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. 84. NORMAN E. DERRY Left Illinois with his parents in 1878, when he was nine years old. The family traveled by rail to San Francisco, thence by boat to Portland, thence to Wallula by boat and train, changing from one to the other six times. From Wallula to Walla Walla they rode in a box car over the Baker narrow gauge road. The entire journey consumed twenty days. The elder Derry homesteaded 160 acres near Walla Walla. This was about the time of the Bannock Indian war. Our subject had an elder brother who served in the forces organized for defense against the Bannocks. Mr. Derry started out to shift for himself at a very early age, working a great deal of the time on wheat ranches at such jobs as could be performed by a boy. He left Walla Walla at fifteen years of age. but still continued to work in wheat fields, though putting in some of the time riding range. From the first Mr. Derry managed to save a little money. About this time he drifted into the ragged town of Spokane Falls. Two lots now in the center of Spokane were urged upon him for $150. But he thought he would let those real estate men know that he was not so green as he looked, and politely but firmly declined the honor of purchase. In relating this incident, Mr. Derry laughed and said that a few years later he was witness to an offer of $150,000 for those same lots and that now for all he knew they might be worth millions. In 1891 Mr. Derry worked through the valley with the Great Northern surveying crew, and in running the first line they ran smack into the Freer and Miller Trading Post, which brought Mr. Miller to the door with the remark: "It's all right, boys, if you will build a railroad you may have the half of my kingdom." Mr. Derry remained with the surveying party until 1892. In the meantime he had filed on a homestead in Warm Springs canyon where he continued to live until 1897 when he sold out and bought an eight-acre tract on Walla Walla Avenue, which one year later was getting water from the Gunn-Shotwell ditch. Later he acquired nine acres on Maple Street. Both tracts are in full bearing orchard, to which he gives the best of care and management. In 1903 Mr. Derry was married to Miss Amy Blanche Smith of Oregon. Four children have been born to this union: Francis M., Virgil W., Chester W., and Norman E., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Derry have a pardonable pride in their home, and the great transformation that has taken place since they as a young couple began the battle of life. In 1921 they made a trip westward from Pocatello, Idaho, on the Old Oregon Trail for several hundred miles, and recently attended the reunion of Washington Pioneers at Walla Walla. ******************* Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in July 2016 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.