Soil free of weed seed when pioneers arrived

The Grant County Noxious Weed Board has indicated the beginning of this or the other weed was in wheat seed contaminated when brought from the old country. Mordhorst also indicates Columbia Basin soil was free of weed seed when the pioneers began farming. Read on.

Grant County history

The Grant County Historical Society has compiled several volumes of Grant County history. The books are available for purchase at the Historical Society Museum gift shop in Ephrata.

I bought the series in 2009 and secured permission to relay some of the history through this column. Memories of Grant County, compiled from taped interviews by the Grant County Historical Society.

Today we continue the story of Wilson Creek by Cris Mordhorst, recorded Feb. 10, 1976:

The first winter they came to Wilson Creek was the winter of 1901-1902 and they told me it was an open winter. It was all sagebrush out there. They did break sod throughout the winter, so they got some land in wheat the next spring.

It seemed there must have been more moisture at that time because they planted both gardens and orchards and they grew their own fruit for a number of years before drier years seemed to set in. The garden was planted and they said there were no weeds at that time. The soil seemed to be free of weed seed.

There is something kinda interesting to think about, and our family had this experience, too. When we first came it wasn't so handy to get yeast to make bread and of course everyone made their own bread in those days, so they either had to use sourdough or this starter yeast.

Once in a while someone would lose their starter and then they'd have to go to a neighbor and borrow a little so they could get started again to make bread. I can even remember how they always added potato water, that's about as far as I know about making bread. They'd add potato water to this yeast, seemed like, and have a starter to get their bread going.

Of course, after a number of years the winds came and the land got drier and some said the land south of Wilson Creek out there got to blowing because there was an old Dutchman out there who had such big feet, and he was following the harrow and if he saw a big clod that was not broken he'd either kick it or step on it so that eventually there were no clods at all! So the ground just blew.

Daedalian Scholarship deadline April 30

Flight students or prospective flight students pay attention.

A $1,000 scholarship is available from Flight 41 of the Order of Daedalians in Spokane/Fairchild Air Force Base. It is possible this will be matched by the national Organization of Daedalians. Read on.

The scholarship

Flight 41 of the Order of Daedalians in Spokane/Fairchild Air Force Base is again sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship for deserving high school seniors or college students that intend to pursue a career in military aviation. Applicants need to complete the application found at www.flight41.org and email to Frank Conderfer fcbum@aol.com or Joe Schwab joseph.schwab@us.af.mil no later than 30 April 2013. The national Daedalian Foundation may match the scholarship to double the award.

Order of Daedalians

What are the Daedalians? I think of them as combat pilots. They asked me to join their organization and I did. Below is a bit about the group and the offer of a scholarship. If you know of a person who fits the qualifications, tell them to get busy as time is short.

The Order of Daedalians is the National Fraternity of Commissioned Military Pilots. It was organized on 26 March 1934 by a group of World War I commissioned Army pilots to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, love of country and ideas of self-sacrifice which place service to nation above personal safety or position. World War I pilots were the first to fly and fight in defense of our country and their record is one of pride, sacrifice and accomplishment. The word Daedalian derives from the legend of Daedalus who, according to Greek mythology, was the first person to accomplish heavier-than-air flight.

On behalf of the Order of Daedalians, Inland Empire Flight 41 is sponsoring a Flight scholarship in the amount of $1000. If you are currently attending an accredited four-year college or university or have applied for and been admitted, and if you have demonstrated the desire and potential to pursue a career as a commissioned military pilot, you are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Go to www.flight41.org and click on the scholarship information. Deadline is April 30.

Here is a short recap of the info: The Spokane chapter, Flight 41, of Daedalians is sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship for deserving high school seniors or college students that intend to pursue a career in military aviation. Applicants must complete the application found at www.flight41.org and email to Frank Conderfer at fcbum@aol.com no later than 30 April 2012.

Wilson Creek area history

The Rev. David H. Crawford compiled and published a history of families in and surrounding Wilson Creek titled, "Family Memories of Wilson Creek Area." The book was printed in 1978, which was the 75th anniversary of the town. David's son, John Crawford, has given permission for those memories to be a part of this column.

Today we continue the story of The Lindblad family by Frank Lindblad:

Effie, a slender, pretty girl, also was studious and made good marks in school and later became a teacher and a librarian. The youngest child was Amy, whose musical abilities were noticed at an early age and she began playing the piano when young.

As an adult she volunteered her piano playing for the Grange dances, arranged musical programs for the Grange and her church and played the organ for her church for many years. Many enjoyable evenings at the Lindblad home were spent in singing with Amy at the piano.

Both Clarence and Frank served in the Army in World War I. While serving in Europe, Clarence wrote lengthy letters to his family giving vivid descriptions of his experiences and describing many of the ruins due to the war. Clarence took a number of photographs while overseas and shared them with family, friends and fellow soldiers.