"Early History of Thurston County, Washington; Together with Biographies and
Reminiscences of those Identified with Pioneer Days." Compiled and Edited by
Mrs. George E. (Georgiana) Blankenship.  Published in Olympia, Washington, 1914.
p. 332.
 
CAPTAIN SAMUEL WING PERCIVAL
(By His Daughter, Georgians Percival Ford.)

     Captain Samuel Wing Percival of Hanover, Mass., had followed the sea from a
boy until the time of his marriage, and had shown such aptitude and evinced so
high a sense of responsibility that he was made master, by the owners of the
vessel, on his third voyage. These voyages were to ports, on the Mediterrean
Sea, Barcelona, Marseilles, Constantinople and through the Black Sea to Odessa,
also through the Baltic Sea to St. Petersburg, and while these voyages were not
lacking in thrilling experiences, he brought his ship safely to port each trip,
and letters from the owners are preserved filled with expressions of
commendation and gratitude. These letters show a high ideal, and abound with
expressions that would doubtless cause great surprise today, counseling the
young captain to hold the honorable name of the ship's owners above dollars and
cents, and voicing their full confidence in their belief that he would never
descend to a dishonorable transaction for mere gain.
     Mrs. Lurana Ware Percival made the trip from her home in Plymouth, Mass.,
around Cape Horn, arriving at. San Francisco May 5th, 1850. She embarked from
New York on the Clipper Brig "Reindeer" and the trip was made in 153 sailing
days, the record trip to that date. The weather and other conditions were
favorable for a successful and interesting voyage, and she always spoke of the
varied experiences of that five months' journey with great pleasure.
     She found San Francisco a small Mexican-Spanish town, consisting of a row
of adobe houses around the Plaza, a few frame houses and many zinc houses and
tents scattered over vacant lots, reaching from Broadway street to Telegraph
Hill.  She landed from the ship's boat on Montgomery street, the bay extending
to the street.
     In November, 1850, she went with friends to Portland, Oregon, A number of
passengers were anxious to get into the Territory before the time expired to
secure 640 acres of land. For this reason the Captain took his ship in to the
Umpqua River, and landed these passengers and they walked to Roseburg. Umpqua
City consisted of two small zinc houses, occupied by a few white men, who had
taken claims and were trading with the Indians, and a settlement of Indian
houses; these houses were boarded around the sides, the tops covered with Indian
mats. In a paper entitled "Personal Remimscences of Early Days," read before the
Woman's Club of Olympia, (from which many of the incidents given are gleaned) my
mother says: "I had never seen such long and wide boards, they were from three
to four feet wide. Upon inquiry I learned that the Indians burned the tree
instead of cutting it down, split the cedar logs into boards by driving in
wedges, then kept them over a slow fire until they were sufficiently charred to
be rubbed with smooth stones until they were the required thickness and nicely
polished." Mrs. Pereival was the first white woman to step on shore at the mouth
of the Umpqua River, and was a great curiosity to the natives, who were most
attentive to her, coming out to the ship in canoes the next day, with presents
of huckleberries, which grew in great abundance near the village, and when she
was on shore, bending down the bushes, which were high, that she might pick the
berries. The bay being land-locked with a dangerous bar, the captain waited ten
days for a fair wind to enable him to cross in safety; during this time the
weather was delightfully warm and those who wished to go were one day rowed up
the river about ten miles to a beautiful island, where coffee was made and a
picnic lunch served. Picnics and ripe huckleberries late in November were
amazing facts to a young woman from the New England states.
     The Columbia River bar was reached late in the afternoon and found to be
very rough. No pilot responded to the captain's signals, so he steered off coast
for more sea room and it was well he did, for my mother records that they
had that night, the hardest storm she ever experienced at sea. The decks were
washed of every thing movable, bulwarks stove in cargo shifted, so that the
vessel lay over on one side; the sailors performed their duties with ropes
fastened about their waists; several seas washed entirely over the ship,
forcing water through the skylight into the cabin, where the passengers sat
speechless. The storm abated as morning dawned and the entire day was given to
righting the vessel, using the pumps and moving the cargo; they had drifted so
far that two days were required to return to the river.
     Again failing to secure a pilot, the Captain determined to run in without
one, although it was his first trip to the Columbia River. He crossed the bar
safely and was soon anchored at Astoria. I again quote from the paper already
mentioned: "When speaking of pioneer life on the Pacific Coast, few ever mention
the difficult and dangerous pioneer work done by sailing vessels and their
crews; nearly every harbor and river on the coast is barred except Puget Sound
and it was several years before there were steam tugs enough for all these
ports. Working a vessel up the river was a long and tedious trip for sailors;
all things favorable, it took from a week to ten days to reach Portland and had
to be done by kedging, and towing with row boats."
     Portland was a small village, there were no cleared streets and the
townsite having been heavily timbered, huge stumps breast high, were left,
standing, making it necessary to carry a, lantern or a candle after dark, and it
was the custom for a box of candles to be kept by the door, and the departing
evening caller was handed a lighted candle, which he extinguished and deposited
in the box at the next house he entered.
     There was but one house boasting a brick chimney, the home of Captain
Nathaniel Crosby (grandfather of Samuel C. Woodruff and Ada Woodruff Anderson,
author of "The Heart of the Red Firs" and "The Strain of White," also Charles A.
Burr, Mrs. Maude Basse, and June Burr). The brick for the chimney and other
materials necessary for a well-built house, had been shipped around Cape Horn,
and those who were privileged to enjoy the delightful hospitality of that home
were fortunate indeed. While in Portland a trip was made in a rowboat to
Milwaukee, to be present at the launching of the first steamer built in Oregon,
the "Lot Whitcomb."  (On this occasion Mrs. Percival made the acquaintance of
Judge Matthew P. Deady). All were handsomely entertained, at the residence of
Mr. Lot Whitcomb, the founder of the town, and rowed down the river to Portland
in the evening. Another trip was one, made with saddle horses, December 31,
1850, to Oregon City, the largest village on the Willamette. There were no roads
and the party followed the narrow Indian trails, one after the other, in true
Indian style, ferrying on scows pulled by ropes stretched across the river; the
hotel was very comfortable and my mother was happily surprised to meet a young
man there, who had come around the Horn on the ship she had passage on. She also
made the acquaintance of Captain S. W. Percival, (who commanded the schooner
"Crescent City," also loading in Portland) whom she afterward married in San
Francisco, April 3rd, 1851. The next day the party returned to Portland, as they
had come, and all attended the New Year's ball in the evening. Another outing
was a trip to Fort Vancouver. The Willamette was ferried, a forest was traversed
(now East Portland). On the banks of the Columbia River men were found with very
 large row boats to convey passengers to the other shore; as they returned,
after crossing the river and taking the horses, snow began to fall, thick and
fast, and the trail was soon obliterated. The party consulted and decided that,
as the horses were cold and hungry, they would doubtless take the shortest route
home, and ceased to guide them. They emerged from the forest before dark and the
party received a warm welcome and hot supper on the Brig "Reindeer," where
some uneasiness had been felt as to their safety.
     After his marriage my father purchased a large store on Washington street,
San Francisco, and commenced business, occupying the story above as a dwelling
house, and my parents were well settled by the first of May. On June 22,
they were burned out by the third great fire, which consumd nearly all the city.
House, furniture, nearly all the contents of the store were swept away, but the
greater part of the clothing was saved. They moved into an unfinished building
on Mongomery street and began business again.
     In 1852 they went to Parks Bar, a good-sized mining town, on the Yuba
River. While there they buried their eldest child, Lurana Curtis Percival, and
at the end of the year, on account of the prevalence of cholera, and the failure
of the mines that season, they returned to San Francisco and took passage on the
Barque Sarah Warren, Captain A. B. Gove, deciding to begin life again in that
part of the Northwest which had so great an attraction for them. They arrived
in Olympia, January 1, 1853.
     My mother was the sixth woman to settle in town. She writes: "I found Mrs.
Geo. Barnes, Mrs. Simpson P. Moses, wife of Collector of Customs; Mrs. C. H.
Hale, Mrs. Close, wife of first Methodist minister, and Mrs. Fischer, (a widow).
Mrs. Adam Wiley was living on a claim two miles down the bay. At Tumwater were
the Simmons, Crosby, Barnes and Kindred families and Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Walker,
also several families on the prairies beside the Chambers and Hays. Our
principal amusement was horseback riding, so we were quite neighborly with our
prairie friends."
     Again, I quote: "We commenced housekeeping in one large room, ran the
stovepipe through the window, one corner was kitchen, one bedroom, one store
room, sitting room in center. The trees had been felled from Main street to the
water (on the west) as far as Sixth street, and from Fourth street to the water
(on the north). All along the beach were Indian huts, and the whole beach was
lined with canoes. The Indian women had all the work to do, and had been treated
like beasts so long that, for a time, it was thought to be useless to try to
teach them anything. Each family would take an Indian boy and most of them were
quick to learn.   For several years we were our own dress makers and milliners
took care of each other when sick, and in fact, did all kinds of work, even to
making the most of our furniture. When a few of the squaws learned to wash and
iron it was a great help to us; the well known 'Old Betsy' was one of the first
to learn; they preferred old clothes to money for their work until they learned
to sew. During the year of 1853 many families came, which gave us plenty of
society."  Record is made of the delightful horseback parties, clam bakes, boat
rides and dances, and Mrs. Percival says: "The only draw-back to our pleasure,
was the length of time it took to hear from our eastern friends. We had a
steamer from San Francisco once each month, bringing our mails; sailing
vessels came, often bringing freight, passengers and news from Sail Francisco.''
A sewing society was soon formed, and at the first fair $500.00 was cleared,
which sum was used to finish off the second story of the school house and
furnish it with seats, two chairs, a table and lamps, that the clergymen of any
denomination might hold divine service. The Methodists were the first to build a
church.
    In 1855 my mother visited her relatives in Massachusetts.  She made this
trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and returned by the Nicaruaga Route,
accompanied by her youngest sister, Emma E. Cleale (now Mrs. H. F. Cornwall, of
Oakland, Cal.), and the adopted infant daughter of a sister, who had been called
from earth shortly before her arrival at her old home. A diary account (extracts
from which are given) of the return trip, plainly shows that more hardships and
peril attended this trip than the one "Around the Horn."
    Memoranda of voyage from New York to San Francisco, in 1855. (The person
alluded to as Gershom was the child's father, who accompanied his sisters-in-law
to the Pacific Coast):
  Memoranda of Voyage from New York to San Francisco in 1855
Left the wharf in the good steamship Northern Light, on the evening of September
20th. Emma seasick; baby worrisome.
September 21--Cloudy, but fine breeze. Baby seasick. Weather getting warm as we
come south.
September 22--Weather very warm. Many passengers seasick.
September 23--Sunday a very fine day. No preaching. Seasick passengers getting
better.
September 24--A large number of passengers on board, over 800, great many on
deck now, some watching the water, some the moon. some playing cards, whilst
other pass remarks upon them. Babe asleep.
September 25--Very warm; passed some of the West Indies today.
September 26--Passed the Isle of Cuba this morning and this eve watched the sun
sink behind the mountains of Jamaica, a very beautiful sight. Babe begins to
pick up a little.
September 28--Commenced weighing baggage. I had to pay $15.65 for two trunks.
September 29--Left the Northern Light at Greytown; went on board a small
steamer, E. L. Hunt, and proceeded up the river. Arrived at Castillo Rapids at,
three a. m. Got breakfast at the National Hotel. Very poor fare.  From there
walked about Iialf a mile and went on board another small steamer and proceeded
up the river twelve miles farther, then exchanged for the lake boat, the
San Carlos, a new and very comfortable boat. Dropped anchor at Virgin Bay and
commenced landing passengers. We went to the National Hotel and got some supper,
which our Indians wouldn't eat, and then had to pay $12.50 for one dirty little
room, full of spiders and other insects too
numerous to mention, tried to clean it out a little, killed about, twenty
tarantulas and made up some beds on the floor as best we could.
October 1--Still at the hotel and likely to be here for some time, as the
steamer from San Francisco has not got into San Juan yet. We had to pay $1.00
per meal, which
takes off the cash quite fast, but today have got tickets from the company for
the whole time we may be detained here. Very poor fare; everything filthy so
cannot eat and
am obliged to go hungry.
October 2--Babe six months old today and has two teeth.  Fare rather better
today. The men are amusing themselves outside, getting the natives to run races.
October 3--Very warm. At noon heard the joyful news the Cortez had arrived at
San Juan. Some of the passengers are coming in now. Presume we will start
tomorrow. I
fear the dear little babe has the whooping cough.
October 4--A great many of our passengers left this morning to cross over to San
Juan, and a great many left behind yet. There are not carriages nor mules enough
to take them across. One wagon came back and thirteen women and children got in,
but had not got out of sight of the house before we were told we must get out
and walk, as the mules were so tired they could scarcely drag the wagon. Most
all got out and walked but myself. I walked with the babe over very bad places
and down hill, but when I thought there was no danger I would sit in the wagon
with the child. It was so much easier for the baby.  Sometimes it rained and I
had to walk with the baby wrapped in heavy shawls to protect it from the rain,
and a heavy umbrella besides. I thought the saying a true one that, we don't
know how much we can endure until we are tried. We travelled till long after
dark and I thought we would have to stay out of doors all night, when one
gentleman came back with three mules and Emma and another young lady got on and
rode off for the half-way house some two or three miles distant. In about
another half an hour Greshom and another man came back to see what had become of
us and found us in the middle of the road, the mules determined not to go
another step. The question was, what was to be done? One thing was certain, we
must have some food for the child and shelter. I got on Gershom's mule and he
took the child in his arms and we started off for the half-way house. Sometimes
I walked and he rode and carried the carpet bag. We walked this way until we
came to the house at 10 o'clock, covered with mud, and so dark we could scarcely
see the road. Were very glad to find shelter. The dear little one never cried
once all that long afternoon and hard journey. First thing was to get something
warm for her and then for ourselves.
October 5--Fine morn. All rose in good spirits and had a good breakfast and
clean dishes to eat from, a luxury we had not enjoyed for a long time before.
Orange, lemon and tamarind trees looked fine in a cultivated state. The wagon
just arrived that I left the night before. All that were left were obliged to
spend the night in the wagon. They all looked like the last roses of summer.
Brought in some fresh mules and we are commencing our journey again. But fresh
as our mules might have been we are all obliged to walk over two-thirds of the
way into San Juan. We went to the Pacific House. Babe seems quite sick
today. Her upper gums are swollen very badly and makes her head very hot. This
afternoon I thought she was going into a fit. It frightened me very badly.
Called a physician.
October 6--Babe has the whooping cough sure enough. We all feel about tired out.
The cholera is on board the steamer and we do not feel in any hurry to go on
board.
Four died before we came here and two today, and it is reported many are sick.
Things do not look very favorable for us. All we can do is put our trust in God.
Many would stay here until the next steamer, were things pleasant, but the place
is full of Walker's filibustering party and it is hard to get enough to eat. The
Cortez is a very small boat and I cannot think where they can stow so many
people. All the beds we have had to sleep on since we left the Northern Light is
a narrow cot, without any pillow or clothing except one dirty sheet spread over.
Just think, one dollar per night for cot and sheet, and fifty cents for a
hammock. One of Walker's men was shot on the beach this morning for stealing
cattle.
October 7--Two more deaths on board last night. We saw a man and his wife come
on shore this morning to bury their child. They dug a hole in the beach and laid
the child in and covered it over. About tea time a gun was fired from the Cortez
as a signal for us to go on board. Found things very black and dirty.
October 8--Proceeded to sea at 2 p. m. Very much crowded,  very poor fare and a
slow boat. Got our baggage today and arranged our room quite comfortably.
October 9--Very warm. One of the butchers was kicked over-board by an ox.
Stopped steamer and got him safely again. This evening one of the boats got
loose and had to stop again to pick it up. Emma seasick. Baby troublesome and
sick. If I had time would be about sick myself.
October 10--Baby growing very sick and the weather exceedingly hot. Don't make
much headway. Crossing the Gulf of Tehauntepec, which makes it very rough and
most all seasick.
 October 11--Warmest weather we have had. One little baby died this morning and
I saw it thrown overboard without any ceremony at all. It makes me feel very
bad, for I am afraid mine will soon have to follow. She seems very low. The
doctor says the only chance for her is a good breast of milk. I find one lady on
board kind enough to do it, Mrs.. Irvine. She has nursed her twice this evening.
Poor little thing, she seems so hungry for it.
October 12--A little more air today. Babe seems much brighter and has excellent
appetite. At 2 p. m. went into Acapulco for provisions and water. It is a very
pretty looking place. Would like to go ashore if I could. Babe does not seem so
well this eve. Cannot nurse well. Mouth is growing sore very fast.
October 13--Babe is very low. I don't think she can possibly live through the
day. We have done everything mortals can do for her. The doctor comes to see her
every half hour and all the officers are exceedingly kind. The engineer has
offered me the use of his room on the upper deck where we can have better air
and be more by ourselves.
At five o'clock babe seemed to see the spirit of her angel mother awaiting to
receive her. She sweetly smiled, the most Heavenly smile that mortal ever put
on, and then
her Spirit fled to Him that gave it. She has gone to her own dear mother and her
Maker. May the Lord's will be done is my prayer. Mrs. Irvine dressed our little
pet for the burial and a sweeter corpse never was seen. The dear little hand, so
beautiful in life, is beautiful still, and that sweet smile lingers about the
lovely face.  At 7 o'clock she was taken on deck and Mr. Smith, the Purser, read
the funeral service. The Captain, himself, held the lifeless form and consigned
it to the-deep. It is the first ceremony that has been said over anyone on board
this ship and I feel truly thankful for the respect shown our feelings. I know
no difference in my feelings than if I had given life to the child.
October 14--Very warm. The fourth Sunday since we left New York. One man buried
this morning. I am very lonely and cannot tell what to do with myself.
October 18--Fine day. One woman died, a steerage passenger.
October 18--Spoke a whale ship today and laid by three hours to get some water,
and provisions as we were very short. One man died in the steerage. The poor
wife is nearly crazy. She has lost two children and her husband on this trip.
October 18--Quite cool. Young girl, steerage passenger, died in the night.
October 19--Weather very cold.
October 20--Hope to get in tomorrow for we are very short of everything, have to
wash in salt water.
October 21--This Sunday morning in sight of the entrance to San Francisco
Harbor. All on board seemed so glad to get in.
    When my mother arrived in San Francisco in October, 1855, she found letters
from her husband, requesting her to remain there until the Indian war was over.
In 1856 the domestic and social life of the pioneer settlement was resumed and
she worked with unflagging zeal for state and school and church, wherever
woman's aid was needed, that the coming generation might find a foundation
worthy of the superstructure which she firmly believed they would erect. Her
faith, pride and interest in the State of Washington, and all that pertained to
its welfare and advancement, remained with her to the closing moments of life.
     My father took charge of the Kendall Company's affairs, which were so
extensive and varied, that he was able to employ many who arrived with their
fortunes sadly depleted, and, for a span of years, this western part, of the
state was largely peopled by settlers who to the present day take pleasure in
reminding members of the family that "Your father gave me my first work." Mr.
Pereival afterwards bought the property on the corner of Main and Second streets
from the Kendall Company, where he carried on business until 1876,  when the
partnership of T. N. Ford & Company was formed. Prior to entering the mercantile
business he built and operated a saw mill, which was located at the mouth of
Percival Creek. He also built the dock for the accommodation of the
first steamers running to Olympia.
     In the early years of business life, I am confident that he never failed to
extend a helping hand to his less fortunate fellow man. A man of quiet tastes,
loyal to his state, town, church and lodge, ever foremost in any movement for
the development and advancement of the state, the future of which he saw with
the eyes of faith, desiring no political preferment, he filled positions of
trust, was custodian of moneys and valuables, and in the large warehouse, corner
of Second and Columbia streets, built July, 1857, now owned by Mr. W. J. Foster
and Mr. S. M. Percival, (and I will state in passing that vessels lay alongside
and discharged directly into the Columbia street
doors of this warehouse) he housed property of the Territory as well as of
individuals; he shirked no duty, evaded no responsibility, was free from
prejudice and lived and died true to the religious and political convictions he
had espoused in youth. Notably among the many services rendered to the Territory
by him in those early days was a trip to California to get supplies to carry on
the Indian war of 1855 and 56.  Many sections of the country were impoverished
at that time, and our military operations were liable to failure for want of
supplies. Conditions became so grave that Governor Isaac I. Stevens called
Captain Percival to his assistance and commissioned him to go to San Francisco
and arrange with the merchants there to furnish the Territory with the needed
supplies and for this purpose Captain Percival was authorized to charter vessels
to bring the supplies to Puget Sound, which was done.
     Soon after the Indian war, while on Squason Island overseeing a crew of
men, who were cutting piles for the building of the sea-wall of San Francisco,
my father was struck by the top of a tree, which was broken off by the descent
of the tree that had just been felled; he was bruised and scratched and his leg
was broken. Late in the afternoon of the next day my mother was startled by a
roll of blankets being hurled into the middle of the room, and saw an Indian
standing in the open doorway. Recognizing the blankets, she asked, "Where is the
Captain?" The Indian drew up his leg and passed his finger across it; my mother
rushed to the door in time to receive Mr. J. R. and John Wood carrying my
father on a blanket; these neighbors were engaged in shingling the roof of the
brewery which for many years stood on the corner of Fifth and Columbia streets,
and from that height they could look down into the canoe as it was drawn up on
the beach and discover the form of a man lying in it. He had been brought home
by two Indians who had paddled the entire way without taking rest.
      This was the best, that could have been done, for the only way of getting
from place to place was by canoe or rowboat. My father's foot was turned around,
and the limb and foot so badly swollen that the toes were not visible, five
indentations marking the place where they should be. My mother and the friends
used their best judgment in setting the limb, and some one, (I regret that the
name has escaped me), went on horseback to the military post at Steilacoom, to
ask aid of the surgeon. Army regulations prevented him from leaving the post
although he could, and did, attend anyone who could come to him; he gave the
messenger such advice and directions as it was possible for him to do. The Rev.
Mr. Close had brought from his eastern home a quart bottle of home-made
hartshorn liniment, which he hastened to bring to my mother, this and
embrocations of salt and water, were used to reduce the swelling and my father
made a quick recovery, he was about on crutches in three weeks' time. His limb
was perfectly united, he could leap, run and dance as well as ever and his rapid
walk and active movements were not altered in the least. My father's fine
constitution, good habits of life, heroic courage, the wholesome living in the
open air contributed to his restoration.
     This story is not given as an isolated case, but as an example of what
splendid heights the pioneer woman rose to, when occasion demanded it. I could
cite instances where small women far removed from aid dragged and lifted
heavy men, who had received injuries, to a place of safety, and cared for their
wounds alone. To the woman of today, surrounded by antiseptics, and the
wonderful appliances of modern surgery, relieved from the suspense of watching
for "proud flesh" to appear in the wound, with physicians and trained
nurses ready to respond to a call, this experience, which my mother passed
through, will appeal (it has seemed to me) more than any other I can give.
     In March my mother, with my brothers S. M. and J. C. and myself, visited
the relatives in Massachusetts. We went and returned by way of the Isthmus of
Panama from San Francisco, having reached that city by sailing vessel, and
the memory of that trip is a joy to me still. The steamers were palatial, for
the times, (we were in advance of the railroad) the service above criticism;
twice a week concerts were given on deck by the dining saloon waiters (who were
colored men) sports and entertaining features were arranged by the
ship's officers, for no one retired until midnight, on account of the heat. I
was in my twelfth year, but a pioneer child was much older in the capacity of
receiving impressions and appreciating opportunities, than a child of the same
age today, and the matchless beauty of the phosphorescent ocean, the Southern
constellations, the gracefulness of the natives on the Isthmus, the water sports
and diving of the natives for coins at Manzamllo, where we made a stop, have
been a vivid life-time pleasure and were as thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated
as they could be today. My father joined us in the Summer (leaving his large
business in the hands of his confidential young bookkeeper, Mr. A. A. Phillips),
and we all returned in November, accompanied by three sisters, the Misses
Cushman. We children were made happy by the gift of a fine piano  which father
had purchased in Boston, and which had to be shipped "around the Horn."
      No piano ever contributed more to the pleasure of the family and the
neighborly children than that one. The first brass band, Mr. S. C. Woodruff,
leader, organized and practiced three times a week in the kitchen of our home
after the Chinese servant had finished his after-dinner work and joined his
brethren at the "Wash House," which was the Chinatown of that day. The boys had
received instructions on their various "horns" from Dr. Eggers, a German scholar
and musician, a member of the House of Hanover, who lived alone in a small
house, and cultivated the entire block on which the Y. M. C. A. building now
stands. He had a beautiful orchard and raised small fruits.
     My youngest brother, Horace, born September, 1870, would be put to bed, in
an adjoining room and sleep calmly through the evening's practice.
     My brother, John, gave me instruction on an alto horn and we formed an
"orchestra" with S. C. Woodruff Eb cornet, J. C. Percival Bb cornet, myself Bb
alto, S. M. Pericval tuba and Stella Galliher, my girl friend, who possessed
extraordinary musical talent, at the piano. We worked indefatigably, were very
ambitious, and rendered selections from "Faust " and from operas to an
appreciative audience made up of mother and baby, and whatever girls and bovs
happened to come in, among this number Mr. Samual L. Crawford of Seattle was
usually to be found. The concerts began at an early hour and the masterpieces
were reserved until the "audience" had put the baby to bed. No valuable time was
lost, however, for it was the invariable custom to employ the intermission in
refreshing ourselves from the pantry. On other evenings we had "candy pullings,"
making molasses candy or white taffy, the boys gave minstrel performances, and
we frequently arranged tableaux and charades, one of the favorite tableaux being
the "Presentation of the Jewels from Rebecca to Rowena," and always concluding
with some girl impersonating the "Goddess of Liberty." In this tableaux Ada
Woodruff, a clever actress, was especially fine. I think we would have
considered ourselves disloyal if we had omitted that one. Either Miss Galliher
or my brother, John, furnished appropriate music on all occasions. Whatever had
been used was put away when we finished. There was no confusion or "upset house"
the next morning. Something of this sort was carried on in any home where there
were children, perhaps oftener in our own on account of the piano, although ours
was not the first one in town.
     Our mothers, in addition to making all of our clothes, (ready-made clothing
was not dreamed of then, and boys wore "daintily made clothes as well as girls;
my brother's "best" shirts were made with rows of hand-made fagoting between
each tuck) lent a willing hand in the fashioning of costumes, boating suits,
etc., but we were expected to carry out our plans for amusement ourselves, and
we were a happy, contented group, working with painstaking diligence, out of
school hours, and when the "chores" were attended to,  perfecting our plans, for
the standard was high, and no slipshod work was recognized.
      Almost every family employed a Chinaman, three inviting substantial meals
were well served daily, the cake and cookie boxes, the doughnut jar, were never
allowed to bcome empty, that these staples might always be at hand to "pass
around" in the evening, or to assist a neighbor in ease of need. We did not lack
for delicacies, or "frilly" things upon occasion, for all the women of that day
were able to achieve wonderful results in cookery that would grace the most
elaborate function today. This, I think, explains the leisure the women of that,
day enjoyed, they did not allow themselves to "get behind."
       During the summer the evenings were spent on the water.  Words fail me to
describe the beauty of this bay, as I know it, entirely free from piles or
obstruction, spanned by the bridge from Fourth Street to West Olympia, with a
pebbly beach wherever one might choose to land; and it was an enrapturing sight
on a summer's evening, dotted with boats from the landing to the falls at
Tumwater, with sailboats in the distance with one of our gorgeous sunsets
casting a glow over the water, and the sound of music greeting the ear. The boat
house and float was located at the west end of First Street and owned by my
uncle, Mr, J. H. Cleale. There were boats of all sizes from very large sailboats
with a seating capacity of about twenty-five, to two of the daintiest racing
shells, thirty feet in length I have ever seen. The boats were the
Whitehall pattern, built by my uncle, and most beautifully kept. He equipped a
small scow with music racks, lighted it with torches, for the use of the band.
Two boats were reserved, one for a girls boat club (Annie Stevens, Jessie Lowe,
Belle Evans, Fanny Steele, Lizzie Ferry), and one for boys (James Ferry, S. M.
Percival, S. C. Woodruff, Prank Treen. J. C. Percival). Immediately after dinner
young and old strolled down to the landing and embarked. Many families owned a
boat and it was the custom for the entire family to go out for a "row on the
bay"; the rowing was often drifting, the boats keeping near each other, while we
sang, or some one recited, as the spirit moved us, for we sang whenever we got
together, on the water, around a camp fire, or in a home. There was no "younger
set", we enjoyed our elders and they enjoyed us. We felt no restraint in their
presence and were all happy together. So united were we that it was quite the
usual custom for a youth of eighteen or twenty years to follow men like Governor
Ferry or Elwood Evans in contributing to the pleasure of the evening, and he did
it, (if called upon) without diffidence or hesitation, merely a conscientious
desire to "do his part." Illustrative of the capability of the young "to
carry the thing through," for some reason, one year there were no preparations
made for the celebration of the Fourth of July. The Band boys set, to work,
raised the money, almost $1000, and the result was a day's program, commencing
at 9 a. m. which "went off" without a hitch or any delay, and which entertained
and amused the citizens of the town and all the surrounding country. In the "
Calathumpian Parade,  Mr. Woodruff as the "Goddess of Liberty" on a pretentious
float, was resplendent in a blonde wig made from large hawser rope; the other
details of his costume were as original as the wig. (No one was improvident,
costumes and trappings were always carefully "put away for the nest time.")
    Charles B. Hopkins, grandson of the late Col. E. D. Baker, was (if I mistake
not) Marshall of the Day. The usual exercises took place on the Public Square,
the Rev. Mr. Utter, Chaplain. Every other position throughout the day was filled
by boys, the eldest of whom could not have been over eighteen years of age. S.
C. Percival read the "Declaration" and was coached in his rendition by the Hon.
Elwood Evans. S. C. Woodruff, a humorist of no mean order, was Orator of the
Day. He advanced to the Speaker's stand, with an armful of shingles, upon which
his "oration" was written. As he warmed to his subject he would absent-mindedly
(?) bring a shingle down upon the table, with such emphasis, that it was
splintered and when he concluded, he stood ankle-deep in kindling wood; the
expression of astonishment and dismay which overspread his face whenever this
happened was worthy of the "Inimitable Woodruff", as he was called in
after years. Lest some captious person might imagine that he had been
disrespectful to the great and glorious day, when the laughter and applause had
died away, Mr. Woodruff drew a neat manuscript from his pocket, and, with great
dignity, delivered a short but well written address. (In late years Mr. Woodruff
has found a field for his talent as leader and organizer and has succeeded in
training and developing the poor deficient little ones, whom he has in his care,
as no one else has been able to do. For several years programs have been
received of the Christmas week Cantatas and plays, usually three days in which
the children at the School for Defective Youth, of which Mr. Woodruff is
Superintendent, have taken part). A "Glee Club" of boys assisted, the
water sports and boat races were very interesting, performed as they were by
boys who had spent a large portion of their lives in and on Budd's Inlet. I do
not wish to give the impression that our elders had no festivities except those
they shared with the young. The "Merry Bachelors" Club was in existence for
several years, and their winter club dances were very enjoyable, charming
evening parties were given in private homes, delightful evening receptions were
given by Colonel and Mrs. Ross, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and at New
Year's and other appropriate days it was the custom to give a large ball.
     S. M. Pereival (also his brother, John), having attended the California
Military Academy, in Oakland, Cal., and knowing the salutary effect of military
training, organized July 13, 1884, the Washington Cadets, a company of boys who
were not old enough to join the Territorial Militia, and the upper floor of the
old warehouse, previously mentioned, was used as an Armory and drill room. A
press notice says, "To be a successful leader and instructor of boys is a
natural talent which is given to very few, and recognizing this fact, and the
importance of the service done the boys of the city by Captain Percival, certain
of his friends conceived the idea of presenting him some testimonial of their
appreciation of his efforts."  On the afternoon of September 24, 1885: "The
Capitol Guard, Capt. J. C. Ten Eyck, escorted the Washington Cadets to the
Public Square, where the Olympia Cornet Band and a large audience were in
waiting. Gov. Watson C. Squire, who bad made a special trip from Seattle to be
present, attended by Hon. T. M. Reed and Major J. R. Hayden, approached the
line, and with fitting remarks presented Captain Percival, on behalf of the
friends of the Company, with a beautiful sword and belt."
     The proficiency of the Cadets was such that the Governor said that he
thought the Washington Cadets to be the best drilled company in the Territory.
The same press notice says further "on all occasions when a public escort has
been required, the Washington Cadets have been ready and willing to turn out and
have added very much to the public parades which have taken place this summer.
Especially did the Cadets show to advantage on the occasion of the
Territorial Muster in this city when they spent two days in Camp with the
Militia, and by their courteous demeanor and soldierly bearing, they won the
respect of the whole Camp."
     On another occasion a Cadets Ball was given and the newspaper of that date
records. "At this time the Cadets under command of Capt. S. M. Pereival, First
Lieut. Fred Smith, Second Lieut. Bates Cavanaugh, marched into the hall with
that precision of movement which so marks their drill. Hereupon Miss Janet Moore
appeared upon the stage, and with an appropriate address presented to the Cadets
a banner, which the ladies of Olympia had purchased for them. The banner is four
by six, a solid piece of blue silk. On each side there is painted in artistic
style, the Coat of Arms of tae Territory with its legend 'Al-ki' after a little
while. There is also painted upon each side the words Washington Cadets . It is
a beautiful banner, the finest, of its kind in the Territory. The roster of the
Company is as follows: Harry Cowles Geo. Libby, Horace Percival, W. J. Foster,
Harry Crosby, Wood Doane, Nathan Wolf, Charles Leighton, James Hayden,
Eltney Van Epps, Bates Cavanaugh, Robt. Blankenship, Fred Smith, Frank Carroll,
Willie Young, David Baker, Geo. Doane, Winlock Miller, Arlie Van Epps, Van
Woodard, Walter Smith, Dave Williams, Pendleton Miller, Henry Kuykendall,
Willie Page, Oscar Craig, Geo. Buehanan, Frank Murphy."
     As I have stated, in the early settlement of the Territory, the only way of
traveling was by canoe or row-boat on the water, and on horseback following the
"blazed" trail on land. Later the trail was widened to a road, but even then a
winter trip from Puget Sound to the Columbia River was often a thrilling
experience. In the summer and as many of the winter months as possible, the
conveyance was the picturesque stage coach of story and theater renown,
but usually for a longer or shorter period in the winter the road became so
nearly impassable that the vehicle known to early settlers as a "dead axe" wagon
was used. For small parties, or when the booking over-ran the seating capacity
of the regular stage, an "extra" was put on. This was a miniature stage coach
which accommodated but six inside passengers and one outside with the driver,
and a small "boot," not sufficient for large trunks, which either followed or
preceded the "extra." An important feature of the luggage of those days was the
large, well filled lunch baskets, for there was a delightful sense of
uncertainty about reaching the regular stations. As no guest, or member of a
family ever set out upon a journey without partaking of a hot substantial
breakfast, served not later than 3:30 o'clock a m., housekeepers will appreciate
what the matrons of that day did in a social way. in "speeding the parting
guest."  The expenses of the trip were from $20 to $25-$15, for the stage ride
with meals and steamer ticket extra.
     In February. 1871, a party composed of Lizzie P. Ferry  (Mrs John Leary),
Belle T. Evans (Mrs. Samuel Wilkeson) Fanny O.Steele (Mrs. R. G. O'Brien),
Stella Galliher and myself, escorted by my father, left Olympia in an "extra
at 4 o'clock, the regular hour for the departure of the stage. My father was
enroute to San Francisco, and the girls, traveling in his care, were on their
way to enter the Easter term at St Helen's Hall, which had been founded in 1869
at Portland Ore The parents of these girls had welcomed the opportunity of
giving such superior educational advantages to their daughters, and I wish it
were in my power to properly express what the establishment of St. Helen's Hall
at that early-day, meant to the girls of the entire Northwest. That I could
pay a proper tribute to the character of Mary B. Rodney, for twenty years
principal of the school. A woman descender from a titled family in England, and
from Caesar Rodney, signer of the "Declaration of Independence," of rare
scholastic attainments, of cultured mind and lofty purpose, she left an
ineffaceable stamp upon a generation of women.
      On the first day of our journey the breakfast and dinner stations were
reached without mishap; at the noon stopping-place we found Mr. B. G. O'Brien,
who was Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue. He was making the trip on
horseback and joined our party. About the middle of the afternoon, in going over
a piece of "corduroy" and "chuck holes" we suddenly came to an abrupt standstill
with a broken axle. By the time a small fir tree had been felled and lashed in
place, the daylight was fast waning, and we were unable to reach McDonald's.
where we had intended to pass the night. We were hospitably cared for by a
Frenchman named Bermer. The family spoke English very imperfectly, and
doubtless were severely taxed to provide accommodation for a party of eight on
short, notice. Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Percival and the driver were disposed of in the
attic. The Bermer family occupied the floor of the living room, and the "best
room' where the "Lares and Penates" of the household were carefully kept was
given to the girls. The second day on arriving at Pumphreys' (Olequa) we found
Colonel Pardee. Chief Clerk to Colonel Ross. He also joined the party and we
embarked shortly after noon in a small canoe. (I regret, that I can not give the
dimensions, but I have a distinct recollection that we were packed in.) Eight
persons with a corresponding number of umbrellas and hand-bags, as the
receptacle then used was called, five lunch baskets, besides the Indian who sat
at the rear end and guided the canoe, made up the cargo and passenger list on
the voyage. All sat "tailor fashion" and thus we "shot the rapids" on the
Cowlitz River, arriving about dusk at Freeport, where we made the acquaintance
of Dr. N. Ostrander and his family. We were lifted out of the canoe so wet and
bedraggled, that we must have presented a forlorn appearance. (It was never
possible to rpise an umbrella, as it was necessary for the Indian to keep his
gaze constantly fixed on the bow of the canoe.) Never shall I forget the hearty
welcome given us, the kindly attention lavished on us by Dr. Ostrander's
daughters, never will the remembrance fade of the sense of peace and
satisfaction produced by the cheer and comfort of that well ordered home.
     After a refreshing night's sleep we left Freaport about noon on the
"Wenat", which was the smallest and dirtiest sternwheel steamer I have ever
seen. At Monticello we transferred to the sternwheel steamer "Fanny Troupe"
reaching our destination. St. Helen's Hall, at 9 o'clock on the evening of the
third day from home, where we were greeted by our townswoman, Miss Lydia H.
Bladder, who was a teacher of literature, languages, and higher mathematics in
the school. The return trip in the latter part of June was quite a different
matter, and was made in two days and one night. The condition of the road at
that season of the year permitted staging "over the mountains" as far as
"Huntingtons" (Monticello), and the big stage coach made the entire trip. The
choice seats were those outside and above the driver's seat and were always the
first to be booked. The effect of the light and shade in the "forest primeval"
produced by the lengthening twilight and rising moon on those rides of a summer
evening, which were extended to midnight, if the distance to the next half-way
house demanded it, made a panorama that could scarcely fail to arouse a sense of
the artistic, however dormant it might be.
     In January, 1872, I was stricken with illness and my mother deemed it best
to come to my bedside. She gave my oldest brother a vacation from school, and
entrusted my baby brother to his care. A neighbor kindly came each morning to
bathe and dress the baby, and the care of the child during the day devolved upon
"Sam", who was perfectly competent to put him to bed. For three and one-half
weeks, he was faithful to his trust, and my mother's confidence was not
misplaced. He taught the baby to walk by the original method of lying flat on
his hack with my father's cane extended at full length to the end of whieli my
brother Horace clung, going round and round in a circle. His boy friends, with
the helpfulness which characterized pioneer life, played in the street in front
of the sitting-room windows, that he might not be entirely left out of their
sports. On her return he proudly delivered his charge to my mother without a
"bump" or a scratch to report.
     Cold had set, in, and roads were nothing but frozen "hummocks" and deep mud
holes coated with ice. However, the stage set out with several passengers. Mr.
George Coggan, the U. S. mail contractor, rode a horse belonging to his wife.
The horse was a beautiful glossy black creature, but hard even when the road was
favorable. At the breakfast station the stage had to be abandoned and the
passengers were obliged to mount the horses. My mother was first placed on one
of the stage horses enveloped in a blanket which was securely pinned to protect
her from the bitter cold. After a time the jarring caused by the heavy horse
breaking the thin ice and plunging violently into the deep holes, became so
fatiguing that she was changed to Mrs. Coggan's horse, which she rode the rest
of the way. The going was so slow and laborious that it was exceedingly trying
to the nerves of one who was consumed witli anxiety. When a stretch of road was
reached which appeared to be a little smoother, mother, being in the lead,
attempted to go a little faster. This effort came to naught, however, for Mr.
Coggan soon espied her and shouted at the top of his voice, "For God's sake,
Mrs. Percival, do not let that horse trot on this ground, he will kill you."
    The night was spent at McDonald's. Pumphrey's was reached the next day and
from there she took a canoe to Monticello  From Monticello a steamer was taken
to Portland and in this way my mother accomplished what any anxious mother would
do today in six hours. My mother decided to bring me back home for a time to
recruit my strength. We left Portland on the California, making monthly or
semi-monthly trips to the Sound by way of Victoria, and we were detained for
five days "bar bound" at Astona; the Captain each day running down to the
Columbia River bar but owing to a storm raging outside, would be unable to
cross out and would be compelled to return to Astoria. During these five days my
life-long friend, Helen F. Parked (Mrs. Herbert McMieken), ministered to me
devotedly. (Captain Parker with his family, was returning to Olympia after a few
years' residence in Portland). One of the kindly duties she imposed upon herself
was to bring me fresh water to drink from a spring she had found on shore. Not
content with describing the beauty of the spring to me, she one day came bearing
a short, broad board with a replica of the spring made with earth, twigs and
ferns, the spring represented by a tiny tin cup she had bought for the purpose.
Then, as now, she could find "Sermons in stones; lessons in running brooks, and
good in everything."
      These incidents are not cited because they were exceptional ones, but,
they are what, might reasonably be expected to occur on any winter trip to reach
the Columbia River. Now and then, alas! some traveller did not reach his
journey's end, an over-turned canoe, a plunge over a precipice, but  these
accidents were rare.
      The wonderful skill and dexterity exercised by the Indians who guided and
controlled the canoes in that whirling, eddying river, was almost marvelous in
its way; something we shall not, see again. The almost human intelligence of
the stage horses, the thrill and quick response to the command of the driver, in
a moment of danger, aroused a feeling in the human heart akin to respect for
such noble animals.
       The Portland Oregonian has lately said: "There is not much that savors of
romance in the rapid life we now lead.   "All of the fine veneering of modern
civilization has
tailed to restore the wild beauty of the original social structure of the State.
     "Modern civilization and its attendant comfort and luxuries which came with
the railroad, are fully appreciated, and none of us, perhaps, wish to return to
the old days."
     But we "old settlers" are fortunate in the possession of experiences and
memories which we would not surrender and which cannot he wrested from us. A
positive knowledge of that era of brotherly love and universal inclination to
help each other; and we experience a shock and sense of loss when we hear of the
passing of those friends of former days.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios. Project in June 2007 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.