Volume 13 Issue 2 Spring 2015

Northwest Oregon-California Trails Association Meets in Puyallup; Power line project threatens the Trail by Jerry Bates

What's our Society's connection with the the Coalition, an informal group of Northwest Oregon-California Trails Association, those concerned with promoting, mapping (Walla you may ask. It starts with our mission. The Walla to Steilacoom) and accumulating documen- South Hill His- tation relating torical Society’s to the Naches purpose is to branch of the uncover, pre- Oregon Trail. The serve and com- Naches Trail Co- municate our alition is affi liated unique history with the North- on the Hill, its west Chapter of people, events, the Oregon-Cali- early farming, fornia Trails As- schools and sociation (OCTA) commercial — hence, our enterprises. Society’s interest Our fi rst major and involvement achievement with this North- as a Society west chapter of was mapping the OCTA and identify- OREGON organization. This scenic portion of the Oregon ing the South IDAHO The Oregon- Trail may soon have to share the Powerline Hill Heritage California Boardman to Hemingway power line. Route Corridor trac- Towers up to 200 feet will cross the Trails As- ing the historic trail eleven times. sociation’s Naches Trail mission is to protect the existence of the great that crossed our community. This path over the American trails trod by half a million pioneers, Hill was originally an ancient Native American gold rushers, adventurers and families — people trade route but with white settlement the route in pursuit of a better life in the West. became a Military Road. The old Indian path over the Cascades to was followed by the Annual Meeting of Northwest OCTA Longmire-Biles wagon train in 1853 establishing Saturday March 14 the Northwest Chapter of the the North Fork of the Oregon Trail. Oregon-California Trails Association held their annual meeting in Puyallup at the Peace Lu- Naches Trail Coalition theran Church, across the street from the Meeker & the Oregon-California Trail Association Mansion. Our Society was invited to participate. In April 2010 members of our society helped form The mayor of Puyallup, Harold Knutson and Bob 1 Minnich, president of the Puyallup Historical So- port an appeal process. This will probably take ciety, greeted the attendees. A business meeting another three years to play out with a fi nal deci- followed. After a build-your-own-sandwich lunch sion to be made by a judge. break, Puyallup/South Hill Historical Society member, Andy Anderson, gave a presentation and The above is a very brief overview of the proposed tour of the Meeker Mansion. Prior to Saturday’s power line project. There’s much more to this event, attendees were invited to a unique private story. For more information, see these Websites: viewing of the old covered wagon boardmantohemingway.com plus the maps he made on his return over the octa-trails.com/chapters/northwest trail in 1906-1908. This took place at Washington State History Research Center in Tacoma.

For the Puyallup meeting, our Society set-up its display along with handouts. Jerry Bates gave a brief overview of a driving guide map made espe- Apple Tree Hill cially for the event. The guide was a detailed map following the approximate route of the 1853 Long- a green space forever... mire-Biles wagon train over South Hill to its last campsite at the Mahan Ranch, today’s Brookdale by Jerry Bates Golf Course. Jade Trevere was our guest speaker for February. The Power Line Story Jade is unique nowadays — she’s a South Hill Among the topics on Saturday’s agenda, one had Farmer. special signifi cance to the Northwest OCTA group, or any historic trail enthusiast — the proposed Her story on the Hill begins in the early 1970s. Boardman to Hemingway power line. This project Her then husband, Dr. Charles Barth, needed a has been in the works for over seven years and is home close to his South Hill veterinary clinic. The very close to becoming a reality — a grim real- couple found one — a little farmhouse and apple ity. One of the most scenic sections of the Oregon orchard on fi ve acres crossed by Silver Creek. Trail cuts diagonally across the northeast corner of Oregon. Many parts of this landscape are virtu- After their lives went separate ways Jade focused ally untouched since our wagon train pioneers her energy on the little farm, bringing its 350-tree and ancestors set foot there 160 years ago. Wagon apple orchard back to productive life. With an old ruts are still visible. This beautiful scenic land- tractor and tools left by the former owners and scape may soon also include an ugly power line. a lot of hard work and “living very simply” she Towers approaching 200’ tall will cross the trail succeeded. For twenty years she sold fresh apples eleven times. To get an idea how obtrusive these and hand-pressed cider directly from her farm. towers will be, Oregon’s tallest trees in that part of the state are less than 100’ tall. A right-of-way The little farm’s former owners were Bob and Len- clearance will follow the power line wider than an nie Spencer, who built the current little house on eight-lane freeway with an access road, inviting the property in 1931 and raised two daughters noisy ATVs and four-wheelers. there. As a retirement project they planted the apple orchard in the late 1950s, about thirteen There remain few places in the Pacifi c Northwest years before Jade moved in. one can visit and experience exactly what those pioneers did—no sound, no freeways, no houses, The majority of the trees are Gravenstein apples, factories, shopping malls or high rise structures “the most delicious tasty apple,” said Jade. Her and other distractions of our era. cider was hand-pressed and, left unconsumed, with time would change from sweet cider to hard This is huge project. The power companies in- cider and to “wonderful” vinegar. She can no lon- volved have spent millions of dollars. A real uphill ger sell apple cider from the farm due to pasteuri- battle is ahead to stop the proposed plan. OCTA zation laws. Her apples ripen a bit late for the members are writing letters and a national fund Puyallup Farmers’ Market so she drives them to of over $300,00 has been generated so far to sup- the Seattle Fall Commodities Exchange, “a group 2 of farmers trading each other’s produce—apples for potatoes and carrots for example” said Jade. Pat Drake — Naches Jade also augments her food supply with “sweat equity. Every week I trot on down to the valley... I Pass & George Himes Story go to work on a little farm and in trade I get some by Jerry Bates fruit and vegetables to eat for the week.” Writer, former educator and longtime South Hill A relationship to the land Historical Society member, Pat Drake, spoke for What’s most impressive about Jade is her emo- the March General Meeting. Pat and her hus- tional and philosophic attachment to her land. band, Dan, have been teachers in the Northwest Jade recalled talking to her grandmother, learn- for over thirty years. She’s lived in Puyallup since ing how her she was ten years old, and prior to that, said Pat, ancestors made “I was a Navy brat...my dad had been all over the a living from the world and said the Puyallup area would be where land. Jade said, “I we’d settle.” She graduated from Puyallup High know how much School. Fellow South Hill History Society member our being depends Art Larson was her Social Studies teacher — a on a relationship favorite subject that she would later teach. to the land, so for me a piece of Her historical connections to Puyallup go back to property has a life her great-grandfather, an early racecar driver. In of its own. I just 1910, in a Moline car, he took part in an automo- get to hang out on bile race from Chicago to Texas and back, 2800 it and, of course, miles in all — a great feat in those times. She has work very hard as a picture of him talking to Ezra Meeker, compar- my grandparents ing the covered wagon and the Moline car — sug- did.” gesting next time he could use a car to cross the Oregon Trail. Jade Trevere, February's Jade reminded us speaker, tells the history of her apple orchard and her that as genera- In the fi rst part of Pat’s talk she told us of her life views on South Hill's tions pass, local as a teacher. Her early teaching career began in environment. farmland is chang- California, followed by teaching in Germany and ing hands and is Japan. At that time she did not have a strong not being preserved as farmland. There are many interest in history, and now regrets not taking young people eager to farm that cannot afford to the opportunity to teach local history during her compete against developers for available farm- overseas assignments — especially when she land. “We still have choices and we don’t have to taught in Hiroshima and could have had survi- always choose commercial development,” said vors of the atomic bomb tell their stories to the Jade. Her current mission is to make sure her students. Pat is impressed with our Society’s land “always remains a green space.” For the last efforts to reach out to local elementary schools to four years she has been investigating conserva- introduce young people to the history that hap- tory organizations to help her with her plans. pened in their own backyards.

Jade left us with an important thought, “What do After returning from Japan, she began teaching we want South Hill to look like? It takes vision, it at Woodland School where she met her future takes the developer’s vision, and it takes a con- husband, Dan Drake. Both teachers were fea- servancy mind as well, but I would really like to tured on the front page of the Sunday Tacoma see us work together and not just automatically News Tribune, July 16th, 1969. Following the think that more development is always best.” news story, she was asked to teach with Dan Drake. She taught Social Studies and Language We thank Jade Trevere for an inspiring presenta- Arts while he taught Science. “Dan was a fan- tion — also, for becoming a member of the South tastic Science teacher. He conducted all kinds of Hill Historical Society! class activities — setting off rockets, cutting up cow lungs, rat mazes... how was I going to com- 3 pete with that?! Well, I got busy with Social Stud- James Biles; and the Columbia River crossing, ies to make it interesting — that was the catalyst among others. The Himes’ writings chronicle a for my career,” said Pat. young family’s perils and experiences heading west on a wagon train. The George Himes Story After Pat and Dan were married, the school Pat also touched on many of her experiences over moved her and she found herself teaching fourth the years associated with the Naches Trail and grade with the requirement of Washington State her career.

While listening to Pat, we came to realize she is well equipped to inspire the younger generation to appreciate their history. Pat is currently continu- ing a long-delayed book project. We all hope to hear more about her progress and look forward to hearing more from Pat in the future. He Loved South Hill Don Glaser (1930-2015) by Jerry Bates

I met Don and Mary Glaser for the fi rst time in 2003—during the early days of our Society. My strongest, among many memories of Don, was his straightforward honest nature and his love of South Hill. He lived here his entire life, his family went back generations on the Hill. He felt a real commitment to our organization, attending all Pat Drake with technical assistant/husband Dan the meetings always eager to share his recollec- Drake. Pat wearing her Seahawks hat "It's part of tions of a long life on South Hill; he also served as history." president and vice president. Don had a real pas- sion to explore our history, always full of energy history. Pat wondered how she could make his- and curiosity. Helping to satisfy that curiosity, tory relevant and interesting to fourth graders. In I remember Don coaxing me into various excur- her research, she found Pioneer Reminiscences by sions: Our investigation of the new storage tanks Ezra Meeker. On page 101, she found the an- at the McMillin Reservoir. Arranging a Knutsen swer to her problem. “Meeker tells that he wishes rhubarb farm tour for the two of us (his grand- every young child [aged] ten years old could father raised rhubarb on South Hill 1935-1943), know about what George Himes went through and of course, like many others I joined him and on the Naches Trail,” said Pat. George Himes Mary bouncing over the old Naches Pass trail in was ten-years-old when his family traveled to his Jeep Cherokee 4X4. Puget Sound on the Oregon Trail in 1853. George Himes was a prolifi c writer from an early age and Don was particularly attached to his old school— in his later years wrote of his experiences as a the Firgrove School. The old brick schoolhouse child on that historic journey. Pat discovered the we see today on Meridian once had a six-year-old key to interest her fourth graders in history—ad- Don Glaser sitting in it. That was in 1936. The ventures of a child their age on the Oregon Trail. building was constructed as a WPA project one year earlier. In 1895 the fi rst Firgrove/Patzner Pat told our group some of these stories, fasci- School was built thanks to his great-great grand- nating for a child’s mind and ours. We heard father, John Patzner. Don and Mary in 2009 of young George’s introduction to his dad’s un- organized the 'Save Our School' committee when friendly dog; the crossing of the White River on the old brick building he attended was threatened a log by his reluctant mother; being rescued by with demolition. The school bond for construct- 4 ing a new school didn’t pass, delaying demolition west and north side of the intersection of 122nd plans, and the old structure’s future remains AV and 144th ST. Intermarriage joined the Gla- uncertain. Also in 2009, Don and member Ka- sers with their neighbors the Patzner family. tie Bennett organized the Firgrove School First Both families had roads named after them that Reunion Event held for 1935-1965 classmates. A joined at the above-mentioned intersection. Don second event was organized in 2010. Both occa- and his brother, Wayne, were featured in a 2008 sions were held in August at the Meridian Habitat renaming ceremony organized by Pierce County Park and were very successful bringing together in recognition of the old road names. Glaser Road many old-timers, scattered all over the country and Patzner Road signs now hang proudly at the and who hadn’t seen each other in decades. intersection in honor of his great-grandparents.

Don had a real love of logging history working in a I’m not the only one among many Society mem- logging camp as a youth. Don’s love of the out- bers who hold special thoughts of Don. A few re- doors and history drew him to the Naches Pass, membrances expressed at our May 2015 offi cers the old wagon route traveled through the high meeting: “I remember Don as a fi rst class guy. Cascades in the early years of white migration to Always helpful and proud of South Hill,” “Don Puget Sound country. Don began exploring the will be remembered for his passion for preserv- trail in the 1960s with his jeep club and helped ing the history of Firgrove School, South Hill and restore the route. Many of our members were Naches Pass jeep tours..." “The list is long of his lucky to be invited along on one of his yearly trail contributions to family and community… he will trips. Don needed no map; he just drove us into be missed,” “Don had the energy/enthusiasm of the rough country following “roads” only passable the logger on South Hill. He leaves a legacy,” “Don on foot or with a four-wheel drive vehicle. has been such a treasure of information—he will be missed,” “Thanks to Don and Mary for all you As noted, the Glasers were among the earliest have done for the SHHS,” and “What a loss for pioneers on South Hill. His great-grandfather, our Society, the trips over the Naches Pass plus Nicholas Glaser, bought three 40-acre tracts all the past remembrances of South Hill History. just southwest of the Tacoma Water Reservoir in We will miss him dearly.” 1912. The present day location would be on the

Don reminisces with Firgrove School Principal Charmaine Krause 2010.

The First Reunion, Habitat Park 2009

Government Meadows ahead, Naches Pass

Brother Wayne & Don

5 laria was Peruvian bark, source of quina, which Lewis & Clark — fi rst had ocular side effects. Today, that ingredient is known as hydroxchloroquinine and treats ma- ophthalmologists west laria, lupus, and RA. Patient information cites its “toxicity, atrophy, edema, and blurred vision” as of the MS River side effects. There were no sunglasses, but the by Debbie Burtnett explorers suffered from sunburn and refl ected UV Daniel Patrick Moynihan once said “all politics is rays while on the rivers. local” (sic) but we could easily say that “all his- tory is local.” After moving to South Hill in 2004, In 1805, Lewis recorded in his journal that “soar I learned that I traded the Natchez Trace for the eyes” was a common complaint among the party Naches Pass and Hernando de Soto for Lewis and the Native Americans were also affl icted. and Clark! Recently, I attended a University of Captain Clark wrote of his observation of the loss Alabama at Birmingham lecture entitled Lewis of sight in an entry of April 6, 1806. Dr. Rush & Clark: First Eye Care Practitioners West of the taught Lewis how to treat sore eyes from Syden- Mississippi. ham’s Treatment for Opthalmia. The eye water created used zinc oxide, a quieting draught of an William J. Benjamin, O.D., Ph.D., and Director ounce of syrup of white poppies (which helped the of Advanced Refractive Services in Birmingham, eye to feel better), slippery elm bark, dissolved in became interested in L & C after reading Stephen two quarts of melted snow or fresh spring water. Ambrose’s Undaunted Courage. He concluded Today’s product, Refresh® Celluvisc, contains the that the team was the fi rst ingredient Carboxymethyl eye care practitioners west cellulose sodium of 1% — of the Mississippi. (slippery elm bark!)

Both Lewis and William Rush’s recipe for two Clark had served during quarts of eye water in- Northwest* Indian War with cluded white vitriol (zinc “Mad” Anthony Wayne, so sulfate); sugar of lead (ac- both had the military disci- etate); and two quarts of pline and the wherewithal melted water from snow or to explore the unknown spring water (Refresh uses territory—in secret as the Purite® or purifi ed water.) Louisiana Territory was still Lewis and Clark were the fi rst eye care French land in 1804. Lewis practioners west of the Mississippi, says Dr. Dr. Williams concluded had served President Jef- William J. Benjamin, O.D., Ph.D. that the success of the ex- ferson for two years as a Secretary-Aide and knew pedition was in no small part key fi gures in government, including Dr. Benja- due to goodwill created on the passage because of min Rush in Philadelphia, a physician from whom the eye care given to Native Americans. They were he obtained essential gear and treatments. Al- exposed to the technological capacity of the young though it is not known exactly what Rush shared nation and welcomed its medical care as well as with Lewis, a comparison of their respective notes the expedition members, and the ability to trade and ‘recipes’ for treating “soar eyes” (wrote Lewis), eye water for food and provisions sustained the it’s likely this occurred. Jefferson charged the group as they neared the end of the journey. leaders of the expedition with documenting and sending back fl ora, fauna, animals, fi sh, and in- *The Northwest Territory, composed of what formation about Native Americans. would become the states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin; this region a/k/a They had some idea of what the members of North-Western Territory by the Hudson Bay Co., the expedition might experience in terms of eye lay northwest of the Ohio River and was the most problems. For example, everyone on the frontier northwestern part of America prior to the Louisiana suffered malaria; indeed, both of their journals Purchase. describe the misery of mosquitos—even while us- ing mosquito nets. The best treatment for ma- 6 From the Treasurer Our Current Members by Ben Peters Andy G. Anderson Gary Leicht Welcome to New Members Andy & Ruth Anderson Terry Maves Laurienne Stewart Minnich Robert & Lynn Daughtery Elizabeth Anema Myrna K. Kucklick Marion Armstrong Kaye Murrell Gary Leicht Bob Ballou Carolyn Nelson Jade Trevere Teresa Best Dorothy Nelson Jerry Bates Juanita & John Nordin Katherine Bennett Mark & Dorothy Norris Please call, e-mail or write any change of ad- Marilyn Burnett Ron & Lois Pearson dress to me, Ben Peters, 253-845-7028, poppa- Debbie Burtnett Wes & Suzy Perkinson [email protected], 14602 106th Avenue Court E., South Hill, WA 98374. Vernon Cox Ben Peters Dave & Patti Curtiss Bill Riley Also, don’t forget that we are a 501(c)(3) non- Robert & Lynn Daughtery Bernice Fisher Rinehart profi t organization. Dues, donations, etc., are Karen Day Sheila Rinker fully deductible from your income taxes if you James H. Dixon Vern Rockstad are able to do so. If you need a receipt for tax Pat Drake Helen Rohlman purposes, contact Ben. Joan Ellis Earl Root Arthur & Luverne Foxford Stan & Margery Salmon Dues Reminder Ira Gabrielson Lori Stock I will attach a sticky note to the Society newslet- Mary Glaser Marge (Crosson) Swain ter mailed closest to your renewal date. No need Paul Hackett Ralph & Yvonne Thorpe to fi ll out the membership form unless there Alberta Hagen Jade Trevere is a change of some kind. Cecil & Doris Herbert Margo L. & Joe Tucci The South Hill Historical Society meets regularly Evelyn Swalander Hess Lee Van Pevenage on the THIRD TUESDAY of the month, 11:00 AM, Wilma Walsworth Hinshaw Carl Vest (no meetings July and August) at The Highlands Alan & Linda Hoenhous Neil & Celia Vincent in the Community Center. This complex is located Joe & Rhoda Hoenhous Joan Vosler at 502 43rd Ave. SE, adjacent to and east of the Maybelle Hoenhous W. Louise Walsworth Mel Korum YMCA. Matt Holm W. Lynn Williams Leslie Huff Lenore Nicolet Winton We welcome you to our monthly meetings. For John Knierim Ed Zeiger more information, contact Paul Hackett at Myrna K. Kucklick Hans Zeiger (253) 845-7691. Mike Kupfer Allan S. & Ellen M. Zulauf Art & Lorraine Larson Beverly Zook

South Hill Historical Society Offi cers In Memoriam President, Bob Ballou The South Hill Historical Society Vice-President, (vacancy) regrets the passing of Secretary, Pat Drake Public Relations Coordinator, Paul Hackett Don Glaser Research Coordinator, Carl Vest Treasurer, Ben Peters Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, Jerry Bates

History On The Hill is published quarterly Editor Jerry Bates, Editor-at-Large Debbie Burtnett Copyright 2015 7 South Hill Historical Society Membership/Renewal Form

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Signature Date Renewal, check here Make check or M.O. payable to South Hill Historical Society Annual Dues: Society membership $25.00 and mail with this application to: Note: Please do not send cash. SHHS Membership, 14602 106th Avenue Court E. South Hill, WA 98374-4905

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