PHILIP McENTEE 1830-1901

PHILIP McENTEE, Deceased.  The memory of Philip McEntee is green in the hearts of ail the old timers in Douglas county.  No words that we could utter would fully portray the real worth and excellence of the man as a bright business man and a true pioneer and capable frontiersman. It is fitting, however, that in the volume which pictures the history of this interesting section, a review of his life should occur and it is with pleasure that we append this memoir.
     Philip McEntee was born in Ireland, in 1830, and there remained the first sixteen years of his life. His educational training was there secured and at the age mentioned, he came to New York as a stowaway. He was soon learning the plumber's trade in that metropolis, and this was followed until the early sixties, when he was forced by the western fever to cross the plains, and finally drifted into British Columbia, where he mined on the Fraser river. In the seventies he went thence to Bear Gulch, Montana, and there sought the golden sands until 1877, when he made his way to Washington, and joined a surveying party which was establishing the north line of the United States.  While in this employ, he was favored and did well in financial matters. With his earnings he bought cattle and located where Coulee City now stands. In the spring of 1881, he built the first house here. The winter previous as also in 1890-1, he lost heavily on account of the rigorous weather.  He was not a man to be daunted by such reverses, however, and he continued in the business with commendable pluck and energy. When Mr. McEntee located here there were no inhabitants, except the Indians and an occasional stockman. He would take bands of cattle and unaided drive them clear to British Columbia and there sell to the mines, making his way back alone. Such great exertions as these besides many others incident to the stock business in a new country, were the lot of Mr. McEntee. and few people know the real hardships of the pioneer, unless they have taken part in them. He saw the country settle up and was always a broad minded man, ever welcoming the ingress of farmers, although a stockman, whose interests, should he consider himself alone, were adverse to the farmers.

     Three years before his death, Mr. McEntee was thrown from his horse and sustained severe injuries in his left side. Later tuberculosis of the stomach developed and in 1901, he was in the hands of the doctors receiving the best attention that could be given.  All was futile, however, and on the eighth day of July, 1901, it being Monday, he fell asleep peacefully, although he had been a great sufferer during his illness. His remains were interred with impressive ceremonies and the whole country was draped in real mourning, for they well knew one of the stalwarts had gone. In the land where he had met the adversities and hardships known only to the progressive pioneer, had met and overcome, where he had labored wisely and well to bring in the dawn of one of the states to be of this great nation, where he won such success owing to his great endurance and capabilities, there sleeps quietly the casket where dwelt the fearless soul and dauntless spirit of one of the grand men of Washington.

     In 1891, Mr. McEntee married Miss Elizabeth Evans, a native of Pennsylvania and the daughter of William D. Evans. To this union two children have been born, Mary and Philip.  Mrs. McEntee is now dwelling in Spokane and has the advantage offered by the city schools for her children. Mr. McEntee was enabled to leave to his loved ones a goodly competence and his widow is to be commended for the wisdom manifested in the management of the estate.

________________________

DOUGLAS CO BIO INDEX

________________________

The 1900 Census gives 1840  as his year of birth::

Name:	Phillip Mcentee
Titles & Terms:
Residence:	Crab Creek, Havod, Paradise Valley, and Grand Coulee Precincts, Douglas, Washington
Birth Date:	May 1840
Birthplace:	Ireland
Relationship to Head of Household:	Self
Spouse:	Lizzie Mcentee
Spouse's Titles & Terms:
Spouse's Birthplace:	Pennsylvania
Father:
Father's Titles & Terms:
Father's Birthplace:	Ireland
Mother:
Mother's Titles & Terms:
Mother's Birthplace:	Ireland
Race or Color (expanded):	White
Head-of-household Name:	Phillip Mcentee
Gender:	Male
Marital Status:	Married
Years Married:	8
Estimated Marriage Year:	1892
Mother How Many Children:
Number Living Children:
Immigration Year:	1860
Enumeration District:	0013
Page:	1
Sheet Letter:	B
Family Number:	23
Reference Number:	88
Film Number:	1241742
Image Number:	00953
	Household	Gender	Age
	Phillip Mcentee	M
Spouse	Lizzie Mcentee	F
Child	Mary Mcentee	F
Child	Phillip Mcentee	M
	David Gallagher	M
	Michael Burke	M

for a view of the original, go to:
https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.2/1B2J-W9B/p_18970713

FROM PIONEERS TO POWER - post 19

________________________

post 18        Table of Contents        post 20

________________________

98

ALAMEDA FLATS

There are three quite distinct terraces along the Columbia River from Rod Hopkin's place downriver to the Natural Watering place, a distance of about 12 miles.  The terrace nearest the river is quite narrow and sandy.  The second one is wider and better soil.  The third, or top terrace, is wide and level with good soil.  The rises from each terrace are about two hundred yards and quite steep.  Mostly sand hills, and in some places a scattering of little round rocks.

Vernile Hopkins came into this area in about 1885 from California and settled on the first terrace along the Columbia River, about fifteen miles downriver from Grand Coulee.  He built a log house and developed his land.  He had a grape vineyard, fine Bartlett pears, cots with seeds so much like almonds that they were saved to use as nuts, blue Italian prunes, luscious cherries, and probably the best peaches ever raised in Washington.  He raised a family of four boys and two girls, Altha and Myrtle.  The boys, Rod, Elzy, Clarence, and Babe were great horsemen in early days.  Rod homsteaded upriver a few miles from his fathers home.  Elzy homesteaded downriver along what is called the Elzy Canyon.

The first school in this area was held in the Hopkin's home in about 1902.  Mrs. Rod Hopkins' sister, Eunice Simpson, taught.  She was the Eunice Seaton who later taught many years in the Coulee Dam area.

________________________

99

The second homestead was taken by the Jose brothers, Bob and Harry, in 1902.  It was at the foot of what is now Strahl Canyon on Squaw Creek, about fifteen miles downriver from the Hopkins place on the top terrace.  It was a fine level piece of land.  They developed about 15 acres of fine orchard, taking the water from Meadow Springs to irrigate it.  The two young men dug 6,000 feet of ditch, mostly by hand, to bring the water down.  This place was sold in 1914 to Lawson Dewey, and in about 1946 to Bill Ehlers, who runs a cattle ranch there now.

John Thirleen was probably the next settler who also had a fine piece of land in the top terrace, but no water except a well for house use,  He had a blacksmith shop.

The Edwards came in about 1906.  Mrs. Edwards and her three children, Forest, Don, and Dolly settled the land between the Thirleen and Jose places.

It was about this time that a man came into the country who promoted a homesteaders boom by settling homesteaders for one hundred dollars apiece.  He was a good salesman for in a very short time the Flats were all settled.

A Post Office was started in 1907 in the Lantzy home on the river where Stout's boat landing was.  Lillie Lantzy, a sixteen year old girl, carried the first mail from Rex to Alameda on horseback.  Since the post office was named Alameda the whole area became known as Alameda Flats.  Sunday School was held in the Lantzy home.  Lewie West, another early homesteader, was superintendent of the Sunday School for several years.  He also carried mail after Lillie quit.

A schoolhouse was built near the Thirleen place in about 1910.  A nice store was built near the Jose place by a Mr. Kincade, then sold to George B. Cooley and later moved down to the Natural Watering Place and eventually sold to Willis Pendell and then moved across the river.

In about 1910 there probably were 25 homesteaders of the Flats, making a real thriving community with post office, school, and country store.  There was much social activity such as dances, parties, dinners, and usually picnicking following Sunday School.

An irrigation project was promoted and a group of Surveyors came in to see what could be done and found there was not enough water to do any good.  The homesteaders began to realize that the land, without water, would not make them a living, so after proving up, they started moving out in about 1912.  Soon there were only the old pioneer homesteaders left.  The post office was moved to Forest Edwards' home where it remained until the government closed it.

________________________

100

The cultivated land on the two lower terraces has all gone back to natural grass.  Bill Meyer and Bill Ehlers do some dry farming on the top terrace.

The old Jose homestead, now occupied by the Ehlers family, is the only home left in the whole Alameda Flats country.  Even the buildings are gone.  The land is rented by different farmers around the area and used for pasture.

Dorothy Strahl Holbert

________________________

101

WIDBY AND JENNIE CRIDER

Widby and I came to Grand Coulee the first day of January 1935.  Widby had a job with Mason-Walsh, Atkinson and Kier as a pile driver.  Upon arriving at the dam site we had only $6.00.  Widby signed up with Mason-Walsh, Atkinson and Kier and got his slip to report to work at eleven that night, January 1, 1935.  After signing up for work we drove back up to Grand Coulee to look for a place to live.  We drove up in old Grand Coulee where mud and water was running down the streets.  We finally landed on the Heights at the Elmore-Fleishman cabins.  These cabins had been moved up there from Rock Island Dam.  The cabin that Mr. Elmore took us to was practically bare.  He went out behind and brought in a home-made table that had a layer of mud on top, a couple broken chairs and then drove down to old Grand Coulee to get a cook stove and mattress to put on an old bedstead that was in the cabin.  We paid $4.00 for a week's rent and had $2.00 left until pay day which was the next day.  It was $7.00.  There were no take-outs at first.  That $7.00 enabled us to pay another week's rent, buy groceries and gas until he got a full week-s pay which was $35.00.  That first pay check of $35.00 was like manna from heaven.

Being independent and having a regular income after several months of living with relatives and practically no money coming in except for an odd job now and then, was pure delight.

We had never seen anything like the Grand Coulee area and were intrigued.

The weather got very cold for awhile after we arrived here.  The cabin we lived in was just a layer of boards nailed on sum studding and about a 12 x 12 room and one could see daylight coming through the ends up near the roof.  We had terrible dust storms at that time.  I used to mop up the dust with water instead of trying to sweep it up as that made another dust storm right inside the cabin.

We finally completed our house and had quite a nice home at Osborne.  I enjoyed at that time watching different ones building, remodeling, setting out trees, planting lawns and improving their homes and property.

Jennie Crider

____________

MRS. LOUIS EYLAR

We came to Grand Coulee in 1933.  We first moved into one of Shaffer's cabins located about a block off of what is now Federal Avenue.  There were 24 cabins and nearly everyone living in them had a relative and his family.  The floors were of 12-inch plank that were unplaned and green and when it shrunk you could sweep the dirt through the cracks.

I didn't know whether I could live in such a place.  Nothing was done in a conventional manner.  Just about everyone used powder boxes for

________________________

102

chairs, cupboards, and storage.  They were good and sturdy and air tight.  Most people had the idea that they were only going to be here a year or so and didn't want to put much money into a place to live or didn't have any money to put into a place.

Mrs. Louis Eylar

____________

MR. AND MRS. J. T. McKEE

We arrived in Rosalia, Washington, May 25, 1903 by train from Clarksville, Missouri, a small town on the Mississippi River.  We stayed with an uncle of Jim's there and another uncle in Idaho until fall when we came to Bridgeport to live with Jim's brother, Mark, who had come to Washington a few years earlier.  It was a hard winter, feed scarce, and the men cut the soft twigs from willow trees to help stretch the feed for the cattle.  The next August, we bought the blacksmith shop in Bridgeport and ran it till the spring of 1906.

On may 2, 1906 with our two children, Henry and Irene, we moved on a homestead in the Delrio country.  This was hear the "breaks" and not to far from Condon Ferry.  Lella was our post office and a store.  It later was moved and called Delrio.

The first year we fenced the place and plowed 10 acres, planting it to corn, feeding the fodder to the cattle that first winter.  The sod was all broken out with a "foot burner" which was a one-bottom walking plow pulled with horses.

Mr. and Mrs. Phil Rinker were our closest neighbors.  They lived only about a quarter mile from us.  Not too far distant lived Mr. and Mrs. Alex Trefry, who raised horses and occasionally they would have a barn dance in their hay loft, as it was the only place big enough for such an affair.  A violin was the main source of music.

After proving up on the homestead, we bought the W. J. Davis homestead and moved there.  This made us close to the Mt. View School which all of our children attended.  The building still stands.  Mr. Davis had set out a family orchard which was killed by the big hail storm the summer of 1920 or 1921.

It was on this place that our other two children, Hayden and Estelle, were born.  Hayden now owns the place where he was born.

In 1923 lightning killed three of our horses and two more were badly cut up in a wire fence.  Severe thunder storms were fairly common.  During one such storm three of our strawstacks were struck and destroyed in 1941.  The grasshoppers ate the crops up in 1924 and feed was real scarce that coming winter.

________________________

103

We raised mostly shorthorn cattle then as there were good beef stock and also good for milking.  During the rough years several were milked and the cream sold to live on and pay taxes.  In the early days cattle to be sold were driven to Coulee City.  Usually several neighbors with cattle for sale would bunch them and make their trip together.  Here, they would be shipped by train to the Spokane market.  By the time some of the steers were sold they would be four or five years old.

The closest doctor then was at Mansfield, with hardly any roads and no telephones.  it took quit a while to get a doctor.  We kept well and didn't need a doctor very often.

In 1917 the Pearl Telephone Company built a telephone line in to the Delrio country and we could call out through Bridgeport.

A veterinarian was unheard of in the early days.  A sick animal would be given a simple remedy, and most likely it would come from the pantry shelf.

Our son Henry was fatally injured in a farm accident the spring of 1934.  After living here 34 years we moved to Pearl Hill near our daughter Irene (Mrs. Forest Hunt) the summer of 1940.  That fall, while on a trip to Missouri, Jim passed away.

I now make my home with my daughter Estelle (Mrs. Paul Rice) at Pendleton, Oregon.

Hayden McKee

____________

JOE (WILLIAM JOSEPH) PRICE

I was born in South Carolina on December 20, 1883, but our family moved west and eventually lived near Denver, Colorado for some time.  When I was about 18 years of age my father, a man named Brockman, and I started out for North Central Washington.  we came the slowest way possible! By a covered wagon pulled by two horses!  I rode horseback most of the way as we also drove 12 head of horses behind our wagon.  Most of our stock were part hotbloods, Hamiltonians-saddle or race horses.  We traveled days and days across the Wyoming semi desert prairie seeing nothing but a few antelope or bands of wild horses.  These cayuses almost caused us to lose our horses by their interference.  We came through the area where Custer had fought the Indians.  Empty shells and other signs of the battle were noticed.  Forewarned, we had only one or two dry camps, but often had to gather buffalo chips for fuel.  We left Denver in the late spring, and I recall that we arrived on the Crow Reservation on the Fourth of July where the friendly Indians were holding a big pow-wow or celebration.  We came on and finally reached this part of the state of Washington.  We crossed the Columbia at Condon Ferry, and went on to Alma (another name for Okanogan), arriving there during apple harvest.

_______________________

104

I worked there for a time, but my father came back to Washington Flats.  Before long, i came back here and filed on a homestead south of Grand Coulee.  I worked out some -- especially on threshing crews.  I eventually sold my homestead and bought the Alec Trefry place in Delrio.  I farmed there for some time and finally sold out and moved.  Now I live on the former Whiteley place which belonged to my father.

During these many years I often played my violin for dances held throughout the Rex-Delrio country.  I have fiddled at Alec Trefry's Barn Dances, at North Star, and at Fiddle Creek School as well as at the local Grange affairs years ago.

Helen E. Rinker

________________________

post 18        Table of Contents        post  20

________________________

BIG BEND p. 562: HARTLINE

________________________

COULEE CITY: p. 558        TABLE OF CONTENTS         WATERVILLE: pt.1, p. 564

________________________

562

HARTLINE.

      Late in 1888, when the Central Washington and Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern railroads were running their surveys through western Lincoln and eastern Douglas counties, there sprung into existence, in Douglas county, a town known as Parnell.  It was on the survey of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern railroad, and was four and one-half miles southeast of the present town of Hartline.  Here, in the spring of 1889, D. F. Reeves and E. J. Brower established a store under the firm name of Brower & Reeves.  This was the only business house in Parnell, and Mr. Brower soon afterward severed his connection with the enterprise. J. W. Hartline was interested in the building of a town at this point, and had not the construction of the Seattle road been abandoned quite a thriving village, doubtless, would have made its appearance at Parnell. The following from the Wilbur Register of June 14, 1889, supplies an account of one incident in the brief, ephemeral history of the town of Parnell :

      J. W. Hartline, of the promising town of Parnell. situated about ten or twelve miles west of Davisine, was in town Tuesday to get some posters announcing a celebration of the Fourth to take place there. If Mr. Hartline is a representative, with the amount of push and enterprise which he possesses, of the population of that infant city, and from previous knowledge and reports from that community we believe his neighbors are alike progressive, the place is sure to come to the front as one of the substantial trading points of this section.  There are about ten or fifteen miles of first-class farming land between Parnell and the coulee, and about twenty-five west of Wilbur, giving ample room for a good station. They expect to have a very pleasant time the Fourth and have an interesting program arranged.

     Although the town of Parnell never consisted of more than one store, preparations were made for the building of a city, and with the characteristic energy of the western townsite boomer, those interested in the building of the town sent out enthusiastic reports of its progress.  The following Parnell notes are taken from the issue of the Big Bend Empire of December 27, 1888:

      A meeting of the citizens was held at Parnell Saturday, December 7th, to take action on matters relative to the welfare of the town, G. K. Reed in the chair and John Hartline, secretary. All present expressed themselves ready to rush matters, and the future prospects are bright. Such was the enthusiasm raised at the meeting that the cry was not, 'my kingdom for a horse!" but 'a kingdom for a shower of lumber with a sprinkling of shingles!' so that the building could go on to completion, as the mills cannot supply the demand."
      Isaac Deeter, of Terre Haute, Indiana, is now home closing his affairs to engage in the merchandise business here. Messrs. Hartline & Lingle will soon complete their livery and feed stable. A. L. Ross, of Nebraska, bought three residence lots and a business lot for a home and drug store.
      W. R. Urnley will erect a suitable building for hotel purposes, while D. D. Utt will erect two more substantial business houses, and Parnell will be on the road to prosperity, and with the coming of spring will he the second city in the Big Bend, and will make an effort to reach her sister city in the west.

      It was not until September that a postoffice was established at the new town with E. J. Brower as postmaster. Shortly afterward the

________________________ 

563

store, which constituted the town, was removed to the present site of Harline and Parnell ceased to exist.  The reason for the abandonment of Parnell and the upbuilding of the town of Harthne was the failure in construction of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern railway.  A railroad was the great desideratum and the boomers gave up their project at Parnell and transported their lares and penates to where a railroad was sure to come.

      In the spring of 1889 John W. Hartline took up the quarter section of land upon which Hartline is now situated, having been located on the same by James Odgers. This homestead Mr. Hartline commuted.  Here he erected a small shack just east of where the Hartline public school building now stands. This cabin was the first edifice on the Hartline townsite.  Mr. Reeves, who had conducted the store at Parnell, in 1890 erected a store building on Mr. Hartline's land and moved his stock of goods up from his former place of business.  This action was taken by Mr. Reeves because it was considered certain that the Central Washington railway would extend west earlier than the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern, and the new site was on the surveyed line of the former road.  A postoffice was secured at the time of the removal to the new place and named Hartline in honor of the homesteader of the land on which the postoffice was established. Mr. Reeves was named as postmaster.  Hartline that same year enjoyed an era of prosperity.  P. J. Young erected a dwelling house and a section house was built by the railway company.  Grif Humphrey came down from Broad Ax Springs, in Lincoln county, and established a blacksmith shop.  P. J. Young put in a small stock of lumber and in the fall of the year, there being several families in the new town and in the vicinity, a school was established.  This pioneer educational institution of Hartline was held in the J. W. Hartline shack, and consisted of eight scholars who were instructed by Miss Alice Cope.

      The town was platted June 5, 1890, by John W. Hartline. Additions to the town have been platted since as follows : Hammerly's Addition, April 7, 1902, by John Hammerly. Hill's First Addition, October 8, 1902, by James H. Hill.

      The coming of the railroad did not bring with it an abnormal prosperity as was the case with so many other places along the line.  George R. Roberts erected a platform along the track before the railroad was in operation and bought wheat in the new town, thus distinguishing himself as the pioneer grain dealer.  He did not, however, locate here permanently at this time, and soon disposed of his business.  Late in the year 1891 was established the second store, by D. C. Johnson, which continued in operation two years.

      In 1891 the town of Hartline contained the following people: D. F. Reeves and wife; P. J. Young, wife and three children; Grif Humphrey, wife and two children.  Within a radius of a mile or two of the town lived Carey Carr, William Bundschue, James Hill, H. H. Ames, Charles Ames, D. F. Ames and William Hart.  In 1893 John and George McDonald established themselves in the grain business in Hartline and Coulee City, building a warehouse in each place. John looked after the firm's interests at Hartline; his brother attended to the Coulee City business.  In 1894 Mr. Reeves died and the store building and goods were purchased by McDonald Brothers, who continued the business for eight years. The next store to be opened in Hartline was erected by Patrick Kane in 1898.

      Until 1902 Hartline did not accomplish much in the way of improvement. It was a trading point for the few settlers in the vicinity; only this and nothing more.  Two warehouses conducted by John McDonald and George R. Roberts took care of the wheat raised in the vicinity, while the stores of Mr. McDonald and Patrick Kane comprised the business houses of the place. In the year above

________________________

564

mentioned the town received an impetus that advanced it to one of the more prosperous villages of eastern Douglas county. The most important enterprise of this year was the erection of a large brick store building by M. E. & E. T. Hay, of Wilbur, an edifice that would be a credit to a city of several thousand inhabitants.  Other enterprises of this year were the establishment of the Hartline Standard by Spining & Bassett, of Wilbur; the building of a hotel by R. S. Faubion, erection of a public hall and lodge room and several other business houses, the Hays' lumber yard, Dr. Harris' drug store, etc.  These improvements were the result of rapid development and settlement of the surrounding territory. The improvements of 1902 were supplemented the following year by others, notably the establishment of the Hartline State Bank.

      The population in June, 1903, as given by the county assessor, was 140, but the increase since then has been considerable and Hartline is today a town of about 300 population.  It is one of the principal grain shipping points in the Big Bend, supporting five warehouses. In point of population it is the third town in Douglas county and contains many wide awake and enterprising citizens, public-spirited and entlusiastic in behalf of their locality. No town on the Central Washington railway is more beautifully located, and no other is blessed with a more plentiful supply of pure water.  Three miles to the north rises quite a majestic ridge, comprising exceedingly fertile soil.  To the east is another slight raise, more properly a wave or roll of earth, which trends southeast, passing eight miles south of town.  All the territory lying between the two is comparatively level, and the view in a southwest, or westerly direction is, practically, unobstructed for fifteen or twenty miles. Hartline enjoys a perspective more extensive, perhaps, than any other town in eastern Washington.  The townsite proper is situated on nearly a dead level. That portion of territory north of Hartline known as the "ridge country," was first settled in the 8o's'with the first rush of immigration into the Big Bend.  The earlier settlers who came were informed by the few pioneer stockmen that the lighter colored soil south of the ridge was worthless except for stock range.  People from the Mississippi Valley states were easily persuaded to avoid the light colored land.  The darker soil of the ridge was what they were more accustomed to, and so long as there was land to be had in the darker soils no one would settle farther south.  Gradually the ridge land was taken and a few took homesteads on the flat.  The enforced hasty and crude methods of farming during the earlier history of settlement did not yield satisfactory results in that locality.  In pioneer farming the ridge had a great deal the best of it, and the knowledge that the lighter soils could be made just as profitable as the other came as a gradual revelation. The difference between the two soils is this: the heavier, darker soil of the ridge packed or settled down more rapidly and the wild nature disappeared more rapidly than it did from the lighter, dryer soils.  But the slightly better average moisture is offset by the advantage of much earlier seeding in the spring for the lighter lands, which enables them to avoid an occasional risk which the ridge cannot escape.  But both the ridge and flat produce immense crops of wheat and their productiveness has been the principal, indeed, the material cause of Hartline's acknowledged prosperity.

________________________

COULEE CITY: p. 558        TABLE OF CONTENTS        WATERVILLE: pt.1, p. 564

________________________

BIG BEND p. 558: COULEE CITY

________________________

ch. 2, pt. 2, pp. 551-557        TABLE OF CONTENTS        HARTLINE: p. 562

________________________

558

CHAPTER III.

____________

CITIES AND TOWNS.

________

COULEE CITY.

      Although not the largest village within the limits of Douglas county, Coulee City is, certainly, the most picturesque and, perhaps, the most interesting from a historical view point.  It is situated in the bed of the Grand Coulee and almost overshadowed by its lofty, imposing walls.  With no large area of agricultural land in the immediate neighborhood one might at first blush be led to doubt that there was a reasonable excuse for the existence of Coulee City.  But a more careful investigation reveals the fact that the town is admirably located.  It is on a level piece of ground.  The view of the coulee walls is an inspiring sight. Here the town lies in an opening of that wonderful creation of nature, the Grand Coulee, and one never tires of gazing at the towering walls of the portion of the coulee which extends to the northwest.  A few minutes' walk to the south reveals other marvelous sights unfolded.  Surrounding the town are a number of springs of pure water which furnish the town with its supply.  Around these springs which are just outside of the original platted townsite, are groves of trees at whose roots cluster the loveliest flowers imaginable, covering the banks of the springs and the tiny brooks which flow from them — a veritable oasis in the "scab rock" country which surrounds Coulee City for several miles.

      The site where now stands Coulee City was for many years known as McEntee's Crossing of the Grand Coulee.  Here for an extended period lived Philip McEntee, the pioneer of Douglas county.  In 1881 he erected a log cabin on what would now be the outskirts of the town.  During the following few years other settlers came to the vicinity, but it was not until 18S8 that enough of them had come into the country to warrant the establishment of a store.  In June of that year Mr. George R. Roberts, who had come into Douglas county in 1883, opened a general merchandise store about three-quarters of a mile north of the present business portion of the town of Coulee City.  A postoffice called McEntee, in honor of the first settler, was established, and Mr. Roberts was named and served as the first postmaster.  In November of the following year Mr. Roberts took his brother-in law, Mr. Thomas Parry, into partnership with him.  The business was subsequently conducted under the firm name of Roberts & Parry.  The "town" of McEntee was enlarged in the fall of 1888 by the establishment of a second store and a blacksmith shop, both enterprises being financed by Levi Salmon.  Mr. Salmon conducted the blacksmith shop, and his son, Arthur, was in charge of the store.  Dan Twining also conducted a saloon in McEntee.

      The town of McEntee lost its identity with the platting and building up of the town of Coulee City in the spring and summer of 1890.  Roberts & Parry engaged in business in the new town, and here, too, Mr. Salmon moved his shop, but closed out his mercantile business

________________________

p. 559

in McEntee.  The postoffice of McEntee was transferred to the new location and was thereafter known as Coulee City.

     But its history really dates from the building of the Central Washington railroad to that point, or more properly, from the contemplated construction of the road to the crossing of the Grand Coulee.  Let us examine the prospects for a town at this point before the road reached the spot where Coulee City afterward appeared, from the viewpoint of that veteran editor, Frank M. Dallam. April 28, 1890, he said:

     "It is confidently expected that trains will be running into the coulee by the first of July.  This point will be the end of a division and the railroad company will make extensive improvements.  Round houses, shops and all the buildings necessary at a division will be constructed.  The company will spend thousands of dollars in this work, and a large force of men will be employed.  It is proposed to build the round houses of brick, opening a profitable industry to some one.  Quite a town is bound to spring up at this point.  It will be by far the most important place between Davenport and the Columbia river.  Already arrangements have been perfected for putting up a large number of buildings.  A gentleman was on the way to the place Monday for the purpose of constructing a large hotel.  A paper will be issued at Coulee City before the road is completed.  A very large number of lots have been sold in the town and the demand for property is so great that the price of lots is soon to be advanced.  No town has ever been started on the road with brighter prospects than Coulee City, and in time it will become a very important place.  The public will hear more of Coulee City in a few weeks, as it is already attracting a large number of people."

     The town was platted and dedicated April 13, 1890, by Levi Salmon.  Reed's plat of Coulee City was filed April 17, 1890, by G. K. Reed.  Additions to the town have been platted since as follows:  McEntee's First Addition, May 29, 1890, by Philip McEntee.  South Side Addition September 24, 1892, by L. McLean, as trustee.  First Addition July 1, 1892, by H. S. Huson and C. C. May.

     Following the advent of the railroad the growth of the new town was something phenomenal.  Its history during the first few weeks of its existence is told in the initial issue of the Coulee City News which appeared June 30, 1890, under the guidance of that veteran publisher, James Odgers:

     "George R. Roberts is the pioneer merchant, having located about one mile north of the present townsite two years ago.  He has been postmaster of McEntee ever since the office was established.  One year ago he took Thomas Parry, his brother-in-law, as partner.  Roberts & Parry carry a full stock of general merchandise and enjoy the fruits of square dealing in a good, prosperous trade.  John J. Thomas was, also, one of the first to see in the head of the coulee a good business site and an opening for a hotel and feed stable.  He erected a building close to the store of George R. Roberts and has enjoyed an excellent patronage from the traveling public.  He has just completed one of the best hotel buildings between Spokane Falls and the Sound.  The long acquaintance of himself and estimable wife in this section will enable them to know and meet the wants of the traveling public.
     "Barker & Madden erected the first building on the present townsite. which was followed shortly by another built by Michael Fredo.  Both places were used for saloons and they still cater in that capacity. The townsite company held out inducements for a first-class hotel to be erected in short order.  E. A. Foreman, of Medical Lake, agreed to have a hotel of twenty rooms completed and furnished in thirty days following the contract. Mr. Foreman fulfilled the agreement to a dot, and the Central Hotel is the result.  James Hunter, formerly of Cloverdale, North Dakota, in looking for a

________________________

p. 560

location for a general store, settled here when the town was first located. He immediately erected a large tent and commenced business.  His stock is large and new and consists of almost everything that is called for in the merchandise line. He is daily adding to his large stock as his fast increasing trade demands.  Tony F. Richardson & Company have erected a large and commodious livery barn that is a credit to the place. They immediately stocked it with good driving and saddle horses, and several new carriages and buggies. They also run a lumber yard where all kinds of building material can be had at current prices.
     "Adron & Thurman also have a livery and feed stable where they take pleasure in giving the best care to all stock entrusted to them.  'Billy,' as "Sir. Adron is commonly known, has run a hack between this place and Almira ever since the town has been established, and being a rustler he still gets his share of the partonage.  John Brown, our restaurant keeper, is one of those good-hearted, whole-souled pioneers who have seen the country grow up and develop for years.  His tables are always supplied with the best the market affords and to feed at the City Restaurant is to fare sumptuously.  Frank A. Losekamp, of the 'Blue Front,' is always on deck to sell you a suit of clothes or fit you with a pair of nice shoes.  Frank has had considerable experience in the gents' furnishing line and knows the needs of the western trade.  Mr. Losekamp and wife are a worthy addition to our fast growing city. Hill & Evans, dealers in lumber, sash, blinds, coal, etc., are men of good business principles and will make it a point to deal in first-class building material and we predict for them a good trade. Bisbee & Cooper have just finished a substantial building on Main street and opened up a well-ordered saloon.  Both managers are well known along the line of the Central Washington. For the past year both have been located at Wilbur.  Davis & Raridon, formerly of Wilbur, are now located here.  They have a well equipped shop and we are able to recommend them as first-class general blacksmiths and horseshoers.
     "M. Gilfoil & Shook are the proprietors of one of the Main street saloons. They occupy a good building, and the R. R. is always popular.  Both gentlemen are former residents of Davenport. In a rapidly growing town like this there are always scores of carpenters.  Prominent among them is the contractor and architect, Thomas East.  He has superintended the erection of some of the best buildings in town and they are monuments of his skill.  Mr. East is an excellent mechanic.  A Chinaman has already found his way among us and put up a wash house.  He is, of course, prosperous and happy.  A meat market will soon be opened
here by Dan Paul whose experience recommends him to all.
     "A bakery has just been opened and is doing an increasing business.  A jeweler, we are told, has come among us, although his shingle has not been swung.  A building has just been completed on Main street by a gentleman from Wenatchee, which we are informed, is soon to be opened as a short order restaurant.  A large double building is being erected on Main street near the depot which will be occupied on one side as a barber shop, while the other will, doubtless, be opened as a saloon."

     Such were the business conditions of Coulee City in 1890, the outcome of but a few short years of municipal existence.  And aside from this business activity there was considerable "life" of another description. The town was overrun with railroad laborers and, incidentally, a number of rather sanguinary cowboys.  Personal encounters were frequent and considerable disorder reigned for a few months.  This was a condition, however, that could hardly be averted and one not unusual to nearly all new railroad towns. But there was a brighter side to the picture. June 27, 1890, the Coulee City News said:

"Only surprise is pictured on the faces of

________________________

p. 561

________________________

p. 561

those who visit out city after a few weeks absence.  They hardly realize that in so short a time such substantial business houses could be constructed so far from the base of supplies.  Where a few weeks ago bare crust, grease wood and ungainly knolls were to be seen, today are broad, graded streets and avenues.  With the advent of the railroad in a few days the rush will begin and we may look for a still greater improvement. A model railroad yard is here waiting for the finishing touches. A round house of six stalls, built entirely of brick, blacksmith and repair shops of the same material, sand house, material house, coal bunkers, two water tanks, turn table, a large, artistic depot and station house will all combine to make Coulee City resemble a railroad center of importance."

     The Central Washington railroad was completed to Coulee City and in operation in the fall of 1890. Between this time and the "boom" of 1892 the population rose to nearly 300 people.  The town was on a most substantial basis. But during a portion of the year 1892 Coulee City was on the anxious seat.  Her condition might aptly be termed feverish.  It then appeared probable that the Great Northern railway would cross the Grand Coulee at that point.  In fact it was considered by many that this was the only available point where a crossing could be made.  We have told in a previous chapter how the route along Crab Creek was finally selected.  But the rumor that the road might, and probably would, cross at Coulee City precipitated a boom that could not have been surpassed had the road actually passed through the heart of the town.  Material for the construction of the greater portion of the road through Southern Lincoln and Douglas counties was shipped over the Central Washington via Coulee City. During the summer of 1892 the town was a typical railroad camp.  Residents of that year tell us that the place had a population of 1,200 to 1,500.  Temporary buildings were run up and all kinds of business, good, bad and indifferent was added to the town.  The class of people who follow the building of railroads were there in all their commendable or pernicious activity.  Coulee City gained a reputation that summer for "toughness" which was only equalled later by Wenatchee and Cascade Tunnel, at the time the army of railroad builders made those places their headquarters.  But with the removal of these railroaders Coulee City resumed its normal condition — that of a town possessing a class of most estimable citizens.  The buildings erected for temporary use were torn down, or sold and removed to adjacent ranches.  For the succeeding decade the town remained a country village, being the trading and shipping point for a vast but thinly populated territory.

     Between twelve and one o'clock, Sunday morning, July 14, 1895, the six-stall, brick round house was discovered to be on fire.  The flames had spread to such an extent that it was impossible to check them with the water facilities at hand, and all the wood-work was rapidly consumed. Locomotive No. 119 was in the house and was nearly ruined.

     The growth of Coulee City during the decade from 1892 to 1902 was insignificant.  Still, it was the terminal of the Central Washington railway, and this fact made for the betterment of a business that, otherwise, would have been stagnant. The town also drew trade from an immense expanse of territory. However, there was very little settlement during the term of years mentioned. But there was destined to be a revival. In November, 1902, the work of grading for the Coulee City-Adrian cut-off was commenced, and business of the town improved perceptibly in consequence.  Trains entering the town were loaded with laborers consigned to work on the cut-off, a piece of rocky road bed twenty-two miles in length extending from Coulee City to Adrian, on the Great Northern road to the south.  Again the little town assumed the appearance of a bustling mining camp.  Several hundred

________________________

p. 562

laborers were at once set to work on the new road.  The result was the erection of many new buildings in the town to be used for saloons and lodging houses.

     In June, 1903, according to the assessor's returns, the population of Coulee City was placed at only 122.  It is at the present writing June, 1904, about 300.

________________________

ch. 2, pt. 2, pp. 551-557        TABLE OF CONTENTS        HARTLINE: p. 562

________________________

JACK "MATT" DILLON 1927-2011

     The following notice was published in the Spokesman-Review on  April 20, 2011:

DILLON, Jack "Matt"

Passed away April 7, 2011 in Spokane WA. at the age of 83.  Jack was born in Whichita, Kansas on December 15, 1927.  Following his father's work as an electrician at oil refineries, he said he moved too many times to count, spending most of his youth in Montana.  As a high school freshman he moved to Spokane and attended Lewis and Clark and John R. Rogers High School.  He excelled at tennis, winning the city singles championship.  During his junior year he left school to join the service during WW II and was stationed at Fort Lewis.  After the war he came back to Spokane and graduated high school in 1948.  He then moved to Coulee City, WA. to help with his father's amusement machine business where he met and married Bonnie Ewell.  There their son and daughter were born.  In 1950 he was recalled to active duty in Korea and served in the 453rd Engineers.  He recorded movies documenting his service experience and was honored by the South Korean government for this contribution.  Jack was a born salesman selling everything from ice cream to classified ads at the Spokesman-Review.  In Ephrata he managed the Lee Theaters, sold ads for radio stations KULE and KWIQ and sold neon sighs for Heath Sign Company.  Jack and Bonnie were very active in the Spokane Yacht Club.  After Bonnie retired from AT&T, they moved to Friday harbor, WA, to be near their daughter and son-in-law.  Jack enjoyed adding his own touch of remodeling to his new surroundings.  They purchased an RV and traveled the US.  Jack and Bonnie were married 58 years.  When Bonnie passed away Jack moved back to Spokane.  He enjoyed hosting BBQ parties for his friends, watching old motion pictures, where he could identify every actor in every classic movie.  Jack lived at the Waterford Retirement Community for his final days.  He had a great time telling the staff all the stories of his life -- and there were many.  We will all miss those stories Dad.  Jack is survived by his son, Dan Dillon and wife, Melody of Spokane; his daughter, Jackie Armstrong and husband, Dane of Friday harbor; granddaughters, Megan Dillon of Seattle, Jennifer and Jami Armstrong of Seattle; sister-in-law, Esther Fichera of Spokane and numerous nieces and nephews.  Rest in peace and Happy Trails Dad.  A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2011, at 2:00 pm, at the Greenwood Memorial Terrace.  Hazen & Jeager Funeral Home 1306 N. Monroe is in charge of arrangements.

FRANK MILLER 1919-2003

     From The Spokesman-Review, 11 February 2003:

MILLER, Frank (Age 84) - a long-time Coulee City, WA resident, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2003, one day after his birthday, at SunBridge Care & Rehabilitation Center in Moses Lake, WA.  Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 13, 2003 at the First Presbyterian Church in Coulee City.  Interment with military honors will follow in Valley View Memorial Park in Soap Lake.  Arrangements are in care of KAYSER'S CHAPEL & CREMATORY, MOSES LAKE, WA.  Friends may call at the funeral home for viewing on Wednesday, February 12th, from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m..  Frank was born February 8, 1919 to the late Reuben and Myrtle (Pellett Miller in Wenatchee, Washington.  He lived at the Clarence Bechtol place and started school at the Rockrose School until the seventh grade.  In the fall of 1931, the family moved to the Sam Buob place and he started the eighth grade in Coulee City.  In the fall of 1933, they moved to the home place and he graduated from high school in 1938.  He married the love of his life, Mary Louise "Marylou" Nansen on October 27, 1948 in Almira, Washington.  They made their home in Coulee City.  Frank was a loving and devoted husband and caregiver.  He unselfishly cared for Marylou and her physical difficulties for many years prior to her passing away on Easter Sunday in 1994.  Frank was a World War II Army Veteran.  He began his service with the United States Army at Camp Pendleton in California, he continued serving his country as a mule packer in Kansas, along with a year of duty in Japan.  He was later honorably discharged.  He worked for a short time in Spokane with his best friend, David Adams, before returning home and becoming a life-time farmer, joining his brothers to form the "Miller Brothers Farms".  He was a fixture for all the basketball and football games and was a lifetime supporter of the ACH school sports.  This last year, he was given an honorary seat at the games.  He loved going to card parties and enjoyed people.  Frank was a loving, gentle man with a love of children, an infectious laugh and sense of humor.  Frank was a member of the Coulee City First Presbyterian Church and a 50-year member of St. Andrew's Grange #832 (or 182?).  Survivors include four children: Marvin Miller and Carmen (Jim) Cunningham of Coulee City, Elton (Juli) Miller of Moses Lake, and Milton Miller of Wenatchee; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Claude and Nancy Miller of Coulee City and Clyde and Jo Miller of Wenatchee; seven grandchildren: Marty and Morgan Miller of Moses lake, Colby Cunningham of Coulee City, Colin Cunningham of Waterville, Abby Miller of Prosser, Zach and James Borst; a great-grandson, Triston Cunningham of Yakima; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mamie and Nellie.  The family suggests memorials be made to the Coulee City Presbyterian Church or the ACH sports program.

Kramer letter to Margaret

     The following letter was sent to Margaret Seaton Taschereau (my mother) by Lillie Lael (Mrs. Boyd) Kramer from Walla Walla, dated March 3, 1989.


Dear Margaret;

     First, let me introduce myself.  I am an old neighbor from the Coulee Dam and Dora Lael's daughter Lillie.  I enjoyed your family's story so much in the Star, and decided to write to you.
     I remember how good you were to me when you were a senior in high school in Almira and I was a second grader at Almira school.  You taught me to tat that year, and to make beaded flowers.  I can still make beaded flowers but I've forgotten how to tat.  I think it is very unusual for a high school girl to give that much attention to a little second grader.
     How is your health now?  I remember Clair and Eleanor too, but have very few memories of Patty, she was so much younger.  I hope you still see them sometimes and that they are all right.
     Our family is O.K., my brothers and sisters, I mean.  Brother jack and his wife live on a farm near Northport, Wash.  He raises quarter horses and is retired from working in the sawmill near there.  Our second brother Grady Gene (Skip) works as a maintenance supervisor for the National Park Service, now in New Mexico.  Last fall he married Edith (Scott) Alling and they will be retiring and moving back to Grand Coulee.  Will be glad to have Laels in the Coulee again.  Our sister Wenna and her husband live in Spokane.  He is the representative of a beer company and they travel a lot.  She is a retired practical nurse.  Our brother Wes and his wife live in Minnesota.  His career was in the Air Force, then he has a second retirement from J.C. Penny.  He still works as a maintenance supervisor on the local golf course during the summer.  I became a school teacher, my husband is a civil engineer.  We are both retired.  We had two more born to our family after we left the Coulee -- Larry, who is a liaison between the Community Colleges of the state and the Legislature, and Donna, who runs her own drapery business in Colville, Wash.  Donna's husband is a retired state patrolman.
     Our parents are both dead.  Mama was killed in a car accident in 1945, and Dad died in 1978 when he was 84 years old.
     I hope to come to the Grand Coulee area to visit sometime this spring.  I have no idea when, maybe may or June.  If I could, I would love to come to visit you.  Would that be all right?  I will let you know when I'll be there.
     Looking forward to seeing you again.  Write to me.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Lillie Lael Kramer
(Mrs. Boyd Kramer)

(P.S.)
     I hope to write up the Purtee-Lael story for the Star one of these days but don't have much information about their early years.  I believe they came to the Coulee to homestead in 1910.

FROM PIONEERS TO POWER - post 18

________________________

post 17        Table of Contents        post 19

________________________

93

THE THOREN FAMILY

Albin J. Thoren first came to Coulee City in the fall of 1902 at the age of 12.  In 1904 his father, Peter Thoren, homesteaded on the place where the Melvin Thorens now live.

In 1907 Mr Albin Thoren recalls working on a horse-powered stationary threshing machine called "The Columbia", which was pulled by 21 head of horses.  There were three horses on a sweep, with seven sweeps in all.  The horses walked in a circle, going around and around to make power to run the threshing machine.  This outfit was pulled from ranch to ranch to thresh stacked, cut grain in a large part of the Delrio area.

Before threshing, a crew usually cut and stacked the "headings".  These headers which were used to cut the ripened grain were rather peculiar pieces of farm equipment.  They were ground powered, and pushed by six well broken horses - three on each side of the header beam.  (The horses were behind the cutting bar.)  A header puncher, behind the horses and above the rudder wheel drove the outfit and used four lines - two on each side.  The puncher stood up all of the time - the rudder wheel between his legs.  The Jacob's Staff was in front of the driver and was used to raise and lower the header.  About a fourteen foot swath was cut; the wheat heads elevated by a draper into a header box pulled by three horses driven abreast which always worked along side the header.  In this, another man besides the driver, would ride and carefully load the wagon so as not to shatter the grain; this loader worked on all of the header boxes.  When the wagon was filled, it was driven to the stock and unloaded by pitchfork.  The stacker stacked and sometimes a spike pitch stayed at the stack and helped unload.  Three header boxes were usually used for one header.  In all about 7 men and 15 horses were necessary for a heading outfit.

________________________

94

In 1908 nearly the same threshing run was made except the horse powered threshing method was replaced by a steam outfit called "The Advance", which was fired with straw.  This machine was owned by Adolph, Albert, and Ed Thoren, Charlie, Henry, and Albert Wyborney.  It was pulled about by 8 head of horses.  In this particular harvest the water for the steam engine was hauled by Melvin Davis using a water wagon drawn by 4 horses.  He could generally haul 500 gallons of water in one trip, and sometimes made as many as six trips a day obtaining most of the water from springs and wells as near to the threshing machine as possible.  This straw-burning outfit was operated for about three years.  In 1909 Thorens bought out the Wyborney's interest in the thresher.  Also this same year, the road to Mansfield was finished.  Before this most of the grain had to be hauled to Coulee City.

In 1912 Mr. Thoren ran a Case steam engine on the threshing machine and the outfit worked at nearly all of the ranches from Coleman Hill to the Coulee Wall.  This operation was continued from 1912 through 1915.  The harvesting generally started about the first of August and ran for about 35 days.  However, in 1913 Mr. Thoren recalls still threshing on Thanksgiving Day and having his dinner in the cook wagon.  This old Case threshing machine ended its career in 1917 when it was destroyed by fire.

Written by Gene Thoren
Heading story by Helen Rinker

____________

INTERVIEW WITH POP WALLIS

STREETS. - In 1934 the main street of Grand Coulee, newly graded, was so bad that oxfords couldn't be worn.  In dry weather there was dust.  In wet weather, mud.  Caterpillars were kept to pull cars up the street and storekeepers kept a shovel for mud at the door.

A meeting was held a Wallis' store where the Grosso Building is now, to put a rock base on Main Street.  McCaslin, Wallis, and James, the Roosevelt Theater man, made up the committee in charge.  Business men were assessed to pay for it.  They did not pay in to keep the truckers hauling rock so the remaining money had to be pro-rated.  One big red-haired trucker indignant at not receiving full pay grabbed James by the neck and shook him until he agreed to trucker's terms.

Wallis opened his store the day of President Roosevelt's visit.  He called it "Wallis Has It".  The town was full of eating booths, temporary for the day, but since newspapers advised people to bring their own lunches, most of them suffered a loss.  Wallis had a milk plant and lunch counter.  He bought dairy products and eggs from farmers and retailed them.  Ted Daniels and Hansen's Dairy had the largest milk supply.  Milk sold for ten cents a quart and eggs for twenty cents a dozen.  If you drove to a rancher's home you got eggs for as little as nine cents per dozen.

One of Wallis' famous refreshments was advertised as "Buttermilk, - All You Can Drink for a Nickle".  He had a large container of converted to buttermilk to supply a large demand.  Wages for girls at the counter were thirty cents an hour.  The Dime Store paid a dollar a day for its help and had plenty of offers.

________________________

95

In 1936 August there was a big fire which destroyed several frame buildings.  Wallis immediately changed his sign to "Wallis Had It".

When Wallis Warfield married the Duke of Windsor his sign read "God Save the King, Wallis Has Him".

THE FIRST TOWN BAND - Mr. Wallis started a town band in 1937.  It consisted of 11 members - five that could play, 6 that couldn't.  There were Bill and Alden Wallis, Robert and Ronald Woods, Jerry and Bill Ford, and a colored boy among them.  He also had an orchestra organized among the Sunday School members at the Community Church.  Rod Hartman was a member.  From that small beginning, Wallis worked up to a 40 piece band which went to the Blossom Festival in Wenatchee in 1936.  With the help of the U.S.B.R., uniforms were worked out.  These consisted of blue denim pants, white shirts with black ties, white safety belts, tin hats and regulation ropes.  In the parade Grand Coulee High School cut quite a caper.  The Roosevelt Theater had a brand new sound truck for advertising.  It was commandeered.  Bob Ross and seven other men sang from it an original song written by Wallis.  The Roosevelt Theater had a brand new sound truck for advertising.  It was commandeered.  Bob Ross and seven other men sang from it an original song written by Wallis.  Here it is, written to the tune of World War I Caisson marching song:
With a whang, with a bang, we will build Grand Coulee Dam

As the river goes rolling along.
There was Hill, there was Dill, who have swallowed bitter pills
In their battle to push it along.
So it's heigh, heigh hee in the town of Grand Coulee!
Our respects to Elwood Mead we want to pay.
But where ever we go, we want the world to know
That we're building Grand Coulee Dam
While the river goes flowing along.

Whenever the Commercial Club wanted a band, they called the group of band members together.  One night Bob Hunter had some sort of political rally.  The band made such a racket that manager James of the Roosevelt Theater called the State Patrol to quell the disturbance.  it was diverting the theater attendance.  The whole town was upset over the interference of the law and eventually Wallis got a note of apology from the officers.

Moving to its present site in 1945 "Pop" Wallis began Halloween Parties for grade school children from Kindergarten to fourth grade.  Then on his birthday, September 14, each child was given a treat.  His store became a gallery of art work.  Drawings were sent to Mr. Wallis' niece, an art instructor at University of Idaho, to be judged.  A prize was given to the winning room.

In 1955, after his serious illness, the lower grades of Grand Coulee gave Pop a party.  Quinton's Bakery presented a huge decorated cake.  Children came in a large group around his front door to sing.  Pop sat in the door and shook hands with each child as the line passed by him.

Pop Wallis has retired but he continues to keep a home among old friends.  His work now is to keep his yard and garden a beauty spot in Grand Coulee.

Dayma Evans

________________________

96

PLUVIUS IRRIGATION COMPANY

In the early 1900s an irrigation scheme was planned in the scab rock near the present Rosenberg Ranch.  It is said fifty thousand dollars was spent uselessly,  The plan was to hold run-off water in Long Lake as a reservoir, and later use it to irrigate land in Spring Canyon.  C. J. Weller, fresh out of Washington State College Engineering School, was a big name.  Jess Lewis handled a surveying crew.  Duncan, the famous scholar of Fiddle Creek, was in the crew.  Two steam Burleys worked, drilling with water.  A number of families rushed to file on land to be irrigated.  The Pluvius Irrigation Company boomed.  The project was doomed to fail.  It destroyed the natural course of water toward Northrup Canyon, down Northrup Creek to empty in Steamboat lake and extend the lake further west.  Schiebner's mill pond was depleted.  Shrock's ranch was effected.  A lawsuit resulted in 1907 in which nearly all residents of the Coulee took sides.  An arbitrator was sent from the State Land Office in Olympia.  He laughed at the affair, saying, "Why squabble over such small timber?"  He was accustomed to large coast timber holdings.  So the case rested in litigation till all funds were depleted.  This ended the Pluvius Irrigation Company.

____________

VINEYARD ON THE COLUMBIA

Another venture which succeeded only temporarily was Sheminski's vineyard on the Columbia River below Keller.  Bernard White, who owns land in that neighborhood, tells the story.  Sheminski tried strawberry raising.  He commented, "Strawberry season comes too early - money all gone by winter."  So he set out grapes.  He established a licensed distillery.  It wasn't profitable enough, so he moved to Wilbur.  Balthis took over the vineyard.  It gradually went down hill.  Sheminski also owned mining stock and worked mines in Montana.  he probably moved to make money in an easier way.  Much of the land is now covered with the waters of Lake Roosevelt.

____________

RATTLESNAKE CANYON

years before construction of Grand Coulee Dam, there were homes in this canyon.  Almost directly east of Weaver's Associated Service Station in the canyon below was a small farm.  it was occupied by Herb and Inez Buelen.  Their small son was born here about 1916.  Herb was a bachelor for many years, a friend of Si Buckley.  He worked at the Brakefield Sawmill downriver, fished and hunted, and took a few harvest jobs.  Then he married the daughter of the daughter of the publisher of the Big Bend Outlook Almira.  Their stay was short, as pioneer life was rugged.  The little home is almost forgotten.  A stream followed the canyon to the river with straggling trees along its banks making an attractive location for the home.

The canyon below Grand Coulee running eastward with its prosperous fruit ranch was occupied by the Frank Davis family.  People came from miles around after fresh fruit and vegetables.  many a happy picnic was held in the shade of the big weeping willows and poplar trees.  Mrs. Davis

________________________

97

was an artist in making hooked rugs, using garden seed catalogs for design, dyeing old woolen garments for her strips.  her flowers were famous.  When a funeral occurred, Davis flowers offered the solace of beauty.   Years after the ranch was gone, as Coulee Dam construction took the land from the Noble family, there were still yellow roses growing wild, but originally planted by a pioneer flower lover.

In the Davis household, growing up were Charles, Everett, William, and Ray, Mary, Ruth, and Anola, none of whom are left in the immediate vicinity.  Ruth married Loren Shaffer and lives in Spokane; their children are grown up.  The widow of Everett is Mrs. Mary Davis, now a resident of Grand Coulee.

A few hundred yards below the Davis house in the canyon wall was the remains of a dugout occupied by Texas Jack.  Because of his ignorance and unfriendliness, he was considered an outlaw and horse thief, although it was not actually proved.  There was evidence that he rifled empty houses and buried the loot.  One time when he visited a neighbor, he had a frowzy young woman ridding horseback with him.  He disappeared as quietly as he lived, probably avoiding the law.  His time of residence here preceded the Davis family.

____________

FLEET-SCHROCK RANCH

From an aged yellowed scrapbook belonging to Mrs. Lange, we read the story of William H. Fleet, a well-known character of early days in the Grand Coulee.  He was a bachelor who took the first homestead and the choicest springs for his stock raising.  It lay on the west side of Castle Rock near where Steamboat Rock resort is now operating.  The choice meadows are covered by the equalizing reservoir.

William Fleet was born in New York in 1836.  At 19 he sailed around the Horn to become a pioneer in the northwest.  He worked at his trade of millwright or at managing a pack horse train in early days in Montana, Oregon, Idaho, California, and New Mexico.  He came to the Grand Coulee in 1883 with Senator Dan Paul (wealthy rancher of Coulee City).  Fleet bought the old AN brand of cattle which consisted of several hundred head and the same season shipped 700 here from Missoula, Montana.  Mr. Fleet bought the Jack Hardley camp at Steamboat Rock which was considerably improved under his direction.  In 1898 he decided to retire and removed to his home in New York.  Fleet's obituary reads,

He was a prominent figure in this country and those who knew him well could sum up his religion in one word: Humanity.  Though not a member of nay church or lodge, he solved the great problems of life by always proving himself a true and honorable friend.

Fleet sold his land to Ed Schrock.  Ed and Willis Schrock were partners in stock raising northwest of Almira.  Ed took the stock and moved them to the Fleet place.  In lower altitude, sheltered by Coulee Walls, it took

________________________

98

half a ton of hay less to winter a cow.  Ed was a man of sound business judgment.  He had married a pioneer neighbor girl, Anor Bernard, who came with him to her new home.  Her artistic temperament was in an appropriate setting near the picturesque granite walls of Castle Rock.  She painted in oils, kept a flower garden of beauty and became a leader in community affairs.

Three children were born here: Ethel, Doris, and Walter.  All attended Steamboat Rock School.  Mrs. Schrock sent five year old Ethel to the log chicken house after eggs late one evening.  The trail ran around the hill through granite boulders.  A few minutes later, Ethel came in breathlessly carrying the eggs in her apron.  She told her mother, "There was a big kitty in the chicken house.  He made faces at me and followed me back clear to the spring house."  Then Mrs. Schrock realized a bobcat had followed her little girl on the trail.

In 1907 Dorothy Strahl came to share the Schrock home.  She had lost her mother and was near the age of Ethel and Doris.  They chummed together many years and became excellent horsewomen.  Both daughters were graduated from the University of Washington. Mrs. Ethel Moss lives in Weattle.  Mrs. Doris Keller-Block in Salt Lake City, and Walter, a graduate of Washington State College, runs a large stock ranch near Bend, Oregon.  Mrs. Anor Schrock, still painting with oils, belongs to an Art Colony in palm Springs, California, where she makes her home.

Dayma Evans

________________________

post 17        Table of Contents        post 19

________________________