Farm Marketing Special Train comes to Shelton

In spring 1929, the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Washington State College (now WSU) entered into a joint venture to "demonstrate to farmers and other residents the last word in marketing of all farm products." They assembled a collection of livestock, poultry and various farm products grown in Western Washington, enlisted the expertise of several agricultural specialists, railroad officials and livestock attendants, and put the show on the road, or rather, the tracks. The Farm Marketing Special Train visited towns all over the western part of the state, arriving at the train yards in downtown Shelton at the end of the third week.

This story is from the May 28, 1929, Journal:

"Shelton did itself proud in connection with the Market Train Special entertainment Tuesday. According to many in the crowd attending, as well as the college specialists and railroad officials who have been with the train since the start of the tour, the visit was as near perfect as any experienced. From the point of view of the college men, the audience was fine - it was orderly, attentive, and interested in the talks and exhibits, and it appeared above average in progressive farmer representation.

"Profiting by the mistakes of other towns visited, the Shelton committee arranged with six local caterers to provide for special serving tables and help, and thus six lines of hungry visitors were started through at 12:40 and in 20 minutes practically all the crowd of about 2,000 people had been served. The main staple was baked beans, and each chef took pride in turning out a fine batch. There were also sandwiches of several kinds, doughnuts, coffee, milk and ice cream; everyone seemingly well-satisfied. The high school band enlivened the dinner with music.

"After all had been served, professor Dammeier of the State College opened his talk on farm marketing and the many problems connected therewith and for 35 minutes kept his audience interested in spite of the distracting outdoor noises of traffic, train switching and an airplane flying overhead. At 2:15, the Northern Pacific special train rolled into the yards and was parked conveniently, the train including a baggage and a flat car, stock car, three exhibit coaches, a Pullman sleeper and diner, which had been the home of the college staff and the livestock for three weeks.

"After Mr. Stapleton of the Northern Pacific Agricultural Department explained the purpose of the tour, he introduced Dr. Nelson, director of the college's extension service, who further explained the objective of bringing the resources of the State College to help farmers with their marketing problems. Dr. J. S. Carver gave a short demonstration on the value of breeding and production of poultry for profit, comparing good and poorly bred fowls and their capacity for making the owners money either in flesh or eggs. Other speakers expounded on the keynote message that a fowl or an animal could rise no higher than its source and that high breeding was the real secret of success in poultry, dairy or beef cattle.

"A feature of particular interest to Mason County was the presence of the sire of the dairy herd belonging to Charles Wivell and Sons of Shelton, as well as three leading cows of the herd. These animals were splendid specimens of purebred Jerseys and had been carried through the tour as exhibits of the county's progress in the dairy line. The high butterfat record of the cows was given, showing the profit as well as the satisfaction which comes from owning high-bred animals.

"Following the demonstrations, the public passed through the cars displaying exhibits of neatly arranged specimens of fresh and processed fruits and all kinds of farm products to be found in the markets, with charts to show at a glance the points intended to be impressed. Two distinctively Mason County products were "Pride of Washington" grape juice produced in Grapeview, and canned goods from the Tahuya Canning Company. More than 1,000 adults were checked through the train and about as many children, the latter marched from the city schools in a body and marched back afterward, another feature which the train officials approved.

"Special thanks should be given to the members of the State Highway Patrol, Boy Scouts and Junior Patrol for very capable handling of the heavy auto and pedestrian traffic. Hundreds of cars were efficiently parked so that no jam resulted when the crowds started leaving, and with 2,000 people moving around the grounds and crossing the highway at all times there was no accident to mar the day."

■ Jan Parker is a researcher for the Mason County Historical Museum. She can be reached at [email protected]. Membership in the Mason County Historical Society is $25 per year. For a limited time, new members will receive a free copy of the book "Shelton, the First Century Plus Ten."