The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., May 28, 1910, page 7

BINGEN
(Observer)

     Mrs. J. M. Filloon, of Guler, who is well acquainted with Klickitat history, furnishes the following particulars regarding Bingen:
     Bingen is the place which is distinguished in the history of Klickitat county as the first ranch settled in the county. Erastus S. Joslyn came to the place now called Bingen in 1852, and settled on the ranch later owned by Judge Byrkett. Here it was that the first orchard in Klickitat county was planted. This was in the year 1852 or possibly the next year. He built a log house and began to improve his claim where he also, acquired considerable stock. In 1855-6, during the Indian uprising the redskins burned his dwelling, destroyed his orchard and drove away his stock. Joslyn and his family fled to a pace of concealment across the river, and from where he watched the depredations of the murderous natives. Friendly Indians warned Joslyn that his place would be attacked and he fled in time to save the lives of himself and family.
     At the close of the war Joslyn returned to his ranch and lived there until the fall of 1874.
     Another place about as old as that of the Joslyn's, is the Curtiss place of Granddalles, which was first settled by Captain Jordan, who, with his regiment was stationed at Fort Dalles, at what is now The Dalles, Oregon. The Joslyn place is well known by the older generations as one of the historical points of the Columbia river. Some of the logs were there three years ago, that Joslyn made and which he used in one of his buildings. The Joslyn spring is where visitors, who are history lovers, like to drink from. Whenever Mrs. C.J. Crandall, Mrs. John Marden or others of the Historical Society of The Dalles visit Bingen, they wend their way to the old Joslyn place, as they call it, Mrs. Maden located the place near the landing with the stockade or impromptu fort was located during Indian troubles. Bingen is favored in having these two places within her gates, it is believed by the Fort Dalles Historical members. These would draw visitors who happened to be in easy reach of Bingen. Somehow visitors in town love to see the "oldest place." They will climb high hills or almost inaccessible places in order to reach some point known in history is the land where everything is comparatively new.
     So at Bingen, its historical place, would draw the attention of visitors even if the original house was not there. It is said that the old Indian who fired the Joslyn house in '56 still lives near Bingen, and is known as White Salmon Dave.
     J.C. Warner, of Fulda, was in town Saturday. Mr. Warner has one of the best dairy ranches in the Camas country, but lately disposed of over 100 head of cattle, which he proposes to replace with blooded stock in the future. In the meantime he is putting his ranch in shape which will make it a model dairy farm.
     Strawberry raisers all say that the berries are other unusual size and favor this year. Mrs. H. Wetherell, who has a small garden patch, brought a box of berries into this office on Monday of the Magoon variety, which were certainly fine specimens. They measured from 2 1-2 to 4 inches in circumference, and 13 filled the box, rounded measure. They had no extra care but the vines are full of them.

TROUT LAKE

     The booklets descriptive of Trout Lake Valley are being distributed by the Trout Lake Valley Commercial Club, having been received the later part of last week. From the number of letters received by that body of boosters, it is surmised that a large percentage of people in the east, south, west and north are determined to leave the places in which they live. The storm which took place throughout the east and south recently is the cause of the coming hiatus.
     This is one of the finest seasons ever experienced by the citizens of this Valley. The roads are in good condition, the people are enjoying perfect health, the crops are promising a large yield and the whole country in the upper White Salmon Valley is happy and contented. Everybody is busy and this causes them to be contended and happiness follows.
     The Hotel Guler kitchen has a new occupant in the way of a chief who arrived the first of the week. That hostelry has a large number of guests and nearly every stage brings new arrivals.
     Trout are spawning now and it is at times difficult to get them to rise to bait or fly. Those who love fishing at miss Father Waters, parents of Mrs. A.H. Jewett of White Salmon, for he it was, who always procured the small fry with which to stock Trout creek. Although old in years he was young when it came to trout fishing and enjoyed nothing more than to get in his boat on Trout Lake and fish for hours. He always brought a big string of fish to the hotel for the enjoyment of its guests. The people here and the visitors of this resort will always remember the aged man with pleasure for his kindly disposition. He died at the Patton Home, Portland, a short time ago.
     R.M. Filloon is having a wagon road built to his homestead, and has Cal Pott and Alec Case assisting in the work. It has consumed two weeks now in its construction, and will probably require two weeks more to complete it.

GLENWOOD

     Herman Kuhnhausen, our road supervisor, has been doing much needed work on the roads in and around Glenwood this week.
     John Jabe came up from White Salmon on Friday last with his auto, and took Grandma Kuhnhausen down to the depot to go to Portland. Her daughter, Mrs. Borde and Granddaughter Maleta, accompanied her.
     E.P. Huffsmith has been sending lumber with his teams to Bacon creek, where there is to be a new Camp Mysterious erected.
     Miss Carrie Cox is gaining her strength somewhat, but is not well yet.
     Hanson's stage line seems to be doing a fine business. There is likely to be quite a stir in the valley one of these days. From some very reliable sources we get this hint.

LAUREL

     Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pick have returned to their homestead, three miles southwest of Laurel after a visit to Moscow, Idaho.
     School term in District 10 ends this week. Mr. Allwin has conducted a very successful and satisfactory term.
     Guy Chapman has added three head a very fine Jersey thoroughbreds on the Pacific coast to his herd here, at the cost of $805. They were purchased at the Harry West sale at Scappoose, Ore. Two of the recent purchase were prize winners at the A.Y.P. Exposition. The cow which has eight silver cups to their credit in exposition prizes, is the mother of the finest show stock in the West herd.
     A Mr. Lord from The Dalles, has purchased 80 acres of the John Rick homestead on the Wright-Laurel road, and proposes to improve the place with a view to making it a home for his family.
     Robert Chubb has completed his work as census enumerated in the White Salmon Valley, and is "back on the reservation" as he terms his homestead.
     That dam at Peek's mill site is nearing completion and a few days more will fix it for filling.
     The annual hegira of the young people to the White Salmon district for strawberry picking season has commenced. A larger number than usual will go this year.
     J.C. Warner has sold his herd of cattle to Claus Staack. Mr. Warner is one of the progressive class of farmers and is plowing the Camas sod of 20-years standing and will seed the greater part to grain.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer