Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Bayview Lighting Ceremony

The extra edition of Shorelines did an exceptional job of informing us of the festivities in the "large parking lot on Main St, " scheduled for December first.

Unfortunately some of her personal prejudices were obvious.I checked into this today and found that the entire expense of this extravaganza is being picked up by the owner of that "large parking lot on Main Street."

Chan Karupiah, owner of that lot plus five marinas, is picking up the tab.  For shame, Sheryl Puckett. You know better. If you want to be a news person, you must follow the rules. Otherwise you are just another extremist parroting your viewpoint instead of news.

This ceremony and others must always credit the sponsors.

Monday, November 26, 2018

S/R Sloppy Reporting

A few years ago I wrote about the Bayview mail boat. That was two contractors ago. The Sunday paper had a great piece as a follow up to my story in the Handle Extra. Unfortunately, who ever writes the captions erred on at least three and possibly four pictures.

First and most egregious, was naming Jim Kirkelie as having received his mail in Bayview. That pic is not of Bayview.

Several references were made saying Wes Jones delivers in Bayview. He does not. He picks up the mail in Bayview and delivers to residents lining the east side of Lake Pend Oreille.

Wes does not create a huge wake in Bayview,  as stated. Scenic Bay is a no wake zone. One that Jones respects.

Whether the reporter, Nathanael Massey, the photographer, or the editors made these sloppy captions, somebody needs to learn about accuracy.

Other than the errors in mislabeling  pictures, the story was first rate, as is the subject, Wes Jones who does an excellent job in serving the community's in the lake's south end.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

"If It Ain't Broke..."

Much debate is taking place over the sale of Avista to a Canadian Distributor, for what purpose? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Recently, a Canadian firm has offered to buy Avista. Why? Avista is locally owned and controlled, financially sound and doesn't need a new owner. 

The board of directors was fired by the province of ONTARIO.

Now, with a new board they still want to steal our utility. If there is a compelling reason to sell it hasn't been publicized. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

New Ice Age Predicted

https://www.iceagenow.info/

 

Lack of sunspots to bring record cold, warns NASA scientist





“It could happen in a matter of months,” says Martin Mlynczak of NASA’s Langley Research Center.
________________
“The sun is entering one of the deepest Solar Minima of the Space Age,” wrote Dr Tony Phillips just six weeks ago, on 27 Sep 2018.
Sunspots have been absent for most of 2018 and Earth’s upper atmosphere is responding, says Phillips, editor of spaceweather.com.
Data from NASA’s TIMED satellite show that the thermosphere (the uppermost layer of air around our planet) is cooling and shrinking, literally decreasing the radius of the atmosphere.
To help track the latest developments, Martin Mlynczak of NASA’s Langley Research Center and his colleagues recently introduced the “Thermosphere Climate Index.”
The Thermosphere Climate Index (TCI) tells how much heat nitric oxide (NO) molecules are dumping into space. During Solar Maximum, TCI is high (meaning “Hot”); during Solar Minimum, it is low (meaning “Cold”).
“Right now, it is very low indeed … 10 times smaller than we see during more active phases of the solar cycle,” says Mlynczak
The Thermosphere Climate Index by Mlynczak and colleagues.
Displays times of Cold, Cool, Neutral, Warm, and Hot since 1940.
Record cold in a matter of months
“If current trends continue, it could soon set a Space Age record for cold,” says Mlynczak. “We’re not there quite yet, but it could happen in a matter of months.”
The TIMED satellite monitoring the temperature of the upper atmosphere

Monday, November 12, 2018

Election Lies

This brings me back  to the  King county fraud from a few years ago. Florida appears to be fraught  with corruption, not just the useal bs, but dirty, filth lies to defeat those that they couldn't defeat at the  polls.

Now we have what appears to be massive frajud in Florida...Again.

Saturday, November 03, 2018

Election Day

I don't believe I have ever looked forward the day after election day as much as this year. So much juvenile acrimony from both sides, but as exhibited during the senate hearings, the Democrats won the award for childish, shrill behavior. Ask yourselves. Do you want to have these idiots, yes on both extremes, govern on your behalf?

Next Tuesday, we have what might be the last gasp in preserving this union of ours. Not since the 1960's have we had the chance to return to constitutional government.Not the constitution the radical left wants, one of flexibility, meaning what ever they want it to mean

Please, when you go to the polls Tuesday, think years ahead, not just tomorrow. Establish a political trend that will define the future of our our county, our state, our nation. Stay away from personalities, both pro and con and stick to the issues.

Are we at the highest level of employment, of hell, every measure of  success since the 1940's. Folks,? if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Ralph's New Hours

Starting with this Friday, Ralph's Internet Cafe will stay open until 7:00 pm Friday and Saturdays. This will give diners another option for eating out.

Kevin and Daveana Huff now own Ralph's and are following the traditions that Ralph Jones established.

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Brannon cheats

I decided to endorse Dan Gookin for County Clerk. I was on facebook and Brannon hacked the message, asking for your vote on Gookin's post.


Herb Huseland For what it is worth, I am endorsing Dan Gookin for Kootenai County Re-Elect Jim Brannon Kootenai County Clerk.
This is wrong, wrong and probably against the law.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Full Circle

Years ag, when the First Interstate Bank was where Wells Fargo is now on Appleway, I banked there. A few years later a new one branch bank was created.Idaho Independent Bank.

I liked the small personal touch method and switched to IIB. Having been with IIB from the beginning, I was shocked when they announced they were being sold to guess who?...First Interstate.

I don't know whether I'll stay or leave, but it appears I have come full circle.

Much will depend on whether a bank is opened in Athol.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Visiting the Past

Vising with a new friend yesterday, brought back the memory of perhaps the greatest story I've ever told. Here it is:







News >  Idaho Voices

Trittos’ love stronger than a good pickup line

Couple plan for future with eight forever-children

Recently, we asked for love stories to fit around Valentine’s Day. Using Huckleberries online, a Spokesman-Review blog, we received an outpouring of stories. Stories that were funny, poignant and wonderful testimonials to what a little work in a relationship can create.

One, however, was at first unusual, then astounding. Jim and Jana Tritto don’t just show love and affection for each other; they have a family of 20, with eight still at home.

Jana originally married Mike in 1975; both had two children from previous relationships. Jana, wanted more children, but she and Mike were unable to have any more. They tried adoption, but it was too expensive.

Finally, discussions with local officials provided an unusual result. They were told, “Hey, if you want fast service, we can have a child for you tomorrow. The only problem is that they are special needs kids.” Mike and Jana talked it over, and started adopting. When the dust settled, in addition to the four they already had, 16 more were eventually adopted. Some left to be out on their own, a few died from birth problems that couldn’t be overcome and eight are left.

Then tragedy struck. Mike suddenly died, leaving Jana, after 20 years of marriage, alone with the eight kids, all needing constant attention. Five years went by and Jana met Jim. We’ll let Jana pick up the story from here.

“Jim, looking like Sam Elliot in cowboy boots and hat, walked over as I chatted with friends. He introduced himself and in a smooth, confident baritone said, ‘We need to be dating.’ How storybook, how romantic! Since I was totally unfamiliar with dating etiquette, all I could do was laugh in his face and sputter an embarrassed. ‘I don’t think so!’ in my most sarcastic voice.

“I had been alone for five years, prior to that, happily married for 20 years to my best friend since old hippie days. We were growing up and planning on growing old together. His loss was sudden, devastating, life-changing; but I had adapted well. I wasn’t interested in another relationship or dating, wasn’t looking, wasn’t interested. In fact, this cold January night in 2000, was the first time I had ventured out socially … outside of church or work or Costco.

“This cowboy was relentless. He wouldn’t leave. He took my hand and we danced to some country song playing on the jukebox. There was no dance floor. I had never danced like that before and tried to protest that I didn’t know how, but he just said ‘Hang on to me now,’ and we waltzed between the tables.

“I tried to tell him that if he really knew anything about my life, he would not be interested. He wouldn’t drop it, so a couple of weeks later we met for coffee at that same spot. I wanted to explain that my life wasn’t mine, I still had eight of our 20 kids at home … kids with disabilities, some quite significant, and I would be responsible for all of them for life. And, if that wasn’t enough to send him packing, I told him that I didn’t drink, dance or date. Since he didn’t run away screaming, we decided to turn coffee into dinner. Here comes the acid test. We went to my house, where the care providers were helping the kids finish a spaghetti dinner … it was everywhere.

“This man was greeted like a long-lost, rich uncle by all the kids. They shared handshakes and hugs and spaghetti sauce with him. He never flinched. He acted (and I’m sure it was an act) like he loved every minute of it. At dinner I answered questions about the kids and their lives and how they came to be part of our family … he told me about his kids. We both talked about our hopes and our heartbreaks. It was a nice dinner.

“It was a beginning. Jim came back to the house the next day; we had made no plan. He remembered every one’s name, they remembered his. I think that was the moment I thought I might have a keeper. We took long drives, he taught me to dance, we met each others’ families, we learned each others’ ways. We spent the next year and a half talking and planning, learning to trust, being cautious, neither of us wanting to err. We looked at homes, wanting to have space for the families and for a garden and horses. We finally found our little ranch, spent six months remodeling and building fences before we could move in.

“We tied the knot quietly, privately at the Hitching Post in September 2001, the day after 9-11. We laughed and cried; we exchanged bent up old rings that made the minister laugh when he looked at them. We went to our new home and sat on the porch … everything was the same, but everything was changed. Once, one of the kids had asked Jim if he was going to be her dad … he explained that he would be her stepdad when we got married. That night we sat on the deck … followed the twin towers tragedy, all the more painful, since Jim had worked there some time ago.
“We had been married less than six hours, the kids were getting ready for bed when a tentative little voice called through the screen door, ‘Goodnight, Dad.’ Oh yes, that shy whisper put it all in perspective. Nothing matters more than family. We can get through anything as long as we are committed to each other.

“One year later, we finally got a honeymoon. Over dinner, Jim took my hand like he had on the night we met, looked into my eyes, and said, ‘It hasn’t all been good.’ It didn’t quite come out the way he wanted, I know what he meant, but I couldn’t help but laugh at him all over again.
“So, that is our story. No, it hasn’t all been good, most of it has been great! Not a day goes by that we don’t marvel at the road we walk and the life we live. Our wonderful children, our little ranch, and the love we found in each other when we weren’t even looking. We laugh, we cry, we work hard together, we can argue a bit, too. We will grow old together, surrounded by our forever-children, who will remind us each day and each evening, that nothing in this world is more important than this.”

If there were a prize for the most successful love story, this I’m sure would win it hands down. There will be other love stories told next week, but this one is special. The couple’s eight children range from 25 through 42 years old and will never be able to leave. They are her forever-children.
Contact correspondent Herb Huseland at bayviewherb@gmail.com. Read his blog,Bayviewa.blogspot.com.

Idaho proposition two.

OK, Lets examine the facts here. We, all states pay equally the federal income taxes. That means, we pay for medicaid for other states.

The radical right is determined to squash this obvious remedial solution. Pass this bill. Those of us that are reasonable conservatives do not look for radical solutions. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Those of us that live on less than $1400 per month qualify if the bill passes.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Midterm Elections

This year there is a great deal of speculation as to who will win. On the one hand, Trump is alienating many with his pompous behavior. But he does have a loyal base. The one that the democrats threw away when they abandoned the union people and blue color workers for Hollywood Jerks

In the last two years, thousands that no longer felt they had a voice, suddenly did.Following the election two years ago, the democrats began to freak out, still not believing they lost.

The insane attacks during the supreme court  hearings were heard by all. Now comes the payoffs. Either the left is OK with this stuff, or thinking Democrats will abandon the party that no longer represents anyone.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Bayview Water & Sewer Election

What started out as an attempt, successful, to weed out those board members that were all Waller appointees, spun out of control as new board members went radical.

Losing all local control, the workers are highly paid outsiders without ties to the community. We are now faced with control freaks running our non-profit organization.

Top to bottom are discrepancies. One glaring problem is some of the marinas that host float homes, are not considered part of the district even though they collectively pay through the marinas, that are.

The casting out of Reid, who worked hard to gain the status that allowed him to be licensed for all aspects of the department, was cast aside in favor of the power play that introduced the contracted form that now exists.

We are now being asked to voted for a bond issue. It is my position that the need was caused by bad management. If we are to improve/reform this organization, we need to use our votes to replace some of the misguided power brokers. I urge a no vote on the bond issue, and worthy candidates to step up that will represent our community, not outside companies. Perhaps a recall election would be useful. 

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Bayview History Part Four

After more than a century, Bayview has come full circle. The Indian settlement that gave way to the frantic industry -- both peaceful and wartime -- again basks in the peaceful waters of Scenic Bay. The Navy gone, except the small research facility tucked into the SW corner of Scenic Bay. The fishing fleet is no more. The once frantic pace gave way to the present peaceful pleasure boating mecca that we now enjoy.

Most fishing on Lake Pend Oreille had ceased during the war years, 1941 through 1945. During that time, the monster Gerrard Rainbow trout were getting fat off of teaming schools of kokanee. The landlocked Sockeye Salmon were so plentiful that a commercial fishery for them existed. Unfortunately they were over fished past the point of no return in later years. Some of the blame was also placed on the establishment of dams on the lower Clark Fork River, which severely impacted spawning salmon. The bright spot in this saga was the day in 1947 when Wes Hamlin set out for a day of fishing. We don't know what he was trolling with, if in fact he ever told anyone. He got a monster strike and after a tussle of epic proportions, hauled in a 37 pound rainbow. It was a world record and still is, as it has not been broken. Limits on Kokanee were 100 daily for individuals and 200 daily for commercial licensees.

Many residents of Bayview were employed by the Good Hope company, whose job it was to tear down everything that was frantically built in 1942. Salvaged lumber went to area yards, as well as windows and doors. Another company involved the the deconstruction of Farragut Naval Station was Farragut Wrecking. Many buildings were moved intact, some as far as Sandpoint and even Coulee City, Washington. The various hospital buildings and equipment went to area cities. Some examples would be the retaining wall and guest cabins at MacDonald's Resort. Many homes that are still in use dot downtown Bayview, some added on to and some as they were back then. Dependent housing at Farragut village supplied most of the intact homes, while the green lumber used to build the base had cured in place and was welcomed in the post war village of Bayview.

May 29 through the 31, 1948, Lake Pend Oreille flooded big time. Pictures from that era show boats pulling up to the original JD's Bar with the bartender serving them from the top of a dutch door while standing in waist deep water. These were the days before the dam was built at Priest River, which helped control the highs and lows, up to the time that the depth control served to kill massive Kokanee spawners, where their nests were left high and dry to die.

From the end of the war in 1945 and the demise of the college that sprung up to serve veterans that wanted to further their education under the G.I. Bill, deconstruction of the base occurred. The chief industry in Bayview was that of scavenging lumber, windows, doors and other construction material for pennies on the dollar. Most of the older parts of Bayview were built from these materials and in many cases, entire buildings were constructed courtesy of the war department. Some examples are: The Bayview Scenic Bay motel/apartments, the guest cottages at MacDonalds Marina, The new JD's now raised above the flood plane and many others. From the late forties through the fifties, it was boom town days.

Several natural phenomena occurred during the years following World War 11. January 13, 1950 showed temperatures dropping fast, with a high of 25 and lows of 2 degrees. It stayed cold until the days between January 20-23. Then it plunged again on the 25th.From January 29 through February 5 the lows went to minus 29 at night then down to 30 below by the 5th. Scenic Bay for the first time in recorded history snap froze and stayed frozen for a substantial period of time

The fifties and 60's were also a huge fishing opportunity. I(n addition to the trophy trout, Kokanee were fished hard. Personal limits were 100 fish per day and 200 for commercial licensees. Jim MacDonald, while serving in the state senate, requested in 1971, the cessation of the huge limits on Kokanee. He foresaw the fact that harvest along with predation was happening at a higher rate than new spawning could replace. The Idaho Fish & Game Department agreed, and curtailed the almost unlimited harvests in 1973. The damage, though, had already been done. Kokanee went into a death spiral.

At one time, Kokanee were fished commercially. Many old-timers remember their fathers hand-lining with jigs for washtubs full of 10- to 12-inch Kokanee. Commercial fishing was finally closed in 1973, but the old smokehouse still stands sentinel at the south end of the Long Bridge in Sandpoint. All was still well until 1952, when two new dams were built, Cabinet Gorge on the Clark Fork River in Montana and Albeni Falls on the Pend Oreille River at Priest River, Idaho. These two dams were
the death knell for the Lake Pend Oreille fishery but for different
reasons.

The Cabinet Gorge Dam chopped off the river seven miles upstream, removing the 75 or 80 miles of upriver spawning habitat. After the Clark Fork ceased to be of use, only the strain of kokanee that had adapted to spawning in the lake shore gravels were left. Kokanee spawn in the late fall. Chip Corsi, Fish & Game, explained, "The destruction of 75 or 80 miles of spawning habitat up the Clark Fork River and its tributaries had a huge impact on the survival of the Kokanee."

The following year was the opening of Cape Horn to vehicular traffic. Bob Peck, then road foreman for the Belmont Road district, climbed onto his bulldozer and cut through and over the summit of the Cape. With him on his road crew was Milton Cameron, whose Grandson and granddaughter, Ethan and Maddie are still living and working in Bayview. Cameron primarily hauled gravel in the area once called Belmont. The impetuous for the road being opened up was access for shoreline homeowners who up until then had only water access. Each lot owner was taxed $1.00 per front foot to fund this undertaking. Bob Peck, Belmont Road district foreman said, “Previously, some of the homeowners rented a bulldozer to cut the initial path through. It was one lane and treacherous. The road district then came in and widened it out and in some cases ran the road away from the original trail.. Peck told us,” I built that road across the cape.”

June 24, 1956 was the beginning of a ladies group formed in the areas of Bayview, Athol and Belmont, a community that no longer exists except in the memories of those who lived there back when. They called themselves BABS and dedicated themselves to community service. The original street fairs during the fourth of July week-ends were established by BABS. They still exist and still serve quietly and without fanfare. Two years later, the Bayview Chamber of commerce was formed. The organization was a bit different as it doubles as a community action group and social club as well.

One of the few government sponsored plantings, this time mountain goats instead of non-native fish, happened in 1960. Sixteen goats trapped in the Clearwater mountains were transplanted to Bernard Peak in 1960. The goats had a setback two years later when a monumental slide happened on the north face of Bernard Peak undoubtedly killing some goats and caused a small tsunami that rolled up the length of Lake Pend Oreille. Some damage of floating docks was reported as the waves dashed against the north shores of the lake.

July 1,1965 was the date that Farragut State Park was established. Park Ranger and historian, Dennis Woolford said, “Pulling together various tracts of land owned by different state agencies, such as Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho fish & Game and a few other smaller pieces. Idaho Parks and Recreation was in a hurry, because about to descend upon the brand new park were 12,000 senior girl scouts for a jamboree.” Two years later was the boys' turn as 13,000 scouts showed up for the world jamboree. While there, like scouts tend to do, they started building things. The two crafted towers they built still stand, slowly being swallowed up by the encroaching timber.

Bright and early Sunday morning around 7:30 am the northwest was about to radically change. It was May 18, 1980 When Mt. St. Helens blew it's top. It was a clear day, but to Northern Idaho residents it appeared to be clouding over with dark rolling clouds. Many thought it was a monster thunder storm coming It was a monster, but instead of rain, it started snowing. Then it was discovered that the flakes didn't melt and they tasted funny. Many who were away from home, hurried home or to the nearest shelter. Some panicked, until the news of the eruption was received. Dick and Shirley were hunting morel mushrooms across the lake at Cedar Creek. Shirley said,”When we returned to their boat, it was full of ash. Bayview looked ghostly when we returned.”There are still areas where the white ash can be seen in crevasses. Thirty years have passed, yet it seems liker just a short time ago.

The Hansens' are consistent. They received the first boat slip rental from the new sailboat marina just built. It was dated September 2, 1980. Dick told us, “I had just took on a huge debt load to build the Bitter End Marina when the economy tanked. It was a struggle for a few years.” More recently, they developed the Baywatch Estates. It was finished just in time for the economy to tank again, in the recession/depression we now are in.

1988 was the year the Bayview Water & Sewer district came into being. With an EPA grant of $1,700,000 and an additional $472,000 from Idaho Health & Welfare, plus an easement from the US Forest Service to spray effluent, the district began construction. By 1991 the district was operational. Today, the sewer district is at capacity. To expand, they would have to get an enlarged permit from the forest service in order to spray effluent over a larger area.

Bayview’s Vista Bay Marina on Lake Pend Oreille was experiencing an early season warm day.
Jan Larkin, then part owner of the marina said this. “Just after 7 p.m. on May 14, 1977, we heard a loud pop from the boat docks. Suddenly, flames gushed out of the east boat sheds.” When it was all over, 12 boats were destroyed.
A chain reaction occurred, with the 188-foot long wooden dock engulfed in flames within five minutes. Since the boats were parked so close to each other, the fire spread quickly from boat to boat. No firefighting equipment existed on the docks, and people formed a bucket brigade. Others who were boating on the lake sped by the docks at close proximity so as to send a wave of water up over the area.
Nothing helped. Some boats were saved, cast free and pushed out of harm’s way.
Other recent marina fires include:
May 4, 1986: Boileau’s main dock suffered the loss of a 33-foot boat and a two-story float home at the end of the dock. Minor damage occurred on adjoining structures. Bayview firefighter Gerald J. Franz collapsed from smoke inhalation and later died from a heart attack at this fire.
June 13, 2001: A boat owner was vacuuming his boat inside a boat shed when a spark ignited fumes in the bilge. Within seconds, the owner bailed out and swam to safety. Destroyed were two boat sheds containing four boats and the two float homes at the end of the same dock where the 1986 fire occurred.
Summer of 1996 was hot and dry. Very dry. Around Lake Pend Oreille, boaters lazed on the shoreline to the south between Bernard Peak and the Lakeview cement plant. One boater and his kids were lighting roman candles on the shoreline when an errant launch send the rocket up over their heads and into the bone-dry brush. The hill side is so steep it would take pitons to climb much of it. The fire raced up the mountainside, devouring everything in it's path. When the flames reached the top, burning debris rolled down the hill creating a zig-zag pattern of fire burning to the top, rolling to the bottom then burning up slope again and again. The forest service fearing a wind shift which would threaten Lakeview, called out a full response team. It took several days to quell the fire. The folks that started the whole thing were seen fleeing toward the Eagle Landing boat launch. They were followed and apprehended soon after.
Superbowl Sunday, February 11, 2000 caught many Cape Horn residents attending Superbowl parties at the local watering holes. Lorraine Landwehr, a cape horn resident in hearing that a slide had blocked the road home was heard to remark to her friend, Liz Justus, “I hope you have something in your closet that fits me for work tomorrow.” Well it was many tomorrows before the road was reopened. Joe Wuest of Lakes Highway district said, “Funding for slope remediation was obtained from the National Resources Conservation Services, a US government agency, in the amount of $1,000,000. FEMA funded the rental of a party boat, the “Idaho” from the Coeur d'Alene Resort to act as a passenger ferry, while yet another barge made many trips between Eagle Landing at Farragut and the old Cape Horn Resort where they created a landing area. Cars stranded behind the slide were barged to the outside and necessary service vehicles such as propane delivery and garbage pickup were also barged in and out. More than two months went by before the road was reopened. Rocks still plummet down from time-to-time.”
Today, the quiet, bucolic village basks in the sun with the sparkling waters of Scenic Bay entertaining both guests and residents as it has since it was an Indian encampment back in the 1800's, and you guessed it, was called Squaw Bay. The future? Hard to say. In the last five or so years, developers and speculators have discovered Bayview, much to the chagrin of long time residents, many of them hoping the good old days would last forever. Bayview is changing rapidly, and post recession will most likely see an unprecedented building boom.













Friday, October 12, 2018

Bayview history part three of four

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” With these words from then president Franklin D. Roosevelt, the United States of America was plunged into war with Japan, with Germany and Italy soon following. While the world changed radically, Bayview, Idaho was even more profoundly affected.

The United States, isolated by two huge oceans had not experienced an attack on our own soil, since the war of 1812. People were shocked. Many ran out into the streets looking up, expecting Japanese bombers to suddenly appear. Civilian and military leaders were not immune to this panic. War had been raging in Europe for two years already. Although our government knew of the possibility of being drawn directly into the fracas, the country had gone pacifist in the years following the first world war. U.S. Army and Naval forces had been cut to the bone and then cut back again. Weapons that we did have were in short supply and were obsolete, left over from world war one. The country was faced with an industrial challenge that was unprecedented, as was the need to mobilize our puny armed forces into a million man military. Ships had to be built and built In a hurry. Sailors had to be trained.

Fearing the coastal areas of Washington, Oregon and California were subject to attack by Japanese carrier aircraft, they looked inland for training facilities. A group of high ranking Naval officers surveyed the western interior and found the perfect spot. The south end of Lake Pend Oreille had a large area that was semi-flat and bordered by water. It was also eight miles from the Northern Pacific Railroad running through Athol. Condemning all of the property that consisted of what is now Farragut State Park, and about half of what is now Bayview, civilians were forcibly removed from in many cases family homesteads, owned for many years. Seventy-nine parcels in all were seized by the Navy.

The naval base northern border ran from the waterfront up the middle of 5th street to the park boundary on the west. This isolated many homes from the town and where some lost them to the navy, others were lucky to be on the other side of the boundary. Unfortunately, the Wigwam Hotel was right on the border (where the public boat launch is now) but on the wrong side. Frances “Mickey” Mulrooney George, daughter of the hotel's original owner was ordered to move. She refused, so navy shore patrolmen picked up the chair she was sitting on in the lobby and carried it out with her as a passenger, setting her in the middle of the street. Her father spent an alledged $30,000 to build the hotel, but was only offered $18,000.

April 23, 1942 marked the start of construction. With the Walter Butler Company holding the contract. Massive bulldozers were brought in to level out the hills and valleys. Dust boiled up trees were cut down and processed as green lumber which went into the buildings on base. There wasn't time to cure the boards. 4050 acres comprised the training station. The station had six training camps which held 5000 recruits each, resulting in about 30,000 in training at any one time. Each camp was self sufficient with an indoor drill hall, 20 barracks, mess hall, administration building, dispensary, a recreation building and a swimming pool. Every recruit was required to be able to swim to graduate. That skill came into play far too often during the war when ships were sunk and the crews swam for their lives.

By war's end 293,381 recruits had past through the base. Had it been a city, it would have easily been the largest in Idaho. It was in fact the second largest naval training base in the country. While in operation it was an astounding story of American ingenuity and resourcefulness.

To Bayview, the facility was both a blessing and a curse. Having half of your town taken away, as the navy did, was tough but the jobs in support fields ran the Bayview economy. From the 1930's to the start of the base, were tough times. The lime kilns had shut down, the railroad was gone and so were the tourists.

When the navy condemned the properties necessary for establishing the training base, they swallowed about half of the Village of Bayview. The then residents of the town managed to cope with the changes. Some moved away, but others found ways to profit from the navy's presence. Alice Hammond Eaton, now 85 years old remembers her and her Mother selling smoked Kokanee at a small stand just outside the gate. Alice, still strong and active, now works at Silverwood Theme Park.

Dick Compton, former Kootenai County Commissioner and state legislator talked about his childhood during the war years in Bayview. This is his story.

“Harry Eagles owned two bars in Bayview. One was the Buttonhook, and the other was in what used to be the train station. My Mother and Father ran the one in the train station during the war years. Part of the training base was used for returning wounded. These sailors were not restricted to the base as the “boots” were and could come and go as thy pleased, injuries permitting.”

“On one occasion, several guys came down to the bar where burgers were also sold. They ordered 450 hamburgers to go for their buddies on base. The grill was about the size of an average kitchen stove. My parents,Stewart and Zora Compton were running the place and used to have sailors lined up four deep at the bar. My recollection was that most people that were left in Bayview after the Navy presence did very well during the war. I believe the war made a millionaire out of Elmer Dreisbach as well as the Eagles.”

“I estimate that there were about 5000 people living in and around Bayview during construction of the naval training center. Many lived in tents, trailers and any other cover available. In many cases, local residents were afraid of their children passing through these tent encampments. My family remodeled a woodshed which we lived in during that time. After the war, Dad built a nice home which we lived in for several years. I was off to college then and didn't get back to Bayview much after that.”

Slim Dossey, retired country singer, remembers his service which started at Farrragut with boot camp. He was assigned to the repair ship, USS Prometheus. He said, “The ship was reputed to be at the time the oldest in the fleet. It started life in 1910 as a collier.” For those born after ships stopped burning coal, a collier hauls coal and would be the equivalent of a fleet oiler these days. Slim is still with us, though confined at age 91 to an assisted living facility.

Charles Lish, residing in Athol, Idaho went through training at Farragut and was assigned to USS Pruitt. “The Pruitt was an old four stack destroyer built in 1920 but was converted prior to WW11 to a mine laying vessel. While undergoing overhaul at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese attacked, but the ship was not harmed. Charles said,”I spent 28 months on board the old ship. During war time, there were no thirty day leaves or time off. It was pretty much a 24/7 operation.

Richard Sanford of Grand Coulee, Washington served as he remembered, “two years, nine months and four days in the south pacific.”

Perhaps one of the more interesting stories was from Leroy Walker, Electrician 2nd class. Serving on the USS Bashaw, he rode out three war patrols, much of it in and around the Aleutian Islands. He recalled an incident where they were in dense fog with virtually no visibility. He tells the story. “ We were slowly cruising in dense fog when looming out of the swirling mess was a Japanese Battleship. They were running parallel and were too close to shoot at. Our ship quietly crept off into the fog with a mighty sigh of relief.”

Bob Peck, whose family pioneered in Bayview, was inducted into the navy and served his training at Farragut. His fate was much different than most recruits. “The chief petty officer found out that I was from neighboring Bayview.The Chief Petty Officer called me into the office. He asked me if I had a car. I did.” Peck said,” I spent the remainder of my stay driving around the countryside showing the CPO the sights. At about the halfway point, (boot camp was six weeks) I was again called in. Noting that I was trained as a heavy equipment operator, the quickly assigned me to the the Sea Bees which are naval construction battalions. I was sent to Rhode Island, where instead of being shipped to the Pacific, I was put to work as a stevedore loading ships, where I stayed until the war was over.“

Other Bayview residents that served but with little detailed information, were: Gene Hammond, US Army, served in England. Clyde Napier, son of Elijah also served in the Army. The Puckett clan was well represented, too. Robert (Sonny) Puckett served in the air Corps, Raymond (Babe) Puckett served in the Army and Jesse Puckett, Jr served in the Navy.

Sgt. Irvan Puckett served in the infantry, Company L, 345th Infantry. He participated in campaigns in Northern France, The Rhineland and central Europe. Irvan survived the war and returned to his career as a hard rock miner. He didn't survive that one. Irvan Puckett died in the Sunshine Mine, May 2, 1972 along with 91 others.

Perhaps one of the more interesting veterans is Robert (Max) Landes. Max is still alive, alert and full of stories, some of which are fit to print. During the '30's, Max and his parents lived above the store they operated in the Wigwam hotel. Max related, “ my mother, enraged after finding out there were neighboring residents plying the world's oldest profession, bailed out indignantly, moving to a cabin near the shore from Gassman's resort. “ I later joined the Army Air Corps and became a tail gunner on a B-17G. On my 17th mission, which was the first 1000 plane raid on Berlin. Unfortunately it was my last, as anti-aircraft flak shot us down. We didn't worry about German fighters that late in the war. We had P-51s and P47s keeping the fighters off of us.” After being captured, Max said,”we spent four months in captivity which wasn't long compared to others, but it was the worst time as they were force marched on foot in mid-winter sleeping in the forest on the ground or snow, or a barn when we could find one. The Germans were apparently hoping we could be used in Bartering their own freedom plus we were human shields. Fortunately the war ended and we were repatriated at a place very near an infamous camp, Dachau.” Max Landes now resides in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and winters in Arizona.

There were at least three outstanding graduates of Farragut that served. Two medal of honor recipients and one Navy Cross.
(From Navy archives, Farragut State Park)
Robert E. Bush attended Naval Medical Corps Basic Training at Farragut, Idaho, graduating in February 1944. 
He then continued his training at Farragut, graduating from the Hospital Corps School on or about April 28, 1944. 

Bush was a Navy medical corpsman during the Battle of Okinawa and at the age of 18, was the youngest sailor to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II.


Fred Faulkner Lester also attended Naval Medical Corps Basic Training at Farragut, Idaho, graduating in December 1943.
Lester was a Navy medical corpsman during the Battle of Okinawa where he earned the Medal of Honor in June 1945. He trained with Company 954 at Camp Ward.
CITATION:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity and the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Medical Corpsman with an Assault Rifle Platoon, attached to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, June 8, 1945. Quick to spot a wounded marine lying in an open field beyond the front lines following the relentless assault against a strategic Japanese hill position, LESTER unhesitatingly crawled toward the casualty under a concentrated barrage from hostile machine guns, rifles, and grenades. Torn by enemy rifle bullets as he inched forward, he stoically disregarded the mounting fury of Japanese fire and his own pain to pull the wounded man toward a covered position. Struck by enemy fire a second time before he reached cover, he exerted tremendous effort and succeeded in pulling his comrade to safety where, too seriously wounded himself to administer aid, he instructed two of his squad in proper medical treatment of the rescued marine. Realizing that his own wounds were fatal, he staunchly refused medical attention for himself and, gathering his fast waning strength with calm determination, coolly and expertly directed his men in the treatment of two other wounded marines, succumbing shortly thereafter. Completely selfless in his concern for the welfare of his fighting comrades, LESTER, by his indomitable spirit, outstanding valor and competent direction of others, had saved the life of one who otherwise must have perished and had contributed to the safety of countless others. Lester's heroic fortitude in the face of certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
/S/ Harry S. Truman
John H. Bradley, one of the flag raisers at Iwo Jima, attended training at Farragut. Bradley is pictured in the very famous photo of the second raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi; he is in the front row, second from the right. Bradley was also a recipient of the Navy Cross.
This truly was the “greatest generation.” Bayview and it's neighbor, Farragut Naval Training Facility played a large part in ending the war. The base closed down May 1, 1945 just one week before the German surrender in Europe. War in the Pacific was also winding down with plans for invading the Japanese home Islands in the making. Nuclear bombs hitting first Hiroshima, then Nagasaki, ended the need for invasion and forced the Japanese to surrender. World War Two was over.
We wish to again thank Linda Hackbarth for her unreserved assistance with research as well as pictures. Also Dennis Woolford, Farragut State Park ranger and historian.




Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Bayview History Part Two


After a slow start, the small town of Bayview finally took the fast
track to success. ll it took was an increase in production at the local lime kiln to
bring the Spokane and International Railroad to the quiet shores of Lake
Pend Oreille. Of course, the tracks ran both ways from Bayview to Spokane, which began
to send tourists by the hundreds. Suddenly, Bayview had all the right
connections - and a reason to grow.

That same year, a hotel was built. Suddenly rather than an old muddy road from Granite and Athol, Spokane tourists could ride the rails all the way into town. Today the old depot still stands on 5th Street, now a residence. The early 1900's didn't sport paved highways. Most roads were gravel and mud. Model T fords and later, model A's didn't have that high clearance without cause. The old model A pickup that belonged to the Wigwam Hotel is now owned and restored by Dick Hansen, owner of the Bitter End Marina and other large parcels of land previously owned by Washington Brick & Lime.

The hotel was built at the corner of 5th & Main. It is now the entryway to Harborview Marina. Originally called the Bayview Inn, the hotel was built by J. Grier Long, founder and president of the Washington Trust Company. There were 20 guest rooms with four communal bathrooms on the top floor, with various business on the street level. Facing toward the lake was a tavern and pool hall. A dance floor graced the middle. Much of the twenties saw Alice and Martin Burroughs managing the hotel. Long's daughter, Frances “Mickey” Mulrooney George took over and renamed it the Wigwam Lodge Hotel.
An interesting side to this history are the census records. The 1910 census counted 94 people. 17 worked at the Washington Brick and Lime works, 12 single workers in a boarding house and 9 Russell's, one of the earliest families. 1920 counted 216, with the population declining to 139 in 1930. This decline was the beginning of the end of the lime industry in Bayview. In 1939 the railroad was discontinued and the tracks ripped out, only to be replaced in 1942 by the navy.

The first few years of the float home era were somewhat informal. Many were brought close to shore where they anchored off the beach with a gangplank to shore. One such was an entrepreneurial man recently retired from the Spokane International Railroad. He was John B. Wilcox. With his wife Jennifer. They bought a float home and ,moved it close to where Boileau's resort is now. Operating a boat livery from the makeshift dock. It was two stories. The boat livery was on the lower level with living quarters on top. Wilcox rented out boats and motors, and also ferried people between Bayview and Lakeview. A gas bottle explosion caused the building to burn down in September 1931. They rebuilt it with just one story. Living in Bayview today is Skip Wilcox who moved here after retiring from the U.S. Air Force

Carl and Selma Gasman moved to Bayview in 1932. They bought several waterfront lots from the Prairie Development corporation. Gasman built a marina now owning the littoral rights. According to Bob Peck, who worked with Daniels some, Gasman evicted Wilcox from in front of his holdings. Wilcox promptly bought the lot to the west, where they moved their home from the water. The Wilcox's sold out to the navy in 1942 and moved back to Spokane, Washington. That home ended up today as Rusty's Buttonhook Inn.

Gasman sold to Glen Daniel in 1944. He renamed the resort,”Daniel Resort,” and ran it until he sold to Boileau's in 1949. Dianne Martinson, Granddaughter of Glenn related what she knew regarding those years: “From what my mother recalls, my grandfather, Glenn Daniel bought Gasman s Resort in 1944. Apparently Bayview was not incorporated then and cows were allowed to roam the streets. You can image what a mess that must have been so my grandpa apparently initiated the process
of getting Bayview incorporated so that the cows would have to be confined.” Further investigation revealed through Bob Peck, that the effort to incorporate was given up, citing “too much red tape,” as the reason.

(excerpted from Bayview Historical Society)

Glenn (1911-1984) and Lillian (1912-1999) Daniel owned a Buick dealership in Moscow, ID. and began coming to the lake in the 1930's. The couple bought the resort known as Gasman's in 1944. Situated in the bay on the bottom of 5th Street, the Daniel's Resort was comprised of a series of docks, a store and 28 rental boats. Lillian (right) worked in the store, as did their daughter Evelyn, then a teenager. The store was equipped with all the essentials needed for fishing. Even at a young age, Evelyn was an accomplished angler and many visitors relied on her expertise when selecting the appropriate lures and bait.
Glenn rented his boats during the week for $2.50 a day and $3.00 on the weekends. Those were the years when fishermen could get their limit of 200 silvers each day! The entire family caught fish, which Lillian cleaned and Glenn smoked. Glenn had a 23' Chris Craft which was his pride and joy. He built the first covered boat slips on those docks and served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary during the '40s. The family lived in a home (right over the string of boats) on shore next to the resort which was built by the Gasmans. It was a three-bedroom home with kitchen, living room and dining room. When remodeling inside, Glenn found money stuffed in the walls and behind cabinets, apparently left by the Gasmans. He added windows across the front facing the lake for a view. Glenn built a two-story apartment building next door to the north with the help of Clarence Russell. It held 8 modern rental units for fishermen and other visitors which rented for $6.50 for one double bed and $7.50 for two double beds. He used materials such as doors, windows and kitchen cabinets in the construction of the building that he bought from Farragut when the base was dismantled. The home has been torn down, but the apartments are still part of the condo building which today houses the marina offices for Waterford Park Homes. The Daniel's family also owned 4 other rental cabins in town which were rented to Navy personnel during the war years. (End of excerpt.)
Ambrose and Marguerite Boileau bought the resort from Daniel and operated it until 1965 when they sold to D. Presley Fiscus and son The resort then became one of three that Bob Holland purchased in 2004.
The other original resort/marina was J.D.'s, Built by Elmer “Squeaky” Driesbach after his tavern boat, the Dora Powell sunk. According to Bob Peck, he said, “It was called Yacht Inn Dock and was tied up at the railroad pier. He built on shore near the lake, but was flooded out soon after. The original is the gray house down near the water. He then built up on higher ground where the bar is today. J.D. Driesbach, Sqeaky's son traded a parcel of land on the cape to his dad for the bar. J.D. Operated the bar up into the 70's then sold to Bill & Linda Krueger. Krueger died and the resort was once again sold in 1993 to the present owner, Chan Krupiah who also owns the Scenic Bay Marina.”
Jim and Mary Feely moved from the Rathdrum Prairie to a float home at Gasman's docks early in the thirties. They later moved the home to some lots purchased from Washington Brick and Lime and started Feely's Marina, these days known as Scenic Bay Marina. Mary Feely was widely known for an enormous garden built elevated on the main dock. The Feely's are survived by a long time Bayview resident, Chuck Waller, grandson.
Some of the living conditions back then would be abhorrent to today's ecologically minded. Float home owners would fish swim and well … They had outhouses on their decks. One such family, the Lowes lived on a float home as described. Dorothy Lowe recalls her and her sister diving up under float homes for neighbors that had forgotten their keys. They would come up in the boat garage portion of the home and open the doors from the inside. In the context of the outhouses, one wonders how anyone survived, but survive and prosper they did.
Most of the early residents worked either for Washington Brick and Lime, the railroad or the steamships that plied the waters the length of Lake Pend Oreille. Others were loggers or made their living from the bountiful fishing in the lake.
One of the more interesting characters of the time was Hughbert “Mushy” Puckett. The eldest son of Jesse Sr worked at many things including of course the dairy at Blackwell Ranch. Mushy had a pet bear cub that he used to hand feed. Once the cub got bigger this became a problem and he was relocated.
Many interesting characters inhabited early Bayview. There was Elijah “Lige” Napier. It was said that while his wife was very religious, he would shoulder his crosscut saw, head into the hills for the day. When he came home, his saw was as clean as when he left. None of his customers said anything, but rumor had it that Lige had a still on the hill.
Hattie Konkle was the first postmaster in Bayview established in 1906. She segued into hotel management, running the Wigwam Hotel. Those were the old days when judges came from families that were bootleggers. Some claimed, and the statute of limitations being over, that boats actually trekked up to the north shore of the lake where they would load booze from Canada. Then they would make the trip back to Bayview. Some of the cargo probably actually made it to town.
These were the days of deep depression. Most residents killed, caught or grew all of their own food and in many cases made their own clothing.
Currently, we have no Napiers, one Puckett, several Pecks and Bockstrucks. Bill and Eunice Bockstruck moved to Bayview in 1936. Sons Larry and Ron were born in Kenniwick,Washington. Having spent some time in Bayview with his brother as a teen, Bill vowed to return. With the economy in the tank, and nothing to lose, Bill moved his family to Bayview. He bought forty acres out on Cape Horn in 1939, the first family to migrate there, since there was nothing but a foot trail from town. He started out with a one room log home followed by a larger five room home built out of logs. Unlike today, building materials were there for the taking. That home was moved into in 1940 and still exists as a home. Larry Bockstruck said,”our family were the only full time residents on the cape for many years, though some summer people were scattered about.”
Bill finally found work after many hard years, building Farragut Naval Training Base. Unfortunately, he contracted leukemia in 1943 and died soon after. Larry, his son, who lives with wife, Betty up on the top of Lime Kiln Road, had a fine career of bricklaying. When the old hotel was torn down, he acquired the bricks which can still be seen today, as he used them to build his castle on the hill.
The war years were just ahead, with Europe already engaged. Life in and around Bayview was soon going to change radically.

Sunday, October 07, 2018

History of Bayview

I'm going to reprint some of my best columns from the Spokesman-Review. I'll start with a four part history of Bayview and surrounding area.


There were three defining events that coincided in 1910, to jump start the little town of Bayview. The Prairie Development Company, out of Spokane, Washington, platted 27 blocks of narrow lots that became the core of Bayview. That was accomplished in 1910, ergo the starting point of Bayview. At the same time, C.E. Corbin, who built the Spokane International Railroad that reached from Spokane, Washington to just past the Canadian border, built a branch line into Bayview. It was called the Coeur d'Alene and Pend Oreille Railway. With a railroad, the lime industry went into a boom period. Of course 1910 was also noted for the great fire. Most think of the Silver Valley when discussing the fire, but it's reach was way beyond Shoshone County. Fire in Athol Burned east sweeping through Belmont and over the backside of Bernard Peak. The entire Farragut peninsula burned down to Scenic Bay. It swept east and joined the fire storm. Bayview itself was spared destruction.

The history of Bayview winds it's way through several eras. Times of Native Americans, Pioneers, Trappers, and Prospectors. The latter were the impetus for rapid grown starting in the 1860's. The primary trade route between Portland Oregon and the gold fields around what is now Helena, Montana, ran through early Bayview and surrounding lands. Some got off the steamer on the north end of the lake where they trekked up into the Canadian Gold fields.

Paddle wheel steam boats pushed up the Columbia River through the rapids to Wallula Washington. From there, pack trains and rugged wagons trekked to Spokane, where they climbed the daunting grade up from what is the Hangman Creek Valley, to the present level of Spokane, proper. From there, overland again to what was called Pen d'Oreille City, which was just one bay over and about two miles from what is now Bayview. Pen d'Oreille city only lasted six years, as the peaceful bay to the north, was more practical for moorage and shelter. What is now Scenic Bay, started out as many places did, as Squaw Bay, named for Indian encampments in the area now the town site. Steamboat travel was here.

From Pen d'Oreille City, the first steamboat was operated . Built down stream on the Pend Oreille river at a place called Seneacquoteen, which is across the river from where LaClede is now. the Mary Moody replaced the motley assortment of canoes, flatboats and sailing vessels, as the primary carrier of mail, men and supplies to and up the Clark fork River. The completed boat, owned by Zenas Moody was named after his wife, Mary and became the first paddle wheeler on the lake. That was April 30, 1866. Steam boats were built the hard way back then. The steam boilers and other hardware were freighted up from Wallula, Washington to the shoreline of the Pend Oreille River. Timber was cut at that location, whipsawn to boards then with green lumber, the boats were built. 125 feet long, 24 foot beam and could carry 85 tons of cargo. Considering that most ;people are used to modern construction methods, these feats of inventive genius are hard to imagine in today's world. Green lumber, not possessing long life, ended the Mary Moody's run and was dismantled ten years after it was put into service, but by then a few other such craft had arrived.

A combination of the Mary Moody, which sailed up to the foot of Cabinet Rapids, where a portage took it past, to where “The Cabinet” carried on up the riverfrom Heron to Rock Island near the present Noxon, thence upstream to what is now Thompson Falls. “The Missoula was lined through the rapids,carrying on from there to the end of navigable waters which occurred at Thompson Falls.. The boiler and engine for this steamer was scavenged from the historical Colonel Wright, which first explored ways to conquer the Columbia River rapids and sailed past what is now Lewiston, Idaho, on up the Clearwater River, a prodigious feat, considering all of the dams and locks now used for the same purpose. This equipment was carried by 10 mule team wagons from the Columbia river at White Bluffs. Pend Oreille City was renamed Steamboat Landing sometime in the 1880's and still bears that name, now a boat launch at Farragut State Park.

Early settlers arrived in Bayview and surrounding rural land starting at the turn of the century, with a homestead by Elmer E. Haddon, wife Ozelia and one child. The Haddon's late of Nebraska, headed west in 1890. The period between 1890 and 1907 when Haddon was award his deed is a bit hazy, but By the time they were done, fourteen children were born to this couple, three after moving to Anacortes, Washington. Understandably Elmer outlived his wife. This was a timber claim of 160 acres , near where Merryweather Road intersects with Perimeter in today's Bayview. Northwest of the town center to be. The great-great-granddaughter of Elmer, Jessica Haddon, resides here in Bayview. They left in 1907, census tracts show Elmer returning to Bayview between 1920 and 1930. He died, back in Skagit County, Washington 1n 1945. Jessica Haddon lives back in Bayview, after growing up in Western Washington. Her father, John lives in Ellensburg, Washington. John, the family historian said, “This is really exciting, revisiting our great-grandfather's homestead.” We are going to try to visit again during Bayview Daze, July 3rd/. Many descendants of the early settlers are still here,but unrecognizable through marital name changes.

1900 brought John B. Leiberg to the area where he 0wned 1500 acres between Buttonhook Bay and what is now Scenic Bay. This comprised of the tip or end of the Farragut peninsula, Leiberg was a botanist and surveyor who widely traveled the mountains of the area. A trail that ran from his homestead through some daunting mountains, behind Bernard Peak (named after his son Bernard) past the Bunco Ranger station to the headwaters of the Little North fork of the Coeur d'Alene River, was named after him. Leiberg became involved in a dispute over a proposed railroad right-of-way that would run through Leiberg's land. The plan to run a railroad to Bayview had Prairie Development Company, backed by D.C. Corbin. Prairie submitted an offer to Leiberg that was signed. Blackwell offered more (after the fact) and a lawsuit ensued. Leiberg ended up selling the right of way to the proposed railroad and the remaining bulk of the land to F.A. Blackwell. Blackwell had his fingers in a lot of area pies. He built and operated an electric railroad between Spokane and Coeur d'Alene, owned and operated the lumber mill in spirit Lake and many other ventures. His name resided on the Blackwell House, long a landmark on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d'Alene and Blackwell Hill just west of the Yacht Club on Blackwell Island, where a large RV park now sets.


One example of an extended family, is Alice Hammond Eaton who still resides in Bayview and works every Summer at Silverwood in the housekeeping department at the age of 85. Alice's parents, Clarence Hammond and mother, Pearl Burroughs Hammond. From that family sprung the Pecks, also still on the original homestead of their grandparents out on Salee Creek Road and along Perimeter Road. Neil Peck manages the Water & Sewer District. Alice's cousin, Bob Peck is still alive and has a sharp memory. Peck remembers during his childhood, many things about Bayview. He said, “Back in those days, everyone that lived here were workers. No summer people had come to bayview yet. Most either logged, worked for Washington Brick & Lime Co. or the railroad.”

Running a dairy farm on Blackwell Point, was Jess & Annie Napier Puckett. They too had a large family, raising eleven children. The early Pucketts and Napiers ran a dairy on what was the Blackwell Ranch, now all a part of Farragut State Park. Jess Jr. once owned , a store and fishing guide business. He was shot to death by a customer who objected to being beaten up. Ray Puckett, nephew of Jess said,”the customer went home, picked up his rifle and returned, shooting Jess. The perpetrator got off, claiming self defense.” “Jess also owned the trailer park now mostly vacant, behind what is now the Community Center, and purchased the remaining lots that were unsold from Walter G.Merryweather, one of the original platters of the town site.

Many families from the early days homesteaded timber claims. Many of those burned with the 1910 fire raging through portions of the area. Russells, Blakneys, Burroughs, Bests, Hammonds, Napiers and the Pucketts, just to name a few. Some left after losing their timber.

Elijah “Lige” Napier and his wife Ethel. The Napier family, Puckett's and Burroughs were intertwined as most of them were either cousins or close friends. Between 1920 and 1925, these were at least some of the families that caused a population boom in Bayview. Another, is the Hammond family. Jon and Eva Mae moving to Bayview in the early 1900's. When the town was platted into lots, they settled in town. The young men of early Bayview were aggressive suitors. When A.W. Johnson, manager of Washington Brick and Lime moved into town, his daughter, Alma was snapped up by Orfie Hammond. Alice Eaton said, “A street in Bayview, Alma's Court lies just behind Ralph's Internet Cafe.”

The state of Missouri was well represented by early Bayview Settlers. The Burroughs came west through Canada and south to Athol, thence to Bayview, by covered wagon in the late 1800's. Lige Napier's sister Annie, married Jess Puckett back in Missouri also. It would appear to most strangers, that everyone residing in Bayview prior to World War 11, were related. Some truth is in this as there are probably more cousins living in close proximity to Bayview than anywhere in the western United States. The rest of the Napiers followed later.

By the late 1800's, mining had started in the Lakeview area, across Pend Oreille Lake from Bayview. A gold/Silver rush developed in which Lake view ballooned into a rather large city Much of that growth originated from Bayview and surrounding areas. Part of that mining however, was for limestone, a principal ingredient for cement. Huge deposits of limestone were found near Lakeview and again in Bayview. Two large companies consolidated the various claims and started producing lime. The Portland International Cement Company in Lakeview, and Washington Brick and Lime, in Bayview. The consolidation of the lime operations was in 1900. In Bayview, Washington Brick & Lime Company, tore down the old conical kilns and built there five large draw kilns, still visible at the Scenic bay Marina. They greatly expanded the quarries and installed milling equipment. A barrel factory and crushing plant were built and the industry cranked up to 75 barrels per day of pure lime.

Originally, lime was shipped to Hope by boat, then on to it's destinations via the Northern Pacific Railway. Later in 1910, a railroad was formed by Daniel C. Corbin, called the Spokane International Railroad. It started in Spokane, Washington, thence curving northeast through Garwood, and just south of Silverwood, through what for years was the Corbin Ranch and later Rickle Ranch on through Sandpoint, Bonner's Ferry, terminating at Yahk, British Columbia. A Branch line curved off to the east at Corbin Junction , thence through Belmont, an earlier town and on down the length of what is now Farragut State Park and into Bayview. With the steam driven trains coming to Bayview, Lime was freighted directly to the main line and on into Spokane. Passengers also found the route handy, as Spokane to Bayview Tourism started. It hasn't stopped yet. A sturdy dock out into the lake where JD's Marina is now was the terminus of the spur that actually ran out into the lake. This was so that barges could load lime from the International Portland Cement Company across the lake just west of Lakeview. The Gondola cars would load up six at a time on the barge and then the railroad cars would be hooked to an Engine, which rolled them off the barge and onto the permanent tracks. The grade from Bayview was very steep, so the loaded cars would be taken up the hill six at a time, then add the other six for a train of 12, which was about all an engine could haul. The railroad ceased operations in 1939, about one year after the lime industry closed down. The old right-of way is still visible along Hudson Bay Road.

Many of the early Bayview residents, those that came after the first two decades of the 20th century, will appear in the second segment of Bayview history that will take you from the teens to the war years.

It needs be be said that without the complete cooperation of Linda Hackbarth, curator of the Bayview Historical Society and author of the History of Bayview & Lakeview, and other early settlements This story would have not been possible. She allowed us to use her book as well as her web site, with authorization to utilize any pictures we needed. She is indeed awesome. Thanks, Linda. To order the complete history of Bayview & Lakeview, contact linda@bayviewhs.com



Tuesday, October 02, 2018

Lying Bastards at Verizon

We in Bayview nave been lied to. We were made to believe that we would have a tower in the spring of 2018. Then we were told we had to wait until the ground dried out. Now we are told it won't happen in 2019. We are a resort destination with thousands of your customers summering here.Many, tired of empty promises, are opting to go to other places to recreate.

But the most serious consequences are those of us than terminated our landlines in anticipation of your service. ou are in a position to cause deaths if those such as I, age 80, die because we couldn't call for help. If that happens, you better alert your legal dept.  because there will definitively be consequences.
Your reputation is teetering on the edge and we intend go publicize your perfidy.

Monday, August 27, 2018

Greatness

Today's paper honored two of our greatest, one from each party. Thomas S. Foley and Senator John McCain.

McCain's 36 years in government,  six terms in the senate, from Arizona. He was a war hero, not because he was captured, but because he withstood tremendous abuse after he refused to accept early release if he were the only one let go.

He then served in the senate, a man owned by nobody. He will be missed.

Tom Foley, a congressman from Eastern Washington, rose to speaker of the house. Highway 395 in Washington State, was renamed after him.

Both were giants, head and shoulders above the pack.

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Sometimes you just gotta

Mostly, I stay away from both religion and politics, but sometimes yah just gotta. This is one of those times.

The tragedy in the Catholic priesthood may end up destroying the church. I have some theories here and am going to share them. If you are offended, so be it.

When you examine the premise that priests have to be single and not mate, automatically a certain sector will be willing because they didn't prefer women to begin with. This gives a disproportional nod to those that have abnormal appetites.

In the ancient church, many priests were married. When the church crashed it was rebuilt by Monks who passed on their dogma of abstinence.

Allowing priests to marry should be the first step. That doesn't mean child molestation will stop, but the priesthood would attract more normal people. So I'm not politically correct? I never claimed to be.

Clean out the bad priests and train new ones. Get rid of outmoded and largely ignored birth control prohibition. Allow divorced persons to remarry in the church. If they don't the divorcee will move on to another church.

Tuesday, July 03, 2018

Fireworks

Every year, someone loses a dog during thoughtless fireworks use. Visitors with no ties to our community, use fireworks irresponsibly. Hey, it's not their backyard.

First, there is fire danger. I personally do not want to evacuate Bayview due to an Asshole recklessly endangering others.

Dogs, with very sensitive ears, panic when explosives go off. They blindly run until exhaustion then cannot find their way back home. Please either keep your dogs inside or on a leash. If you don't you may lose your pet.

Personal use of exploding devices is illegal in Idaho. If I catch you using them in my neighborhood, you are going to get prosecuted.

Monday, June 11, 2018

RALPH'S REOPENING

Ralph's will reopen Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 12. The new owners are Daveana and Kevin Huff. A grand opening will follow later.

The hoops that the Huff's had to jump through are legendary. When Ralph opened he had to comply with 3 pages of health rules. Kevin and Daveana had 16 pages.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Floating Patio Opening

The Floating Patio at the Boat launch will open for the season Saturday, May 26, flood waters permitting. Other cafe openings to be announced soon.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Bayview Flooding

We are now slightly above summer level. The projection is for us to reach flood stage by Thursday. If the warm weather persists, and/or we get drenching thunderstorms, this could be a bad one.

The Clark Fork River in Missoula has flooded out of control and we must be conscious that all that water is headed out way.

Much of the predictions hang on weather conditions. If it cools off next week we can probably get 2011 conditions. If not we could see the disastrous flood of 1997 repeating itself.

Hope for the best, but if you live along the lake shore, prepare with sand bags Good luck to all.

PS: I just checked weather radar. While nothing is close, I did note that the weather is retrograding, or flowing from east to west. This is very rare and when this happens it usually means more violent weather.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Remembering Ralph Jones

Tomorrow, Sunday May 13 will mark a Celebration of Ralph's life. It will be held at the large parking lot on Main Street at 2:00pm. Bring a chair.

The permission to use the parking lot was given by Chan and Teresa Karupiah.

Wednesday, May 09, 2018

Possible Flooding

With all that has happened in Bayview recently, a note from Gary McDonald may have gone unnoticed. Our normal Summer lever of 2062.5 here on Lake Pend Oreille may be exceeded by an additional two feet of water. which would cause some flooding here in Bayview.

I was here during the flood of 1996 and also the lesser flood few years later.

In the big flood, water came over the sea wall and went all the way up to Main Street.

Al of this is affected by weather, both negative and positive, but it wouldn't hurt to be prepared.

Tuesday, May 08, 2018

Ralph's Celebration of Life

I'm speculating a little, but until his kids get here from out of state next week-end, nothing will be firmed up. Judging from the weather guessers forecasts May 13 looks good as well as Saturday, May20,

Chan and Teresa Karupiah have offered the big parking lot or if poor weather, the Button Hook. Either Saturday noted predict good weather. I anticipate a large crowd that wouldn't fit in n indoor venue.

Updates will apeear here as well as on Facebook.

Monday, May 07, 2018

Ralph's future


1 min ·
It will be a week before Ralph's opens again. Legal matters need to be addresses and his adult kids are not due here for a few days. Transferred Beer & Wine licenses will have to be reassigned. Ownership needs to be clarified as well.I will keep everyone current.

Chan has offered both the large parking lot if needed and the Button Hook for services. Again, I will keep everyone informed.

Ralph's brother, Richard Jones is coordinating with family. I am coordinating with him. More, when available.

Saturday, May 05, 2018

Ralph Jones, R.I.P

I heard just an hour ago that my old friend, Ralph Jones died in his favorite chair and was found this morning when he didn't show up at work.

If there were never any official host for Bayview, it would have had to be Ralph. Bayview's ambassador to the world.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Inequality

I have listened to the claptrap about increased racial prejudice until I am sick of it. Here is the other side of this story.

You cannot tune in to any television program that doesn't have at least one black person in their commercial.  In the effort by the large companies that advertise on TV, it has become unacceptable to feature situations  that do not feature pro black racial garbage about white supremacy.

The last twelve years of  Obama's presidency promoted more racial tension than in the last 50 years. He and his cohorts did it with reverse discrimination.

As an example was the city government in Baltimore, Maryland where several police officers were arrested and then released, after it as determined that the totally black government of Baltimore has predicatively charged the officers without evidence. They were all innocent.

Obama used his presidency to destroy white American, not to raise black Americans above their status.

Not one government program was to serve the raising of the black community. It was totally to place blame on the rest of us.Well, black visitors to Bayview have always been treated with respect. How about your neighborhood?

PS: private to Airline Mike. What is you new phone number. The one I have is out of service?

Friday, April 06, 2018

Kendra Bradley

Kendra Bradley has lived in our area for quite a while. Unfortunately she circulated in the drug community for much of that time.

She has pulled herself out of that situation and is clean now and living a different life.

Kendra is a hard worker and would do well in many jobs, but she lacks a car to get around. I am going to donate what I can and I urge all of you to step up and help this woman to  continue her rescue.

We cannot continue to trash drug users unless  they are beyond help. But those that have dragged themselves out of the Meth disaster, deserve our help to rehabilitate themselves.

I don't know whether she has a bank account, but if you send donations to me I will see that she gets every penny of it. Label it  "Kendra."

Herb Huseland
PO Box 884
Bayview, Idaho 83803