MARY'S MEMOIRS

Mary and Sam are fishing for salmon on the Columbia River. I live on the Columbia River, and they are fishing now and seem to have better luck after it rains.

Saturday, Aug. 27, 1949

Today I could not sleep after 6 but did not get up until nearly 8. Cleaned house and got started on my scrapbook. At 2:15 I had completed the book as far as I can go without the rest of my pictures. Then Bud Bickle came down to mow the lawn and he fixed the lawn mower so it does not die when you let it idle. The lawn looks good. To Gorst and got my hair done and it looks better, and I feel good. Emmett took my car to the garage and fixed my tire so we need not worry about that valve that was bent. Evelyn and I went swimming when we came home and oh how good we feel now. We sat in the sun and talked. To Betty Fischler's with a lot of flowers after Skenes left. Had a nice evening. Left my scrapbook there.

Sunday, Aug. 28, 1949

Awoke early so got up and ironed. Then picked the rest of the zinnias and marigolds. Cleaned house and put away ironing. Packed my clothes for trip to Columbia River on Monday. Very warm out although the barometer is going down. This was a very warm day, and I went in swimming 3 times. Bill and Evelyn and I were there alone all day, and it was a relief not to be overrun with people. We fried chicken on the outside stove, and it was delicious. To Mrs. Morgans and gave her a big bouquet of my flowers. We had a nice visit. Met Jimmie's new girl. In the evening I went to bed early and had a good rest. A nice quiet day.

Monday, Aug. 29, 1949

Today I heard Evelyn's alarm go off, so I got up too. Got everything in the car Sunday but had a few things to put in today. Left Belfair at 8:20 and arrived at the Columbia at 12:05. The sun came out warm and bright and the road was fairly good most of the way. Sam was eating at the café when I arrived, so he finished then drove the car to the camp. So, I unpacked my stuff and straightened up the cupboards. We went to Chinook for gear to mend Sam's pole. Then we went fishing. Got one fine salmon and lost one. Ahh, was Sam disgusted. Very windy out so we did not stay too late. Ate supper and to Chinook to call Emmett. Sam put the boat out. Getting dark. It's 8.

Tuesday, Aug. 30, 1949

Last night it rained so we slept till late. Before breakfast Sam and Don Bancroft went up to Ilwaco for some rope and when he got home, he was in a hurry to go fishing so I made breakfast in a hurry. While they were out Mrs. Bancroft and I carried wood and rocks for our stoves. Sat out in the sun and watched the people on the beach. Quite windy out and it looks as thought they are catching fish. Mack is smoking fish and so we shall have some tomorrow. Sam and Don with their passenger came in with 7 fish and oh were they happy! It was about 8:30 when they came in so it was close to 9:30 before we ate dinner of some wonderful steak Sam brought from Yakima. Emmett and Bill came just as we got our stove to going so they had coffee. To bed late. 11:30 for me.

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 1949

Today the men got up at 15 to 6 and went fishing. They came back at 10.30 with 2 salmon. Sam got one and Bill the other. Made hot cakes and ham for breakfast and everyone enjoyed it. Then Bill and Emmett made a nice rest room up on the hill, so we are all set. Cleaned up camp and carried a little wood. The men rested. Now it's blowing up a good wind, so quite a few will be coming in now. Very warm out, oh it's so lovely. The men came in late with 2 more fish, Sam got one. Emmett the other. So we ate our steak dinner late, but we enjoyed it very much. Ate Flossie's apple pie for dessert. The men took the fish to the cannery, and we went to bed fairly early. A big day. A nice moon out.

Thursday, Sept. 1, 1949

The men went out early and came back at noon with 6 salmon. One was Bill's and the rest were Emmett's. Was he happy! They ate a big breakfast of ham and hot cakes and then we took some pictures. Put the fish away in the ice in a hole in the ground. The men mended the boat. Very warm out and oh so many boats on the river. In the late afternoon the men went out again and came in with 5 more fish and oh how excited they were. I had dinner all ready so they could eat as soon as they came in. About 10:30 they started home for Belfair all loaded down with canned and fresh salmon. To bed and hope to get a good night's rest. A nice moon is out. Looks like a night in Miami, Florida.

Friday, Sept. 2, 1949

A warm day. We did not get up until 9:30 as the last two days have been pretty rugged. After breakfast we went out in the boat but did not get a strike! Started to get windy so we came in at one as we wanted to get back from Ilwaco before Earl and Ruby would come. To Ilwaco and got our groceries and a lot of wood. Made toast and tea on our return and had some peaches and cream. Very good. Very windy out and no Ruby or Earl yet. Wonder if I got mixed up in the day? Bancrofts caught 2 fish today. We went out fishing and when we returned found Ruby and Earl here. They had bought frozen chicken and strawberries and date nut bread, so we got dinner and enjoyed it very much. Very warm out and a nice moon out again. To bed late after much talking and laughing.

Saturday, Sept. 3, 1949

Today we all slept late so we did not go out to fish until 10. We trawled all over but did not have a strike. It became so warm I went in and lay down. About 3 the folks came in with no luck either. We were all resting when the Ed Wichbergs came. They sat and talked until 6 o'clock. Then we went out again and no strikes this time either. We were certainly disgusted. Home and cooked salmon for dinner and it was delicious with salad, potatoes, peaches and cream. Sat around in the evening and read the paper. Earl bought the Sunday paper at the store. Quite a few came in that we knew from Bremerton. The Bud Hines and the chaplains of Philathea Chapter and her husband. The old Holland couple gave us a lot of small wood. To bed early after a walk out to the beach to see the moon. A most wonderful sunset tonight.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now resides on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She has been researching Mary Theler's life for the past 17 years. She can be emailed at [email protected].