma; two daughters, Faye and Claudine; and son, Gary, all at the home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Keller, Sprague; two sisters, Mrs. Robert Doerschlag, Sprague; Mrs. Alfred Keehner, Spokane; several nieces and nephews.” (Odessa Record: 4-26-1956)

 Died: MRS. CALEDONIA RINKER: Pioneer; She came here with
       her husband SAMUEL C. RINKER in 1883 locating at Broadax.
       Born June 12,1853 in Arkansas. Survived by three sons:
       PHILLIP RINKER, near Seattle; HARVEY RINKER, Alberta Can.;
       VALLEE RINKER, a Broadax farmer. Eight grandchildren & Five
       great grandchildren. Two children passed away; a son & daughter.


Rinker, Caledonia  “An order admitting the will of Mrs Caledonia Rinker, Wilbur, to probate and naming her son, Valley Rinker, as executrix, has been signed. The estate consists of residence property in Wilbur.” (Edit: original used spelling of Ringer for Mrs Rinker; Odessa Record: 12-13-1935)  “A petition for probate of the will of Mrs Caledonia Rinker, Wilbur pioneer, who died April 14, 1932, and the naming of her son, Valley Rinker, executor, was filed. The estate consists of residence property at Wilbur.” (Odessa Record: 11-15-1935)*

RINKER, SAMUEL C.      Jun 01,1844-1912 Oct 11 @68y 4m 4d  170/8
RINKER, WASHINGTON       1872-1922                           170/7
                                                    5/12/1922
        Died at Wenatchee: Pioneer - WASHINGTON RINKER an early
        pioneer of Broadax region. His father S. C. RINKER & family
        came to the region in 1883 from Kansas locating near the old
        Hesseltine P.O. His grandfather WASHINGTON RINKER, who was
        born in Tennessee, but lived in Kansas during the bloody
        days preceding & throughout the civil war. MRS. S. C. RINKER,
        mother of the deceased, makes her home in Wilbur.  Survived
        by other members of his fathers family as well as his own
       immediate family.
RINKER, CORA LEE         1879-1977                          170/7


SEATON, M(ARY)E.              1851-1900   age 49               7/7
SEATON, THOMAS B.             1843-1920                        7/7
                                                     11/19/1920
        Died: THOMAS B. SEATON: Born in Feb 19,1841 at Hopwood, Penn
        & moved to Missouri at age 29 years. He married MINERVA,
        ALDRIDGE on July 3,1877. One child was born to them CORA
        LEE RINKER. MRS. ALDRIDGE SEATON died Mar 7,1879. MR. SEATON
        married again to MARY ELLEN LONGACRE. There were six
        children to this union, five sons & one daughter. Sons;
        BALIS, SAMUEL, HALLEY, CLEVELAND, ELMER, & daughter is
        BESSIE DUMAS.


VanSickle, Chas; ( b. 1894, d. 1937) 199/12   
“An order appointing Mrs. Myra V. Van Sickle, Creston, as administratrix of the estate of her husband, Charles S. VanSickle, was signed in superior court at Davenport. The estate is valued at $8,000. Heirs are the widow, two sons and a daughter.” (Odessa Record: 2-04-1937; Burial in Wilbur)


VanSickle, Robert L           2-21-1974
“Funeral services for Robert Lee VanSickle were held from the Wilbur Lutheran Church on Wednesday, Feb 20, 1974. The Rev Roland Wuest of Pasco and the Rev A F Gerstmann officiated. Music was by the congregation and a solo by Frank Hanson, accompanied by Mrs Roy Sassman on the organ. Masonic rites were conducted at the Wilbur Cemetery by Lee’s brother Masons of the Tuscan Masonic Lodge of Wilbur. They also served as pall bearers. The Robertson Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Honorary pall bearers: Wally Meyer, Ing Hansen, Norman Houger, Fred Haydon, Ben Johnson, Phil Gardner, Ralph Starzman, Jim Rosman, Lorin Simons,  Vern Nate, Tony Brown and Richard Hedrick. Robert Lee VanSickle was born Feb 13, 1917 near Almira and entered into rest during his sleep on Feb 14, 1974 at his daughter’s home in Long Beach , CA .  The VanSickle family moved to Creston when Lee was five years old and he has been a resident there since that time. After his graduation from Creston High School , Lee operated the family business upon the death of his father, Charles VanSickle. His mother, Myra V nee Buchanan, also preceded him in death. Lee married Alice Schafer on Jan 1, 1939 in Spokane and to this union were born two daughters, Mrs Roy ( Nancy ) Todd of  Ventura, CA, and Mrs H E (Kay) McGuinness, Long Beach , CA . In addition to his wife at the home, and his daughters, he is survived by two grandsons, Ricky Todd and Shawn McGuinness and two granddaughters, Kristina Todd and Kathleen McGuinness; one sister, Mrs Ivan (Eva) Hansen of Livermore, CA and a brother, Vallie VanSickle, Kettle Falls, and numerous other relatives.  Lee was widely known for the VanSickle sub-soiler and was reputed to be one of the best welders in the county. He was very active in the business until Oct 13, 1966 when he suffered a severe coronary occlusion and had been disabled since that time. Lee was a member of the Wilbur Lutheran Church and Tuscan Lodge No. 81, F & AM. Also he was a former member of the Creston Town
__________________________________________________________________________

Almira Cemetery:

Washington :  Nat W Washington, prosecuting attorney of Grant County , residing at Ephrata, his sister, Peachy, and brother James Washington, were drowned in the Columbia River while in bathing Saturday. The body of James has been recovered but dynamite was used without success in an endeavor to raise the other brother and sister and ferrymen down the river have been notified to be on the look out for their bodies...James and Peachy Washington were operating a stock ranch north of Almira.” (Excerpt: Odessa Record: 7-16-1926)  “The bodies of N W Washington and his sister, Peachy who were drowned in the Columbia River near Seaton Ferry, July 10 were found Saturday morning near Bridgeport in Douglas County , 75 miles below the scene of their death.  They were taken to Almira where a triple funeral service was held for James, Peachy and Nat Washington last Wednesday and their remains were laid beside those of their father and brother in the Almira Cemetery .” (Odessa Record: 7-23-1926) Jacob Oster took Chris Musselman to Soap Lake Sunday. Mr Oster brought back the news to Ruff that N W Washington had drowned in the Columbia River .”  (Odessa Record: Ruff Column: 7-16-1926) {Edit: Placements of burials in Almira Cemetery for the Washington family members was taken from a list provided by Pat Rice while she was researching the burials of the north portion of Lincoln County and surrounding cemeteries beyond the county burials.}
Washington , Nathanial W; d. 7-16-1926, age 45, drowning; burial in S-29.
Washington, Peachy Ryland; d. 7-10-1926, age 42, drowning; burial S-61.
Washington, James C; d. 7-10-1926, age 43, drowning; burial S-61.
Washington, Gladys F; d. 6-17-1969, age 79; burial S-29.
Washington, Janet Fairleigh; d. 1911, age 43; burial S-61.
Washington, Hanna Lee; d. 1917; age 46; burial S-61.
Washington, Emma W; d. 1930, age 87; burial S-61.
Washington, Bushrod C;  d. 2-24-1919, age 80, influenza; burial S-61.
__________________________________________________________________________

County Pioneer Obituaries
 DROWNS IN CRAB CREEK  
The Davenport Times-Tribune,  January 3, 1935
   MISS CLARA KEINHOLZ, age 43, who has been ill mentally for about 10 years, was found drowned in Crab Creek near her home 1 miles southeast of Harrington, Wednesday of last week.  The funerals was held at the Sassin church south of Edwall, Friday, with the REV. DAVID  REINS officiating.  Miss Keinholz graduated from the Harrington high school and Cheney normal school and taught several years in this county.  She is survived by her parents, five brothers and sisters. *
__________________________________________________________________________

County Miscellaneous Obituaries 1908 through present...File 1 * 

Kienholz, George, Mar 14, 1913
George, the 7 month old baby of Mr. & Mrs. E. E. Kienholz, died Saturday morning, March 8, and was buried Sunday morning the 2nd inst, the funeral being held from the German ME Church. The little one contracted pneumonia last fall and never seemed to fully recover. It took the gripp and was unable to withstand the effects. The sorrowing family have the sympathy of their many friends. (Citizen)  

County Miscellaneous Obituaries 1908 through present... File 2 *

[the name Ahern does occur in the tree, three girls who came west with the Postons, but if the following is realated, it is very distant]

Ahern, Lester M.,  4-05-1973
“Funeral services were held Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, Reardan, for Lester M. Ahern, a long-time area resident, who died in Spokane March 26, 1973.  He was born at Medical Lake in 1900, and spent his early childhood in Downs; at the age of 10, he moved with his parents to homestead at Deep Creek.  Ahern continued to live there, operating a farm until his retirement in 1970, when he and his wife moved to Reardan.  He was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Reardan, a charter member of the Reardan Lions Club; past master and member of the Reardan Lodge No 146, F & AM; past patron of Starlight Chapter No. 90, Order of Eastern Star; Spokane Consistory of Scottish Rite Bodies; El Katif Shrine; 50-year member , Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Davenport; and a charter member of West Deep Creek Grange.  Officiating at the funeral services were the Rev Forrest C. Travaille and the Rev C. C. Saunders. Soloist was Mrs. Bob Zwainz , with Paul Lillengreen at the organ. Burial services followed at Spokane Memorial Gardens with Reardan Lodge No. 146, F & AM participating. Casket bearers were Donald Sullivan, John Porter, Jr., Dave Franklin, Tom Sipp, Zene (Pepper) Stillar, Larry Sullivan, Billy Sullivan, Robert Porter and Lloyd Pilant. Honorary bearers were Leonard Humphrey, Glenn Humphrey, Herman Wagner, Bill Colville, Ralph Frisk, John Hampton, Robert Anderson, George Reinbold, Ray Stevenson, Jerry Stevenson, Thomas Landreth, Joe McLaughlin, Clinton Landreth and William Meyer.  Survivors include the widow, Loreen, at the home; daughters, Phyllis Sullivan, Spokane and Connie Hayden, Spokane Valley; step-daughters, Norleen Stillar, Montgomery Ala. , and Norma Porter, Spokane; 13 grandchildren; one great granddaughter; a sister, Mae Beattie, Medical Lake; and several nieces and nephews.” (Davenport Times:  4-05-1973) 

Ahern, Loreen W.,   10-25-1984
“Loreen M Ahern died last Sunday, Oct 21, 1984 at the Southcrest Convalescent Home in Spokane. She had lived in Reardan for 70 years.  Ahern was born on July 30, 1905 to Lee and Myrtle Worthy in Alberton,WA.  Survivors include two daughters, Noreen Stillar and Norma Porter, both of Spokane; one step daughter, Connie Hayden of Spokane; six sisters, Erma Morrison, of Spokane, Evoril Brodersen of Pasco, Iris Jauntis of Tacoma, Joan Opendack of Spokane, Doris Earl of Newport and Lola Hall of Colfax; one brother, Marvin Worthy of Spokane; 15 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Ahern participated as member of the Reardan Presbyterian Church, the West Deep Creek Grange 880, the Rebecca Lodge, the Reardan Chapter of OES, El Karnak and Chapter 6, Daughters of the Nile. Funeral services took place yesterday, Wednesday, Oct 24, at the Reardan Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. with Rev John Thomas officiating the service.  Interment took place at the Spokane Memorial Gardens Cemetery.” (Davenport Times:  10-25-1984) 

County Miscellaneous Obituaries 1908 through present... File 3* 

Aldridge, Steven M.,        2-04-1987
“Steven McAdore Aldridge. Died: 2-04-1987, Davenport, WA.  Spouse: Grace Yarwood. Father: Steven Russell Aldridge. Mother: Elizabeth VanSlyke. Buried: Inland Evergreen Crematory, Spokane,  WA.” (Lincoln Co Health death card) 


Rinker, Samuel C.,         est. 4-15-1927
“The Oregon Mortgage company filed suit against George Bandy, administrator of the estate of Samuel C. Rinker, seeking to recover $2,595 on a foreclosure action and $300 attorney fee.” (Odessa Record: 4-15-1927)


Edwall Cemetery Obituaries


Kienholz, Cordelia Myrtle  (Apr 21, 1897-Apr 9, 1902; d/o EE & Anna)

Kienholz, George (added: d. 1913)  “George, the seven months old baby of Mr and Mrs E E Kienholz, died Saturday morning, March 8th and was buried Sunday morning the 2nd inst, the funeral being held from the German ME church. The little one contracted pneumonia last fall and never seemed to fully recover. It took the gripp and was unable to withstand the effects. The sorrowing family have the sympathy of their many friends.” (Citizen: Edwall Section: March 14, 1913) “The infant child of Mr and Mrs E E Kienholz is sick with pneumonia.” (Nov 1, 1912 of Harrington Citizen) 


Hartline Cemetery Obituaries


Gilman, Cecil Harvey, b. 1/8/1909, d. 8/15/1985, 202/4, vet Cox US Navy WW II

Kelley, Daniel Duane, b. 8/23/1951, d. 8/27/1989
Kelley, Daniel Lee, not marked, RB, 243/3
Kelley, Edward Donald, b. 9/19/1947, d. 8/10/1968, 195/1
Kelley, Infant boy, b., d. 5/28/1954, 177/1

Seaton, Gladys E., b. 1912, d. 1978, 140/5
Seiler, Vesta Mae, b. 10/15/1919, d. 4/3/2002, 227/2

Vance, Baby, 1913, 86/2
Vance, Orval Eugene, b. 1919, d. 1922, 86/1