Klickitat County Pioneer Monument
Goldendale, WA.

The Klickitat County News, Goldendale, WA., December 12, 1935, page 1

FIRST PLANS FOR MONUMENT TO PIONEERS VIEWED SAT.
Gives Interest Slants on Situation in foreign Countries;
England Goal of Bickleton Family; Gets First hand Information for News Readers

     The first plans submitted to the Klickitat Valley Pioneer Association for the proposed pioneer memorial to be erected in the center of the city park west of the county cottage were viewed Saturday afternoon when they were formally presented by Mrs. Joe Stultz.
    The plans, neatly drawn and outlined, dimensioned so as to leave no question as to size or construction, were the product of Harry Hill, a prominent stone mason and quarry owner of Yakima and Ellensburg. Mr. Hill is a nephew of Mrs. Stultz and had been appealed to for advice, possibly a plan.
     Mr. Hill would erect the monument from stone quarried near Ellensburg, and considered of the better quality available in the state.
     The plan, which was viewed by The News management following the pioneers' discussion of the possibility of construction at their meeting Saturday afternoon at the grange hall, presents all of the dimensions in simple form so that anyone interested would have little difficulty in visualizing the finished products, should the plan finally be adopted.
    The main stone would tower 10 feet in the air, would be 1½ feet in depth and six feet at the base. On one side would show a finely polished marble and on the other, an attractive bronze plaque with the inscriptions of 60 pioneers or pioneer families, whichever plan would be adopted.
    Jutting from each end of the main stone would appear a marble bench four feet in length with a surface of 18 inches, the same as the depth of the main monument. The monument, or memorial as the pioneers call it, would be placed in a solid concrete base. In the stone base of the main stone, the mason would chisel and appropriate pioneer picture, suggested in the plans as a rugged rancher following his team of oxen.
    Finances would be obtained by the association through contributions of $10 per family or individual inscriptions placed on the bronze plaque, a charge which was deemed exceptionally reasonable in the face of charges made in other localities where similar memorials were financed and constructed.
    Mrs. Stultz was honored Saturday it being a date close to her birthday. She is 77 years old and has spent 65 years of those years in Klickitat county. This year, the pioneer plans to spend Christmas in Portland, the second time during her residence that she has not been at home during the Yule season.
     The gathering was large Saturday and an interesting discussion was enjoyed. Refreshments were served at the close of the meeting.

The Klickitat County News, Goldendale, WA., February 27, 1936, page 1

MONUMENT WILL BE SET HERE
Pioneers to Be Honored in Erection of granite Marker in City Park

    Definite assurance that an impressive monument would be erected in the city park in Goldendale, dedicated to the pioneers of the Klickitat valley was given this week by Harry Hill, representative of a Yakima monument firm.
    Mr. Hill arrived in Goldendale late last week and immediately set out to devise a plan for submission to the pioneers and one that would suit the surroundings at the park. He had previously drawn a sketch and presented it to the pioneer association. The last sketch, however, was changed somewhat before finally adopted.
     The monument will be of the spire type, coming to a point at the top and gradually widening at the base where it will be set in a large square of granite. The edges will project for enough from the monument to form seating benches around the entire spire.
     On each of the four sides of the spire will appear the inscriptions of the early-day settlers, date of arrival, and other data. The base will be decorated with carved work depicting early days scenes.
     A working model, fashioned of card board, is on display at the McKenzie hardware store and may be viewed by those interested at that point.
     Pioneer families desiring to find more data concerning the monument are asked to get in touch either with members of the association or Mrs. G.F. Tebbs, president. Mr. Hill will be _____ the monument's cost is subscribed.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., March 30, 1939, page 1

PIONEER MARKER ASSURED
Granite Memorial Shaft May Be Dedicated On Either July Forth Or Thanksgiving

     The names of Klickitat's pioneers will be memorialized in granite for posterity to read, J.G. Allyn, former mayor and chairman of the Pioneer association monument committee announced this week.
     According to Allyn, plans will go forward for the erection of the granite monument on the court house grounds as originally planned. The pioneer monument will be dedicated on either July 4 or Thanksgiving of this year depending upon the length of time required to secure the 140 names necessary for the granite marker's establishment.

Charge of $6.00

     At a meeting of the Pioneer association held Saturday, the group authorized Allyn to go ahead with plans for the monument's completion. In order to cover the expense of erecting the monument, a charge of $6.00 per name is being made for inscriptions on the granite block.
     Only the names of persons who came to Klickitat county prior to 1885 will be placed on the monument, Allyn said. These names will be in letters approximately two inches high cut into the blue-gray granite. The letters will be blackened with oil of coal burned into the carved granite. Names will appear on all four sides of the monument.

Meeting Saturday

     A 17 ton block of granite has already been procured for the monument and is being prepared at Yakima, Allyn said. The monument when completed will be a rectangle 10 feet high mounted on a two foot high base and surmounted with a three foot pinnacle.
     Further details regarding the monument will be discussed Saturday at the regular meeting of the Pioneer association to be held at the Goldendale Grange hall beginning at 3 p.m.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., June 15, 1939, page 1

PIONEER MONUMENT WELL UNDER WAY

     Work on the huge granite stone which will be erected on the court house grounds to commemorate the names of Klickitat county pioneers is now well underway. J.G. Allyn, chairman of the monument committee for the Klickitat Pioneer association, announced this week that the list of names to be inscribed on the monument was virtually complete.
     Only the names of pioneers who settled in Klickitat county prior to 1889 will be included on the list, Allyn said. The granite monument is being carved and prepared in Yakima.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., September 5, 1940, page __

KLICKITAT PIONEERS NAMES PLACED ON GRANITE MONUMENT

     Impressive with the same solid simplicity that marked the lives of so many of the 250 Klickitat pioneers whose names are chiseled on its four sides, an 18 ton gray granite monument was mounted on the courthouse grounds of last Friday. This monument, sponsored by the Klickitat Valley Pioneers Association, bearers the names of pioneers who came here prior to 1880.
     At their meeting Saturday the Klickitat Pioneers association will decide upon a date for the monument dedication ceremonies. Mrs. Catherine Locy, president of the association, said it had been suggested that the monument be dedicated on Nov. 11 since that date is both Armistice day and the anniversary of Washington's admission to the union. The dedication date may be set earlier in order that the ceremony can be held before the fall rains began.

WASHINGTON GRANITE

     The pioneer monument is a shaft of gray granite 15 feet high that was quarried in the mountains near Snoqualmie. The monument itself consists of five separate pieces of stone, a granite base imbedded in the concrete foundation placed on the courthouse grounds by the association several years ago, a primary base, a gray granite base containing four etchings, the shaft itself, and a pyramidal granite base.
     The granite base below the main shaft is etched with four typical pioneer scenes showing an ox team and plow, a covered wagon, a log cabin and a stockade. The monument was designed and made by Harry Hill, Yakima stone mason.
     The names of pioneers are arranged on all four sides of the shaft. The listing is done in the order of arrival in the Klickitat valley. Cost of placing the names of pioneers on the monument was, for the most part, paid for by the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the people concerned. The Pioneer Association paid for a small group of names of outstanding pioneers who at the present time have known relatives living in this area.

MANY LETTERS

     By actual count there are 2754 letters chiseled into the granite sides of the pioneer monument shaft. Work on the monument was started nearly five years ago. J.G. Allyn, former mayor of Goldendale, had charge of the work of securing the names of pioneers to be placed on the monument.
     The monument has been accepted by a Pioneer association committee composed of the following persons: Frank Fenton, Jennie M. Darch, Edna S. Mulford, Catherine Locy, O.L. Hamilton, Hattie Gunn Tebbs, E.H. Lee and W.E, Hornibrook.
     The names of pioneers as listed on the stone follow:
     Joseph and Elizabeth Nesbitt, Daniel and Katy Pierce, D.W. and Lindy Pierce, C.C. Alvord, Russell and Belle Davenport, Nicholas and Mary Ann Ward, Mary E. Chappell, Frank L. and Ada J. Bunnell, Samuel P. Flower, Charles E. Flower, Wm. M. and Annie C. McEwen, Ira C. and Dora D. Richards, Gastell and Marie Binns.
     Col. E.B. Wise, Wm. A. and Jennie O. Vanhoy, Wm. E and Ellen F. Hornibrook, Marion D. and Susan J. Bunnel, Chester A. Bunnell, Frank Fenton, James M. and Effie Vanhoy, Wm. H. and T.A. Leaton, James A. Berrian, Jacob Adams, W.A. and Arville J. Imrie, Frank P. and Sybil D. Vincent, Arthur G. and Mary A. Harris, Arthur C. and Mary E. Chapman, S.R. and Susan Darland, Oliver A. Vanhoy, Jacob and Mary Ciezentanner, John T. and Eliza Flower McCredy, Dr. T.W. and Sarah E. Reeder.

PIONEERS LISTED

     Albert and Harriet Kayser, Marion M. and Sarah Splawn, Johan E. and Sophia A. Jussila, Thomas H. and Ada Hooker, Winfield S. and Mary Lefever, David Story, David S. and Lizzie VanHoy, Edward F. and Mabel Spoon Flower, James E. and Maranda White, Francis M. and Alice Rude, J.W. and R.E. Jackson, Dr. Allen and Mrs. Bonebrake.
     Wm. And Mary Radcliff, Rollo E. and Laura M. Jackson, Wm. and Rachel Clemens Morehead, William M. Sill, Daisy Smith Allbritton, Henry Stacker, Newton and Mary E. Norris, William and Amanda Kamholz, Waldo E. and Mary M. Glover, William H. and Louisa Oldham, Warren and Lydia Blagden, Timothy and Belinda Ward, James W. and Ida A. Blanchard, Fred and Mary Danbrook, Thomas D. and Pearlie E. Snodgrass, Amos J. and Mary E. Coley, John J. and Laura Dingmon, Robert and Sarah L. Richardson, Alby M. and Sarah A. Bunnell.
     J.C. and M.J. Story, William and Mary A. Schuster, Samuel A. and Charlotte Wilkins, Ada Nesbitt Byars, Peter and Caroline Gunn, Hattie and Millie Gunn, Elmer Ellsworth Hinshaw, Lock and Bridget O'Brien, Hugh Calwell, Fred Balch, Johnson A. Stout, Father Wilbur, Capt. W.A. Wash., Joshua Brown.

MORE HONORED

     E.W. and Polly Oldham, M.W. and L.J. Warner, Ralph W. and B. Fenton, Michael and Bridget Hoctor, August and Caroline Schuster, Merle S. and Louisa Short, Henry and Jane Garner, Issac and Elizabeth Hinshaw, Wm. J., Anna M., and Jack Hinshaw, William Meehan, Daniel and Julia Cram, Alexander and America Jane Hamilton, James and Rose Coffield.
     A.H. and Lizzie A. Curtiss, Leon W. and Annie Curtiss, Geo. B. and Janette St. Lawrence, N.O. and Helen M. Crevling, Samuel and Sarah J. Lear, Martin and Mary E. Furhman, John H. and Ella R. Smith, Thomas B. and Mahala L. Stapleton, Capt. S.H. and Alice Miller, Rev. John and Susan Roe, George H. and Emma Baker, John J. and Jane G. Golden, Joseph C. and Matilda J. Morehead.
     Geo. W. and Mary Waldron, C.O. and Mary Golden Barnes, Lewis and Amy Long Parrott, Matt and Eva Crocker, John and Mary Crocker, John and Wolberg Hagan, Rev. J.H. and Mary L. Allyn, Alexander and Isabel Miller, Samuel and Sarah Hornibrook, John S. and Susan Burgen, Joseph and Louisa M. Linden. J.T. and Josephine Crooks, William H. and M.W. Ward, Col. E.W. and Clara Pike, James R. and Cynthia E. Warner, J.E.L. and Mary S. Harris, Peter and Lena Anderson, A.J. and Josephine A. Spoon, N.B. and Rosa Brooks, Christopher and Thirza Ward, Francis E. and Joseph M. Slutz.
     Thomas and Susan Burgen, Robt. G. and Elvira Ferguson, Pearl and Gay Dymond, H. and L. VanHoy, Jesse and Lydia Richardson, Charles and Malinda J. and Louisa Adamson, W.H. and Mary E. Chappell, Chas. And Rosa Brune, John Mattson, Henry B. and Mrs. Carratt, George Carratt, Justin and Elizabeth Scammon, Sol and Emma Fenton, Howard and Adelaide Marshall.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., October 17, 1940, page ___

PIONEERS DEDICATE MONUMENT
Judge J.E. Stone Urges Listeners Not To Forget Lessons Taught By Early Settlers

     Valley pioneers, many of whom remembered Klickitat when it was virtually unsettled wilderness, gathered on the courthouse grounds here Saturday to dedicate a memorial erected In their honor. Judge J.E. Stone, superior court judge for the Klickitat, Skamania, Cowlitz county district, delivered the dedicatory address.
     Mrs. Catherine Locy, president of the Klickitat Valley Pioneer's association, sponsors of the monument delivered a short address of welcome to the assembled group of nearly 300. Judge Stone was introduced by Frank Fenton, chairman of the monument committee.
     The granite shaft memorializing the names of nearly 300 of Klickitat county's pioneers is a memorial to courage, hardship and achievement, Judge Stone told the group, "The names chiseled on this monument will inspire the generations to come with energy, endurance and accomplishment," he promised.

COURAGE NEEDED

     "We are a nation of pioneers, Judge Stone, himself the son of an early day Cowlitz county sheriff, stated. "Who better than we should know the value of their courageous ventures?"
     Even today, the speaker went on, man's horizon is only limited by his breadth of vision. "If there are no longer opportunities to open new lands as did the early pioneers, the opportunities for broader horizons in mental realms are greater than ever before, and the mental qualities needed to open up these fields to individual experiences are the same as those … used by our forefathers."

SAME QUALITIES REQUIRED

     "The men who loaded their families and a few necessities into covered wagons and set out to make homes in the wilderness faced unknown dangers as well as discouragement, discomfort and possible failure. They must have possessed not only courage and fearlessness, but persistency, resourcefulness, faith and self-denial. These same pioneer qualities of thinking are needed today, because discouragement and the acceptance of failure are still among the greatest stumbling blocks to happiness."
     Concluding his speech, Judge Stone added, "We are happy for this moment. We do not need it for ourselves, for loving memories will never let us forget these honored pioneers, but the coming generations will be lifted and inspired by this token of their loyalty, fidelity and love of God and the children of men.''
     Robert Graham, 95-year-old Yakima resident who was the first white settler in the Bickleton area, spoke briefly. Other speakers included Mrs. E.M. Stultz, first president of the association; and C.T. Giezentanner, former Goldendale resident who now resides at Dry Falls. The Rev. C. E. Hanes, pastor of the Goldendale Baptist church, delivered the invocation.
     A number of Valley pioneers came from Vancouver, Seattle, Yakima and other parts of Oregon and Washington for the dedication ceremonies.
     The Goldendale male quartet composed of Paul Johnson, August Hanson, Andrew Alne and C.H. Knosher sang several numbers.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer