August 13, 1891
From Chelan
Heavy Travel on the Lake Steamers – More Good News from the Chelan District
Written for the Leader: Chelan, Aug. 13, 1891
August 8th the Lake Chelan Railroad and Navigation Co.’s steamer Belle left Chelan with the following list of passengers: W.A. Sanders and T.J. Lester of Spangle, Washington; W.R. Wetsel, J.A. Ballard, wife and daughter, and Mrs. Josh Clarey of Waterville; Mr. Smill and Mr. Green of Rock Island.
At Railroad Creek the steamer transferred a company of miners, with their horses and packs, to the head of the lake.
A.H. Barnes, a prominent photographer, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Bull, of Ellensburg, left their home the 9th, well pleased with their visit to the beautiful lake. Mr. Barnes has taken a large number of photographic views and will be able to supply all wishing them, in a short time. His views will be on sale on the steamers of the Lake Chelan Railroad and Navigation Company.
August 11th the Belle again left with a large list of passengers and considerable freight for the mines. The passengers were as follows: M.M. Kingman, Al Pershall, P.H. Farley, Mr. McPherson, Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Wright and children, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Merritt and children, Miss F.E. Cameron, Charles Johnson, E.F. Christie, Supt. Nichols, C. Robinson and L.H. Woodin of Chelan. At Wild Rose beach, the home of Judge I.A. Navarre, the following gentlemen of Seattle were taken on board: E.F. Blaine, attorney at law; C.L. Denny, a prominent insurance man; O.O. Denny, O.C. McGilvery and R.H. Denny, teller in the bank of Messers. Dexter Horton and Co.; also, Charles Bregg, of Ellensburg, and J.R. Mitchell and wife of Moses Coulee.
V. McCollum sent down, on the 10th a sample of ore discovered on the south side of the Stehekin river and a few miles above the head of the lake, which shows prominently free gold. The rock appears to be very rich.
Prospectors are meeting with great success in discovering rich leads of precious metals in this mining district. Already a large number are making their way to this new El Dorado.
Of three samples of ore from Bridge Creek sent out to be assayed the returns from two of them run very high in silver.
October 27, 1892
To The Public
As a scurrilous and entirely uncalled for letter signed “Stehekin,” reflecting alike upon DeWitt C. Britt, editor of the Leader, and the hospitality and good name of the miners, prospectors and settlers of Horseshoe Basin and the Stehekin Valley, was published in a recent issue of the Lakeside paper, I wish to state that I gave Mr. Britt a cordial invitation to come to Horseshoe Basin and told him not to bring anything with him; that I had plenty of food and blankets in our tent, also at the cabin and he was perfectly welcome. I had expected to accompany him on the trip but was prevented by unfortunate circumstances.
All newspaper men are welcome at Kingman and Pershall’s camp
— A.M. Pershall
Oct. 24, 1892
April 6, 1893
A.M. Pershall and family removed from Chelan to Stehekin the fore part of this week, Mr. Pershall having purchased the claim formerly owned by Dan Devore.
May 18, 1893
Al Pershall came down from Stehekin Thursday, returning Friday. He reported everything lovely at the head of the lake, the water in the streams getting very high and the trout beginning to bite in good style. Al is evidently well pleased with his new home.
August 31, 1894
From Stehekin
A valued correspondent sends up the following items:
Bayard Wilkeson of Bridge Creek is visiting his father at Hamilton for a few days.
George L. Rowse is making one trip a week with ten horses, packing ore from the Boston mine to the head of the lake.
The steamer Stehekin took the first consignment of ore from the Isoletta claim for the Pershall brothers Sunday.
Mrs. Frank Keller is visiting with Mrs. Wilkeson at Bridge Creek during the absence of Mr. Wilkeson.
Jack Durant and Dennis O’Brien are packing in their winter’s supplies from Bridge Creek, preparing for a winter’s work on Thunder Creek, cross-cutting their ledge, and will ship out ore next summer via Lake Chelan.
Alex Conrad was over from the Sound last week inspecting his claims on Thunder Creek, and thinks he will be able to send out some ore next year, if silver should remain even at the present price.
A.T. Green, of Waterville, with his family and a party of friends, were camping at the head of the lake last week.
Billy McGregor is camping at Mineral Park, on the summit of Cascade Pass and will spend the winter trapping in that country, while Pete Robichand and Geo. Young will trap at the head of the Agnes Creek this fall and winter.
Stehekin, Wash., August 25th
April 5, 1895
Al Pershall and family have returned to their Stehekin farm for the summer, going up on the steamer Friday.
April 26, 1895
A.M. Pershall returned from Squaw Creek Monday and went up to Stehekin today. He reports great accessions to the population of Methow city every day and says the outlook for that place is better than ever.
May 31, 1895
A note received from Frank F. Keller, esquire, at Stehekin details the finding and burial of the body of Hugh McKeever, which as we already had a statement of it from another source, is omitted. Our esteemed correspondent goes on to say: “I have just returned from Pershall’s camp at Horseshoe Basin. There is much less snow there now than one would naturally expect at this season of the year. I expect to go up there again next week to work in the tunnel on the Isoletta mine.”
June 14, 1895
Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Pershall came down from Stehekin on Saturday’s boat and will remain until after the Fourth.
December 6, 1895
The steamer Dragon went up the lake to Larson’s Monday after a load of wood for A.M. Pershall, returning on Wednesday.
April 24, 1896
A.M. Pershall came down Wednesday from Stehekin
May 1, 1896
Messers. Bullion and Curtis have gone to Stehekin. For the present they will assist Al Pershall in developing his farm.
June 19, 1896
A cottonwood fruit-box factory has been started at Stehekin by Pershall brothers. Samples of their work, which, by the way, is strictly first-class, can be seen at Pershall’s store. (in Chelan)
July 10, 1896
We are sorry to learn that high water has ruined the gardens of A.M. Pershall, M.E. Field and others at the head of Lake Chelan.
December 3, 1897
Geo. Cottrell and Al Pershall departed Monday for uplake points on the schooner Prosperity, after a cargo of wood.
December 24, 1897
Capt. Geo. Cottrell and Al Pershall have gone for another cargo of firewood in the good ship Prosperity.
June 10, 1904
Communicated
One of the most pleasant outings so far this season, was the excursion to the head of the lake on the steamer Swan on Thursday last. A large, merry party headed by the Chelan Cornet Band on pleasure bent, had a most enjoyable trip. The weather was ideal and the trip up the lake was enlivened by inspiring music. On arrival at the head of the lake, the ever-genial host, Hon. M.E. Field just turned over his house to the party. In the evening the young people had an informal dance, and all are loud in their praise of Mr. and Mrs. Field for the manner in which they were entertained and feel like expressing their thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Field, and also to Messers Pershall and Pershall, the owners of the steamer Swan. “May we all be able to go again,” is the unanimous sentiment of the excursionists.
—The Chelan Band
August 12, 1904
After running the steamer Swan for a little over three months, Messers. Pershall and Pershall have discontinued the run of that boat. Mr. Lloyd Pershall informed the Leader that for fear they could not make the boat in paying proposition it was thought best to tie up after Monday’s run down, which was done. He further stated that they lost no money and would break even.
October 16, 1906
Successful Bear Hunt
On Thursday, of last week, on the arrival of the steamer Tourist from Stehekin quite a ripple of excitement was crafted among the townspeople by the return of the sightly hunters, Messers. S.M. Brown, Lloyd N. Pershall, Al Pershall and S.H. Drew, having in their possession two large black bears and a small brown bear as a result of the hunt on the Stehekin. These gentlemen were the first of a series of hunting parties to bring in tangible proof that they had been out in the “hills” at all.
The big animals attracted a large share of attention and were photographed by Mrs. Bowersox as they hung on the forward end of the steamer. The Leader expected to have a half ton of them in time for this issue, but was disappointed. It will appear next week. The principal part of the carcasses of the deceased denizens of the mountains was placed on sale at the most markets and everyone who wished got a taste of bear meat.
