Hull, Lindley M., compiler and editor.  "A History of Central Washington,
Including the Famous Wenatchee, Entiat, Chelan and the Columbia Valleys."
Spokane: Press of Shaw & Borden Co., 1929.  p. 400.

MR. and MRS. WILLIAM F. BLANKENSHIP

     The history of Leavenworth and the Lake Wenatchee country would be
incomplete without mention of the above named worthy couple, who began their
journey on the highway of matrimony in 1873. From this date it might be reasoned
that they have reached extreme age, but such is not the case. Both are still
active, and at this writing (1925) are operating a farm near Leavenworth, though
living in town.   Both are natives of Illinois. Seven children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Blankenship, whose names follow: Fred Earnest, Mae (now Mrs. Fred
H. Hersher) Floyd, and twins, Harry and Henry, Estella (Mrs. C. J. Rairdon), and
Howard M. The last two were born in Washington.  Henry died quite young. Howard
served in the World War. All are living in Washington, except Mrs. Hersher,
whose home is in Moose Jaw, B. C.
     The Blankenships left Illinois in 1887, and located in Washington Territory
near Ellensburg, where they followed farming two years, and then removed to the
Lake Wenatchee country, the first family to settle in that section. Mr.
Blankenship picked his homestead claim close to the shore of Lake Wenatchee.
When asked if they saw hard times in the early days, he replied: "Why, no, we
got along fine.  We had our milch cows, and vegetables flourished in a wonderful
way, and when it came to meat foods, the supply seemed to be unfailing. We had
grouse, fish, bear, and deer in abundance. I recall that at one time we had 13
deer hanging up.  In the early nineties we spent as much time as we could at
Wenatchee that the children might have the benefit of school."
     When questioned concerning an adventure with a grizzly bear, Mr.
Blankenship said: "Well, yes, we had an experience, and I was made pretty sore
by the loss of a fine cow. It happened in the night time, and in the fall
season. The cows were kept in a corral. On going out one morning we found the
corral empty, and evidence of fright and stampede of the cows. Among the tracks
of the cows made in their hurried flight, could be seen the foot prints of a
huge bear. We followed the trail to the lake where we found one cow had been
killed. The dead animal was a little way out in the water. Her head was torn by
the claws of the bear, but for reasons learned later, the bear did not drag the
cow from the water. But believe me, we got that bear. The next night we placed a
gun trap for bruin, feeling quite sure that he would return to his prey. And
sure enough we found next morning that the trap had been sprung and the bear
wounded. We followed a trail of blood and soon located him in the bushes near
by, and two or three shots settled him; but he was full of fight to the last,
and his cries of rage and pain were frightful to hear. He was a true grizzly in
color and of immense size, but dreadfully poor, with teeth and claws worn down
and broken, which had reduced his capacity for danger as a predatory animal.  It
was for lack of teeth that he could not drag that cow out of the water." To meet
and visit with Mr. and Mrs. Blankenship is a real treat. For many years they
have lived in Leavenworth.

     
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Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in February 2008 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.