klamath echoes - oregon state university
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Kiamath County Historical Society
1965
KLAMATH ECHOES
News-Journal Utho, Yreka, Cal. VOLUME I NUMBER 2
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On a "Sunday afternoon" at Pelican Bay. L. to F.: Mrs. John McCall, Louise Sargent,and Lyle Watson Kimball.
ExcursionWhen we ponder the olden, golden days, some things are like a dream;But clear and bright, are 'Excursions' up dear Kiamath Lake by steam.We watched the paper carefully for I. A. Duffy's ad;He promised such a holiday! 'Excursion' became a fad.
Ma looked at Pa for the good word(fifty cents was quite a fee!)How we howled with joy at that great line"The children go for free!"Each felt a tiny guilty qualmWe would miss Sunday School;But Ma said God was outdoors too; besides, it would be cool.
Well, we were up at crack of dawn, all helping pack the eats,And hurrying to the landing, so we'd be sure of seats.The boat came 'round the wooded bend, shined up all white and new;They rang the bell as it approached and shrill the whistle blew.
'Alma', 'Winema' or 'Kiamath' could be the one that came,And we always wondered what proud lass gave the 'Lottie C' her name.A hundred folk were soon aboard, with hardly room to stand;And on the deck, resplendent, sat the Klamath Falls Brass Band!
I tell you everyone looked fine, each in his Sunday best!Ma in her 'merry widow' hat; Pa in his checkered vest.Some folk left at Odessa; Rocky Point claimed just a few.The rest steamed on to HarrimanThere were more things to do.
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TULE LAKE
DedicationWe respectfully dedicate this, the second issue of Klamath Echoes
to the owners, builders, captains and crews of the many boats that
plied the waters of the Klamath country for so many years.
The rowboats tied along the dock soon lined up for a race;But three girls stole their fellows' craft and led them quite a chase!Poor boys called out and pleaded but the ladies wouldn't stop!So the sad guys sought some solace playing cards and drinking pop.
When the bugle sounded 'chow time,' in rushed the hungry tribe!And such a dinner was spread out, no gourmet could describe.Aunt Emma's pickles took the prize at last year's county fair;Miz Jones's cake was like one served when the governor was there.
Hot biscuits, chicken-crisp and brown-coffee and lemonade;Salads and pies and berries red, on that rich ice cream (home-made).At the pavillion, when we were 'plum-full' we frolicked until 'six';Kids slept, the women gossipped; and the men talked politics.
The band struck up a slow new waltz, to the tune 'After the Ball';And lovin' couples in a trance, floated slowly 'round the hail.All things must end, the whistle blew; and we loaded up for home;And our jolly little steamboat soon was kicking up the foam.
Dog-tired, at last we were content to sit and watch the scene,Pelicans circling the sunset sky, the shoreline misty green.Ah yes, those golden days have fled; but I'd like for old times' sakeAn excursion with those same dear folk, by steamboat, on the lake.
Helen Epley Hoffman
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Picture courtesy Vera Clemmens
Sacking boat. Kiamath River log drive in 1897, two miles up river from Kiamathon,end of drive. (Left to Right) Bill Moss, standing, the drive boss; a visitor; S. M.Slough, drive cook and father of Mrs. Fred Cavin of Hornbrook; George Cook; FredFrain; Henry Hoover; B. A. Henderson; George Spannaus; Frank Woods; RoderickFrain; Edward Way, uncle of Mrs. Cavin; Man standing tall in back is an unknownvisitor; Last man with peevee on right is William lorenzo (Wren> Frain of KiamathFalls; Last man, hands in pockets, is an unknown visitor.
All of these men are now dead. They were all native Siskiyou County men. Mostof them replaced the White Water men from Manistee River, Michigan, after theWhite Waters struck in early 1897 and were fired. Wren Frarn drove from 1893 to1900. This sacking boat wa built with a high stern and stem, the better to runthe rapids.
We are still selling clear, honest Klamath Pine Boat Lumber today at SWAN LAKEMOULDING COMPANY at 3226 South Sixth Street in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Phone
884-5145.
Kimball Glass House
"THE BEST PLACE TO REPLACE"
Phone 882-2535 521 Walnut
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
DeVere Photo
The end of the Steamer Kiamath, in the log cut leading to the Pelican Bay Lumber Co. mill.Picture taken in March, 1948.
COMPLIMENTS OF .
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Oregon Water Corporation
PURE WATER FROM ARTESIAN WELLS
Your FORD Dealer
Since 1923
NEW FORD CARS AND TRUCKS
USED CARS AND TRUCKS
Phone 882-3436 Seventh and Pine Streets
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON Main & Esplanade Telephone 884-3121
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
Copy from an old postcardCourtesy Copco This picture should settle for all time, the manner in which the Steamer Klamath was movd
The new boat "Shark" leaving Eagle Ridge Rock Slide with a barge load of rocks for Upper from the Lower Lake to the Upper Lake.Lake dikes. Louis Duncan in the boat.
Balsiger Motor Company
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The State Wide Bank with Home Town Service
MemberFederal Deposit Insure nce Corporation
"WHERE TO CALL"
First National Bank of OregonKlamath Falls Branch, 601 Main 882-3444South Sixth Street Branch, 2809 So. 6th 884-7751Merrill Branch, 206 E. Front 798-52 1 1
Maude Baldwin Photo
Arrival of the Winema's 14,000 lb. boiler, overland from Pokegama, in front of the oldBaldwin Hard'ware Store and First National Bank Building in Klamath Falls in early 1905.Joe Moore driving, Jim Moore riding on top of boiler.
First National Bank of Oregon
Priest Photo
The Hooligan, foreground, and Steamer Klamath along the Upper Lake water front. Some timeafter 1911.
Modoc Lumber CompanyManufacturers of Old Growth - Soft Texture
PONDEROSA
TRUE FIRS - DOUGLAS FIR - SUGAR PINE
.
P. 0. Box 257 KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
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Copy negative, courtesy 0. K. Puckell
A Puckett operation in 912, at Keno, on the Klamath River. Forming log rafts to be towedto Klamath Falls mills.
MY LIFETIME IN KLAMATH COUNTYCOMPLIMENTS OF .
TRANSPORTATION AND SALE OF LOGS AND TIMBER
0. K. PUCKETTMidland Empire Insurance and Realty
Clem and Sylvia Lesueur
Phone 884-6115 120 N. 7th Street1006 Main Street Telephone 882-3471
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGONKLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
Maude Baldwin Photo
The Winema being raised after blowing over and sinking off Eagle Ridge in August, 1907.
Launching new boat "Shark'.
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Home Lumber CompanyRetail Sales
PROMPT SERVICE ON ALL BUILDING NEEDS
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Bill Meade, Manager
Telephone 884-3146 2384 So. 6th Street
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
DeVere Photo Maude Baldwin Photo
Larry Bergman in doorway. The last trip of the Steamer Klamath, carrying excursionists from Klamath Falls to board thefirst train to enter the city, May 20, 1909.
U. S. National Bank of Oregon
KLAMATH FALLS BRANCH TOWN & COUNTRY BRANCH
8th & Main 3720 So. 6th
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Phone: 882-5581
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FREE PARKING - 8th & KLAMATH
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
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Maude Baldwin Photo
. Sewing Machine Center
NEW AND USED SEWING MACHINES - PIANOS - ORGANS
Unknown ladies organization on an excursion to Keno on board the Ewauna. Kerro Landingat south end of bridge.
RENTALS REPAIRS
VIKING SEWING MACHINESCLOTHES
CONN and LOWRY ORGANS and PIANOS
Added Savings
. Phone 884-6949
1414 East Main Street537 MAIN KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON PAT VAN PELT Klamath Falls, Oregon
Maude Baldwin Photo
Business Men's excursion by the Buena V sta to Odessa Creek George Baldwin seated in box.
Men's Store
F NE BRANDS OF .
MEN'S AND BOY'S
plus
S & H Green Stamps for
.
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The above picture with frozen lake background shows the original Steamer 'Mazama," builtin 1907, and its owners, Jasper "Jap" B. C. Taylor, (on left and "Cap" M. F. Parker, (on right).The engineer's name is not remembered. With round-nose barges to navigate the windingWood River, general freight was hauled up Klamath and Agency lakes and on up Wood Riverto the lower bridge, four miles from Fort Klamath. The remaining distance was handled withtrailer wagons and four horse teams. Baled hay was hauled on return to Pelican Bay Lumber
1h INI
Maude Baldwin Photo
Steamer Klamath on Lake Ewauna, Kiamath Falls in the background. Baldwin Hotel overstern of Klamath, Presbyterian Church and old Klamath County High School at extremeright. About 1908 or 1909 period.
BALDWIN HOTEL
OLDEST & STRONGEST
COMMERCJAL BUJLDJNG IN TOWN
In Kiamath its
31 Main Street Phone 884-5952 Peoples Warehouse, Inc.For local-long distance moving & storage
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON1425 SO. 6TH ST. KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
From Bennet Collection
Co., logging in the Rocky Point area.The second "Mazama" was built in 1911, using original engines, but being larger, was slowerand never satisfactory. It ceased operations in 1913 after S. P. railroad had been completedto Chiloquin and boat service could not compete with combination rates of rail and horsedrawn wagons on to Fort Klamath.
Years later, in 1918, "Cap" Parker founded the Peoples Warehouse, which is still beingoperated and owned by his step-son, Warren C. Bennef. Peoples', then, is truly a des.cendant of the Steamer "Mazama" boat transportation, and currently specializing in trans-portation and storage of furniture and household goods.
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ClamsheH Dredge, owned by Pacific Power'son Upper Kiamath Lake around 1936.
TODAYThe Trend is to
TOTAL-ELECTRICLIVING60% of all new homes and apartments builtthis year in a 5-state area we serve installedelectric heat
90% chose electric water heating
Nearly everybody chose electric cooking
GO ALL-ELECTRIC'
PACIFIC POWER & LIGHT COMPANY403 Main St. - Phone 882-341 1
Editor's PageIt has been a long time from the beginning of the first notes taken for this boating
history, seventeen years, until this work went to press, June 10, 1965. Reminiscences,old newspaper clippings, photographs, and this past year, a concentration on the oldnewspaper files in the offices of the Herald and News, have constituted the foundation for
our history. We especially want to thank Floyd Wynne, Managing Editor of the Heraldand News, who made the old newspaper files available, without which this history ascompiled, would not have been possible. We also want to thank Mr. Alfred D. Collier,Hal Ogle and the Klamath County Museum, for photos, information and their cooperation.
We have been troubled with a surplus of photos and information, rather than alack; in fact, we have left on hand enough information and photos at this time, toprint another book this size. We hope that before too many years elapse, someone willtake up where this history leaves off, fill in the blank spots, use many of the photos leftunprinted and bring the boating history of the Klamath country up to date.
Even now as this history is presented to the public, we presume there may be errorsin it; probably we have inadvertantly stepped on someone's toes by mentioning some-thing we should not, or by failing to give credit where credit is due. We could onlyprint the information we had available or that was told to us; if anyone had other perti-nant information we are only sorry that it was not made available.
It is our understanding that at least three other sources are preparing boat histories,and for that reason we have avoided certain subjects wherever possible.
Gathering this information has been an interesting excursion into the past.
To the steamboats, we offer our sincere sympathies, they pioneered, took on boardpassengers and freight, and in general opened up the region. The railroads came, andbusiness slackened for the steamer. Then the highways and logging roads followed,with trucks taking over. Business slackened in turn for certain railroads and disappearedfor the steamer. Only the pleasure boats remained.
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Kiamath Echoes StaffDEVERE HELFRICH - - EDITOR
ANNABELLE NEWTON, VERA CLEMMENS,"SHARKEY" HUTCHINSON, ANDHELEN HELFRICH - - ADVERTISING & SALES
NEVARTE SMITH AND LEONA ANGEL - - TYPISTS
RUTH KING - PUBLICITY
OfficersKLAMATH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1965
PAUL ROBERTSON - PRESIDENT
VERA CLEMMENS - - VICE-PRESIDENT
LEONA ANGEL - SECRETARY-TREASURER
ANNABELLE NEWTON - PROGRAMME CHAIRMAN
AL ANGEL, HAL OGLE, ANNABELLE NEWTON,AND MINNIE GRIZZLE - DIRECTORS
Kiamath Echoes is published annually by the Kiamath County Historical Society.Address all communications to: Kiamath Echoes, P.O. Box 1552, Kiamath
Falls, Oregon, 97601.
THE CovER: The cover was drawn by Stephanie Bonotto Hakanson, also the artist forour first Annual. It is drawn from a true scene of an Indian dugout canoe on OdessaCreek, in the 1900-1908 period.
114 N. 7th
Courtesy Don Harlan
Dance Barge on the Upper Lake, 912.
John H. HoustonEQUITABLE'S LIVING INSURANCE - SERVICE SINCE 1921
C. Buz LarkinGENERAL INSURANCE and BONDS
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON Phone 884-3108
114 N. 7th KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON Phone 884-3221
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Addresses and information of Historical Society Publications that contain informationclosely connected with the Klamath country:
"The Siskiyou Pioneer," published annually by the Siskiyou County Historical Society,910 So. Main Street, Yreka, California. Pice $2.00.
"Trinity," published annually by the Trinity County Historical Society. Subscriptionprice is $1.25 plus mailing. Communications should be sent to Editor, P.O. Box 303,Weaverville, California.
"The Covered Wagon," published annually by the Shasta County Historical Society.Address all communications to Mrs. John Shuford, 3055 Henderson Road, Redding,California. Price $1.00.
Josephine County Historical Society, P.O. Box 1225, Grants Pass, Oregon, doDorothy Darneille, Editor, or Pauline H. Shier, Secretary.
Jackson County Historical Society, do Miss Mary Hanley, Curator, JacksonvilleMuseum, Jacksonville, Oregon.
Klamath County Museum, 126 South Third, Kiamath Falls, Oregon.
CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO VOLUME I, NUMBER 1:
The name of Al Angel, one of our original donors, who helped make our first issuepossible, was accidentally omitted in our last issue.
The girl licking the ice cream paddle, page 33, was Lyle Watson Kimble. The manis unidentified.
The Unknown Lady at Crater Lake, inside Front Cover, has been identified asNellie Boyd Hancock.
The man driving the Model-T Ford, Page VIII, with the cream cans, has beenidentified as R. C. Short.
The young man with the three bears, page 25, was Harry Telford rather than hisbrother Ray.
KLAMATH BOATINGTULE AND EWAUNAJESSIECANBYWINEMAKIAMATHCURLEWBUENA VISTABARBARAMAZAMAEAGLEHOOLIGANWASPNORTH STARMODOCBUFFALOOAKLANDSPRAYCAPTAIN JACKHOUSEBOATSLOWER KLAMATH LAKEUPPER LAKE LANDINGSMISCELLANEOUS
THEY CHECKBOATING ON TULE LAKECRATER LAKE BOATINGAS TOLD TO ME
MAPS
Table
THE FIRST BOATSEARLY TRANSPORTATIONBOATSAS TOLD TO MR
of Contents
LANDINGS
pageHelen Epley Hoffman inside front coverDevere Helfrich 1
Rachaei Applegate Good 8
George Stevenson 11Ivy Emmit Propst Drew 15
Gertrude Colahan 17Judge U. E. Reeder 18John Yaden 20Harry Tell ord 22Devere Hellrich 27
36
Dane Runneis 38Devere Heifnich 45
5354545557585960606162636363656871
7273
Ruth King 75Jack Linman 78
79Mrs. Heber R. Radcliffe 80Ivan Dennis 81Walter G. Heifer 82Minnie Grizzle 84Lester "Sharkey" Hutchinson 85Mrs. Ester G. Newell 87Tom Calmes 88
inside back cover
Bryce McCormack 16
33
37
John Totten
The E
vening Herald, D
ecember 25, 1913:
Charley H
ouse in his launch 'SpeedK
ing," accompanied by a com
panion, leftW
illiamson R
iver headed for Modoc Point.
When part w
ay the cam shaft w
as brokenby ice. A
fter severe hardships they reachedE
agle Ridge, m
ended the shaft and oncem
ore started out. They bucked ice all day,
and at last reached Bear Island, w
hich was
covered with tw
o inches of snow, w
here am
ost disagreeable night was spent. T
henext day the w
ind came up and broke the
ice, after which the m
en managed to reach
Modoc Point in a fam
ished condition.
Republican, Septem
ber 12, 1907:T
he new launch K
latawa, ow
ned by Tel-
ford and Son, was placed in service this
week. O
ne of the new features about the89.
Priest P
hoto
The B
eth, thought to be a patrol boat on Lower K
iamath Lake, around the B
ird Islands.
boat is the tunnel stern, and it is provingvery satisfactory and w
ill likely become very
popular here, as it seems to be especially
adaptedf o r
the navigation of shalloww
ater.It
isbeing seriously considered
placing the new boat on the Fort K
lamath
run. Messrs. T
elfords have reason to feelproud of their labors, as the K
latawa is one
of the finest pieces of work turned out by
this popular firm.
Klam
ath Republican, February 28, 1901.
Am
ong the projected improvem
ents inthis tow
n are those which tw
o citizens will
shortly introduce. One of them
proposes toget a gasoline autom
obile and the other agasoline launch. T
hus combined they can
navigate both land and water.
May 3, 1965I came to the Merrill community in 1891,
when I was ten years old. I was born aboutfour miles west of Maxwell, California. DanVan Brimmer was my step-father.
My first boat was the Crystal, about athirty footer. I bought it from Sam Sum-mers, and I think possibly Dewey Huffmanbuilt it. I used it during 1911 to pushbarge loads of cinders from Tule Lake Pen-insula to Merrill for road building. A manby the name of Perquisc ran it for me. I donot remember what became of this boat. In1912, I had the steamer Shag built. It wasa barge type boat, with a stern wheel. Ithad two engines, one on either side, eachwith an arm running to the stern wheel, anda boiler. All the machinery was shipped infrom San Francisco. Bill Purdy was the en-gineer and Charlie Murphy the pilot. I ranit about three or four years, pushing bargeloads of cinders from the Peninsula. Theonly other thing I ever hauled was wool,from south of the Peninsula. I sold theengines and boiler to Linman for a boat onthe Upper Lake.
Coppock had a small boat and bargewhich he used between his homestead onthe Peninsula and Merrill. It was the Crystalthat had trouble on Tule Lake in a stormin 1911. I do not remember any other
Recorded by Devere Heifrichloats on Tule Lake, although there mayhave been.
I bought this place in 1934, and movedhere in 1935. I own the land where the oldTeeters' Landing was, but there is nothingthere now.
One time a man named McCóllum cameto Teeters' early one morning and informedhim he wanted to fight. Teeters said he had-n't had breakfast yet, but would oblige assoon as he ate. McCollum said he hadn'thad breakfast either, so Teeters said, "Well,we'll fight now then." They were both bigmen, but Teeters licked him.
Sam Fleenor, we a lw a ys called him"Uncle Sam," lived with us here until hedied. Fleenor Chimneys in the Lava Bedswas named for him. We buried him in thelittle cemetary at Keno. We put "SamFleenor, Modoc Wagoner," on his tomb-stone.
Republican, October 12, 1899:
There is no more suitable water in theworld for boat racing than on the Klamathriver at this point, and we understand ef-forts will be put forth next year providingfor such sport. That would surely be ofgeneral interest and attract big crowds.
The First Boats . .
By DEVERE HELFRIICHThe first authentic and documented entry
of white men into the Klamath Countrywas the McDonald-McKay Hudson's BayCompany party, who left Fort Vancouver,August 20, 1825 (Ogden's Snake CountryJournal, 1824-1826. The Publications ofthe Hudson's Bay Record Society. Page lvi.),and traveled as far south of the ColumbiaRiver as the present Kirk-Chiloquin areabefore returning northward (Journal ofPeter Skene Ogden: Snake Expedition 1826-1827, Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol.XI, No. 2, Page 211). They had returnedas far north as the Warm Springs Riverneighborhood by December 9, 1825, ihenthey were met by Peter Skene Ogden, whowas headed inland with his 1825-1826 furbrigade. It appears that the McDonald-McKay party left no written record of see-ing or using water craft of any kind uponthe waters of this district. Ogden, however,on the above mentioned expedition, re-
corded the following on November 30,1826 (Ibid. Page 210.): ". . . Mr. McKayproceeded ahead to an Indian village 3
miles distant (On Klamath Marsh, in ageneral southly direction from the later dayLenz ranch). It was composed of 20 tentsbuilt on water surrounded by water ap-proachable only by canoes,..." It can-not be doubted that the first mentionedtrappers did see Indian canoes and prob-ably did use them, but as stated, they ap-parently left no written record of it.
In so far as can be found at this time,the first written record referring to theuse of water craft by white men, that wouldbe of interest to this community was a nearmiss. During the winter of 1834-1835,Nathaniel J. Wyeth, with a party of men(The Correspondence and Journals of Cap-tain Nathanial J. Wyeth 183 1-1836. Pages237-249), having followed up the "river offalls called by the F r e n c h 'Rivieu desShutes'," divided, and Wyeth with threemen continued southward. At the point of
separation (a short distance downstream andnortherly from Benham Falls, Wyeth andhis men, over an eight day period aroundChristmas, built two canoes which the mencalled "Black Snake & Triton." On January1st, 1835, they again started southward, incanoes this time, and passed up the Des-chutes River to a point a few miles southof "a severe rapid" (Pringle Falls, west ofpresent day Lapine). Wyeth and his smallparty penetrated to this point on January14, 1835, in the dead of winter and underthe most severe handicaps and conditions.They turned about here on that day and re-traced their route to the Columbia Riverwhich they reached February 9th, 1835.
It thus falls to the lot of Captain JohnC. Fremont to be the first to leave anauthentic written record of actually seeingand using boats upon the waters of theKlamath country. (Memoirs of My Life byJohn Charles Fremont. Belford, Clark &Co., 1887. Pages 483-494). On May 6,1846, Fremont and his party on theirsecond trip into the Klamath country, ar-rived at the outlet of Upper Klamath Lakein the forenoon. This spot is near the siteof the Fremont Bridge across Link Riverwithin the city limits of Kiamath Falls andthe event is commemorated by a D.A.R.marker located nearby. In mentioning hisarrival there, Fremont wrote: "It was in-viting and I would have been glad to rangeover it in one of the Indian canoes." Afew sentences later he further wrote: "Mr.Kern made the picture of it while we weretrading with the Indians for dried fish andsalmon, and ferrying the camp equipageacross the outlet in their canoes."
On May 7th he again wrote: ". . . butnow and then when the lake was visible acanoe might be seen glancing along." ThatIndian canoes were quite numerous on theUpper Lake is shown by Fremont's re-
cordings on the succeeding days: "Beforewe had been two hours on the way many
88. 1.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe Tom Calmes boat, the Crystal, at the Lava Beds, south side of Lake.
As Told to Me. . . by Tom Calmes
canoes appeared on the lake, coming fromdifferent directions and apparently makingfor a point where the trail came down tothe lake (near present day Shoalwater andPelican Bays.). "As I rode up I saw a deadIndian sitting in the stern of a canoe, whichthe current had driven against the bank(present day Williamson River)
It seems odd that, in a district so un-known and far removed from the fewwildly scattered settlements then on the Pa-cific Coast, the next mention of boats shouldcome but two months later. The Applegatcexploring party of 1846, from the Wil-lamette Valley, after unsuccessfully trying tocross the Lava Beds south of Tule Lake, onthe morning of July 6th, turned northwardalong the high ridge separating LowerKlamath and Tule Lakes. One member ofthe party, David Goff, had become sepa-rated from the others in the Lava Beds andwhile keeping a lookout for him, LindsayApplegate recorded some thirty years later(Notes and Reminiscences of Laying Outand Establishing the Old Emigrant Roadinto Southern Oregon in the Year 1846.By Lindsay Applegare. Oregon HistoricalQuarterly, Vol. XXII, No. 1, Page 23):
we discovered a great number ofcanoes leaving the lake shore, under thebluffs and making for what appeared to bean island (Tule Lake Peninsula) four orfive miles distant. We could see a lonehorseman riding leisurely along the lakeshore, approaching us. This soon proved tobe our friend. The Modocs had discoveredhim in the lava fields, and probably sup-posing that the whole party was about toassail them from the rocks, they took totheir canoes.'
It has been stated (History of Jackson,Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos Coun-ties. Page 205.) that shortly after the firstBloody Point massacre, which occurred inthe latter part of August, 1852, Ben Wrightand a party of twenty-seven men arrived atthe scene. They "furiously charged theModocs even in the midst of the tules, andattempted to cut them off from their boats.
The savages sought only to reach theirboats and get Out of range,..." Following
this battle, we find the first mention of aboat, other than a canoe, to be used bywhites in the Klamath Basin. The hostileswere reported (Ibid, page 206.) to havesv:ght "refuge on an island (presumablySnake Island or Tule Lake Peninsula). Aboat was provided, being hauled Out fromYreka, in which six armed men reconnoit-ered almost daily the savages' position.'!
A slightly different version (The EarlyIndian Wars of Oregon, by Frances FullerVictor. Page 303,) of the 1852 affair atTule Lake states: "Wright then went toYreka and had boats built with which toreach the island, . . . on the arrival of Ross,Wright returned to Yreka, for supplies, andto bring Out his boats. But he was unableto reach the Indians, who retreated to thelava beds......
During the following year, 1853, it isreported (Ibid, page 318) that "CaptainJohn F. Millers company, . . . in the vi-cinity of Tule Lake they observed smokerising above the tules, and thinking it camefrom fires on inhabited islands in the lake,constructed boats of wagon beds and wentout to explore them, when they found anumber of canoes filled with Modoc womenand children, and containing fireplaces ofstone and mud, at which were cooked thefish on which they subsisted."
From another source (History of Cen-tral Oregon. Page 930) it is recorded that,in 1853, a company under command ofCaptain Mack Bushy, ". . . encountered theModocs in Northern California and de-feated them. These Indians were driven tothe shores of Clear Lake, where they tookto their canoes and sought refuge on anisland where they believed themselves safefrom further pursuit. The soldiers, how-ever, camped near the lake, constructedboats, attacked the hostiles on their islandand again defeated them."
There seems to be a discrepancy some-place, for an 1853 emigrant writes (Diaryof a Trip Across the Plains in 1853, byVelina A. Williams, supplemented by recol-lections of 0. A. Stears in 1915. FortySeventh Annual Transactions of the Ore-gon P i o n e e r Association. Appendix.):
As Told to Me .. . byApril 6, 1965
My father, Harry Hansberry, came herein 1903 or 1904, from Hood River, Oregon.He had been on the Columbia River steam-boats, The Dalles City and Bailey Gatsartt,around Cascade Locks.
Father and John Totten built the Wine-ma in 1905, which they ran for a numberof years before dissolving partnership. Itwas after this that father built the Hooliganwhich did all kinds of towing, includingbarges of hay from Wood River.
Father had a launch called the Hunter,but I do not remember the Shag. I do re-member that my father built several row
strengthen the dykes; in fact did about ev-erything.
Copco towed for cost, logs to Lamm's,Pelican Bay, Shippington, Boy Scout, Al-goma, and Blocklinger; sheep for O'Connorto Buck Island, and horses to Bear Island.We once pulled a plane Out of the water.
The Beth belonged to J. C. Boyle, andwas lost on Agency Lake. I remember, onetime Totten was working on the boom atShippington, when some fellow jarred theboom with a boat on purpose, and Totten
Priest PhotoSteamer Kiamath and Winema at Rocky Point, Upper Kiamath Lake.
Mrs. Esther G. NewellRecorded by Devere Helfrich
boats for Harriman.We had a boat house at Budd Springs
and I remember two large trout that mothertried every way in the world to catch, butcouldn't.
We left here in 1913, and moved toSeaside, where father had a boat shed andbuilt boats. I suppose father sold theHooligan before we moved away.
We returned here again in 1923, afterwhich father took up a homestead nearHarriman Lodge. He had a fox farm there.He was killed when his team of horses ranaway, May 20, 1937.
fell in.The Ellapoppin was used by Wilbur Tel-
ford and Doug Puckett as an ice boat. Copcobought Out both Linman and Wickstrom.
The Geary dredge - George Stevensonowned it at one timehad been the Sou-thern Pacific dredge and was later acquiredby Copco.
Frank Loosley helped build 0. K. Puck-ett's boat.
I was on the Upper Lake for twenty-fiveyears before I retired in 1956.
2. 87.
There was a boat called the Benicia thatwas here before my time and had quit be-fore 1922. It had been a cutter on thecruiser South Dakota at one time. It wasused in surveying the Upper Lake.
I never used the Oregon; it also had beenused as a survey boat. (This Oregon is inno way connected with the Oregon ofOdessaEditor). Del Gammon was theengineer in charge then. He had a boat ofhis own called the Lii Gal. Shipped it tothe Bay region when he left here. I tookhis place.
The Spray blew up on Copco in 1935while they were bringing a log raft fromsome west side homesteader. They wereheaded for Algoma and were this side ofEagle Ridge. They were filling it with gasand when about filled it blew up. Every-one got off safe. Copco took it over about1924.
The Lilly was built by Telford in 1924.It was used as a tender for the suctiondredge, Klamath Belle, There had beenanother boat before, called the Lilly, but itgave a lot of trouble and quit while tow-ing. When we test run the new one, webroke ice with it, drove it over boom sticksand bucked four-foot waves.
I remember the ice cut holes in theSpray on Agency Lake when we were hunt-ing for the bodies of Woods and Nitchelm.Dr. Sharpe's boat, the Winnelen, also hadholes cut in its sides by the ice. The icewas about half an inch thick and literallywore out the sides. We also took the Lillyup there, and on the return fastened on2x12's, and they were almost gone by thetime we got back to the docks.
Copco used the Hooligan for a time andit ended up along the Lakeshore Gardendykes. They used the hull to haul junkaround, had acquired it through the JohnLinman operations.
Wickstrom owned the Modoc and Eagle.Used the Modoc to tow, and the Eagle topump sand at Williamson River. Linmanowned the Wasp. When it became obsolete,Copco burned it in about 1935 or 1936.The second Wasp had a reverse. It alsohad a pointed prow.
The Curlew remains lay alongside theCopco boathouse for years.
The old clam shell sank off the BuenaVista docks. The Eagle sank off RitchiePoint, near Skillet Handle, when Wick-strom was pushing it backwards for somereason. The Modoc was set on fire in theearly 30's and the remains were used in theLakeshore Garden dykes.
The Pup was a tender for Copco's origi-nal clam shell, the Cardinal. The Nancy Kwas launched in 1923. Telford built it ina tent. The Mazama's hull lay in the tules,west of the Copco boathouse for years afterit was dismantled.
While dredging a channel opposite Peli-can Bay with the suction dredge, we hit arock strata, and mixed up in the muck thatcame up was a fine Indian mortar.
Copco built the Shark. They received twobids, both of $1,000, one from Frisco andone from Seattle. They decided to built itthemselves and it cost them $1,000. It waslaunched May 20, 1936. Captain Linmanbuilt the superstructure.
The men presented me with an admiral'scap one time, and I still have it.
The Boy Scout mill had a boat but it hadno name. Browns also had a boat with noname. D. E. Alexander had a boat at theDoak ranch, and also a barge.
Dismantling started February 10th, 1953,on both the Oakland and the Shark. TheLilly was sold to Glubrecht, a school teacher,in 1953 for $75.00. He immediately startedrepairing it in his spare time.
Copco used to haul everything. Deliveredfreight to the ranchers and homesteaders onthe Upper Lake. Once I delivered 4,000baby chicks to the Alexander Ranch. Wefirst took the Wasp Out in the wind on atest run. Wanted to see if we could keepthe temperature up to 70 degrees. The babychicks were from Petaluma. We loadedthem on the Wasp, closed up all the open-ings and holes, and by firing heavy withslab wood, kept the temperature at the re-quired 70 degrees. We had two thermomet-ers. I don't think we lost a chick.
We towed log rafts, pushed barge loadsof rock from the Eagle Ridge slide, to
"They were soon passing along near theborder of Clear Lake and saw on its shoresa number of boat or skiff that they after-wards learned had been used by the Cali-fornia Volunteers under command of BenWright, when pursuing s o me fleeingModocs after defeating them in a battlethe previous year." As to which date isright or wrong, or who was in command ofthe Volunteers, does not concern this his-tory. It will be left to another time andplace to discuss the merits of the variousstories. These bits of history are given onlyfor their reference to boats and their use inearly Klamath Basin history.
The next day, while the emigrants werelaying over at the soldiers' camp on LostRiver, a doctor took ". . . some of the chil-dren on a fishing trip by canoe in the watersof Lost River but the pleasure of the tripwas marred by the fear of the canoe over-turning at every cast of the line by theponderous doctor ......(Ibid.)
Lieut. R. S. Williamson's survey partypassed through the Kiamath country in1855, traveling northward from California.Lieut. H. L. Abbott, Williamson's assistant,recorded on August 12th (Explorations andSurveys for a Railroad Route from the Mis-sissippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Vol. VI,page 65): "Rhett Lake (present day TuleLake) is a secure retreat, where the savagecan escape among the tule, in their lightcanoes, and defy a greatly superior force."Two days later, August 14th, upon reachingthe lower end of Upper Kiamath Lake, herecorded (Ibid, Page 67): "Two squawscame into camp in the afternoon, with a fewfish which they had caught in the lake. Wegave them some presents, and they paddledrapidly away in their canoes to spread thenews."
In the meantime, Lieut. Williamson hadcircled Lower Klamath Lake by the oldemigrant road and crossed Klamath Rivernear present day Keno. Returning to themain party, he reached Upper KiamathLake at its outlet, and in crossing LinkRiver, recorded (Ibid, page 77): "We for-tunately found two old canoes, and lashing
them together, formed a craft upon whichwe carried our baggage across."
On August 23rd, while crossing Wil-liamson River near the point it issues fromKlamath Marsh, Abbott once again re-corded (Ibid, page 72): ". . . they were fer-ryed across by sqauws on canoes, payingthe bucks for the accommodations."
Lieut. Abbott kept a personal journal(Abbott Railroad Surveys, 1855, by RobertW. Sawyer, Oregon Historical Quarterly,Vol. XXXIII, page 16.) in which he re-corded: "August 21, . . . food, huts, canoes,themselves in lily pads." "August 23,forded deep stream . . . Squaws helpingwith canoes."
Lieut. H. D. Gibson of the same partyalso referred to this crossing at KiamathMarsh (Transactions of the Fifty FifthOregon Pioneer Association. Letter, underdate of Nov. 23, 1855.): "Quite a numberof the Indians, however, came into ourcamp in the evening, and the next dayrendered us a great deal of assistance incrossing the riverguiding us to the fordand furnishing us canoes to convey ourpacks.'
On April 30, 1857, we find the men-tion of an entirely different water craft.On that date, Mart Frain arrived at LinkRiver from Yreka, to trade and barter withthe Indians (History of Central Oregon.Page 931.): He "swam his mules across theriver and a squaw conveyed his beads andsaddle over on a tule float, which had inthe center a hole through which she thrusther limbs, using her feet as paddles."
In 1862, we find evidence of a watercraft of yet another kind, in so far as canbe learned, the first built by whites in thisterritory. A newspaper item (Yreka Semi-Weekly Journal, Dcc. 31, 1862), states:"A ferry has lately been placed at the emi-grant road crossing on Lost River, near thenatural bridge. The natural bridge is cov-ered with water too deep to render itfordable on account of the large amount ofwater running from the lakes, which wereso greatly swelled by the vast quantity ofsnow and rain last winter. Considerabletravel is expected over this road and ferry
86. 3.
towards the Humboldt next spring, and alsotowards John Day, Powder and Boise rivers.A bridge has been built over the slough(Lost River Slough, south of present dayHenley) for the accommodation of the tra-vel to the Northern mines, and the presentmild winter will, no doubt, render wagontravel easy and practicable in the spring."
Fort Klamath, the first permanent settlement in the Klamath region, was estab-lished in the fall of 1863. The original gar-rison stationed at the post being Troop C,First Oregon Cavalry, under the commandof Captain William Kelly. They enteredthe Klamath country over the old RancheriaTrail, north of Mount Pitt, now officiallycalled Mt. McLoughlin (History of CentralOregon. Page 933), over a route and to alocation selected by Colonel C. S. Drew. ithas been written (History of KlamathCounty, Page 73) that: "During the earlydays at Fort Kiamath the Upper Lake wascalled into requisition as a thoroughfare."This statement in the past has been ratherindefinite, however, information has nowcome to light that more or less substanti-ates it, which follows (Yreka Journal, May19, 1865) : ". . . Bob Whittle lately trans-ported 1300 pounds of freight in a boat onthe Klamath Lakes towards Fort KlamathThe freight was taken to the lakes fromYreka, and is the first attempt of the kindever made."
One week later (May 26, 1865), thesame source reported: "Capt. Kelly andsome of the soldiers had a sail on the lake,to Link river, rowing 40 miles, but in re-turning had a fair wind, and it was blowingfresh. Capt. Kelly can handle a company ofsoldiers but is not familiar with a White-hall sailboat. Missing the channel of theriver in coming in and bringing her to, weturned turtle and spilled the Captain andfour of us into the lake. He will not goout without old sailors again. It was arough lake, but he took it in good part andthe boys had a good laugh on shore. Thelake is about 40 miles long, 5 to 25 mileswide, from 8 to 15 feet deep, and full offish."
Evidently the transportation of goods byboat on the Upper Lake was successfulenough to bring about agitation for afreight route to be established betweenYreka and Fort Klamath, as witness (Ibid.June 30, 1865): "The road from Jackson-ville to Fort Klamath, by which the Fortreceives its supplies, is a hard one to travel,with only about 12 feet of snow on it atpresent. Capt. Kelly has sent out a detach-ment to clear the road, so that supplies canbe brought through. The Fort should besupplied from Yreka, as it is the nearestand easiest point, with half the distance bywater on the lake, and no snow except inwinter, when it is not deep enough toprevent travel."
In compliance with the terms of theCouncil Grove Indian Treaty of 1864, thenewly appointed Indian Agent, LindsayApplegate, and his assistants, after a twoyear delay, arrived in the Klamath countryin 1866, by way of the old emigrant roadfrom Rogue River Valley. On May 9th,their heavily laden wagon, pulled by fouryoke of oxen, reached head of Link Riverat the Indian village of Eulalona. It con-tained their personal equipment and campsupplies, axes, wedges and other tools forsplitting logs and building cabins, an as.sortment of vegetable seed and seed grains,a breaking plow and other tools for gar-dening and farming.
One source (History of Central Oregon,Page 936) states they crossed by "swim-ming the cattle and horses, and ferrying thewagon and goods over in Indian canoes."
Another source (History of KlamathCounty, Page 47) states: ". . . Here a smallboat had been installed for the convenienceof the pony expressa boat deigned tocarry men and horses only, and just longenough to accommodate the wagon withoutoxen. The animals, therefore were com-pelled to swim across, but the party wasduly grateful that the wagon was not com-pelled to swim also."
At that time a pony express carrying dis-patches twice a week between Fort Kiam-ath and Henley (near present day Horn-brook, California) crossed Link River at
March 28, 1965I was born in 1894 on Nannygoat Hill,
Mission Heights, San Francisco. We leftthere in 1910 and moved to Doyle, Cali-fornia. I was there five years and then wentto work for the Siskiyou Light and PowerCompany in 1916, at what is now Copcoon the Kiamath River, in Siskiyou County.
My first job there was swinging a 16-lb.sledge hammer After a week of that I gota job on the rock crusher. I stayed thereuntil World War I came on, when the workwas shut down. I then went to the ship-yards at Benecia, where they were buildingwooden ships. Stayed there four or fivemonths and went to Mare Island. I joinedthe army in 1917, and when the war wasover I came back to Fall Creek late in 1918and again went to work for Copco. I camehere in 1919, then to the Keno plant in
by Lester "Sharkey,, HutchinsonRecorded by Devere Heifrich
1921, and back here to work on buildingthe Link River dam in 1921 and 1922.
Then when an injunction was served onthe Power Company, work was stopped onthe dam and I helped put in the power lineto Algoma. It was at that time that I firstmet Nosier, who had a museum on the hillback of the Buena Vista boat landing. Allsorts of carved objects, etc., people, books,and even ar organ, I think. It later burned.
We finally returned to work on the damand finished it in 1922. I then went towork on the old suction dredge, the K/a-math Belle, in 1923, building dykes on theUpper Lake.
I always liked boats. I had a brother whobuilt boats and I learned from him aboutthe smaller type boats. He lost part of onehand in a saw and later went into thelithography business.
4. 85.
.Priest PhotoThe later day Oregon, and the Mullen steel boat, on Upper Klamath Lake.
As Told to Me III
To wind up the history of the ferry mostclosely connected with our community, wefind the following newspaper article (Yreka
Regarding this same event, Ivan D. Ap-plegate gave a graphic report' (History ofCentral Oregon, Page 952) of the openingof the Modoc War and stated: '.. Hookasmen made a rush for their canoes, evidentlyto reinforce Captain Jack......
As Written to Me.. . by Minnie GrizzleJune 1, 1965
My late husband, George D. Grizzle,came from Medford to Klamath Falls, oftenreferred to at that time as String Town, asit was strung Out SO far from Link River,in 1900 and opened a monument businessat 1028 Main Street in a little shack builtby Paddie Gardine. Donnies Yardage islocated there now.
He always had a good Indian business;they would come in with five, ten andtwenty dollar gold pieces tied up in a redbandana kerchief, or trade him horses whichhe would sell to the Government for Caval-ry horses.
One day he discovered a large deposit ofhigh grade granite on the west side ofBear Island, as freight was extremely highand a little uncertain he decided to quarrythe bases himself. He filed a stone claimon a few acres, bought a motor launch fortransporting himself, hired men, and equip-ment and a large barge to float the stonedown on, as there was already a dock and acabin in good enough condition for batch-ing, he was all set.
They would go up in the fall and breakoff huge slabs of granite which they wouldcut down to base size before bringingdown on the barge. He spent his winterscutting and shaping the bases, also carving.Many of the little lambs and Praying Handsin the Linkville Cemetary 'were carved byhim.
The fishing in the lake at that time wasalmost beyond belief, all you had to do wasbait your hook and drop it in, to pull outa fish.
I have had many experiences on the lake.One summer I spent waiting on tables atthe old Harriman Lodge, and the mosqui-toes were so thick you couldn't open yourmouth without getting it full of them.
I was good at rowing a boat and in theevenings, the lady I worked for, and Iwould go to the mouth of Harriman Creekand catch two or three lovely fish for our-
Recorded by Devere Heifrichselves.
One Sunday evening Burke and MaryWilson and I took a boat to take me overto the Griffiths' (Mickie Wampler livesthere now). I was working there and wentto school in that little one roomed schoolhouse a short way down the highway. Aterrible wind came up, Burke rowed as hardas he could, Mary tried to steer us with apaddle from the rear of the boat and Ibailed water as fast as I could and none ofus uttered a word until we were safe upGriffith Creek. Everyone ran to meet uswhen they saw us coming as they knew wewere coming and they were afraid that thestorm had gotten us.
When we wanted to come to town wewould put on our Sunday best and get onthe Alma, enjoy the beautiful scenery untilwe landed at the dock, then we would getoff and start walking as happy as could be,we were never in a hurry in those days. Itdid not take long to walk to town as it wasa very small place and everyone kneweveryone else.
In the Summer we danced on a largebarge tied up by the Link River bridgeand in the winter we skated on lower Kla-math Lake for our social activities.
The winter transportation on the lakewas carried on mostly on ice skates, everyone carried long poles across their chestsas the hot springs made weak places in theice and if you broke through the polewould catch on the sides of the hole en-abling you to crawl out or someone topull you out.
The town grew and I married the Monu-ment Dealer. I remember one beautifulmoonlight excursion on the lower lake,the band played and refreshments wereserved, it was a lovely evening.
Sunday afternoons we would take thestreet car up to the Lake and back, it was aquiet peaceful way of life that I have beensorry to see go.
the outlet of Upper Kiamath Lake.It is further stated (Ibid. Page 47) that
upon reaching and following down Wil-liamson River, "they came at last to waterthat was calm enough to be easily and safe-ly crossed in canoes, and the canoes werehere in force, in lieu of any such con-venience as a ferry boat. The wagon was un-loaded and taken completely apart and theIndians gaily conveyed the whole equip-ment across in their canoes, literally pieceby piece,..."
It has been written (History of CentralOregon, Page 976) that George Nurse,founder of Linkville, ". . . securing a 'permit'from the government in the spring of 1867he ran a ferry across Link river (at approxi-mately the location of the present bridge onMain Street) - This work was done underthe supervision of Mr. Edgar Overton andwas begun in March. Nelson Stevenson, acarpenter, did most of the work in buildingthe ferry boat.
Mrs. Seely, former Curator of the Kiam-ath County Museum, in an unpublisheddocument, writes but does not give thesource of her information: "Overton workedfor Nurse and Miller in several capacities,one of them being operator of the ferry."Mrs. Seely further wrote but again gives nosource for her statements: "Under the di-rection of Overton, who appears to havebeen interested with Mr. Nurse in his ad-ventures, lumber was rafted down from thefort that summer, and the pioneer buildingin Linkville, a little box lumber cabin wasconstructed......
At about the same time (History of Cen-tral Oregon, Page 938), Wendolen Nus,who had spent the winter of 1866-67 onthe west side of Upper Kiamath Lake, aboutthree miles north of later day Linkville, re-moved to a point about two miles south ofthe present city of Kiamath Falls, and onthe east side of Kiamath River. Here hebuilt a cabin and ran a ferry across theriver. This site was probably the same asthe later Merganser bridge, now approxi-mately the Kesterson sawmill location.
There is mention of three other ferriesthat directly affect the Kiamath country.
First (Yreka Journal, May 1, 1868):Nourse's ferry on Link River is doing athriving business from the travel, and weunderstand another ferry is to be placed onLost river shortly by C. J. Dorris, whosecattle are in that section." Second (Ibid,June 26, 1868), Killibrew's Ferry acrossthe Kiamath River in Siskiyou County, up-stream from Fall Creek, and now under thewaters of California Oregon Power Com-pany's reservoir. It was over this ferry thatmuch of the early traffic passed on its wayto the Klamath country before the TopsyGrade was constructed. Third, it is told byseveral old timers (Statements of Chas.Snowgoose, Bryce McCormack, George Agerand Dan Doten), that there was once aferry at Keno, about one-forth of a milebelow the present highway bridge, or atabout the location of Power Company dambelow the bridge.
Journal, June 17, 1869): ". . . Nourse'sbridge across Link River will be completedby the first of July......
On the opening day of the Modoc War,November 29, 1872, at the first sound oftrouble in Captain Jack's camp, it has beenwritten (Wigwam and Warpath or theRoyal Chief in Chains, by A. B. Meacham.Page 170) that the Modocs on the northside caught up their guns and rushed downto the river, "intending to reinforce CaptainJack. The citizens sought to prevent themgetting into their canoes;
Following the opening battle, CaptainJames Jackson, on December 2, 1872, madea second report (Ibid, Page 953) whichstated: ". . . I took what men could be sparedand had the dead and wounded carried tothe river bank, and from there canoedto Crowley's ranch, half a mile below."
The Army's disastrous attack of January17, 1873, upon Captain Jack's Stronghold,
84.5.
Church, a Southern Pacific Civil Engineer.He was a brother-in-law of 'Doc" Wright's.
Erickson and Peterson, the railroad con-tractors, had a real fancy launch, hardwood,etc. I have pictures of the Carry Lou,Nancy K, Oakland and all Southern Pacificboats.
The Bertha W was a Southern Pacifictender, first used around Ady for the dredgerbuilding the railroad fill there. Telfordbuilt a new hull for it and it was then usedas a tender on the Upper Lake.
I came here in 1908 and worked on thedredges building the Ady fill. There weretwo small dredges belonging to the MasonConstruction Company, and one, the Kla-math Queen, belonging to the Southern Pa-cific. I helped move it overland to the Up-per Lake. After it was rebuilt there, it be-came the Cardinal.
Later the James Grady, a much largerdredge, was built up there. They used aWilliams bucket, not a clam-shell, the sameas now used on the Tulana farms dredge.
The Adams dredge was built on a scowand used Marion machinery.
Sherberne Photo
Along the Shippington waterfront. The "Spray" built in 1909 for the Griffiths, formerly of Odessa,later Eagle Ridge. (L. to R.) Dan Griffith, Griffith, 'Percy Sherberne, and Curly McDonald,boat builder.
I used the C. A. McNeil, pushing barges,hauling cement, sand and building materialto the mouth of Williamson River, and theOakland pushed them from there, to Wil-liamson River bridge, because the C. A.McNeil drew too much water to go up theriver.
The Klamath Lumber and Box Companygave the Carry Lou to 0. K. Puckett.
Huffman owned the Crystal, which waspowered by a 40 horsepower, auto engine.
One time he was off Eagle Ridge in astorm and was being blown toward theshore. He told a boy who was helping himto go out and drop the anchor. He cameright back in, so Huffman asked him if hehad dropped the anchor. The boy said no,so Huffman ordered him to get back outthere and drop the anchor! This time theboy did as told, but the boat continued tonear the shore, so Huffman again asked himif he had dropped the anchor. This timehe answered, yes. Then asked if he hadtied the rope to it, he answered, no. Huff-man finally got the boat started and allended well.
6. 83.
resulted in Col. Frank Wheaton orderingall forces withdrawn to bases at Lost River,Clear Lake and Van Brimmer's ranch. Fromthe latter place, Wheaton sent a telegramto General Canby at Vancouver; then calleda council of his officers and asked them towrite out their suggested plans of howbest to attack the Modocs. Following areportions of 1st, Wheaton's telegram; 2nd,Mason's plan; 3rd, Bernard's plan; and 4th,Green's plan. (These reports are all fromtranscripts made by the late Edith McLeod,of microfilm copies of documents depositedin the National Archives, Washitigron,D.C.):1st Camp near Van Brimmers,
Jan. 20, 1873."I think future operations against the
Modoc stronghold can be greatly facilitatedand expense saved by boating our suppliesacross Tule Lake to troops on either sidewhen we plant batteries and storm theirposition. Use of boat and barges will savedistance and avoid hauling and packingsupplies over bad roads.
"From my new proposed field depot onLost River we can launch everything re-quired. I need four whitehall row boats,oars, etc. as soon as they can be forwardedfrom Jacksonville. Rough flat boats I canhave cheaply made by an expert here if youauthorize me to do so."
Col. Frank Wheaton2nd Lost River Ford, Jan. 27, 1873.
"It is my opinion that the attack shouldbe made upon the east side of the Modocposition and that troops and supplies shouldbe transported by water. I would make alanding at the rock where Capt. R. F. Ber-nard had his hospital during the late mtwe-ment. . . . I would shell the Indians. . . andwith mortars from the boats. . . . The rea-sons for using the lake are numerous:
1st The troops can be landed at the sceneof action without fatigue.
2nd The supplies can be landed withoutescort.
3rd The wounded can be moved with-Out pain.
4th Communications can be had with thewest side of the Modoc position, if
desirable, without trouble or risk.5th The Indians can procure water only
at great risk, being exposed to thefire of the gunboats.
"In moving the troops from this place,I would march them to the Island in thelake, and transport them from that pointby boats." Edwin C. Mason
Bvt. Col. U. S. A.3rd Camp Applegate Ranch,
Jan. 30, 1873.Grain could be supplied by pack
train if there is no boats put on the Lake,and by Boats if there is any... . If one of theboats from the Big Klamath Lake could beput on Tule Lake, the troops in this posi-tion could be easily supplied from Lost Riveror the Island." R. F. Bernard
Captain, 1st Cavalry4th In the field, Jan. 30, 1873.
"...asking my views .. . in my opinion,. . that those making the attack from East
and West, should be moved and suppliedfrom Lost river and Tule lake, as thus willbe saved large guards, necessary for packtrains John Green, Major
1' Cay. Commanding.As a result of this unanimous opinion of
his officers and himself, Wheaton evidentlythought his course as how best to proceedagainst the Modocs, was clear. According-ly, he sent the following telegram to Geri-eral Canby at Vancouver:
Telegram, Jacksonville, Jan. 31, 1873.do you approve my purchasing 2
two flat boats for moving supplies here forabout 350 three hundred & fifty dollarsfor the two and making two cheap oneshere for moving howitzers."
frank 'XTheaton,Lt. Co. 21st Infty.Commanding Districtof the Lakes.
Wheaton, much to his surprise, receivedword the same day, that he was relieved ofhis command, but was to remain in chargeof the District of the Lakes.
It seems that Canby was deeply disturbedby the defeat of the army, and the onlysolution to him was a change in leadership.
lived close to us. We got our mail atCrystal, where the Brown's lived. Theywere there before we moved in.
Mrs. Griffith named Odessa Creek. Ithad no name in our time, unless it wasDennis Creek. Our place was called thePoplars, on account of the trees that grewthere. There were three camp grounds onOdessa Creek, one at Budd Springs (nowknown as Camporee SpringsEd.), namedfor a Governor Budd of California. Theone at the Poplars and one in between,down stream from the old Herschbergerlog cabin (the cabin is still standings). Welived in the old cabin until my father couldbuild a house. It was called Dennis' Resort.
There was a man who ran the PelicanBay Resort but I can't remember his name.And another man had a little shack on BearIsland, where people could bathe in thewarm spring there.
I remember a man by the name of Joneswho contracted timber for the Moore mill.He dumped the logs into Stidham Creekon the south side of Coon Point and myfather would pull the raft to the head ofLink River.
There were rattlesnakes by the thousandon Buck Island, so they put hogs on it tokill them off.
Father was a good blacksmith, had ashop and made everything he needed. Healways ran between 200 and 300 head of
cattle. After we moved here from Califor-nia, we lost 100 head the first winter onaccount of cold weather and lack of feed.We ran them from our place to the head ofRock Creek (Denny Creek). You coulddrive a wagon any place in those days. Therewas no underbrush or fallen timber. Wenever had to put out a fire, there was noth-ing for it to catch in. Some difference fromnow days.
F. C. Wade used to either live in theold Herschberger cabin or had a privatecabin nearbyI can't remember which.
If my father owned the land now thathe owned then, he would be a millionaire.We had the Odessa place, one at LongLake, owned the land around the junctionof Highway 97 and the Ashland highway.Also the place we moved to when fathersold Odessa, next to the Ankeny place at theend of Summers Lane, and the place onLower Kiamath now owned by Liskeys.
I fell into the lake or stream severaltimes. I couldn't swim a lick but it neverscared me a bit. That's why we sold out.
Father helped hunt for the Mason broth-ers when they were drowned. He foundthem both.
You have no pictures of our old scow.I'd recognize it in a minute. Ray Roberts,my sister May's son, who works for theReclamation Service, has some old picturesof the boat.
As Told to Me. . . by Walter G. HeiferMay 3, 1965
The C. A. McNeil was the only tug-boat to ever be on Kiamath waters. It wasa forty-five footer, with a 40 horsepower,heavy duty engine. It was shipped here in1910 from Salt Lake City by the SouthernPacific. It had been used by the railroadon the cut-off across Great Salt Lake. Washere about three years. I shipped it out ona flat car to Oakland. It had a fan-tail sternand drew too much water for Upper KIa-math Lake. It later carried mail to theFaralone Islands off San Francisco.
Recorded by Devere HeifrichI think the Ewauna was sunk on the
Upper Lake about 1912 or around thattime somewhere.
The White Pelican was cut in two andlengthened. We used to call it the BigPelican. We called Harriman's pr iv atelaunch the Little Pelican, it used to beBishop's pleasure boat. S. 0. Johnson ofthe Klamath Development Company, own-ed the Big Pelican.
The Lucetta belonged to the Southern Pa-cific and was used by J. D. 'Jimmie"
In addition, Canby was directed by the Sec-retary of War, to cease offensive operationsagainst the Modocs. Wheaton therefore,was replaced by Col. Alvan C. Gillem ascommander. The latter almost at once sentthe following telegram to Canby:
Lost River, February 11, 1873.In regard to the use of the boats, I
am not prepared to recommend their use.The breaking up of the command into moredetachments than are absolutely necessary,will not be done, nor is it apparent thatthe troops in boats will be less exposed intheir attack than when approaching on landthe lava beds, extending down to thewater. The furnishing of guards, boatmen,etc., it will be perceived, would be a verymaterial tax on the very small companies ofthe command. I desire to concentrate myefforts as much as possibleI do not be-lieve it practicable to transport Whitehallboats from Portland or Redding to theLakes Alvan C. Gillem
Co. 1st Cay. Commanding.
Whatever the reason, the boats seemnever to have been built, although there isevidence that two or more boats were inuse, one of which at least was a Whitehallrow boat.
A somewhat questionable and indefinitestatement has been made (supposedly writ-ten in the Ashland Tidings, December 15,1882) that ". . . John Gleim built the firstboat on Klamath Lake during the ModocIndian War, using it to transport suppliesfrom Fairchilds to Linkville."
In a recent publication (Pacific North-west Indian Wars, by Ray H. Glassley,Page 191) it has been written that, follow-ing the fight in the Lava Beds on April 14,1873: "Dead and wounded were carriedaway, some on stretchers to boats on thelake by which means they were transportedto the hospital tents at camp;..." This wasentirely possible, but this writer has beenunable to find any record to substantiatethis statement.
After the massacre of the Peace Commis-sioners on April 11, 1873, Mrs. A. B.Meacham, who had arrived in Linkville,
was sent a letter (Wigwam and Warpath,Page 551), from her brother, dated:
"Lava Beds, Saturday, April 19, 1873,.We will cross the lake in a boat.
(Signed): D. J. Ferree."On april 21, 1873 (Ibid. Pages 558-
561), a "small white hull boat" set Outfrom Gillem's camp on the southwest endof Tule Lake for the mouth of Lost Riverwith the critically wounded Meacham. Alsoin the boat were Old Dad Fields of theSacramento Record, D. J. Ferree (Meach-am's brother-in-law), Dr. Cabanis, and sev-eral soldiers to do the rowing. After con-siderable hardship in bucking the wind andwaves, they safely reached their destination.
At the close of the war, with the breakingup of all camps, it became necessary totransfer the wounded to Fort Klamath.This presented a problem which was solved,in part at least, by boats, as the two fol-lowing military orders (National Archivesrecords as before noted) indicate:
Hd. Qrs. Fort Klamath, 0g.Orders) June 11, 1873.No. 23)
There being no ambulance or springwagon at this post for the conveyance ofsick, the A. A. Q. M. of this post is herebyauthorized to hire a sufficient number ofcanoes to convey sick from Free's ranch atModoc Point to near this post on WoodRiver, no more than four sick to be placedin each canoe, the rate of compensationnot to exceed thirteen dollars and thirty-three and one-third cents per canoe.
Rob. PollockCapt. 21' Inft.Comdg.
Special Orders)No. 61.) Camp Tule Lake Peninsula
June 15th, 1873.II. . . . for the movement of the sick and
wounded as above directed: Lieut. Green-ough will provide boat transportation forthem around Modoc Point to Fort Kiam-ath, Ogn:... L. Co. Frank Wheaton
(Signed F. A. Boutelle,2nd Lieut. 1st Cay.)A A A Gen.
82.7.
- - -
11111111
From the earliest times of which wehave any definite knowledge, boats werethe leading means of transportation in the"Lake Country". Both Ogden and Fremontspeak of the scarcity of horses among theKiamaths, but the latter explorer, and theSouth Road party as well, have plenty tosay about Indian canoes.
During the early days at Fort Klamaththe Upper Lake was called into requisitionas a thoroughfare. George Nurse raftedlumber thence for his buildings at Link-yule in 1867, and we have two narrativesregarding a trip from Agency Landing toLink River by "Whitehall boat" in Decem-ber, 1868, when some soldiers from the
The old and the new. Winema at Pelican Bay.
Reprinted from History of Kiamath County, Oregon"
Early Transportation . .
Chapter XIII - Pages 73-75By RACHAEL APPLEGATE GOOD, 1941
Maude Baldwin Photo
fort went to gather the produce of a gardenthey had planted at the lower end of thelake in the spring. The garden was at"Burnett's Point," and had produced abun-dantly enough to take six men five days toharvest and load the crop on a flat boatbuilt by "Mr. Canley of Rogue River Val-ley" for freighting and capable of carryingfifteen to twenty tons. The story of howthis ponderous boat, rigged with both sailsand oars, became frozen in ice an inch anda half or two inches thick on the returnjourney and how it was finally worked farenough up Williamson River, throughfloating logs and obstructions of all kinds,
The Odessa Hotel, large white building, and the dance pavilion, to the immediate left. Built andowned by the Griffiths until sold in 1909. Odessa Creek in foreground.
As Told to Me . . . by Ivan DennisMay 4, 1965
I was born near Little Shasta irs SiskiyouCounty in 1888. My father was LouisDennis. He has been dead a long time now.
He bought the ranch near Pelican Bayfrom Herschbergers and we moved there in1896 or '97. I remember only one boat onthe lake and that was the old scow fatherhad. I don't know how he got it or when.That's a long time ago, more than 65 years.
boat became Buffalo. It's first trip wasfrom Keno to Klamath Falls.
The boat was run for several years, car-rying freight from the railroad at KlamathFalls to Keno, and logs from Snowgoose'slanding to Ackley's mill. It was not a pas-senger boat but occasionally carried a few.During the winter in those days, the roadssometimes became so muddy it was almostimpossible for loaded wagons to be pulledbetween Klamath Falls and Keno, so theBuffalo at times transported a great deal offreight, merchandise, equipment and hay.
On this end, father landed at the dock atthe end of Payne Alley. Where the Canbyburned wood, the Buffalo burned gasolineor distillate. The Buffalo was originally a
Recorded by Devere HeifrichFather sold out to Griffith's when I wasabout 13 and moved away at once, and I'venever been back.
I am the youngest of four brothers, Eldon,Bert, Ray and then myself. I also had twosisters, Ellen and May. That's the sole rea-son we sold Out and moved away, was uskids. Mother was afraid one of us woulddrown in the lake. There was nobody
stern-wheeler, but in later years fatherchanged it to a screw propeller.
About 1924, father sold the engine outof the old Buffalo to a man at Odell Lake.That was about the time they were buildingthe Natron Cut-off on the Southern Pacific.All the supplies, equipment, hay, etc., hadto be taken across Odell Lake, to the westend where they were building the tunnelthrough the summit of the Cascades, andthe fills and cuts along the south shore ofthe lake.
After the engine was taken out of theBuffalo, the hull was tied up for years atthe Ackley mill.
Father died in 1930.
8. 81.
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'1n 1872, when we first arrived in theKlamath Country, there was a small sailboar on the Kiamach Lake between the hLIIJjof Link River and points north on the twolakes (Upper Kiamath and Agency Lake)and Williamson River. The boar was per-haps forty feet long and ten feet widewith a keel bottom and was owned and
Maude BaIdwin PhotoThe Winema about 1911. Note the change in appearance after being remodeled. Parts of twodecks were removed after being blown over in 1907.
under the gunwhale. When we listed, thenit filled up in a hurry. It was uncalled for,so we fixed that and never had any moretrouble.
When I came here there was no trace ofthe Lottie C. I think Hansberry had an oldstern-wheeler, maybe it was the Mud Hen.Seems to me, Nosier named the North Star.Griffith had the Curlew built by Telford.Calkins and Hamilton had it and laterbuilt the Spray. They ran both boats, days.I think Cap Parker had the Jessie, madeonly one trip, when I think it burned. TheEagle sank between Buck Island and thewest shore of the lake. The Power Com-pany sank several boats in the deep waterthere, to eliminate them, I think.
At one time, Adams used the Ewauna to
March, 1965My father, William Carver "Cap" Ball
came to the Kiamath country in 1909.Everyone always called him Carver.
He leased the Canby from McCormacksfor about two years. He first leased it about1910. You see he came from New Yorkwhere he had been the captain of a largeexcursion boat on Lake Chatauqua. He had
tow his dredge up to Williamson River,around 1919 or 1920. He used the dredgeup around Fort Kiamath for Abner Weed.He later sold the dredge to the PowerCompany.
When the Harriman interests secured thePelican Bay property, they also got theLodge and the Buena Vista. We never haddances on a barge connected with the Wi-nema. There was a square platform atHarriman Lodge and an oval pavilion atOdessa.
Dunbar's little girl fell into the water onetime and I pulled her out, saving her life.At the same time a woman fell into thewater at another part of the boat, which Ididn't know about until later.
As Told to Me. . . by Mrs. Heber R. RadcliffeRecorded by Devere Heifrich
been around boats or connected with themmost of his life.
About the fall of 1912, he started con-struction of a boat which was launched atKeno in the spring of 1913.
My father's brother, also the captain ofan excursion boat, shipped him the enginefrom Buffalo. Incidentally the name of the
to have its load shifted to wagons from thefort, makes an interesting tale.
Another interesting boat tale is that of aunique honeymoon trip in 1871. GeorgeW. Loosley, long of Klamath County butnow of Ashland, says that soon after theroad from Pelican Bay to the "Dead In-dian" was opened by Captain 0. C. Apple-gate and a band of Kiamath Indians, as re-lated in a previous chapter, Samuel Grubb,then an employee on the reservation, builta flat bottomed scow about 16 feet by 40feet for hauling freight across the UpperLake from Pelican Bay to Kowa.sta. Thisboat was propelled by a two-horse tread-mill and was thus the first power boat onthe lake. Mr. Loosley says that it carriedCaptain Ivan D. Applegate and bride andwedding guestsa gay group of youngpeople from Ashlandacross the lake andthat this was the only trip he knows of itsmaking. At least, he says, its life of use-fulness was short. The bride concerned toldthe story to the Ashland Daughters of theAmerican Revolution several years ago andsaid the boat was 10 feet by 25 feet and pro-pelled by two sets of oars and a sail (whichwas torn to tatters by the wind). Bothagree that there was trouble on the voyage.A storm coming up, the boat was blownout of its course and almost swamped, andonly by heroic use of the oars was itbrought to the point of "a rocky island"(Annie's Island) where the party spent thenight without blankets around a campfire.After another day and most of the follow-ins night on the lake they arrived at Ko-wasta to meet the report that they had allbeen drowned.
George W. Loosley continues with thefollowing reminiscences:
operated by a man named Moody, who hadbeen a sailor on the salt water. The boatwas named the Mary Moody, for the owner's
Indian wife. (A relative says that the boatwas named Maggie Moody for Mr. Moody'sdaughter.) There was not much freight totransport on the lakessome lumber boughtof the Indians at the Agency and hauled toLinkville and some goods for the stores(one at the Agency and one at the Fort)and at times military supplies for the Quar-termaster at the Fort, since the road aroundModoc Point was not much more than atrail. Pack trains of mules were often usedthere instead of wagons. About 1876 JoeBall, who was living with an Indian wife,became the owner of the Mary Moody, andhe continued to operate the boat untilabout 1879, when H. M. Thatcher andSykes Worden built the steamer "GeneralHoward." This steamer, 65 feet long, with12 foot beam, drawing four and a half toeight feet of water, with 40 horsepowerengine and four foot propeller, cost theowners about eight thousand dollars. Me-chanics were brought from San Francisco tobuild the boat, the boss ship carpenter be-ing the man who made the patterns for theMerrimac, of Civil War fame. It was builtto answer the need of a steamboat to towlogs from Pelican Bay for the sawmill justbuilt on Link River by W. S. Moore andsons. In 1880 George Loosley and GeorgeNurse bought the General Howard fromthe original owners, and about a year laterG eo r g e Loosely bought George Nurse'sshare, which has given rise to the beliefthat Mr. Loosley himself built the GeneralHoward. Associated with George Loosley inthe boat business was his brother, John F.(Fred) Loosley. In 1884 the two built aflat bottomed stern wheel boat called theCity of Klamath to navigate Wood River,but, failing of a Congressional appropri-ation for the improvement of the bar anddeepening of the channel, they soon gaveup the navigation of this stream. Otherattempts at navigating Wood River weremade in later years, but never provedsuccessful.
About 1889 a man named CaptainDustin or Deskins operated a boat on theKiamath River called the Mayflower. Thisstern wheel steamboat, according to C.
80.9.
Phil P111111 111111 IlllIhhhlIIlIhlIIIhhhhIhIuIPPhlIIIl
Snowgoose of Keno, passed into the posses-sion of Thomas McCormack, Keno sawmillowner, in 1891 and was used for haulinglumber across Lower Kiamath Lake, re-turning to Keno with cargoes of hay. Thisboat later sank, after which Mr. McCor-mack built the Canby to use for haulinglumber to Klamath Falls, the boat forwhose benefit it is said the old Merganserbridge at the site of the Kesterson mill,once a contemporary and rival of theGeorge Nurse bridge at Linkville, wasfinally removed. About the turn of the cen-tury the steamers "Oregon" and "Hobson"were making regular trips to Pelican Bay,the latter carrying men "to cut logs forMoore's mill." In the summer of 1901 thetwo-deck steamer "Alma" was making regu-lar trips to Budd Springs, Pelican Bay, andAgency Landing, and in July of 1902started regular Sunday excursions.
This seems to be the opening of the eraof excursion boats, a chapter in our history
remembered with a certain nostalgia bythose who were young in those days. Theall-day leisurely trip on the Upper Lakewith its thrilling mountain scenery, thestops at beautiful Eagle Ridge Tavern,Odessa, Rocky Point, Pelican Bay (LaterHarriman Lodge), the music furnished bythe Klamath Falls Band, which sometimessponsored excursions for the benefit of itstreasury, the annual high school picnicswhen the whole student body, or at leastthe Junior and Senior classes, could be ac-commodated on one boat chartered to carrythem to some forest pleasure groundtheseexperiences were yesterday, and it is hardto remember just when Klamath Countyyouth discovered that boat travel was tooslow to be fun and that the automobile wasthe only proper medium for going places.The steamer Winema, the most famous ofthe old excursion boats, built by Totton andHans berry and launched on February 2,1905, was 125 feet long, with 22 foot
boat landing at Shippington and is stillthere. It was dismantled at the Hanks cut,where McCollum's mill is now located.
A ferry was used to transport trafficalong the east shore of Klamath Lake whilethe highway was being built between ModocPoint and Barclay Spring.
The Crystal was transferred from TuleLake to the Upper Lake by Dewey Huffmanwho lived at the Linman docks while heran boats there from about 1910 to 1913.We had a houseboat, but it had no name.I remember B. St. George Bishop was stillhere in 1912.
The Hooligan eventually was bought byCap Parker. There were two Hooligans, thefirst being a barge front, There were alsotwo Eagles. Nosier built the North Starclose to 1911 and I believe it burned about1914. It had a regular boat bow. 1914seems a little too late for the Spray to havebeen built. The Modoc was used to pushbarge loads of cinders to Klamath Falls.
There were two Mazamas also; the secondwas built about 1914, using the same ma-chinery, but was a considerably larger boatthan the first. The old Buffalo was gaso-line-powered.
My father officially sold the Wasp to DelGammon, the Power Company engineer.
As Told to Me.. . by John TottenMay 6, 1953 Recorded by Devere Heifrich
I came here in 1904. I furnished all themoney for the Winema. Building it, thecost of the wreck, and remodeling cost meright at $2,500.00. There were ten horsesused to haul in the boiler, which weighedten tons. We had four more horses usedon the hills. No roads from town to here(the boat landing), so we had to lay planksdown to keep from miring. It took fivedays to come from Pokegama. I walkedahead along the road, cleaning out rocks.Took four days to Chase's, then we sailed infrom there. We came around north of theriver, by Spencer Creek.
Wickstrom sold to A. Graham, supposed tobe representing the Power Company. Thesale included the Modoc and Eagle, thebarges, launches, etc.
El Nido, meaning "the nest" was a tenderfor the Klamath Queen during the 1913-1916 period. George Stevenson, about 19,and myself, about 14, ran it. The El Nidowas approximately twenty feet long, onehalf cabin, and used a Doman marine en-gine and was fairly fast.
To E. P. McCormack must go the creditfor the vision of reclaiming the marshes ofUpper Kiamath Lake. He secured the landand bought the barge to dike New Cale-donia and Wocus marshes. The first cropon New Caledonia was harvested in 1919.It was rye. The Wasp hauled this crop ona barge to Klamath Falls. George Stevensondid not come into the barge picture untilafter this first crop was harvested, as up tothat time he and I were on the tenderEl Nido.
When the E. P. McCormack estate wassettled there were twenty-five nieces andnephews. Some of them are: Cap and An-drew Collier, George Stevenson, Ed, Ever-ett, Roland, and Arthur Geary. Frank Mc-Cornack was a brother of E. P.
The Winema was built to carry one hun-dred fifty tons. The hull was built on LinkRiver just below Fremont Bridge on thewest side, slid in sideways, then taken tothe point, where the machinery was put in.Bert and Clay Wilson, brothers, worked forme on the Winema.
The Winema wrecked in the summertime, about two years after I came here,about 1906 I think. I went to work at themill in 1918, and made a few trips afterthat. I hauled a load of lumber to Algomaafter 1918. When we built the Winema, theshipbuilder recommended a four inch crack
10. 79.
Iii U T
Maude Baldwin PhotoSteamer Kiamath on the Kiamath River below present day Weyerhaueser Mill.
May 6, 1953Anton Wickstrom first came here in
1909. He returned to Alameda, Californiaand induced my father, John Linman, tocome back with him. They both returnedin early 1910. They built the Wasp, usingmachinery from the Tom Calmes boat onTule Lake. I think it was used there aboutone year, hauling cinders on a barge. Dur-ing the summer of 1910, my father builtthe Modoc. Both boats burned in 1912,and the partnership was dissolved. Wick-strom then rebuilt both boats and possiblyalso the Eagle at that time. The first Waspwas a barge type and had no reverse. TheModoc was a tug type boat. My fatherleased the Canby from McCormack duringthe winter of 1912-1913.
The Buena Vista, I think, sank at thedock at Harriman Lodge. It was not in uselater than 1919.
Recorded by Devere HeifrichThe Tule was on the Upper Lake about
1912 to 1918. It was used as a tender forthe J. Frank Adams dredge. The Adamsdredge was not a clam shell, so that mayhelp to identify the dredges in the old pic-tures. The Tule finally sank somewhere be-tween Shippington and Buck Island. Thefellow running it was supposed to havebeen drinking.
The Kiamath Queen was a darn shelltype as was the James O'Grady. The Kia-math Queen was dismantled about 1927and machinery was transferred to a newbarge and named the Cardinal.
The James O'Grady was built for theSouthern Pacific when they were buildingtheir road-bed along the Upper Lake about1908-1909. When it was dismantled in1912, my father acquired the barge andcut it into sections, part being used for his
beam and two decks. Riding a little toohigh above the water for safety in the windsqualls that sometimes sweep down fromthe mountains (she once blew ashore andpartly tipped over in the summer of 1907),she was still the pride of the lake. Shewas operated as an excursion boat as late asthe Summer of 1916 and finally burned ather dock near Shippington in April, 1925.
Meanwhile boats were taking a more im-portant part in the problem of transporta-tion to 'the outside," as Kiamath peoplecalled all parts of the world lying beyondher mountains. In 1903, S. V. Short andGeorge H. Woodberry, formerly captainand purser, respectively, of the ColumbiaRiver steamer Dalles City, brought in bywagon two gasoline launches, the Tule andEwauna, to carry freight and passengers onthe river below Kiamath Falls. By thesummer of 1905 we find Mr. Woodberryassociated with M. G. Wilkins in the Kia-math Navigation Company, which launchedthe steamer Kiamath on August third forservice between Kiamath Falls and LairdsLanding on Lower Kiamath Lake. At thistime the McCloud River Railroad was buil-ding toward that point, and the steamer be-came a link in the following transportation
system: Steamer Kiamath from KiamathFalls to Lairds Landing (50 miles); horseStage to Battles on the McCloud River Rail-road (45 miles); train to Upton on theSouthern Pacific (53 miles) - This systemwas supposed to enable a passenger to leaveKiamath Falls after noon on one day andto arrive in San Francisco the followingmorning; one of the advantages urged forit was that the stage trip would grow stead-ily shorter as the railroad approachedLairds. During the years from 1905 to 1909the transportation system was constantlychanging, as rival railroads and stage com-panies contended for the freight and pas-senger traffic, but that is another story. Thesteamer Kiamath continued to play its partin the shifting scene until Kiamath Fallshad railroad connections and then wasmoved to the Upper Lake and used in car-rying passengers f r o m Shippington toAgency Landing, where they met stages forCrater Lake. As boats gradually go off thescene, except for towing, dredging, etc.,rails loom larger in the picture. At varioustimes in her history the hearts of KiamathCounty people were elated by railroad pros-pects, only to be left deflated later.
As Told to Me. . . by George StevensonApril 12, 1953
Recorded by Devere HeifrichI bought the old dredge from Southern
Pacific in 1914. They had used it buildingthe Ady fill across Lower Kiamath Lake.Must have moved it to the Upper Lakeabout 1908. I think it was shipped in fromaround the islands around Stockton. Itsname was the Klamath Queen. The Sou-thern Pacific used it on their right of wayalong the Upper Lake. I bought it afterthat work was finished. I used it on buil-ding dykes; built about one hundred miles
of dykes on the Upper Lake and AgencyLake. It was 40 feet by 80 feet, with Aframes, spuds, gravity swing, Stockton type.Had a 125 foot boom, steam engine and athree yard bucket.
I sold it to the California Oregon PowerCompany about 1926 or a little later. Theyrenamed it the Cardinal. COPCO also hadanother dredge, the Grady or O'Grady, Ithink. It was much larger than the Car-dinal, a six yard bucket and 175 foot boom.
78. 11.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe famous old Adams dredge at work near the mouth of Lost River Slough on the Klamath Riverdykes. Note the barges in tow. 1905-1908 period.
As Told to Me. . . by Jack Linman
I!IIll
At the meeting of February 19, 1947,Fred Brown of Crystal gave an excellentpaper on the history of transportation onUpper Klamath Lake. Mr. Brown is wellqualified to speak on this subject as hisfather settled on the western shore of thelake in the 1890s. A digest of his paperfollows:
'Boating on Klamath Lake has had avaried existance, ranging from the dugoutcanoe the Indians, used by them for hunting,fishing, and gathering Wocus'---a termapplied to the seeds of the yellow pond-lily--to the high-powered speed boat oftoday.
"When Fort Klamath was established in1863, the supplies had to be brought infrom Jacksonville, Oregon, by pack trainof mules and horses over the old RancheriaTrail which crossed the mountains justnorth of Mt. Pitt. Later, to shorten the long
Maude Baldwin Photo
Unknown boat on Upper Kiamath Lake. Thought to be Mud Hen.
Reprinted from Oregon Historical Quarterly," March, 1947
Upper Kiamath Lake Boating . .
trek around Kiamath Lake, some squarerigged 'wind jammer' barges were built,one of which was 10 feet by 40 feet, andanother 16 feet by 60 feet, to carry thefreight from the location of the presentRocky Point Post-Office to the old AgencyLanding. These barges were sailed on theopen lake and propelled by pike poles onthe streams. They were later owned andused by Daniel G. Brown in connectionwith his ranch at the head of Crystal Creek.
"As time progressed and settlers movedinto the Klamath Basin a wagon road wasopened up and Linkville (Klamath Falls)established. The base of supply shifted tothat point.
'The first steamboat to appear on thelake was the General Howard. Accordingto reminiscences of George W. Loosley, asrecorded by Rachel Applegate Good in her'History of Klamath County,' the General
tell about Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arant. Mr.Arant was park superintendent, appointedin 1902. They lived in a large two-storyhouse which still stands. I was about fiveyears old at the time I write of, so is nowpast 50 years old.
"Henry Momyer was in the national parkservice as head ranger, the first one ap-pointed. I understand Seldon Ogle was ingovernment service at that time, too. Mrs.W. F. Arant was the first postmaster atCrater Lake. Henry Momyer was Mrs.Robert (Ida) Odell's father. Mrs. Momyerserved the first meals in the park at AnnieSprings. There were also sleeping roomsin the big log building. Mrs. Momyer,who stayed at the park most of the winter,went out to Fort Klamath on webs or skis.
"John Hessig of Fort Klainath owned thetelephone line into the park. The telephoneline was checked every morning, and ran-gers patrolled the roads on horseback.
"The blue water of the lake alwaysamazed visitors. They were amazed, too, atthe majesty of the perfect shadows of thewalls in the water. * * *
"Fall came and it was time to put theFleetwood away. Logs were cut and towedto an inlet on Wizard Island. Lumber wastaken down by the slide route. Some brokeloose and started a small avalanche andDewey had to duck under a huge rockfor safety.
"The lumber was towed across the laketo the island where the boat house wasbuilt. Cables fastened to trees held the roofon. Limbs placed about the roof helpedbreak the weight of the snow.
"Will G. Steele, park manager, lent ahelping hand. He never wore a hat.
"Our summer's camping ended with put-ting the boats away. Walter Shepherd re-turned with his teams and wagons in earlySeptember and we returned to KiamathFalls. My great desire is to spend anothersummer at Crater Lake."
Most of those who helped in any waywith the boats that year, Will G. Steele,Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arant, Mr. and Mrs.Henry Momyer, Walter Shepherd, Joe Ball,
Judge Short, Captain George Woodbury,and Colonel Machew Wilkins, died between1908 and 1948.
The Evening Herald,February 1, 1908
The mail boat Ewauna, is reported aswedged in the ice near Teeters' landing andunable to get out. The steamer Klamathwas sent to the rescue but reports state shealso became entangled in the ice. The Navi-gation company say, however, they antici-pate no serious trouble, beyond a shortdelay. The Ewauna was in charge of En-gineer Hoffman.
Republican,March 21, 1901.
On Sunday morning Messrs. Cabler andWilson arrived by boat from little Klamathlake with a big load of valuable furs, theyhad been trapping four months, and as theresult of their labor brought in a fine lot offurs consisting of 253 mink, 93 coons,15 otters. Monday they sold the lot for$520 to Conger and Wilson, who shippedthem to an eastern market. Hence, it ap-pears aside from the fun and excitement oftrapping, it can be made a profitable busi-ness.
Republican, April 2, 1908:
C. I. DuBois, an expert boat builder whorecently came here from Seaside, has rentedthe Dyer building on Klamarh avenue andis now building a 26-foot gasoline launchfor Martin eros. of Ashland. The boat willbe placed on the Upper Lake. He also hasthe contract for building two more launchesand says the outlook is indeed promising.He uses nothing but imported lumber inbuilding the boats and is experiencing con-siderable difficulty in getting it shipped in.
Republican, March 25, 1909:
Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton moved back to theirCrusoe home on Buck Island to gardenagain. The soil is very productive.
12. 77.
yule paper and is believed to have been thefirst time the name Crater Lake was usedin print.
The next craft was The Fleetwood, a 25-foot boat, launched by C. E. Dutton in1886 from which the first important sci-entific soundings of the lake were made.
In 1907 the first gasoline-powered boat.the W/ocus, went into operation, handled byG. D. Whitney. Then came a Fleetwood,operated by George Woodbury, ColonelMathew Wilkins, owners of the KlamathLake Navigation Co., and handled by ClydeE. (Dewey) Huffman, an engineer; theSparrow, that operated until 1915 or 1916,and the Mm let down over the rim in asnow-filled gulley in 1928.
This bit of boat history was brought tomind by information recently furnished byBlanche Carlisle Huffman, of As h I an d,whose father was the Clyde (Dewey) Huff-man, of Ashland, who kept the spark-plugsclean and gasoline flowing on the boat thatwent into the lake in 1908. Of this shesays:
It was in the spring of 1908 that Cap-tain George Woodbury and Co lo n e 1Mathew Wilkins, owners of the KiamathLake Navigation Company that operatedthe steamer Kiamath and launches Ewaunaand Tule, on Lake Ewauna and the KlamathRiver, bought a gasoline launch from myuncle Jerry Martin and his son Alec. Theboat was bought for the Crater Lake Co.owned by numerous local stockholders.
Joe Ball of the Kiamath Agency washired to use his heavy horse-drawn rig totake the boat and equipment for loweringit to lake level, to the rim. Hay and grainfor eight head of horses was taken along.
A third wagon took the family, Mrs.Mary Huffrrian, Dewey's mother, his wifeBlanche, their baby son Donnie, and Snippy,the dog. Still another wagon held tents,cases of groceries, clothing, a cookstove anddishes, articles enough for three monthsliving away from civilization.
Late in June the cortege was on its way.The road led over the hill (the old FortRoad where OTI stands today) on whichlived the Applegates, the Coilmans, the
Jensens, and others of those early days.The rutted road was the only one to the
north, to Fort Klamath, Klamath Agency,Klamath Marsh, Crater Lake, and the Bendcountry.
The trip around the edge of the lakewas rough to Modoc Point. They reachedFort Kiamath the second night, and thenext day pulled into the hills on ice-packed,narrow roads. That night they camped onWhiskey Creek whose waters dropped intoAnnie Creek Canyon where the horses nib-bled at short grass, and camp was madeby kerosene lantern light. Supper was cook-ed over a campfire in the bitter cold.
A stop was made at Crater Lake head-quarters for hot meals and beds before theparry pulled into a spot west of the presentSinnott Memorial to seek a place to lowerthe boat to the water.
Obstacles were overcome and the boatslid down a rocky, snow-covered ravine onthe third day after arrival on the rim. Therewere no casualties to men or boat.
All the men except Dewey Huffman anda helper returned home. These two selecteda spot near the present government campfor a permanent camp, close by a littlespring where deer often came to drink.
Tents were set up for kitchen, diningroom, living room all in one and for sleep-ing rooms of the family and visitors. The.nthe Fleetwood was put in order by Huffmanbefore he put the boat into the water.
The boat rode proudly with the Americanflag fluttering in the breeze. Dewey took thedistillate (used for gasoline) down thetrail, carrying two five-gallon cans on hisshoulders.
There were no fishing nor hunting li-censes in those days so they caught and atequantities of fish from the lake, also tradedthem for huckleberries during the summerseason when many visitors from Klamath,Jackson, and Josephine counties came to thehuckleberry patch to pick. Hunting in thepark was prohibited but they traded fish fordeer meat. The nearest market was 40miles away.
Miss Huffman continues the story:"Before going on with my story, I must
Howard was built in 1879 by H.M.Thatcher and Sykes Worden. It was 65feet long, 12 foot beam, drawing from 41/2to 8 feet of water with a 40 horsepowerengine and 4 foot propeller, and cost theowners about eight thousand dollars.Mechanics were brought from San Fran-cisco to build the boat. The boss carpenterhad designed the Merrimac of Civil Warfame. This steamer was purchased fromthe original owners in 1880 by GeorgeLoosley and George Nurse and one yearlater Mr. Loosley bought out Mr. Nurse'sshare.
"Associated in the boat business withGeorge Loosley was his brother John F.(Fred) Loosley. In 1884 the two brothersbuilt a flat bottom stern wheel boat calledthe City of Klamath.
"Edward K. Loosley, son of George W.Loosley says that his father had a contractfor hauling supplies to Fort Klamath butthe General Howard steamboat could not beoperated successfully because it drew toomuch water, thus the City of Klamath wasbuilt, using the same machinery as had beenin the General Howard. The second boatwas successfully operated until the soldiersleft Fort Kiamath and the immediate needfor a freight boat no longer existed. Aboutthis time Mr. Loosley traded his boat for agood span of horses.
"About 1897 the Lottie C., another smallsteamboat or launch which had been opera-ating on Klamath River between Keno andKiamath Falls, was moved to Upper Kia-math Lake. It was owned by a man namedClanton, and later operated by Bird Loosley.It was rather short lived after coming toKiamath Lake.
"In the late 1890's and early 1900'sthere were several small boats, mostlybarges equipped with steam engines andstern wheels, to do necessary freightingand towing on the lake. These were opera-ted by Baldy Richardson, Louis Dennis,Bert Wilson, Dan Griffith, and others.They bore names Oregon, Hobson, Alma,Mud Hen, Hornet, Hooligan, North Starand Eagle.
"In the summer of 1904 the largeststeamboat to ever ply the lake was built:the Winema by John Totton and HarryHansberry, experienced steamboat men fromthe Columbia River. As the Winemabegan to take shape---125 feet long overall and 22 feet 6 inches wide, with threedecks and cabin accommodations--there wasmuch conjecture among the residents ofKiamath as to what such a boat would doon the lake, It was propelled by twin steamengines connected directly to the sternwheel, and of necessity, to operate in theshallow waters of the Klamath Lake hadto be built with a minimum of draught-22inches when empty.
"It was a great day for Klamath when,in the spring of 1905, the Winema waslaunched and prepared for her maiden run.Thereafter, a daily schedule was established.The Winema called at every accessiblepoint on the lake, hauling freight of allkinds, and passengers. And each Sunday theboat would be loaded to capacity for a bigexcursion.
"The three decks high and the shallowdraught came near being the undoing ofthe Winema. In the spring of 1906 aftertaking a heavy load of freight up the lake,she was returning without ballast and onlya few passengers when a gale of wind offEagle Ridge caught her and blew her overin 12 or 15 feet of water. As the boatwent over the passengers and crew climbedout on top, where they remained while theCaptain paddled ashore and went for help.After that experience the third deck wasremoved. She served for many years tofurnish a worthy chapter in steamboating,being destroyed by fire in 1925, as she layin drydock in Kiamath Falls.
"In 1909 the Mazama, a small twin screwsteamboat, was put into operation on a runfrom Klamath Falls to the town of FortKlamath. This entailed a run up WoodRiver, a narrow and very crooked stream.
"About this time gasoline launches be-came very popular and for a number ofyears everyone living adjacent to the lake
76. 13.
had his own launch. These varied in sizefrom a rowboat powered by a small engineto cruiser cabin launches 35 to 40 feet long.
"As the lumber industry on the lakedeveloped the need for more dependabletugboats was apparent, and in 1910 AntonWickstrom and John Linman built theModoc, 16 foot beam and 60 feet long,with a draught of 34 inches, with sternwheel. Her boilers were originally woodburners but converted to oil in 1918. In1914 after Wickstrom and Linman dis-solved partnership, Captain Linman builtthe second towboat, the Wasp, 13 feet by50 feet, with a draught of 26 inches. Themachinery for the Wasp had formerly beenused in a boat on Tule Lake.
Captain Wickstrom had started a sandbusiness in 1909 to meet the requirementsof a rapidly growing city. He towed bargesup the lake to the mouths of WilliamsonRiver and Wood River and there loadedwith sand sucked from the lake bottom. Thewater drained away leaving a product muchin demand by the building industry. Hisboat, the Eagle, was steam propelled andhe used the same power for operating hispump.
Maude Baldwin Photo
The Steamer Kiamath pushing two barges on Lake Ewauna sometime during the 1905.1909 period.
"During the years that followed, CaptainWickstrom expanded his business to includethe hauling of volcanic cinders from CoonPoint on the west side of Klamath Lake.These cinders have proven to be of superiorquality for road surfacing. In fact, as thispaper is written in 1947, a company istowing barge loads of cinders across thelake to be used as ballast on SouthernPacific railroad lines.
'In 1905 the Klamath Navigation Com-pany had built the steamer Kiamath onLake Ewauria for hauling freight andpassengers from Laird's Landing to KlamathFalls. It was 75 feet long and 18 feet wide,a double deck freight and passenger boat,of the screw propeller type. When the rail-road was completed into Kiamath Falls thesteamer Klamath was no longer needed forthis run and was moved to Upper KlamathLake for passenger service. Pelican BayLumber Company later bought the steamerto use in towing logs to their mill.
'With the development of good high-ways, motor cars, and trucks, boating onKlamath Lake decreased until today onlya few pleasure boats and small diesel-
powered tow boats are to be seen where thelarger craft were once so necessary."
Oregon State Highway Commission PhotoExcursion launch on Crater Lake. Wizard Island in the background.
As Told by Miss Blanche C. Hufiman
Crater Lake Boating..Printed in the Herald and News Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, 1956
By RUTH KINGPresent day pleasure boats at Crater Lake
two gasoline - propelled, 35-foot launchesand 20 rowboats, have gone into winterstorage on Wizard Island and are snowwrapped until the spring sun again makesthe blue waters of the lake tenable for tripsaround the shore line.
Park officials say that more than 5,000visitors per week or a total of 25,000 fol-lowed the trail from the rim to the watersedge from the opening date on June 15 tothe closing date, September 15. Of thisnumber, 2,500 made the launch trips to seethe majestic splendor of the sheer wallsfrom the water line. Boat trips were startedabout mid-July when the path was acces-
sible.Each boatload of passengers was accom-
panied by a national park naturalist wholectured on the rock formations, the moun-tain peaks, and gave a history of the famouswater which is 1996 feet at greatest depth.A shuttle-boat carried passengers betweenthe shore and Wizard Island. Row boatsare used for fishing.
The first boat, according to national parkrecords, was put into the water in 1869 byJames M. Sutton of Jacksonville. It tookfive people to launch a knocked - downwooden row boat that was let over the rimand rowed to Wizard Island.
This feat was written up in a Jackson-
14. 75.
SlIlJItSIluhutIlIIIutlIflhuISIIqIpptS,IIIIuxIIIIr I:ierri,.iiutpriiui rU
pock family on the south shore of TuleLake were brought across the water to besold before such crops were produced inthe new MaIm community. Pleasure boatsalso crossed the lake, taking picnickers tothe lava beds. The Fairy was one of severalused for dual purposes, transportation andfun. Often passengers were carried andlumber rafts pulled at the same time."
One such trip narrowly escaped a disas-trous ending and is described in the Eve-ning Herald of October 4, 1911: Great ex-citement prevailed at the Malin colonySunday. After dark, in a stormy and coldnight, seventeen persons were lost on agasoline launch. The party, consisting oftwo men from Merrill, operators of thelaunch, W. S. Adams, wife and child; Jos.Halouska, wife and child; Tom Freden-burg, wife and children, and some others,started in the morning on the launch, whichhad only a 1½-horsepower engine, for thelava beds.
'Tule Lake was stormy, and high waveswith whitecaps were rolling up. The partywas expected back before sunset, but whenthe darkness set over the stormy waters andthere was no sign of the launch, severalrelatives and friends of the excursionistswere running around on the shore, shout-ing and calling in the darkness, in vain.
"After 11 p.m. a ranchman living on thepeninsula of Tule Lake brought in hiswagon the half frozen excursionists.
"The launch broke down when the partyreached about the middle of the lake, andthe waves were drifting the helpless vesseltowards the peninsula.
"A merciful high wave threw the boataway up on the dry shore with all its ex-cursionists safe.
"The men of the expedition started onfoot in search of help, and late in the eve-ning secured from a ranchman the neces-sary wagons to take the "castaways" home.
'It is next to a miracle that no lives werelost, and the experience of all the membersof the expedition sounds like a good hair-raising novel."
The Republican of February 28, 1907stated: "E. P. Slate, city marshal, and 0.
W. Ladd went to Laird's Landing Mondayafter a gasoline launch to be remodeled forservice on Tule Lake."
The Evening Herald of May 22, 1911stated: "Rutenic, Shook, and Goeller re-turn f r o m t h e Lava Beds in Goeller'slaunch."
Jess Witlatch is supposed to have "hauledred cinders on the Tom Calmes barge fromCinder Mountain, to his father's ranch onLost River at the old Stonebridge crossingto fill a contract for surfacing the road to.Merrill." (By Ruth King, clipping Heraldand News, unknown date.)
Boats owned and used by Tom Calmesduring the 1911-19 14 period, on Tule Lake,were the Crystal and Shag. (See As Toldto Me, by Tom Calmes in Klamath Echoes,this issue.)
Republican, July 15, 1909:
one matter attended to by Mr.Holabird was the shipping to Pelican Bayof a Chinese sampan. This peculiar craftwas presented to him by the President ofthe Pacific Mail Steamboat Co. It is ofteakwood and came direct from China.
The only one of its kind in the state ifnot on the coast. If the boats and launcheson the Upper Lake could talk there wouldbe gossip galore among them this summer,and there might, perhaps, be an appeal tothe government for the enforcement of theexclusion law or a demand for the en-forcement of penalties connected with theviolation of the alien labor law. It is noth-ing less than a Chinese sampan. It is noimitation of the real thing, either, for itshows the earmarks of having passed fromthe hands of the native workmen, and hasundoubtedly seen service on the rivers ofChina.
The boat is about sixteen feet long, withthe usual swan-shaped bow. The mode ofpropulsion is the old-fashioned sweep thatswings from the stern of the craft. Severalcharacters in Chinese are to be seen on itssides.
Lost River Slough at low water. Looking east toward Stukel Mt. Priest Photo
As Told to Me.. . by Ivy Emmit Propst DrewFebruary 3, 1948
Recorded by Devere HeifrichRiver Slough. All hands got out andworked, finally got loose and went on.Somewhere in the slough on the returntrip I captured a number of goslings, tookthem home and the next morning they werescattered all over the house. This was in1889 when I was about eight years old.
I remember at one time the Topsy schoolhad but one pupil, Vera Frain (Clemmons).
I traveled through Bend before there wasa Bend there. I was with my father who wassurveying in the Wapinitia country. I alsoremember another time, my father tooksome thread from a spool my mother had,and with a bent pin, caught enough fishout of Keene Creek for a meal for all ofus. I also remember when Wren Frain, whowas about sixteen years old at the time, wasworking for my father on Topsy Grade. Heused to let my sister Charm and myself tryto ride him, and would buck us off. He wasa fine boy and man. I think the first post-master of Topsy was Major Overton, wholived at the top of the grade.
My father came from the Roseburgcountry. He forded the Klamath River atMerganser (Kesterson Mill) in 1875. Myfather's brother was killed by the Modocs.Father built the wagon road from Keno tothe state line and the Topsy grade about1889. He was Robert A. Emmit Therewere two bridges across the Klamath Riverbelow the Topsy Grade, the upper one wasknown as the Frain bridge and I do notbelieve was a wagon bridge, but the one atShovel Creek was.
The McCormack stern wheeler was theMayflower, and I rode on it on it's maidentrip. The trip started from Keno at 4:00A.M., up the Klamath River to near Mer-ganser where it left the river to follow theLost River Slough to Lost River. It thenfollowed down Lost River to Tule Lake andlanded at Adams Point. A picnic was heldthere, and the return trip was made by thesame route. We arrived back at Keno at12:00 midnight. Either going or coming,I don't remember which, the Mayflowerbecame stuck in the mud and tulies of Lost
74. 15.
Maude Baldwin Photo
Thouyht to be the first Canby on Lake Ewauna. Possibly could be Mayflower. Around 1905.07 period.
As Told to Me .. . by Bryce McCormackJuly 26, 1952
Recorded by Devere Heifrich
I was born in Kansas in 1875 and cameto Oregon when I was eight. We lived fora time at Portland before coming here.
At one time we lived at Cooper StageStation, and I had my first fight there. Iwent to the first Keno school when I wasfourteen. It was held in Bing Grubb'ssmoke house. There were no desks, so wehad to sit around the room on benches. Theold smoke house stood on the east side ofthe pine tree at the base of the hill, wherethe highway swings to the right after passingunder the Weyerhauser railroad. BingGrubb's house sat on the opposite side ofthe pine.
The next year a schoolhouse was built onan acre of ground a short distance westwardalong the old Ashland road. I got $5.00each for digging the holes for the boys andgirls privies.
At various times I worked at all the oldmills and on all the old boats. My father
owned the Mayflower, also the Canby. Thefirst Canby had a rope drive. The only thingout of the first Canby used in the secondwas the boiler. The second Canby was runby two upright engines, one on each side.There was another little stub of a boat calledthe Captain Jack. It was a stern wheelerbut was no good, and the man who built itnever did anything with it. Captain Ballbuilt the Bnffalo, the only stern wheel gasboat on the river.
When I was on the Canby, the Kiamathfelt they were the fastest on the river. Weknew one day that they were laying for us,so when they backed out from the dock andgot squared away we had steam up and wereready for them. We tied the safety valveopen and took off. When the Klamath tiedup at the dock at Teter's Landing we wereright there with them.
I fell trees at Old Snow. It was just alogging camp. I think it was named after
16.
Very little information has been foundon boating on Tule Lake after that whichhas already been given in this issue ofKlamath Echoes, which transpired duringthe emigrant and Modoc War period.
According to an article by Isabelle Barryin the Herald & News, October 8, 1947,M. L. Coppock, wife and two children,came into Northern California in 1898.Mr. Coppock took up a homestead on thepeninsula, then known as the "Sand Strip,"in 1899. He built a small cabin out ofshakes. His living was made by trappingand hunting, being a commercial duck andgoose hunter. The Coppocks' principalmethod of travel was by water. Supplieswere brought in by barge from Merrill,down Lost River, and across the lake. Thisrequired some skill in navigation becausewhen coming up to Merrill it was necessaryto know where the channel of Lost Riverentered the lake or the barge would stickin the sand bar. On these trips, Coppocksounded the lake many times. The waterover the area now known as Coppock Baywas from 16 to 20 feet deep.
73.
"There was a long growing season withno danger of frost from April to October.The Coppocks had a large fruit orchardbearing apples, peaches, and pears. It was agreat day when the settlers from MaImcame in their wagons and boats to buyfruit for winter canning....
"There was no school on the peninsula.During the winter of 1906-07 the familymoved onto a houseboat which they an-chored in Lost River near Merrill whilethe children went to schol. . . . Coppock soldhis holdings in 1923......
From the Herald and News, June 7, 1959we learn: "Boats played an important partin the early development of the Czechsettlement of Malin.
"U.S. Bureau of Reclamation crafts pliedthe lake water, hauling men and equipment.(See also As Told to Me by John Yadenin Kiamath Echoes, this issue.) Rafts oflumber were towed to construction jobs,gravel was brought from the peninsula southof the present town of Tulelake to Merrillto be used for the surfacing of roads, andhay and garden produce raised by the Cop-
Priest PhotoUnknown boat on Lost River at MenilI. The late Irene Laden, A. C. Yaden, and J. C. Rutenic.
Boating on Tule Lake . . .
By DEVERE HELFRICH
They Check . .
By DEVERE HELFRICHA few statements made by old timers in
"As Told to Me," confirmed by articles inold newspapers.
1st. When George Miller, (KiamathEchoes, Vol. I, No. 1. Pages 15 & 16.)states that he remembers "three people whowere out in a row boat, on Lake Ewauna,being drowned, a saloon keeper namedDickey, his wife and another man."
His statement is confirmed by the Ash-land Tidings of August 8, 1876, which re-ports: "A letter from J. M. Sutton, now atLinkville: 'On my return (from the UpperLakeEd.), joining with Mr. GeorgeCoon, we took a boat ride in the ill-fatedboat from which Judge Small, John Dickand wife lost their lives. We visited thelocation of the disaster'."
Miller's statement is further confirmed bythe Tidings of June 17, 1881: "Mr. Dun-lap, of Jacksonville, also removed the re-mains of the Dick party from the Link-yule Cemetary. They were drowned in thelake when their sailboat upset." Lastly con-firmation comes from the Klamath Republi-can, February 28, 1907: ". . . J. H. Dick ofEugene, was born in this county. His parentswere drowned in May 1876, by the accidental overturning of a boat. Two orphanboys were left. Mr. Dick lived in Link-yule for some time. He was employed,sshen 14, on the Reames and Martin ranch,which is now Mills addition, shooting jackrabbits."
2nd. When Ivan Dennis tells that hisfather Louis Dennis "helped hunt for theMason brothers when they were drowned.He found them both (Klamath Echoes, thisissue.)," his statement is, in part at least,confirmed by the Republican of April 19,1909: "J. C. & charles Mason left in asail boat from Pelican Bay to Kiamath Fallstwo weeks ago last Sunday. They were lastseen off Eagle Ridge Point. A few daysago their boat was discovered near themouth of Williamson River. J. C. had
farmed Bear Island several years. They hadleft their blankets there, where they still are.Both left large families, all in destitutecondition."
The Republican of June 14, 1909, fur-ther reported: "The Mason brothers' wivesleft last Saturday for Illinois."
3rd. When Bryce McCormack (KlamathEchoes, this issue.), tells that: "A man andboy in a row-boat started to hitch a ride ona scow we were pushing once, but mis-judged our speed and instead of comingalongside, got hit by the corner of thescow. The man grabbed the scow but theboy was thrown into the water anddrowned."
Again the old timer's statement is con-firmed by the Republican, December 5,1907: "Earl Kagg, the young son of Mr.& Mrs. George Kagg of Teeters' Landing,was drowned near that place at threeo'clock, Saturday afternoon. Accompaniedb Mr. Stonebrake, Kagg went in a skiff tomeet the Steamer Canby which was pullinginto Teeters with a barge loaded with 1umher. The skiff collided with the steamer,precipitating the occupants into the river.Young Kagg was drawn under the bargeand drowned before assistance could reachhim. The body was not recovered untilSunday afternoon. Funeral services wereheld Monday and the remains interred nearTeeters'."
Republican, July 1, 1909:
The first of the mosquito fleet will belaunched at the Upper Landing today andwill mark an agreeable epoch in our pro-gression. The first, the "Ella Gordon" isa small boat modeled and built for the ac-commodation of people; something like theOdessa boats, only larger, carrying fromfive to ten people, and thoroughly safe.Fifteen of these boats will be built, andmore, if the trade demands.
the man who owned the camp, Snow. Itwas about three miles from the top of thechute. Bud Inman was the engineer on OldBlue. When a man was sent out on a joband took too long he was sent to jail. That'swhat they called peeling the logs. After aweek of that you went back to your regularjob. Ed Way was the best barker that everstruck the hill.
My wife was born in 1890 and the oldBonita school was there before that. Shewent to her first school there in 1897, Mysister Bertha once taught there. AnnieRoscoe also taught there.
Connelly who had a sawmill belowEllingson's mill made so many trips toKlamath Falls and had to pay toll to crossthe bridge here, until he got tired of it.He built a bridge about a mile below hereon the bend, and everyone else used it too,as it was free.
I saw a shooting take place on the oldbridge once. Nurse and Tooke had been atouts for some time. One day I knew Tookehad a gun in his pocket and knew troublewas coming up. They started across thebridge, when they got into it. The centerpart of the bridge was double decked andwhen Tooke started to jump back, hecaught his heel on the plank and fell. AsNurse started for him, he pulled his gun andfired. Nurse had his hand in his pocket andthe bullet hit his hand and lodged in hiship. Of course that stopped the fight.Nurse came to me and wanted me to takehim to Klamath Falls. I said I would, and
told him to lay down while I got mywagon and team. He wouldn't do it. Hehad lots of guts. He harnessed one horse,singing and then crying that he was going todie. His wife went to town with us. Thehotel was full but under the circumstancesthey let us make a bed down for him on thefloor, and after the doctor cleaned thewound we sat up with him all night.
A man and boy in a row-boat started tohitch a ride on a scow we were pushingonce, but misjudged our speed and insteadof coming alongside, got hit by the corner ofthe scow. The man grabbed the scow butthe boy was thrown into the water anddrowned. We stopped and drug for him.Altogether I have helped drag up fivedifferent men in the river.
The two old narrow gage railroads hereran by gravity, with horses to pull the emp-ties back to the woods. I used to tow logs toMoore's mill and Big Lakes. I would pullclear up to the bridge with the boat anddump the logs out the lower end into theMoore log pond.
I carried mail from Keno to Picard whenI was fifteen, one year too young accordingto government regulations.
The old school between Puckett's andParker's was placed half way between sothere could be no complaint of favoritism.Old man Puckett used to braid his beard andfold it back, but if he stood up and let itOut, it reached the floor and lay along ittwo inches.
As Told to Me. . . by Gertie ColahanApril 28, 1965
The Lottie C was built in San Diego andlater shipped to San Francisco. Jr ran onPetaluma Creek before coming here.
I was born in 1882.My father, John Clantcn, shipped the
Lottie C here, before the family came. Wefirst settled at Oklahoma Flats on the LowerLake. Father used the Lottie C on the LowerLake between Oklahoma Landing, Keno and
Recorded by Devere HeifrichLinkville, hauling freight, a few passengersand most anything. We lived near Okla-homa Landing.
Father later moved the Lottie C to theUpper Lake and sold it to Bird Loosley. Iunderstood it sunk up there shortly after-ward.
John Clanton and his son Dave, who stilllives at Redding, ran the Lottie C.
72. 17.
fill iiliPliiiilllllilltiihilII 111111
rrullllrrr,lIlrp iliIlr,llliuulilll
Priest PhotoThe Canby on Lake Ewauna. Left to right: Unknown man, Raymond Ball, Clyde Ball and William
Carver Ball. 1910-1912 period.
As Told to Me. . . by Judge U. E. Reeder''I'll'
March 3, 1948I came here in 1895 and began boating
about 1900.The Canby and the Kiamath were the
only two commercial carriers that were everlicensed and Government inspected. Theywere also licensed to carry passengers. Ofcourse the Canby was on the river before theKlamath. It was built at Keno. McCormackwas the owner and I was the Captain.
There were two different Canbys. Theold one used two upright engines with woodpulleys that had seven grooves that regu-lated the speed and power. There was also abig pulley at the back that had seven grooves.A rope was used between the two pulleysand wlien it began to fray it was time tochange. We always waited for J. J. McIntyrethe freighter to bring in a hundred tons offreight to Laird's Landing from Grass Lakewhich was the end of the railroad in thosedays. He had all matched teams, whites inone, bays in another, blacks, etc. He came in
Recorded by Devere Heifrichwith the railroad and freighted from GrassLake to Lairds' Landing at first. He hadabout five teams, some were eight mules andthree wagons, others were six mules and twowagons. And then he would always let usknow when he had one hundred ton offreight at Lairds. They just piled the freightup and we would take two fifty-ton bargesto bring it back. We backed into the chan-nel at Laird's and loaded the barges aheadand then pushed them Out.
We used to pick up hay on barges atSheepy Lake. Oklahoma Landing was justa pier, with hay stacked on it, real high. Thehay was brought in from Brownell's andFairchild's.
Most of the lumber used in buildingMerrill and the surrounding ranches wasbrought in by boat from McCormack's millat Keno to White Lake, not by wagon asmost people think.
We always tried to haul lumber to theLower Lake in the spring when the water
The Turtle in the Pelican Bay vicinity, but who was the owner?
MISCELLANEOUS..Following is a list of launches, sailboats
and a few work boats which were named.We have considerable information on sev-eral, but the names only on the others.These boats were in existance from 1903to 1913, and a few much later. Due to thelack of space, this information cannot begiven in this issue of Klamath Echoes. Thenamed boats are:
Antler, Beth, Grebe, Dixie, Dorothy,Ella Gordon, Hohenzollern, Ivanhoe, King,Klatawa, Lilly, Lusetta, Crystal, Madam,Shamrock, Oregon (Copco), Shark, Tarter,Turtle, Wampus, Wocus, Midget, Cruiser,Speed, Tarn, Speed King, Marguerite, Eli-zabeth, Red Rover, Mac, Shag, Blywas, RedWing, Nancy K, and Arthur Mason.
The following list is the names of theowners of launches who evidently nevernamed their boats:
B. St. George Bishop, E. R. Reames,Browns of Crystal, J. V. Houston, J. G.Pierce, Tom Statten, 0. K. Puckett, Copco,Martin Bros., Goeller, Francis R. Olds,
Priest Photo
Brewbaker, Austin White, George T. Bald-win, Schallock & Daggett, W. A. Huson,H. D. Foster, Deal & McCormack, ClydeHuffman, Heilkemper & Brennan, Erickson& Peterson, and twenty or more work boatsowned by the various mills and used ontheir log ponds and to tow logs.
The Evening Herald, May 25, 1908:
The Buena Vista water front presentedan exceedingly nautical appearance with thesteamers Hornet, Winema, White Cinda,and Mazama, together with the big houseboat Lady Vera, all docked at the same time.The launches Buena Vista and Hazeldinewith three lighters and seven smaller boatswere also anchored at the same time.
Repnblican, February 20, 1902:
The fine weather on Tuesday inducedHerbert and Charles Baldwin to exercisetheir yacht on the river and lake. They hada gay and enjoyable trip and attracted muchattention. Their boat with sails all set, rodethe waves like a bird.
18. 71.
(Republican, June 25), a stone jetty wasreported as being started. Ray Telford onceowned the Buena Vista boat house, laterselling it to Copco. It was located at thepoint on the east shore of the lake a shortdistance above the head of Link River, and
docks (on the location of the presenPelican MarinaEd.), was a boaand docks, and to the westward (opthe brick house at 935 Front Stree
One-half mile farther to the north, wasthe Pelican Bay canal or cur, leading fromopen water to the sawmill itself. Dredgedout in 1910-il, the canal was supposed tobe large enough to hold 3,000,000 feet oflogs, It was in the east end of this cut that
Eagle Ridge Tavern, opened about July 20, 1909, burned in 1926 or 1927.
of early day photos of Upper Kiamath Lakein the vicinity of the head of Link Riverwas also made and it appears that landingswere made on both the east and west shores.They were nothing more than the usualrickety platform. Boats w e r e few andfreighting was not overburdensome.
Then, with the advent of the boom yearsof the early 1900's, boats became the keyto the Upper Lake. The Kiamath Develop-ment Company, or Buena Vista interests,were the first to built a landing of any con-sequence on the Upper Lake. A boat houseand docks were constructed, then in 1908
it was here or near here, that many of thUpper Klamath Lake boats were built bysuch men as Pete Perry, Curly McDonald,Alex Nosier, Ray Telford, Steve Means,Heilkemper & Brennan, and others.
Slightly to the southeast of the Buena
Vista tday' thouseposite tEd.), were the sand docks, where theWood and Williamson River sand bargeswere unloaded.
Farther to the north, docks and a smallboat house were in existance by 1909 (op-posite the old Shippington lumber officeEd.), at what became known as the Ship-pington docks. Some of the same boat buil-ders worked here also, including JohnLinman.
the Steamer Kiamath ended its career.North, another quarter mile or so, at the
base of the hills, was Hank's Landing. Itwas to this point the Steamer Kiamath andthe dredge Kiamath Queen, were broughtoverland to be launched on the upper lake,
was running through the Straits into LowerKiamath Lake. And in the fall, we hauledhay from Oklahoma through the straitsinto the river, when the water was drainingOut of the Lower Lake, We also tried totime it right so we would reach the straitsat night. After entering the straits wewould go to bed and let the boat float andthe next morning wake up in Lower Kla-math Lake, in the fall when the lake wasdraining into the river and we were haulinghay out we did the same, enter the straitsand go to bed and the next morning wewould be on Klamath River. The pictureof the little dinky train on the barge was thetime the Canby brought in the little rail-road that was used to make the Cut fromthe railroad north of the Esplanade under-pass and build the fill across the swamp inthat neighborhood and the depot, cleat onto the cut in the Pelican City vicinity. Thatis me in the pilot house. On White Lakethere used to be humps all over and whattime we were not stuck in the mud, we wereout in hip boots hunting a channel.
The Van Brimmer ditch drained WhiteLake so that Frank Adams attempted to getwater from Lower Klamath. At first he
tried to open up a channel from LowerKlamath Lake to White Lake by cutting thesod with hay knives, but it didn't work.So he later got a dredge from Fall RiverValley, from the McArthur Brothers, Ithink. It was brought in by freight teams toChalk Bluff Landing and reassembled there.I remember some dredge was built at Teter'sLanding, but I think it was the one COPCOnow has on the Upper Lake. The Adamsdredge was used on Adams cut from LowerKlamath Lake to White Lake, on the cut toLaird's Landing and on the fills for the rail-road across the swamp at Ady. It was alsoused south of town here, dyking LakeEwauna.
In those days, it took from twenty-fourto thirty-six hours from Keno to KlamathFalls, towing logs to Moore's and Ackleysmills. The Canby or its barges never drewmore than three feet of water if that much.They were all flat bottomed, so they couldgo over the old Indian rock ledge near theKesterson mill. Later the channel was madethrough by using grapling hooks. (Thisin all probability was the rock piers used forthe original Nus bridge across the KlamathRiver. Devere.) Oh, yes, I remember theMayflower was sunk at Keno.
Ray Telford PhotoThe Antler on Upper Kiamath Lake. Owned by Jim Hansborough, and used for hunting and pleasuretrips.
70. 19.
I(
As Told to Me . . . by John Yaden
February 3, 1948My father started a mail stage line from
Ager to Kiamath Falls about 1898. Stopswere at Klamath Hot Springs, or Beswickand Chases, west of Keno about four miles.Sometimes they went down the river pastSpencer Creek instead of crossing at Keno,then on an old grade over Hayden Moun-tain and to a bridge across the KiamathRiver near Beswick, then on to Ager.
I came here in 1901. I think U. E.Reeder came to Klamath after I did, butwas on the Klamath River, in McCormack'sstern wheel, flat bottom boat before I ranthe launches Ewauna and Tule. The Ewaunawas 40 feet in length and the Tule 25.Captain Woodberry shipped both in fromPortland. He had been a pilot on theColumbia River previously. He also ship-ped in the steamer Klamath and owned thedocks at the mouth of Link River. He andLynn Yaden laid out the First Addition toKlamath Falls. It was for the steamer Kia-math that the channel was dredged toLairds Landing. Previous to this all land-ings had been at Mosquito Point, about
Maude Baldwin Photo
Ewauna on White Lake. Merrill Landing in distance, past stern of boat. Maude Baldwin PhotoHarriman Lodge at Pelican Bay. Used by E. H. Harriman in both 1907 and 1908.
Recorded by Devere Heifrichtwo miles northeast of Laird's and ChalkBluffs about one mile farther. Possibly oneor the other of these were known as In-dian Bank Landing.
I ran both the Ewauna and Tule onLower Kiamath and used the Adams TuleCut into White Lake in carrying Reclama-tion officials to various places. There wasalso a landing northwest of Laird's, 1½to 2 miles where no dredging was neces-sary for boats to land. This may have beencalled the Indian Bank Landing becausethere were many morters there in solid rock.This may also have been called CoyotePoint or Oklahoma Landing in later times.There was also another landing reachedthrough Sheepy Lake that required nodredging. This landing was possibly theone used by the Fairchild Ranch.
I can remember a school near Laird's.There were no buildings at all betweenMerrill and Laird's when I was first in thatneighborhood. Adams had a horse ranchon the Fleenor Chimney road. During earlyprohibition days in Oregon, there was a
hotel. By July 5, 1902, the Republicanstates that the name "Odessa' was now ap-plied to the locality, replacing 'The Pop-lars." Later a dance pavilion was built justsoutheast of the hotel, and a sawmill acrossOdessa Creek to the north. The mill builtin 1904, operated for several years.
Ott May 18, 1909, it was announced thatOdessa had passed into the hands of Col.Holabird, special representative of E. H.Harriman.
Approximately half way between Odessaand Pelican Bay Lodge, a one and one-halfmile, fifty foot channel was dredged in late1910 and early 1911, to accommodate thePelican Bay Lumber Company operations.This landing probably saw the most use ofany on the Upper Lake, although in use forprobably less than ten years.
WOODBINE. A little over a mile south-east of Odessa is a small butte, the south-eastern extremity of which is known asCoon Point. Here, Stidham Creek emptiesinto the lake proper, and became M. H.Wampler's Woodbine Resort and Landing,when Odessa and Pelican Bay resorts werepurchased by the Harriman interests, andwere no longer available to the public.Before this, Stidham had long been a log-
ging center for the Moore Bros. sawmillon Link River.
ROCKY POINT. Located a little over amile north of Pelican Bay Lodge, or as itwas later known Harriman Lodge, RockyPoint came into existance because of thepurchases heretofore mentioned by the Har-riman interests. As stated by Ray Telford,"When we went up there to build theCurlew, there were only two tents at RockyPoint, in a little space, knocked out of thebrush." Charles Wilson seems to have runthe first resort, to which in 1911 a wharfand storehouse were added.
HOMESTEADERS LANDING. South ofWoodbine or Stidham Creek about twomiles, was homesteaders landing, at thenorthwestern corner of the Doak property.
EAGLE RIDGE TAVERN. After sellingOdessa, the Griffiths built a large hotel atthe "white sulphur springs' on the extremenorthern extremity of Eagle Ridge Point.During June and early July, 1909, theymoved their possessions to the new loca-tion. The July 15th Republican announcedthe opening date was to be July 20th. TheTavern was strictly a tourist and vacationistcenter. It burned in either 1926 or 1927.
KLAMATH FALLS. Close examination
20. 69.
for freight and passengers to and from Po-kegama. It was superceded by Teeters'Landing in 1907. To as late as 1955, Kenosaw considerable use as a lumber and logloading landing. The passenger and freightlanding, nothing elaborate, just a ricketyplatform, extending a short distance into thewater, was located on the upstream side ofthe southern approach to the bridge.
KLAMATH FALLS. From a very closeinspection of early day photos, there ap-pears to have been no docks of any kindbuilt until probably around 1900. Themeans of loading or unloading the littlefreight and passenger traffic would havebeen by a gang plank.
On August 20, 1903, the Republican in-forms us that Will S. Worden, circulated asubscription to raise money "to build anew dock, 18 x 76. This indicates theremay have been some sort of dock then in
UPPER LAKE LANDINGSAGENCY LANDING. At northeastern
part of Agency Lake. In existance sinceFort Kiamath was established. used as atransfer point for passengers, freight, etc.,to Wood River Valley, Kiamath IndianAgency, Spring Creek and Williamson Riversummer camping resorts.
WOOD RIVER. At Weed bridge onWood River. Used almost exclusively forloading baled hay on barges. Among theboats using this landing were the Mazama,Hooligan and Spray.
CRYSTAL CREEK. Several landings, in-cluding the Brown ranch at the head, Ma-lone Springs and Silvers ranch. Mostlyused to ship out lumber and log rafts, pas-sengers to Crater Lake, and supplies to the
PELICAN BAY. As early as 1899, G.Grant Crary (Republican, October 31),was the proprietor of a summer- resort atPelican Bay.
The Republican of July 13, 1902, re-ports that Ira Hansen hauled in a pianofrom Ashland for the lodge. Also that "be-sides the lodge, Mr. Crary has built andfurnished several cottages for the accom-
existance. The dock was needed for thçnewly arrived Tule and Ewauna and theprospects of the Kiamath, yet to come.
The project must have been successfulf r the Republican of October 2 2nd, statesthe Kiamath Lake Navigation Company haspurchased "of Major Worden, Lot numberone, with dock and warehouse at the eastend of the bridge."
With the Kiamath under constructionand the railroad commencing to advance,the Kiamath Lake Navigation Company de-cided to enlarge its landing. According tothe Republican of April 6, 1905, theyowned 300 feet of water front from thebridge, and were building a 60 x 240 footwharf.
Freight warehouses and offices were laterbuilt and it was only a few years ago thatthe last of these buildings were torn down,to make way for Veterans Memorial Park.
modation of the many tourists who spendthe summer there."
By August 14, 1902, the Republican an-nounced that Crary had died at Ashland.Next on July 27, 1905, they report thatG. W. Jones, the manager of Pelican BayLodge, for owner J. D. Kendall, had goneto Ashland after "six fine new row boats."
The Republican of April 18, 1907 statesthat Kendall had sold Pelican Bay Lodgeto Col. W. H. Holabird of the KlamathDevelopment Company. Then on August15th, it was announced that E. H. Harri-man was the real owner. Harriman spentsome time in both 1907 and 1908 at theLodge. By May 9, 1912, it was announcedthat the property, including some 562 acresof land, would be sold to W. P. Johnsonof the Kiamath Development Company.
ODESSA. First known as "The Poplars"or Dennis Resort, the property was takenup originally by Mr. Harschbarger as ahomestead, then purchased by Dennis andacquired by the "Messrs. Griffith" in late1901. Dennis received $6,000 for his 480acres, livestock, buildings and Steamer Alma.Griffiths soon afterward erected a new
saloon set up just inside California on thehill straight south of Merrill. It was burnedonce or twice. It was on the spot Merrillat one time used for a dump ground.
I remember seeing the tops of twelveinch posts of a corral, approximately 120feet in diameter, at a point in what wasthen Tule Lake. The spot was about threeor more miles straight north of the Penin-sula and possibly a mile or two west ofnorth. The water was about eight or tenfeet deep at the time. This was during the1909-1910 period when the reclamationpeople were taking soundings on Tule
Kiamath Republican, July 29, 1909:
According to the Portland Telegram thestatement that Harriman is not coming westthis fall will not down. It has been learnedhere that E. H. Harriman, in his effort toregain his health, expects to come to Ore-gon and milk cows instead of Wall Street.Arrangements have been made at PelicanBay Lodge which indicate pretty clearlythat the "wizard of the Pacifies" will spendsome time at his Pelican Bay country placeearly this fall. The conjecture is that hewill come to Oregon shortly after his ar-rival home from Europe in September.
The plans for preparing his southernOregon retreat includes the construction ofa small model dairy on the place, in whichMr. Harriman will keep a cow or two tosupply him with fresh milk, which is theprinciple article of his diet prescribed byEuropean specialists attending him. Wheth-er he will add the exercise of milking thecows to his frugal diet is a mooted question,but he will have the opportunity of so do-ing should he be so inclined.
Mr. Harriman's reason for having thedairy erected at Pelican Bay is that whenhe was here a year ago he was unable to geta daily supply of fresh milk and cream andnow that this has become an essential partof his daily sustenance he is preparing toequip his lodge with a pair of gentle moolie
Lake. We thought the old emigrant roadfrom Bloody Point to the Stone Bridgecrossing of Lost River passed this corral orwere told so by someone of the Adamsfamily.
Garrett was the foreman for my fatheron the stage line. He was possibly the sameGarrett who ran the stage in 1875 fromAshland to Linkville and Lake City.
In passing up the Klamath River an oldrock ledge near the present Kesterson millinterferred with the boats. I think a channelwas blasted through it.
Kiamath Republican, March 21, 1901
FISH AND FISHING
Those who like to see fish, immense con-gregations of them, all alive and running,and most of them weighing from 2 to 6pounds apiece, ought to be here now. Fiveminutes walk from Main street brings oneto the shores of the Klamath rapids, whereevery little nook, bay and tributary creekis so crowded with mullets that their backsstick out of the water. Ordinary fishingwith hooks and spears or even nets is tooslow to think of. With a pitchfork or withnaked hands a backload may be thrown outin five minutes. These enormous droves offish can now be seen not alone here, but inthe rivers and creeks generally throughoutthe county. Mullets, rainbow trout and sal-monsplendid fish, giants of their size andapparently anxious to be caught. This phe-nomenon will last a month, and until theiregg-laying camp meeting is over with.After that, the herd of fish will be distri-buted over a wider space and will be inplenty the year through. By the way for-tunes could b made here in catching fishand sending them in refrigerator cars to
markets at San Francisco and Portland. Assoon as refrigerator cars can get here, thefish business will be one of the big thingsof the county.
68. 21.
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We came here in late 1904 or early1905. Father was H. C., Henry, Telford.Our house here was originally that of Jo-seph G. Pierce, a newspaper man, who wasalso interested in the lumber business.Pierce built the Redkey house east ofConger Avenue. Harry Telford once ownedit.
We built the King before we built theboat house in 1905. It was built for SamSmith and 011ie Gibbons, trappers aroundWhite Lake. We ran it down for them.Went by way of the Kiamath River, Kla-math Straits, Lower Kiamath Lake, and theAdams Tule Cut. They had a houseboatdown there, in which they lived, and westayed with them a short time, hunting.
My old boat house is still standing(1951) where it has always been, since itwas built irs 1909. It used to have asquare front. Another old building stoodjust south of it, which was the Old Brick
Maude Baldwin Photo
The "Klatawa," on Pelican Bay, built and owned by H. C. Telford and son in 1907. It was used onboth lakes at times, for excursions to the Bird Islands on the Lower Lake, and duck hunting on theUpper Lake.
As Told to Me . . . by Ray TelfordNovember 16, 1951 - April 10, 1953 - November 16, 1957
Recorded by Devere HeifrichStore warehouse.
We built over one hundred clinker rowboats, fifteen foot models. We designedthem with fan tail and transome ends.
As I remember, the Jessie was before mytime, but I think the Alma was on the lakewhen we came here. Another early boat,before these even, was the steamer Howard.It drew seven feet of water, so couldn'trun on the Upper Lake. They hadn't mea-sured the depth of the water beforehand.
The old building that used to set at theend of the bridge was the old KiamathNavigation Company building and docks.When the steel bridge was built, I ran aferry from the Navigation Company docksto a point just below the west end of thepresent bridge. I used the Kiatawa to shoveit upstream. We built and owned the Kiata-Wa. That was in 1907. It was twenty-oneand a half feet in length, with tunnel stern,to operate on the lower lake. It was used
sawmill, about one and one-half mileswest.
Teeters' Landing was one-half mile eastof the first Teeters' home. It was used byTeeters, Hall Miller, Charlie Burns, OliverSly, Jack White and a Mr. West.
In the spring of 1890, Teeters sold threescow loads of wood in Linkville, two loadsof 20 cords each, and one of 16 cords. (Sis-kiyou County Pioneer & Yearbook, 1957.Pages 51-52.) These scows were towedby the Lottie C.
Teeters' Landing was used mainly as awood and log landing until the approach ofthe railroad in the 1907-08 period when itbecame a passenger, mail and freight depotof some importance. Three lines convergedthere, one from railhead on the new Cali-fornia Northeastern, one from Ager andone from Pokegama.
In September 19, 1907's Republican theinformation is written of the purchase of475 acres at Teeters' Landing, from Mark L.Burns, for $5,000, and extensive improve-ments to be made by the Kiamath LakeNavigation Company thereon.
In December, 1907, Don Zumwalt andM. D. Williams, County Clerk, were sur-veying a townsite at Teeters'.
On January 16, 1908, a new hotel wasbuilt there, the proprietor being J. A.Bingham.
Photo Courtesy Hal Ogle and Klamath County MuseumTeeters' Landing, 1908 or 1909. Note the number of horses pulling the wagon hauling the dinkyengine destined for the railroad Cut north of Klamath Falls.
By November 26, 1908, the name ofTeeters' Landing had been changed toBlidel.
But the end was in sight, on January 1,1909, Teeters' Landing or Blidel, was by-passed by the new shipping point of Hol-land, where the railroad crossed the Kla-math Straits, running out of Lower Kla-math Lake. This name in turn did not lastlong. There was another "Holland" inWestern Oregon, so the name Ady cameinto being.
Commencing on January 1st, the line in-augurated all boat and train service, and thestage and freight lines were abolished. Adyitself, was short lived. Its end came withthe entrance of the railroad into KiamathFalls, on May 20, 1909. Nelson's Grove, apicnic and excursion site, was located nearTeeters' Landing.
SNOWGOOSE RANCH LA N D I N G.About one mile upstream from Keno, thislanding was probably used only for lumberfrom the Long Lake Lumber Company saw-mill located there, and for forming lografts to be towed to Kiamath Falls.
KIENO. First known as Whittle's Ferry,probably first came into use as a boat land-ing during the Modoc War, in 1872-73.It saw use as a freight and passenger trans-fer point from 1889 to 1903, after whichit saw considerable use as a transfer point
22. 67.
DeVere Heifrich PhotoDeserted Laird's Landing, Jan. 20, 1948. The landing, barn and hotel. The boat turn-around in Fore-ground.
Merrill landing may have seen use duringhigh water seasons, by boats of shallowdraft, even before 1903.
WHITE LAKE CITY LANDING. Foun-ded in 1905, White Lake City probably hada landing of sorts at certain times of theyear for a short period of time. At least afew years ago, two posts and a cross-piecestill remained of this little used landing onthe north shore of White Lake.
OKLAHOMA LANDING. At CoyotePoint, north of Lairds Landing about threemiles. Received lumber and supplies forthe homesteaders of Oklahoma Flats, the D,and JF ranches, beginning about 1889. Italso served as a loading point for bargeloads of hay, shipped to Linkville-KlamathFalls.
SHEEPY LAKE LANDING. A hayloading and homesteader supply point onSheepy Creek, which ran into Sheepy Lake,which in turn connected with Lower KIa-math Lake.
LAIRDS LANDING. Formerly a stop-ping place on the old wagon road from the
Tule Lake-Merrill country to Shasta Valleypoints, especially Montague, Lairds was notopened to water traffic until the late sum-mer of 1905. And then only after a channelwas dredged from the open water of LowerKlamath Lake by the Adams dredge. LairdsLanding became the transfer point fromstages to boat, on the McCloud River rail-road to Klamath Falls run. The Klamathdid not commence on this run until Oc-tober, 1905. The landing saw considerablefreight traffic use for a few years also, oruntil the spring of 1908, when railhead hadreached Mt. Hebron and Dorris and thetraffic then went by way of Teeters'Landing.
TEETERS' LANDING. About four andone-half miles south of Keno, it came intoexistance by 1889 or before. Harvey L.Teeters and family arrived in the neigh-borhood in mid-February 1889. However,a brother, William Teeters, was alreadythere, living on a rented farm, four milessouth of Keno. The Harvey Teeters familylived there five months, then moved to theTower house, the old cook house, at the
as an excursion boat to Bird Islands, andfor duck hunting. It hauled as many astwenty people at one time on excursions.We used it one summer on the UpperLake. Eventually it was moved to the UpperLake and used by Del Gammon, ResidentEngineer for the Po w e r Company, insounding the Upper Lake. The top wasremoved and a different engine placed init at that time for more power and speed.Gammon sold it for us to some man whosename we never knew. It was probablyused by the Power Company in the 20's.In later years, about 1941, I went toLamm's Mill and while working on a boatat their docks, found the hull of this oldboat almost rotted to pieces.
There was another boat, but I don't re-member whether it had a name or not. Itwas about a twenty footer, and I built it forthe Associated Audubon Societies, to patrolthe bird reserve on Lower Kiamath Lakewhen the reserve was first created. JackFerber, the warden, used it. They later soldit back to me and I in turn sold it to DelGammon around the 1915-1917 period.Gammon used it on the Upper Lake fora time.
I remember we were making a bird sur-vey on the Lower Lake, and stayed the firstnight at Oklahoma Landing. The mosqui-toes almost ate us alive, so after that wewent from here every day by boat.
Nosier built the Buena Vista boat housefor the Klamath Development Company.Father and I bought it from them and latersold it to the California Oregon PowerCompany. Pete Perry lived there once,also Curly McDonald. I think it was whileliving there that McDonald built theSpray. It blew up off Eagle Ridge whiletowing logs for Copco.
The Buena Vista was another early dayboat on the Upper Lake. Pete Perry builtthis boat around 1907 or 1908 for theKlamath Land and Transportation Com-pany at his boat shop near the point aboveFremont Bridge. It was used for excursionsand was chartered to parties. It was latersold to the Kiamath Development Com-pany, and they had Curly McDonald cut it
in two in the middle, then splice in a sec-tion to lengthen it. This was to make moreroom for passengers and such luggage asit might be necessary to carry. It was thenchristened the White Pelican. This wasaround 1914 or 1915. It was then usedby parties going to Harriman Lodge, andabout this same time a bar was installed init. My brother once ran the bar.
Griffi ths lived at Odessa, and father builtthe Curlew there in 1908, with Griffith'shelp. I think the Griffiths had the Spraybuilt around 1914 by Curly McDonald.Cap Calkins acquired it sometime aroundthat date. He and Johnnie Hamilton op-erated mail boats for a long time to UpperLake points and Agency Landing. I thinkthey also operated the Oakland, and itseems there was also a boat called theOsprey. Pete Hamilton and his wife oncelived on Buck Island.
The Chelsea Lumber and Box Companybought the Curlew and moved it from theUpper Lake to Lake Ewauna, where it wasused during the First World War. It wascalled the Chelsea down here.
We built the Oakland in 1910 for H. P.Hoey, the Southern Pacific engineer. TheShark was much more recently built by theCalifornia Oregon Power Company crew,about 1936, I think. Some fellow oncemoved the engine ahead to increase thespeed; instead it Cut the speed two miles.
I built the Lilly for the California OregonPower Company about 1923. It was heavyand was used to break ice. A Mullen steelboat was used by the Southern Pacific en-gineers, and also to break ice. It had anO G stern. In those days, ice would com-pletely cover the Upper Lake, and when itbegan to break up, the wind would pile itup along the shore line so high it wouldclose the wagon road, and they didn't havebulldozers in those days, so it would beclosed for days.
The Lii Gal was also a Del Gammonboat, used ott the Upper Lake, which helater took to San Francisco Bay.
Winter Knight built some good sizedhulls, one for Rutenic, or at least Rutenicwas interested somehow, I think.
66.23.
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Priest PhotoThe old Buena Vista docks and boat house at the point on Upper Klamath Lake above the head ofLink Rwer, east side. The Steamer Klamath arriving from some point up lake.
Jap Taylor and Cap Parker were theowners of the Mazama. They hauled freightto the Agency Landing for Fort KlamathFor more on this boat you should see War-ren Bennett, step-son of Cap Parker, atPeoples Warehouse. I understand he iswriting some sort of boat history.
Years ago they used to bring log raftsto the old Moore Mill, using sails, undertheir own power.
Commodore Nosier always decorated hisboats. He was at Odessa for a time. Paintedthe Odessa Hotel ceiling for Mrs. Griffith,with sun bursts in the center and at eachcorner. He later built his museum buildingon top of the hill this side of Shippington.Carved books and even an organ. He seem-ed to be a little off his beam.
Erickson and Peterson were the contrac-tors on the railroad at Algoma. Theybrought in a boat from San Francisco, andwe repaired and installed a two-cycle Im-perial engine in it. It may have beencalled the Oregon, I'm not sure. I believethey later sent it to Alaska.
Other boats I remember w e r e theZephyr, a sailboat owned by Dr. Roenicke;
the Bailey, a passenger boat on DiamondLake, twenty-six feet long, 75 or 80 horse-power, and could haul about twenty-fivepeople. That was about 1918. The Sham-rock might possibly have been one of theGriffith boats, but I'm not certain; theNancy K, a Klamath Lumber and Box Com-pany boat, built about 1923 or '24. It wasforty feet, eight inches long with a twelve-foot beam, and heavy.
Gus Krause had a houseboat, possiblytwo. He was the head man at Shippingron.B. St. George Bishop also had a houseboat,and I remember his boat, the Barbara, hada two cycle Lamb engine, and was fittedwith brass water pipes.
In 1911 we built a boat for E. R. Reames.It was slightly over twenty feet long, apleasure boat, and very fancy. The hullwas of Port Orford cedar and inside of Honduras mahogany. It had a Kenyon autotop for protection against the sun andweather. Reames had ranches along theKlamath River and used it to go back andiorth.
I also built an eighteen foot, 3 horse-power boat, the Wocus, for Abel Ady. It
goes out of the commercial picture in Kia-math Falls, Bishop enters, therefore whatis more natural, for the present at least, thanto assume that Bishop bought the Duffyhouseboat?
Bishop in turn seems to have disposed ofhis houseboat to Major Worden as indi-cated by the Republican of December 9,1909: "Major Worden's big houseboat'Lady Vera' has been leased by the SouthernPacific for a boarding house along thewater front."
It would appear that owning a houseboatof this magnitude probably proved unsatis-factory on waters where the vacation seasonswere so short. At least the 'Lady Vera'seems to have changed hands often.
Lastly, the Evening Herald of August 29,
1912 reports: "Capt. McCauley has boughtthe eight room boat house from MajorWorden. He plans to locate it above thestraits of Agency Lake, for the use of duckhunters. It will be known as 'The Mal-lard Club' and will be served by theSpray."
What eventually became of the LadyVera is unknown.
The location of the remains of twohouseboats are known, one at Gore Island,at some distant time used for a chickenhouse, and one on the west bank of WoodRiver, below the Weed bridge. The re-mains of another, just north of RockyPoint, was burned during April, 1965.Which ones any of these three were is alsounknown.
Photo Courtesy the Laird FamilyLaird's Landing. Old hotel to left, warehouse and landing in center, and the Steamer Klamath approach-ing the turn-around through the tule cut.
LOWER KLAMATH LAKE LANDINGSCHALK BANK LANDING. Approxi-
mately five miles easterly from Laird'sLanding, at the extreme southwestern cornerof Lower Klamath Lake, where open waterreached the higher land. Probably cameinto use during Modoc War times and wasused until sometime in 1903, when the
channel from Lower Klamath Lake to WhiteLake was completed by the Adams dredge.
MERRILL LANDING. Probably cameinto use in 1903, with the completion ofthe Adams Tule cut to White Lake. Sawconsiderable use until the railroad was com-pleted to Klamath Falls in May, 1909.
24. 65.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe Barbara and Lady Vera in the Pelican Bay area. Both craft were owned by B. St. George Bishopin the 1907-1909 period.
Unknown PhotographerThe Helix, J. C. Rutenic's houseboat on Upper Klamath Lake.
is in the Republican of August 31, 1905which states: '1. A. Dully lets contract toAlex Nosier to build a house boat 65' x20'."
On November 30th, the Republican fur-ther reports: "Nosier is now working on
the Dully houseboat."No reference to the disposal of the Dully
houseboat has been found, nor any itemconcerning the building of a houseboat forBishop. Sizes of the Dully houseboat andthe Lady Vera correspond, and as Dully
Priest PhotoCurly McDonald (left) in the process of cutting the Buena Vista in two, then adding a section tolengthen the boat after which it was known as the White Pelican.
was his second boat. Will G. Steel laterhad it, and hauled lawyers to the LavaBeds.
The Winema was started in 1904 andfinished in 1905. It was built on the westside of Link River on the level spot of landjust south of the present Fremont Bridge.A ship's carpenter was brought in fromPortland to build it. Totten put up themoney; always paid off the men workingon the boat. Cap Hansberry was also anowner. At one time while I was workingon the Winema, businessmen in and aroundFort Klamath told us that we could go allthe way up Wood River to the bridge, andshorten a long freight haul by team fromAgency Landing to Fort Klamath.
When we attempted to enter the mouthof the river, a sand bar prevented us. Wethen backed up to the bar and washed outa channel with the paddles. As we workedour way in, the sand settled under us butwe forced our way across, and put a "hog"or raise in the frame of the boat that neverwas taken out. We traveled upstream, two
or three miles, backing, and came to a shortturn, which we could not get around. Wethen went back downstream, but the chan-nel had again filled with sand. We couldn'tturn the boat there, so we went back up-stream about one-half mile, to the widestplace we could find, but it was not wideenough. We then tried to cur out a bay inthe bank, using heavy hay knives, which thefarmers told us we could cut the sod with.The knives proved to be too short, so weused cross cut saws, and cut Out large sec-tions of the sod bank, about the size of abale of hay. We next removed the lowerhalf of the paddles and by means ofwinches, pulled the stern far enough intothe bay to finally get the back end headeddownstream. Took us one hour short ofthree full days to make the turn. Onceturned around, we had no further trouble,easily washing another channel through thesand bar. This all happened in May, 1905.
The steamer Kiamath was built in Port-land. It was knocked down and shipped byway of Pokegama, and re-assembled here.
64. 25.
The owners were R. E. Woodberry and hisfather-in-law, Captain Wilkins. It waslaunched stern first from the boat docks,near the bridge on Lake Ewauna. Wood-berry and Wilkins owned the Klamath LakeNavigation Company, which also had twosixty-foot barges they u s e d w i t h theKlamath.
After the railroad arrived at KlamathFalls in 1909, there was no longer thenecessary business on the Lower Lake, sothe steamer Klamath was moved to theUpper Lake. A Cut was made from LakeEwauna through the tules to the railroadfill about where the Big Lakes Mill is now.A spur track was built to it. The boat wasraised onto timbers and two flat cars rununder it, where it was made solid by block-ing, and hauled to the Upper Lake and un-loaded the same way. Pelican Bay LumberCompany owned the Klamath at one time.
The Ewauna and Tule were also broughtin from Portland by the Klamath Lake Na-vigation Company. They later sold theTule to the U.S. Reclamation Service.
It was the old dredge Klamath Queenthat was moved from Lake Ewauna to theUpper Lake by skids. It had formerly beenfarther south in California. Its name hadbeen Roberts Island but was changed whenmoved to the Klamath country. Just themachinery was brought in, and the hull wasmade at Teeter's Landing, where the ma-chinery was installed. It was used aroundAdy and along the Klamath River.
Along about 1910, Jim Hansborough
Klamath Republican, August 15, 1901RISKY BALLOONING.FALL INTO THE LAKE.
Prof. Godfrey was here last week and onFriday and Saturday evenings gave inter-esting and largely attended entertainmentsat the Opera House. It was on the programthat he would have also a balloon ascention,but when the time arrived the wind wasconsidered too strong to make it in theneighborhood of so many lakes and the as-cention was postponed until the eveningof the next day, when it duly came off, al-
sent east for a knocked down boat frame,and Steve Means, a carpenter, put it to-gether. It was called the Antler. I later ac-quired it and ran it on the Upper Lake. Iused it for hunting and for pleasure trips;also to transport hunting parties. I went tothe Agency Lake with it several seasons.I forget now who I sold it to, but after thenew owner secured it, he moved it to theLower Lake and started out with a huntingparty. When nearly to the lower end ofLake Ewauna or about where the presentrailroad bridge is, one of the hunters acci-dentally shot a hole in the bottom. It hada floor nailed down so tight they could notget to the bottom to plug up the hole, butdid manage to get it near enough to thedykes to get ashore. Then they had to swimthe drain ditches and wade the tule swamps,and felt they just barely made it back tothe saloon for nourishment. At differenttimes it was on both lakes.
Oh, yes, I remember one more boat, theWinnellen, a pleasure boat which belongedto Dr. Sharpe during the 20's.
And another thing. My brother workedon the steamer Kiamath, and once he andCap Woodberry left for Laird's Landing.Cap's wife, who was tighter than all getout, always fixed their lunch, and wouldonly put up barely enough for the roundtrip. On this particular trip they ranaground on a high spot in the Lower Lake.They were stuck for twenty-four hours andused up all their food, so my brother hadto shoot mud hens to eat.
though the wind still continued unfavor-able. As the ballon commenced rising, itwas blown out of its course, throwing theballoonist against a fence with such violenceas to break the top board, and also throw-ing him against a barbed wire which ranabove the fence. But the shock and woundsreceived from the wire did not prevent himfrom keeping his hold on the parachute andballoon, which drifted with the wind overthe lake, and into which, when the para-chute was cut loose, it and balloonist fellabout five hundred feet from shore.
SPRAY...It is thought that Griffith's had the
Spray built by Curly McDonald, some-where around 1909 or 1910. Captain Cal-kins acquired it around that time and heand Johnnie Hamilton operated it as a mailand freight boat on the Upper Lake.
Joseph Martin and his son Louie oper-ated the Spray as a mail boat, after Calkins
Collier Copy Photo from Hal Ogle CollectionCaptain Jack Ferrying logging equipment across the Kiamath at Keno. Too heavy for bridge.
CAPTAIN JACK.As related by Bryce McCormack (Kla-
math Echoes, this issue), "There was an-other little stub of a boat called the Cap-tain Jack. It was a stern wheeler but was nogood, and the man who built it, never didanything with it."
Built by Roy Beach of Keno (Statementof Wendell Smith, April, 1965), to runthe Canby and/or Buffalo out of business,the Captain Jack was very short lived. Infact, about all the record there seems to be
HOUSEBOATS...Very little information is available con-
cerning houseboats. Mention can be foundof Linman, Withrow and Roy Hamakerhouseboats, supposedly unnamed. On theother hand, mention of three houseboats byname have been found, the Flying Dutch-
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of this craft, is a picture, showing the trans-portation of some logging equipment onscows, across the Klamath River at Keno,that was too heavy for the bridge. Thereare two known pictures, one of which isprinted with this article. The other seemsto have been taken while the boat was un-der construction, just a scow with an up-right engine. The little boat's existanceprobably dates around the 1912 period.
man, cwnecj by a Captain Rahm, the Helix,owned by J. C. Rutenic, and the Lady Vera,B. St. George Bishop's well known palatialhouseboat. Of this latter houseboat there isconsiderable information extant.
The first mention found of any houseboat
ran it. (Herald & News, September, 1948.)The Spray blew up on the California
Oregon Power Company, while they werebringing down a log raft from some westside homesteader. They were headed forAlgoma and were this side of Eagle Ridge.They were filling it with gas and whenabout filled, it blew up. Everyone got offsafely.
26. 63.
Oregon Power Companybuilt for the Southern PHenry Telford and son
Long a work boat for the Californiathe Oakland was
acific Company byRay, in 1910. It
was originally used to haul he SouthernPacific engineers under H. P. Hoey, on theUpper Lake.
It was later purchased by the KlamathFalls Transportation Company, who addedthe deck house in front. They, in turn, soldit to the California Oregon Power Companyin 1920, who used it for many years(Herald & News, Feb. 10, 1953).
The Oakland was dismantled in Febru-ary, 1953.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe mail and passenger boat, Spray, at Rocky Point.
62.
The beginning of the Upper KiamathLake boating era, from the establishment ofFort Klaniath in 1863, to the building ofthe General Howard, is very muddled, butthe situation seems to resolve itself aboutas follows:
There was one Whitehall boat at least.used by the soldiers at Fort Kiamath as earlyas 1865. This type of boat seems to havebeen propelled by sails, oars, or both.
"The Mr. Canley built" flat bottombarge, propelled by sails and oars, capacity15 to 20 tons and in use by the Fort Kia-math soldiers in 1868.
That there were two 'wind-jammer"barges, 16 x 60 and 10 x 40, propelled bysails on the open lake, and pike poles onthe streams, can be safely assumed, sinceboth were later owned and used by DanielG. Brown on Crystal Creek. However, the"Mr Canley built" barge may have beenone of these.
[V. Another flat bottom craft was the"Mr. Grubb built" scow used by the IvanApplegate wedding party in 1871, sup-posed to have made but this one trip or at
By DEVERE HLFRICHleast "its life of usefulness was very short."George W. Loosley tells that it was 16 x40 and propelled by a two-horse treadmill.The bride in later years told that it was10 x 25 and propelled by a sail and twosets of oars. Which is correct? At least thebride was there. It is conceivable, thiscraft might also have been one of the laterBrown barges.
V. The Mary or Maggie Moody, a keelbottom boat, owned and operated by a mannamed Moody, was on the Upper Lake asearly as 1872 and probably for some timebefore. Sold to Joe Ball in 1876, it wasused until the General Howard made its ap-pearance, but its final disposal is unknown.(Joseph S. Ball, a Pacific Coast pioneer of1847, died of pneumonia at his home inKiamath Falls, Friday, January 20, 1905,at the age of 76. Coming west from Bostonin 1847, he settled in the Kiamath coun-try in 1867. He was survived by a wife,two sons and two daughters. Republican,Jan. 26, 1905.) This boat may have been"one of the big boats" referred to in Capt.R. F. Bernard's report to Col. Frank Whea-
27.
Helen Heifrich Photo The Lottie C at the boat landing at the head of Link River, west side. Picture taken around 1900 or
The Oakland being dismantled, at Copce docks, early 1953. before. In Maude Baldwin collection of negatives.
OAKLAND... Kiamath Boating . .
ton on Jan. 31), 1873. At least, to date, itbears the distinction of being the first boaton Kiamath waters, of which we have arecord, whose name has survived.
It now becomes evident that the GeneralHoward appeared on the scene in the springof 1881, not 1879 as heretofore recorded.(Ashland Tidings, Jan. 14, and March 4,1881.) The General Howard was ownedby H. M. Thatcher and Sikes Worden, pro-prietors of the original Brick Store, whohad freight contracts at times, between Red-ding and Fort Klamath, (Ashland Tidings,July 19, 1878.) This boat was probablyused in helping to fulfill these commit-ments. One of its first tasks was to trans-port lumber from the old Moore Mill onLink River, to Fort Kiasnath, for the newbuildings being contructed in 1881. It ispossible that some of the work on this boatwas done by Nelson Stevenson, 'boatman,mechanic and dispenser of pioneer justice,"at Linkville, (Ashland Tidings, Sept. 14,1878.)
In 1882, not 1880 as heretofore written,George Loosley and George Nurse becamethe owners of the General Howard, andabout one year later, 1883, Loosley becamethe sole owner, (History of Kiamath Coun-ty, page 74.) George Loosley later becameassociated with his brother, John F., and in1884, they built the flat-bottomed, stern-wheeler, City of Kiamath, to replace thesteamer General Howard. The machineryfrom the latter was used in the new boat.
The Loosleys, having a contract to haulsupplies to Fort Klamath, built the City ofKiamath to navigate Wood River. How-ever, this project failed and with the aban-donment of Fort Klamath by the soldiers,in 1889, need of its services were no longerrequired. The eventual disposal of the boat,supposedly traded for a span of horses, isunknown.
In this same year, 1889, the Mayflowerwas built by one E. Deskins, (Herald andNews clipping, by Malcolm Epley of un-known date.) Sold to Thomas McCormackof Keno, irs 1891, it was in use on theKlamath River and Lower Kiamath Lakeuntil Oct. 1, 1903, for sure, and it is al-
most certain until early October, 1904,(Republican, Oct. 6, 1904.)
The Mayflower's average duties consistedof carrying lumber and wood from Kenoand Teeter's Landing to Kiamath Falls andOklahoma Landing, and in return carryinghay and grain. Other duties included haul-ing passengers and towing log rafts toKiamath Falls.
Occassionally reports of the Mayflowerdiffered, as reported by the Republican,August 17, 1899: "Mr. McCormack cameup from Keno Monday with the steamerMayflower after 15 tons of hay which NewtPratt had purchased from Jas. Lindsay. Theboat returned yesterday afternoon. Yester-day, Fred Houston, while tacking signs onMcCormack's steamer at the wharf, took ahigh dive from a boat load of hay into thelake. Fred says the water is wet and waterthirty feet deep." Probably due to a wornout hull and inadequate equipment, theMayflower was replaced by the first Canby,originally called the General Canby, aboutOctober 10-15, 1904.
At about the same time, two other boatsmade t h e i r appearance up o n Kiamathwaters, the Rustler and Lottie C.
Little is known about the Rustler. In1891, S. C. "Charlie" Graves later founderof the community of Crescent, "was Cap-tain of the steamer Rustler, plying on theupper Klamath Lake, where he did a goodbusiness carrying freight and passengers."(Klamath Express, Jan. 10, 1895.)
There is a possibility this boat may havebeen transferred to Goose Lake, because aWestern story writer named DeLaney, wasemployed on a Rustler there in 1899. (Re-publican, Dec. 4, 1902.)
More is known about the Lottie C.Owned by a man named John Canton, itwas built in San Diego, shipped to SanFrancisco, near where it ran on PetalumaCreek before being shipped to the Kiamathcountry. The Lottie C. was used betweenOklahoma and Chalk Bank Landings onLower Kiamath Lake, and Keno and Link-yule on the Klamath River, transportinghay, lumber, supplies and an occasionalpassenger. John Clanton and his son Dave
Photo saved through the efforts of Hal OIeThe Buffalo on the Klamath River at Keno, probably in early spring of 1913. Henry Snowgoose inlarge coat at right. Captain Ball, owner with the pole, and possibly "Peppy" Gordon in the doorway.
BUFFALOAfter leasing and running the Canby, be-
tween Keno and Klamath Falls for abouttwo years, William Carver Ball decided tobuild his own boat. This work was begunin the fall of 1912 and finished sometimein the spring or summer of 1913.
Ball originally came from Buffalo, NewYork, as did the engine, when needed in thenew boat. It was a gasoline or distilateburner.
The Evening Herald of September 4,1913, reported: "Captain Ball gave thepeople of Keno a free ride on his new boat,Buffalo, Sunday, (August 31st, possibly theBuffalo's maiden voyage.) The ride was
from Keno to Blidel (Old Teeters' Land-ing) and return.
The Buflalo was used, towing logs up-stream from Keno, and freight downstreamfrom Kiamath Falls. Occassionally a pas-senger made the trip also.
The engine was sold out of the Buffaloin 1924, to a man working on the railroadright of way, then being built around OdellLake. The main hull lay in the water nearthe old Ackley sawmill for a number ofyears, while the pilot house was used as aplayhouse by the Radcliffe children at theirhome on Pacific Terrace.
28. 61.
Priest PhotoThe Mocloc at Pelican Bay Lumber Co. log cut. Shay engine on barge, towed across Upper KlamathLake to Pelican Bay logging operations, 1911.
MODOC...The Modoc was built by John Linham
during the summer of 1910. It was a sternwheeler, 16 x 60 feet, with a draft of 34inches. The boat was a tug type and wasburned in 1912.
The Modoc was rebuilt shortly there-after, and the above dimensions may applyto the latter boat, since from pictures it ap-pears to be the larger of the two.
NORTH STAR.
The Modoc was eventually sold by Wick-Strom to A. Graham, thought to be repre-senting the Power Company. It was usedas a pile-driver and work boat by the Cali-fornia Oregon Power Company for severalyears and was eventually burned by themand the remains used in the Lakeside Gar-den dykes.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe Alma at Odessa Landing. Dolly Uerlings leaning on flagpole, George Baldwin at foot of stairway.
ran the boat, which in about 1897, wasmoved to Upper Kiamath Lake, and latersold to Bird Loosley. (Told by Gertie Cola-han, daughter of John Clanton, April 28,1965.) The Lottie C. was still carryingpassengers on the Upper Lake in 1899.(Republican, July 20.) It is understoodto have sunk on the Upper Lake.
We now come to a series of closely re-lated boats of more or less mysterious ori-gin, ownership and date of launchings.They are, in order of existance: the MudHen, Oregon, Hobson, Alma and Hornet.
As told to me by Mr. Fred G. Brown,May 5,1965: 'The Mud Hen was a squareend, barge type, stern wheeler. It had asteam engine with an endless chain to thestern wheel, and was about 14' wide, by 40'long. Bert Wilson owned or at least ran itat one time. It just faintly seems to me thatLou Dennis owned it at some time. Thatis all I remember as I was a very small boyat the time, having been born in 1890."
Nothing more is known, but could theMud Hen have been the predecessor of theOregon? It is possible.
Exactly when the Oregon was launchedand by whom is also unknown. However,
we can now take up the boat story as re-ported in the files of the old Kiamath Re-publican. They begin July 6, 1899 with thefollowing first mention: "Capt. T. W.Richardson of the steamer Oregon is al-ways prepared to do homage to freighters,tourists, and other persons in whatever ca-pacity and on the most reasonable terms.Since Klamath lake affords steamboat ac-commodations, nearly the whole touristtravel comes Klamath Falls way. The Agerroute from the south and the Ashland routefrom the north to the Falls are the mostfeasible routes to the Kiamath resorts andtourists and sightseers are becoming ac-quainted that Pelican Bay is one of them.Judge H. L. Benson and George Michael-son took Monday's steamer for SpringCreek."
The same source continues the story fromtime to time as the following excerpts re-cord: August 13, 1899; "The steamerOregon plying between the Falls, PelicanBay and other points on the big KlamathLake is doing good business, making fourtrips a week. Mr. Richardson says he isprepared to carry all kinds of freight."
60. 29.
After a seeming long delay, work on the was afire, and was drifting on the lake, theNorth Star was resumed in April 1909 and rope attaching her to the landing havingaccording to the Republican of May 6th, been burned in two. A launch was sent outwould be "launched as soon as calked." to the steamer, and efforts made to attach
The Republican of November 25, 1909 a rope to the hull, but the rope broke andfurther stated that the North Star, the latest the boat finally sank, leaving only hercreation of Nosier, was on the ways at smokestack in view.Buena Vista docks. It was 100 tons dis- 'The boat was valued at $2,000, and be-placement, the second largest on the lake, a longed to Burke Wilson, who had no in-stern wheeler, of light draft with 50 horse- surance on her. She had been engaged inpower engines and fitted as a passenger boat. hauling sand from a point up the lake to
By February 11, 1911, the North Star Shippington. The origin of the fire is awas again on the Winema dock, this time mystery.for overhauling. "The destroyed steamer was built two
Then on May 1, 1911, the Evening Her- years ago. Commodore Nosier constructedald makes the final report on the North the hull, while the cabin was built and theStar: 'The people of Shippington were boiler and engine installed by Wilson andstartled between 9 & 10 o'clock last night Willets. The steamer has been used almostto observe that the little steamer North Star entirely in the sand trade."
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August 17, 1899: 'Next Sunday, weatherpermitting, Captain Richardson will give anexcursion on his steamer, Oregon, aroundthe Klamath Lake. The boat will leave thelanding at 7:30 am., touching Dennis'Resort, Pelican Bay Lodge, and AgencyLanding, arriving home at 6 p.m. Theround trip will be 75 cents. Those whogo should prepare lunch.'
Incidentally, regardless of what has beenthought or written in the past, this articleof August 17, 1899, sets the beginning ofboat excursions ahead considerably to thatheretofore recorded.
However, since July 6, 1899 is as farback as our newspaper files go, we do nothave definite proof as to just which boatactually did start the Upper Lake excur-sions, or when.
But, concerning excursions, this we doknow; in 1889, probably around the firstpart of June, the Mayflower, on her maidentrip, took an excursion party from Keno toAdams point on Tule Lake, held a picnicthere and returned to Keno the same day,via the Lost River Slough between theKlamath and Lost Rivers. Should this beconsidered the first excursion ever held onKlamath waters?
October 12, 1899: "Captain Richardson,the genial commander of the steamer Ore-gon which runs between this place and
Pelican bay, was in town yesterday. Hewas accompanied by 0. G. Crary, the pro-prietor of the summer resort at the bayThose who like an enjoyable outing willdo well to take a ride on Captain Richard-son's steamer through the splendid sceneryof the upper lakes and at the other end ofthe route enjoy the hospitality and gooddinners of Landlord Crary."
We next come to the only referencefound to date, referring to the steamerHobson. January 17, 1900: "The steamerHobson went up to Pelican Bay on Sundaytaking to that place some men to cut logsfor Moore's mill at this place. The Hobsonhas been recently sold by Mr. Richards(Richardson) to Lew Dennis, who, weunderstand will make regular trips here-after with passengers and freight." (Note:No mention of any kind has been made inthe old newspapers, of any changes in theboats, either in regard to new hulls ormachinery. Furthermore, it was barely twomonths before that mention was made ofCaptain Richardson on the Oregon. Itseems reasonable to assume that the Oregonhas been rechristened the Hobson.)
April 19, 1900: "Remember Mr. Duffy'ssteamboat excursion and basket picnic onSunday, May 20, starting for Pelican Bayfrom this place at 8:00 am. and returningat 5:00 p.m. so as to give excursionists
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe "Hornet" formerly the "Alma" on Upper Kiamath Lake. 1906-1909 period.
Photo Courtesy Mrs. Ester G. NewellLoading two scows with baled hay near the Weed Bridge on Wood River, to be towed to Kiamath Fallsby the Hooligan.
The new boat was in commission byJune 3rd, and was first used as a piledriver, and shortly thereafter went to theOdessa neighborhood after logs, for theLong Lake Lumber Company.
The Republican of June 24th, reportedthe Hooligan as taking up a "loggingdonkey engine for the Long Lake LumberCompany."
Another article under the same date re-ports: "The steamers Hornet and Hooliganarrived in port this evening and while theircrews deny any tendency to race, the heat ofthe engine room is at least suggestive."
On August 5th the Republican also re-ported: "All the Hansberrys go up the lakeon the Hooligan today, the captain and thecrew look after the business of the LongLake Lumber Company, while the womenand children will camp, fish and fight mos-
WASP
Anton Wickstrom and John Linman builtthe Wasp in late 1910 or 1911. It was13 x 50 and had a draught of 26 inches.The Wasp burned in 1912 or slightly later.The partnership was then dissolved, after
quitos for a week of Tuesdays."During August, Hansberry brought in
rafts of logs as follows: 200,000 feet fromCrystal, 50,000 feet from Rattlesnake Pointand 300,000 feet from Crystal, yet the millran short.
By September 2nd, the Hooligan hadcontracted with Totten to haul wood fromnear Col. Allen's place to Totten's docknear Shippington.
Early storms in December caused theHooligan to be late with logs, necessitatingclosure of the sawmill. Later in the month,all boats on the lake were frozen in, theHooligan at Crystal.
By February 11, 1911, Hansberry hadthe molds ready for a new steamer, whichseems to have been built and probably soldto Captain Parker before 1913.
which Wickstrom rebuilt the Wasp.The first Wasp was a barge type boat,
and had no reverse. The Wasp was said tohave been sold to Del Gammon, CaliforniaOregon Power Company engineer.
30. 59.
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The new tow boat "Hooligan," belongingto Captain Hansberry, was launched Satur-day, April 17, 1909, and had her engines
bett, arrived in port after a ten days cruiseon the big lake. The Eagle circumscribedthe entire shore and traveled over twohundred miles. Captain Corbett says thetrip was like a romance and that such acruise is worth much time and preparation,and one long to be remembered. It is un-fortunate that the Eagle is not in commis-sion for the general public as she is ofvery light draft and can almost navigatethe dew and is well adapted for the shallowinlets and creeks of Great Klarnath Lake."
The Eagle seems to have almost imme-diately gone into the sand trade betweenWood and Williamson Rivers and the thenbooming city of Klamath Falls. Further thesand trade must have increased to such adegree that we find, Republican, September10, 1908: "Captain Corbit is installingheavy machinery in the Eagle.'
Later, on March 6, 1909, we learn that"Mark O'Con is the captain of the Eagle."
The Republican of July 15, 1909 an-nounced that "the Eagle is laid up whilethe captain and crew build a 20 x 50 footbarge." It must have been at about this
installed the latter part of the month. Ithad a barge type front. (Republican, April22, 1909.) (continued on next page>
time that Anton Wickstrom acquired theEagle, as the first mention of his name is tobe found in the Republican of August 5,1909: "Lumber for the Wickstrom bargearrives from Portland. The Eagle has theContract for a large quantity of wood, 1,000cords, from Crystal, to be delivered atModoc Point for the Southern Pacific." Andthat, "Wickstrom of the Eagle is to layoff while building a barge." Further that"the Steamer Eagle people claim the recordfor freight as well as distance traveled, shehaving moved over a thousand tons of sandalone since March 1st. She will make aspecial trip to the Williamson tomorrow."
In the Republican of November 25,1909, an article writen by "A Navigator"states: "The Eagle was built by Nosler; itwas a hoo-doo until Wickstrom bought her,called the 'Black Marier,' she did everythingbut go ashore and climb trees, and was atotal failure."
The Eagle sunk off Ritchie Point, nearSkillet Handle when Wickstrom was push-ing her. (Statement of "Sharkey" Robin-son.)
from the country ample time to get homebefore dark. The Klamath Falls brass bandwill furnish the music, the basket picnic willprovide the dinner. The lake and moun-tains will give the scenery and the excur-sionists will add sociability and enjoyment.Rates 50 cents for the round trip, childrenbetween 5 and 15 half price. Little kidsfree."
July 19, 1900: "The staunch, upper lakesteamer, Oregon came down from PelicanBay on Thursday. (Note the name Oregonis once again in use, evidently on the sameboat that was for a short time known as theHobson.) Captain Dennis States that hisboat would soon commence making regu-lar trips between Pelican Bay and KlamathFalls and intermediate points. The UpperLake is a great benefit to this place in thematter of carrying passengers and freight,and especially furnishing an easy way tonavigate rafts of logs to the mills at thispoint. And when they get here KlamathFalls furnishes unlimited power to cut thelogs into lumber." (Note: All that has beenlearned to date about Captain T. W. "Baldy"Richardson is, on June 7, 1900, it was an-nounced that he was granted a pension tocommence Dec. 1, 1899. And, later onMay 19, 1904, he purchased the KiamathFalls-Merrill stage line, with offices to bein the Linkville hotel. Finally on Septem-ber 19, 1907, he was reported as being aninmate of the Soldiers' Home at Roseburg.Could it be assumed, these names weregiven by Capt. Richardson, who evidentlyhad some sort of military connection? Fur-ther, were the names in honor of the Battle-ship Oregon and Lieut. Hobson of recentSpanish-American War fame?)
May 30, 1901: "Louis Dennis who livesnear Pelican Bay on Big Klamath Lake hassold his ranch of 480 acres, ("now thehome ranch of Mickey Wampler"Editor),together with his cattle, horses, steamboatand other personal property to B. B. Grif-fith of Sumpter, Oregon. The price paidfor the whole was $6,000."
July 4, 1901: "Mr. Griffith's Steam boathas made its first trip on Saturday fromPelican Bay down the lake to Klamath
Falls. We are told that hereafter the boatwill make one trip a week during the sum-mer. We hope to see the time when, in-stead of one boat, there will be a dozen toply up and down every day. (Note: Thisstatement ". . . instead of one boat .would seem to eliminate any belief of theexistance of more than one steamboat inthe Pelican Bay area.)
July 25, 1901: "Capt. C. H. Schoff andD. Dionne of Wenatchee, Washington ar-rived here on Tuesday to visit their oldfriend I. A. Diffy, and also to consider thequestion of building a steamboat."
August 15, 1901: "A son of Capt. Schoffarrived here Tuesday f r o m Wenatchee,Washington. He will assist his father inmanaging the steamer 'Alma' plying on theUpper Kiamath Lake. (Note: This is thefirst mention made of the name Alma, ap-plied to a boat that evidently is the samehitherto referred to as the Hobson andOregon.)
August 22, 1901: "Capt. C. H. Schoffis now making regular Semi-weekly tripsfrom Klamath Falls to Budd Springs, Peli-can Bay and the Agency Landing. Boatleaves Klamath Falls on Monday and Thurs-day at 7 am., returning on the followingday.
Budd Spring (CamporeeFare Round Trip
Spring) $1.00 $1.75Pelican Bay (Harriman) 1.20 2.25Agency Landing 2 00 3.50October 31, 1901: "Capt. Schoff in the
Alma, brought down the biggest raft oflogs to Moore Mill from Pelican Bay thathas yet been towed, one half million feet."
November 7, 1901: "R. S. Moore ship-ped by boat 31,000 pounds of flour toKlamath Agency."
November 27, 1902: "A. C. Griffith,down with a raft of 1400 logs, 840 feetlong, and 60 feet wide. It took one week,due to an accident to the machinery and astrong head wind."
Lest these newspaper excerpts becometiring we will eliminate many and recordonly in part the others. April 2, 1903, A. C.Griffith announced that he was "having a
58. 31.
The Hooligan towing two empty scows up Wood River. after baled hay. This picture passed througha fire. Photo Courtesy Mrs. Ester G. Newell
HOOLIGAN...
Maude Baldwin PhotoPelican Bay landing, boathouse, lodge and cabins, later owned by E. H. Harriman. The boat approach-ing the dock was the old Alma.
big scow constructed by J. M. Sampson, anexperienced boat builder, and will use it thecoming season in hauling wood to thisplace, where he proposes to start a woodyard." He also planned to have Mr. Samp-son build a large steamer, 'and have itready for business next summer." In themeantime, however, new machinery seemsto have been installed in the old Alma hull(June 11, 1903.) The new boat, a twodeck stern wheel steamer, 48 x 14, (andthis appears to be the Alma of which wehave pictures), supposely capable of from12 to 16 miles per hour, was in use bymid October, witness: "A. C. Griffith wasdown Sunday with his new steamboat,which has just been completed." Republi-can, Oct. 15, 1903.
The Alma during the next few years isreported as bringing down log rafts, bargeloads of lumber, and barge loads of wood,returning with hay, supplies, logging equip-ment and sawmill machinery.
On August 18, 1904, it was reported thatconstruction on a new steamer, 90 x 18 x 2100 tons displacement, was to start in afew days, this to have "extensive passengeraccommodations." However, there seems tobe no evidence this boat was ever constructed.
We now come to almost a two year lossof boating records, most of 1906 and 1907.
Next, on February 17, 1908, it was re-ported that "Totten and Hansberry dis-solve partnership." Soon thereafter, a new
more than this sum ought to be expendedin order to make such improvements as toinsure the permanent use of the river as amedium for transportation of all the freightthat goes into northern Klamath."
Republican, August 5, 1909: "TheSteamer Mazama has delivered a hundredtons of hay from Wood River so far, andhas a lot more to bring. Captain Parkersays he has got the best boat on the lake anddon't you forget it."
Republican, August 26, 1909: "Mazamadamage to port propeller,. . . later broke
the starboard wheelRepublican, November 25, 1909: "Mon-
day, the Mazama resembled an arctic whalertwo or three other boats went up the
next day in the channel made by the Ma-zama, through the ice on her down trip."
Evening Herald, May 2, 1912: "A newhull is being built for the Mazama, 63 x 13feet. The new boat will be 25 ton capacity,and the work is being done by L. R. Mc-Donald. The hull will be of coast fir, andwill be finished in 10 days. The machinery
Priest PhotoThe Modoc at dock, and the Eagle pushing the barge. Both boats were engaged in the sand trade attimes. Docks at location of present Pelican Marina.
E A G L E Evening Herald, June 1, 1908. Then onthe 8th, reported that the White Cindy
In the spring of 1908, there was being would become the Eagle."constructed a boat, of unknown dimensions, Next on June 25th, it was further re-that was known as the "White Cindy," ported: "The steamer Eagle, Captain Cor-
is being transferred from the old boat."
Evening Herald, May 16, 1912: "Thenew Mazama will be ready next Wednes-day. It will have a speed of 10 miles perhour."
From notes of the late Edith Rutenic Mc-Leod: "Captain Millard Filmore Parker andJ. B. C. Taylor built the boat about 1908and hauled freight on Upper Klamath Laketo merchants in Wood River valley. Parkersold out his interest to Taylor in 1918. Weused to go to Cherry Creek and WoodRiver, with our month's camping supplieson it. Once, going around a sharp turnsuddenly in Crystal Creek, Parker turnedthe boat so suddenly that mama's puddingshe was making on the stove in whatserved as the galley slid off the stove, up-setting on someone's suitcase. So thecaptain didn't have desert for supper."
The hull of the Mazama is reported tohave laid in the tules, west of the Copcoboathouse on the Upper Lake, for years.(Statement of Lester "Sharkey" Robinson.)
32. 57.
III LLJJ Ilu dill Ii 111111I IlIIIIIIHhIIIWflhIIIIIIIIIII I 111111(1 1111111 IIIIIiHhIIIIIIiPIIIII
their new steamboat but work will have tobe done on the lower end as soon as thedredge arrives.
"J. B. C. Taylor left for San FranciscoSunday to purchase the machinery for thesteamboat which is being built for WoodRiver."
The Republican of April 2, 1908, re-ported that Taylor got the boiler and en-gine for $3,500, and that the boat wasabout completed.
The Evening Herald of May 5th, 1908,announced that the Mazama was launched'yesterday," by Parker and Taylor, andthat the machinery had not yet arrived.
The Evening Herald of June 1, 1908, an-nounced that the engines for the Mazama'will be installed this week.'
The Evening Herald of July 30, 1908,announced that the Mazama had made itsfirst trip up Wood River, to the WeedBridge the day before. The word had beentelephoned in from Klamath Agency,where it was said the boat could be seen,working its way up the river. The bar atthe mouth of the river "had been removedto such an extent that boats could readilycross." The work was being done by a Mr.Jas. Wheeler for $100.
The Evening Herald of October 11,1908, announced that the Mazama hadoverturned at Eagle Point, in about 6 feetof water; that the Mazama was headed forFort Kiamath, and that the load was trans-ferred to a barge which was poled to shore.
Republican, October 22, 1908: ".. . Ma-zama still sunk. . . Hornet standing by."
Republican, January 7, 1909: "TheMazama will be on dry dock for a fewdays."
Republican, March 25, 1909: "TheMazama went up lake yesterday - . . towinglogs from Crystal Creek to Long LakeLumber Company."
Republican, April 22, 1909: "The steam-er Mazama is receiving extensive repairs.When completed she will run on regulartrips to Wood River."
Republican, June 24, 1909: "The Ma-zama is in the employ of the SouthernPacific Company,..."
Republican, July 1, 1909: "A new factorhas entered the hay market of KlamathFalls, and it is one that is going to cuta considerable figure. This new factor isthe Fort Klamath countrya section thatheretofore has never been able to get hayto this market on account of its isolatedposition from transportation. But thingsare changing rapidly in the northern partof the county, and nothing is playing amore prominent part in this work thanWood Rivera stream that was never sup-posed to hold within its confines the un-locking of a territory greater than somestates and with resources sufficient to sup-ply a vast army. But the magic key hasbeen found when the work of deepeningthe bar and straightening the river was firstundertaken, and the results following thesmall amount of work done have been sogreat as to insure greater development ofthe stream in the future.
"The Mazama has entered into the busi-ness of hauling hay from Fort Kiamath. Thelaunch runs within four miles of the city,or to the Weed bridge, at which point ar-rangements have been made for dockageand where hay is loaded directly from thewagons. C. T. Oliver has contracted for170 tons of this hay, and others are al-ready negotiating for larger purchases. Thequality of the Fort hay is such as to openfor it a ready market at a price equal, ifnot above, that generally paid for the prod-uct of the lower valleys.
'No trouble has been experienced by theMazanza in crossing the bar at the mouth ofthe river, the channel being kept open bythe regular traffic that now floats on thebosom of this magnificent little stream.Since the warm weather has set, the levelin the river has risen to an appreciableextent, and this condition will continue forthe rest of the summer.
"While conditions are far superior towhat they were a year ago, there is a gooddeal of room for improvement. F. M.Parker is of the opinion that the expendi-ture of $100 would be sufficient to removeall of the principal obstacles to the easynavigation of the stream, but a great deal
56.
name appears, the Hornet, with Capt. Hans-berry in charge.
After innumerable articles reporting theHornet, during the remainder of 1908 andmost of 1909, towing logs, pushing bargesof sand, hauling lumber and what have you,
THE TULE AND EWAUNA.
By early 1903 a small group of men, S.V. Short, George H. Woodberry, and E. E.Upmyer, formed the Klamath Lake Navi-gation Company. The Republican of July16, 1903, reported their filing of articlesof incorporation with the Secretary of Stateat Salem, with the amount of Capital Stockset at $10,000. It was further reported thecompany was preparing to ply gasolinelaunches on the Klamath Lakes, and theboats were expected here within a few days.
The two launches, the Tule, 25 ft. inlength, and the Ewauna 40 ft., were builtin Portland by 0. L. Graham. The twolaunches were shipped by the Southern Pa-ci1c to Thrall, and thence to Pokegama.
The Republican of August 13, 1903 in-forms us: '. . . The smaller bo, the Tulebeing but 25 feet in length, was loaded
Tule at Pelican Bay
33.
we come to the final mention found to date,of this mixed up steamer:
The Evening Herald, November 25,1909: "The steamer Hornet of today, is theold Alma, rechristened and still doing goodservice, owned now by Captain Bristow."
into the larger after being tightly lashedand blocked to prevent swaying or chafingagainst the stanchions along the side of thecar, were switched to the main track todayand started upon their journey to the borderof the Webfoot state. There they will berouted over the Klamath Falls railroad toPokegama. From that point they will behauled to Keno 18 miles distant. . . . Thelaunches are so divided that the passengeraccommodations and the engine rooms areseparate. Glass doors and windows, to-gether with curtains, afford protection tothose aboard, and in every way they are ascozy as can be......
One week later the Republican furtherinforms us: "The two gasoline launcheswhich were built in Portland for the Kla-math Navigation Company, arrived Mon-
-Maude Baldwin Photo
day in charge of Capt. S. V. Short and G.H. Woodbury. The small boat, 'Tule', waslaunched at Keno and made the trial tripup the river Monday morning, arriving hereat 11 o'clock, covering the distance of 24miles in less than t h r e e hours. The'EWaUa' was brought through by team andtaken to the upper lake, where it will belaunched Wednesday. This boat will beused to take soundings of the upper laketo determine whether they can use a pro-peller or will have to put in a stern wheelon their big steamer. This boat will bebuilt here and be a two decker, able tocarry 200 passengers. The Contract for a130 horse power boiler has been let to thePortland Iron Works. If they put in astern wheel, they will probably use two50-horse power engines. As soon as thesoundings are made on the Big Klamath,the Ewauna will be brought back to thelower lake and used for passenger servicebetween here and Keno. We believe thatthe time is not far distant when the Sou-thern Pacific and the Klamath Lake Rail-road will be selling through tickets to Kia-math Falls by way of the Kiamath LakeNavigation Company. A subscription paperwas circulated among business men by WillS. Worden, to procure money to build atemporary dock to be used as landing forthe new boats. We understand sufficientmoney has been raised. The lumber is onthe ground and work commenced yesterday.The dock will be built at the east end ofthe bridge and will be 18 x 76 feet. Mon-day evening, after the arrival of the launch-es here, Capt. Woodbury gave a very de-lightful excursion down the lake to therepresentatives of the paper and a numberof citizens. The small boat will comfor-tably carry about 20 people and is an ideallittle boat for excursion parties."
The Republican of August 20, 1903, re-ported that the Tule had made its first ex-cursion, ". . . 14 people to Keno wheredinner was served by L. 0. Mills at hishotel."
September 24, 1903, it was reported thatthe Ewauna in addition to her regularduties of taking soundings, also carried
passengers to Klamath Agency and duckhunting parties to Odessa.
October 1, 1903, it was reported that"Clyde Huff man and Floyd Brandenburgare building a barge 14 x 35 feet for theKlamath Lake Navigation Company, to beused between Keno and Klamath Falls."
October 22, it was announced that thesame company had "purchased of MajorWorden Lot No. 1, with the dock andwarehouse at the east end of the bridge."
November 1 2th's Republican reportedthat the Ewauna was moved "from the Up-per Klamath Lake to Lower Lake Tuesdaywhere it will be used in the passenger ser-vice between Klamath Falls and Keno, andis expected to run all winter."
With railroad rumors and transportationplans uppermost in everyone's mind, theRepublican of August 18, 1904 reported:'A number of business men took an ex-cursion on the launch 'Ewauna' Saturdayafternoon to the lower lake, returning Sun-day. There were J. W. Hamaker, B. St.George Bishop, J. C. Rutenic, H. FredSchallock, W. K. Brown, G. W. Woodbury,and J. R. Stilts. The party went for an out-ing and incidentally to investigate the pos-sibilities of the extension of the WeedRailroad. They visited at the Davis rancheight miles from the lake, and J. W. Ham-aker was delegated to go on to the terminusof the Weed road. This was simply a pri-vate investigation and shows that ourpeople are becoming interested in more de-sirable transportation facilities."
Another item that might be of interest,was the report of October 6th, that "MajorC. E. Worden was to improve the docksand plant trees." Undoubtedly these are thetrees growing presently in the western por-tion of the Veterans Memorial Park.
On January 5, 1905 the Republican re-ported: "The Tule arrived overland fromTule Lake yesterday, by wagon. It is to goon the Klamath River between KlamathFalls and Keno." (According to JohnYadon's reminiscences, the Tule had beenin use on the Lower Lake and Tule Lake,in taking soundings of those bodies ofwater, by the Reclamation Service.
MAZAMA...For several reasons, it is thought b'est to
give most of the history of the M4zama bya series of newspaper articles as follows:
Republican, February 27, 1908: "J. B.C. Taylor and M. F. Parker, are building,near Hanks Landing, a fast traveling steam-boat for service between Klamath Falls andFort Klamath. The boat will be 50 feetlong and 12 foot beam with cabin andpilot house, and will be equipped with two12 horsepower engines and twin screwpropellers.
'The keel has been laid and the frameup and lumber is ready for the sides. Theboat will be ready for use by May 1. Theregular round trip, daily run between thiscity and the Fort will be inaugurated aboutJune 1. The steamboat is especially con-structed for use on the river and will beable to make the short turns necessary,which are impossible for boats the size of
The first Mazama on Uppef Kramath lake.
the Winema. It is to be used for convey-ing passengers and light freight to theWood River country."
Republican, March 19, 1908: "Articlesof incorporation have been filed with theSecretary of State and also with the CountyClerk, of the Crater Lake Navigation Com-pany, with M. F. Parker, J. B. C. Taylorand Jennie Gates as incorporarors. Thecompany is capitalized at $5,000. Thestock is fully subscribed and there is nonefor sale. Mr. Taylor has been elected gen..eral manager. The company proposes toengage in and operate steam and electricboats on the Upper Klamath Lake and allthe tributaries, including Wood River. Theywill carry passengers and freight.
'M. F. Parker returned from Fort Kla-math Thursday in the gasoline launch. Hesays that they will be able to travel WoodRiver within a short distance of the Fort in
34. 55.
Maude BaI&win PhotoBuena Vista (later the White Pelican) at Budd Spring (flew U.S.F.S. Camperee Spring), 1907-1911 period.
BUENA VISTAThe Buena Vista was built by Pete Perry
in his boat shop near the point above Fre-mont Bridge. It was launched Friday, April12, 1907, and cost over $3,000. It had a 20horse power gasoline engine (Republican,April 18, 1907).
On Monday, April 15th, the Buena Vistamade an excursion to Wood River, whereit went upstream as far as George Loosley'splace. "J. L. Buell, of the Klamath FallsLand and Transportation Co., and managerof the boat, E. R. Reames, Judge Griffith,T. W. Stephens, Chas. Withrow, J. T. Tot-ten, Gus Melhase, Capt. Perry, builder of theboat, B. St. George Bishop, W. E. Virgil,Frank Courtade, who will be future boss ofboats making this trip and L. A. Murry ofPortland, who installed the engine, werethe party on board the Buena Vista, andgave it Its successful trial run.'
A week later, April 25th, the Republicanagain reported: "One of the delightfulparties of the season was given by Mrs. E.R. Reames when she entertained a numberof her friends on board the launch BuenaVista last Thursday. The guests were takento Squaw Point where they disembarked andenjoyed a delicious luncheon. Cards wereplayed both going and coming and theevent was one of the most pleasant outingsever given on the Upper Lake."
Used the next few years for excursionsand chartered to parties, the boat is next
mentioned in the Evening Herald of May11, 1911, as follows: "The old joke BuenaVista has been remodeled into the WhitePelican." This was evidently the occasionof Curly McDonald, the boat builder, cut-ting the boat in two and adding in a sectionin the middle to lengthen it.
Finally on July 4, 1912, The EveningHerald reports: "The White Pelican launchhas been remodeled and painted, and here-after will be used as the private launch ofW. Paul Johnson."
BARBARA.Very little is known of the launch Bar-
bara, owned by B. St. George Bishop. Itseems to have been on the Kiamath Riverby April 1908 or before, possibly in 1907.According to the Republican of April 23,1908: "Bishop offered the defeated politicalcandidates an excursion trip down river."
Again, according to the Republican ofJuly 11, 1909, the Barbara then on the Up-per Lake, took a party of business men toWood River to investigate the feasibility ofthe U.S. Government opening that streamto boat traffic. The launch took the partyas far as the Weed Bridge, from where theycontinued on by land to Fort Klamath. Theparty consisted of U.S. Engineer Schubert,B. St. George Bishop, R. H. Dunbar, JudgeHenry L. Benson, Judge George T. Baldwin,E. B. Hall, and a Mr. Maddox.
We have no further informationBarbara.
On April 6, 1905, it was announced that,"The Klamath Lake Navigation Companywill enlarge the Wharf. On their 300 footwater front they will construct a wharf,240 x 60 feet."
Sometime during the 1905 season, theAdams dredge built a channel from theopen water of Lower Klamath Lake, throughthe Tule swamp to Laird's and constructeda turn-around there. By October 12, 1905the Republican reported: "Steamer Kia-math to Make Daily Trips. The KlamathLake Navigation Company will, this comingweek, start the steamer Klamath on regulartrips to Lairds Landing, where it will con-nect with the stage from the terminus ofthe McCloud River Railroad. . . . they hadengaged an engineer and that the Klamathwould make a trip to the Lower Lake in afew days. Next week they will begin regu-lar round-trips daily between Laird's Land-ing and Kiamath Falls, and would be readyto handle freight and passengers for theKlamath country. A stage line is now inoperation between Lairds Landing and theterminus of the McCloud road, The stagecompany is composed of Messrs. Davis,Laird, and Martin, and promise good ser-
vice. Some freight has already been ship-ped over this road and has been brought tothis city by the launch (Ewauna).
Among her many duties, the Ewauna,also took time to carry a moonlight partyto Teter's Landing, piloted by Tom Wil-liams.
The Ewauna seems to have acquired theKlamath Falls to Keno, segment of thePokegama run according to Republican ofDecember 26, 1907, while the Klamathhandled the Klamath Falls to Lairds Land-ing route.
As long as the Kiamath remained inservice on the Lower Lake, the Ewaunaseems to have been held in reserve, shouldanything happen to the Kiamath. Wehave records of this very thing takingplace occasionally.
What became of the Ewauna is unknownbut the Tule as told by Jack Linman wastransferred to the Upper Lake and was inuse there between 1912 and 1918 as atender for the J. Frank Adams dredge. Itis supposed to finally have sunk some-where be tw e en Shippingron and BuckIsland.
54. 35.
on the Maude Baldwin PhotoA composite Photo. Ewauna being transported to the Upper Lake.
III, !IIII:I!IIII!I!IIIul ItlIlPIlIltIllIll It,l!IIII!;Il
JESSIE.As early as June 18, 1903, the Republi-
can informs us that: Torn Staton, who hasa shinglemill on Rattlesnake Point, on BigKlamath Lake came down Tuesday with aload of shingles for Reams & Jennings.This was Mr. Staton's initial trip with hisnew sail boat, which he had built thisspring."
One year later, the Republican of June23, 1904, reports: 'Last week Thos. Statoribrought down his new steamboat fromRattlesnake Point, where it was constructed.It is now tied up at the head of Link River,where the finishing work is being done. Theboat is built after the style of the Columbiariver flat boats and is 14 by 48 feet withone deck and the pilot house above. Thengine and boiler are placed well to thefront and are balanced by the big sternwheel. This leaves a nice roomy cabin,capable of accommodating over 50 persons.The side seats are to be elegantly uphol-stered with red and dark green material andsubstantial high backed dining room chairswill be placed in the center.
"Mr. Staton says that he will be ready bythe 1st of July to make daily trips. Weekdays the steamer will leave the west side
landing at about 7 o'clock and then gorcross to Hank's landing on the east side.It will touch at Pelican Bay, the Lodge andthe Agency and up Wood River to Mel-hase's landing below Fort Klamath. Thereturn trip will be made in the afternoon.Excursions will be made every Sunday todifferent points on the lake, with special ex-cursion rates for the round trip."
At least by July 14th, he was ready, foron that date it was reported, the "SteamerJessie had departed for Shoalwater bay fora log raft for the Moore mill."
The Jessie served as an excursion boat atleast once, for on July 2 1st, it was reported:"About fifty people boarded the steamer'Jessie' at the landing on Upper Klamathand made the trip to Odessa, Sunday, wherethey were served with dinner at the hotel.They all speak of having a very enjoyabletime."
The Jessie's life was very short lived,however, for on September 12th, she wascompletely destroyed by fire. (Rep. Sept. 22,1904.) "The loss is estimated at $2,700with an insurance of $1,500.
"The Jessie was on her up lake trip withno passengers on board and had stopped at
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe Jessie at Pelican Bay. This was the first beat picture ever printed in a Klamath Falls newspaper,The Kiamath Republican, February 9, 1905.
September 25, 1913, told of difficultiesattached to the moving of the SteamerKiamath. It seems that M. R. Doty was toraise the Steamer Klamath, then a spur wasto be built to it. The railroad, however,failed to build the spur. Doty was thenhired to move the boat 700 feet to the rail-road by Col. M. G. Wilkins, vice-presidentof the Klamath Lake Navigation Co. Thecompany refused pay, saying Wilkins didnot have the authority without special di-rection from the General Manager, Mr.Parkhurst. The jury in the Lower Courtbrought judgment in favor of Doty andthis was sustained by a Supreme Courtdecision.
November 13, 1913: "...formerly op-erated by the Crater Lake Company, . . nowowned by the Pelican Bay Lumber Com-pany, and used in towing logs."
CURLEW
In early April, 1908, H. C. Telford andSon began construction of a 36 foot launchfor Griffith's at Odessa, (Republican, April2, 1908). This launch was later christenedthe Curlew.
By April 16, 1909, the Curlew had beentransferred from John Griffith to W. H.Clark and H. E. Calkins. A regular dailyservice was then planned. It was plannedthe Curlew was to be put on the regularpassenger routes for the coming season.Moorage was at the Buena Vista landingwith Sunday excursions planned for thesummer months.
By May 5, 1909, (The Republican), theCurlew was making regular trips from KIa-math Falls to Agency Landing via Odessa.From there, the stage continued the routeon to Fort Klamath.
A week later it was announced, the Cur-lew would run into Odessa every day, dueto the several logging camps in operationnearby. J. A. Martin carried the mail onthe Curlew until summer service to Ash-Jand could be resumed by stage.
Items of note from the Republican, fol-
December 11, 1913 reports the SteamerKlamath as leaving Pelican Bay Tuesdaymorning, with James C. Johnson and 80men, plus a barge load of Christmas treesto be shipped to Portland, and reaching thedock here late Wednesday night. The ice insome places was six inches thick, and in noplace less than four inches. Some of themen went ashore on the ice and walkedoverland to Klamath Falls. This was thelast trip of the season.
The Steamer Klamath continued in usefor a number of years, and later when herservices were no longer required, was tiedup at the mill end of the cut leading fromthe Upper Lake to the sawmill itself. Junk.ed and abandoned, it had sunk to the bot-tom of the log cut, long before the pictureon the last page of this book, was taken inMarch, 1948.
low, July 1, 1909: "The high south windyesterday nearly dried up the lake. The biglaunch Curlew grounded in her stall in theboathouse and there was a fair current upthe lake all day." July 15, 1909: "W. H.Clark, who with W. A. Calkins, operatedand owned the launch Curlew on the UpperLake, has disposed of his half interest in theboat to J. L. Martin, the Fort KiamathStage man. Mr. Martin will be located inthe city and look after this end of the busi-ness. Capt. Calkins will operate the launchand care for the comfort of passengers. Thecaptain has two ambitionsto make hispassengers comfortable and to have the bestchickens in the state. If you want to gethim really interested, talk chickens to him,and he will drop everything except his at-tention to his boat, and he will comepretty near doing that too."
Capt. Calkins sold his interest in theCurlew to the California-Oregon PowerCompany in 1924, (Herald & News, De-cember 6, 1943). After years of faithfulservice, the remains of the Curlew lay along-side the Copco boathouse for years.
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Klamath will be moved, and a through rateto the great Oregon wonder established.
"The boat will connect with the stage lineto Crater Lake at some point on CrystalCreek, making the route as short as possibleMr. Fassett who has charge of the trans-portation matters, states that it is the planof his company to establish a service whichwill enable passengers to arrive at CraterLake twelve hours after they leave this city.
Soundings have recently been taken onthe Upper Lake and the reports are that ithas been found feasible to operate theKiamath to good advantage. In order tomove the boat it will be necessary to take itto pieces and rebuild it. The plans of theKlamath Lake Navigation Company will beperfected in the near future and some defi-nite action will then be taken."
The moving of the Klamath to the UpperLake, "As Told To Me by Ray Telford,"seems not to have been done until some-time during the spring of 1910. The onlyinclination as to the date of moving comesfrom the following article in the EveningHerald, July 1, 1910: "The Steamer Kla-math today starts on its trial run to AgencyLanding. It has been thoroughly overhauled and repainted since being trans-ferred."
The story is then continued by the Eve-ning Herald: "July 18, 1910, some 60persons were taken on the Steamer Kiamath,by Col. Wilkins, on the 17th, to RockyPoint.
May 10, 1911, a High School excursionwas taken on the Steamer Klamath to theAgency, where a ball game took place, thenon to Ft. Kiamath the next day, and a gameheld there, the return trip again by theKiamath.
May 25, 1911, the Steamer Klamath wasone of the favorites in the Klamath LakeNavigation Company's fleet, making dailytrips to Eagle Ridge and Rocky Point, leav-ing at 9:00 and returning at 5:00, Capt.Reed in c h a r g e. The Steamer Klamatbchanged into an oil burner, had an oil caron the mill siding (Pelican Bay LumberCo.), pumping into a tank
November 18, 1911, the Steamer Kla-math recently towed rafts of logs, one of300,000 and another of 750,000 feet, fromOdessa to the Pelican Bay mill.
March 21, 1912, describes the loggingoperations at Pelican Bay, as consisting of80 men in the woods, 1 railroad engine, 16logging cars, a McGiffert loader, and theSteamer Kiamath to tow the logs to the saw-mill and haul supplies to the camp.
-Maude Baldwin PhotoSteamer Kiamath and the Spray at Eagle Ridge dock, Upper Kiamath Lake.
Eagle Point to take on wood. The captainand engineer went on shore and returningshortly afterward discovered the boat onfire. The rope which secured the boat toshore had burned and the steamer wasdrifting Out into the lake. Nothing couldbe done to stop the fire and she burned tothe waters edge.
"The steamer was built early this yearbut did not get running until quite late inthe season. Since then, however, it had donea good business, carrying tourists and hunt-ers to Odessa, Pelican Bay and other pointson the lake. Mr. Staton expects to buildanother boat for next season, one that isfaster and better."
The final mention of the Jessie came onAugust 17, 1905, when the Republican re-ported: "The Kiamath Lake Lumber Com-pany have bought. . . the machinery that wason the wrecked steamer Jessie from J. F.
CANBY..The launching of the Canby can be very
closely estimated from an article in theOctober 6, 1904, Republican: "Thos. Mc-Cormack, the sawmill man of Keno, wasin town Monday. He says that his newsteamboat will be ready to run the latterpart of next week, (12 to 15th-Ed.). Heis now putting in his new machinery."
If any part or parts of the Mayflowerwere used in the General Canby, the nameunder which the new steamer was firstknown, there is no record of it. Accordingto Stern-Wheelers up Columbia, Page 91,the Canby was a stern-wheeler, built atKeno, in 1904, capacity 48 tons, length 90feet, (This description may in part refer tothe second Canby-Ed.) and Out of regis-try by 1912. This first Canby had a ropedrive, the second, two iron drivers, or arms,one on either side of the boat. Both hullswere different but built alike, square acrossthe front, like a barge, while the Mayflowerhad a sharp prow like all boats. (Statementby Bryce McCormack.)
Further history of the Canby as reportedby the Republican down through the yearsfollow:
Goeller. The company are putting this ma-chinery in their new planing mill at theMarion Hanks place and will soon be readywith all kinds of flooring, ceiling, andrustic."
It may be well to wind up Mr. Staton'scareer, in so far as it is known, at thistime. On Nov. 12, 1905, he was reportedas starting a mink farm at RattlesnakePoint. On January 7, 1909, he was towinglogs with the Hazelton. On April 1, 1909,Staton, the mink man, was busy catchingfish. On April 22, 1909, he had installed agasoline engine in his "schooner Tartar,"in which he would carry sand from WoodRiver. On July 1, 1909, he was reported asinstalling a second engine in the launchHohenzollern, to obtain more speed.
Lastly, on July 15, 1909, Tom Staton'splace at Rattlesnake Point was reported asbeing appraised by the Railroad.
November 24, 1904: "McCormack's'General Canby' came up Tuesday with abarge load of wood for Adams dredge."
"A few days ago, the 'General Can by'towed up two barges from Oklahoma Land-ing. The load was 55 tonS of hay for LyleMills, Keno."
May 5, 1905: "The steamer GeneralCanby will make the trip from KlamathFalls to White Lake City on June 1, to ac-commodate those who desire to attend theopening. The boat will return the sameday."
June 30, 1905: "Ackley Brothers have alease on the Canby, which they will over-haul and improve."
December 20, 1905: "John Depuy andothers put loaded freight wagons on theCanby and shipped them to Klamath Falls,rather than buck the mud. This happenedlast Monday. They led their horses to theFalls."
September 5, 1907: "The captain and en-gineers of the Canby, Sam Padgett, DanDoten and Bryce McCormack have gone tothe hills for a hunt, loaded for bear. Now
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Copy negative of an old postcard.The Canby hauling the dinky engine up Kiamath River from Teeters' Landing to Klamath Falls.
the poor grizzly will have to suffer."June 11, 1908; The Evening Herald:
"The steamer Canby o w n e d by Ackleybrothers, undergoing repairs, new wheel arida thorough overhauling."
Republican, August 4, 1908: "...70,000lbs. chopped barley, 6,000 lbs. flour, loadedonto a barge and the Canby at MerrillLanding, for Erickson and Peterson, railroadcontractors at Teeters' Landing."
September 3, 1908: "Martin Brothers
WINEMA
Moonlight excursions with a band fordancing, Sunday cruises to Odessa for $1.00round trip, annual high school picnicsthese nostaligic memories are all that remaintoday of the steamer Winema, which car-ried both passengers and freight on UpperKiamath Lake during the first part of thetwentieth century when boats were the chiefmode of transportation in the Klamathcountry. A plush stern-wheeler, originallyconstructed with three decks, she ruled asundisputed "Queen of the Lake" from 1905until 1919 when she was placed in dry-
have a contract for 200 tons of barley forErickson and Peterson, one half to be ship-ped from Kiamath Falls, and one half fromMerrill Landing. The barley is to be hauledby the Canby to Teeters' Landing."
September 17, 1908: ". . . Canby beingrebuilt..."
February 18, 1909: "Pete Jones is firingon the Canby. This was formerly done byJack Garrett."
by Dane Runnelsdock near the present day Pelican Marinawhere she finally burned in 1927.
Built by John T. Totten and his partner,Harry Hansberry, she was the largest boatever to travel the waters of the Klamathcountry. Vital statistics recorded for thelady show her length to have been 125 feet,width 22 feet, and because of the shallowdepth of Upper Kiamath Lake a minimumdraught of 22 inches when empty.
In an interview with Totten, then 96, theFebruary 2, 1965, issue of the Herald andNews states that her boiler weighed 14,000
barge load of box material. The secondtrip back to Kiamath Falls, passengers,mail, etc., which arrived in the evening.This latter trip was made in one hour and40 minutes, at least on this one occasion.
The Evening Herald, November 12th:"The steamer Kiamath moved a dinky en-gine and steam shovel to Klamath Fallsthis week."
The Evening Herald, Novembet 26, 1908announced that the railroad had reachedWorden, and that Abel Ady was running astage between that place and Blidell, thenew name for Teeters' Landing.
By December the problem of ice againconfronted the Kiamath, (Evening Herald,December 17.) and someone started con-struction of an ice breaker, with the prin-ciple of running under the ice. No men-tion can be found of the outcome of thisventure, nor the outcome of the ice prob-lem during the remainder of the winter.
Republican, May 27, 1909: "More thanone hundred Kiamath Falls people werepassengers on the steamer Kiamath lastThursday for Ady, where they met the firsttrain coming into this city. The steamerleft the wharf shortly after 9 o'clock. Alarge crowd had gathered at the water frontto see her start on her last trip to connectwith the railroad. For several months thesteamer Kiamath has been doing excellentservice for Kiamath Falls, and it is with afeeling of regret that the residents of thecity watched the boat start on her finaljourney of commercial importance.
"Shortly before noon the boat arrived atAdy. M a n y of the excursionists hadbrought lunch baskets and enjoyed theirdinners sitting in the shade of box cars onpiles of ties. The novelty of the experienceappealed to everyone and enthusiasm flow-ed galore. No sooner did the train get insight when the experimental farm, whichwas the center of attraction, was deserted,and all rushed to the station to join thecrowd irs a demonstration. On the trainthen were a number of regular passengers,besides some twenty excursionists fromDorris. En route to this city the band ac-companying Peterson Bros.' theatrical troupe
rendered a number of selections, addingmuch to the excitement that was prevalent.
"In this city all business was suspended.Merchants, clerks and laborers deserted theirplaces of business and their work to join ingreeting the first train. School was closedfor the afternoon and hundreds of schoolchildren mingled their shouts with the musicrendered by the Klamath Falls MilitaryBand and also by Peterson Bros.' Band. Itis conservatively estimated that 1,200 men,women and children gathered at the depotsite to herald the arrival of the long-awaited iron horse. The crowd remained atthe station until after the train took its de-parture. Many of the residents of the citytook passage on the first train so as to havethe distinction of leaving on the first train.
"It was noticeable that among the excur-sionists who went to Ady there were manyof the pioneers of the Kiamath country.While there was a general sprinkling ofnew blood among the enthusiasts, still theold prevailed. Several of the Indian womenwho make this city their home also tookoccasion to win the distinction of beingamong the passengers who rode into thecity on the first train. Those of the ex-cursionists who have resided in the Kla-math country for twenty years or morewere: Mr. & Mrs. A. L. Leavitt, J. M.Fountain, Miss Laurinda Sauber, Mrs. Am-anda Hamaker, Mamie Boyd, Mr. & Mrs. J.G. Schallock, Mr. & Mrs. W. F. Arant, Mrs.R. A. Oliver, Miss Maude Baldwin, R. S.Moore, J. A. Uerlings, Mr. & Mrs. J. V.Houston, Merle Houston, Ky Taylor, C. I.Roberts and Alex Martin Sr."
With the arrival of the railroad in Kia-math Falls, practically all business for theSteamer Kiamath had come to an end, so byJuly 1st, the Republican reported: "TOTRANSFER STEAMER KLAMATH. Plansare being made by the Kiamath Lake N ivi-gation Company to move the steamer Kia-math to the Upper Lake. Recently partieshave been here from Portland to figure onthe contract for moving the boat. Whilethe plans of the navigation company are siotyet fully matured, still it is certain that the
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October 1st all freight will come into thiscity by boat, the transfer being made atKeno. It will be seen that the operation ofthe boat will be a profitable proposition."
The Evening Herald of April 11, 1908announced: "Monday morning the mailwill go from this city to Teeters' Landingon the steamer Kiamath. There it will bemet by the mail stage which will carry pas-sengers to Pokegama. This service will con-tinue until the mail route is changed."
The Evening Herald of April 20th, fur-ther announced that: "The steamer Kiamathbursted one of her pipes this morningwhen about two miles from the dock. Theaccident put the boat Out of commissionand a party returned to the city in a rowboat to get a launch to take the passengersand mail on to Teeters' Landing. The acci-dent will put the steamer Out of service fora day or two,"
In the spring of 1908, with the approachof the railroad from the south, the Republi-can of April 2, announced that "on April
5th, the Klamath Falls TransportationCompany (W. R. Davis) will begin haul-ing freight from the railhead at MountHebron. The freight will be transferredfrom the wagons to the Steamer Kiamathat Teeters' Landing."
By the end of the month, the rails hadadvanced far enough that a stage beganrunning from Dorris to Teeters' Landing,and the Kiamath was being thoroughlyoverhauled. (Rep. April 30, 1908.)
On June 1st, the Evening Herald report-ed: "The mail will arrive tonight on thesteamer Kiamath, coming in for the firsttime by way of Dorris. It will be later inthe evening when it arrives, and if the trainshould be late it will arrive here too late forevening distribution."
By August 2 7th, the Evening Herald re-ported that the Kiamath was making twotrips per day from Teeters' Landing. Onthe first trip in the morning, 30 tons offreight was brought in on a barge, then thereturn trip to Teeters' was made with a
Maude Baldwin PhotoSteamer Kiamath at the docks of the Kiamath Lake Navigation Company, at the mouth of Link River,below the bridge and on the east side.
Maude Baldwin PhotoHauling in the 14,000 lb. boiler for the steamer Winema, from Pokegama by freight team. Joe Moorestanding on the running gears. Jim Moore driving the "snap team.'
lbs. and was brought to Kiamath Falls fromthe Pokegama terminal of the Kiamath LakeRailroad by Joe Moore who hauled theequipment by a horse-drawn wagon usingas many as 10 horses at a time.
As construction of the marvelous newboat progressed, the local newspaper, theRepublican, kept its readers informed:
Nov. 3, 1904: G. W. Walker, ship buil-der, arrives from Prtland.
Jan. 12, 1905: Totten & Hansbcrry de-sire name for new boat.
Jan. 19, 1905: Lewis & Peil doing ironwork on new boat.
We can picture the anticipation and ex-citement as the steamer neared completion,for an article in the Republican at this timestates that 73 persons submitted names.The article goes on to say that a committeecomposed of Oscar C. Stone, L. F. Willits,
St. Geo. Bishop, Ross Anderson, and J.Rutenic selected the name Wi-ne-ma
from those suggested. It was then foundthat three persons, Mr. F. W. Jennings (neeMollie Reames), F. H. Brandenburg, and
Paul Delaney, (a Western fiction-storywriter), had submitted this name. The win-ner, Mrs. Jennings, was chosen by placingthe three names in a hat and drawing one.The article informs us, "It has been de-cided to postpone the launching of the boatuntil next Saturday afternoon, as the paintis not yet dry. If the weather permits, onthat date the big event will take place."
Saturday, January 28, 1905, the eagerlyawaited launching was accomplished. Mrs.Jennings smashed a bottle of French wineacross the bow of the boat and declared,"On the waters of the Mighty Klamath,under God's blue canopy, with wine fromsunny France, I christen thee Winema."
In spite of the weather, which, althoughit is not mentioned in any of the news-paper accounts, had to be cold at that tTmeof year, approximately 250 people from thebooming little town of Klamath Falls tookpart in the festivities. That this was a majorevent in the community we can tell fromthis turnout, since they had either to walkor drive by horse and buggy quite some
50. 39.
distance to reach the site. There were noheated automobiles for these hardy folk,where they could sit protected from theweather.
After the launching newspaper accountscontinue:
Feb. 16, 1905: Building cabin onWinema at Odessa.
Feb. 23, 1905: Winema with load oflumber from Griffith's mill to build cabinat old site. (On the flat south of FremontBridge on the west side of Link River, op-posite the headgates of the present dayGovernment Irrigation Canal.Ed.)
Apr. 20, 1905: First excursion of Wi-nema to be April 30. To leave Stanley andJames O'Neil wharf on east side of lake at8:30. Dinner at Odessa by Mrs. Griffith,return at 4:00. $1.00 for round trip.
The description of the latter is coveredin the May 4, 1905, issue of the Republi-can, The first excursion of the steamer'Winema,' which occurred last Sundayproved a grand success. Over 200 peopleenjoyed the trip to Odessa and Pelican Bay.Although the day was a little cool for anouting, the crowd was made as comfortableas at home in the roomy cabins and parlors.All the comforts of home have been pro-vided on the steamer by Messrs. Totten andHansberry. The ladies' parlor in particularwas a delight to the passengers, the furnish-ings being the best. The floor is coveredwith Brussels carpet and the comfortablechairs and cozy seats with the view of thebeautiful scenery afforded, add to the plea-sure of those who wish to rest. The steamerleft the landing at Upper Lake with theband playing, at 9:30 and 11:30 arrivedat Odessa. Besides Griffith's big hotel andbuildings, there are now quite a number ofcottages with sight of the boat landing, andas these came into view, it had the ap-pearance of quite a little village nestled onthe banks of the beautiful stream. Thedozens of rowboats to be seen anchored tothe wharves and under the boat sheds, werepromises of a pleasant time to the excursion-ists. As soon as the boat was anchored therewas a scramble for the shore. About halfan hour was spent in strolling over the
grounds and in boating, before dinner wasannounced. The big new dining room wassoon crowded and two tables were set inand Bridal chamber. And what a dinner itwas! Mrs. Griffith certainly knows how tofeed the hungry, and as was aptly remarkedby one of the visitors, "the dinner alonewas well worth the trip." The only regretexpressed by any of the guests was they wereunable to eat more. At 2 o'clock the steamerleft for a trip to Pelican Bay. Most of thepeople, however, were content with thepleasures to be found at Odessa and re-mained ashore to await the return. Thosewho wished to go were taken to the Lodgeand were back by 4:30 when the start wasmade for home. The steamer arrived at thelanding at 7: 15 with everyone feeling quitehappy and much pleased with their trip."
Another interesting account of an ex-cursion on the Winema is contained in theJune 8, 1905, Republican, 'Good luck andsuccess to Totten and Hansberry, the popu-lar owners of the steamer Winema. Sun-day was the occasion of the promised ex-cursion given in honor of Mrs. MolletteJennings, who very appropriately was giventhe honor of naming and christening thenew steamer Winema. The name suggestedby Mrs. Jennings was chosen from a listof several hundred submitted to the com-mittee. The story of the Indian woman,Winema, is a beautiful one, with whichour readers are familiar through thesecolumns.
"Mollette Jennings was the charminghostess to over 100 guests Sunday, and inspite of the weather everyone voted the ex-cursion to Odessa on the Winema a howl-ing success. Mrs. Evan R. Reams, as onlyshe can, dispelled all ceremony and made allfeel young; while Mrs. Galarneau and Mrs.Krause kept the ball rolling in the musicline. Everyone joined in and if anyoneoverlooked a college or coon song, it wasthe fault of the song. It is admitted thatsome of the musicians howled rather thansung, but that is what made the picnic asuccess and before they knew it the Winemawas winding her way up the narrow twistingchannel to Odessa. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith
world through the special telegraph linethat was erected for his private use, he isnot going to let business cares interferewith enjoyment of his vacation.
"It is the intention of Mr. Harriman andparty to indulge in all the sports and past-times that the wealth of Northern Klamathoffers. It will be a season of hunting andfishing and sightseeing. Bear, deer andmountain lion will be hunted, with possiblya few parting shots at the ducks for it isquite likely they will remain until after theduck season opens. Crater Lake and thebeautiful canyons of the northern part ofthe county will be visited, and Mr. Harri-man will be given an opportunity to seewhy Kiamath County lays claim to beingthe Switzerland of America."
The story of the Steamer Kiamath as re-ported by the newspapers, again continuesas the Republican, September 5, 1907 re-ports: "Boat Again On Keno Run. Un-toward circumstances have played a promi-nent part in transportation aftairs in thisregion during the past ten days, with theresult that the difficulties that have arisenin the path of establishing the boat servicebetween this city and Keno are removed andthe next week will see it an accomplishedfact. The key that unlocks the door was anattachment taken out by the American Bankand Trust Company against the navigationcompany and Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Woodbury.The approximate amount was $1,000.When it became evident that it was goingto be a difficult task to raise the funds tomeet the indebtedness covered by the attach-ment, W. R. Davis came forward with aproposition that offered a solution to theproblem, and incidentally gave him controlof the navigation company's property. Theindebtedness of the navigation company isclose to $10,000. The load has been prettyheavy for some time and especially since noagreement was made with the McIntyre andStage companies. Big corporations were or-ganized and some big talk indulged in, butit would seem that it was all moon-shine,for when it came to raising the cash itcould not be done. Davis, it is understoodhas offered to undertake the job. As securi-
ty he has a second mortgage, assumes controlover the affairs of the company, and willoperate all of its business. He will takecare of the attachment that now hangs overthe company and will meet the other in-debtedness as it falls due. In the meantimethe entire income of the company goes tohim to liquidate the indebtedness he as-sumes. That "Bill" Davis is able to takecare of the matter is well known. He willmake a contract with the McIntyre andStage companies and thus place the opera-tions of the steamer Kiamath on a payingbasis. It is an ill wind that blows no good.Out of all this trouble will come benefitto the public in general and the interestedparties in particular. The property of thenavigation company is recognized as beingvery valuable. Under the direction of Col.Wilkins it was prosperous, but other influ-ences often over-rode his judgement and itwas not long before it was traveling stormyseas. Now that it is again in the hands ofa man who will run it on business princi-pals and who will not be handicapped withpetty hair-splitting interferences it will oncemore return to its prosperity and in the endbe returned to the company free from debtand on a paying basis. The public will hailthe new deal with delight, for it cuts outthe ride from here to Keno, and the winterhas not the dark and stormy appearancethat it had."
Republican, September 12, 1907: "Asstated exclusively in last week's Republican,the boat service was re-established betweenthis city and Keno. W. R. Davis is thegeneral manager of the navigation com-pany, virtually occupying the position of areceiver. He has assumed the obligationsof the company thus relieving it from theattachment suit filed by the American Bankand Trust Company. The other obligationswill be paid off as they come due. Mr. Daviswill be reimbursed by the surplus accruingfrom the operation of the boat and when allindebtedness is wiped out, the property willbe returned to the navigation company'sstockholders. The fare from Pokegama sincethe inauguration of the boat service is $4,the same as it was last winter. Begintiing
40. 49.
freight accumulated at Laird's.. .. Warmwave . . . ice melted. . . Kiamath runningday and night." December 20th: '. . . toomuch ice for the Kiamath this winter...laid up."
There were difficulties of other nature,as witness, Republican, February 28, 1907:"Esley Morgan unloaded 1,000 pounds ofdynamite on the dock to be shipped, butthe Navigation Co. would not receive it,hence he had to reload it and pull throughto the Falls."
Stage lines were being changed duringthe spring and early summer almost over-night, as new ones started, or old oneschanged, and with the steamer Kiamathplaying an integral part in most. There werethree in competition at one time, all fromdifferent railroad terminals, Pokegama, Agerand the end of the rails on the new Cali-fornia Northeastern railroad. (Republican,May 16, May 30, June 6, 1907, etc.)
Over this latter line in 1907, came aparty that brought many changes to theKlamath country. Their first entry into theKiamath Basin is recorded by the Republi-can of August 22, 1907:
"Like the Arab that quietly folded histent and silently stole away did the Harri-man party enter the city last Saturday eve-ning, twenty four hours ahead of time. Com-posing the party were E .H. Harriman, histwo sons, H. P. Hoey, construction engineerof the California Northeastern, W. V. Hill,Mr. Harriman's private secretary, Dr. Lyle,his physician, J. A. Taylor, the boys' tutorand valet. They were driven to the home ofMr. and Mrs. A. H. Naftager, where theyhad dinner. The night was spent at thehome of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Worden, fromwhere, after breakfasting, the party pro-ceeded to the Upper Lake where theyboarded the Buena Vista and went to Peli-can Bay.
"Mr. Harriman entered the KiamathBasin by way of the California Northeastern,being desirous of inspecting the line thatis to play such an important part in thethrough traffic berween Portland and SanFrancisco. He was highly pleased with themanner in which the work was being done,
and several times complimented Mr. Hoeyon the skilful manner in which he was exe-cuting his instructions.
"On reaching Bray's, the present terminusof the road, the party was driven in carri-ages to Teeters' landing where they boardedthe Steamer Kiamath and came to this city.Mr. Harriman seemed to realize the hard-ships encountered by passengers in reachingthe Klamath Basin, for he was quite fati-gued when he reached Teeters' landing.This was forgotten for the time in his sur-prise in seeing such a fine boat as the Kia-math, and plied Colonel Wilkins with manyquestions as to how the boat was broughthere, the demand for its services and manyother things connected with its operation.
"On board the boat to welcome the dis-tinguished financier were Colonel WilliamH. Holabird, whose guest Mr. Harrimanwill be during his sojourn at Pelican Bay,A. H. Naftzger, J. D. Church, engineer incharge of the work for the California North-eastern at this end, and W. S. Worden,right of way agent.
"The man who reached this city to hidehimself away from the cares of finance andrailroads was not the Harriman of WallStreet. It was the man of leisure, the manwho seeks a good time, a recreationist, adesire to free his mind from the labors thathave worn deep furrows in his brow andstamped their weight indelibly on his coun-tenance. One would think to look at himthat he was the last man in the world thatcontrolled millions upon millions and heldin his hand the welfare of thousands ofmiles of railroad; who has done more forthe progress of railroading than any man inthe history of the country; the man of allmen most villified and apparently misunder-stood, was "as plain as an old shoe," and itwas only when some question or subjectin which he was deeply interested wastouched upon that the fire that has been sodangerous to Wall St. manifested itself, hewas again the personification of the manwho is the mainspring of the greatest rail-road enterprise in history. He comes herefor the rest he much needs, and though hewill be in close touch with the outside
Ray Telford PhotoSpectators at the launching of the Winema, January 28, 1905. The Winema was launched sidewaysinto Link River, near the head on the west side. Note type of conveyances used.
were prepared with the goods and fed thehungry mob in the big dining room of thehotel. Ross Anderson will vouch for thequality of the food for the writer saw himperform the whole operation. He startedwith stuffed eggs, cold meat, bread andbutter, coffee, cake, more coffee and pieWhen he discovered he had omitted thebeans, he started in with these and madethe rounds again. But there were others.During the banquet toasts were given andthe guests entertained with witty stories.Col. W. H. Holabird proposed a toast tothe charming hostess who responded. Herreply was graceful and well chosen. Theafternoon was given up to strolls, tete-atetes, 'and the likes' through the tall tim-ber and along the shady banks of thestream We didn't have a 'sad' time comingback either. The singers were there withthe bells and nobody had a chance to sleep.Mrs. Jennings presented each guest with anattractive and pleasing souvenir in theshape of miniature suit cases filled with
bonbons." (Note: The late Edith RutenicMcLeod remarked in later times, "I keptmine for years.")
Early in the Winema's career an attemptwas made to navigate Wood River, asbusiness men in Fort Klamath area hadtold the owners they could go all the wayup the river to the bridge. This wouldshorten a long freight haul by team fromAgency Lake Landing. According to RayTelford, who was a member of the crew atthe time, it took 24 hours to wash the sandbar from the mouth of the river with thestern paddles so they could enter. In theprocess he says the sand filled in under theboat so that they could not move off thebar head first. Backing off the bar theyput a "hog" in the bottom of the boat thatwas never taken Out.
About two miles upstream, still backing,they reached a short turn which the bigboat could not negotiate, making it neces-sary to give up the entire project. How-ever, their troubles were not over, for upon
48. 41.
reaching the mouth of the river they foundthe bar had again fulled. The boat wouldhave to be turned in the river in order touse the stern paddles as before.
The lower half of the paddles were re-moved to allow the stern to swing free sothat it could be winched around. Thistook place about one-half mile upstreamand resulted in the Winema becoming stuckcrosswise. Finally a bay was dug in thebank, using first hay knives and then crosscut saws to cut away the chunks of sod.Turning the steamer took just one hourshort of three full days. The sand bar wasagain washed away and the Winema re-turned to her lake.
Further items of interest concerning theWinema's first summer continue in theRepublican:
June 8, 1905: Miss Orpha Schallockpresents oil painting of Winema to Tottenand Hansberry.
July 6, 1905: Mr. McClure, wife, andtwo children, with two men in a row boatat Pelican Bay. Overloaded, sinks. Barelysaved by Totten and crew. McClure wentdown twice.
July 27, 1905: $169.50 raised by Wi-nema excursion to Agency Lake.
Under the caption Swimming Hogs' theAugust 3, 1905, Republican carried the fol-lowing account:
"A barge load of 31 hogs belonging toJack Kimball was dumped into KlamathLake, Friday afternoon, resulting in threebeing drowned.
"Jack Kimball and Floyd Baldwin weremoving some hogs from Bear to BuckIsland and had loaded them onto a barge.At about 4:30 the Winema stopped to takethe barge in tow. When a few miles fromshore, the waves from the boat pushed oneend of the barge under water and the hogsfinding it more easy to go down an inclinethan up were forced into the water. It maybe they were adverse to leaving their root-ing grounds, for they immediately struckout for the island, all arriving there safelywith the exception of three."
Notice of a novel sporting event is con-tained in the November 16, 1905, Republi-
can: "The steamer Winema will go to BearIsland, Sunday to take a crowd for a coyotechase. Bring all the dogs you can, but noguns, as in that respect no one will be ac-cidentally shot. The round trip is $1.00,lunch can be had on board boat or you canhave your lunch basket to suit yourself.Boat will leave landing at 9:30 A.M. sharpand return so as to reach landing at 5o'clock P.M.'
On March 8, 1906, the Republican an-nounced that the Winema would makedaily trips as soon as the ice was out. Thusbegan another year, and the steamer pur-sued a regular and busy schedule throughthe years 1906 and 1907.
Then on August 7, 1907, the Winemawas blown over in a sudden squall appar-ently while running light. It was after thisexperience that part of her third deck wasremoved to give her less wind resistance.
The August 8, 1907, Republican carriedthe story: "Winema Swamped. The steamerWinema was blown ashore and tipped overWednesday afternoon while on the returntrip from the Landing and Odessa. The ac-cident was due to a cyclone that came downWilliamson River with such speed and furyas to make it impossible for the captain toturn his boat so as to take it head-on. Thepassengers climbed to the upper side of theboat as she went over, and were later takenoff by a launch. Until the Winema is right-ed, the run to the Agency Landing will bemade by the Buena Vista."
The newspaper kept its readers informedof the salvage operations:
Aug. 15, 1907: Work of righting Wi-nema progressing slowly.
Aug. 22, 1907: Winema righted.Aug. 29, 1907: Winema resumes run
Friday.In February, 1908, Totten and Hansberry
advertised the dissolution of their partner-ship.
Further notes of interest to be found inthe Klamath Republican:
June 25, 1908: Winema gathered uplumber barges that had been adrift for afew days.
Ray Telford PhotoThe Steamer Klamath on Lake Ewauna, a few minutes after being launched, July 29, 1905.
ready been shipped over this road and hasbeen brought to this city by the launch."
Republican, October 26, 1905: "Thesteamer Kiamath started Monday, on tn-weekly trips to Laird's Landing......
Republican, February 22, 1906: "ChiefEngineer Griffith, of the California North-eastern, and about 20 of his engineeringcrew chartered the steamer Kiamath andcame to Klamath Falls, Monday. The boyshave been in camp all winter and it was agreat pleasure for them to have a few hoursin town. They all returned to their campott Lower Lake in the evening, with the ex-ception of one crew, which remained inKlamath Falls to complete the surveying ofthe depot grounds and the track through thecity.'
Republican, November 8, 1906: "A rockcrusher, weight 35,000 pounds, from Allis-Chalmers of Chicago, destined for the Rec-lamation Service, shipped by rail to Pokeg-ama, thence freighted by teams to Kenowhere it was loaded on a barge and broughtto Klamath Falls by the Steamer Kiamath.Tied up near the Aldrich cottages on 3rdStreet."
Republican, November 15, 1906: "Whileon the return trip from Laird's Landing lastSaturday evening the propeller of thesteamer Kiamath came in contact with asunken log and every blade was broken off.The accident occurred as the boat was en-tering the straits. As soon as the home officewas notified of the accident, the Ewaunawas dispatched to the scene of the troubleand the crippled steamer towed in. It wasbut a short time ago that the steamer losttwo blades of her propeller, while crossingthe reef a few miles below town. The com-pany had an extra one on hand and thedelay at that time was insignificant. Notanticipating a recurrance of the trouble verysoon, an order for a reserve had not beenplaced, and this will result in laying thesteamer up for about ten days. During thistime the boat and machinery will be tho-roughly overhauled, and when she startsout again she will be in better trim thanever before."
During the winter of 1906-1907, thesteamer Kiamath encountered a great dealof trouble from ice. Republican, November29th: "...Saturday, ice knocked a hole inthe side......December 6th: "...much
42. 47.
. The main deck was equipped to handlefreight while the upper or cabin deck waswell equipped to handle passengers.
"March 20, 1905, actual work was startedsawing and forming the frames of whichthere were forty-five, sawed from two andone-half inch fir planks. There was muchother material to be accumulated and ship-ped from Portland to the nearest point ofcontact to Klamath Falls by way of Sou-thern Pacific railway.
"The boat was powered with a com-pound condensing steam engine with cyl-inders eight and sixteen inches by nine inchstroke, it was a most up-to-date product ofthat time, designed by Mr. Johnston andbuilt by the Hicks Machine Shop of Port-land, turning a propeller forty-two inchesin diameter. Steam was supplied by anAlmy pipe boiler, built by the Almy WaterTube Boiler Co. of Providence, RI., fueledwith either wood or coal.
"The boiler was shipped from Provi-dence, RI., March 31, 1905, for Montague,California, then hauled by team to itsdestination."
From this point onward, we will let thenewspapers of the day, continue the Kia-math story:
Republican, June 8, 1905: "The steamerKiamath which is being built for the Kla-math Lake Navigation Company, is nowwell under way. The work is being done byMr. John G. Sound with an experiencedcrew of boat builders. Mr. Sound is fromPortland and is considered one of the bestof the more experienced ship builders onthe coast. He constructed boats in Alaskaand for the large rivers in Oregon andWashington. The big boiler has alreadybeen placed in position. The NavigationCompany is also having constructed at theirdock in this city, two large barges whichwill be 20 feet wide by 62 feet long, foruse in connection with this boat......
Republican, August 3, 1905: "Thesteamer Kiamath is now at anchor at theKiamath Lake Navigation Company's wharfawaiting the arrival of the inspectors be-fore being commissioned. At seven andone-half minutes after nine o'clock Satur-
day morning (July 29th, Editor.) the boatstarted on the ways and in exactly thirtyseconds touched the waters of Lake Ewauna.The launching was witnessed by over 300people in spite of the uncertainty of theexact hour at which it was to occur. Thepeople crowded the bridge, and the wharfand lined the shores, besides about twentysmall crafts loaded with men, women, andchildren, who vied with each other forplaces of advantage on the water. The newsteamer was designed by J. H. Johnston, ar-chitect, of Portland. The boat is 75 feetlong with a 16 foot beam. The hold has adepth of four feet. It draws three feet, twoinches of water, and will carry about 75tons. The number of passengers it will beallowed to carry will be determined uponby the inspectors. A trial trip was madeSunday to Teeters' Landing, a number ofprominent citizens going along as guestsof the owners, Captain Woodbury and Col.Wilkins. The trip proved a perfect successand a great delight to those fortunateenough to be along. Fourteen miles an hourwas made, although only 100 pounds ofsteam was used. It is said that the boat canmake 20 miles an hour."
Republican, October 12, 1905: "TheKlamath Lake Navigation Company will,this coming week, start the steamer Kiamathon regular trips to Lairds Landing, whereit will connect with the stage from the ter-minus of the McCloud River Railroad. Mr.M. G. Wilkins and Capt. G. W. Wood-bury, of the Navigation Company, whohave been in Portland for the past month,returned to this city last week. Mr. Wilkinsstated to a Republican representative thatthey had engaged an engineer and that theKiamath would make a trip to the LowerLake in a few days. Next week they wouldbegin regular round-trips daily betweenLaird's Landing and Klamath Falls, andwould be ready to handle freight and pas-sengers for the Klamath country. A stageline is now in operation between Laird'sLanding and the terminus of the McCloudroad. The stage company is composed ofMessrs. Davis, Laird, and Martin, and theypromise good service. Some freight has al-
July 23, 1908: Remodeled Winema onexcursion with Mrs. Totten as cook. Rugsand cushions in profusion, the parlor anursery. New and comfortable chairs ondecks and prominades.
Oct. 28, 1909: Winema with raft oflogs from Ball's Bay (Shoalwater Bay), forMoore Bros. sawmill.
Dec. 1, 1909: Winema tows Adamsdredge to Wood River.
May 25, 1911: 150 high school excur-sionists on Winema yesterday . Autos, busesand afoot to Shippington, steamer to RockyPoint, pictures taken at Odessa.
Dec. 11, 1911: Winema to lay up, lasttrip made to Odessa for winter, on accountof ice.
April 11, 1912: Winema hauling logsto Rattlesnake Point, cut by settlers back ofOdessa.
Sept. 4, 1913: Winema, with 125
Shriners, lunch at Eagle Ridge Tavern, thento Algoma to inspect the new mill, thenreturn.
An interesting sidelight in the saga ofthe Winema is disclosed by the records ofthe Circuit Court for Klamath County. Ina suit filed July 19, 1913, D. P. Doak,plaintiff, asked for a permanent injunctionagainst John Totten, defendant, restraininghim from landing his steamer on propertyowned by Doak in Lot 2, Section 32, Town-ship 36 South, Range 7 East W. M. knownas Homesteader's Landing.
In his complaint Doak stated that theproperty in question had been leased tothird parties for the purpose of carrying onlogging operations and depositing logs inthe waters of Upper Klamath Lake. Doakcomplained that Totten interferred withthese logging operations by running hissteamer into shore at this point, stopping
Ray Telford PhotoThe Winema, "lost in a sea of grass," during May, 1905, on her ill-fated trip up Wood River.
46. 43.
IItPSIII Fir lIIIIIi.'riIiPiII liii II rPpFiiiiiiiii iiiiiii!Hiiiii,IuI
the passage and preventing the placing oflogs into the water. He further complainedthat Totten untied and removed boom poles,logs, and log rafts.
Totten's answer contended that the pointwas located on a public highway and thathe used the disputed landing in commonwith the general public. A temporary re-straining order was issued July 19, 1913,while the court studied briefs submitted byboth parties.
The Court's opinion, filed October 20,1913, was that, since the road was ob-tained by the county as an easement withthe fee title to the land being retained byDoak, neither Totten nor the public had aright to the use of the landing. Riparianrights do not attach to an easement it wasdeclared. Apparently this ended the matter
as no further action was taken in the suitwhich was finally dismissed for lack ofaction on May 24, 1922.
By 1919 the railroad and the highwayshad taken over more and more of thefreight and passenger business of the Kla-math country. The Winema was retired todrydock.
When she burned in 1927, one morefragment of the past was lost, one morechapter of Kiamath County history wasclosed. Still, on a warm summer evening,if we look closely at that patch of moon-light on the Upper Klamath Lake, perhapswe can see the ghostly outlines of the"Queen of the Lake"; and drifting faintlyacross the peaceful water, perhaps we canhear the music of the Klamath Falls BrassBand.
KLAMATH..The small group of men who constituted
the Kiamath Lake Navigation Companywere evidently satisfied with the investiga-tions made by the Tule and Ewauna, forthey began preparations for the launchingof a larger boat. However, they had waitedtoo long on the Upper Lake, or possiblywere not interested in that body of water.At least the Winema was activated thereabout seven months before the Kiamathwas launched on the Lower Lake. The storyof the Klamath can best be told by the par-ticipants and writers of that day. The fol-lowing is in part, a paper prepared by Mr.H. L. Johnston of Portland, Oregon, andprinted in the 1951 Siskiyou County His-torical Society Yearbook, Vol. II, No. 1,
pages 9 & 10:"It was late in the year 1904 that Capt.
George Woodbury came to Portland to ne-gotiate with J. H. Johnston, a prominentboat builder of that place, to design andsupervise the construction of a light draftpropeller boat for the Klamath Lakes region,to be operated by the Kiamath Lake Navi-gation Company, also called the PioneerLine, owned by Capt. Woodbury and Col.Wilkins. This boat was very different fromthe standard type of hull in that the sternwas, what later was called the tunnel type,that it was built with a curved recess in thebottom to allow the propeller to be soplaced that it would not project below thekeel of the boat. This allowed the boat tonavigate shallow water without risking da-mage to the propeller. As far as was knownat that time, this was the first attempt atthis innovation in the northwest waters.
44. 45.
Maude Baldwin Photo
The Winema at Budd Spring, on Odessa Creek. Sometime during the 1905 to August, 1907 period. Launching of the Kiamath on Lake Ewauna, July 29, 1905.Ray Telforci Photo
the passage and preventing the placing oflogs into the water. He further complainedthat Totten untied and removed boom poles,logs, and log rafts.
Totten's answer contended that the pointwas located on a public highway and thathe used the disputed landing in commonwith the general public. A temporary re-straining order was issued July 19, 1913,while the court studied briefs submitted byboth parties.
The Court's opinion, filed October 20,1913, was that, since the road was ob-tained by the county as an easement withthe fee title to the land being retained byDoak, neither Totten nor the public had aright to the use of the landing. Riparianrights do not attach to an easement it wasdeclared. Apparently this ended the matter
as no further action was taken in the suitwhich was finally dismissed for lack ofaction on May 24, 1922.
By 1919 the railroad and the highwayshad taken over more and more of thefreight and passenger business of the Kla-math country. The Winema was retired todrydock.
When she burned in 1927, one morefragment of the past was lost, one morechapter of Kiamath County history wasclosed. Still, on a warm summer evening,if we look closely at that patch of moon-light on the Upper Klamath Lake, perhapswe can see the ghostly outlines of the"Queen of the Lake"; and drifting faintlyacross the peaceful water, perhaps we canhear the music of the Klamath Falls BrassBand.
KLAMATH..The small group of men who constituted
the Kiamath Lake Navigation Companywere evidently satisfied with the investiga-tions made by the Tule and Ewauna, forthey began preparations for the launchingof a larger boat. However, they had waitedtoo long on the Upper Lake, or possiblywere not interested in that body of water.At least the Winema was activated thereabout seven months before the Kiamathwas launched on the Lower Lake. The storyof the Klamath can best be told by the par-ticipants and writers of that day. The fol-lowing is in part, a paper prepared by Mr.H. L. Johnston of Portland, Oregon, andprinted in the 1951 Siskiyou County His-torical Society Yearbook, Vol. II, No. 1,
pages 9 & 10:"It was late in the year 1904 that Capt.
George Woodbury came to Portland to ne-gotiate with J. H. Johnston, a prominentboat builder of that place, to design andsupervise the construction of a light draftpropeller boat for the Klamath Lakes region,to be operated by the Kiamath Lake Navi-gation Company, also called the PioneerLine, owned by Capt. Woodbury and Col.Wilkins. This boat was very different fromthe standard type of hull in that the sternwas, what later was called the tunnel type,that it was built with a curved recess in thebottom to allow the propeller to be soplaced that it would not project below thekeel of the boat. This allowed the boat tonavigate shallow water without risking da-mage to the propeller. As far as was knownat that time, this was the first attempt atthis innovation in the northwest waters.
44. 45.
Maude Baldwin Photo
The Winema at Budd Spring, on Odessa Creek. Sometime during the 1905 to August, 1907 period. Launching of the Kiamath on Lake Ewauna, July 29, 1905.Ray Telforci Photo
. The main deck was equipped to handlefreight while the upper or cabin deck waswell equipped to handle passengers.
"March 20, 1905, actual work was startedsawing and forming the frames of whichthere were forty-five, sawed from two andone-half inch fir planks. There was muchother material to be accumulated and ship-ped from Portland to the nearest point ofcontact to Klamath Falls by way of Sou-thern Pacific railway.
"The boat was powered with a com-pound condensing steam engine with cyl-inders eight and sixteen inches by nine inchstroke, it was a most up-to-date product ofthat time, designed by Mr. Johnston andbuilt by the Hicks Machine Shop of Port-land, turning a propeller forty-two inchesin diameter. Steam was supplied by anAlmy pipe boiler, built by the Almy WaterTube Boiler Co. of Providence, RI., fueledwith either wood or coal.
"The boiler was shipped from Provi-dence, RI., March 31, 1905, for Montague,California, then hauled by team to itsdestination."
From this point onward, we will let thenewspapers of the day, continue the Kia-math story:
Republican, June 8, 1905: "The steamerKiamath which is being built for the Kla-math Lake Navigation Company, is nowwell under way. The work is being done byMr. John G. Sound with an experiencedcrew of boat builders. Mr. Sound is fromPortland and is considered one of the bestof the more experienced ship builders onthe coast. He constructed boats in Alaskaand for the large rivers in Oregon andWashington. The big boiler has alreadybeen placed in position. The NavigationCompany is also having constructed at theirdock in this city, two large barges whichwill be 20 feet wide by 62 feet long, foruse in connection with this boat......
Republican, August 3, 1905: "Thesteamer Kiamath is now at anchor at theKiamath Lake Navigation Company's wharfawaiting the arrival of the inspectors be-fore being commissioned. At seven andone-half minutes after nine o'clock Satur-
day morning (July 29th, Editor.) the boatstarted on the ways and in exactly thirtyseconds touched the waters of Lake Ewauna.The launching was witnessed by over 300people in spite of the uncertainty of theexact hour at which it was to occur. Thepeople crowded the bridge, and the wharfand lined the shores, besides about twentysmall crafts loaded with men, women, andchildren, who vied with each other forplaces of advantage on the water. The newsteamer was designed by J. H. Johnston, ar-chitect, of Portland. The boat is 75 feetlong with a 16 foot beam. The hold has adepth of four feet. It draws three feet, twoinches of water, and will carry about 75tons. The number of passengers it will beallowed to carry will be determined uponby the inspectors. A trial trip was madeSunday to Teeters' Landing, a number ofprominent citizens going along as guestsof the owners, Captain Woodbury and Col.Wilkins. The trip proved a perfect successand a great delight to those fortunateenough to be along. Fourteen miles an hourwas made, although only 100 pounds ofsteam was used. It is said that the boat canmake 20 miles an hour."
Republican, October 12, 1905: "TheKlamath Lake Navigation Company will,this coming week, start the steamer Kiamathon regular trips to Lairds Landing, whereit will connect with the stage from the ter-minus of the McCloud River Railroad. Mr.M. G. Wilkins and Capt. G. W. Wood-bury, of the Navigation Company, whohave been in Portland for the past month,returned to this city last week. Mr. Wilkinsstated to a Republican representative thatthey had engaged an engineer and that theKiamath would make a trip to the LowerLake in a few days. Next week they wouldbegin regular round-trips daily betweenLaird's Landing and Klamath Falls, andwould be ready to handle freight and pas-sengers for the Klamath country. A stageline is now in operation between Laird'sLanding and the terminus of the McCloudroad. The stage company is composed ofMessrs. Davis, Laird, and Martin, and theypromise good service. Some freight has al-
July 23, 1908: Remodeled Winema onexcursion with Mrs. Totten as cook. Rugsand cushions in profusion, the parlor anursery. New and comfortable chairs ondecks and prominades.
Oct. 28, 1909: Winema with raft oflogs from Ball's Bay (Shoalwater Bay), forMoore Bros. sawmill.
Dec. 1, 1909: Winema tows Adamsdredge to Wood River.
May 25, 1911: 150 high school excur-sionists on Winema yesterday . Autos, busesand afoot to Shippington, steamer to RockyPoint, pictures taken at Odessa.
Dec. 11, 1911: Winema to lay up, lasttrip made to Odessa for winter, on accountof ice.
April 11, 1912: Winema hauling logsto Rattlesnake Point, cut by settlers back ofOdessa.
Sept. 4, 1913: Winema, with 125
Shriners, lunch at Eagle Ridge Tavern, thento Algoma to inspect the new mill, thenreturn.
An interesting sidelight in the saga ofthe Winema is disclosed by the records ofthe Circuit Court for Klamath County. Ina suit filed July 19, 1913, D. P. Doak,plaintiff, asked for a permanent injunctionagainst John Totten, defendant, restraininghim from landing his steamer on propertyowned by Doak in Lot 2, Section 32, Town-ship 36 South, Range 7 East W. M. knownas Homesteader's Landing.
In his complaint Doak stated that theproperty in question had been leased tothird parties for the purpose of carrying onlogging operations and depositing logs inthe waters of Upper Klamath Lake. Doakcomplained that Totten interferred withthese logging operations by running hissteamer into shore at this point, stopping
Ray Telford PhotoThe Winema, "lost in a sea of grass," during May, 1905, on her ill-fated trip up Wood River.
46. 43.
reaching the mouth of the river they foundthe bar had again fulled. The boat wouldhave to be turned in the river in order touse the stern paddles as before.
The lower half of the paddles were re-moved to allow the stern to swing free sothat it could be winched around. Thistook place about one-half mile upstreamand resulted in the Winema becoming stuckcrosswise. Finally a bay was dug in thebank, using first hay knives and then crosscut saws to cut away the chunks of sod.Turning the steamer took just one hourshort of three full days. The sand bar wasagain washed away and the Winema re-turned to her lake.
Further items of interest concerning theWinema's first summer continue in theRepublican:
June 8, 1905: Miss Orpha Schallockpresents oil painting of Winema to Tottenand Hansberry.
July 6, 1905: Mr. McClure, wife, andtwo children, with two men in a row boatat Pelican Bay. Overloaded, sinks. Barelysaved by Totten and crew. McClure wentdown twice.
July 27, 1905: $169.50 raised by Wi-nema excursion to Agency Lake.
Under the caption Swimming Hogs' theAugust 3, 1905, Republican carried the fol-lowing account:
"A barge load of 31 hogs belonging toJack Kimball was dumped into KlamathLake, Friday afternoon, resulting in threebeing drowned.
"Jack Kimball and Floyd Baldwin weremoving some hogs from Bear to BuckIsland and had loaded them onto a barge.At about 4:30 the Winema stopped to takethe barge in tow. When a few miles fromshore, the waves from the boat pushed oneend of the barge under water and the hogsfinding it more easy to go down an inclinethan up were forced into the water. It maybe they were adverse to leaving their root-ing grounds, for they immediately struckout for the island, all arriving there safelywith the exception of three."
Notice of a novel sporting event is con-tained in the November 16, 1905, Republi-
can: "The steamer Winema will go to BearIsland, Sunday to take a crowd for a coyotechase. Bring all the dogs you can, but noguns, as in that respect no one will be ac-cidentally shot. The round trip is $1.00,lunch can be had on board boat or you canhave your lunch basket to suit yourself.Boat will leave landing at 9:30 A.M. sharpand return so as to reach landing at 5o'clock P.M.'
On March 8, 1906, the Republican an-nounced that the Winema would makedaily trips as soon as the ice was out. Thusbegan another year, and the steamer pur-sued a regular and busy schedule throughthe years 1906 and 1907.
Then on August 7, 1907, the Winemawas blown over in a sudden squall appar-ently while running light. It was after thisexperience that part of her third deck wasremoved to give her less wind resistance.
The August 8, 1907, Republican carriedthe story: "Winema Swamped. The steamerWinema was blown ashore and tipped overWednesday afternoon while on the returntrip from the Landing and Odessa. The ac-cident was due to a cyclone that came downWilliamson River with such speed and furyas to make it impossible for the captain toturn his boat so as to take it head-on. Thepassengers climbed to the upper side of theboat as she went over, and were later takenoff by a launch. Until the Winema is right-ed, the run to the Agency Landing will bemade by the Buena Vista."
The newspaper kept its readers informedof the salvage operations:
Aug. 15, 1907: Work of righting Wi-nema progressing slowly.
Aug. 22, 1907: Winema righted.Aug. 29, 1907: Winema resumes run
Friday.In February, 1908, Totten and Hansberry
advertised the dissolution of their partner-ship.
Further notes of interest to be found inthe Klamath Republican:
June 25, 1908: Winema gathered uplumber barges that had been adrift for afew days.
Ray Telford PhotoThe Steamer Klamath on Lake Ewauna, a few minutes after being launched, July 29, 1905.
ready been shipped over this road and hasbeen brought to this city by the launch."
Republican, October 26, 1905: "Thesteamer Kiamath started Monday, on tn-weekly trips to Laird's Landing......
Republican, February 22, 1906: "ChiefEngineer Griffith, of the California North-eastern, and about 20 of his engineeringcrew chartered the steamer Kiamath andcame to Klamath Falls, Monday. The boyshave been in camp all winter and it was agreat pleasure for them to have a few hoursin town. They all returned to their campott Lower Lake in the evening, with the ex-ception of one crew, which remained inKlamath Falls to complete the surveying ofthe depot grounds and the track through thecity.'
Republican, November 8, 1906: "A rockcrusher, weight 35,000 pounds, from Allis-Chalmers of Chicago, destined for the Rec-lamation Service, shipped by rail to Pokeg-ama, thence freighted by teams to Kenowhere it was loaded on a barge and broughtto Klamath Falls by the Steamer Kiamath.Tied up near the Aldrich cottages on 3rdStreet."
Republican, November 15, 1906: "Whileon the return trip from Laird's Landing lastSaturday evening the propeller of thesteamer Kiamath came in contact with asunken log and every blade was broken off.The accident occurred as the boat was en-tering the straits. As soon as the home officewas notified of the accident, the Ewaunawas dispatched to the scene of the troubleand the crippled steamer towed in. It wasbut a short time ago that the steamer losttwo blades of her propeller, while crossingthe reef a few miles below town. The com-pany had an extra one on hand and thedelay at that time was insignificant. Notanticipating a recurrance of the trouble verysoon, an order for a reserve had not beenplaced, and this will result in laying thesteamer up for about ten days. During thistime the boat and machinery will be tho-roughly overhauled, and when she startsout again she will be in better trim thanever before."
During the winter of 1906-1907, thesteamer Kiamath encountered a great dealof trouble from ice. Republican, November29th: "...Saturday, ice knocked a hole inthe side......December 6th: "...much
42. 47.
freight accumulated at Laird's.. .. Warmwave . . . ice melted. . . Kiamath runningday and night." December 20th: '. . . toomuch ice for the Kiamath this winter...laid up."
There were difficulties of other nature,as witness, Republican, February 28, 1907:"Esley Morgan unloaded 1,000 pounds ofdynamite on the dock to be shipped, butthe Navigation Co. would not receive it,hence he had to reload it and pull throughto the Falls."
Stage lines were being changed duringthe spring and early summer almost over-night, as new ones started, or old oneschanged, and with the steamer Kiamathplaying an integral part in most. There werethree in competition at one time, all fromdifferent railroad terminals, Pokegama, Agerand the end of the rails on the new Cali-fornia Northeastern railroad. (Republican,May 16, May 30, June 6, 1907, etc.)
Over this latter line in 1907, came aparty that brought many changes to theKlamath country. Their first entry into theKiamath Basin is recorded by the Republi-can of August 22, 1907:
"Like the Arab that quietly folded histent and silently stole away did the Harri-man party enter the city last Saturday eve-ning, twenty four hours ahead of time. Com-posing the party were E .H. Harriman, histwo sons, H. P. Hoey, construction engineerof the California Northeastern, W. V. Hill,Mr. Harriman's private secretary, Dr. Lyle,his physician, J. A. Taylor, the boys' tutorand valet. They were driven to the home ofMr. and Mrs. A. H. Naftager, where theyhad dinner. The night was spent at thehome of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Worden, fromwhere, after breakfasting, the party pro-ceeded to the Upper Lake where theyboarded the Buena Vista and went to Peli-can Bay.
"Mr. Harriman entered the KiamathBasin by way of the California Northeastern,being desirous of inspecting the line thatis to play such an important part in thethrough traffic berween Portland and SanFrancisco. He was highly pleased with themanner in which the work was being done,
and several times complimented Mr. Hoeyon the skilful manner in which he was exe-cuting his instructions.
"On reaching Bray's, the present terminusof the road, the party was driven in carri-ages to Teeters' landing where they boardedthe Steamer Kiamath and came to this city.Mr. Harriman seemed to realize the hard-ships encountered by passengers in reachingthe Klamath Basin, for he was quite fati-gued when he reached Teeters' landing.This was forgotten for the time in his sur-prise in seeing such a fine boat as the Kia-math, and plied Colonel Wilkins with manyquestions as to how the boat was broughthere, the demand for its services and manyother things connected with its operation.
"On board the boat to welcome the dis-tinguished financier were Colonel WilliamH. Holabird, whose guest Mr. Harrimanwill be during his sojourn at Pelican Bay,A. H. Naftzger, J. D. Church, engineer incharge of the work for the California North-eastern at this end, and W. S. Worden,right of way agent.
"The man who reached this city to hidehimself away from the cares of finance andrailroads was not the Harriman of WallStreet. It was the man of leisure, the manwho seeks a good time, a recreationist, adesire to free his mind from the labors thathave worn deep furrows in his brow andstamped their weight indelibly on his coun-tenance. One would think to look at himthat he was the last man in the world thatcontrolled millions upon millions and heldin his hand the welfare of thousands ofmiles of railroad; who has done more forthe progress of railroading than any man inthe history of the country; the man of allmen most villified and apparently misunder-stood, was "as plain as an old shoe," and itwas only when some question or subjectin which he was deeply interested wastouched upon that the fire that has been sodangerous to Wall St. manifested itself, hewas again the personification of the manwho is the mainspring of the greatest rail-road enterprise in history. He comes herefor the rest he much needs, and though hewill be in close touch with the outside
Ray Telford PhotoSpectators at the launching of the Winema, January 28, 1905. The Winema was launched sidewaysinto Link River, near the head on the west side. Note type of conveyances used.
were prepared with the goods and fed thehungry mob in the big dining room of thehotel. Ross Anderson will vouch for thequality of the food for the writer saw himperform the whole operation. He startedwith stuffed eggs, cold meat, bread andbutter, coffee, cake, more coffee and pieWhen he discovered he had omitted thebeans, he started in with these and madethe rounds again. But there were others.During the banquet toasts were given andthe guests entertained with witty stories.Col. W. H. Holabird proposed a toast tothe charming hostess who responded. Herreply was graceful and well chosen. Theafternoon was given up to strolls, tete-atetes, 'and the likes' through the tall tim-ber and along the shady banks of thestream We didn't have a 'sad' time comingback either. The singers were there withthe bells and nobody had a chance to sleep.Mrs. Jennings presented each guest with anattractive and pleasing souvenir in theshape of miniature suit cases filled with
bonbons." (Note: The late Edith RutenicMcLeod remarked in later times, "I keptmine for years.")
Early in the Winema's career an attemptwas made to navigate Wood River, asbusiness men in Fort Klamath area hadtold the owners they could go all the wayup the river to the bridge. This wouldshorten a long freight haul by team fromAgency Lake Landing. According to RayTelford, who was a member of the crew atthe time, it took 24 hours to wash the sandbar from the mouth of the river with thestern paddles so they could enter. In theprocess he says the sand filled in under theboat so that they could not move off thebar head first. Backing off the bar theyput a "hog" in the bottom of the boat thatwas never taken Out.
About two miles upstream, still backing,they reached a short turn which the bigboat could not negotiate, making it neces-sary to give up the entire project. How-ever, their troubles were not over, for upon
48. 41.
distance to reach the site. There were noheated automobiles for these hardy folk,where they could sit protected from theweather.
After the launching newspaper accountscontinue:
Feb. 16, 1905: Building cabin onWinema at Odessa.
Feb. 23, 1905: Winema with load oflumber from Griffith's mill to build cabinat old site. (On the flat south of FremontBridge on the west side of Link River, op-posite the headgates of the present dayGovernment Irrigation Canal.Ed.)
Apr. 20, 1905: First excursion of Wi-nema to be April 30. To leave Stanley andJames O'Neil wharf on east side of lake at8:30. Dinner at Odessa by Mrs. Griffith,return at 4:00. $1.00 for round trip.
The description of the latter is coveredin the May 4, 1905, issue of the Republi-can, The first excursion of the steamer'Winema,' which occurred last Sundayproved a grand success. Over 200 peopleenjoyed the trip to Odessa and Pelican Bay.Although the day was a little cool for anouting, the crowd was made as comfortableas at home in the roomy cabins and parlors.All the comforts of home have been pro-vided on the steamer by Messrs. Totten andHansberry. The ladies' parlor in particularwas a delight to the passengers, the furnish-ings being the best. The floor is coveredwith Brussels carpet and the comfortablechairs and cozy seats with the view of thebeautiful scenery afforded, add to the plea-sure of those who wish to rest. The steamerleft the landing at Upper Lake with theband playing, at 9:30 and 11:30 arrivedat Odessa. Besides Griffith's big hotel andbuildings, there are now quite a number ofcottages with sight of the boat landing, andas these came into view, it had the ap-pearance of quite a little village nestled onthe banks of the beautiful stream. Thedozens of rowboats to be seen anchored tothe wharves and under the boat sheds, werepromises of a pleasant time to the excursion-ists. As soon as the boat was anchored therewas a scramble for the shore. About halfan hour was spent in strolling over the
grounds and in boating, before dinner wasannounced. The big new dining room wassoon crowded and two tables were set inand Bridal chamber. And what a dinner itwas! Mrs. Griffith certainly knows how tofeed the hungry, and as was aptly remarkedby one of the visitors, "the dinner alonewas well worth the trip." The only regretexpressed by any of the guests was they wereunable to eat more. At 2 o'clock the steamerleft for a trip to Pelican Bay. Most of thepeople, however, were content with thepleasures to be found at Odessa and re-mained ashore to await the return. Thosewho wished to go were taken to the Lodgeand were back by 4:30 when the start wasmade for home. The steamer arrived at thelanding at 7: 15 with everyone feeling quitehappy and much pleased with their trip."
Another interesting account of an ex-cursion on the Winema is contained in theJune 8, 1905, Republican, 'Good luck andsuccess to Totten and Hansberry, the popu-lar owners of the steamer Winema. Sun-day was the occasion of the promised ex-cursion given in honor of Mrs. MolletteJennings, who very appropriately was giventhe honor of naming and christening thenew steamer Winema. The name suggestedby Mrs. Jennings was chosen from a listof several hundred submitted to the com-mittee. The story of the Indian woman,Winema, is a beautiful one, with whichour readers are familiar through thesecolumns.
"Mollette Jennings was the charminghostess to over 100 guests Sunday, and inspite of the weather everyone voted the ex-cursion to Odessa on the Winema a howl-ing success. Mrs. Evan R. Reams, as onlyshe can, dispelled all ceremony and made allfeel young; while Mrs. Galarneau and Mrs.Krause kept the ball rolling in the musicline. Everyone joined in and if anyoneoverlooked a college or coon song, it wasthe fault of the song. It is admitted thatsome of the musicians howled rather thansung, but that is what made the picnic asuccess and before they knew it the Winemawas winding her way up the narrow twistingchannel to Odessa. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith
world through the special telegraph linethat was erected for his private use, he isnot going to let business cares interferewith enjoyment of his vacation.
"It is the intention of Mr. Harriman andparty to indulge in all the sports and past-times that the wealth of Northern Klamathoffers. It will be a season of hunting andfishing and sightseeing. Bear, deer andmountain lion will be hunted, with possiblya few parting shots at the ducks for it isquite likely they will remain until after theduck season opens. Crater Lake and thebeautiful canyons of the northern part ofthe county will be visited, and Mr. Harri-man will be given an opportunity to seewhy Kiamath County lays claim to beingthe Switzerland of America."
The story of the Steamer Kiamath as re-ported by the newspapers, again continuesas the Republican, September 5, 1907 re-ports: "Boat Again On Keno Run. Un-toward circumstances have played a promi-nent part in transportation aftairs in thisregion during the past ten days, with theresult that the difficulties that have arisenin the path of establishing the boat servicebetween this city and Keno are removed andthe next week will see it an accomplishedfact. The key that unlocks the door was anattachment taken out by the American Bankand Trust Company against the navigationcompany and Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Woodbury.The approximate amount was $1,000.When it became evident that it was goingto be a difficult task to raise the funds tomeet the indebtedness covered by the attach-ment, W. R. Davis came forward with aproposition that offered a solution to theproblem, and incidentally gave him controlof the navigation company's property. Theindebtedness of the navigation company isclose to $10,000. The load has been prettyheavy for some time and especially since noagreement was made with the McIntyre andStage companies. Big corporations were or-ganized and some big talk indulged in, butit would seem that it was all moon-shine,for when it came to raising the cash itcould not be done. Davis, it is understoodhas offered to undertake the job. As securi-
ty he has a second mortgage, assumes controlover the affairs of the company, and willoperate all of its business. He will takecare of the attachment that now hangs overthe company and will meet the other in-debtedness as it falls due. In the meantimethe entire income of the company goes tohim to liquidate the indebtedness he as-sumes. That "Bill" Davis is able to takecare of the matter is well known. He willmake a contract with the McIntyre andStage companies and thus place the opera-tions of the steamer Kiamath on a payingbasis. It is an ill wind that blows no good.Out of all this trouble will come benefitto the public in general and the interestedparties in particular. The property of thenavigation company is recognized as beingvery valuable. Under the direction of Col.Wilkins it was prosperous, but other influ-ences often over-rode his judgement and itwas not long before it was traveling stormyseas. Now that it is again in the hands ofa man who will run it on business princi-pals and who will not be handicapped withpetty hair-splitting interferences it will oncemore return to its prosperity and in the endbe returned to the company free from debtand on a paying basis. The public will hailthe new deal with delight, for it cuts outthe ride from here to Keno, and the winterhas not the dark and stormy appearancethat it had."
Republican, September 12, 1907: "Asstated exclusively in last week's Republican,the boat service was re-established betweenthis city and Keno. W. R. Davis is thegeneral manager of the navigation com-pany, virtually occupying the position of areceiver. He has assumed the obligationsof the company thus relieving it from theattachment suit filed by the American Bankand Trust Company. The other obligationswill be paid off as they come due. Mr. Daviswill be reimbursed by the surplus accruingfrom the operation of the boat and when allindebtedness is wiped out, the property willbe returned to the navigation company'sstockholders. The fare from Pokegama sincethe inauguration of the boat service is $4,the same as it was last winter. Begintiing
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October 1st all freight will come into thiscity by boat, the transfer being made atKeno. It will be seen that the operation ofthe boat will be a profitable proposition."
The Evening Herald of April 11, 1908announced: "Monday morning the mailwill go from this city to Teeters' Landingon the steamer Kiamath. There it will bemet by the mail stage which will carry pas-sengers to Pokegama. This service will con-tinue until the mail route is changed."
The Evening Herald of April 20th, fur-ther announced that: "The steamer Kiamathbursted one of her pipes this morningwhen about two miles from the dock. Theaccident put the boat Out of commissionand a party returned to the city in a rowboat to get a launch to take the passengersand mail on to Teeters' Landing. The acci-dent will put the steamer Out of service fora day or two,"
In the spring of 1908, with the approachof the railroad from the south, the Republi-can of April 2, announced that "on April
5th, the Klamath Falls TransportationCompany (W. R. Davis) will begin haul-ing freight from the railhead at MountHebron. The freight will be transferredfrom the wagons to the Steamer Kiamathat Teeters' Landing."
By the end of the month, the rails hadadvanced far enough that a stage beganrunning from Dorris to Teeters' Landing,and the Kiamath was being thoroughlyoverhauled. (Rep. April 30, 1908.)
On June 1st, the Evening Herald report-ed: "The mail will arrive tonight on thesteamer Kiamath, coming in for the firsttime by way of Dorris. It will be later inthe evening when it arrives, and if the trainshould be late it will arrive here too late forevening distribution."
By August 2 7th, the Evening Herald re-ported that the Kiamath was making twotrips per day from Teeters' Landing. Onthe first trip in the morning, 30 tons offreight was brought in on a barge, then thereturn trip to Teeters' was made with a
Maude Baldwin PhotoSteamer Kiamath at the docks of the Kiamath Lake Navigation Company, at the mouth of Link River,below the bridge and on the east side.
Maude Baldwin PhotoHauling in the 14,000 lb. boiler for the steamer Winema, from Pokegama by freight team. Joe Moorestanding on the running gears. Jim Moore driving the "snap team.'
lbs. and was brought to Kiamath Falls fromthe Pokegama terminal of the Kiamath LakeRailroad by Joe Moore who hauled theequipment by a horse-drawn wagon usingas many as 10 horses at a time.
As construction of the marvelous newboat progressed, the local newspaper, theRepublican, kept its readers informed:
Nov. 3, 1904: G. W. Walker, ship buil-der, arrives from Prtland.
Jan. 12, 1905: Totten & Hansbcrry de-sire name for new boat.
Jan. 19, 1905: Lewis & Peil doing ironwork on new boat.
We can picture the anticipation and ex-citement as the steamer neared completion,for an article in the Republican at this timestates that 73 persons submitted names.The article goes on to say that a committeecomposed of Oscar C. Stone, L. F. Willits,
St. Geo. Bishop, Ross Anderson, and J.Rutenic selected the name Wi-ne-ma
from those suggested. It was then foundthat three persons, Mr. F. W. Jennings (neeMollie Reames), F. H. Brandenburg, and
Paul Delaney, (a Western fiction-storywriter), had submitted this name. The win-ner, Mrs. Jennings, was chosen by placingthe three names in a hat and drawing one.The article informs us, "It has been de-cided to postpone the launching of the boatuntil next Saturday afternoon, as the paintis not yet dry. If the weather permits, onthat date the big event will take place."
Saturday, January 28, 1905, the eagerlyawaited launching was accomplished. Mrs.Jennings smashed a bottle of French wineacross the bow of the boat and declared,"On the waters of the Mighty Klamath,under God's blue canopy, with wine fromsunny France, I christen thee Winema."
In spite of the weather, which, althoughit is not mentioned in any of the news-paper accounts, had to be cold at that tTmeof year, approximately 250 people from thebooming little town of Klamath Falls tookpart in the festivities. That this was a majorevent in the community we can tell fromthis turnout, since they had either to walkor drive by horse and buggy quite some
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Copy negative of an old postcard.The Canby hauling the dinky engine up Kiamath River from Teeters' Landing to Klamath Falls.
the poor grizzly will have to suffer."June 11, 1908; The Evening Herald:
"The steamer Canby o w n e d by Ackleybrothers, undergoing repairs, new wheel arida thorough overhauling."
Republican, August 4, 1908: "...70,000lbs. chopped barley, 6,000 lbs. flour, loadedonto a barge and the Canby at MerrillLanding, for Erickson and Peterson, railroadcontractors at Teeters' Landing."
September 3, 1908: "Martin Brothers
WINEMA
Moonlight excursions with a band fordancing, Sunday cruises to Odessa for $1.00round trip, annual high school picnicsthese nostaligic memories are all that remaintoday of the steamer Winema, which car-ried both passengers and freight on UpperKiamath Lake during the first part of thetwentieth century when boats were the chiefmode of transportation in the Klamathcountry. A plush stern-wheeler, originallyconstructed with three decks, she ruled asundisputed "Queen of the Lake" from 1905until 1919 when she was placed in dry-
have a contract for 200 tons of barley forErickson and Peterson, one half to be ship-ped from Kiamath Falls, and one half fromMerrill Landing. The barley is to be hauledby the Canby to Teeters' Landing."
September 17, 1908: ". . . Canby beingrebuilt..."
February 18, 1909: "Pete Jones is firingon the Canby. This was formerly done byJack Garrett."
by Dane Runnelsdock near the present day Pelican Marinawhere she finally burned in 1927.
Built by John T. Totten and his partner,Harry Hansberry, she was the largest boatever to travel the waters of the Klamathcountry. Vital statistics recorded for thelady show her length to have been 125 feet,width 22 feet, and because of the shallowdepth of Upper Kiamath Lake a minimumdraught of 22 inches when empty.
In an interview with Totten, then 96, theFebruary 2, 1965, issue of the Herald andNews states that her boiler weighed 14,000
barge load of box material. The secondtrip back to Kiamath Falls, passengers,mail, etc., which arrived in the evening.This latter trip was made in one hour and40 minutes, at least on this one occasion.
The Evening Herald, November 12th:"The steamer Kiamath moved a dinky en-gine and steam shovel to Klamath Fallsthis week."
The Evening Herald, Novembet 26, 1908announced that the railroad had reachedWorden, and that Abel Ady was running astage between that place and Blidell, thenew name for Teeters' Landing.
By December the problem of ice againconfronted the Kiamath, (Evening Herald,December 17.) and someone started con-struction of an ice breaker, with the prin-ciple of running under the ice. No men-tion can be found of the outcome of thisventure, nor the outcome of the ice prob-lem during the remainder of the winter.
Republican, May 27, 1909: "More thanone hundred Kiamath Falls people werepassengers on the steamer Kiamath lastThursday for Ady, where they met the firsttrain coming into this city. The steamerleft the wharf shortly after 9 o'clock. Alarge crowd had gathered at the water frontto see her start on her last trip to connectwith the railroad. For several months thesteamer Kiamath has been doing excellentservice for Kiamath Falls, and it is with afeeling of regret that the residents of thecity watched the boat start on her finaljourney of commercial importance.
"Shortly before noon the boat arrived atAdy. M a n y of the excursionists hadbrought lunch baskets and enjoyed theirdinners sitting in the shade of box cars onpiles of ties. The novelty of the experienceappealed to everyone and enthusiasm flow-ed galore. No sooner did the train get insight when the experimental farm, whichwas the center of attraction, was deserted,and all rushed to the station to join thecrowd irs a demonstration. On the trainthen were a number of regular passengers,besides some twenty excursionists fromDorris. En route to this city the band ac-companying Peterson Bros.' theatrical troupe
rendered a number of selections, addingmuch to the excitement that was prevalent.
"In this city all business was suspended.Merchants, clerks and laborers deserted theirplaces of business and their work to join ingreeting the first train. School was closedfor the afternoon and hundreds of schoolchildren mingled their shouts with the musicrendered by the Klamath Falls MilitaryBand and also by Peterson Bros.' Band. Itis conservatively estimated that 1,200 men,women and children gathered at the depotsite to herald the arrival of the long-awaited iron horse. The crowd remained atthe station until after the train took its de-parture. Many of the residents of the citytook passage on the first train so as to havethe distinction of leaving on the first train.
"It was noticeable that among the excur-sionists who went to Ady there were manyof the pioneers of the Kiamath country.While there was a general sprinkling ofnew blood among the enthusiasts, still theold prevailed. Several of the Indian womenwho make this city their home also tookoccasion to win the distinction of beingamong the passengers who rode into thecity on the first train. Those of the ex-cursionists who have resided in the Kla-math country for twenty years or morewere: Mr. & Mrs. A. L. Leavitt, J. M.Fountain, Miss Laurinda Sauber, Mrs. Am-anda Hamaker, Mamie Boyd, Mr. & Mrs. J.G. Schallock, Mr. & Mrs. W. F. Arant, Mrs.R. A. Oliver, Miss Maude Baldwin, R. S.Moore, J. A. Uerlings, Mr. & Mrs. J. V.Houston, Merle Houston, Ky Taylor, C. I.Roberts and Alex Martin Sr."
With the arrival of the railroad in Kia-math Falls, practically all business for theSteamer Kiamath had come to an end, so byJuly 1st, the Republican reported: "TOTRANSFER STEAMER KLAMATH. Plansare being made by the Kiamath Lake N ivi-gation Company to move the steamer Kia-math to the Upper Lake. Recently partieshave been here from Portland to figure onthe contract for moving the boat. Whilethe plans of the navigation company are siotyet fully matured, still it is certain that the
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Klamath will be moved, and a through rateto the great Oregon wonder established.
"The boat will connect with the stage lineto Crater Lake at some point on CrystalCreek, making the route as short as possibleMr. Fassett who has charge of the trans-portation matters, states that it is the planof his company to establish a service whichwill enable passengers to arrive at CraterLake twelve hours after they leave this city.
Soundings have recently been taken onthe Upper Lake and the reports are that ithas been found feasible to operate theKiamath to good advantage. In order tomove the boat it will be necessary to take itto pieces and rebuild it. The plans of theKlamath Lake Navigation Company will beperfected in the near future and some defi-nite action will then be taken."
The moving of the Klamath to the UpperLake, "As Told To Me by Ray Telford,"seems not to have been done until some-time during the spring of 1910. The onlyinclination as to the date of moving comesfrom the following article in the EveningHerald, July 1, 1910: "The Steamer Kla-math today starts on its trial run to AgencyLanding. It has been thoroughly overhauled and repainted since being trans-ferred."
The story is then continued by the Eve-ning Herald: "July 18, 1910, some 60persons were taken on the Steamer Kiamath,by Col. Wilkins, on the 17th, to RockyPoint.
May 10, 1911, a High School excursionwas taken on the Steamer Klamath to theAgency, where a ball game took place, thenon to Ft. Kiamath the next day, and a gameheld there, the return trip again by theKiamath.
May 25, 1911, the Steamer Klamath wasone of the favorites in the Klamath LakeNavigation Company's fleet, making dailytrips to Eagle Ridge and Rocky Point, leav-ing at 9:00 and returning at 5:00, Capt.Reed in c h a r g e. The Steamer Klamatbchanged into an oil burner, had an oil caron the mill siding (Pelican Bay LumberCo.), pumping into a tank
November 18, 1911, the Steamer Kla-math recently towed rafts of logs, one of300,000 and another of 750,000 feet, fromOdessa to the Pelican Bay mill.
March 21, 1912, describes the loggingoperations at Pelican Bay, as consisting of80 men in the woods, 1 railroad engine, 16logging cars, a McGiffert loader, and theSteamer Kiamath to tow the logs to the saw-mill and haul supplies to the camp.
-Maude Baldwin PhotoSteamer Kiamath and the Spray at Eagle Ridge dock, Upper Kiamath Lake.
Eagle Point to take on wood. The captainand engineer went on shore and returningshortly afterward discovered the boat onfire. The rope which secured the boat toshore had burned and the steamer wasdrifting Out into the lake. Nothing couldbe done to stop the fire and she burned tothe waters edge.
"The steamer was built early this yearbut did not get running until quite late inthe season. Since then, however, it had donea good business, carrying tourists and hunt-ers to Odessa, Pelican Bay and other pointson the lake. Mr. Staton expects to buildanother boat for next season, one that isfaster and better."
The final mention of the Jessie came onAugust 17, 1905, when the Republican re-ported: "The Kiamath Lake Lumber Com-pany have bought. . . the machinery that wason the wrecked steamer Jessie from J. F.
CANBY..The launching of the Canby can be very
closely estimated from an article in theOctober 6, 1904, Republican: "Thos. Mc-Cormack, the sawmill man of Keno, wasin town Monday. He says that his newsteamboat will be ready to run the latterpart of next week, (12 to 15th-Ed.). Heis now putting in his new machinery."
If any part or parts of the Mayflowerwere used in the General Canby, the nameunder which the new steamer was firstknown, there is no record of it. Accordingto Stern-Wheelers up Columbia, Page 91,the Canby was a stern-wheeler, built atKeno, in 1904, capacity 48 tons, length 90feet, (This description may in part refer tothe second Canby-Ed.) and Out of regis-try by 1912. This first Canby had a ropedrive, the second, two iron drivers, or arms,one on either side of the boat. Both hullswere different but built alike, square acrossthe front, like a barge, while the Mayflowerhad a sharp prow like all boats. (Statementby Bryce McCormack.)
Further history of the Canby as reportedby the Republican down through the yearsfollow:
Goeller. The company are putting this ma-chinery in their new planing mill at theMarion Hanks place and will soon be readywith all kinds of flooring, ceiling, andrustic."
It may be well to wind up Mr. Staton'scareer, in so far as it is known, at thistime. On Nov. 12, 1905, he was reportedas starting a mink farm at RattlesnakePoint. On January 7, 1909, he was towinglogs with the Hazelton. On April 1, 1909,Staton, the mink man, was busy catchingfish. On April 22, 1909, he had installed agasoline engine in his "schooner Tartar,"in which he would carry sand from WoodRiver. On July 1, 1909, he was reported asinstalling a second engine in the launchHohenzollern, to obtain more speed.
Lastly, on July 15, 1909, Tom Staton'splace at Rattlesnake Point was reported asbeing appraised by the Railroad.
November 24, 1904: "McCormack's'General Canby' came up Tuesday with abarge load of wood for Adams dredge."
"A few days ago, the 'General Can by'towed up two barges from Oklahoma Land-ing. The load was 55 tonS of hay for LyleMills, Keno."
May 5, 1905: "The steamer GeneralCanby will make the trip from KlamathFalls to White Lake City on June 1, to ac-commodate those who desire to attend theopening. The boat will return the sameday."
June 30, 1905: "Ackley Brothers have alease on the Canby, which they will over-haul and improve."
December 20, 1905: "John Depuy andothers put loaded freight wagons on theCanby and shipped them to Klamath Falls,rather than buck the mud. This happenedlast Monday. They led their horses to theFalls."
September 5, 1907: "The captain and en-gineers of the Canby, Sam Padgett, DanDoten and Bryce McCormack have gone tothe hills for a hunt, loaded for bear. Now
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JESSIE.As early as June 18, 1903, the Republi-
can informs us that: Torn Staton, who hasa shinglemill on Rattlesnake Point, on BigKlamath Lake came down Tuesday with aload of shingles for Reams & Jennings.This was Mr. Staton's initial trip with hisnew sail boat, which he had built thisspring."
One year later, the Republican of June23, 1904, reports: 'Last week Thos. Statoribrought down his new steamboat fromRattlesnake Point, where it was constructed.It is now tied up at the head of Link River,where the finishing work is being done. Theboat is built after the style of the Columbiariver flat boats and is 14 by 48 feet withone deck and the pilot house above. Thengine and boiler are placed well to thefront and are balanced by the big sternwheel. This leaves a nice roomy cabin,capable of accommodating over 50 persons.The side seats are to be elegantly uphol-stered with red and dark green material andsubstantial high backed dining room chairswill be placed in the center.
"Mr. Staton says that he will be ready bythe 1st of July to make daily trips. Weekdays the steamer will leave the west side
landing at about 7 o'clock and then gorcross to Hank's landing on the east side.It will touch at Pelican Bay, the Lodge andthe Agency and up Wood River to Mel-hase's landing below Fort Klamath. Thereturn trip will be made in the afternoon.Excursions will be made every Sunday todifferent points on the lake, with special ex-cursion rates for the round trip."
At least by July 14th, he was ready, foron that date it was reported, the "SteamerJessie had departed for Shoalwater bay fora log raft for the Moore mill."
The Jessie served as an excursion boat atleast once, for on July 2 1st, it was reported:"About fifty people boarded the steamer'Jessie' at the landing on Upper Klamathand made the trip to Odessa, Sunday, wherethey were served with dinner at the hotel.They all speak of having a very enjoyabletime."
The Jessie's life was very short lived,however, for on September 12th, she wascompletely destroyed by fire. (Rep. Sept. 22,1904.) "The loss is estimated at $2,700with an insurance of $1,500.
"The Jessie was on her up lake trip withno passengers on board and had stopped at
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe Jessie at Pelican Bay. This was the first beat picture ever printed in a Klamath Falls newspaper,The Kiamath Republican, February 9, 1905.
September 25, 1913, told of difficultiesattached to the moving of the SteamerKiamath. It seems that M. R. Doty was toraise the Steamer Klamath, then a spur wasto be built to it. The railroad, however,failed to build the spur. Doty was thenhired to move the boat 700 feet to the rail-road by Col. M. G. Wilkins, vice-presidentof the Klamath Lake Navigation Co. Thecompany refused pay, saying Wilkins didnot have the authority without special di-rection from the General Manager, Mr.Parkhurst. The jury in the Lower Courtbrought judgment in favor of Doty andthis was sustained by a Supreme Courtdecision.
November 13, 1913: "...formerly op-erated by the Crater Lake Company, . . nowowned by the Pelican Bay Lumber Com-pany, and used in towing logs."
CURLEW
In early April, 1908, H. C. Telford andSon began construction of a 36 foot launchfor Griffith's at Odessa, (Republican, April2, 1908). This launch was later christenedthe Curlew.
By April 16, 1909, the Curlew had beentransferred from John Griffith to W. H.Clark and H. E. Calkins. A regular dailyservice was then planned. It was plannedthe Curlew was to be put on the regularpassenger routes for the coming season.Moorage was at the Buena Vista landingwith Sunday excursions planned for thesummer months.
By May 5, 1909, (The Republican), theCurlew was making regular trips from KIa-math Falls to Agency Landing via Odessa.From there, the stage continued the routeon to Fort Klamath.
A week later it was announced, the Cur-lew would run into Odessa every day, dueto the several logging camps in operationnearby. J. A. Martin carried the mail onthe Curlew until summer service to Ash-Jand could be resumed by stage.
Items of note from the Republican, fol-
December 11, 1913 reports the SteamerKlamath as leaving Pelican Bay Tuesdaymorning, with James C. Johnson and 80men, plus a barge load of Christmas treesto be shipped to Portland, and reaching thedock here late Wednesday night. The ice insome places was six inches thick, and in noplace less than four inches. Some of themen went ashore on the ice and walkedoverland to Klamath Falls. This was thelast trip of the season.
The Steamer Klamath continued in usefor a number of years, and later when herservices were no longer required, was tiedup at the mill end of the cut leading fromthe Upper Lake to the sawmill itself. Junk.ed and abandoned, it had sunk to the bot-tom of the log cut, long before the pictureon the last page of this book, was taken inMarch, 1948.
low, July 1, 1909: "The high south windyesterday nearly dried up the lake. The biglaunch Curlew grounded in her stall in theboathouse and there was a fair current upthe lake all day." July 15, 1909: "W. H.Clark, who with W. A. Calkins, operatedand owned the launch Curlew on the UpperLake, has disposed of his half interest in theboat to J. L. Martin, the Fort KiamathStage man. Mr. Martin will be located inthe city and look after this end of the busi-ness. Capt. Calkins will operate the launchand care for the comfort of passengers. Thecaptain has two ambitionsto make hispassengers comfortable and to have the bestchickens in the state. If you want to gethim really interested, talk chickens to him,and he will drop everything except his at-tention to his boat, and he will comepretty near doing that too."
Capt. Calkins sold his interest in theCurlew to the California-Oregon PowerCompany in 1924, (Herald & News, De-cember 6, 1943). After years of faithfulservice, the remains of the Curlew lay along-side the Copco boathouse for years.
36. 53.
Maude BaI&win PhotoBuena Vista (later the White Pelican) at Budd Spring (flew U.S.F.S. Camperee Spring), 1907-1911 period.
BUENA VISTAThe Buena Vista was built by Pete Perry
in his boat shop near the point above Fre-mont Bridge. It was launched Friday, April12, 1907, and cost over $3,000. It had a 20horse power gasoline engine (Republican,April 18, 1907).
On Monday, April 15th, the Buena Vistamade an excursion to Wood River, whereit went upstream as far as George Loosley'splace. "J. L. Buell, of the Klamath FallsLand and Transportation Co., and managerof the boat, E. R. Reames, Judge Griffith,T. W. Stephens, Chas. Withrow, J. T. Tot-ten, Gus Melhase, Capt. Perry, builder of theboat, B. St. George Bishop, W. E. Virgil,Frank Courtade, who will be future boss ofboats making this trip and L. A. Murry ofPortland, who installed the engine, werethe party on board the Buena Vista, andgave it Its successful trial run.'
A week later, April 25th, the Republicanagain reported: "One of the delightfulparties of the season was given by Mrs. E.R. Reames when she entertained a numberof her friends on board the launch BuenaVista last Thursday. The guests were takento Squaw Point where they disembarked andenjoyed a delicious luncheon. Cards wereplayed both going and coming and theevent was one of the most pleasant outingsever given on the Upper Lake."
Used the next few years for excursionsand chartered to parties, the boat is next
mentioned in the Evening Herald of May11, 1911, as follows: "The old joke BuenaVista has been remodeled into the WhitePelican." This was evidently the occasionof Curly McDonald, the boat builder, cut-ting the boat in two and adding in a sectionin the middle to lengthen it.
Finally on July 4, 1912, The EveningHerald reports: "The White Pelican launchhas been remodeled and painted, and here-after will be used as the private launch ofW. Paul Johnson."
BARBARA.Very little is known of the launch Bar-
bara, owned by B. St. George Bishop. Itseems to have been on the Kiamath Riverby April 1908 or before, possibly in 1907.According to the Republican of April 23,1908: "Bishop offered the defeated politicalcandidates an excursion trip down river."
Again, according to the Republican ofJuly 11, 1909, the Barbara then on the Up-per Lake, took a party of business men toWood River to investigate the feasibility ofthe U.S. Government opening that streamto boat traffic. The launch took the partyas far as the Weed Bridge, from where theycontinued on by land to Fort Klamath. Theparty consisted of U.S. Engineer Schubert,B. St. George Bishop, R. H. Dunbar, JudgeHenry L. Benson, Judge George T. Baldwin,E. B. Hall, and a Mr. Maddox.
We have no further informationBarbara.
On April 6, 1905, it was announced that,"The Klamath Lake Navigation Companywill enlarge the Wharf. On their 300 footwater front they will construct a wharf,240 x 60 feet."
Sometime during the 1905 season, theAdams dredge built a channel from theopen water of Lower Klamath Lake, throughthe Tule swamp to Laird's and constructeda turn-around there. By October 12, 1905the Republican reported: "Steamer Kia-math to Make Daily Trips. The KlamathLake Navigation Company will, this comingweek, start the steamer Klamath on regulartrips to Lairds Landing, where it will con-nect with the stage from the terminus ofthe McCloud River Railroad. . . . they hadengaged an engineer and that the Klamathwould make a trip to the Lower Lake in afew days. Next week they will begin regu-lar round-trips daily between Laird's Land-ing and Kiamath Falls, and would be readyto handle freight and passengers for theKlamath country. A stage line is now inoperation between Lairds Landing and theterminus of the McCloud road, The stagecompany is composed of Messrs. Davis,Laird, and Martin, and promise good ser-
vice. Some freight has already been ship-ped over this road and has been brought tothis city by the launch (Ewauna).
Among her many duties, the Ewauna,also took time to carry a moonlight partyto Teter's Landing, piloted by Tom Wil-liams.
The Ewauna seems to have acquired theKlamath Falls to Keno, segment of thePokegama run according to Republican ofDecember 26, 1907, while the Klamathhandled the Klamath Falls to Lairds Land-ing route.
As long as the Kiamath remained inservice on the Lower Lake, the Ewaunaseems to have been held in reserve, shouldanything happen to the Kiamath. Wehave records of this very thing takingplace occasionally.
What became of the Ewauna is unknownbut the Tule as told by Jack Linman wastransferred to the Upper Lake and was inuse there between 1912 and 1918 as atender for the J. Frank Adams dredge. Itis supposed to finally have sunk some-where be tw e en Shippingron and BuckIsland.
54. 35.
on the Maude Baldwin PhotoA composite Photo. Ewauna being transported to the Upper Lake.
day in charge of Capt. S. V. Short and G.H. Woodbury. The small boat, 'Tule', waslaunched at Keno and made the trial tripup the river Monday morning, arriving hereat 11 o'clock, covering the distance of 24miles in less than t h r e e hours. The'EWaUa' was brought through by team andtaken to the upper lake, where it will belaunched Wednesday. This boat will beused to take soundings of the upper laketo determine whether they can use a pro-peller or will have to put in a stern wheelon their big steamer. This boat will bebuilt here and be a two decker, able tocarry 200 passengers. The Contract for a130 horse power boiler has been let to thePortland Iron Works. If they put in astern wheel, they will probably use two50-horse power engines. As soon as thesoundings are made on the Big Klamath,the Ewauna will be brought back to thelower lake and used for passenger servicebetween here and Keno. We believe thatthe time is not far distant when the Sou-thern Pacific and the Klamath Lake Rail-road will be selling through tickets to Kia-math Falls by way of the Kiamath LakeNavigation Company. A subscription paperwas circulated among business men by WillS. Worden, to procure money to build atemporary dock to be used as landing forthe new boats. We understand sufficientmoney has been raised. The lumber is onthe ground and work commenced yesterday.The dock will be built at the east end ofthe bridge and will be 18 x 76 feet. Mon-day evening, after the arrival of the launch-es here, Capt. Woodbury gave a very de-lightful excursion down the lake to therepresentatives of the paper and a numberof citizens. The small boat will comfor-tably carry about 20 people and is an ideallittle boat for excursion parties."
The Republican of August 20, 1903, re-ported that the Tule had made its first ex-cursion, ". . . 14 people to Keno wheredinner was served by L. 0. Mills at hishotel."
September 24, 1903, it was reported thatthe Ewauna in addition to her regularduties of taking soundings, also carried
passengers to Klamath Agency and duckhunting parties to Odessa.
October 1, 1903, it was reported that"Clyde Huff man and Floyd Brandenburgare building a barge 14 x 35 feet for theKlamath Lake Navigation Company, to beused between Keno and Klamath Falls."
October 22, it was announced that thesame company had "purchased of MajorWorden Lot No. 1, with the dock andwarehouse at the east end of the bridge."
November 1 2th's Republican reportedthat the Ewauna was moved "from the Up-per Klamath Lake to Lower Lake Tuesdaywhere it will be used in the passenger ser-vice between Klamath Falls and Keno, andis expected to run all winter."
With railroad rumors and transportationplans uppermost in everyone's mind, theRepublican of August 18, 1904 reported:'A number of business men took an ex-cursion on the launch 'Ewauna' Saturdayafternoon to the lower lake, returning Sun-day. There were J. W. Hamaker, B. St.George Bishop, J. C. Rutenic, H. FredSchallock, W. K. Brown, G. W. Woodbury,and J. R. Stilts. The party went for an out-ing and incidentally to investigate the pos-sibilities of the extension of the WeedRailroad. They visited at the Davis rancheight miles from the lake, and J. W. Ham-aker was delegated to go on to the terminusof the Weed road. This was simply a pri-vate investigation and shows that ourpeople are becoming interested in more de-sirable transportation facilities."
Another item that might be of interest,was the report of October 6th, that "MajorC. E. Worden was to improve the docksand plant trees." Undoubtedly these are thetrees growing presently in the western por-tion of the Veterans Memorial Park.
On January 5, 1905 the Republican re-ported: "The Tule arrived overland fromTule Lake yesterday, by wagon. It is to goon the Klamath River between KlamathFalls and Keno." (According to JohnYadon's reminiscences, the Tule had beenin use on the Lower Lake and Tule Lake,in taking soundings of those bodies ofwater, by the Reclamation Service.
MAZAMA...For several reasons, it is thought b'est to
give most of the history of the M4zama bya series of newspaper articles as follows:
Republican, February 27, 1908: "J. B.C. Taylor and M. F. Parker, are building,near Hanks Landing, a fast traveling steam-boat for service between Klamath Falls andFort Klamath. The boat will be 50 feetlong and 12 foot beam with cabin andpilot house, and will be equipped with two12 horsepower engines and twin screwpropellers.
'The keel has been laid and the frameup and lumber is ready for the sides. Theboat will be ready for use by May 1. Theregular round trip, daily run between thiscity and the Fort will be inaugurated aboutJune 1. The steamboat is especially con-structed for use on the river and will beable to make the short turns necessary,which are impossible for boats the size of
The first Mazama on Uppef Kramath lake.
the Winema. It is to be used for convey-ing passengers and light freight to theWood River country."
Republican, March 19, 1908: "Articlesof incorporation have been filed with theSecretary of State and also with the CountyClerk, of the Crater Lake Navigation Com-pany, with M. F. Parker, J. B. C. Taylorand Jennie Gates as incorporarors. Thecompany is capitalized at $5,000. Thestock is fully subscribed and there is nonefor sale. Mr. Taylor has been elected gen..eral manager. The company proposes toengage in and operate steam and electricboats on the Upper Klamath Lake and allthe tributaries, including Wood River. Theywill carry passengers and freight.
'M. F. Parker returned from Fort Kla-math Thursday in the gasoline launch. Hesays that they will be able to travel WoodRiver within a short distance of the Fort in
34. 55.
their new steamboat but work will have tobe done on the lower end as soon as thedredge arrives.
"J. B. C. Taylor left for San FranciscoSunday to purchase the machinery for thesteamboat which is being built for WoodRiver."
The Republican of April 2, 1908, re-ported that Taylor got the boiler and en-gine for $3,500, and that the boat wasabout completed.
The Evening Herald of May 5th, 1908,announced that the Mazama was launched'yesterday," by Parker and Taylor, andthat the machinery had not yet arrived.
The Evening Herald of June 1, 1908, an-nounced that the engines for the Mazama'will be installed this week.'
The Evening Herald of July 30, 1908,announced that the Mazama had made itsfirst trip up Wood River, to the WeedBridge the day before. The word had beentelephoned in from Klamath Agency,where it was said the boat could be seen,working its way up the river. The bar atthe mouth of the river "had been removedto such an extent that boats could readilycross." The work was being done by a Mr.Jas. Wheeler for $100.
The Evening Herald of October 11,1908, announced that the Mazama hadoverturned at Eagle Point, in about 6 feetof water; that the Mazama was headed forFort Kiamath, and that the load was trans-ferred to a barge which was poled to shore.
Republican, October 22, 1908: ".. . Ma-zama still sunk. . . Hornet standing by."
Republican, January 7, 1909: "TheMazama will be on dry dock for a fewdays."
Republican, March 25, 1909: "TheMazama went up lake yesterday - . . towinglogs from Crystal Creek to Long LakeLumber Company."
Republican, April 22, 1909: "The steam-er Mazama is receiving extensive repairs.When completed she will run on regulartrips to Wood River."
Republican, June 24, 1909: "The Ma-zama is in the employ of the SouthernPacific Company,..."
Republican, July 1, 1909: "A new factorhas entered the hay market of KlamathFalls, and it is one that is going to cuta considerable figure. This new factor isthe Fort Klamath countrya section thatheretofore has never been able to get hayto this market on account of its isolatedposition from transportation. But thingsare changing rapidly in the northern partof the county, and nothing is playing amore prominent part in this work thanWood Rivera stream that was never sup-posed to hold within its confines the un-locking of a territory greater than somestates and with resources sufficient to sup-ply a vast army. But the magic key hasbeen found when the work of deepeningthe bar and straightening the river was firstundertaken, and the results following thesmall amount of work done have been sogreat as to insure greater development ofthe stream in the future.
"The Mazama has entered into the busi-ness of hauling hay from Fort Kiamath. Thelaunch runs within four miles of the city,or to the Weed bridge, at which point ar-rangements have been made for dockageand where hay is loaded directly from thewagons. C. T. Oliver has contracted for170 tons of this hay, and others are al-ready negotiating for larger purchases. Thequality of the Fort hay is such as to openfor it a ready market at a price equal, ifnot above, that generally paid for the prod-uct of the lower valleys.
'No trouble has been experienced by theMazanza in crossing the bar at the mouth ofthe river, the channel being kept open bythe regular traffic that now floats on thebosom of this magnificent little stream.Since the warm weather has set, the levelin the river has risen to an appreciableextent, and this condition will continue forthe rest of the summer.
"While conditions are far superior towhat they were a year ago, there is a gooddeal of room for improvement. F. M.Parker is of the opinion that the expendi-ture of $100 would be sufficient to removeall of the principal obstacles to the easynavigation of the stream, but a great deal
56.
name appears, the Hornet, with Capt. Hans-berry in charge.
After innumerable articles reporting theHornet, during the remainder of 1908 andmost of 1909, towing logs, pushing bargesof sand, hauling lumber and what have you,
THE TULE AND EWAUNA.
By early 1903 a small group of men, S.V. Short, George H. Woodberry, and E. E.Upmyer, formed the Klamath Lake Navi-gation Company. The Republican of July16, 1903, reported their filing of articlesof incorporation with the Secretary of Stateat Salem, with the amount of Capital Stockset at $10,000. It was further reported thecompany was preparing to ply gasolinelaunches on the Klamath Lakes, and theboats were expected here within a few days.
The two launches, the Tule, 25 ft. inlength, and the Ewauna 40 ft., were builtin Portland by 0. L. Graham. The twolaunches were shipped by the Southern Pa-ci1c to Thrall, and thence to Pokegama.
The Republican of August 13, 1903 in-forms us: '. . . The smaller bo, the Tulebeing but 25 feet in length, was loaded
Tule at Pelican Bay
33.
we come to the final mention found to date,of this mixed up steamer:
The Evening Herald, November 25,1909: "The steamer Hornet of today, is theold Alma, rechristened and still doing goodservice, owned now by Captain Bristow."
into the larger after being tightly lashedand blocked to prevent swaying or chafingagainst the stanchions along the side of thecar, were switched to the main track todayand started upon their journey to the borderof the Webfoot state. There they will berouted over the Klamath Falls railroad toPokegama. From that point they will behauled to Keno 18 miles distant. . . . Thelaunches are so divided that the passengeraccommodations and the engine rooms areseparate. Glass doors and windows, to-gether with curtains, afford protection tothose aboard, and in every way they are ascozy as can be......
One week later the Republican furtherinforms us: "The two gasoline launcheswhich were built in Portland for the Kla-math Navigation Company, arrived Mon-
-Maude Baldwin Photo
Maude Baldwin PhotoPelican Bay landing, boathouse, lodge and cabins, later owned by E. H. Harriman. The boat approach-ing the dock was the old Alma.
big scow constructed by J. M. Sampson, anexperienced boat builder, and will use it thecoming season in hauling wood to thisplace, where he proposes to start a woodyard." He also planned to have Mr. Samp-son build a large steamer, 'and have itready for business next summer." In themeantime, however, new machinery seemsto have been installed in the old Alma hull(June 11, 1903.) The new boat, a twodeck stern wheel steamer, 48 x 14, (andthis appears to be the Alma of which wehave pictures), supposely capable of from12 to 16 miles per hour, was in use bymid October, witness: "A. C. Griffith wasdown Sunday with his new steamboat,which has just been completed." Republi-can, Oct. 15, 1903.
The Alma during the next few years isreported as bringing down log rafts, bargeloads of lumber, and barge loads of wood,returning with hay, supplies, logging equip-ment and sawmill machinery.
On August 18, 1904, it was reported thatconstruction on a new steamer, 90 x 18 x 2100 tons displacement, was to start in afew days, this to have "extensive passengeraccommodations." However, there seems tobe no evidence this boat was ever constructed.
We now come to almost a two year lossof boating records, most of 1906 and 1907.
Next, on February 17, 1908, it was re-ported that "Totten and Hansberry dis-solve partnership." Soon thereafter, a new
more than this sum ought to be expendedin order to make such improvements as toinsure the permanent use of the river as amedium for transportation of all the freightthat goes into northern Klamath."
Republican, August 5, 1909: "TheSteamer Mazama has delivered a hundredtons of hay from Wood River so far, andhas a lot more to bring. Captain Parkersays he has got the best boat on the lake anddon't you forget it."
Republican, August 26, 1909: "Mazamadamage to port propeller,. . . later broke
the starboard wheelRepublican, November 25, 1909: "Mon-
day, the Mazama resembled an arctic whalertwo or three other boats went up the
next day in the channel made by the Ma-zama, through the ice on her down trip."
Evening Herald, May 2, 1912: "A newhull is being built for the Mazama, 63 x 13feet. The new boat will be 25 ton capacity,and the work is being done by L. R. Mc-Donald. The hull will be of coast fir, andwill be finished in 10 days. The machinery
Priest PhotoThe Modoc at dock, and the Eagle pushing the barge. Both boats were engaged in the sand trade attimes. Docks at location of present Pelican Marina.
E A G L E Evening Herald, June 1, 1908. Then onthe 8th, reported that the White Cindy
In the spring of 1908, there was being would become the Eagle."constructed a boat, of unknown dimensions, Next on June 25th, it was further re-that was known as the "White Cindy," ported: "The steamer Eagle, Captain Cor-
is being transferred from the old boat."
Evening Herald, May 16, 1912: "Thenew Mazama will be ready next Wednes-day. It will have a speed of 10 miles perhour."
From notes of the late Edith Rutenic Mc-Leod: "Captain Millard Filmore Parker andJ. B. C. Taylor built the boat about 1908and hauled freight on Upper Klamath Laketo merchants in Wood River valley. Parkersold out his interest to Taylor in 1918. Weused to go to Cherry Creek and WoodRiver, with our month's camping supplieson it. Once, going around a sharp turnsuddenly in Crystal Creek, Parker turnedthe boat so suddenly that mama's puddingshe was making on the stove in whatserved as the galley slid off the stove, up-setting on someone's suitcase. So thecaptain didn't have desert for supper."
The hull of the Mazama is reported tohave laid in the tules, west of the Copcoboathouse on the Upper Lake, for years.(Statement of Lester "Sharkey" Robinson.)
32. 57.
The new tow boat "Hooligan," belongingto Captain Hansberry, was launched Satur-day, April 17, 1909, and had her engines
bett, arrived in port after a ten days cruiseon the big lake. The Eagle circumscribedthe entire shore and traveled over twohundred miles. Captain Corbett says thetrip was like a romance and that such acruise is worth much time and preparation,and one long to be remembered. It is un-fortunate that the Eagle is not in commis-sion for the general public as she is ofvery light draft and can almost navigatethe dew and is well adapted for the shallowinlets and creeks of Great Klarnath Lake."
The Eagle seems to have almost imme-diately gone into the sand trade betweenWood and Williamson Rivers and the thenbooming city of Klamath Falls. Further thesand trade must have increased to such adegree that we find, Republican, September10, 1908: "Captain Corbit is installingheavy machinery in the Eagle.'
Later, on March 6, 1909, we learn that"Mark O'Con is the captain of the Eagle."
The Republican of July 15, 1909 an-nounced that "the Eagle is laid up whilethe captain and crew build a 20 x 50 footbarge." It must have been at about this
installed the latter part of the month. Ithad a barge type front. (Republican, April22, 1909.) (continued on next page>
time that Anton Wickstrom acquired theEagle, as the first mention of his name is tobe found in the Republican of August 5,1909: "Lumber for the Wickstrom bargearrives from Portland. The Eagle has theContract for a large quantity of wood, 1,000cords, from Crystal, to be delivered atModoc Point for the Southern Pacific." Andthat, "Wickstrom of the Eagle is to layoff while building a barge." Further that"the Steamer Eagle people claim the recordfor freight as well as distance traveled, shehaving moved over a thousand tons of sandalone since March 1st. She will make aspecial trip to the Williamson tomorrow."
In the Republican of November 25,1909, an article writen by "A Navigator"states: "The Eagle was built by Nosler; itwas a hoo-doo until Wickstrom bought her,called the 'Black Marier,' she did everythingbut go ashore and climb trees, and was atotal failure."
The Eagle sunk off Ritchie Point, nearSkillet Handle when Wickstrom was push-ing her. (Statement of "Sharkey" Robin-son.)
from the country ample time to get homebefore dark. The Klamath Falls brass bandwill furnish the music, the basket picnic willprovide the dinner. The lake and moun-tains will give the scenery and the excur-sionists will add sociability and enjoyment.Rates 50 cents for the round trip, childrenbetween 5 and 15 half price. Little kidsfree."
July 19, 1900: "The staunch, upper lakesteamer, Oregon came down from PelicanBay on Thursday. (Note the name Oregonis once again in use, evidently on the sameboat that was for a short time known as theHobson.) Captain Dennis States that hisboat would soon commence making regu-lar trips between Pelican Bay and KlamathFalls and intermediate points. The UpperLake is a great benefit to this place in thematter of carrying passengers and freight,and especially furnishing an easy way tonavigate rafts of logs to the mills at thispoint. And when they get here KlamathFalls furnishes unlimited power to cut thelogs into lumber." (Note: All that has beenlearned to date about Captain T. W. "Baldy"Richardson is, on June 7, 1900, it was an-nounced that he was granted a pension tocommence Dec. 1, 1899. And, later onMay 19, 1904, he purchased the KiamathFalls-Merrill stage line, with offices to bein the Linkville hotel. Finally on Septem-ber 19, 1907, he was reported as being aninmate of the Soldiers' Home at Roseburg.Could it be assumed, these names weregiven by Capt. Richardson, who evidentlyhad some sort of military connection? Fur-ther, were the names in honor of the Battle-ship Oregon and Lieut. Hobson of recentSpanish-American War fame?)
May 30, 1901: "Louis Dennis who livesnear Pelican Bay on Big Klamath Lake hassold his ranch of 480 acres, ("now thehome ranch of Mickey Wampler"Editor),together with his cattle, horses, steamboatand other personal property to B. B. Grif-fith of Sumpter, Oregon. The price paidfor the whole was $6,000."
July 4, 1901: "Mr. Griffith's Steam boathas made its first trip on Saturday fromPelican Bay down the lake to Klamath
Falls. We are told that hereafter the boatwill make one trip a week during the sum-mer. We hope to see the time when, in-stead of one boat, there will be a dozen toply up and down every day. (Note: Thisstatement ". . . instead of one boat .would seem to eliminate any belief of theexistance of more than one steamboat inthe Pelican Bay area.)
July 25, 1901: "Capt. C. H. Schoff andD. Dionne of Wenatchee, Washington ar-rived here on Tuesday to visit their oldfriend I. A. Diffy, and also to consider thequestion of building a steamboat."
August 15, 1901: "A son of Capt. Schoffarrived here Tuesday f r o m Wenatchee,Washington. He will assist his father inmanaging the steamer 'Alma' plying on theUpper Kiamath Lake. (Note: This is thefirst mention made of the name Alma, ap-plied to a boat that evidently is the samehitherto referred to as the Hobson andOregon.)
August 22, 1901: "Capt. C. H. Schoffis now making regular Semi-weekly tripsfrom Klamath Falls to Budd Springs, Peli-can Bay and the Agency Landing. Boatleaves Klamath Falls on Monday and Thurs-day at 7 am., returning on the followingday.
Budd Spring (CamporeeFare Round Trip
Spring) $1.00 $1.75Pelican Bay (Harriman) 1.20 2.25Agency Landing 2 00 3.50October 31, 1901: "Capt. Schoff in the
Alma, brought down the biggest raft oflogs to Moore Mill from Pelican Bay thathas yet been towed, one half million feet."
November 7, 1901: "R. S. Moore ship-ped by boat 31,000 pounds of flour toKlamath Agency."
November 27, 1902: "A. C. Griffith,down with a raft of 1400 logs, 840 feetlong, and 60 feet wide. It took one week,due to an accident to the machinery and astrong head wind."
Lest these newspaper excerpts becometiring we will eliminate many and recordonly in part the others. April 2, 1903, A. C.Griffith announced that he was "having a
58. 31.
The Hooligan towing two empty scows up Wood River. after baled hay. This picture passed througha fire. Photo Courtesy Mrs. Ester G. Newell
HOOLIGAN...
August 17, 1899: 'Next Sunday, weatherpermitting, Captain Richardson will give anexcursion on his steamer, Oregon, aroundthe Klamath Lake. The boat will leave thelanding at 7:30 am., touching Dennis'Resort, Pelican Bay Lodge, and AgencyLanding, arriving home at 6 p.m. Theround trip will be 75 cents. Those whogo should prepare lunch.'
Incidentally, regardless of what has beenthought or written in the past, this articleof August 17, 1899, sets the beginning ofboat excursions ahead considerably to thatheretofore recorded.
However, since July 6, 1899 is as farback as our newspaper files go, we do nothave definite proof as to just which boatactually did start the Upper Lake excur-sions, or when.
But, concerning excursions, this we doknow; in 1889, probably around the firstpart of June, the Mayflower, on her maidentrip, took an excursion party from Keno toAdams point on Tule Lake, held a picnicthere and returned to Keno the same day,via the Lost River Slough between theKlamath and Lost Rivers. Should this beconsidered the first excursion ever held onKlamath waters?
October 12, 1899: "Captain Richardson,the genial commander of the steamer Ore-gon which runs between this place and
Pelican bay, was in town yesterday. Hewas accompanied by 0. G. Crary, the pro-prietor of the summer resort at the bayThose who like an enjoyable outing willdo well to take a ride on Captain Richard-son's steamer through the splendid sceneryof the upper lakes and at the other end ofthe route enjoy the hospitality and gooddinners of Landlord Crary."
We next come to the only referencefound to date, referring to the steamerHobson. January 17, 1900: "The steamerHobson went up to Pelican Bay on Sundaytaking to that place some men to cut logsfor Moore's mill at this place. The Hobsonhas been recently sold by Mr. Richards(Richardson) to Lew Dennis, who, weunderstand will make regular trips here-after with passengers and freight." (Note:No mention of any kind has been made inthe old newspapers, of any changes in theboats, either in regard to new hulls ormachinery. Furthermore, it was barely twomonths before that mention was made ofCaptain Richardson on the Oregon. Itseems reasonable to assume that the Oregonhas been rechristened the Hobson.)
April 19, 1900: "Remember Mr. Duffy'ssteamboat excursion and basket picnic onSunday, May 20, starting for Pelican Bayfrom this place at 8:00 am. and returningat 5:00 p.m. so as to give excursionists
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe "Hornet" formerly the "Alma" on Upper Kiamath Lake. 1906-1909 period.
Photo Courtesy Mrs. Ester G. NewellLoading two scows with baled hay near the Weed Bridge on Wood River, to be towed to Kiamath Fallsby the Hooligan.
The new boat was in commission byJune 3rd, and was first used as a piledriver, and shortly thereafter went to theOdessa neighborhood after logs, for theLong Lake Lumber Company.
The Republican of June 24th, reportedthe Hooligan as taking up a "loggingdonkey engine for the Long Lake LumberCompany."
Another article under the same date re-ports: "The steamers Hornet and Hooliganarrived in port this evening and while theircrews deny any tendency to race, the heat ofthe engine room is at least suggestive."
On August 5th the Republican also re-ported: "All the Hansberrys go up the lakeon the Hooligan today, the captain and thecrew look after the business of the LongLake Lumber Company, while the womenand children will camp, fish and fight mos-
WASP
Anton Wickstrom and John Linman builtthe Wasp in late 1910 or 1911. It was13 x 50 and had a draught of 26 inches.The Wasp burned in 1912 or slightly later.The partnership was then dissolved, after
quitos for a week of Tuesdays."During August, Hansberry brought in
rafts of logs as follows: 200,000 feet fromCrystal, 50,000 feet from Rattlesnake Pointand 300,000 feet from Crystal, yet the millran short.
By September 2nd, the Hooligan hadcontracted with Totten to haul wood fromnear Col. Allen's place to Totten's docknear Shippington.
Early storms in December caused theHooligan to be late with logs, necessitatingclosure of the sawmill. Later in the month,all boats on the lake were frozen in, theHooligan at Crystal.
By February 11, 1911, Hansberry hadthe molds ready for a new steamer, whichseems to have been built and probably soldto Captain Parker before 1913.
which Wickstrom rebuilt the Wasp.The first Wasp was a barge type boat,
and had no reverse. The Wasp was said tohave been sold to Del Gammon, CaliforniaOregon Power Company engineer.
30. 59.
Priest PhotoThe Mocloc at Pelican Bay Lumber Co. log cut. Shay engine on barge, towed across Upper KlamathLake to Pelican Bay logging operations, 1911.
MODOC...The Modoc was built by John Linham
during the summer of 1910. It was a sternwheeler, 16 x 60 feet, with a draft of 34inches. The boat was a tug type and wasburned in 1912.
The Modoc was rebuilt shortly there-after, and the above dimensions may applyto the latter boat, since from pictures it ap-pears to be the larger of the two.
NORTH STAR.
The Modoc was eventually sold by Wick-Strom to A. Graham, thought to be repre-senting the Power Company. It was usedas a pile-driver and work boat by the Cali-fornia Oregon Power Company for severalyears and was eventually burned by themand the remains used in the Lakeside Gar-den dykes.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe Alma at Odessa Landing. Dolly Uerlings leaning on flagpole, George Baldwin at foot of stairway.
ran the boat, which in about 1897, wasmoved to Upper Kiamath Lake, and latersold to Bird Loosley. (Told by Gertie Cola-han, daughter of John Clanton, April 28,1965.) The Lottie C. was still carryingpassengers on the Upper Lake in 1899.(Republican, July 20.) It is understoodto have sunk on the Upper Lake.
We now come to a series of closely re-lated boats of more or less mysterious ori-gin, ownership and date of launchings.They are, in order of existance: the MudHen, Oregon, Hobson, Alma and Hornet.
As told to me by Mr. Fred G. Brown,May 5,1965: 'The Mud Hen was a squareend, barge type, stern wheeler. It had asteam engine with an endless chain to thestern wheel, and was about 14' wide, by 40'long. Bert Wilson owned or at least ran itat one time. It just faintly seems to me thatLou Dennis owned it at some time. Thatis all I remember as I was a very small boyat the time, having been born in 1890."
Nothing more is known, but could theMud Hen have been the predecessor of theOregon? It is possible.
Exactly when the Oregon was launchedand by whom is also unknown. However,
we can now take up the boat story as re-ported in the files of the old Kiamath Re-publican. They begin July 6, 1899 with thefollowing first mention: "Capt. T. W.Richardson of the steamer Oregon is al-ways prepared to do homage to freighters,tourists, and other persons in whatever ca-pacity and on the most reasonable terms.Since Klamath lake affords steamboat ac-commodations, nearly the whole touristtravel comes Klamath Falls way. The Agerroute from the south and the Ashland routefrom the north to the Falls are the mostfeasible routes to the Kiamath resorts andtourists and sightseers are becoming ac-quainted that Pelican Bay is one of them.Judge H. L. Benson and George Michael-son took Monday's steamer for SpringCreek."
The same source continues the story fromtime to time as the following excerpts re-cord: August 13, 1899; "The steamerOregon plying between the Falls, PelicanBay and other points on the big KlamathLake is doing good business, making fourtrips a week. Mr. Richardson says he isprepared to carry all kinds of freight."
60. 29.
After a seeming long delay, work on the was afire, and was drifting on the lake, theNorth Star was resumed in April 1909 and rope attaching her to the landing havingaccording to the Republican of May 6th, been burned in two. A launch was sent outwould be "launched as soon as calked." to the steamer, and efforts made to attach
The Republican of November 25, 1909 a rope to the hull, but the rope broke andfurther stated that the North Star, the latest the boat finally sank, leaving only hercreation of Nosier, was on the ways at smokestack in view.Buena Vista docks. It was 100 tons dis- 'The boat was valued at $2,000, and be-placement, the second largest on the lake, a longed to Burke Wilson, who had no in-stern wheeler, of light draft with 50 horse- surance on her. She had been engaged inpower engines and fitted as a passenger boat. hauling sand from a point up the lake to
By February 11, 1911, the North Star Shippington. The origin of the fire is awas again on the Winema dock, this time mystery.for overhauling. "The destroyed steamer was built two
Then on May 1, 1911, the Evening Her- years ago. Commodore Nosier constructedald makes the final report on the North the hull, while the cabin was built and theStar: 'The people of Shippington were boiler and engine installed by Wilson andstartled between 9 & 10 o'clock last night Willets. The steamer has been used almostto observe that the little steamer North Star entirely in the sand trade."
ton on Jan. 31), 1873. At least, to date, itbears the distinction of being the first boaton Kiamath waters, of which we have arecord, whose name has survived.
It now becomes evident that the GeneralHoward appeared on the scene in the springof 1881, not 1879 as heretofore recorded.(Ashland Tidings, Jan. 14, and March 4,1881.) The General Howard was ownedby H. M. Thatcher and Sikes Worden, pro-prietors of the original Brick Store, whohad freight contracts at times, between Red-ding and Fort Klamath, (Ashland Tidings,July 19, 1878.) This boat was probablyused in helping to fulfill these commit-ments. One of its first tasks was to trans-port lumber from the old Moore Mill onLink River, to Fort Kiasnath, for the newbuildings being contructed in 1881. It ispossible that some of the work on this boatwas done by Nelson Stevenson, 'boatman,mechanic and dispenser of pioneer justice,"at Linkville, (Ashland Tidings, Sept. 14,1878.)
In 1882, not 1880 as heretofore written,George Loosley and George Nurse becamethe owners of the General Howard, andabout one year later, 1883, Loosley becamethe sole owner, (History of Kiamath Coun-ty, page 74.) George Loosley later becameassociated with his brother, John F., and in1884, they built the flat-bottomed, stern-wheeler, City of Kiamath, to replace thesteamer General Howard. The machineryfrom the latter was used in the new boat.
The Loosleys, having a contract to haulsupplies to Fort Klamath, built the City ofKiamath to navigate Wood River. How-ever, this project failed and with the aban-donment of Fort Klamath by the soldiers,in 1889, need of its services were no longerrequired. The eventual disposal of the boat,supposedly traded for a span of horses, isunknown.
In this same year, 1889, the Mayflowerwas built by one E. Deskins, (Herald andNews clipping, by Malcolm Epley of un-known date.) Sold to Thomas McCormackof Keno, irs 1891, it was in use on theKlamath River and Lower Kiamath Lakeuntil Oct. 1, 1903, for sure, and it is al-
most certain until early October, 1904,(Republican, Oct. 6, 1904.)
The Mayflower's average duties consistedof carrying lumber and wood from Kenoand Teeter's Landing to Kiamath Falls andOklahoma Landing, and in return carryinghay and grain. Other duties included haul-ing passengers and towing log rafts toKiamath Falls.
Occassionally reports of the Mayflowerdiffered, as reported by the Republican,August 17, 1899: "Mr. McCormack cameup from Keno Monday with the steamerMayflower after 15 tons of hay which NewtPratt had purchased from Jas. Lindsay. Theboat returned yesterday afternoon. Yester-day, Fred Houston, while tacking signs onMcCormack's steamer at the wharf, took ahigh dive from a boat load of hay into thelake. Fred says the water is wet and waterthirty feet deep." Probably due to a wornout hull and inadequate equipment, theMayflower was replaced by the first Canby,originally called the General Canby, aboutOctober 10-15, 1904.
At about the same time, two other boatsmade t h e i r appearance up o n Kiamathwaters, the Rustler and Lottie C.
Little is known about the Rustler. In1891, S. C. "Charlie" Graves later founderof the community of Crescent, "was Cap-tain of the steamer Rustler, plying on theupper Klamath Lake, where he did a goodbusiness carrying freight and passengers."(Klamath Express, Jan. 10, 1895.)
There is a possibility this boat may havebeen transferred to Goose Lake, because aWestern story writer named DeLaney, wasemployed on a Rustler there in 1899. (Re-publican, Dec. 4, 1902.)
More is known about the Lottie C.Owned by a man named John Canton, itwas built in San Diego, shipped to SanFrancisco, near where it ran on PetalumaCreek before being shipped to the Kiamathcountry. The Lottie C. was used betweenOklahoma and Chalk Bank Landings onLower Kiamath Lake, and Keno and Link-yule on the Klamath River, transportinghay, lumber, supplies and an occasionalpassenger. John Clanton and his son Dave
Photo saved through the efforts of Hal OIeThe Buffalo on the Klamath River at Keno, probably in early spring of 1913. Henry Snowgoose inlarge coat at right. Captain Ball, owner with the pole, and possibly "Peppy" Gordon in the doorway.
BUFFALOAfter leasing and running the Canby, be-
tween Keno and Klamath Falls for abouttwo years, William Carver Ball decided tobuild his own boat. This work was begunin the fall of 1912 and finished sometimein the spring or summer of 1913.
Ball originally came from Buffalo, NewYork, as did the engine, when needed in thenew boat. It was a gasoline or distilateburner.
The Evening Herald of September 4,1913, reported: "Captain Ball gave thepeople of Keno a free ride on his new boat,Buffalo, Sunday, (August 31st, possibly theBuffalo's maiden voyage.) The ride was
from Keno to Blidel (Old Teeters' Land-ing) and return.
The Buflalo was used, towing logs up-stream from Keno, and freight downstreamfrom Kiamath Falls. Occassionally a pas-senger made the trip also.
The engine was sold out of the Buffaloin 1924, to a man working on the railroadright of way, then being built around OdellLake. The main hull lay in the water nearthe old Ackley sawmill for a number ofyears, while the pilot house was used as aplayhouse by the Radcliffe children at theirhome on Pacific Terrace.
28. 61.
Long a work boat for the Californiathe Oakland was
acific Company byRay, in 1910. It
was originally used to haul he SouthernPacific engineers under H. P. Hoey, on theUpper Lake.
It was later purchased by the KlamathFalls Transportation Company, who addedthe deck house in front. They, in turn, soldit to the California Oregon Power Companyin 1920, who used it for many years(Herald & News, Feb. 10, 1953).
The Oakland was dismantled in Febru-ary, 1953.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe mail and passenger boat, Spray, at Rocky Point.
62.
The beginning of the Upper KiamathLake boating era, from the establishment ofFort Klaniath in 1863, to the building ofthe General Howard, is very muddled, butthe situation seems to resolve itself aboutas follows:
There was one Whitehall boat at least.used by the soldiers at Fort Kiamath as earlyas 1865. This type of boat seems to havebeen propelled by sails, oars, or both.
"The Mr. Canley built" flat bottombarge, propelled by sails and oars, capacity15 to 20 tons and in use by the Fort Kia-math soldiers in 1868.
That there were two 'wind-jammer"barges, 16 x 60 and 10 x 40, propelled bysails on the open lake, and pike poles onthe streams, can be safely assumed, sinceboth were later owned and used by DanielG. Brown on Crystal Creek. However, the"Mr Canley built" barge may have beenone of these.
[V. Another flat bottom craft was the"Mr. Grubb built" scow used by the IvanApplegate wedding party in 1871, sup-posed to have made but this one trip or at
By DEVERE HLFRICHleast "its life of usefulness was very short."George W. Loosley tells that it was 16 x40 and propelled by a two-horse treadmill.The bride in later years told that it was10 x 25 and propelled by a sail and twosets of oars. Which is correct? At least thebride was there. It is conceivable, thiscraft might also have been one of the laterBrown barges.
V. The Mary or Maggie Moody, a keelbottom boat, owned and operated by a mannamed Moody, was on the Upper Lake asearly as 1872 and probably for some timebefore. Sold to Joe Ball in 1876, it wasused until the General Howard made its ap-pearance, but its final disposal is unknown.(Joseph S. Ball, a Pacific Coast pioneer of1847, died of pneumonia at his home inKiamath Falls, Friday, January 20, 1905,at the age of 76. Coming west from Bostonin 1847, he settled in the Kiamath coun-try in 1867. He was survived by a wife,two sons and two daughters. Republican,Jan. 26, 1905.) This boat may have been"one of the big boats" referred to in Capt.R. F. Bernard's report to Col. Frank Whea-
27.
Helen Heifrich Photo The Lottie C at the boat landing at the head of Link River, west side. Picture taken around 1900 or
The Oakland being dismantled, at Copce docks, early 1953. before. In Maude Baldwin collection of negatives.
OAKLAND... Kiamath Boating . .
The owners were R. E. Woodberry and hisfather-in-law, Captain Wilkins. It waslaunched stern first from the boat docks,near the bridge on Lake Ewauna. Wood-berry and Wilkins owned the Klamath LakeNavigation Company, which also had twosixty-foot barges they u s e d w i t h theKlamath.
After the railroad arrived at KlamathFalls in 1909, there was no longer thenecessary business on the Lower Lake, sothe steamer Klamath was moved to theUpper Lake. A Cut was made from LakeEwauna through the tules to the railroadfill about where the Big Lakes Mill is now.A spur track was built to it. The boat wasraised onto timbers and two flat cars rununder it, where it was made solid by block-ing, and hauled to the Upper Lake and un-loaded the same way. Pelican Bay LumberCompany owned the Klamath at one time.
The Ewauna and Tule were also broughtin from Portland by the Klamath Lake Na-vigation Company. They later sold theTule to the U.S. Reclamation Service.
It was the old dredge Klamath Queenthat was moved from Lake Ewauna to theUpper Lake by skids. It had formerly beenfarther south in California. Its name hadbeen Roberts Island but was changed whenmoved to the Klamath country. Just themachinery was brought in, and the hull wasmade at Teeter's Landing, where the ma-chinery was installed. It was used aroundAdy and along the Klamath River.
Along about 1910, Jim Hansborough
Klamath Republican, August 15, 1901RISKY BALLOONING.FALL INTO THE LAKE.
Prof. Godfrey was here last week and onFriday and Saturday evenings gave inter-esting and largely attended entertainmentsat the Opera House. It was on the programthat he would have also a balloon ascention,but when the time arrived the wind wasconsidered too strong to make it in theneighborhood of so many lakes and the as-cention was postponed until the eveningof the next day, when it duly came off, al-
sent east for a knocked down boat frame,and Steve Means, a carpenter, put it to-gether. It was called the Antler. I later ac-quired it and ran it on the Upper Lake. Iused it for hunting and for pleasure trips;also to transport hunting parties. I went tothe Agency Lake with it several seasons.I forget now who I sold it to, but after thenew owner secured it, he moved it to theLower Lake and started out with a huntingparty. When nearly to the lower end ofLake Ewauna or about where the presentrailroad bridge is, one of the hunters acci-dentally shot a hole in the bottom. It hada floor nailed down so tight they could notget to the bottom to plug up the hole, butdid manage to get it near enough to thedykes to get ashore. Then they had to swimthe drain ditches and wade the tule swamps,and felt they just barely made it back tothe saloon for nourishment. At differenttimes it was on both lakes.
Oh, yes, I remember one more boat, theWinnellen, a pleasure boat which belongedto Dr. Sharpe during the 20's.
And another thing. My brother workedon the steamer Kiamath, and once he andCap Woodberry left for Laird's Landing.Cap's wife, who was tighter than all getout, always fixed their lunch, and wouldonly put up barely enough for the roundtrip. On this particular trip they ranaground on a high spot in the Lower Lake.They were stuck for twenty-four hours andused up all their food, so my brother hadto shoot mud hens to eat.
though the wind still continued unfavor-able. As the ballon commenced rising, itwas blown out of its course, throwing theballoonist against a fence with such violenceas to break the top board, and also throw-ing him against a barbed wire which ranabove the fence. But the shock and woundsreceived from the wire did not prevent himfrom keeping his hold on the parachute andballoon, which drifted with the wind overthe lake, and into which, when the para-chute was cut loose, it and balloonist fellabout five hundred feet from shore.
SPRAY...It is thought that Griffith's had the
Spray built by Curly McDonald, some-where around 1909 or 1910. Captain Cal-kins acquired it around that time and heand Johnnie Hamilton operated it as a mailand freight boat on the Upper Lake.
Joseph Martin and his son Louie oper-ated the Spray as a mail boat, after Calkins
Collier Copy Photo from Hal Ogle CollectionCaptain Jack Ferrying logging equipment across the Kiamath at Keno. Too heavy for bridge.
CAPTAIN JACK.As related by Bryce McCormack (Kla-
math Echoes, this issue), "There was an-other little stub of a boat called the Cap-tain Jack. It was a stern wheeler but was nogood, and the man who built it, never didanything with it."
Built by Roy Beach of Keno (Statementof Wendell Smith, April, 1965), to runthe Canby and/or Buffalo out of business,the Captain Jack was very short lived. Infact, about all the record there seems to be
HOUSEBOATS...Very little information is available con-
cerning houseboats. Mention can be foundof Linman, Withrow and Roy Hamakerhouseboats, supposedly unnamed. On theother hand, mention of three houseboats byname have been found, the Flying Dutch-
IIIIIIIIIIlIIIIrIIII,IIuu,rIIIIIIII,IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIuuuuIuIIIIIj 11111111
of this craft, is a picture, showing the trans-portation of some logging equipment onscows, across the Klamath River at Keno,that was too heavy for the bridge. Thereare two known pictures, one of which isprinted with this article. The other seemsto have been taken while the boat was un-der construction, just a scow with an up-right engine. The little boat's existanceprobably dates around the 1912 period.
man, cwnecj by a Captain Rahm, the Helix,owned by J. C. Rutenic, and the Lady Vera,B. St. George Bishop's well known palatialhouseboat. Of this latter houseboat there isconsiderable information extant.
The first mention found of any houseboat
ran it. (Herald & News, September, 1948.)The Spray blew up on the California
Oregon Power Company, while they werebringing down a log raft from some westside homesteader. They were headed forAlgoma and were this side of Eagle Ridge.They were filling it with gas and whenabout filled, it blew up. Everyone got offsafely.
26. 63.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe Barbara and Lady Vera in the Pelican Bay area. Both craft were owned by B. St. George Bishopin the 1907-1909 period.
Unknown PhotographerThe Helix, J. C. Rutenic's houseboat on Upper Klamath Lake.
is in the Republican of August 31, 1905which states: '1. A. Dully lets contract toAlex Nosier to build a house boat 65' x20'."
On November 30th, the Republican fur-ther reports: "Nosier is now working on
the Dully houseboat."No reference to the disposal of the Dully
houseboat has been found, nor any itemconcerning the building of a houseboat forBishop. Sizes of the Dully houseboat andthe Lady Vera correspond, and as Dully
Priest PhotoCurly McDonald (left) in the process of cutting the Buena Vista in two, then adding a section tolengthen the boat after which it was known as the White Pelican.
was his second boat. Will G. Steel laterhad it, and hauled lawyers to the LavaBeds.
The Winema was started in 1904 andfinished in 1905. It was built on the westside of Link River on the level spot of landjust south of the present Fremont Bridge.A ship's carpenter was brought in fromPortland to build it. Totten put up themoney; always paid off the men workingon the boat. Cap Hansberry was also anowner. At one time while I was workingon the Winema, businessmen in and aroundFort Klamath told us that we could go allthe way up Wood River to the bridge, andshorten a long freight haul by team fromAgency Landing to Fort Klamath.
When we attempted to enter the mouthof the river, a sand bar prevented us. Wethen backed up to the bar and washed outa channel with the paddles. As we workedour way in, the sand settled under us butwe forced our way across, and put a "hog"or raise in the frame of the boat that neverwas taken out. We traveled upstream, two
or three miles, backing, and came to a shortturn, which we could not get around. Wethen went back downstream, but the chan-nel had again filled with sand. We couldn'tturn the boat there, so we went back up-stream about one-half mile, to the widestplace we could find, but it was not wideenough. We then tried to cur out a bay inthe bank, using heavy hay knives, which thefarmers told us we could cut the sod with.The knives proved to be too short, so weused cross cut saws, and cut Out large sec-tions of the sod bank, about the size of abale of hay. We next removed the lowerhalf of the paddles and by means ofwinches, pulled the stern far enough intothe bay to finally get the back end headeddownstream. Took us one hour short ofthree full days to make the turn. Onceturned around, we had no further trouble,easily washing another channel through thesand bar. This all happened in May, 1905.
The steamer Kiamath was built in Port-land. It was knocked down and shipped byway of Pokegama, and re-assembled here.
64. 25.
Priest PhotoThe old Buena Vista docks and boat house at the point on Upper Klamath Lake above the head ofLink Rwer, east side. The Steamer Klamath arriving from some point up lake.
Jap Taylor and Cap Parker were theowners of the Mazama. They hauled freightto the Agency Landing for Fort KlamathFor more on this boat you should see War-ren Bennett, step-son of Cap Parker, atPeoples Warehouse. I understand he iswriting some sort of boat history.
Years ago they used to bring log raftsto the old Moore Mill, using sails, undertheir own power.
Commodore Nosier always decorated hisboats. He was at Odessa for a time. Paintedthe Odessa Hotel ceiling for Mrs. Griffith,with sun bursts in the center and at eachcorner. He later built his museum buildingon top of the hill this side of Shippington.Carved books and even an organ. He seem-ed to be a little off his beam.
Erickson and Peterson were the contrac-tors on the railroad at Algoma. Theybrought in a boat from San Francisco, andwe repaired and installed a two-cycle Im-perial engine in it. It may have beencalled the Oregon, I'm not sure. I believethey later sent it to Alaska.
Other boats I remember w e r e theZephyr, a sailboat owned by Dr. Roenicke;
the Bailey, a passenger boat on DiamondLake, twenty-six feet long, 75 or 80 horse-power, and could haul about twenty-fivepeople. That was about 1918. The Sham-rock might possibly have been one of theGriffith boats, but I'm not certain; theNancy K, a Klamath Lumber and Box Com-pany boat, built about 1923 or '24. It wasforty feet, eight inches long with a twelve-foot beam, and heavy.
Gus Krause had a houseboat, possiblytwo. He was the head man at Shippingron.B. St. George Bishop also had a houseboat,and I remember his boat, the Barbara, hada two cycle Lamb engine, and was fittedwith brass water pipes.
In 1911 we built a boat for E. R. Reames.It was slightly over twenty feet long, apleasure boat, and very fancy. The hullwas of Port Orford cedar and inside of Honduras mahogany. It had a Kenyon autotop for protection against the sun andweather. Reames had ranches along theKlamath River and used it to go back andiorth.
I also built an eighteen foot, 3 horse-power boat, the Wocus, for Abel Ady. It
goes out of the commercial picture in Kia-math Falls, Bishop enters, therefore whatis more natural, for the present at least, thanto assume that Bishop bought the Duffyhouseboat?
Bishop in turn seems to have disposed ofhis houseboat to Major Worden as indi-cated by the Republican of December 9,1909: "Major Worden's big houseboat'Lady Vera' has been leased by the SouthernPacific for a boarding house along thewater front."
It would appear that owning a houseboatof this magnitude probably proved unsatis-factory on waters where the vacation seasonswere so short. At least the 'Lady Vera'seems to have changed hands often.
Lastly, the Evening Herald of August 29,
1912 reports: "Capt. McCauley has boughtthe eight room boat house from MajorWorden. He plans to locate it above thestraits of Agency Lake, for the use of duckhunters. It will be known as 'The Mal-lard Club' and will be served by theSpray."
What eventually became of the LadyVera is unknown.
The location of the remains of twohouseboats are known, one at Gore Island,at some distant time used for a chickenhouse, and one on the west bank of WoodRiver, below the Weed bridge. The re-mains of another, just north of RockyPoint, was burned during April, 1965.Which ones any of these three were is alsounknown.
Photo Courtesy the Laird FamilyLaird's Landing. Old hotel to left, warehouse and landing in center, and the Steamer Klamath approach-ing the turn-around through the tule cut.
LOWER KLAMATH LAKE LANDINGSCHALK BANK LANDING. Approxi-
mately five miles easterly from Laird'sLanding, at the extreme southwestern cornerof Lower Klamath Lake, where open waterreached the higher land. Probably cameinto use during Modoc War times and wasused until sometime in 1903, when the
channel from Lower Klamath Lake to WhiteLake was completed by the Adams dredge.
MERRILL LANDING. Probably cameinto use in 1903, with the completion ofthe Adams Tule cut to White Lake. Sawconsiderable use until the railroad was com-pleted to Klamath Falls in May, 1909.
24. 65.
DeVere Heifrich PhotoDeserted Laird's Landing, Jan. 20, 1948. The landing, barn and hotel. The boat turn-around in Fore-ground.
Merrill landing may have seen use duringhigh water seasons, by boats of shallowdraft, even before 1903.
WHITE LAKE CITY LANDING. Foun-ded in 1905, White Lake City probably hada landing of sorts at certain times of theyear for a short period of time. At least afew years ago, two posts and a cross-piecestill remained of this little used landing onthe north shore of White Lake.
OKLAHOMA LANDING. At CoyotePoint, north of Lairds Landing about threemiles. Received lumber and supplies forthe homesteaders of Oklahoma Flats, the D,and JF ranches, beginning about 1889. Italso served as a loading point for bargeloads of hay, shipped to Linkville-KlamathFalls.
SHEEPY LAKE LANDING. A hayloading and homesteader supply point onSheepy Creek, which ran into Sheepy Lake,which in turn connected with Lower KIa-math Lake.
LAIRDS LANDING. Formerly a stop-ping place on the old wagon road from the
Tule Lake-Merrill country to Shasta Valleypoints, especially Montague, Lairds was notopened to water traffic until the late sum-mer of 1905. And then only after a channelwas dredged from the open water of LowerKlamath Lake by the Adams dredge. LairdsLanding became the transfer point fromstages to boat, on the McCloud River rail-road to Klamath Falls run. The Klamathdid not commence on this run until Oc-tober, 1905. The landing saw considerablefreight traffic use for a few years also, oruntil the spring of 1908, when railhead hadreached Mt. Hebron and Dorris and thetraffic then went by way of Teeters'Landing.
TEETERS' LANDING. About four andone-half miles south of Keno, it came intoexistance by 1889 or before. Harvey L.Teeters and family arrived in the neigh-borhood in mid-February 1889. However,a brother, William Teeters, was alreadythere, living on a rented farm, four milessouth of Keno. The Harvey Teeters familylived there five months, then moved to theTower house, the old cook house, at the
as an excursion boat to Bird Islands, andfor duck hunting. It hauled as many astwenty people at one time on excursions.We used it one summer on the UpperLake. Eventually it was moved to the UpperLake and used by Del Gammon, ResidentEngineer for the Po w e r Company, insounding the Upper Lake. The top wasremoved and a different engine placed init at that time for more power and speed.Gammon sold it for us to some man whosename we never knew. It was probablyused by the Power Company in the 20's.In later years, about 1941, I went toLamm's Mill and while working on a boatat their docks, found the hull of this oldboat almost rotted to pieces.
There was another boat, but I don't re-member whether it had a name or not. Itwas about a twenty footer, and I built it forthe Associated Audubon Societies, to patrolthe bird reserve on Lower Kiamath Lakewhen the reserve was first created. JackFerber, the warden, used it. They later soldit back to me and I in turn sold it to DelGammon around the 1915-1917 period.Gammon used it on the Upper Lake fora time.
I remember we were making a bird sur-vey on the Lower Lake, and stayed the firstnight at Oklahoma Landing. The mosqui-toes almost ate us alive, so after that wewent from here every day by boat.
Nosier built the Buena Vista boat housefor the Klamath Development Company.Father and I bought it from them and latersold it to the California Oregon PowerCompany. Pete Perry lived there once,also Curly McDonald. I think it was whileliving there that McDonald built theSpray. It blew up off Eagle Ridge whiletowing logs for Copco.
The Buena Vista was another early dayboat on the Upper Lake. Pete Perry builtthis boat around 1907 or 1908 for theKlamath Land and Transportation Com-pany at his boat shop near the point aboveFremont Bridge. It was used for excursionsand was chartered to parties. It was latersold to the Kiamath Development Com-pany, and they had Curly McDonald cut it
in two in the middle, then splice in a sec-tion to lengthen it. This was to make moreroom for passengers and such luggage asit might be necessary to carry. It was thenchristened the White Pelican. This wasaround 1914 or 1915. It was then usedby parties going to Harriman Lodge, andabout this same time a bar was installed init. My brother once ran the bar.
Griffi ths lived at Odessa, and father builtthe Curlew there in 1908, with Griffith'shelp. I think the Griffiths had the Spraybuilt around 1914 by Curly McDonald.Cap Calkins acquired it sometime aroundthat date. He and Johnnie Hamilton op-erated mail boats for a long time to UpperLake points and Agency Landing. I thinkthey also operated the Oakland, and itseems there was also a boat called theOsprey. Pete Hamilton and his wife oncelived on Buck Island.
The Chelsea Lumber and Box Companybought the Curlew and moved it from theUpper Lake to Lake Ewauna, where it wasused during the First World War. It wascalled the Chelsea down here.
We built the Oakland in 1910 for H. P.Hoey, the Southern Pacific engineer. TheShark was much more recently built by theCalifornia Oregon Power Company crew,about 1936, I think. Some fellow oncemoved the engine ahead to increase thespeed; instead it Cut the speed two miles.
I built the Lilly for the California OregonPower Company about 1923. It was heavyand was used to break ice. A Mullen steelboat was used by the Southern Pacific en-gineers, and also to break ice. It had anO G stern. In those days, ice would com-pletely cover the Upper Lake, and when itbegan to break up, the wind would pile itup along the shore line so high it wouldclose the wagon road, and they didn't havebulldozers in those days, so it would beclosed for days.
The Lii Gal was also a Del Gammonboat, used ott the Upper Lake, which helater took to San Francisco Bay.
Winter Knight built some good sizedhulls, one for Rutenic, or at least Rutenicwas interested somehow, I think.
66.23.
We came here in late 1904 or early1905. Father was H. C., Henry, Telford.Our house here was originally that of Jo-seph G. Pierce, a newspaper man, who wasalso interested in the lumber business.Pierce built the Redkey house east ofConger Avenue. Harry Telford once ownedit.
We built the King before we built theboat house in 1905. It was built for SamSmith and 011ie Gibbons, trappers aroundWhite Lake. We ran it down for them.Went by way of the Kiamath River, Kla-math Straits, Lower Kiamath Lake, and theAdams Tule Cut. They had a houseboatdown there, in which they lived, and westayed with them a short time, hunting.
My old boat house is still standing(1951) where it has always been, since itwas built irs 1909. It used to have asquare front. Another old building stoodjust south of it, which was the Old Brick
Maude Baldwin Photo
The "Klatawa," on Pelican Bay, built and owned by H. C. Telford and son in 1907. It was used onboth lakes at times, for excursions to the Bird Islands on the Lower Lake, and duck hunting on theUpper Lake.
As Told to Me . . . by Ray TelfordNovember 16, 1951 - April 10, 1953 - November 16, 1957
Recorded by Devere HeifrichStore warehouse.
We built over one hundred clinker rowboats, fifteen foot models. We designedthem with fan tail and transome ends.
As I remember, the Jessie was before mytime, but I think the Alma was on the lakewhen we came here. Another early boat,before these even, was the steamer Howard.It drew seven feet of water, so couldn'trun on the Upper Lake. They hadn't mea-sured the depth of the water beforehand.
The old building that used to set at theend of the bridge was the old KiamathNavigation Company building and docks.When the steel bridge was built, I ran aferry from the Navigation Company docksto a point just below the west end of thepresent bridge. I used the Kiatawa to shoveit upstream. We built and owned the Kiata-Wa. That was in 1907. It was twenty-oneand a half feet in length, with tunnel stern,to operate on the lower lake. It was used
sawmill, about one and one-half mileswest.
Teeters' Landing was one-half mile eastof the first Teeters' home. It was used byTeeters, Hall Miller, Charlie Burns, OliverSly, Jack White and a Mr. West.
In the spring of 1890, Teeters sold threescow loads of wood in Linkville, two loadsof 20 cords each, and one of 16 cords. (Sis-kiyou County Pioneer & Yearbook, 1957.Pages 51-52.) These scows were towedby the Lottie C.
Teeters' Landing was used mainly as awood and log landing until the approach ofthe railroad in the 1907-08 period when itbecame a passenger, mail and freight depotof some importance. Three lines convergedthere, one from railhead on the new Cali-fornia Northeastern, one from Ager andone from Pokegama.
In September 19, 1907's Republican theinformation is written of the purchase of475 acres at Teeters' Landing, from Mark L.Burns, for $5,000, and extensive improve-ments to be made by the Kiamath LakeNavigation Company thereon.
In December, 1907, Don Zumwalt andM. D. Williams, County Clerk, were sur-veying a townsite at Teeters'.
On January 16, 1908, a new hotel wasbuilt there, the proprietor being J. A.Bingham.
Photo Courtesy Hal Ogle and Klamath County MuseumTeeters' Landing, 1908 or 1909. Note the number of horses pulling the wagon hauling the dinkyengine destined for the railroad Cut north of Klamath Falls.
By November 26, 1908, the name ofTeeters' Landing had been changed toBlidel.
But the end was in sight, on January 1,1909, Teeters' Landing or Blidel, was by-passed by the new shipping point of Hol-land, where the railroad crossed the Kla-math Straits, running out of Lower Kla-math Lake. This name in turn did not lastlong. There was another "Holland" inWestern Oregon, so the name Ady cameinto being.
Commencing on January 1st, the line in-augurated all boat and train service, and thestage and freight lines were abolished. Adyitself, was short lived. Its end came withthe entrance of the railroad into KiamathFalls, on May 20, 1909. Nelson's Grove, apicnic and excursion site, was located nearTeeters' Landing.
SNOWGOOSE RANCH LA N D I N G.About one mile upstream from Keno, thislanding was probably used only for lumberfrom the Long Lake Lumber Company saw-mill located there, and for forming lografts to be towed to Kiamath Falls.
KIENO. First known as Whittle's Ferry,probably first came into use as a boat land-ing during the Modoc War, in 1872-73.It saw use as a freight and passenger trans-fer point from 1889 to 1903, after whichit saw considerable use as a transfer point
22. 67.
for freight and passengers to and from Po-kegama. It was superceded by Teeters'Landing in 1907. To as late as 1955, Kenosaw considerable use as a lumber and logloading landing. The passenger and freightlanding, nothing elaborate, just a ricketyplatform, extending a short distance into thewater, was located on the upstream side ofthe southern approach to the bridge.
KLAMATH FALLS. From a very closeinspection of early day photos, there ap-pears to have been no docks of any kindbuilt until probably around 1900. Themeans of loading or unloading the littlefreight and passenger traffic would havebeen by a gang plank.
On August 20, 1903, the Republican in-forms us that Will S. Worden, circulated asubscription to raise money "to build anew dock, 18 x 76. This indicates theremay have been some sort of dock then in
UPPER LAKE LANDINGSAGENCY LANDING. At northeastern
part of Agency Lake. In existance sinceFort Kiamath was established. used as atransfer point for passengers, freight, etc.,to Wood River Valley, Kiamath IndianAgency, Spring Creek and Williamson Riversummer camping resorts.
WOOD RIVER. At Weed bridge onWood River. Used almost exclusively forloading baled hay on barges. Among theboats using this landing were the Mazama,Hooligan and Spray.
CRYSTAL CREEK. Several landings, in-cluding the Brown ranch at the head, Ma-lone Springs and Silvers ranch. Mostlyused to ship out lumber and log rafts, pas-sengers to Crater Lake, and supplies to the
PELICAN BAY. As early as 1899, G.Grant Crary (Republican, October 31),was the proprietor of a summer- resort atPelican Bay.
The Republican of July 13, 1902, re-ports that Ira Hansen hauled in a pianofrom Ashland for the lodge. Also that "be-sides the lodge, Mr. Crary has built andfurnished several cottages for the accom-
existance. The dock was needed for thçnewly arrived Tule and Ewauna and theprospects of the Kiamath, yet to come.
The project must have been successfulf r the Republican of October 2 2nd, statesthe Kiamath Lake Navigation Company haspurchased "of Major Worden, Lot numberone, with dock and warehouse at the eastend of the bridge."
With the Kiamath under constructionand the railroad commencing to advance,the Kiamath Lake Navigation Company de-cided to enlarge its landing. According tothe Republican of April 6, 1905, theyowned 300 feet of water front from thebridge, and were building a 60 x 240 footwharf.
Freight warehouses and offices were laterbuilt and it was only a few years ago thatthe last of these buildings were torn down,to make way for Veterans Memorial Park.
modation of the many tourists who spendthe summer there."
By August 14, 1902, the Republican an-nounced that Crary had died at Ashland.Next on July 27, 1905, they report thatG. W. Jones, the manager of Pelican BayLodge, for owner J. D. Kendall, had goneto Ashland after "six fine new row boats."
The Republican of April 18, 1907 statesthat Kendall had sold Pelican Bay Lodgeto Col. W. H. Holabird of the KlamathDevelopment Company. Then on August15th, it was announced that E. H. Harri-man was the real owner. Harriman spentsome time in both 1907 and 1908 at theLodge. By May 9, 1912, it was announcedthat the property, including some 562 acresof land, would be sold to W. P. Johnsonof the Kiamath Development Company.
ODESSA. First known as "The Poplars"or Dennis Resort, the property was takenup originally by Mr. Harschbarger as ahomestead, then purchased by Dennis andacquired by the "Messrs. Griffith" in late1901. Dennis received $6,000 for his 480acres, livestock, buildings and Steamer Alma.Griffiths soon afterward erected a new
saloon set up just inside California on thehill straight south of Merrill. It was burnedonce or twice. It was on the spot Merrillat one time used for a dump ground.
I remember seeing the tops of twelveinch posts of a corral, approximately 120feet in diameter, at a point in what wasthen Tule Lake. The spot was about threeor more miles straight north of the Penin-sula and possibly a mile or two west ofnorth. The water was about eight or tenfeet deep at the time. This was during the1909-1910 period when the reclamationpeople were taking soundings on Tule
Kiamath Republican, July 29, 1909:
According to the Portland Telegram thestatement that Harriman is not coming westthis fall will not down. It has been learnedhere that E. H. Harriman, in his effort toregain his health, expects to come to Ore-gon and milk cows instead of Wall Street.Arrangements have been made at PelicanBay Lodge which indicate pretty clearlythat the "wizard of the Pacifies" will spendsome time at his Pelican Bay country placeearly this fall. The conjecture is that hewill come to Oregon shortly after his ar-rival home from Europe in September.
The plans for preparing his southernOregon retreat includes the construction ofa small model dairy on the place, in whichMr. Harriman will keep a cow or two tosupply him with fresh milk, which is theprinciple article of his diet prescribed byEuropean specialists attending him. Wheth-er he will add the exercise of milking thecows to his frugal diet is a mooted question,but he will have the opportunity of so do-ing should he be so inclined.
Mr. Harriman's reason for having thedairy erected at Pelican Bay is that whenhe was here a year ago he was unable to geta daily supply of fresh milk and cream andnow that this has become an essential partof his daily sustenance he is preparing toequip his lodge with a pair of gentle moolie
Lake. We thought the old emigrant roadfrom Bloody Point to the Stone Bridgecrossing of Lost River passed this corral orwere told so by someone of the Adamsfamily.
Garrett was the foreman for my fatheron the stage line. He was possibly the sameGarrett who ran the stage in 1875 fromAshland to Linkville and Lake City.
In passing up the Klamath River an oldrock ledge near the present Kesterson millinterferred with the boats. I think a channelwas blasted through it.
Kiamath Republican, March 21, 1901
FISH AND FISHING
Those who like to see fish, immense con-gregations of them, all alive and running,and most of them weighing from 2 to 6pounds apiece, ought to be here now. Fiveminutes walk from Main street brings oneto the shores of the Klamath rapids, whereevery little nook, bay and tributary creekis so crowded with mullets that their backsstick out of the water. Ordinary fishingwith hooks and spears or even nets is tooslow to think of. With a pitchfork or withnaked hands a backload may be thrown outin five minutes. These enormous droves offish can now be seen not alone here, but inthe rivers and creeks generally throughoutthe county. Mullets, rainbow trout and sal-monsplendid fish, giants of their size andapparently anxious to be caught. This phe-nomenon will last a month, and until theiregg-laying camp meeting is over with.After that, the herd of fish will be distri-buted over a wider space and will be inplenty the year through. By the way for-tunes could b made here in catching fishand sending them in refrigerator cars to
markets at San Francisco and Portland. Assoon as refrigerator cars can get here, thefish business will be one of the big thingsof the county.
68. 21.
As Told to Me . . . by John Yaden
February 3, 1948My father started a mail stage line from
Ager to Kiamath Falls about 1898. Stopswere at Klamath Hot Springs, or Beswickand Chases, west of Keno about four miles.Sometimes they went down the river pastSpencer Creek instead of crossing at Keno,then on an old grade over Hayden Moun-tain and to a bridge across the KiamathRiver near Beswick, then on to Ager.
I came here in 1901. I think U. E.Reeder came to Klamath after I did, butwas on the Klamath River, in McCormack'sstern wheel, flat bottom boat before I ranthe launches Ewauna and Tule. The Ewaunawas 40 feet in length and the Tule 25.Captain Woodberry shipped both in fromPortland. He had been a pilot on theColumbia River previously. He also ship-ped in the steamer Klamath and owned thedocks at the mouth of Link River. He andLynn Yaden laid out the First Addition toKlamath Falls. It was for the steamer Kia-math that the channel was dredged toLairds Landing. Previous to this all land-ings had been at Mosquito Point, about
Maude Baldwin Photo
Ewauna on White Lake. Merrill Landing in distance, past stern of boat. Maude Baldwin PhotoHarriman Lodge at Pelican Bay. Used by E. H. Harriman in both 1907 and 1908.
Recorded by Devere Heifrichtwo miles northeast of Laird's and ChalkBluffs about one mile farther. Possibly oneor the other of these were known as In-dian Bank Landing.
I ran both the Ewauna and Tule onLower Kiamath and used the Adams TuleCut into White Lake in carrying Reclama-tion officials to various places. There wasalso a landing northwest of Laird's, 1½to 2 miles where no dredging was neces-sary for boats to land. This may have beencalled the Indian Bank Landing becausethere were many morters there in solid rock.This may also have been called CoyotePoint or Oklahoma Landing in later times.There was also another landing reachedthrough Sheepy Lake that required nodredging. This landing was possibly theone used by the Fairchild Ranch.
I can remember a school near Laird's.There were no buildings at all betweenMerrill and Laird's when I was first in thatneighborhood. Adams had a horse ranchon the Fleenor Chimney road. During earlyprohibition days in Oregon, there was a
hotel. By July 5, 1902, the Republicanstates that the name "Odessa' was now ap-plied to the locality, replacing 'The Pop-lars." Later a dance pavilion was built justsoutheast of the hotel, and a sawmill acrossOdessa Creek to the north. The mill builtin 1904, operated for several years.
Ott May 18, 1909, it was announced thatOdessa had passed into the hands of Col.Holabird, special representative of E. H.Harriman.
Approximately half way between Odessaand Pelican Bay Lodge, a one and one-halfmile, fifty foot channel was dredged in late1910 and early 1911, to accommodate thePelican Bay Lumber Company operations.This landing probably saw the most use ofany on the Upper Lake, although in use forprobably less than ten years.
WOODBINE. A little over a mile south-east of Odessa is a small butte, the south-eastern extremity of which is known asCoon Point. Here, Stidham Creek emptiesinto the lake proper, and became M. H.Wampler's Woodbine Resort and Landing,when Odessa and Pelican Bay resorts werepurchased by the Harriman interests, andwere no longer available to the public.Before this, Stidham had long been a log-
ging center for the Moore Bros. sawmillon Link River.
ROCKY POINT. Located a little over amile north of Pelican Bay Lodge, or as itwas later known Harriman Lodge, RockyPoint came into existance because of thepurchases heretofore mentioned by the Har-riman interests. As stated by Ray Telford,"When we went up there to build theCurlew, there were only two tents at RockyPoint, in a little space, knocked out of thebrush." Charles Wilson seems to have runthe first resort, to which in 1911 a wharfand storehouse were added.
HOMESTEADERS LANDING. South ofWoodbine or Stidham Creek about twomiles, was homesteaders landing, at thenorthwestern corner of the Doak property.
EAGLE RIDGE TAVERN. After sellingOdessa, the Griffiths built a large hotel atthe "white sulphur springs' on the extremenorthern extremity of Eagle Ridge Point.During June and early July, 1909, theymoved their possessions to the new loca-tion. The July 15th Republican announcedthe opening date was to be July 20th. TheTavern was strictly a tourist and vacationistcenter. It burned in either 1926 or 1927.
KLAMATH FALLS. Close examination
20. 69.
Eagle Ridge Tavern, opened about July 20, 1909, burned in 1926 or 1927.
of early day photos of Upper Kiamath Lakein the vicinity of the head of Link Riverwas also made and it appears that landingswere made on both the east and west shores.They were nothing more than the usualrickety platform. Boats w e r e few andfreighting was not overburdensome.
Then, with the advent of the boom yearsof the early 1900's, boats became the keyto the Upper Lake. The Kiamath Develop-ment Company, or Buena Vista interests,were the first to built a landing of any con-sequence on the Upper Lake. A boat houseand docks were constructed, then in 1908
it was here or near here, that many of thUpper Klamath Lake boats were built bysuch men as Pete Perry, Curly McDonald,Alex Nosier, Ray Telford, Steve Means,Heilkemper & Brennan, and others.
Slightly to the southeast of the Buena
Vista tday' thouseposite tEd.), were the sand docks, where theWood and Williamson River sand bargeswere unloaded.
Farther to the north, docks and a smallboat house were in existance by 1909 (op-posite the old Shippington lumber officeEd.), at what became known as the Ship-pington docks. Some of the same boat buil-ders worked here also, including JohnLinman.
the Steamer Kiamath ended its career.North, another quarter mile or so, at the
base of the hills, was Hank's Landing. Itwas to this point the Steamer Kiamath andthe dredge Kiamath Queen, were broughtoverland to be launched on the upper lake,
was running through the Straits into LowerKiamath Lake. And in the fall, we hauledhay from Oklahoma through the straitsinto the river, when the water was drainingOut of the Lower Lake, We also tried totime it right so we would reach the straitsat night. After entering the straits wewould go to bed and let the boat float andthe next morning wake up in Lower Kla-math Lake, in the fall when the lake wasdraining into the river and we were haulinghay out we did the same, enter the straitsand go to bed and the next morning wewould be on Klamath River. The pictureof the little dinky train on the barge was thetime the Canby brought in the little rail-road that was used to make the Cut fromthe railroad north of the Esplanade under-pass and build the fill across the swamp inthat neighborhood and the depot, cleat onto the cut in the Pelican City vicinity. Thatis me in the pilot house. On White Lakethere used to be humps all over and whattime we were not stuck in the mud, we wereout in hip boots hunting a channel.
The Van Brimmer ditch drained WhiteLake so that Frank Adams attempted to getwater from Lower Klamath. At first he
tried to open up a channel from LowerKlamath Lake to White Lake by cutting thesod with hay knives, but it didn't work.So he later got a dredge from Fall RiverValley, from the McArthur Brothers, Ithink. It was brought in by freight teams toChalk Bluff Landing and reassembled there.I remember some dredge was built at Teter'sLanding, but I think it was the one COPCOnow has on the Upper Lake. The Adamsdredge was used on Adams cut from LowerKlamath Lake to White Lake, on the cut toLaird's Landing and on the fills for the rail-road across the swamp at Ady. It was alsoused south of town here, dyking LakeEwauna.
In those days, it took from twenty-fourto thirty-six hours from Keno to KlamathFalls, towing logs to Moore's and Ackleysmills. The Canby or its barges never drewmore than three feet of water if that much.They were all flat bottomed, so they couldgo over the old Indian rock ledge near theKesterson mill. Later the channel was madethrough by using grapling hooks. (Thisin all probability was the rock piers used forthe original Nus bridge across the KlamathRiver. Devere.) Oh, yes, I remember theMayflower was sunk at Keno.
Ray Telford PhotoThe Antler on Upper Kiamath Lake. Owned by Jim Hansborough, and used for hunting and pleasuretrips.
70. 19.
Priest PhotoThe Canby on Lake Ewauna. Left to right: Unknown man, Raymond Ball, Clyde Ball and William
Carver Ball. 1910-1912 period.
As Told to Me. . . by Judge U. E. Reeder''I'll'
March 3, 1948I came here in 1895 and began boating
about 1900.The Canby and the Kiamath were the
only two commercial carriers that were everlicensed and Government inspected. Theywere also licensed to carry passengers. Ofcourse the Canby was on the river before theKlamath. It was built at Keno. McCormackwas the owner and I was the Captain.
There were two different Canbys. Theold one used two upright engines with woodpulleys that had seven grooves that regu-lated the speed and power. There was also abig pulley at the back that had seven grooves.A rope was used between the two pulleysand wlien it began to fray it was time tochange. We always waited for J. J. McIntyrethe freighter to bring in a hundred tons offreight to Laird's Landing from Grass Lakewhich was the end of the railroad in thosedays. He had all matched teams, whites inone, bays in another, blacks, etc. He came in
Recorded by Devere Heifrichwith the railroad and freighted from GrassLake to Lairds' Landing at first. He hadabout five teams, some were eight mules andthree wagons, others were six mules and twowagons. And then he would always let usknow when he had one hundred ton offreight at Lairds. They just piled the freightup and we would take two fifty-ton bargesto bring it back. We backed into the chan-nel at Laird's and loaded the barges aheadand then pushed them Out.
We used to pick up hay on barges atSheepy Lake. Oklahoma Landing was justa pier, with hay stacked on it, real high. Thehay was brought in from Brownell's andFairchild's.
Most of the lumber used in buildingMerrill and the surrounding ranches wasbrought in by boat from McCormack's millat Keno to White Lake, not by wagon asmost people think.
We always tried to haul lumber to theLower Lake in the spring when the water
The Turtle in the Pelican Bay vicinity, but who was the owner?
MISCELLANEOUS..Following is a list of launches, sailboats
and a few work boats which were named.We have considerable information on sev-eral, but the names only on the others.These boats were in existance from 1903to 1913, and a few much later. Due to thelack of space, this information cannot begiven in this issue of Klamath Echoes. Thenamed boats are:
Antler, Beth, Grebe, Dixie, Dorothy,Ella Gordon, Hohenzollern, Ivanhoe, King,Klatawa, Lilly, Lusetta, Crystal, Madam,Shamrock, Oregon (Copco), Shark, Tarter,Turtle, Wampus, Wocus, Midget, Cruiser,Speed, Tarn, Speed King, Marguerite, Eli-zabeth, Red Rover, Mac, Shag, Blywas, RedWing, Nancy K, and Arthur Mason.
The following list is the names of theowners of launches who evidently nevernamed their boats:
B. St. George Bishop, E. R. Reames,Browns of Crystal, J. V. Houston, J. G.Pierce, Tom Statten, 0. K. Puckett, Copco,Martin Bros., Goeller, Francis R. Olds,
Priest Photo
Brewbaker, Austin White, George T. Bald-win, Schallock & Daggett, W. A. Huson,H. D. Foster, Deal & McCormack, ClydeHuffman, Heilkemper & Brennan, Erickson& Peterson, and twenty or more work boatsowned by the various mills and used ontheir log ponds and to tow logs.
The Evening Herald, May 25, 1908:
The Buena Vista water front presentedan exceedingly nautical appearance with thesteamers Hornet, Winema, White Cinda,and Mazama, together with the big houseboat Lady Vera, all docked at the same time.The launches Buena Vista and Hazeldinewith three lighters and seven smaller boatswere also anchored at the same time.
Repnblican, February 20, 1902:
The fine weather on Tuesday inducedHerbert and Charles Baldwin to exercisetheir yacht on the river and lake. They hada gay and enjoyable trip and attracted muchattention. Their boat with sails all set, rodethe waves like a bird.
18. 71.
They Check . .
By DEVERE HELFRICHA few statements made by old timers in
"As Told to Me," confirmed by articles inold newspapers.
1st. When George Miller, (KiamathEchoes, Vol. I, No. 1. Pages 15 & 16.)states that he remembers "three people whowere out in a row boat, on Lake Ewauna,being drowned, a saloon keeper namedDickey, his wife and another man."
His statement is confirmed by the Ash-land Tidings of August 8, 1876, which re-ports: "A letter from J. M. Sutton, now atLinkville: 'On my return (from the UpperLakeEd.), joining with Mr. GeorgeCoon, we took a boat ride in the ill-fatedboat from which Judge Small, John Dickand wife lost their lives. We visited thelocation of the disaster'."
Miller's statement is further confirmed bythe Tidings of June 17, 1881: "Mr. Dun-lap, of Jacksonville, also removed the re-mains of the Dick party from the Link-yule Cemetary. They were drowned in thelake when their sailboat upset." Lastly con-firmation comes from the Klamath Republi-can, February 28, 1907: ". . . J. H. Dick ofEugene, was born in this county. His parentswere drowned in May 1876, by the accidental overturning of a boat. Two orphanboys were left. Mr. Dick lived in Link-yule for some time. He was employed,sshen 14, on the Reames and Martin ranch,which is now Mills addition, shooting jackrabbits."
2nd. When Ivan Dennis tells that hisfather Louis Dennis "helped hunt for theMason brothers when they were drowned.He found them both (Klamath Echoes, thisissue.)," his statement is, in part at least,confirmed by the Republican of April 19,1909: "J. C. & charles Mason left in asail boat from Pelican Bay to Kiamath Fallstwo weeks ago last Sunday. They were lastseen off Eagle Ridge Point. A few daysago their boat was discovered near themouth of Williamson River. J. C. had
farmed Bear Island several years. They hadleft their blankets there, where they still are.Both left large families, all in destitutecondition."
The Republican of June 14, 1909, fur-ther reported: "The Mason brothers' wivesleft last Saturday for Illinois."
3rd. When Bryce McCormack (KlamathEchoes, this issue.), tells that: "A man andboy in a row-boat started to hitch a ride ona scow we were pushing once, but mis-judged our speed and instead of comingalongside, got hit by the corner of thescow. The man grabbed the scow but theboy was thrown into the water anddrowned."
Again the old timer's statement is con-firmed by the Republican, December 5,1907: "Earl Kagg, the young son of Mr.& Mrs. George Kagg of Teeters' Landing,was drowned near that place at threeo'clock, Saturday afternoon. Accompaniedb Mr. Stonebrake, Kagg went in a skiff tomeet the Steamer Canby which was pullinginto Teeters with a barge loaded with 1umher. The skiff collided with the steamer,precipitating the occupants into the river.Young Kagg was drawn under the bargeand drowned before assistance could reachhim. The body was not recovered untilSunday afternoon. Funeral services wereheld Monday and the remains interred nearTeeters'."
Republican, July 1, 1909:
The first of the mosquito fleet will belaunched at the Upper Landing today andwill mark an agreeable epoch in our pro-gression. The first, the "Ella Gordon" isa small boat modeled and built for the ac-commodation of people; something like theOdessa boats, only larger, carrying fromfive to ten people, and thoroughly safe.Fifteen of these boats will be built, andmore, if the trade demands.
the man who owned the camp, Snow. Itwas about three miles from the top of thechute. Bud Inman was the engineer on OldBlue. When a man was sent out on a joband took too long he was sent to jail. That'swhat they called peeling the logs. After aweek of that you went back to your regularjob. Ed Way was the best barker that everstruck the hill.
My wife was born in 1890 and the oldBonita school was there before that. Shewent to her first school there in 1897, Mysister Bertha once taught there. AnnieRoscoe also taught there.
Connelly who had a sawmill belowEllingson's mill made so many trips toKlamath Falls and had to pay toll to crossthe bridge here, until he got tired of it.He built a bridge about a mile below hereon the bend, and everyone else used it too,as it was free.
I saw a shooting take place on the oldbridge once. Nurse and Tooke had been atouts for some time. One day I knew Tookehad a gun in his pocket and knew troublewas coming up. They started across thebridge, when they got into it. The centerpart of the bridge was double decked andwhen Tooke started to jump back, hecaught his heel on the plank and fell. AsNurse started for him, he pulled his gun andfired. Nurse had his hand in his pocket andthe bullet hit his hand and lodged in hiship. Of course that stopped the fight.Nurse came to me and wanted me to takehim to Klamath Falls. I said I would, and
told him to lay down while I got mywagon and team. He wouldn't do it. Hehad lots of guts. He harnessed one horse,singing and then crying that he was going todie. His wife went to town with us. Thehotel was full but under the circumstancesthey let us make a bed down for him on thefloor, and after the doctor cleaned thewound we sat up with him all night.
A man and boy in a row-boat started tohitch a ride on a scow we were pushingonce, but misjudged our speed and insteadof coming alongside, got hit by the corner ofthe scow. The man grabbed the scow butthe boy was thrown into the water anddrowned. We stopped and drug for him.Altogether I have helped drag up fivedifferent men in the river.
The two old narrow gage railroads hereran by gravity, with horses to pull the emp-ties back to the woods. I used to tow logs toMoore's mill and Big Lakes. I would pullclear up to the bridge with the boat anddump the logs out the lower end into theMoore log pond.
I carried mail from Keno to Picard whenI was fifteen, one year too young accordingto government regulations.
The old school between Puckett's andParker's was placed half way between sothere could be no complaint of favoritism.Old man Puckett used to braid his beard andfold it back, but if he stood up and let itOut, it reached the floor and lay along ittwo inches.
As Told to Me. . . by Gertie ColahanApril 28, 1965
The Lottie C was built in San Diego andlater shipped to San Francisco. Jr ran onPetaluma Creek before coming here.
I was born in 1882.My father, John Clantcn, shipped the
Lottie C here, before the family came. Wefirst settled at Oklahoma Flats on the LowerLake. Father used the Lottie C on the LowerLake between Oklahoma Landing, Keno and
Recorded by Devere HeifrichLinkville, hauling freight, a few passengersand most anything. We lived near Okla-homa Landing.
Father later moved the Lottie C to theUpper Lake and sold it to Bird Loosley. Iunderstood it sunk up there shortly after-ward.
John Clanton and his son Dave, who stilllives at Redding, ran the Lottie C.
72. 17.
Maude Baldwin Photo
Thouyht to be the first Canby on Lake Ewauna. Possibly could be Mayflower. Around 1905.07 period.
As Told to Me .. . by Bryce McCormackJuly 26, 1952
Recorded by Devere Heifrich
I was born in Kansas in 1875 and cameto Oregon when I was eight. We lived fora time at Portland before coming here.
At one time we lived at Cooper StageStation, and I had my first fight there. Iwent to the first Keno school when I wasfourteen. It was held in Bing Grubb'ssmoke house. There were no desks, so wehad to sit around the room on benches. Theold smoke house stood on the east side ofthe pine tree at the base of the hill, wherethe highway swings to the right after passingunder the Weyerhauser railroad. BingGrubb's house sat on the opposite side ofthe pine.
The next year a schoolhouse was built onan acre of ground a short distance westwardalong the old Ashland road. I got $5.00each for digging the holes for the boys andgirls privies.
At various times I worked at all the oldmills and on all the old boats. My father
owned the Mayflower, also the Canby. Thefirst Canby had a rope drive. The only thingout of the first Canby used in the secondwas the boiler. The second Canby was runby two upright engines, one on each side.There was another little stub of a boat calledthe Captain Jack. It was a stern wheelerbut was no good, and the man who built itnever did anything with it. Captain Ballbuilt the Bnffalo, the only stern wheel gasboat on the river.
When I was on the Canby, the Kiamathfelt they were the fastest on the river. Weknew one day that they were laying for us,so when they backed out from the dock andgot squared away we had steam up and wereready for them. We tied the safety valveopen and took off. When the Klamath tiedup at the dock at Teter's Landing we wereright there with them.
I fell trees at Old Snow. It was just alogging camp. I think it was named after
16.
Very little information has been foundon boating on Tule Lake after that whichhas already been given in this issue ofKlamath Echoes, which transpired duringthe emigrant and Modoc War period.
According to an article by Isabelle Barryin the Herald & News, October 8, 1947,M. L. Coppock, wife and two children,came into Northern California in 1898.Mr. Coppock took up a homestead on thepeninsula, then known as the "Sand Strip,"in 1899. He built a small cabin out ofshakes. His living was made by trappingand hunting, being a commercial duck andgoose hunter. The Coppocks' principalmethod of travel was by water. Supplieswere brought in by barge from Merrill,down Lost River, and across the lake. Thisrequired some skill in navigation becausewhen coming up to Merrill it was necessaryto know where the channel of Lost Riverentered the lake or the barge would stickin the sand bar. On these trips, Coppocksounded the lake many times. The waterover the area now known as Coppock Baywas from 16 to 20 feet deep.
73.
"There was a long growing season withno danger of frost from April to October.The Coppocks had a large fruit orchardbearing apples, peaches, and pears. It was agreat day when the settlers from MaImcame in their wagons and boats to buyfruit for winter canning....
"There was no school on the peninsula.During the winter of 1906-07 the familymoved onto a houseboat which they an-chored in Lost River near Merrill whilethe children went to schol. . . . Coppock soldhis holdings in 1923......
From the Herald and News, June 7, 1959we learn: "Boats played an important partin the early development of the Czechsettlement of Malin.
"U.S. Bureau of Reclamation crafts pliedthe lake water, hauling men and equipment.(See also As Told to Me by John Yadenin Kiamath Echoes, this issue.) Rafts oflumber were towed to construction jobs,gravel was brought from the peninsula southof the present town of Tulelake to Merrillto be used for the surfacing of roads, andhay and garden produce raised by the Cop-
Priest PhotoUnknown boat on Lost River at MenilI. The late Irene Laden, A. C. Yaden, and J. C. Rutenic.
Boating on Tule Lake . . .
By DEVERE HELFRICH
pock family on the south shore of TuleLake were brought across the water to besold before such crops were produced inthe new MaIm community. Pleasure boatsalso crossed the lake, taking picnickers tothe lava beds. The Fairy was one of severalused for dual purposes, transportation andfun. Often passengers were carried andlumber rafts pulled at the same time."
One such trip narrowly escaped a disas-trous ending and is described in the Eve-ning Herald of October 4, 1911: Great ex-citement prevailed at the Malin colonySunday. After dark, in a stormy and coldnight, seventeen persons were lost on agasoline launch. The party, consisting oftwo men from Merrill, operators of thelaunch, W. S. Adams, wife and child; Jos.Halouska, wife and child; Tom Freden-burg, wife and children, and some others,started in the morning on the launch, whichhad only a 1½-horsepower engine, for thelava beds.
'Tule Lake was stormy, and high waveswith whitecaps were rolling up. The partywas expected back before sunset, but whenthe darkness set over the stormy waters andthere was no sign of the launch, severalrelatives and friends of the excursionistswere running around on the shore, shout-ing and calling in the darkness, in vain.
"After 11 p.m. a ranchman living on thepeninsula of Tule Lake brought in hiswagon the half frozen excursionists.
"The launch broke down when the partyreached about the middle of the lake, andthe waves were drifting the helpless vesseltowards the peninsula.
"A merciful high wave threw the boataway up on the dry shore with all its ex-cursionists safe.
"The men of the expedition started onfoot in search of help, and late in the eve-ning secured from a ranchman the neces-sary wagons to take the "castaways" home.
'It is next to a miracle that no lives werelost, and the experience of all the membersof the expedition sounds like a good hair-raising novel."
The Republican of February 28, 1907stated: "E. P. Slate, city marshal, and 0.
W. Ladd went to Laird's Landing Mondayafter a gasoline launch to be remodeled forservice on Tule Lake."
The Evening Herald of May 22, 1911stated: "Rutenic, Shook, and Goeller re-turn f r o m t h e Lava Beds in Goeller'slaunch."
Jess Witlatch is supposed to have "hauledred cinders on the Tom Calmes barge fromCinder Mountain, to his father's ranch onLost River at the old Stonebridge crossingto fill a contract for surfacing the road to.Merrill." (By Ruth King, clipping Heraldand News, unknown date.)
Boats owned and used by Tom Calmesduring the 1911-19 14 period, on Tule Lake,were the Crystal and Shag. (See As Toldto Me, by Tom Calmes in Klamath Echoes,this issue.)
Republican, July 15, 1909:
one matter attended to by Mr.Holabird was the shipping to Pelican Bayof a Chinese sampan. This peculiar craftwas presented to him by the President ofthe Pacific Mail Steamboat Co. It is ofteakwood and came direct from China.
The only one of its kind in the state ifnot on the coast. If the boats and launcheson the Upper Lake could talk there wouldbe gossip galore among them this summer,and there might, perhaps, be an appeal tothe government for the enforcement of theexclusion law or a demand for the en-forcement of penalties connected with theviolation of the alien labor law. It is noth-ing less than a Chinese sampan. It is noimitation of the real thing, either, for itshows the earmarks of having passed fromthe hands of the native workmen, and hasundoubtedly seen service on the rivers ofChina.
The boat is about sixteen feet long, withthe usual swan-shaped bow. The mode ofpropulsion is the old-fashioned sweep thatswings from the stern of the craft. Severalcharacters in Chinese are to be seen on itssides.
Lost River Slough at low water. Looking east toward Stukel Mt. Priest Photo
As Told to Me.. . by Ivy Emmit Propst DrewFebruary 3, 1948
Recorded by Devere HeifrichRiver Slough. All hands got out andworked, finally got loose and went on.Somewhere in the slough on the returntrip I captured a number of goslings, tookthem home and the next morning they werescattered all over the house. This was in1889 when I was about eight years old.
I remember at one time the Topsy schoolhad but one pupil, Vera Frain (Clemmons).
I traveled through Bend before there wasa Bend there. I was with my father who wassurveying in the Wapinitia country. I alsoremember another time, my father tooksome thread from a spool my mother had,and with a bent pin, caught enough fishout of Keene Creek for a meal for all ofus. I also remember when Wren Frain, whowas about sixteen years old at the time, wasworking for my father on Topsy Grade. Heused to let my sister Charm and myself tryto ride him, and would buck us off. He wasa fine boy and man. I think the first post-master of Topsy was Major Overton, wholived at the top of the grade.
My father came from the Roseburgcountry. He forded the Klamath River atMerganser (Kesterson Mill) in 1875. Myfather's brother was killed by the Modocs.Father built the wagon road from Keno tothe state line and the Topsy grade about1889. He was Robert A. Emmit Therewere two bridges across the Klamath Riverbelow the Topsy Grade, the upper one wasknown as the Frain bridge and I do notbelieve was a wagon bridge, but the one atShovel Creek was.
The McCormack stern wheeler was theMayflower, and I rode on it on it's maidentrip. The trip started from Keno at 4:00A.M., up the Klamath River to near Mer-ganser where it left the river to follow theLost River Slough to Lost River. It thenfollowed down Lost River to Tule Lake andlanded at Adams Point. A picnic was heldthere, and the return trip was made by thesame route. We arrived back at Keno at12:00 midnight. Either going or coming,I don't remember which, the Mayflowerbecame stuck in the mud and tulies of Lost
74. 15.
had his own launch. These varied in sizefrom a rowboat powered by a small engineto cruiser cabin launches 35 to 40 feet long.
"As the lumber industry on the lakedeveloped the need for more dependabletugboats was apparent, and in 1910 AntonWickstrom and John Linman built theModoc, 16 foot beam and 60 feet long,with a draught of 34 inches, with sternwheel. Her boilers were originally woodburners but converted to oil in 1918. In1914 after Wickstrom and Linman dis-solved partnership, Captain Linman builtthe second towboat, the Wasp, 13 feet by50 feet, with a draught of 26 inches. Themachinery for the Wasp had formerly beenused in a boat on Tule Lake.
Captain Wickstrom had started a sandbusiness in 1909 to meet the requirementsof a rapidly growing city. He towed bargesup the lake to the mouths of WilliamsonRiver and Wood River and there loadedwith sand sucked from the lake bottom. Thewater drained away leaving a product muchin demand by the building industry. Hisboat, the Eagle, was steam propelled andhe used the same power for operating hispump.
Maude Baldwin Photo
The Steamer Kiamath pushing two barges on Lake Ewauna sometime during the 1905.1909 period.
"During the years that followed, CaptainWickstrom expanded his business to includethe hauling of volcanic cinders from CoonPoint on the west side of Klamath Lake.These cinders have proven to be of superiorquality for road surfacing. In fact, as thispaper is written in 1947, a company istowing barge loads of cinders across thelake to be used as ballast on SouthernPacific railroad lines.
'In 1905 the Klamath Navigation Com-pany had built the steamer Kiamath onLake Ewauria for hauling freight andpassengers from Laird's Landing to KlamathFalls. It was 75 feet long and 18 feet wide,a double deck freight and passenger boat,of the screw propeller type. When the rail-road was completed into Kiamath Falls thesteamer Klamath was no longer needed forthis run and was moved to Upper KlamathLake for passenger service. Pelican BayLumber Company later bought the steamerto use in towing logs to their mill.
'With the development of good high-ways, motor cars, and trucks, boating onKlamath Lake decreased until today onlya few pleasure boats and small diesel-
powered tow boats are to be seen where thelarger craft were once so necessary."
Oregon State Highway Commission PhotoExcursion launch on Crater Lake. Wizard Island in the background.
As Told by Miss Blanche C. Hufiman
Crater Lake Boating..Printed in the Herald and News Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, 1956
By RUTH KINGPresent day pleasure boats at Crater Lake
two gasoline - propelled, 35-foot launchesand 20 rowboats, have gone into winterstorage on Wizard Island and are snowwrapped until the spring sun again makesthe blue waters of the lake tenable for tripsaround the shore line.
Park officials say that more than 5,000visitors per week or a total of 25,000 fol-lowed the trail from the rim to the watersedge from the opening date on June 15 tothe closing date, September 15. Of thisnumber, 2,500 made the launch trips to seethe majestic splendor of the sheer wallsfrom the water line. Boat trips were startedabout mid-July when the path was acces-
sible.Each boatload of passengers was accom-
panied by a national park naturalist wholectured on the rock formations, the moun-tain peaks, and gave a history of the famouswater which is 1996 feet at greatest depth.A shuttle-boat carried passengers betweenthe shore and Wizard Island. Row boatsare used for fishing.
The first boat, according to national parkrecords, was put into the water in 1869 byJames M. Sutton of Jacksonville. It tookfive people to launch a knocked - downwooden row boat that was let over the rimand rowed to Wizard Island.
This feat was written up in a Jackson-
14. 75.
yule paper and is believed to have been thefirst time the name Crater Lake was usedin print.
The next craft was The Fleetwood, a 25-foot boat, launched by C. E. Dutton in1886 from which the first important sci-entific soundings of the lake were made.
In 1907 the first gasoline-powered boat.the W/ocus, went into operation, handled byG. D. Whitney. Then came a Fleetwood,operated by George Woodbury, ColonelMathew Wilkins, owners of the KlamathLake Navigation Co., and handled by ClydeE. (Dewey) Huffman, an engineer; theSparrow, that operated until 1915 or 1916,and the Mm let down over the rim in asnow-filled gulley in 1928.
This bit of boat history was brought tomind by information recently furnished byBlanche Carlisle Huffman, of As h I an d,whose father was the Clyde (Dewey) Huff-man, of Ashland, who kept the spark-plugsclean and gasoline flowing on the boat thatwent into the lake in 1908. Of this shesays:
It was in the spring of 1908 that Cap-tain George Woodbury and Co lo n e 1Mathew Wilkins, owners of the KiamathLake Navigation Company that operatedthe steamer Kiamath and launches Ewaunaand Tule, on Lake Ewauna and the KlamathRiver, bought a gasoline launch from myuncle Jerry Martin and his son Alec. Theboat was bought for the Crater Lake Co.owned by numerous local stockholders.
Joe Ball of the Kiamath Agency washired to use his heavy horse-drawn rig totake the boat and equipment for loweringit to lake level, to the rim. Hay and grainfor eight head of horses was taken along.
A third wagon took the family, Mrs.Mary Huffrrian, Dewey's mother, his wifeBlanche, their baby son Donnie, and Snippy,the dog. Still another wagon held tents,cases of groceries, clothing, a cookstove anddishes, articles enough for three monthsliving away from civilization.
Late in June the cortege was on its way.The road led over the hill (the old FortRoad where OTI stands today) on whichlived the Applegates, the Coilmans, the
Jensens, and others of those early days.The rutted road was the only one to the
north, to Fort Klamath, Klamath Agency,Klamath Marsh, Crater Lake, and the Bendcountry.
The trip around the edge of the lakewas rough to Modoc Point. They reachedFort Kiamath the second night, and thenext day pulled into the hills on ice-packed,narrow roads. That night they camped onWhiskey Creek whose waters dropped intoAnnie Creek Canyon where the horses nib-bled at short grass, and camp was madeby kerosene lantern light. Supper was cook-ed over a campfire in the bitter cold.
A stop was made at Crater Lake head-quarters for hot meals and beds before theparry pulled into a spot west of the presentSinnott Memorial to seek a place to lowerthe boat to the water.
Obstacles were overcome and the boatslid down a rocky, snow-covered ravine onthe third day after arrival on the rim. Therewere no casualties to men or boat.
All the men except Dewey Huffman anda helper returned home. These two selecteda spot near the present government campfor a permanent camp, close by a littlespring where deer often came to drink.
Tents were set up for kitchen, diningroom, living room all in one and for sleep-ing rooms of the family and visitors. The.nthe Fleetwood was put in order by Huffmanbefore he put the boat into the water.
The boat rode proudly with the Americanflag fluttering in the breeze. Dewey took thedistillate (used for gasoline) down thetrail, carrying two five-gallon cans on hisshoulders.
There were no fishing nor hunting li-censes in those days so they caught and atequantities of fish from the lake, also tradedthem for huckleberries during the summerseason when many visitors from Klamath,Jackson, and Josephine counties came to thehuckleberry patch to pick. Hunting in thepark was prohibited but they traded fish fordeer meat. The nearest market was 40miles away.
Miss Huffman continues the story:"Before going on with my story, I must
Howard was built in 1879 by H.M.Thatcher and Sykes Worden. It was 65feet long, 12 foot beam, drawing from 41/2to 8 feet of water with a 40 horsepowerengine and 4 foot propeller, and cost theowners about eight thousand dollars.Mechanics were brought from San Fran-cisco to build the boat. The boss carpenterhad designed the Merrimac of Civil Warfame. This steamer was purchased fromthe original owners in 1880 by GeorgeLoosley and George Nurse and one yearlater Mr. Loosley bought out Mr. Nurse'sshare.
"Associated in the boat business withGeorge Loosley was his brother John F.(Fred) Loosley. In 1884 the two brothersbuilt a flat bottom stern wheel boat calledthe City of Klamath.
"Edward K. Loosley, son of George W.Loosley says that his father had a contractfor hauling supplies to Fort Klamath butthe General Howard steamboat could not beoperated successfully because it drew toomuch water, thus the City of Klamath wasbuilt, using the same machinery as had beenin the General Howard. The second boatwas successfully operated until the soldiersleft Fort Kiamath and the immediate needfor a freight boat no longer existed. Aboutthis time Mr. Loosley traded his boat for agood span of horses.
"About 1897 the Lottie C., another smallsteamboat or launch which had been opera-ating on Klamath River between Keno andKiamath Falls, was moved to Upper Kia-math Lake. It was owned by a man namedClanton, and later operated by Bird Loosley.It was rather short lived after coming toKiamath Lake.
"In the late 1890's and early 1900'sthere were several small boats, mostlybarges equipped with steam engines andstern wheels, to do necessary freightingand towing on the lake. These were opera-ted by Baldy Richardson, Louis Dennis,Bert Wilson, Dan Griffith, and others.They bore names Oregon, Hobson, Alma,Mud Hen, Hornet, Hooligan, North Starand Eagle.
"In the summer of 1904 the largeststeamboat to ever ply the lake was built:the Winema by John Totton and HarryHansberry, experienced steamboat men fromthe Columbia River. As the Winemabegan to take shape---125 feet long overall and 22 feet 6 inches wide, with threedecks and cabin accommodations--there wasmuch conjecture among the residents ofKiamath as to what such a boat would doon the lake, It was propelled by twin steamengines connected directly to the sternwheel, and of necessity, to operate in theshallow waters of the Klamath Lake hadto be built with a minimum of draught-22inches when empty.
"It was a great day for Klamath when,in the spring of 1905, the Winema waslaunched and prepared for her maiden run.Thereafter, a daily schedule was established.The Winema called at every accessiblepoint on the lake, hauling freight of allkinds, and passengers. And each Sunday theboat would be loaded to capacity for a bigexcursion.
"The three decks high and the shallowdraught came near being the undoing ofthe Winema. In the spring of 1906 aftertaking a heavy load of freight up the lake,she was returning without ballast and onlya few passengers when a gale of wind offEagle Ridge caught her and blew her overin 12 or 15 feet of water. As the boatwent over the passengers and crew climbedout on top, where they remained while theCaptain paddled ashore and went for help.After that experience the third deck wasremoved. She served for many years tofurnish a worthy chapter in steamboating,being destroyed by fire in 1925, as she layin drydock in Kiamath Falls.
"In 1909 the Mazama, a small twin screwsteamboat, was put into operation on a runfrom Klamath Falls to the town of FortKlamath. This entailed a run up WoodRiver, a narrow and very crooked stream.
"About this time gasoline launches be-came very popular and for a number ofyears everyone living adjacent to the lake
76. 13.
At the meeting of February 19, 1947,Fred Brown of Crystal gave an excellentpaper on the history of transportation onUpper Klamath Lake. Mr. Brown is wellqualified to speak on this subject as hisfather settled on the western shore of thelake in the 1890s. A digest of his paperfollows:
'Boating on Klamath Lake has had avaried existance, ranging from the dugoutcanoe the Indians, used by them for hunting,fishing, and gathering Wocus'---a termapplied to the seeds of the yellow pond-lily--to the high-powered speed boat oftoday.
"When Fort Klamath was established in1863, the supplies had to be brought infrom Jacksonville, Oregon, by pack trainof mules and horses over the old RancheriaTrail which crossed the mountains justnorth of Mt. Pitt. Later, to shorten the long
Maude Baldwin Photo
Unknown boat on Upper Kiamath Lake. Thought to be Mud Hen.
Reprinted from Oregon Historical Quarterly," March, 1947
Upper Kiamath Lake Boating . .
trek around Kiamath Lake, some squarerigged 'wind jammer' barges were built,one of which was 10 feet by 40 feet, andanother 16 feet by 60 feet, to carry thefreight from the location of the presentRocky Point Post-Office to the old AgencyLanding. These barges were sailed on theopen lake and propelled by pike poles onthe streams. They were later owned andused by Daniel G. Brown in connectionwith his ranch at the head of Crystal Creek.
"As time progressed and settlers movedinto the Klamath Basin a wagon road wasopened up and Linkville (Klamath Falls)established. The base of supply shifted tothat point.
'The first steamboat to appear on thelake was the General Howard. Accordingto reminiscences of George W. Loosley, asrecorded by Rachel Applegate Good in her'History of Klamath County,' the General
tell about Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arant. Mr.Arant was park superintendent, appointedin 1902. They lived in a large two-storyhouse which still stands. I was about fiveyears old at the time I write of, so is nowpast 50 years old.
"Henry Momyer was in the national parkservice as head ranger, the first one ap-pointed. I understand Seldon Ogle was ingovernment service at that time, too. Mrs.W. F. Arant was the first postmaster atCrater Lake. Henry Momyer was Mrs.Robert (Ida) Odell's father. Mrs. Momyerserved the first meals in the park at AnnieSprings. There were also sleeping roomsin the big log building. Mrs. Momyer,who stayed at the park most of the winter,went out to Fort Klamath on webs or skis.
"John Hessig of Fort Klainath owned thetelephone line into the park. The telephoneline was checked every morning, and ran-gers patrolled the roads on horseback.
"The blue water of the lake alwaysamazed visitors. They were amazed, too, atthe majesty of the perfect shadows of thewalls in the water. * * *
"Fall came and it was time to put theFleetwood away. Logs were cut and towedto an inlet on Wizard Island. Lumber wastaken down by the slide route. Some brokeloose and started a small avalanche andDewey had to duck under a huge rockfor safety.
"The lumber was towed across the laketo the island where the boat house wasbuilt. Cables fastened to trees held the roofon. Limbs placed about the roof helpedbreak the weight of the snow.
"Will G. Steele, park manager, lent ahelping hand. He never wore a hat.
"Our summer's camping ended with put-ting the boats away. Walter Shepherd re-turned with his teams and wagons in earlySeptember and we returned to KiamathFalls. My great desire is to spend anothersummer at Crater Lake."
Most of those who helped in any waywith the boats that year, Will G. Steele,Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arant, Mr. and Mrs.Henry Momyer, Walter Shepherd, Joe Ball,
Judge Short, Captain George Woodbury,and Colonel Machew Wilkins, died between1908 and 1948.
The Evening Herald,February 1, 1908
The mail boat Ewauna, is reported aswedged in the ice near Teeters' landing andunable to get out. The steamer Klamathwas sent to the rescue but reports state shealso became entangled in the ice. The Navi-gation company say, however, they antici-pate no serious trouble, beyond a shortdelay. The Ewauna was in charge of En-gineer Hoffman.
Republican,March 21, 1901.
On Sunday morning Messrs. Cabler andWilson arrived by boat from little Klamathlake with a big load of valuable furs, theyhad been trapping four months, and as theresult of their labor brought in a fine lot offurs consisting of 253 mink, 93 coons,15 otters. Monday they sold the lot for$520 to Conger and Wilson, who shippedthem to an eastern market. Hence, it ap-pears aside from the fun and excitement oftrapping, it can be made a profitable busi-ness.
Republican, April 2, 1908:
C. I. DuBois, an expert boat builder whorecently came here from Seaside, has rentedthe Dyer building on Klamarh avenue andis now building a 26-foot gasoline launchfor Martin eros. of Ashland. The boat willbe placed on the Upper Lake. He also hasthe contract for building two more launchesand says the outlook is indeed promising.He uses nothing but imported lumber inbuilding the boats and is experiencing con-siderable difficulty in getting it shipped in.
Republican, March 25, 1909:
Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton moved back to theirCrusoe home on Buck Island to gardenagain. The soil is very productive.
12. 77.
May 6, 1953Anton Wickstrom first came here in
1909. He returned to Alameda, Californiaand induced my father, John Linman, tocome back with him. They both returnedin early 1910. They built the Wasp, usingmachinery from the Tom Calmes boat onTule Lake. I think it was used there aboutone year, hauling cinders on a barge. Dur-ing the summer of 1910, my father builtthe Modoc. Both boats burned in 1912,and the partnership was dissolved. Wick-strom then rebuilt both boats and possiblyalso the Eagle at that time. The first Waspwas a barge type and had no reverse. TheModoc was a tug type boat. My fatherleased the Canby from McCormack duringthe winter of 1912-1913.
The Buena Vista, I think, sank at thedock at Harriman Lodge. It was not in uselater than 1919.
Recorded by Devere HeifrichThe Tule was on the Upper Lake about
1912 to 1918. It was used as a tender forthe J. Frank Adams dredge. The Adamsdredge was not a clam shell, so that mayhelp to identify the dredges in the old pic-tures. The Tule finally sank somewhere be-tween Shippington and Buck Island. Thefellow running it was supposed to havebeen drinking.
The Kiamath Queen was a darn shelltype as was the James O'Grady. The Kia-math Queen was dismantled about 1927and machinery was transferred to a newbarge and named the Cardinal.
The James O'Grady was built for theSouthern Pacific when they were buildingtheir road-bed along the Upper Lake about1908-1909. When it was dismantled in1912, my father acquired the barge andcut it into sections, part being used for his
beam and two decks. Riding a little toohigh above the water for safety in the windsqualls that sometimes sweep down fromthe mountains (she once blew ashore andpartly tipped over in the summer of 1907),she was still the pride of the lake. Shewas operated as an excursion boat as late asthe Summer of 1916 and finally burned ather dock near Shippington in April, 1925.
Meanwhile boats were taking a more im-portant part in the problem of transporta-tion to 'the outside," as Kiamath peoplecalled all parts of the world lying beyondher mountains. In 1903, S. V. Short andGeorge H. Woodberry, formerly captainand purser, respectively, of the ColumbiaRiver steamer Dalles City, brought in bywagon two gasoline launches, the Tule andEwauna, to carry freight and passengers onthe river below Kiamath Falls. By thesummer of 1905 we find Mr. Woodberryassociated with M. G. Wilkins in the Kia-math Navigation Company, which launchedthe steamer Kiamath on August third forservice between Kiamath Falls and LairdsLanding on Lower Kiamath Lake. At thistime the McCloud River Railroad was buil-ding toward that point, and the steamer be-came a link in the following transportation
system: Steamer Kiamath from KiamathFalls to Lairds Landing (50 miles); horseStage to Battles on the McCloud River Rail-road (45 miles); train to Upton on theSouthern Pacific (53 miles) - This systemwas supposed to enable a passenger to leaveKiamath Falls after noon on one day andto arrive in San Francisco the followingmorning; one of the advantages urged forit was that the stage trip would grow stead-ily shorter as the railroad approachedLairds. During the years from 1905 to 1909the transportation system was constantlychanging, as rival railroads and stage com-panies contended for the freight and pas-senger traffic, but that is another story. Thesteamer Kiamath continued to play its partin the shifting scene until Kiamath Fallshad railroad connections and then wasmoved to the Upper Lake and used in car-rying passengers f r o m Shippington toAgency Landing, where they met stages forCrater Lake. As boats gradually go off thescene, except for towing, dredging, etc.,rails loom larger in the picture. At varioustimes in her history the hearts of KiamathCounty people were elated by railroad pros-pects, only to be left deflated later.
As Told to Me. . . by George StevensonApril 12, 1953
Recorded by Devere HeifrichI bought the old dredge from Southern
Pacific in 1914. They had used it buildingthe Ady fill across Lower Kiamath Lake.Must have moved it to the Upper Lakeabout 1908. I think it was shipped in fromaround the islands around Stockton. Itsname was the Klamath Queen. The Sou-thern Pacific used it on their right of wayalong the Upper Lake. I bought it afterthat work was finished. I used it on buil-ding dykes; built about one hundred miles
of dykes on the Upper Lake and AgencyLake. It was 40 feet by 80 feet, with Aframes, spuds, gravity swing, Stockton type.Had a 125 foot boom, steam engine and athree yard bucket.
I sold it to the California Oregon PowerCompany about 1926 or a little later. Theyrenamed it the Cardinal. COPCO also hadanother dredge, the Grady or O'Grady, Ithink. It was much larger than the Car-dinal, a six yard bucket and 175 foot boom.
78. 11.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe famous old Adams dredge at work near the mouth of Lost River Slough on the Klamath Riverdykes. Note the barges in tow. 1905-1908 period.
As Told to Me. . . by Jack Linman
Snowgoose of Keno, passed into the posses-sion of Thomas McCormack, Keno sawmillowner, in 1891 and was used for haulinglumber across Lower Kiamath Lake, re-turning to Keno with cargoes of hay. Thisboat later sank, after which Mr. McCor-mack built the Canby to use for haulinglumber to Klamath Falls, the boat forwhose benefit it is said the old Merganserbridge at the site of the Kesterson mill,once a contemporary and rival of theGeorge Nurse bridge at Linkville, wasfinally removed. About the turn of the cen-tury the steamers "Oregon" and "Hobson"were making regular trips to Pelican Bay,the latter carrying men "to cut logs forMoore's mill." In the summer of 1901 thetwo-deck steamer "Alma" was making regu-lar trips to Budd Springs, Pelican Bay, andAgency Landing, and in July of 1902started regular Sunday excursions.
This seems to be the opening of the eraof excursion boats, a chapter in our history
remembered with a certain nostalgia bythose who were young in those days. Theall-day leisurely trip on the Upper Lakewith its thrilling mountain scenery, thestops at beautiful Eagle Ridge Tavern,Odessa, Rocky Point, Pelican Bay (LaterHarriman Lodge), the music furnished bythe Klamath Falls Band, which sometimessponsored excursions for the benefit of itstreasury, the annual high school picnicswhen the whole student body, or at leastthe Junior and Senior classes, could be ac-commodated on one boat chartered to carrythem to some forest pleasure groundtheseexperiences were yesterday, and it is hardto remember just when Klamath Countyyouth discovered that boat travel was tooslow to be fun and that the automobile wasthe only proper medium for going places.The steamer Winema, the most famous ofthe old excursion boats, built by Totton andHans berry and launched on February 2,1905, was 125 feet long, with 22 foot
boat landing at Shippington and is stillthere. It was dismantled at the Hanks cut,where McCollum's mill is now located.
A ferry was used to transport trafficalong the east shore of Klamath Lake whilethe highway was being built between ModocPoint and Barclay Spring.
The Crystal was transferred from TuleLake to the Upper Lake by Dewey Huffmanwho lived at the Linman docks while heran boats there from about 1910 to 1913.We had a houseboat, but it had no name.I remember B. St. George Bishop was stillhere in 1912.
The Hooligan eventually was bought byCap Parker. There were two Hooligans, thefirst being a barge front, There were alsotwo Eagles. Nosier built the North Starclose to 1911 and I believe it burned about1914. It had a regular boat bow. 1914seems a little too late for the Spray to havebeen built. The Modoc was used to pushbarge loads of cinders to Klamath Falls.
There were two Mazamas also; the secondwas built about 1914, using the same ma-chinery, but was a considerably larger boatthan the first. The old Buffalo was gaso-line-powered.
My father officially sold the Wasp to DelGammon, the Power Company engineer.
As Told to Me.. . by John TottenMay 6, 1953 Recorded by Devere Heifrich
I came here in 1904. I furnished all themoney for the Winema. Building it, thecost of the wreck, and remodeling cost meright at $2,500.00. There were ten horsesused to haul in the boiler, which weighedten tons. We had four more horses usedon the hills. No roads from town to here(the boat landing), so we had to lay planksdown to keep from miring. It took fivedays to come from Pokegama. I walkedahead along the road, cleaning out rocks.Took four days to Chase's, then we sailed infrom there. We came around north of theriver, by Spencer Creek.
Wickstrom sold to A. Graham, supposed tobe representing the Power Company. Thesale included the Modoc and Eagle, thebarges, launches, etc.
El Nido, meaning "the nest" was a tenderfor the Klamath Queen during the 1913-1916 period. George Stevenson, about 19,and myself, about 14, ran it. The El Nidowas approximately twenty feet long, onehalf cabin, and used a Doman marine en-gine and was fairly fast.
To E. P. McCormack must go the creditfor the vision of reclaiming the marshes ofUpper Kiamath Lake. He secured the landand bought the barge to dike New Cale-donia and Wocus marshes. The first cropon New Caledonia was harvested in 1919.It was rye. The Wasp hauled this crop ona barge to Klamath Falls. George Stevensondid not come into the barge picture untilafter this first crop was harvested, as up tothat time he and I were on the tenderEl Nido.
When the E. P. McCormack estate wassettled there were twenty-five nieces andnephews. Some of them are: Cap and An-drew Collier, George Stevenson, Ed, Ever-ett, Roland, and Arthur Geary. Frank Mc-Cornack was a brother of E. P.
The Winema was built to carry one hun-dred fifty tons. The hull was built on LinkRiver just below Fremont Bridge on thewest side, slid in sideways, then taken tothe point, where the machinery was put in.Bert and Clay Wilson, brothers, worked forme on the Winema.
The Winema wrecked in the summertime, about two years after I came here,about 1906 I think. I went to work at themill in 1918, and made a few trips afterthat. I hauled a load of lumber to Algomaafter 1918. When we built the Winema, theshipbuilder recommended a four inch crack
10. 79.
Iii U T
Maude Baldwin PhotoSteamer Kiamath on the Kiamath River below present day Weyerhaueser Mill.
Maude BaIdwin PhotoThe Winema about 1911. Note the change in appearance after being remodeled. Parts of twodecks were removed after being blown over in 1907.
under the gunwhale. When we listed, thenit filled up in a hurry. It was uncalled for,so we fixed that and never had any moretrouble.
When I came here there was no trace ofthe Lottie C. I think Hansberry had an oldstern-wheeler, maybe it was the Mud Hen.Seems to me, Nosier named the North Star.Griffith had the Curlew built by Telford.Calkins and Hamilton had it and laterbuilt the Spray. They ran both boats, days.I think Cap Parker had the Jessie, madeonly one trip, when I think it burned. TheEagle sank between Buck Island and thewest shore of the lake. The Power Com-pany sank several boats in the deep waterthere, to eliminate them, I think.
At one time, Adams used the Ewauna to
March, 1965My father, William Carver "Cap" Ball
came to the Kiamath country in 1909.Everyone always called him Carver.
He leased the Canby from McCormacksfor about two years. He first leased it about1910. You see he came from New Yorkwhere he had been the captain of a largeexcursion boat on Lake Chatauqua. He had
tow his dredge up to Williamson River,around 1919 or 1920. He used the dredgeup around Fort Kiamath for Abner Weed.He later sold the dredge to the PowerCompany.
When the Harriman interests secured thePelican Bay property, they also got theLodge and the Buena Vista. We never haddances on a barge connected with the Wi-nema. There was a square platform atHarriman Lodge and an oval pavilion atOdessa.
Dunbar's little girl fell into the water onetime and I pulled her out, saving her life.At the same time a woman fell into thewater at another part of the boat, which Ididn't know about until later.
As Told to Me. . . by Mrs. Heber R. RadcliffeRecorded by Devere Heifrich
been around boats or connected with themmost of his life.
About the fall of 1912, he started con-struction of a boat which was launched atKeno in the spring of 1913.
My father's brother, also the captain ofan excursion boat, shipped him the enginefrom Buffalo. Incidentally the name of the
to have its load shifted to wagons from thefort, makes an interesting tale.
Another interesting boat tale is that of aunique honeymoon trip in 1871. GeorgeW. Loosley, long of Klamath County butnow of Ashland, says that soon after theroad from Pelican Bay to the "Dead In-dian" was opened by Captain 0. C. Apple-gate and a band of Kiamath Indians, as re-lated in a previous chapter, Samuel Grubb,then an employee on the reservation, builta flat bottomed scow about 16 feet by 40feet for hauling freight across the UpperLake from Pelican Bay to Kowa.sta. Thisboat was propelled by a two-horse tread-mill and was thus the first power boat onthe lake. Mr. Loosley says that it carriedCaptain Ivan D. Applegate and bride andwedding guestsa gay group of youngpeople from Ashlandacross the lake andthat this was the only trip he knows of itsmaking. At least, he says, its life of use-fulness was short. The bride concerned toldthe story to the Ashland Daughters of theAmerican Revolution several years ago andsaid the boat was 10 feet by 25 feet and pro-pelled by two sets of oars and a sail (whichwas torn to tatters by the wind). Bothagree that there was trouble on the voyage.A storm coming up, the boat was blownout of its course and almost swamped, andonly by heroic use of the oars was itbrought to the point of "a rocky island"(Annie's Island) where the party spent thenight without blankets around a campfire.After another day and most of the follow-ins night on the lake they arrived at Ko-wasta to meet the report that they had allbeen drowned.
George W. Loosley continues with thefollowing reminiscences:
operated by a man named Moody, who hadbeen a sailor on the salt water. The boatwas named the Mary Moody, for the owner's
Indian wife. (A relative says that the boatwas named Maggie Moody for Mr. Moody'sdaughter.) There was not much freight totransport on the lakessome lumber boughtof the Indians at the Agency and hauled toLinkville and some goods for the stores(one at the Agency and one at the Fort)and at times military supplies for the Quar-termaster at the Fort, since the road aroundModoc Point was not much more than atrail. Pack trains of mules were often usedthere instead of wagons. About 1876 JoeBall, who was living with an Indian wife,became the owner of the Mary Moody, andhe continued to operate the boat untilabout 1879, when H. M. Thatcher andSykes Worden built the steamer "GeneralHoward." This steamer, 65 feet long, with12 foot beam, drawing four and a half toeight feet of water, with 40 horsepowerengine and four foot propeller, cost theowners about eight thousand dollars. Me-chanics were brought from San Francisco tobuild the boat, the boss ship carpenter be-ing the man who made the patterns for theMerrimac, of Civil War fame. It was builtto answer the need of a steamboat to towlogs from Pelican Bay for the sawmill justbuilt on Link River by W. S. Moore andsons. In 1880 George Loosley and GeorgeNurse bought the General Howard fromthe original owners, and about a year laterG eo r g e Loosely bought George Nurse'sshare, which has given rise to the beliefthat Mr. Loosley himself built the GeneralHoward. Associated with George Loosley inthe boat business was his brother, John F.(Fred) Loosley. In 1884 the two built aflat bottomed stern wheel boat called theCity of Klamath to navigate Wood River,but, failing of a Congressional appropri-ation for the improvement of the bar anddeepening of the channel, they soon gaveup the navigation of this stream. Otherattempts at navigating Wood River weremade in later years, but never provedsuccessful.
About 1889 a man named CaptainDustin or Deskins operated a boat on theKiamath River called the Mayflower. Thisstern wheel steamboat, according to C.
80.9.
From the earliest times of which wehave any definite knowledge, boats werethe leading means of transportation in the"Lake Country". Both Ogden and Fremontspeak of the scarcity of horses among theKiamaths, but the latter explorer, and theSouth Road party as well, have plenty tosay about Indian canoes.
During the early days at Fort Klamaththe Upper Lake was called into requisitionas a thoroughfare. George Nurse raftedlumber thence for his buildings at Link-yule in 1867, and we have two narrativesregarding a trip from Agency Landing toLink River by "Whitehall boat" in Decem-ber, 1868, when some soldiers from the
The old and the new. Winema at Pelican Bay.
Reprinted from History of Kiamath County, Oregon"
Early Transportation . .
Chapter XIII - Pages 73-75By RACHAEL APPLEGATE GOOD, 1941
Maude Baldwin Photo
fort went to gather the produce of a gardenthey had planted at the lower end of thelake in the spring. The garden was at"Burnett's Point," and had produced abun-dantly enough to take six men five days toharvest and load the crop on a flat boatbuilt by "Mr. Canley of Rogue River Val-ley" for freighting and capable of carryingfifteen to twenty tons. The story of howthis ponderous boat, rigged with both sailsand oars, became frozen in ice an inch anda half or two inches thick on the returnjourney and how it was finally worked farenough up Williamson River, throughfloating logs and obstructions of all kinds,
The Odessa Hotel, large white building, and the dance pavilion, to the immediate left. Built andowned by the Griffiths until sold in 1909. Odessa Creek in foreground.
As Told to Me . . . by Ivan DennisMay 4, 1965
I was born near Little Shasta irs SiskiyouCounty in 1888. My father was LouisDennis. He has been dead a long time now.
He bought the ranch near Pelican Bayfrom Herschbergers and we moved there in1896 or '97. I remember only one boat onthe lake and that was the old scow fatherhad. I don't know how he got it or when.That's a long time ago, more than 65 years.
boat became Buffalo. It's first trip wasfrom Keno to Klamath Falls.
The boat was run for several years, car-rying freight from the railroad at KlamathFalls to Keno, and logs from Snowgoose'slanding to Ackley's mill. It was not a pas-senger boat but occasionally carried a few.During the winter in those days, the roadssometimes became so muddy it was almostimpossible for loaded wagons to be pulledbetween Klamath Falls and Keno, so theBuffalo at times transported a great deal offreight, merchandise, equipment and hay.
On this end, father landed at the dock atthe end of Payne Alley. Where the Canbyburned wood, the Buffalo burned gasolineor distillate. The Buffalo was originally a
Recorded by Devere HeifrichFather sold out to Griffith's when I wasabout 13 and moved away at once, and I'venever been back.
I am the youngest of four brothers, Eldon,Bert, Ray and then myself. I also had twosisters, Ellen and May. That's the sole rea-son we sold Out and moved away, was uskids. Mother was afraid one of us woulddrown in the lake. There was nobody
stern-wheeler, but in later years fatherchanged it to a screw propeller.
About 1924, father sold the engine outof the old Buffalo to a man at Odell Lake.That was about the time they were buildingthe Natron Cut-off on the Southern Pacific.All the supplies, equipment, hay, etc., hadto be taken across Odell Lake, to the westend where they were building the tunnelthrough the summit of the Cascades, andthe fills and cuts along the south shore ofthe lake.
After the engine was taken out of theBuffalo, the hull was tied up for years atthe Ackley mill.
Father died in 1930.
8. 81.
lived close to us. We got our mail atCrystal, where the Brown's lived. Theywere there before we moved in.
Mrs. Griffith named Odessa Creek. Ithad no name in our time, unless it wasDennis Creek. Our place was called thePoplars, on account of the trees that grewthere. There were three camp grounds onOdessa Creek, one at Budd Springs (nowknown as Camporee SpringsEd.), namedfor a Governor Budd of California. Theone at the Poplars and one in between,down stream from the old Herschbergerlog cabin (the cabin is still standings). Welived in the old cabin until my father couldbuild a house. It was called Dennis' Resort.
There was a man who ran the PelicanBay Resort but I can't remember his name.And another man had a little shack on BearIsland, where people could bathe in thewarm spring there.
I remember a man by the name of Joneswho contracted timber for the Moore mill.He dumped the logs into Stidham Creekon the south side of Coon Point and myfather would pull the raft to the head ofLink River.
There were rattlesnakes by the thousandon Buck Island, so they put hogs on it tokill them off.
Father was a good blacksmith, had ashop and made everything he needed. Healways ran between 200 and 300 head of
cattle. After we moved here from Califor-nia, we lost 100 head the first winter onaccount of cold weather and lack of feed.We ran them from our place to the head ofRock Creek (Denny Creek). You coulddrive a wagon any place in those days. Therewas no underbrush or fallen timber. Wenever had to put out a fire, there was noth-ing for it to catch in. Some difference fromnow days.
F. C. Wade used to either live in theold Herschberger cabin or had a privatecabin nearbyI can't remember which.
If my father owned the land now thathe owned then, he would be a millionaire.We had the Odessa place, one at LongLake, owned the land around the junctionof Highway 97 and the Ashland highway.Also the place we moved to when fathersold Odessa, next to the Ankeny place at theend of Summers Lane, and the place onLower Kiamath now owned by Liskeys.
I fell into the lake or stream severaltimes. I couldn't swim a lick but it neverscared me a bit. That's why we sold out.
Father helped hunt for the Mason broth-ers when they were drowned. He foundthem both.
You have no pictures of our old scow.I'd recognize it in a minute. Ray Roberts,my sister May's son, who works for theReclamation Service, has some old picturesof the boat.
As Told to Me. . . by Walter G. HeiferMay 3, 1965
The C. A. McNeil was the only tug-boat to ever be on Kiamath waters. It wasa forty-five footer, with a 40 horsepower,heavy duty engine. It was shipped here in1910 from Salt Lake City by the SouthernPacific. It had been used by the railroadon the cut-off across Great Salt Lake. Washere about three years. I shipped it out ona flat car to Oakland. It had a fan-tail sternand drew too much water for Upper KIa-math Lake. It later carried mail to theFaralone Islands off San Francisco.
Recorded by Devere HeifrichI think the Ewauna was sunk on the
Upper Lake about 1912 or around thattime somewhere.
The White Pelican was cut in two andlengthened. We used to call it the BigPelican. We called Harriman's pr iv atelaunch the Little Pelican, it used to beBishop's pleasure boat. S. 0. Johnson ofthe Klamath Development Company, own-ed the Big Pelican.
The Lucetta belonged to the Southern Pa-cific and was used by J. D. 'Jimmie"
In addition, Canby was directed by the Sec-retary of War, to cease offensive operationsagainst the Modocs. Wheaton therefore,was replaced by Col. Alvan C. Gillem ascommander. The latter almost at once sentthe following telegram to Canby:
Lost River, February 11, 1873.In regard to the use of the boats, I
am not prepared to recommend their use.The breaking up of the command into moredetachments than are absolutely necessary,will not be done, nor is it apparent thatthe troops in boats will be less exposed intheir attack than when approaching on landthe lava beds, extending down to thewater. The furnishing of guards, boatmen,etc., it will be perceived, would be a verymaterial tax on the very small companies ofthe command. I desire to concentrate myefforts as much as possibleI do not be-lieve it practicable to transport Whitehallboats from Portland or Redding to theLakes Alvan C. Gillem
Co. 1st Cay. Commanding.
Whatever the reason, the boats seemnever to have been built, although there isevidence that two or more boats were inuse, one of which at least was a Whitehallrow boat.
A somewhat questionable and indefinitestatement has been made (supposedly writ-ten in the Ashland Tidings, December 15,1882) that ". . . John Gleim built the firstboat on Klamath Lake during the ModocIndian War, using it to transport suppliesfrom Fairchilds to Linkville."
In a recent publication (Pacific North-west Indian Wars, by Ray H. Glassley,Page 191) it has been written that, follow-ing the fight in the Lava Beds on April 14,1873: "Dead and wounded were carriedaway, some on stretchers to boats on thelake by which means they were transportedto the hospital tents at camp;..." This wasentirely possible, but this writer has beenunable to find any record to substantiatethis statement.
After the massacre of the Peace Commis-sioners on April 11, 1873, Mrs. A. B.Meacham, who had arrived in Linkville,
was sent a letter (Wigwam and Warpath,Page 551), from her brother, dated:
"Lava Beds, Saturday, April 19, 1873,.We will cross the lake in a boat.
(Signed): D. J. Ferree."On april 21, 1873 (Ibid. Pages 558-
561), a "small white hull boat" set Outfrom Gillem's camp on the southwest endof Tule Lake for the mouth of Lost Riverwith the critically wounded Meacham. Alsoin the boat were Old Dad Fields of theSacramento Record, D. J. Ferree (Meach-am's brother-in-law), Dr. Cabanis, and sev-eral soldiers to do the rowing. After con-siderable hardship in bucking the wind andwaves, they safely reached their destination.
At the close of the war, with the breakingup of all camps, it became necessary totransfer the wounded to Fort Klamath.This presented a problem which was solved,in part at least, by boats, as the two fol-lowing military orders (National Archivesrecords as before noted) indicate:
Hd. Qrs. Fort Klamath, 0g.Orders) June 11, 1873.No. 23)
There being no ambulance or springwagon at this post for the conveyance ofsick, the A. A. Q. M. of this post is herebyauthorized to hire a sufficient number ofcanoes to convey sick from Free's ranch atModoc Point to near this post on WoodRiver, no more than four sick to be placedin each canoe, the rate of compensationnot to exceed thirteen dollars and thirty-three and one-third cents per canoe.
Rob. PollockCapt. 21' Inft.Comdg.
Special Orders)No. 61.) Camp Tule Lake Peninsula
June 15th, 1873.II. . . . for the movement of the sick and
wounded as above directed: Lieut. Green-ough will provide boat transportation forthem around Modoc Point to Fort Kiam-ath, Ogn:... L. Co. Frank Wheaton
(Signed F. A. Boutelle,2nd Lieut. 1st Cay.)A A A Gen.
82.7.
Church, a Southern Pacific Civil Engineer.He was a brother-in-law of 'Doc" Wright's.
Erickson and Peterson, the railroad con-tractors, had a real fancy launch, hardwood,etc. I have pictures of the Carry Lou,Nancy K, Oakland and all Southern Pacificboats.
The Bertha W was a Southern Pacifictender, first used around Ady for the dredgerbuilding the railroad fill there. Telfordbuilt a new hull for it and it was then usedas a tender on the Upper Lake.
I came here in 1908 and worked on thedredges building the Ady fill. There weretwo small dredges belonging to the MasonConstruction Company, and one, the Kla-math Queen, belonging to the Southern Pa-cific. I helped move it overland to the Up-per Lake. After it was rebuilt there, it be-came the Cardinal.
Later the James Grady, a much largerdredge, was built up there. They used aWilliams bucket, not a clam-shell, the sameas now used on the Tulana farms dredge.
The Adams dredge was built on a scowand used Marion machinery.
Sherberne Photo
Along the Shippington waterfront. The "Spray" built in 1909 for the Griffiths, formerly of Odessa,later Eagle Ridge. (L. to R.) Dan Griffith, Griffith, 'Percy Sherberne, and Curly McDonald,boat builder.
I used the C. A. McNeil, pushing barges,hauling cement, sand and building materialto the mouth of Williamson River, and theOakland pushed them from there, to Wil-liamson River bridge, because the C. A.McNeil drew too much water to go up theriver.
The Klamath Lumber and Box Companygave the Carry Lou to 0. K. Puckett.
Huffman owned the Crystal, which waspowered by a 40 horsepower, auto engine.
One time he was off Eagle Ridge in astorm and was being blown toward theshore. He told a boy who was helping himto go out and drop the anchor. He cameright back in, so Huffman asked him if hehad dropped the anchor. The boy said no,so Huffman ordered him to get back outthere and drop the anchor! This time theboy did as told, but the boat continued tonear the shore, so Huffman again asked himif he had dropped the anchor. This timehe answered, yes. Then asked if he hadtied the rope to it, he answered, no. Huff-man finally got the boat started and allended well.
6. 83.
resulted in Col. Frank Wheaton orderingall forces withdrawn to bases at Lost River,Clear Lake and Van Brimmer's ranch. Fromthe latter place, Wheaton sent a telegramto General Canby at Vancouver; then calleda council of his officers and asked them towrite out their suggested plans of howbest to attack the Modocs. Following areportions of 1st, Wheaton's telegram; 2nd,Mason's plan; 3rd, Bernard's plan; and 4th,Green's plan. (These reports are all fromtranscripts made by the late Edith McLeod,of microfilm copies of documents depositedin the National Archives, Washitigron,D.C.):1st Camp near Van Brimmers,
Jan. 20, 1873."I think future operations against the
Modoc stronghold can be greatly facilitatedand expense saved by boating our suppliesacross Tule Lake to troops on either sidewhen we plant batteries and storm theirposition. Use of boat and barges will savedistance and avoid hauling and packingsupplies over bad roads.
"From my new proposed field depot onLost River we can launch everything re-quired. I need four whitehall row boats,oars, etc. as soon as they can be forwardedfrom Jacksonville. Rough flat boats I canhave cheaply made by an expert here if youauthorize me to do so."
Col. Frank Wheaton2nd Lost River Ford, Jan. 27, 1873.
"It is my opinion that the attack shouldbe made upon the east side of the Modocposition and that troops and supplies shouldbe transported by water. I would make alanding at the rock where Capt. R. F. Ber-nard had his hospital during the late mtwe-ment. . . . I would shell the Indians. . . andwith mortars from the boats. . . . The rea-sons for using the lake are numerous:
1st The troops can be landed at the sceneof action without fatigue.
2nd The supplies can be landed withoutescort.
3rd The wounded can be moved with-Out pain.
4th Communications can be had with thewest side of the Modoc position, if
desirable, without trouble or risk.5th The Indians can procure water only
at great risk, being exposed to thefire of the gunboats.
"In moving the troops from this place,I would march them to the Island in thelake, and transport them from that pointby boats." Edwin C. Mason
Bvt. Col. U. S. A.3rd Camp Applegate Ranch,
Jan. 30, 1873.Grain could be supplied by pack
train if there is no boats put on the Lake,and by Boats if there is any... . If one of theboats from the Big Klamath Lake could beput on Tule Lake, the troops in this posi-tion could be easily supplied from Lost Riveror the Island." R. F. Bernard
Captain, 1st Cavalry4th In the field, Jan. 30, 1873.
"...asking my views .. . in my opinion,. . that those making the attack from East
and West, should be moved and suppliedfrom Lost river and Tule lake, as thus willbe saved large guards, necessary for packtrains John Green, Major
1' Cay. Commanding.As a result of this unanimous opinion of
his officers and himself, Wheaton evidentlythought his course as how best to proceedagainst the Modocs, was clear. According-ly, he sent the following telegram to Geri-eral Canby at Vancouver:
Telegram, Jacksonville, Jan. 31, 1873.do you approve my purchasing 2
two flat boats for moving supplies here forabout 350 three hundred & fifty dollarsfor the two and making two cheap oneshere for moving howitzers."
frank 'XTheaton,Lt. Co. 21st Infty.Commanding Districtof the Lakes.
Wheaton, much to his surprise, receivedword the same day, that he was relieved ofhis command, but was to remain in chargeof the District of the Lakes.
It seems that Canby was deeply disturbedby the defeat of the army, and the onlysolution to him was a change in leadership.
As Written to Me.. . by Minnie GrizzleJune 1, 1965
My late husband, George D. Grizzle,came from Medford to Klamath Falls, oftenreferred to at that time as String Town, asit was strung Out SO far from Link River,in 1900 and opened a monument businessat 1028 Main Street in a little shack builtby Paddie Gardine. Donnies Yardage islocated there now.
He always had a good Indian business;they would come in with five, ten andtwenty dollar gold pieces tied up in a redbandana kerchief, or trade him horses whichhe would sell to the Government for Caval-ry horses.
One day he discovered a large deposit ofhigh grade granite on the west side ofBear Island, as freight was extremely highand a little uncertain he decided to quarrythe bases himself. He filed a stone claimon a few acres, bought a motor launch fortransporting himself, hired men, and equip-ment and a large barge to float the stonedown on, as there was already a dock and acabin in good enough condition for batch-ing, he was all set.
They would go up in the fall and breakoff huge slabs of granite which they wouldcut down to base size before bringingdown on the barge. He spent his winterscutting and shaping the bases, also carving.Many of the little lambs and Praying Handsin the Linkville Cemetary 'were carved byhim.
The fishing in the lake at that time wasalmost beyond belief, all you had to do wasbait your hook and drop it in, to pull outa fish.
I have had many experiences on the lake.One summer I spent waiting on tables atthe old Harriman Lodge, and the mosqui-toes were so thick you couldn't open yourmouth without getting it full of them.
I was good at rowing a boat and in theevenings, the lady I worked for, and Iwould go to the mouth of Harriman Creekand catch two or three lovely fish for our-
Recorded by Devere Heifrichselves.
One Sunday evening Burke and MaryWilson and I took a boat to take me overto the Griffiths' (Mickie Wampler livesthere now). I was working there and wentto school in that little one roomed schoolhouse a short way down the highway. Aterrible wind came up, Burke rowed as hardas he could, Mary tried to steer us with apaddle from the rear of the boat and Ibailed water as fast as I could and none ofus uttered a word until we were safe upGriffith Creek. Everyone ran to meet uswhen they saw us coming as they knew wewere coming and they were afraid that thestorm had gotten us.
When we wanted to come to town wewould put on our Sunday best and get onthe Alma, enjoy the beautiful scenery untilwe landed at the dock, then we would getoff and start walking as happy as could be,we were never in a hurry in those days. Itdid not take long to walk to town as it wasa very small place and everyone kneweveryone else.
In the Summer we danced on a largebarge tied up by the Link River bridgeand in the winter we skated on lower Kla-math Lake for our social activities.
The winter transportation on the lakewas carried on mostly on ice skates, everyone carried long poles across their chestsas the hot springs made weak places in theice and if you broke through the polewould catch on the sides of the hole en-abling you to crawl out or someone topull you out.
The town grew and I married the Monu-ment Dealer. I remember one beautifulmoonlight excursion on the lower lake,the band played and refreshments wereserved, it was a lovely evening.
Sunday afternoons we would take thestreet car up to the Lake and back, it was aquiet peaceful way of life that I have beensorry to see go.
the outlet of Upper Kiamath Lake.It is further stated (Ibid. Page 47) that
upon reaching and following down Wil-liamson River, "they came at last to waterthat was calm enough to be easily and safe-ly crossed in canoes, and the canoes werehere in force, in lieu of any such con-venience as a ferry boat. The wagon was un-loaded and taken completely apart and theIndians gaily conveyed the whole equip-ment across in their canoes, literally pieceby piece,..."
It has been written (History of CentralOregon, Page 976) that George Nurse,founder of Linkville, ". . . securing a 'permit'from the government in the spring of 1867he ran a ferry across Link river (at approxi-mately the location of the present bridge onMain Street) - This work was done underthe supervision of Mr. Edgar Overton andwas begun in March. Nelson Stevenson, acarpenter, did most of the work in buildingthe ferry boat.
Mrs. Seely, former Curator of the Kiam-ath County Museum, in an unpublisheddocument, writes but does not give thesource of her information: "Overton workedfor Nurse and Miller in several capacities,one of them being operator of the ferry."Mrs. Seely further wrote but again gives nosource for her statements: "Under the di-rection of Overton, who appears to havebeen interested with Mr. Nurse in his ad-ventures, lumber was rafted down from thefort that summer, and the pioneer buildingin Linkville, a little box lumber cabin wasconstructed......
At about the same time (History of Cen-tral Oregon, Page 938), Wendolen Nus,who had spent the winter of 1866-67 onthe west side of Upper Kiamath Lake, aboutthree miles north of later day Linkville, re-moved to a point about two miles south ofthe present city of Kiamath Falls, and onthe east side of Kiamath River. Here hebuilt a cabin and ran a ferry across theriver. This site was probably the same asthe later Merganser bridge, now approxi-mately the Kesterson sawmill location.
There is mention of three other ferriesthat directly affect the Kiamath country.
First (Yreka Journal, May 1, 1868):Nourse's ferry on Link River is doing athriving business from the travel, and weunderstand another ferry is to be placed onLost river shortly by C. J. Dorris, whosecattle are in that section." Second (Ibid,June 26, 1868), Killibrew's Ferry acrossthe Kiamath River in Siskiyou County, up-stream from Fall Creek, and now under thewaters of California Oregon Power Com-pany's reservoir. It was over this ferry thatmuch of the early traffic passed on its wayto the Klamath country before the TopsyGrade was constructed. Third, it is told byseveral old timers (Statements of Chas.Snowgoose, Bryce McCormack, George Agerand Dan Doten), that there was once aferry at Keno, about one-forth of a milebelow the present highway bridge, or atabout the location of Power Company dambelow the bridge.
Journal, June 17, 1869): ". . . Nourse'sbridge across Link River will be completedby the first of July......
On the opening day of the Modoc War,November 29, 1872, at the first sound oftrouble in Captain Jack's camp, it has beenwritten (Wigwam and Warpath or theRoyal Chief in Chains, by A. B. Meacham.Page 170) that the Modocs on the northside caught up their guns and rushed downto the river, "intending to reinforce CaptainJack. The citizens sought to prevent themgetting into their canoes;
Following the opening battle, CaptainJames Jackson, on December 2, 1872, madea second report (Ibid, Page 953) whichstated: ". . . I took what men could be sparedand had the dead and wounded carried tothe river bank, and from there canoedto Crowley's ranch, half a mile below."
The Army's disastrous attack of January17, 1873, upon Captain Jack's Stronghold,
84.5.
towards the Humboldt next spring, and alsotowards John Day, Powder and Boise rivers.A bridge has been built over the slough(Lost River Slough, south of present dayHenley) for the accommodation of the tra-vel to the Northern mines, and the presentmild winter will, no doubt, render wagontravel easy and practicable in the spring."
Fort Klamath, the first permanent settlement in the Klamath region, was estab-lished in the fall of 1863. The original gar-rison stationed at the post being Troop C,First Oregon Cavalry, under the commandof Captain William Kelly. They enteredthe Klamath country over the old RancheriaTrail, north of Mount Pitt, now officiallycalled Mt. McLoughlin (History of CentralOregon. Page 933), over a route and to alocation selected by Colonel C. S. Drew. ithas been written (History of KlamathCounty, Page 73) that: "During the earlydays at Fort Kiamath the Upper Lake wascalled into requisition as a thoroughfare."This statement in the past has been ratherindefinite, however, information has nowcome to light that more or less substanti-ates it, which follows (Yreka Journal, May19, 1865) : ". . . Bob Whittle lately trans-ported 1300 pounds of freight in a boat onthe Klamath Lakes towards Fort KlamathThe freight was taken to the lakes fromYreka, and is the first attempt of the kindever made."
One week later (May 26, 1865), thesame source reported: "Capt. Kelly andsome of the soldiers had a sail on the lake,to Link river, rowing 40 miles, but in re-turning had a fair wind, and it was blowingfresh. Capt. Kelly can handle a company ofsoldiers but is not familiar with a White-hall sailboat. Missing the channel of theriver in coming in and bringing her to, weturned turtle and spilled the Captain andfour of us into the lake. He will not goout without old sailors again. It was arough lake, but he took it in good part andthe boys had a good laugh on shore. Thelake is about 40 miles long, 5 to 25 mileswide, from 8 to 15 feet deep, and full offish."
Evidently the transportation of goods byboat on the Upper Lake was successfulenough to bring about agitation for afreight route to be established betweenYreka and Fort Klamath, as witness (Ibid.June 30, 1865): "The road from Jackson-ville to Fort Klamath, by which the Fortreceives its supplies, is a hard one to travel,with only about 12 feet of snow on it atpresent. Capt. Kelly has sent out a detach-ment to clear the road, so that supplies canbe brought through. The Fort should besupplied from Yreka, as it is the nearestand easiest point, with half the distance bywater on the lake, and no snow except inwinter, when it is not deep enough toprevent travel."
In compliance with the terms of theCouncil Grove Indian Treaty of 1864, thenewly appointed Indian Agent, LindsayApplegate, and his assistants, after a twoyear delay, arrived in the Klamath countryin 1866, by way of the old emigrant roadfrom Rogue River Valley. On May 9th,their heavily laden wagon, pulled by fouryoke of oxen, reached head of Link Riverat the Indian village of Eulalona. It con-tained their personal equipment and campsupplies, axes, wedges and other tools forsplitting logs and building cabins, an as.sortment of vegetable seed and seed grains,a breaking plow and other tools for gar-dening and farming.
One source (History of Central Oregon,Page 936) states they crossed by "swim-ming the cattle and horses, and ferrying thewagon and goods over in Indian canoes."
Another source (History of KlamathCounty, Page 47) states: ". . . Here a smallboat had been installed for the convenienceof the pony expressa boat deigned tocarry men and horses only, and just longenough to accommodate the wagon withoutoxen. The animals, therefore were com-pelled to swim across, but the party wasduly grateful that the wagon was not com-pelled to swim also."
At that time a pony express carrying dis-patches twice a week between Fort Kiam-ath and Henley (near present day Horn-brook, California) crossed Link River at
March 28, 1965I was born in 1894 on Nannygoat Hill,
Mission Heights, San Francisco. We leftthere in 1910 and moved to Doyle, Cali-fornia. I was there five years and then wentto work for the Siskiyou Light and PowerCompany in 1916, at what is now Copcoon the Kiamath River, in Siskiyou County.
My first job there was swinging a 16-lb.sledge hammer After a week of that I gota job on the rock crusher. I stayed thereuntil World War I came on, when the workwas shut down. I then went to the ship-yards at Benecia, where they were buildingwooden ships. Stayed there four or fivemonths and went to Mare Island. I joinedthe army in 1917, and when the war wasover I came back to Fall Creek late in 1918and again went to work for Copco. I camehere in 1919, then to the Keno plant in
by Lester "Sharkey,, HutchinsonRecorded by Devere Heifrich
1921, and back here to work on buildingthe Link River dam in 1921 and 1922.
Then when an injunction was served onthe Power Company, work was stopped onthe dam and I helped put in the power lineto Algoma. It was at that time that I firstmet Nosier, who had a museum on the hillback of the Buena Vista boat landing. Allsorts of carved objects, etc., people, books,and even ar organ, I think. It later burned.
We finally returned to work on the damand finished it in 1922. I then went towork on the old suction dredge, the K/a-math Belle, in 1923, building dykes on theUpper Lake.
I always liked boats. I had a brother whobuilt boats and I learned from him aboutthe smaller type boats. He lost part of onehand in a saw and later went into thelithography business.
4. 85.
.Priest PhotoThe later day Oregon, and the Mullen steel boat, on Upper Klamath Lake.
As Told to Me III
There was a boat called the Benicia thatwas here before my time and had quit be-fore 1922. It had been a cutter on thecruiser South Dakota at one time. It wasused in surveying the Upper Lake.
I never used the Oregon; it also had beenused as a survey boat. (This Oregon is inno way connected with the Oregon ofOdessaEditor). Del Gammon was theengineer in charge then. He had a boat ofhis own called the Lii Gal. Shipped it tothe Bay region when he left here. I tookhis place.
The Spray blew up on Copco in 1935while they were bringing a log raft fromsome west side homesteader. They wereheaded for Algoma and were this side ofEagle Ridge. They were filling it with gasand when about filled it blew up. Every-one got off safe. Copco took it over about1924.
The Lilly was built by Telford in 1924.It was used as a tender for the suctiondredge, Klamath Belle, There had beenanother boat before, called the Lilly, but itgave a lot of trouble and quit while tow-ing. When we test run the new one, webroke ice with it, drove it over boom sticksand bucked four-foot waves.
I remember the ice cut holes in theSpray on Agency Lake when we were hunt-ing for the bodies of Woods and Nitchelm.Dr. Sharpe's boat, the Winnelen, also hadholes cut in its sides by the ice. The icewas about half an inch thick and literallywore out the sides. We also took the Lillyup there, and on the return fastened on2x12's, and they were almost gone by thetime we got back to the docks.
Copco used the Hooligan for a time andit ended up along the Lakeshore Gardendykes. They used the hull to haul junkaround, had acquired it through the JohnLinman operations.
Wickstrom owned the Modoc and Eagle.Used the Modoc to tow, and the Eagle topump sand at Williamson River. Linmanowned the Wasp. When it became obsolete,Copco burned it in about 1935 or 1936.The second Wasp had a reverse. It alsohad a pointed prow.
The Curlew remains lay alongside theCopco boathouse for years.
The old clam shell sank off the BuenaVista docks. The Eagle sank off RitchiePoint, near Skillet Handle, when Wick-strom was pushing it backwards for somereason. The Modoc was set on fire in theearly 30's and the remains were used in theLakeshore Garden dykes.
The Pup was a tender for Copco's origi-nal clam shell, the Cardinal. The Nancy Kwas launched in 1923. Telford built it ina tent. The Mazama's hull lay in the tules,west of the Copco boathouse for years afterit was dismantled.
While dredging a channel opposite Peli-can Bay with the suction dredge, we hit arock strata, and mixed up in the muck thatcame up was a fine Indian mortar.
Copco built the Shark. They received twobids, both of $1,000, one from Frisco andone from Seattle. They decided to built itthemselves and it cost them $1,000. It waslaunched May 20, 1936. Captain Linmanbuilt the superstructure.
The men presented me with an admiral'scap one time, and I still have it.
The Boy Scout mill had a boat but it hadno name. Browns also had a boat with noname. D. E. Alexander had a boat at theDoak ranch, and also a barge.
Dismantling started February 10th, 1953,on both the Oakland and the Shark. TheLilly was sold to Glubrecht, a school teacher,in 1953 for $75.00. He immediately startedrepairing it in his spare time.
Copco used to haul everything. Deliveredfreight to the ranchers and homesteaders onthe Upper Lake. Once I delivered 4,000baby chicks to the Alexander Ranch. Wefirst took the Wasp Out in the wind on atest run. Wanted to see if we could keepthe temperature up to 70 degrees. The babychicks were from Petaluma. We loadedthem on the Wasp, closed up all the open-ings and holes, and by firing heavy withslab wood, kept the temperature at the re-quired 70 degrees. We had two thermomet-ers. I don't think we lost a chick.
We towed log rafts, pushed barge loadsof rock from the Eagle Ridge slide, to
"They were soon passing along near theborder of Clear Lake and saw on its shoresa number of boat or skiff that they after-wards learned had been used by the Cali-fornia Volunteers under command of BenWright, when pursuing s o me fleeingModocs after defeating them in a battlethe previous year." As to which date isright or wrong, or who was in command ofthe Volunteers, does not concern this his-tory. It will be left to another time andplace to discuss the merits of the variousstories. These bits of history are given onlyfor their reference to boats and their use inearly Klamath Basin history.
The next day, while the emigrants werelaying over at the soldiers' camp on LostRiver, a doctor took ". . . some of the chil-dren on a fishing trip by canoe in the watersof Lost River but the pleasure of the tripwas marred by the fear of the canoe over-turning at every cast of the line by theponderous doctor ......(Ibid.)
Lieut. R. S. Williamson's survey partypassed through the Kiamath country in1855, traveling northward from California.Lieut. H. L. Abbott, Williamson's assistant,recorded on August 12th (Explorations andSurveys for a Railroad Route from the Mis-sissippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Vol. VI,page 65): "Rhett Lake (present day TuleLake) is a secure retreat, where the savagecan escape among the tule, in their lightcanoes, and defy a greatly superior force."Two days later, August 14th, upon reachingthe lower end of Upper Kiamath Lake, herecorded (Ibid, Page 67): "Two squawscame into camp in the afternoon, with a fewfish which they had caught in the lake. Wegave them some presents, and they paddledrapidly away in their canoes to spread thenews."
In the meantime, Lieut. Williamson hadcircled Lower Klamath Lake by the oldemigrant road and crossed Klamath Rivernear present day Keno. Returning to themain party, he reached Upper KiamathLake at its outlet, and in crossing LinkRiver, recorded (Ibid, page 77): "We for-tunately found two old canoes, and lashing
them together, formed a craft upon whichwe carried our baggage across."
On August 23rd, while crossing Wil-liamson River near the point it issues fromKlamath Marsh, Abbott once again re-corded (Ibid, page 72): ". . . they were fer-ryed across by sqauws on canoes, payingthe bucks for the accommodations."
Lieut. Abbott kept a personal journal(Abbott Railroad Surveys, 1855, by RobertW. Sawyer, Oregon Historical Quarterly,Vol. XXXIII, page 16.) in which he re-corded: "August 21, . . . food, huts, canoes,themselves in lily pads." "August 23,forded deep stream . . . Squaws helpingwith canoes."
Lieut. H. D. Gibson of the same partyalso referred to this crossing at KiamathMarsh (Transactions of the Fifty FifthOregon Pioneer Association. Letter, underdate of Nov. 23, 1855.): "Quite a numberof the Indians, however, came into ourcamp in the evening, and the next dayrendered us a great deal of assistance incrossing the riverguiding us to the fordand furnishing us canoes to convey ourpacks.'
On April 30, 1857, we find the men-tion of an entirely different water craft.On that date, Mart Frain arrived at LinkRiver from Yreka, to trade and barter withthe Indians (History of Central Oregon.Page 931.): He "swam his mules across theriver and a squaw conveyed his beads andsaddle over on a tule float, which had inthe center a hole through which she thrusther limbs, using her feet as paddles."
In 1862, we find evidence of a watercraft of yet another kind, in so far as canbe learned, the first built by whites in thisterritory. A newspaper item (Yreka Semi-Weekly Journal, Dcc. 31, 1862), states:"A ferry has lately been placed at the emi-grant road crossing on Lost River, near thenatural bridge. The natural bridge is cov-ered with water too deep to render itfordable on account of the large amount ofwater running from the lakes, which wereso greatly swelled by the vast quantity ofsnow and rain last winter. Considerabletravel is expected over this road and ferry
86. 3.
canoes appeared on the lake, coming fromdifferent directions and apparently makingfor a point where the trail came down tothe lake (near present day Shoalwater andPelican Bays.). "As I rode up I saw a deadIndian sitting in the stern of a canoe, whichthe current had driven against the bank(present day Williamson River)
It seems odd that, in a district so un-known and far removed from the fewwildly scattered settlements then on the Pa-cific Coast, the next mention of boats shouldcome but two months later. The Applegatcexploring party of 1846, from the Wil-lamette Valley, after unsuccessfully trying tocross the Lava Beds south of Tule Lake, onthe morning of July 6th, turned northwardalong the high ridge separating LowerKlamath and Tule Lakes. One member ofthe party, David Goff, had become sepa-rated from the others in the Lava Beds andwhile keeping a lookout for him, LindsayApplegate recorded some thirty years later(Notes and Reminiscences of Laying Outand Establishing the Old Emigrant Roadinto Southern Oregon in the Year 1846.By Lindsay Applegare. Oregon HistoricalQuarterly, Vol. XXII, No. 1, Page 23):
we discovered a great number ofcanoes leaving the lake shore, under thebluffs and making for what appeared to bean island (Tule Lake Peninsula) four orfive miles distant. We could see a lonehorseman riding leisurely along the lakeshore, approaching us. This soon proved tobe our friend. The Modocs had discoveredhim in the lava fields, and probably sup-posing that the whole party was about toassail them from the rocks, they took totheir canoes.'
It has been stated (History of Jackson,Josephine, Douglas, Curry and Coos Coun-ties. Page 205.) that shortly after the firstBloody Point massacre, which occurred inthe latter part of August, 1852, Ben Wrightand a party of twenty-seven men arrived atthe scene. They "furiously charged theModocs even in the midst of the tules, andattempted to cut them off from their boats.
The savages sought only to reach theirboats and get Out of range,..." Following
this battle, we find the first mention of aboat, other than a canoe, to be used bywhites in the Klamath Basin. The hostileswere reported (Ibid, page 206.) to havesv:ght "refuge on an island (presumablySnake Island or Tule Lake Peninsula). Aboat was provided, being hauled Out fromYreka, in which six armed men reconnoit-ered almost daily the savages' position.'!
A slightly different version (The EarlyIndian Wars of Oregon, by Frances FullerVictor. Page 303,) of the 1852 affair atTule Lake states: "Wright then went toYreka and had boats built with which toreach the island, . . . on the arrival of Ross,Wright returned to Yreka, for supplies, andto bring Out his boats. But he was unableto reach the Indians, who retreated to thelava beds......
During the following year, 1853, it isreported (Ibid, page 318) that "CaptainJohn F. Millers company, . . . in the vi-cinity of Tule Lake they observed smokerising above the tules, and thinking it camefrom fires on inhabited islands in the lake,constructed boats of wagon beds and wentout to explore them, when they found anumber of canoes filled with Modoc womenand children, and containing fireplaces ofstone and mud, at which were cooked thefish on which they subsisted."
From another source (History of Cen-tral Oregon. Page 930) it is recorded that,in 1853, a company under command ofCaptain Mack Bushy, ". . . encountered theModocs in Northern California and de-feated them. These Indians were driven tothe shores of Clear Lake, where they tookto their canoes and sought refuge on anisland where they believed themselves safefrom further pursuit. The soldiers, how-ever, camped near the lake, constructedboats, attacked the hostiles on their islandand again defeated them."
There seems to be a discrepancy some-place, for an 1853 emigrant writes (Diaryof a Trip Across the Plains in 1853, byVelina A. Williams, supplemented by recol-lections of 0. A. Stears in 1915. FortySeventh Annual Transactions of the Ore-gon P i o n e e r Association. Appendix.):
As Told to Me .. . byApril 6, 1965
My father, Harry Hansberry, came herein 1903 or 1904, from Hood River, Oregon.He had been on the Columbia River steam-boats, The Dalles City and Bailey Gatsartt,around Cascade Locks.
Father and John Totten built the Wine-ma in 1905, which they ran for a numberof years before dissolving partnership. Itwas after this that father built the Hooliganwhich did all kinds of towing, includingbarges of hay from Wood River.
Father had a launch called the Hunter,but I do not remember the Shag. I do re-member that my father built several row
strengthen the dykes; in fact did about ev-erything.
Copco towed for cost, logs to Lamm's,Pelican Bay, Shippington, Boy Scout, Al-goma, and Blocklinger; sheep for O'Connorto Buck Island, and horses to Bear Island.We once pulled a plane Out of the water.
The Beth belonged to J. C. Boyle, andwas lost on Agency Lake. I remember, onetime Totten was working on the boom atShippington, when some fellow jarred theboom with a boat on purpose, and Totten
Priest PhotoSteamer Kiamath and Winema at Rocky Point, Upper Kiamath Lake.
Mrs. Esther G. NewellRecorded by Devere Helfrich
boats for Harriman.We had a boat house at Budd Springs
and I remember two large trout that mothertried every way in the world to catch, butcouldn't.
We left here in 1913, and moved toSeaside, where father had a boat shed andbuilt boats. I suppose father sold theHooligan before we moved away.
We returned here again in 1923, afterwhich father took up a homestead nearHarriman Lodge. He had a fox farm there.He was killed when his team of horses ranaway, May 20, 1937.
fell in.The Ellapoppin was used by Wilbur Tel-
ford and Doug Puckett as an ice boat. Copcobought Out both Linman and Wickstrom.
The Geary dredge - George Stevensonowned it at one timehad been the Sou-thern Pacific dredge and was later acquiredby Copco.
Frank Loosley helped build 0. K. Puck-ett's boat.
I was on the Upper Lake for twenty-fiveyears before I retired in 1956.
2. 87.
May 3, 1965I came to the Merrill community in 1891,
when I was ten years old. I was born aboutfour miles west of Maxwell, California. DanVan Brimmer was my step-father.
My first boat was the Crystal, about athirty footer. I bought it from Sam Sum-mers, and I think possibly Dewey Huffmanbuilt it. I used it during 1911 to pushbarge loads of cinders from Tule Lake Pen-insula to Merrill for road building. A manby the name of Perquisc ran it for me. I donot remember what became of this boat. In1912, I had the steamer Shag built. It wasa barge type boat, with a stern wheel. Ithad two engines, one on either side, eachwith an arm running to the stern wheel, anda boiler. All the machinery was shipped infrom San Francisco. Bill Purdy was the en-gineer and Charlie Murphy the pilot. I ranit about three or four years, pushing bargeloads of cinders from the Peninsula. Theonly other thing I ever hauled was wool,from south of the Peninsula. I sold theengines and boiler to Linman for a boat onthe Upper Lake.
Coppock had a small boat and bargewhich he used between his homestead onthe Peninsula and Merrill. It was the Crystalthat had trouble on Tule Lake in a stormin 1911. I do not remember any other
Recorded by Devere Heifrichloats on Tule Lake, although there mayhave been.
I bought this place in 1934, and movedhere in 1935. I own the land where the oldTeeters' Landing was, but there is nothingthere now.
One time a man named McCóllum cameto Teeters' early one morning and informedhim he wanted to fight. Teeters said he had-n't had breakfast yet, but would oblige assoon as he ate. McCollum said he hadn'thad breakfast either, so Teeters said, "Well,we'll fight now then." They were both bigmen, but Teeters licked him.
Sam Fleenor, we a lw a ys called him"Uncle Sam," lived with us here until hedied. Fleenor Chimneys in the Lava Bedswas named for him. We buried him in thelittle cemetary at Keno. We put "SamFleenor, Modoc Wagoner," on his tomb-stone.
Republican, October 12, 1899:
There is no more suitable water in theworld for boat racing than on the Klamathriver at this point, and we understand ef-forts will be put forth next year providingfor such sport. That would surely be ofgeneral interest and attract big crowds.
The First Boats . .
By DEVERE HELFRIICHThe first authentic and documented entry
of white men into the Klamath Countrywas the McDonald-McKay Hudson's BayCompany party, who left Fort Vancouver,August 20, 1825 (Ogden's Snake CountryJournal, 1824-1826. The Publications ofthe Hudson's Bay Record Society. Page lvi.),and traveled as far south of the ColumbiaRiver as the present Kirk-Chiloquin areabefore returning northward (Journal ofPeter Skene Ogden: Snake Expedition 1826-1827, Oregon Historical Quarterly, Vol.XI, No. 2, Page 211). They had returnedas far north as the Warm Springs Riverneighborhood by December 9, 1825, ihenthey were met by Peter Skene Ogden, whowas headed inland with his 1825-1826 furbrigade. It appears that the McDonald-McKay party left no written record of see-ing or using water craft of any kind uponthe waters of this district. Ogden, however,on the above mentioned expedition, re-
corded the following on November 30,1826 (Ibid. Page 210.): ". . . Mr. McKayproceeded ahead to an Indian village 3
miles distant (On Klamath Marsh, in ageneral southly direction from the later dayLenz ranch). It was composed of 20 tentsbuilt on water surrounded by water ap-proachable only by canoes,..." It can-not be doubted that the first mentionedtrappers did see Indian canoes and prob-ably did use them, but as stated, they ap-parently left no written record of it.
In so far as can be found at this time,the first written record referring to theuse of water craft by white men, that wouldbe of interest to this community was a nearmiss. During the winter of 1834-1835,Nathaniel J. Wyeth, with a party of men(The Correspondence and Journals of Cap-tain Nathanial J. Wyeth 183 1-1836. Pages237-249), having followed up the "river offalls called by the F r e n c h 'Rivieu desShutes'," divided, and Wyeth with threemen continued southward. At the point of
separation (a short distance downstream andnortherly from Benham Falls, Wyeth andhis men, over an eight day period aroundChristmas, built two canoes which the mencalled "Black Snake & Triton." On January1st, 1835, they again started southward, incanoes this time, and passed up the Des-chutes River to a point a few miles southof "a severe rapid" (Pringle Falls, west ofpresent day Lapine). Wyeth and his smallparty penetrated to this point on January14, 1835, in the dead of winter and underthe most severe handicaps and conditions.They turned about here on that day and re-traced their route to the Columbia Riverwhich they reached February 9th, 1835.
It thus falls to the lot of Captain JohnC. Fremont to be the first to leave anauthentic written record of actually seeingand using boats upon the waters of theKlamath country. (Memoirs of My Life byJohn Charles Fremont. Belford, Clark &Co., 1887. Pages 483-494). On May 6,1846, Fremont and his party on theirsecond trip into the Klamath country, ar-rived at the outlet of Upper Klamath Lakein the forenoon. This spot is near the siteof the Fremont Bridge across Link Riverwithin the city limits of Kiamath Falls andthe event is commemorated by a D.A.R.marker located nearby. In mentioning hisarrival there, Fremont wrote: "It was in-viting and I would have been glad to rangeover it in one of the Indian canoes." Afew sentences later he further wrote: "Mr.Kern made the picture of it while we weretrading with the Indians for dried fish andsalmon, and ferrying the camp equipageacross the outlet in their canoes."
On May 7th he again wrote: ". . . butnow and then when the lake was visible acanoe might be seen glancing along." ThatIndian canoes were quite numerous on theUpper Lake is shown by Fremont's re-
cordings on the succeeding days: "Beforewe had been two hours on the way many
88. 1.
Maude Baldwin PhotoThe Tom Calmes boat, the Crystal, at the Lava Beds, south side of Lake.
As Told to Me. . . by Tom Calmes
The Evening Herald, December 25, 1913:Charley House in his launch 'Speed
King," accompanied by a companion, leftWilliamson River headed for Modoc Point.When part way the cam shaft was brokenby ice. After severe hardships they reachedEagle Ridge, mended the shaft and oncemore started out. They bucked ice all day,and at last reached Bear Island, which wascovered with two inches of snow, where amost disagreeable night was spent. Thenext day the wind came up and broke theice, after which the men managed to reachModoc Point in a famished condition.
Republican, September 12, 1907:The new launch Klatawa, owned by Tel-
ford and Son, was placed in service thisweek. One of the new features about the
89.
Priest Photo
The Beth, thought to be a patrol boat on Lower Kiamath Lake, around the Bird Islands.
boat is the tunnel stern, and it is provingvery satisfactory and will likely become verypopular here, as it seems to be especiallyadapted f o r the navigation of shallowwater. It is being seriously consideredplacing the new boat on the Fort Klamathrun. Messrs. Telfords have reason to feelproud of their labors, as the Klatawa is oneof the finest pieces of work turned out bythis popular firm.
Klamath Republican, February 28, 1901.Among the projected improvements in
this town are those which two citizens willshortly introduce. One of them proposes toget a gasoline automobile and the other agasoline launch. Thus combined they cannavigate both land and water.
Addresses and information of Historical Society Publications that contain informationclosely connected with the Klamath country:
"The Siskiyou Pioneer," published annually by the Siskiyou County Historical Society,910 So. Main Street, Yreka, California. Pice $2.00.
"Trinity," published annually by the Trinity County Historical Society. Subscriptionprice is $1.25 plus mailing. Communications should be sent to Editor, P.O. Box 303,Weaverville, California.
"The Covered Wagon," published annually by the Shasta County Historical Society.Address all communications to Mrs. John Shuford, 3055 Henderson Road, Redding,California. Price $1.00.
Josephine County Historical Society, P.O. Box 1225, Grants Pass, Oregon, doDorothy Darneille, Editor, or Pauline H. Shier, Secretary.
Jackson County Historical Society, do Miss Mary Hanley, Curator, JacksonvilleMuseum, Jacksonville, Oregon.
Klamath County Museum, 126 South Third, Kiamath Falls, Oregon.
CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO VOLUME I, NUMBER 1:
The name of Al Angel, one of our original donors, who helped make our first issuepossible, was accidentally omitted in our last issue.
The girl licking the ice cream paddle, page 33, was Lyle Watson Kimble. The manis unidentified.
The Unknown Lady at Crater Lake, inside Front Cover, has been identified asNellie Boyd Hancock.
The man driving the Model-T Ford, Page VIII, with the cream cans, has beenidentified as R. C. Short.
The young man with the three bears, page 25, was Harry Telford rather than hisbrother Ray.
KLAMATH BOATINGTULE AND EWAUNAJESSIECANBYWINEMAKIAMATHCURLEWBUENA VISTABARBARAMAZAMAEAGLEHOOLIGANWASPNORTH STARMODOCBUFFALOOAKLANDSPRAYCAPTAIN JACKHOUSEBOATSLOWER KLAMATH LAKEUPPER LAKE LANDINGSMISCELLANEOUS
THEY CHECKBOATING ON TULE LAKECRATER LAKE BOATINGAS TOLD TO ME
MAPS
Table
THE FIRST BOATSEARLY TRANSPORTATIONBOATSAS TOLD TO MR
of Contents
LANDINGS
pageHelen Epley Hoffman inside front coverDevere Helfrich 1
Rachaei Applegate Good 8
George Stevenson 11Ivy Emmit Propst Drew 15
Gertrude Colahan 17Judge U. E. Reeder 18John Yaden 20Harry Tell ord 22Devere Hellrich 27
36
Dane Runneis 38Devere Heifnich 45
5354545557585960606162636363656871
7273
Ruth King 75Jack Linman 78
79Mrs. Heber R. Radcliffe 80Ivan Dennis 81Walter G. Heifer 82Minnie Grizzle 84Lester "Sharkey" Hutchinson 85Mrs. Ester G. Newell 87Tom Calmes 88
inside back cover
Bryce McCormack 16
33
37
John Totten
Kiamath Echoes StaffDEVERE HELFRICH - - EDITOR
ANNABELLE NEWTON, VERA CLEMMENS,"SHARKEY" HUTCHINSON, ANDHELEN HELFRICH - - ADVERTISING & SALES
NEVARTE SMITH AND LEONA ANGEL - - TYPISTS
RUTH KING - PUBLICITY
OfficersKLAMATH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
1965
PAUL ROBERTSON - PRESIDENT
VERA CLEMMENS - - VICE-PRESIDENT
LEONA ANGEL - SECRETARY-TREASURER
ANNABELLE NEWTON - PROGRAMME CHAIRMAN
AL ANGEL, HAL OGLE, ANNABELLE NEWTON,AND MINNIE GRIZZLE - DIRECTORS
Kiamath Echoes is published annually by the Kiamath County Historical Society.Address all communications to: Kiamath Echoes, P.O. Box 1552, Kiamath
Falls, Oregon, 97601.
THE CovER: The cover was drawn by Stephanie Bonotto Hakanson, also the artist forour first Annual. It is drawn from a true scene of an Indian dugout canoe on OdessaCreek, in the 1900-1908 period.
114 N. 7th
Courtesy Don Harlan
Dance Barge on the Upper Lake, 912.
John H. HoustonEQUITABLE'S LIVING INSURANCE - SERVICE SINCE 1921
C. Buz LarkinGENERAL INSURANCE and BONDS
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON Phone 884-3108
114 N. 7th KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON Phone 884-3221
ClamsheH Dredge, owned by Pacific Power'son Upper Kiamath Lake around 1936.
TODAYThe Trend is to
TOTAL-ELECTRICLIVING60% of all new homes and apartments builtthis year in a 5-state area we serve installedelectric heat
90% chose electric water heating
Nearly everybody chose electric cooking
GO ALL-ELECTRIC'
PACIFIC POWER & LIGHT COMPANY403 Main St. - Phone 882-341 1
Editor's PageIt has been a long time from the beginning of the first notes taken for this boating
history, seventeen years, until this work went to press, June 10, 1965. Reminiscences,old newspaper clippings, photographs, and this past year, a concentration on the oldnewspaper files in the offices of the Herald and News, have constituted the foundation for
our history. We especially want to thank Floyd Wynne, Managing Editor of the Heraldand News, who made the old newspaper files available, without which this history ascompiled, would not have been possible. We also want to thank Mr. Alfred D. Collier,Hal Ogle and the Klamath County Museum, for photos, information and their cooperation.
We have been troubled with a surplus of photos and information, rather than alack; in fact, we have left on hand enough information and photos at this time, toprint another book this size. We hope that before too many years elapse, someone willtake up where this history leaves off, fill in the blank spots, use many of the photos leftunprinted and bring the boating history of the Klamath country up to date.
Even now as this history is presented to the public, we presume there may be errorsin it; probably we have inadvertantly stepped on someone's toes by mentioning some-thing we should not, or by failing to give credit where credit is due. We could onlyprint the information we had available or that was told to us; if anyone had other perti-nant information we are only sorry that it was not made available.
It is our understanding that at least three other sources are preparing boat histories,and for that reason we have avoided certain subjects wherever possible.
Gathering this information has been an interesting excursion into the past.
To the steamboats, we offer our sincere sympathies, they pioneered, took on boardpassengers and freight, and in general opened up the region. The railroads came, andbusiness slackened for the steamer. Then the highways and logging roads followed,with trucks taking over. Business slackened in turn for certain railroads and disappearedfor the steamer. Only the pleasure boats remained.
1h INI
Maude Baldwin Photo
Steamer Klamath on Lake Ewauna, Kiamath Falls in the background. Baldwin Hotel overstern of Klamath, Presbyterian Church and old Klamath County High School at extremeright. About 1908 or 1909 period.
BALDWIN HOTEL
OLDEST & STRONGEST
COMMERCJAL BUJLDJNG IN TOWN
In Kiamath its
31 Main Street Phone 884-5952 Peoples Warehouse, Inc.For local-long distance moving & storage
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON1425 SO. 6TH ST. KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
From Bennet Collection
Co., logging in the Rocky Point area.The second "Mazama" was built in 1911, using original engines, but being larger, was slowerand never satisfactory. It ceased operations in 1913 after S. P. railroad had been completedto Chiloquin and boat service could not compete with combination rates of rail and horsedrawn wagons on to Fort Klamath.
Years later, in 1918, "Cap" Parker founded the Peoples Warehouse, which is still beingoperated and owned by his step-son, Warren C. Bennef. Peoples', then, is truly a des.cendant of the Steamer "Mazama" boat transportation, and currently specializing in trans-portation and storage of furniture and household goods.
Maude Baldwin Photo
Business Men's excursion by the Buena V sta to Odessa Creek George Baldwin seated in box.
Men's Store
F NE BRANDS OF .
MEN'S AND BOY'S
plus
S & H Green Stamps for
Home Lumber CompanyRetail Sales
PROMPT SERVICE ON ALL BUILDING NEEDS
S
Bill Meade, Manager
Telephone 884-3146 2384 So. 6th Street
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
DeVere Photo Maude Baldwin Photo
Larry Bergman in doorway. The last trip of the Steamer Klamath, carrying excursionists from Klamath Falls to board thefirst train to enter the city, May 20, 1909.
U. S. National Bank of Oregon
KLAMATH FALLS BRANCH TOWN & COUNTRY BRANCH
8th & Main 3720 So. 6th
S
Phone: 882-5581
S
FREE PARKING - 8th & KLAMATH
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
Copy negative, courtesy 0. K. Puckell
A Puckett operation in 912, at Keno, on the Klamath River. Forming log rafts to be towedto Klamath Falls mills.
MY LIFETIME IN KLAMATH COUNTYCOMPLIMENTS OF .
TRANSPORTATION AND SALE OF LOGS AND TIMBER
0. K. PUCKETTMidland Empire Insurance and Realty
Clem and Sylvia Lesueur
Phone 884-6115 120 N. 7th Street1006 Main Street Telephone 882-3471
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGONKLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
Maude Baldwin Photo
The Winema being raised after blowing over and sinking off Eagle Ridge in August, 1907.
I
The State Wide Bank with Home Town Service
MemberFederal Deposit Insure nce Corporation
"WHERE TO CALL"
First National Bank of OregonKlamath Falls Branch, 601 Main 882-3444South Sixth Street Branch, 2809 So. 6th 884-7751Merrill Branch, 206 E. Front 798-52 1 1
Maude Baldwin Photo
Arrival of the Winema's 14,000 lb. boiler, overland from Pokegama, in front of the oldBaldwin Hard'ware Store and First National Bank Building in Klamath Falls in early 1905.Joe Moore driving, Jim Moore riding on top of boiler.
First National Bank of Oregon
Priest Photo
The Hooligan, foreground, and Steamer Klamath along the Upper Lake water front. Some timeafter 1911.
Modoc Lumber CompanyManufacturers of Old Growth - Soft Texture
PONDEROSA
TRUE FIRS - DOUGLAS FIR - SUGAR PINE
.
P. 0. Box 257 KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
Oregon Water Corporation
PURE WATER FROM ARTESIAN WELLS
Your FORD Dealer
Since 1923
NEW FORD CARS AND TRUCKS
USED CARS AND TRUCKS
Phone 882-3436 Seventh and Pine Streets
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON Main & Esplanade Telephone 884-3121
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
Copy from an old postcardCourtesy Copco This picture should settle for all time, the manner in which the Steamer Klamath was movd
The new boat "Shark" leaving Eagle Ridge Rock Slide with a barge load of rocks for Upper from the Lower Lake to the Upper Lake.Lake dikes. Louis Duncan in the boat.
Balsiger Motor Company
Picture courtesy Vera Clemmens
Sacking boat. Kiamath River log drive in 1897, two miles up river from Kiamathon,end of drive. (Left to Right) Bill Moss, standing, the drive boss; a visitor; S. M.Slough, drive cook and father of Mrs. Fred Cavin of Hornbrook; George Cook; FredFrain; Henry Hoover; B. A. Henderson; George Spannaus; Frank Woods; RoderickFrain; Edward Way, uncle of Mrs. Cavin; Man standing tall in back is an unknownvisitor; Last man with peevee on right is William lorenzo (Wren> Frain of KiamathFalls; Last man, hands in pockets, is an unknown visitor.
All of these men are now dead. They were all native Siskiyou County men. Mostof them replaced the White Water men from Manistee River, Michigan, after theWhite Waters struck in early 1897 and were fired. Wren Frarn drove from 1893 to1900. This sacking boat wa built with a high stern and stem, the better to runthe rapids.
We are still selling clear, honest Klamath Pine Boat Lumber today at SWAN LAKEMOULDING COMPANY at 3226 South Sixth Street in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Phone
884-5145.
Kimball Glass House
"THE BEST PLACE TO REPLACE"
Phone 882-2535 521 Walnut
KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON
DeVere Photo
The end of the Steamer Kiamath, in the log cut leading to the Pelican Bay Lumber Co. mill.Picture taken in March, 1948.
COMPLIMENTS OF .
LSy.
/(/a,,,a//, F4/L,
Ra i/read,, p 7 /q,,Reads ;,, ex;JIanC.e t. jqi4A few preser1 day paved ..%aI
" 44.
Sheef'i
TULE LAKE
DedicationWe respectfully dedicate this, the second issue of Klamath Echoes
to the owners, builders, captains and crews of the many boats that
plied the waters of the Klamath country for so many years.
The rowboats tied along the dock soon lined up for a race;But three girls stole their fellows' craft and led them quite a chase!Poor boys called out and pleaded but the ladies wouldn't stop!So the sad guys sought some solace playing cards and drinking pop.
When the bugle sounded 'chow time,' in rushed the hungry tribe!And such a dinner was spread out, no gourmet could describe.Aunt Emma's pickles took the prize at last year's county fair;Miz Jones's cake was like one served when the governor was there.
Hot biscuits, chicken-crisp and brown-coffee and lemonade;Salads and pies and berries red, on that rich ice cream (home-made).At the pavillion, when we were 'plum-full' we frolicked until 'six';Kids slept, the women gossipped; and the men talked politics.
The band struck up a slow new waltz, to the tune 'After the Ball';And lovin' couples in a trance, floated slowly 'round the hail.All things must end, the whistle blew; and we loaded up for home;And our jolly little steamboat soon was kicking up the foam.
Dog-tired, at last we were content to sit and watch the scene,Pelicans circling the sunset sky, the shoreline misty green.Ah yes, those golden days have fled; but I'd like for old times' sakeAn excursion with those same dear folk, by steamboat, on the lake.
Helen Epley Hoffman
On a "Sunday afternoon" at Pelican Bay. L. to F.: Mrs. John McCall, Louise Sargent,and Lyle Watson Kimball.
ExcursionWhen we ponder the olden, golden days, some things are like a dream;But clear and bright, are 'Excursions' up dear Kiamath Lake by steam.We watched the paper carefully for I. A. Duffy's ad;He promised such a holiday! 'Excursion' became a fad.
Ma looked at Pa for the good word(fifty cents was quite a fee!)How we howled with joy at that great line"The children go for free!"Each felt a tiny guilty qualmWe would miss Sunday School;But Ma said God was outdoors too; besides, it would be cool.
Well, we were up at crack of dawn, all helping pack the eats,And hurrying to the landing, so we'd be sure of seats.The boat came 'round the wooded bend, shined up all white and new;They rang the bell as it approached and shrill the whistle blew.
'Alma', 'Winema' or 'Kiamath' could be the one that came,And we always wondered what proud lass gave the 'Lottie C' her name.A hundred folk were soon aboard, with hardly room to stand;And on the deck, resplendent, sat the Klamath Falls Brass Band!
I tell you everyone looked fine, each in his Sunday best!Ma in her 'merry widow' hat; Pa in his checkered vest.Some folk left at Odessa; Rocky Point claimed just a few.The rest steamed on to HarrimanThere were more things to do.
Fort
woodbe
Old fore
--i'.
0f7 R,ver B#
tiCb. C!t. '
',.1
Kiamath County Historical Society
1965
KLAMATH ECHOES
News-Journal Utho, Yreka, Cal. VOLUME I NUMBER 2