Early History of Thurston County, Washington: together with biographies and reminiscences of those identified with pioneer days

Compiled and edited by Mrs. George (Georgiana) E. Blankenship  Olympia Washington, 1914

Foreword

    Upon presenting this modest volume to the public the author desires to present a few facts regarding the aims and purposes of its publication.
As I am not myself a pioneer or, in the proper conception of the term, an early settler, it may be necessary to explain why I should intrude in a field more properly the work of others. As one who crossed the plains three times in an ox wagon, and whose parents were inured to the hardships of frontier life, I myself took a deep interest in this subject. Upon coming to Puget Sound I found the ranks of the pioneers decreasing rapidly. With the modesty characteristic of this race of hardy empire builders, they had not appreciated the value of their work and its import to their posterity. They did not appreciate .the fact that those who were to reap where they had sown would be eager to learn of the vicissitudes and hardships endured by their antecedents in this new empire for which they had laid the foundation—so vast that Atlas must needs square his shoulders to bear the burdens of another world—and without leaving proper records of their heroie and self-denying lives, they have one by one gone to a well-deserved rest, leaving but few today to detail the reminiscences here related. The compiler, then, encouraged in the work, by many who desire to see a task accomplished, which they themselves had no inclination to undertake, offers this volume, with a sincere hope that it may to some extent endure as a record of the lives of many who made history in Thurston County in the early days.
    This publication makes no claim to literary merit, but aims to relate the simple annals of the pioneers' lives and vicissitudes in the language of the actors of that time.
    The work has been at once interesting and educating. Thrown in contact with these survivors of the late '40's and early '50's one is astonished at the physical vigor and mental brilliancy encountered.
    In one instance, in quest of facts regarding the early experiences of one old family, I was compelled to interview the maternal ancestor, who complied cheerfully but said that inasmuch as it was early Spring and she had her gardening to do, she must ask her interviewer to call later in the evening when the day's tasks were done.
Another old lady, who furnished a fund of information, was found vigorously sewing upon her own dresses and much interested in her wardrobe, which, however, contained no narrow and slit skirts.
    These instances are presented not as exceptional in character, but as typical of the people who left homes in the East to endure a perilous six months' trip over the trackless plains for a destination of which they knew nothing except that it promised a hard and perilous existence, with problematical results. They came, leaving their trail marked with mute evidences of severed family ties; they saw, and before their vision unrolled a panorama of vast possibilities; they conquered, first the savage Indian and then the none less wild forests and laid wide and deep the foundation for a State that must in time take rank with the first in this great Union.
    Then it was, that the wild nature of the country having been subdued, transcontinental railroads built and the country became a fit habitation for man, the work of these hardy pioneers was done, their proud, erect forms were bent with age and hardship endured. The flashing eyes were dimmed, the heads ripened for the grave, and they must reap slight reward for their self-denial and hardships. Even the United States Government was tardy in acknowledging their worth and bestowing a well-deserved pension upon these empire builders to aid them in their declining years. Indeed, the great majority had sought their reward in another world, when the Federal Government passed a law granting Indian war veterans pensions. Few there were then to receive it and they not long to be beneficiaries.
    Let posterity, then, do its duty in granting the early settler his just due in respect and homage.
 

WAIL OF AN OLD SETTLER.

Some say this country's improving And boast of its commerce and trade, But measured by social enjoyment, I find it has really decayed.

In the pioneer days on the Sound When the people had little to wear, And subsisted on clams the year  'round, We'd hearty good fellowship here.

The thoughtful, industrious old settler Was so fond of obliging a friend, That if anyone wanted his tools He'd always quit working to lend.

At our gatherings for pastoral pleasure-Dance, picnic or social knockdown, One man was as good as another, No kind of distinction was shown.

And even the climate is changing, For only some ten years ago, Strawberries got ripe in December Whilst now it brings four feet of snow.

Early Fraternal Organizations

    The first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons to be instituted north of the Columbia River was organized in Olympia, December 11, 1852. The names of the petitioners were: Thornton F. McElroy, James W. Wiley, Michael T. Simmons, Nicholis Delin, Smith Hays, Ira Ward and A. K. Skidmore, under dispensation granted by M. N. Berryman Jennings, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Territory of Oregon and was known as No. 5, under the Oregon jurisdiction. This lodge exists today under title of Olympia Lodge No. 1, under jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Washington.
    The first meeting of this organization was held Saturday evening, Dec. 11, 1852. The lodge was opened with T. F. McElroy as Worshipful Master; J. W. Wiley, Senior Warden and M. T. Simmons, Junior Warden.
    The second meeting of the Lodge was held December 18. 1852. At this meeting a petition for the degrees was received for the degrees from B. F. Yantis, one of the earliest and most respected pioneers of the Territory. At a subsequent meeting, B. F. Yantis was the first to receive the three degrees in this lodge. B. F. Shaw, of Vancouver, having received the preceding degrees, received the Master Mason's degree the same evening as Mr. Yantis.
    Olympia Lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Oregon, June 15, 1853 and was numbered 5. Upon the organization of the Grand Lodge of Washington, December 8, 1858, Olympia Lodge became No. 1 under the new jurisdiction.
    Another pioneer fraternal society is Olympia Lodge No. 1, I. O. O. F.
    This lodge was organized under a charter dated April 10, 1855, by the Supreme Lodge I. 0. 0. F. of the United States. The following were named on the charter list: C. C. Hewitt, J. L. Head, James C. Head, Daniel Kiser, Cyril Ward.

Old Masonic Hall

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