Mary Laughlin releases second edition of history book

MOSES LAKE — Mary Laughlin is best known throughout Moses Lake as the face and owner of Pop's In and Out on Valley Road. What many people don't know is, for about the same period of time that she's owned Pop's, about 20 years, Laughlin has had a book published.

Originally published in 1996, Laughlin recently released a second edition of "Pioneer Families of Yale Valley, Washington (and surrounding areas)."

Laughlin said her idea for the book came in 1989, when her son was enrolled at Yale Elementary, roughly 15 miles southwest of Mt. St. Helens. She said she wanted to find out how Yale got its name, and once word got out about her curiosity, different homesteaders in the area began reaching out to her, offering to tell their stories and give interviews.

Once Laughlin began getting to know the homesteaders and their stories, she saw the impact her project could have, and approached her research with even more zeal. "It needs to be as complete as possible for future generations."

The interviews were the start of an extensive research project for Laughlin that included combing giant courthouse archives in Clark and Cowlitz counties, to name a few, and brushing off headstones in area cemeteries to get the correct dates of births and deaths.

Laughlin said she decided to have 1,000 copies printed for the second edition because "so many have passed away since the first printing" and "nobody wants to part with their (copy)."

With countless pictures, hand-written letters, and city and school records, Laughlin's book is 324 pages of Yale Valley history that is not easily replaced.

The 324 pages are the result of exhaustive research, but, Laughlin said, she would have loved for the book to be the first of three volumes about the Yale Valley. She said she would have enjoyed writing about the 1950s and the dams being built in the area at that time. A third and final volume would have covered the modern Yale Valley.

Laughlin recently began "aggressive chemo treatment" to fight her cancer.

Book sales and donations will help Laughlin cover her medical expenses. Laughlin has a book signing tentatively scheduled for Feb. 21 at The Reflector, in Battle Ground.

"Pioneer Families of Yale Valley, Washington" sells for $91.75, including tax.

An account has been set up for donations for Mary's Chemo Fund at Umpqua Bank. Those who donate more than $92 will receive a copy of the book and must submit a receipt to Mary.

For more information, email Mary Laughlin at johndeeregirl12855@gmail.com.