william.html

The Klickitat County News, Goldendale, WA., May 17, 1934, page 4

INTERESTING PIONEER INTERVIEWS

William E. Hornibrook, 82-year old pioneer of Klickitat county, dropped in the office the other day and before the conversation had drifted far, a portion of his experiences as a resident continuously here since 1888 were unfolded. Mr. Hornibrook's conversation ran something like this:
"I am told that I was born in Canada. More specifically, I was born near Mitchell, Perth county, Ontario, October 4, 1851. My folks used to tell me that I was one at a raffle. As to the truth in that statement, I cannot say.
"In 1871, when I was 20 years old, my folks decided that we should come to the United States so we packed our belongings, sold the place and went to Iowa. There I remained until 1888 when I came to Klickitat county.
"As soon as I arrived here I began to look around for something to do. Insomuch as my family had been farmers, I, too, thought that farmers were the salt of the earth, so I homesteaded a few miles from Goldendale. I had considerable difficulty with the railroad company, the same difficulties that Mr. Harris had whom you interviewed last week. Finally I was able to prove up and I found myself with 640 acres of wheat land.
"I resided on this farm for a number of years and when I got too lazy to work further, I decided to move into Goldendale and just loaf.
"However, I have regular loafing hours. In the morning I may be found at my home and I remain there until about 1:00 o'clock each afternoon when I walk down town to talk on the corners and renew acquaintances with my old friends.
"Say, by the way, you remember what Mr. Harris said about the hanging in the last issue. Well I got into town the day they hung that fellow. It was a poor day for me to get into town. I guess I am a little touchy on that subject for I didn't attend the hanging, I remember.
"Well, as I was going to say, I believe that the man's name was Timmerman and not Timberman, as the other interview said. Anyway, that doesn't make a lot of difference and it isn't my idea to start any argument when I know that it won't make a lot of difference one way or the other.
"At the present time, my son is farming that 640 acres I told you about a short while back. While we have never made a fortune, and still had to work hard, we have tried not to complain because there have been plenty who have not had the good fortune that we have had, even if it has been a tough row at times.
"It was in 1908 that I first had the political bee. I ran for county commissioner. I had been in four years and had a pretty successful term when I was urged to run for representative to the legislature from this district.
"That year, 1912, I was successful in gaining the nomination and then later the office in the general election. I served two years in Olympia and during that short two years I worked for several bits of important legislation.
"Among the most important measures which were passed during that time was woman's suffrage. I voted for the women in the county and then went to the legislature and aided in passing it through that body.
"The workmen's compensation was also enacted during my term. I worked doubly hard for this measure and have always felt that I did the right thing. I know that I made many friends during that campaign.
A third measure which I thought was very important which has made me even more friends than the others, is the full railroad crew law. I went to the carpet many times with enemies of the law and was mingled in many debates, verbal and written, on this question. I received many nice letters of congratulations on my stand among them many of them are endeared to me beyond value. I still keep them in my strong box and look at them once in awhile just to jog the old memory and recall those days.
"At one time, on the farm, I invested $3600 in brood mares. The animals were registered and were of the best stock that I could buy. I raised colts for a number of years. I was able at that time to sell teams for as high as $400 and several times I recall that buyers from Columbia river points and more especially, Portland, would come out on the farm and by the horses while I was plowing with them in the field.
"No I don't think that the general use of horses on farms will return. The horses are fine but the modern machinery has supplanted the old type to a certain degree and I cannot see that the horses have much of a chance for a come back.
"Just recently I was checking on the relative costs of tractor use on the farms and I found the cost much lower than where horses are employed. Of course, there are certain places where the motor driven machines cannot operate and the horses come into their own but as far as giving the horse the big jobs anymore, I am sure that we are passed that.
"It was the first Sunday after I arrived in Goldendale that the big fire burned down the business section. It was rather a warm reception for me but I saw the town gradually build back, widen the streets, improve its buildings and build a nicer, prettier little city.
"I also remember that Bill Byars now postmaster, ran against me in the county election for commissioner. Of course, when I was successful by a few votes, we seemed a little distance for a while but that soon wore off and Mr. Byars and myself have been fine friends for years and years. As a matter of fact, I can safely say that Bill is one of the best fellows in the town. He has certainly worked for the betterment of this community if any man ever worked for a community.
"As I told you at the beginning I have a very poor memory and up until the time that my wife passed away, I always let her tell the stories and keep the dates so I didn't have much opportunity to remember little items of interest.
"Sure, I feel fine. I walk with a cane but I have thought many times that it is more a matter of habit than it is a necessity. I use it because I have gotten used to it during the last few years and then - it makes me feel a bit safer in walking around. You know that I am not as young as I used to be.
Mr. Hornibrook is unusually keen for a man of his age and he states that he feels fine most of the time. He recently placed his subscription on file for The News and stated that he was much interested in seeing another new publication in the field.
Mr. Hornibrook resides, at the present time, in the city and makes a regular daily trip downtown to "loaf,"as he puts it.
He is a member of the Methodist church and attends as regularly as he is able.