Table of Contents

The Buswell audio materials were described and duplicated by Stacy Rasmus of the Lummi Language and Cultural Department as part of a joint project between the Lummi Indian Nation and the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies. 1999

Reel 1: Mrs. John Brown
Reel 2: Philip Clark and John Nichols
Reel 3: Charley Kahana
Reel 4: Charley Kahana
Reel 5: Charley Kahana
Reel 6: Mrs. Victor Roth, Mrs. W. H. Abbott, and Mrs. Henry Jukes
Reel 7: Arthur Granger
Reel 7a: Arthur Granger
Reel 8: Bill King
Reel 9: Chris Siegel
Reel 10: Philip Clark, Mary Brown, and Alfred Cayou
Reel 11: Knute Aker and Mrs. Aker
Reel 12: Sam Allen, Carl Bell, Philip Clark, and Mary Birdsell Brown
Reel 13: Gaff McGlinn
Reel 14: Bill Cunningham
Reel 15: Raymond Green and Mrs. Albert Mohrmann
Reel 16: John Nichols
Reel 17: Ingwold Iverson
Reel 18: Albert Mohrmann
Reel 19: Services at Marietta Indian Mission

Interview Descriptions

Howard E. Buswell:
     This is January the 15th 1960. About the third of the way through this reel of tape is a tape of a religious discourse by the late Mrs. John Brown. Formerly Mrs. Johanna Guerin. I believe her maiden name was Johanna Ti'elish. Or Johanna George Ti'elish. I just played it over after a lapse of several years since Mrs. Brown and her husband John have been dead for two or three years now, and I found it of considerable interest. I meant this in the fact that there is an unoccupied piece of tape for quite a ways. After Mrs. Brown's discourse is a sermon. And other services at the Marietta Mission. It is run by the Reverend and Mrs. Walter Harnden. The Mormons that continue on the religious, the religion of the Lummi people, the Mormons have a mission here in the house formerly occupied and owned by Mr. Chris Iyland. I do not believe, besides the Mormons, and Reverend Harnden's Mission, that there are any other active religious groups on the reservation except the Roman Catholics, who have had a church there for many years. But in the past decades or two why various Protestant groups have come in, but none of them have seem to have shown the stick-to-itiveness that the Mormons and Reverend Harnden's Mission have. The Shaker's have a church over there, but I don't believe it is being used now. Mrs. Brown was a very devout Christian woman. She and her husband use to go to the Catholic Church, but they for some reason or another, they found that they were not getting what they wanted. So they turned their backs on it, and became followers of revivalists such as Oral Roberts. Mrs. Brown always went to his revivals meetings when he was in the area. And she is telling in her discourse here, something about her observations and experiences of while he was having his services. I don't know whether it was in Portland, Oregon or Tacoma. But somewhere within easy traveling distance of this location.

Cassette Tape #1 - Mrs. John Brown (Johanna Guerin/Ti'elish) recounts her observations of the healings and miracles she has witnessed through prayer. She calls this, "to lay hands on the sick." She then reads a letter she received from Oral Roberts, an evangelical preacher. Following this she reads or preaches from memory a sermon based on Bible scriptures. She, throughout, emphasizes the healing miracles she has witnessed by Oral Roberts. One example is an Indian man, she recalls from Neah Bay who was healed.
    The interview segways into a broadcast of Oral Roberts entitled the "Indian Christian Hour" which appeared on KVOS.

Cassette Tape #2 - Oral Roberts' TV program continues. Many hymns are sung (in English). Indian people are asked to come forward and give their testimony.
    A service by Rev. Harnden follows given at the Marietta Indian Mission. Rev. Harnden notes: "Don't be called among those, a rebellious people."

Description:  Reel #2

Cassette Tape #1 - Philip Clark: Speaks of "Dirty" Dan Harris. His physical description, and character. The history of his properties in Fairhaven. Covers a  period to 1891, when Dan Harris left. Tells the legend of what happened to Dan Harris after he left the Bellingham area. Dan Harris' exact location in Fairhaven on Dead Man's Point. Dan Harris known to do business in Marietta. He would come over by boat. Speaks of Dan Harris's supposed occupation as a smuggler.  Dan Harris as a renowned womanizer. Speaks of the kind of transportation used around the turn of the century. Dan Harris a single man, but was known to have had a regular woman, who in the end "took him to the cleaners." Speaks to his uncle Bob Moran. Dan Harris as an educated, "cultured" (here meaning well read) man. Speaks to the lay of Fairhaven during Dan Harris's time (trees, mills, docks). Indian burial ground on Dead Man's Point where Dan Harris built his house/hotel. He still let people bring bodies in on boats to be buried. Dan Harris being able to speak Chinook Jargon.
    John Nichols: Came to Bellingham on June 1888. Lived in Marietta with Michael Clark. Helped put in the first telephone wire that extended to New Whatcom. Speaks to his recollections of Dan Harris. Speaks of character, appearance and land holdings. Attests to his wealth.

Cassette Tape #2 - John Nichols speaks of the lay of Fairhaven at the time of his arrival. Speaks to mills, saw mill in Happy Valley district. Buswell concludes and reflects on the two previous interviews: November 21, 1957. He made recordings two years previous to this conclusion. Gives weather report.

Description:  Reel #3

Cassette Tape #1 - June 18, 1956 Charley Kahana plays many selected tunes on his violin for Howard Buswell. Speaks between songs about his opportunities playing in public. Called the "Blind fiddler" or the "Indian fiddler" by those who knew him and his musical abilities.

Description:  Reel #4

Cassette Tape #1 - April 11, 1956. Lummi Village on the mouth of the Nooksack River. Charley is 91. In 1878 and 1879 Charley played for Colonel May, at the Colonel's dance. The murder of George Phillips. George Phillips, married Billy Lears's mother, but danced with Charley's half-sister and this caused problems. George was shot over the feud between his wife's family and him. George Phillip's wife left the area after that, but was detained in Port Townsend and bore a son, Tommy Phillips, while in jail. After she got out she picked hops along with many Lummis. Charley speaks of Mason Fitzhugh, who married Johnny Pierson's sister. Charley's first musical experience was on San Juan Island, where, as a young boy, he saw some fiddlers at a dance at the Champeau place. He made his first fiddle out of split cedar with a horse tail bow. His father use to sell shingles/shakes at Victoria, and worked on the farms in the islands (San Juan). His mother was a widow (after John Bull died) when she married his father. His father came to the area on a ship, a whaling ship. Charley tells of his father's travels before coming to Lummi. Howard Buswell reads a letter written to Charley Kahana from John Bull's relatives (Charley's sisters Margaret and Jane) living in California.  Transcript Available

Description: Reel #5

Cassette Tape #1 - Charley Kahana Fiddling. Charley sings "Digging clams down in Bellingham Bay." About half way through the song the tape is irreparably damaged, and about one or two minutes have been lost. It picks up again with Charley fiddling. Charley plays a piece called "Taking Nelly home" which he use to play at the Coupeville picnic. Sings "Pop goes the weasel" in Chinook Jargon.  

Cassette Tape #2 - Charley Kahana continues playing his violin and singing.  An interview with Charley Kahana and John Nichols follows. Charley speaks of his land, and proving up his grandson as Indian of Samish, Swinomish ancestry in Everett. Charley speaks to living on Orcas Island as a young man. He went to school on San Juan Island, with his brother Joe Bull. Speaks to his ties to Lummi through his mother. Charley tells how scooners were used to haul lumber. Charley tells of working as a scooner pilot. Charley enumerates all the people he remembers knowing on Orcas Island. Charley speaks to knowing Captain Basford. Charley and John recall the steamboat workers. Speaks to knowing a MacDonald who owned a store on the reservation around 1872. Charley then speaks to canoeing from the islands to the Lummi mainland (reservation). Charley speaks to Joe Hemerly, his sister's husband, and Joe's homestead up the Nooksack. Transcript Available

Cassette Tape #3 - John Nichols speaks to the people he knew in the late 1800s on Orcas Island. Break in the tape occurs where reel is damaged. Charley speaks to Burt Squi-qui, and Billy Clark of Orcas Island. Charley speaks to driving horses in the woods for the lumber companies. Charley speaks to his work as a scooner  driver, his wages and daily life, pastimes. John and Charley recall the Wynns in Marietta and how(if) they tie into Lummi. John and Charley speak to Joe Bull's daughters. Both speak to the Buechets. Transcript Available

Cassette Tape #4 - Howard and Charley speak to Charley's fiddle playing at various places and contests like the Puyallup Fair in 1925.  John and Charley speak to General Miles, a steamboat that came from Port Townsend. END

Description:  Reel #6
 
Cassette Tape #1 - Howard introduces Mrs. Roth and the Roth House, which is situated between Ferndale and Whatcom. Howard recalls Mrs. Roth's mother-in-law (Lottie Roth). Howard and Mrs. Roth speak of peonies. Mrs. Roth speaks of when Captain Roeder lived in the Roth House. Mrs. Roth speaks of the elm tree in front of the Roth House planted by Captain Roeder. Howard asks about wedding receptions that were held at the Roth House. Mrs. Roth recalls these receptions, particularly the reception of Mrs. Abbott, daughter of Mrs. Roth's mother-in-law. Mrs. Roth and Howard recall the lay and furnishings of the Roth House. Mrs. Roth talks about the egg hunt that her mother-in-law use to have at the Roth House. Mrs. Roth continues to talk about the Roth mansion. The lumber that was used for the house was all cut at the Roeder mill in Nooksack. Mrs. Roth talks about selling the house. Mrs. Roth talks of having balls on the third floor of the Roth house. Mrs. Roth speaks about the lumber that was cut for the Roth house off of Roeder's homestead in Nooksack. Mrs. Roth talks about Captain Roeder's first home.

Cassette Tape #2   - Howard begins a different interview with Mrs. Abbott (daughter of Lottie Roth), Mrs. Roth's sister-in-law. She lived in the Roth house as a girl. Howard notes that he lost half of the interview, thus it picks up in progress. Mrs. Abbott speaks of Collier, who built a house on Eldridge Ave. Mrs. Abbott speaks about Fred Drake. Mrs. Abbott speaks of her friendship with Mrs. Jukes (Eldridge's daughter), their rivalry and Mrs. Jukes' house. Mrs. Abbott shows Howard her furniture that was Mrs. Roeder's, and they discuss certain pieces. Howard speaks of the Glimpse, Captain Roeder's personal ship. Mrs. Roth speaks about Mrs. Edson and her book about local history. Mrs. Abbott speaks about her grandfather, Captain Roeder, and his travels, routes, to the Whatcom area through California from Ohio. Mrs. Abbott talks about how her mother and father got married. Her mother was from Olympia. Mrs. Abbott speaks about watching her grandfather die in the Roth house. Howard tells about Captain Roeder's journals, and relays a few stories from what he has read. One story has to do with Cap. Roeder going to collect shingle bolts on the Lummi reservation. Mrs. Abbott speaks of her mother finishing the Roth house after Cap. Roeder's death. [Break in tape where reel was changed] Mrs. Abbott talks about her brother, Mrs. Roth's husband. Mrs. Abbott talks about the sale of the Roth house.

Cassette Tape #3 - Mrs. Abbott talks about the property surrounding the Roth House. [Break in tape where reel was turned] Mrs. Abbott continues talking about the outlaying features of the property, i.e. the cemetery, barn, carriage house. Mrs. Abbott speaks about how cattle were driven on the property by hired Indian hands. Mrs. Abbott speaks about the J.H. Edens family, i.e. Mrs. Jukes, Mrs. Henderson, and Mrs. Carr. Mrs. Abbott talks about other details of the Roeder/Roth House, i.e. the gardner. Howard concludes his interview with Mrs. Abbott.
Howard adds more information that wasn't recorded. Howard speaks about the designer of the Roth House.
           Interview with Mr. & Mrs. Jukes. They all discuss the original name of Marine Drive in Bellingham and Marietta that use to be known as Lummi Road. Howard asks about the Eldridge house. Mrs. Jukes talks about how long Eldridge lived in his house before he died and the house burned down in 1894. Mr. Jukes talks about the forest fire of 1894. Howard asks for a comparison between the Eldridge and Roeder/Roth Houses. Howard asks Mrs. Jukes if she recalls seeing the big salt-water canoes on the ocean. END

Description:  Reel #7

Cassette Tape #1 - Arthur speaks to his father's religious beliefs and arrival to Lummi Island. Arthur tells of his father's part in the Indian wars. Arthur's family was one of the first white families to live on Lummi Island, settling in 1874. He talks about his family. Arthur speaks to working at Al Kirby's trap at Point Roberts and fishing the Fraser River for Sockeye. Speaks to Frank Wright's fish traps and Carslile Cannery. Talks about volume of fish harvested from the traps. Story of when the S.S. Bellingham ran into Frank Wright's traps. Speaks to Smugglers Cove/Deep Water Bay/Inati Bay, how it got its name. Speaks to various ships that Frank Wright owned and that were operated in the area. Fish traps along Village Point, who owned and operated them. Fish traps around the Islands. Chinese workers at the Carslile Cannery. Other non-European workers at Carslile Cannery. Other cannery operaters in the Whatcom area.

Cassette Tape #2 - Continues to speak on cannery operators. Japanese Cannery operators and workers in Anacortes and Lummi Island.  Saw/shingle mills on Lummi Island.
    Oct. 12, 1956 (Second Interview with Arthur Granger) Talks about Bill Pollard who lived on Clark Island and smuggled Chinese workers to the canneries in the Whatcom area. Speaks to coal mines in the Sehome area. Speaks to old time settlers on the Islands, Lummi Island, Clark Island, Barnes Island. Speaks to Kelly family. "Smuggler Kelly" who use to smuggle Chinese workers into the area, and was renowed for his cruelty. Recalls Captain Smith who lived on Matia Island. Henry Beard and his fox farm on Matia Island. Smokehouse on Matia Island. Stills and alcohol smuggling on Matia Island. Japanese workers in Maple Bay. Ernie Berry and Carslile Cannery. Wong Tung who operated Carslile Cannery before Ernie Berry. Philopeno workers on Lummi Island. Wages for non-European workers.

Cassette Tape #3  - The year Frank Wright took over the Carslile Cannery. Arthur speaks to working for Frank Wright on the fish traps. Granger recalls the Norweigen workers Wright sought to man the fish traps. Recalls Carslile, the founder of the Carslile Cannery.  Recalls working Frank Wright's farm on Lummi Island on a 50/50 basis. [Break in tape where reel was turned]. Continues speaking about the first plane Arthur saw around Lummi Island when he was working Frank Wright's farm. Speaks of sowing and pasturing Frank Wright's fields, until Frank Wright went bankrupt. Speaks to selling the farm produce. Granger Home on the Village Point, and then Point Migley. Speaks to Bill Pollard murdering a man over a game of cards in Point Roberts, and Father Boulet coming to get him out of jail. Howard Buswell tells a story about Bill Pollard and his wife. Arthur continues talking about Bill Pollard. Speaks to permanent residents of Barnes Island, and how Barnes Island was used to breed small fur bearing animals.

Cassette Tape #4 - Buswell interludes to insert Sweeny as the victim of Bill Pollard. Another interview picks up with Arthur talking about an adventure he had with Bill Harnden. Speaks to the start of Carslile Packing Company. Speaks to the post office set up by Frank Wright on Lummi Island. Buswell speaks to meeting and talking to Frank Wright's third wife. (Slight overlap where reel is changed.) Arthur and Howard speak to Frank Wright's first and second wives, and his children with his first wife (with whom he wasn't legally married). Arthur Granger's wife (Genie) speaks to her knowledge of Frank Wright's first wife, and the legality of their union. Speaks to Dickerson, who now lives on Lummi Island Land Company land. Buswell speaks to Frank Wright's ship. Speaks to Maude Wright, Frank Wright's third wife. Genie Granger speaks to Leigh Wright, Frank Wright's second wife.

Cassette Tape #5 - Howard and Arthur speaks to Friend, who helped establish the Post Office on Lummi Island. Buswell lists the first homesteaders on Lummi Island and Arthur recalls them as neighbors. Genie Granger speaks of where she grew up. Arthur tells of the steel ships that once ran aground on Lummi Island. November 20, 1956. Tape is about half full.
 
Description:  Reel #7a
 
Cassette Tape #1 - Arthur speaks about the first picnic on Lummi Island on July 4 in the 1880s. Buswell asks about the picnic that Frank Wright gave in 1912, for the Indian community, of which very few white people attended. Arthur talks about Captain Jack who ran a large canoe (Chinook canoe as Arthur calls them) over to Lummi Island. Howard speaks of when the Portage was all one piece of land in 1859 according to the survey map. Howard talks about Mahoney Point off Cagey Road, after Frank Mahoney. Speaks to the Allen family, Sam and John Allen, who were of a white father and Indian mother. Genie Granger speaks about Constance Lane, who lives in Sitka, Alaska. Howard talks about August Lane's three daughters. Arthur and Howard recall the Native community speaking Chinook Jargon, and their Native language. Genie recalls the Canadian Indians who would come down and pick apples from their property. Arthur speaks to the Natives being able to navigate the fog on the bay as a contrast to their supposed fear of the mountains because of cougars. Howard recalls when all the Lummi people spoke only their language. Arthur laments that Lummi children of the 1950s do not speak their language, but he has witnessed that they can understand their parents when they speak in Lummi. Genie Granger speaks to meeting with Mrs. John Brown. Both Arthur and Genie attest to the cleanliness of the houses on the reservation. Howard recalls his interview with Mrs. John Brown.

Cassette Tape #2 - Genie recalls John Brown. Arthur Granger talks about working with John Brown cutting boats. Howard interviews William Granger, Arthur's grandson who is in the sixth grade at the school on Lummi Island. Howard interviews Frank Moore, at Arthur Granger's house. Frank speaks of acquiring rice whiskey on Clarks Island.  End. (Tape about half full)
 
Description:  Reel #8
 
Cassette Tape #1 - Bill King to discuss Lummi Island history. He came to the island in 1915. He was a logger before being a ship man. He took job for Lummi Bay Packing Company on the cannery ships. Bill King discusses the Lydia Tompson which was a passenger, freight and mail ship. Bill King talks about the route that his ship would take around the islands, this was in 1902. Bill King then talks about the Clallam, a ship he worked on after the Lydia Tompson. Bill King gives the route of the Clallam from Seattle to Victoria. Bill King speaks of the incident in 1904 where the Clallam ran into weather and struck a dock. Women and children were evacuated from the ship. Bill King's sister was on one of the lifeboats that capsized. Bill King recounts the events on the main ship until it sank.

Cassette Tape #2 - Bill King talks about the salvage from the ship. Bill King on the Alice Gertrude that use to run to Neah Bay. (Tape breaks where reel was changed) Bill King on the aftermath of the Clallam wreck.  Bill King on aftermath of the Clallam wreck continues. Bill King on the Nooksack Cannery and the Chinese workers. Bill King on the employment of Non-European workers in the canneries on the Rosario Straits Islands. Bill King on the Indian workers in the canneries. Bill King on the Native population clamming and fishing in the islands. Bill King on the gathering in 1913 giving by Frank Wright for the Lummi and other Indians. Bill King on Friend who first owned the Carslile Cannery and the Carslile traps. Bill King on how Frank Wright acquired the Carslile Cannery. Bill King on how Frank Wright lost his fortune.

Cassette Tape #3 -  Bill King on Frank Wright continues. Howard Buswell reviews Bill King's interview on Oct 17, 1956. January 15, 1964, Howard Buswell documents the passing of Bill King. (Tape ends about half way through)

Description:  Reel #9
 
Cassette Tape #1 - (Howard Buswell is a difficult to hear, Chris Siegel is very clear) Siegel on shingle weaver's trousers. Siegel on the location of shingle mills that he can recall in Marietta and Ferndale. Siegel on early trading at Marietta in 1883-1890. Siegel on the Morrison's who built a mill in Ferndale and Marietta. Siegel recalls the Log Jam on the Nooksack River. Siegel speculates on the cause of the Log Jam in 1893. Siegel recalls the pilings in Lummi Bay, and fishing for flounders with the Allen boys. Siegel on the flood of the Nooksack, and the change of the original channel of the Nooksack in 1893. Siegel on threshing with the Wynn brothers on the Lummi reservation. Siegel recalls the distribution of people on the Lummi reservation. Siegel speaks on the differences between the younger generation of Lummis who attended Tulalip Indian Boarding School and the older generation that did not attend boarding school. Siegel on Rogers' shingle mill in Marietta. Siegel on the Taylor Slough. Siegel speaks on coming to Marietta in 1883 on the old Washington ship. Speaks to his canoe travels up the Nooksack River with Indian guides. Howard Buswell recounts Siegel's trip from Seattle to Ferndale. Siegel recalls the terrain (i.e. who lived where) from the east side of the present day Lummi reservation to the Ferndale area. Siegel on pheasant and duck hunting.

Cassette Tape #2 - Siegel continues on duck hunting on Tennant Lake. Siegel tells a story about a giant cedar tree below the Bennent's place where the body of a drowned boy was found by local seer Chris Seaman. Siegel tells of other things Seaman found. Howard recalls Chris Seaman, and his salon. Siegel recalls George Swiloose, who was arrested for murder, and escaped. He was brought back and tried and acquitted. Siegel elaborates on the details of the trial of George Swiloose. Oct. 29, 1956. Reel is turned. Siegel talks about the Allen family. Siegel talks about trading at MacDonald's in Marietta. Siegel on the route he took through the homesteads from Laurel to Marietta. Siegel resumes talking about the Allen family. Howard Buswell recalls the Northwest Road when it was undeveloped. Siegel describes the Allen family as "trying to be white" although they had Indian blood in them.

Cassette Tape #3 - Siegel speaks of Mrs. Allen, who was a Lummi women.  Siegel talks about the flooding of the Skagit. Howard asks about steam boats traveling as far up the river as Everson. Siegel recalls the interpreters at the Swiloose trial, who interpreted the testimony of non-English speaking Native Americans. Howard asks about Captain Siegel. (Tape breaks where reel was changed). Siegel speaks of the fire of 1894 that took out Fort Bellingham and North Bellingham and followed Squalicum Creek to Marietta. Siegel speaks of the homestead process, preemption claims. Howard Buswell speaks of his knowledge of snag boats making up the Nooksack past Everson. Howard Buswell speaks of the Slater Slough. Howard Buswell asks about MacDonald and his ocean-going canoe. Siegel speaks of his timber working experience. Howard Buswell recalls the timber mills in Ferndale. Nov. 7, 1956.

Description:  Reel #10
 
Cassette Tape #1 - Howard asks about the horse races on the tideflats that the Lummis use to have, near the recent smokehouse, or where the old church was located. Philip Clark and Mary Brown talk about the races and picnic the Lummis use to have on the reservation. Howard asks where Steve's house orginated. Mary answers that it was a school house/church where she went to school. Mary talks about the store on the corner in Fort Bellingham, i.e. who use to own it. Phil recalls who built the store on the corner, and recalls the owners following. Mary talks about Haggen's Bakery. Howard recalls who lived in Fort Bellingham, around the store and bakery, when he first came the area in 1906. Howard talks about Hainey's house, and the Bates' family. Howard asks about Frank Kennedy moving his house from one side of the river the other. Mary speculates on the date that Frank Kennedy moved his house, Phil also discusses it. Phil speaks of pile driving on the slough network around  Marietta. Phil discusses the river course in the early 1900s. Phil speaks about Henry Slater when he was first county commissioner, and his inability to solve the flooding problem with the Nooksack River. Mary talks about the Haggen brothers. Howard asks about settlers of the 1880s: Phil talks about Captain Mathews, and Dave Ladimore. Mary and Phil speak about Pete Hammer. Howard, Mary and Phil discuss the ice house in Marietta.

Cassette Tape #2 - Howard speaks about Pete Hammer selling ice in Whatcom. Howard asks about Fred Lane of Lummi Island who eventually bought land in Marietta. Phil talks about McGuiness and Fred Lane. Howard asks about August and Charley Lane who had land on the reservation on Point Francis. Phil talks about the naming of Lane Spit. Howard talks about Whitney Wier, who was coroner in 1925. Alfred talks about fishing in the big salt-water canoes. Alfred talks about the amount of sockeye that one canoe could hold. Phil and Alfred talk about salmon fishing by using kelp beds out of the salt-water canoes. You cut a hole through the kelp about 30 feet wide and then place your net in the hole in the kelp to disguise it. This is described as "Indian reef netting."  Alfred talks about using cedar ropes made out of cedar limbs and bark to fashion a traditional reef-net. Phil and Alfred talk about cedar mats and baskets made out of cedar roots. Phil speaks to seeing the local Indians boil potatoes in a basket. Alfred speaks to cooking foods in a basket using hot rocks to heat the water. Howard asks Alfred about baking salmon on poles laid across the fire. Alfred elaborates on this form of cooking. Howard talks about the pictures he has of Kanaki Bay, which pictures canoes up on boom sticks. Alfred speaks of fishing on Kanaki Bay. Alfred speaks about his father and sister Josephine who married Sam Cagey. Alfred talks about his closest living relatives, Henry Cayou in West Sound, another sister Josephine in Olympia. Howard concludes: Nov. 15, 1956 in Marietta, he regrets cutting off the end of the interview.
    [The rest of the reel sounds like a recording of a radio program.]

Description:  Reel #11
 
Cassette Tape #1 - Interview with Knute Aker who lives in the Nooksack area between Wiser Lake and Nugents Corner. Mr. Aker took a homestead in 1886 after arriving in U.S. in 1883 from Norway. Mr. Aker discusses how homesteads were cleared of their timber, and floating logs down the Nooksack River to be boomed. The hop business, and Mr. Aker's involvement in it. Mr. Aker speaks of being a Norwegian in the Northwest and seeking other Norwegian's. Mr. Aker speaks of taking the stage from Portland to Seattle. Mr. Aker speaks of taking a canoe to Nooksack Crossing. Mr. Aker speaks of working for Vanburen on his hop field. Mr. Aker describes Vanburen. Mr. Aker speaks of his various experiences working in Whatcom County. He speaks of being taken advantage of by Vanburen, who didn't pay him for his labor. Mr. Aker speaks of finding and acquiring a homestead. Mr. Aker speaks of his benefactor Dr. Johnson, who gave him employment and helped him find a homestead.

Cassette Tape #2 - Mr. Aker tells how Dr. Johnson, in the end, tried to scheme him out of his homestead. (Break in tape where reel was finished) Mr. Aker speaks to proving up his homestead. Mr. Aker speaks to the log jam between Everson and Lynden. Mr. Aker talks about the timber on the riverbanks and the sloughs. Mr. Aker speaks of working on the Cascade Railroad to obtain lumber from pilings for his homestead. Mr. Aker talks about Captain Siegel. Howard asks about the steam boats that ran on the river. Mr. Aker recalls the steam boats when they delivered his cast iron stove. The Advance, The Triumph and The Edith R. were the three main steam boats on the Nooksack as Mrs. Aker's recalls. Mr. Aker recalls the Indians as they traveled on the river by canoe. Mr. Aker recalls the Indian travelers from Canada fondly. Howard reads an article written about Mr. Knute Akers and his trials to obtain an homestead. Mr. Akers talks about clearing his land with stump pullers. Howard speaks of growing up on a strawberry farm in Ferndale. Howard concludes with Mr. Akers and interviews Mrs. Akers, formerly Ms. Door. Her family arrived in 1882. Mrs. Akers speaks of her family's early travels around the country, from Florida to Nebraska and then to Lynden.

Cassette Tape #3 - Mrs. Aker tells how her father ran across literature by Hugh Eldridge on Whatcom County, which enticed him to come to the area. Mrs. Aker tells how her father came to give Wiser Lake its English name. END.

Description:  Reel #12

Cassette Tape #1  - December 20, 1956. Interview begins without introductions. Sam, Phil and Carl recall people they knew in the early days - George Swiloose, Delarmer, George Byzer. Speaks to the murder by George Swiloose of the sheriff, Ryan Easterbrook who was pushed over a bank and a settler by the name of Moe.  Speaks to the escape and plight of George Swiloose. Howard speaks to seeing George Swiloose on his property in Gooseberry point. Sam and Carl recall coming to Bellingham by steamer boat, arriving at Old Colony Warf. Carl recalls the timber in the area upon his arrival in the late 1800s. Howard asks about Sam George's house, its location in the "old days," and its status as the oldest building in Marietta. Phil disagrees and asserts a different building as the oldest. Everyone speaks to the store in Marietta - previous owners. Howard talks about his father's strawberry business. Howard talks about his father's chicken farming business. Carl talks about his farm in Marietta. Howard recalls Carl driving his cattle. Howard takes a few pictures of the group (then it being quite a process). Mary Brown joins the picture taking fracas.

Cassette Tape #2 - Mary introduces herself. Mary speaks to working at Wannamakers. Mary speaks about seeing Charley. (Break in tape where reel was changed). Discussion concerning store owners in Marietta. Howard asks about the first class that attended the school in Marietta in 1890, he reads a list of names from the census of 1890. Howard reads a school roll list from 1891. Carl speaks about his father working in a cedar mill. Mary speaks about her husband Harvey Brown. Carl speaks at length to his wife's plum pudding. Howard concludes. Howard marvels that these men whom he interviewed could be as old as they are, and at the same time have so little of an education. Sam Allen states that Marietta is not named after his sister Mary Jane. Sam says John Tennant named Marietta after a town in Iowa. John (Nichols) says that Tennant and the Allens were sitting together and Tennant suggested Mary to honor Mrs. Allen's daughter Mary. Tennant then suggested the addition of etta to Mary to arrive at Marietta. Marietta school house located behind Wannamakers' store behind the alley. Howard speaks to his conferral with Jeffcott on the matter of naming Marietta, and Jeffcott confirms that Tennant was never in Iowa, and there is no Marietta, Iowa. Howard reads from Mrs. Roth's book to discern Tennant's travels around the country to see if Tennant named Marietta after Marietta, Texas from which Tennant hails.

Cassette Tape #3 - Interview begins with Sam Allen, Phil Clark and Carl Bell. (Reel begins on second side). All three men attended the first class at the Marietta School in 1891. Carl Bell speaks about transportation into Bellingham. Carl Bell speaks about using the cross-cut saw, and nearly cutting his finger clear off. Sam Allen talks about his cedar shake house. Howard speaks about how the land was obtained for the school at Marietta. All converse on how logs were brought in for the construction of the Marietta school. Sam recalls his brothers attending the Sehome school. Carl Bell reads a love poem that he wrote to his first beau in grade school. Carl Bell recalls manning the belfry at the Marietta school. Carl Bell recalls those he knew living in the Marietta area who had children that went to school with him. Howard reads from MacDonald's account book as to whom the mill operators were. Sam, Carl and Phil recall those mill owners they knew. Howard asks about Morrison, who was contracted to clear the log jam and had a mill also. Carl Bell recalls the pile boom. Sam speaks about the diversion of the river so that the white settlers could fish without the Native fisherman obstructing them. Carl recalls the Edith, a steam boat on the river, tipping and spilling its haul. Sam speaks about the location of Treaty Rock. Carl recalls taking a canoe up Slater Slough carrying Lizzie Slater's body to her funeral.

Cassette Tape #4 - (Tape breaks where reel was changed). Howard asks Sam about his family history, i.e. when his father, Solomon Allen brought his wife back from the Fraser River Valley. Carl and Phil recall the teachers at Marietta school, i.e. Christine McLeod etc. Phil and Carl talk about Albert Mormon, a local banjo player. Carl speaks about Pete Hammer's ice house. Carl and Phil recall Dead Man's Point and Strand's Point and who was buried there. Howard, Phil and Carl recall Emily Mohrmann, Albert Mohrmann's wife. Carl recalls Anna Wallace. Carl, Sam and Phil help Howard identify people in some of his pictures. Carl Bell recalls selling cars to the Native Americans in the area.

Cassette Tape #5 - Howard asks about Sam Allen's father, who was the first settler of Marietta. Sam disputes that Marietta was named after his sister Mary Jane. Sam claims that John Tennant named Marietta after his home town in Iowa, not after his sister Mary. Phil, Carl and Sam continue to identify pictures. End(cont. with tapes 1&2).

Description:  Reel #13

Cassette Tape #1 - Gaff McGlinn on the PAF (Pacific American Fisheries). McGlinn speaks on who started the PAF. Franko-American canning company was the first name for the PAF in 1900. Speaks about the cannery at the bottom of Harris Avenue in Bellingham. Speaks about E.B. Deming, who was important in the salmon business. In 1901 the PAF put up 350,000 cases of hand-packed, mechanically soddered, canned sock-eye salmon. In 1902 the PAF changed hands and "the great salmon trust" was developed. Onfroy as the founder and organizer of the PAF in 1888-9. McGlinn recounts the transition of the PAF to a man named Receiver and under him the PAF went into the PPNM. In 1907 Deming bought back the PAF for $300,000, which included all the fish traps in the San Juan islands and the canneries. McGlinn attests that the PAF would not buy from the Native fish traps locations. McGlinn discusses Proposition 77, which was to regulate fish traps and purse seines. In 1934 Deming sold his interests in the PAF for $1,000,000. McGlinn speaks about Onfroy. McGlinn speaks about how salmon were obtained from the star scows with a hose, how salmon were pitched, cleaned, butchered and slimed. McGlinn describes the canning process from the steaming and puncturing of the fish to the scraping, drying and cooling. Then to the labeling of the cans, which was done by hand.

Cassette Tape #2 - McGlinn speaks about the Allsop trap in Lummi that took hundreds of thousands of pounds a day. Howard and McGlinn recall Captain Finley who piloted the Calendar around the traps in the Islands. (Tape breaks where reel was changed). McGlinn recalls the Uwanda and the Alpha going down in the Straits. McGlinn speaks about the fish pirates in the Straits. The fish pirates were known to bribe fish trap watchmen and take fish from the fish traps to sell on the open market. The fish pirates were known as legitimate fisherman who were disgruntled with the PAF's monopoly on fish traps. Howard and McGlinn recall various PAF Captains and workers. McGlinn talks about his wages. McGlinn, at length, speaks about working under Mr. Laythem.

Cassette Tape #3 - McGlinn recalls how liquor was stowed on the PAF boats during Prohibition.

Description:  Reel #14

Cassette Tape #1 - February 26, 1963. Interview with Bill Cunningham who came to the area in 1900 from Kansas. Bill Cunningham talks about working in the saw mills in Marietta. Howard asks about the shifting of the Nooksack channel in 1906-1908. Bill speaks about how the channel was cut at night with dynamite to divert it away from the Indian village to Marietta to bring in drinking water and to create an unobstructed access to the fish. Howard asks as to whom was involved in cutting the new channel. Cunningham names off a bunch of people. Cunningham claims the reaction from the Indians to the diversion of the river course was mote, because the Lummi fished off the reservation. Howard asks about bridges in the area, i.e. the steel bridge at Clarks, which was moved after the channel of the Nooksack was diverted. Howard talks about the Marietta bridge. Howard asks about Taylor's muskrat farm. Cunningham talks about Taylor's Creek and Taylor's slough. Cunningham and Howard recall the owners of the store in Marietta. Howard reads a list of the Marietta fisherman. Howard asks about fish pirates. Cunningham attests to having a hand in the fish pirating business. Cunningham discusses hauling pilings from Stuart Island. Howard asks about Frank Wright of Lummi Island. Cunningham attests to working for Frank Wright. Cunningham recalls when Frank Wright bought land in Marietta and built a smokehouse. Cunningham recalls the early priests or churches in Marietta. Some on fires in the area. Cunningham speaks about fishing.

Cassette Tape #2 - Cunningham recalls some of the elder Indians he knew. Cunningham recalls MacDonald's store. (Break in tape where reel was changed) Cunningham recalls MacDonald's canoe, and the totem poles at Portage. Cunningham tells the story of John Jacob and Jacob John, who were two Lummis who were swimming in the Bay and saw the Northern Indians coming to raid and warned the village at Portage. Howard recalls when the village at Portage was abandoned. Cunningham recalls going to the smokehouse on Portage to watch the dancers. Howard speaks about Thomas Jefferson's claim as to seeing thousands of canoes at the Portage for a gathering. Howard and Cunningham recall the summer gatherings in Lummi. Cunningham recalls hogs on the tideflats. Howard claims to have a picture of hogs getting clams on the tideflats in Lummi. Howard and Cunningham speak about Sam George's house.
 
Description:  Reel #15

Cassette Tape #1 - Raymond Green, on Oct. 15, 1956. Picnic at Frank Wright's on Village Point in 1914. Raymond Green speaks about why the picnic was given by Frank Wright for the Indians. Picnic as a commemoration of the salmon running (i.e. The First Salmon Ceremony). Green speaks about what he witnessed at the picnic, the first salmon ceremony for example, and dancing. Green speaks about Francis Hillaire. Green recalls the various masks used during the dancing. Green recalls the traditional fishing equipment displayed at the picnic. Green speaks about how reef nets were used by the Indians traditionally. Green speaks about sun drying fish. Green speaks about the technique of filleting fish that was claimed to be responsible for keeping flies and such away. Green speaks about the dance that commemorated the end of the raiding by the Northern Indians. Green speaks about being adopted into the Lummi tribe during the picnic at Frank Wright's. Green attests to being given a piece of parchment with "Hýu' Sion" (Hýyi(Great/Large) Siam(Person of high esteem/respect))" written on it as evidence of his "adoption." Howard speaks about his recollections of the Lummi language being spoken by the Lummi, and the loss of the language. Green recalls his knowledge of the Lummi language, (which is more a mix of Chinook Jargon and a mixing of words from many dialects of the region.) Green continues speaking about the picnic. He discusses Frank Wright's ship. Green attests to the amicable relationship between Wright and Lummi people, in the way that he allowed the Lummi to fish off his land, and he bought their harvest. Green attests to the picnic being John Alexis', Hillaire's, McKluskey's and Wright's idea. The picnic was given exclusively for the Indians. Howard speaks about the pictures he obtained from Mrs. Wright (the third one) portraying the picnic and one showing about ten Indian canoes with the cannery in the background.

Cassette Tape #2 - Howard asks Green about the paucity of pictures of the actual ceremonies. Howard asks about the "Austrian-Lummi squabble." Green discusses the conflict over the fish traps. Green speaks about Commissioner Darwin, who gave permission to non-Natives, here Austrians, to dock their purse seines on reservation land. Then there was a $1,000 fine for fishing illegally on tribal land. Darwin overrode this restriction, and Green gave the Lummi permission to confiscate the Austrians' seines when they docked at the reservation. This went to court and confiscation was deemed just and the Austrian's had to pay the fines. Green talks about the fish trap at Point Francis on the Lummi side. Howard asks about the herring traps at the Portage. Howard and Green talk about the oyster beds at the Portage. Howard concludes.

Cassette Tape #3 - Mrs. Albert Mohrmann reads a little poem that she wrote as a young girl in the first school in Ferndale. Howard explains how a reel to reel tape recorder works to Mrs. Mohrmann. Mrs. Mohrmann talks about the first school house in Ferndale, its location and such. Mrs. Mohrmann recalls going to school with Alice Eldridge. Mrs. Mohrmann reads her poem again. Howard recalls giving speeches in school. Howard and Hilda Mohrmann recall Jeffcott. Mrs. Mohrmann recalls being a janitor for the school. (Tape is blank for about 30 sec. where reel has been repaired.) Mrs. Mohrmann recalls Billy Clark who ran the ferry and had an Indian wife. Howard and Mrs. Mohrmann discuss the mixed families in the area. Mrs. Mohrmann talks about Maria Wynn. Mrs. Mohrmann discusses the Cedargrove post office in Marietta, which her husband ran. Howard asks about the conversion of the Lummi Post Office to the Marietta Post Office. Mrs. Mohrmann speaks about her children and Dr. Van Zandt. Howard asks about the Allens and the Dalys. Hilda Mohrmann speaks about the location of the "Alice Eldridge school."  Mrs. Mohrmann recalls Dr. Mayfield as her teacher, and her school days with Lizzie Slater. Mrs. Mohrmann recalls Johnny Slater. Mrs. Mohrmann recalls taking the steamboat to Marietta.

Description:  Reel #16

Cassette Tape #1 - John Nichols speaks about the first boat he remembers that was built in Marietta, called the Skookum, which was a steamboat that carried lumber and hauled barges. The Skookum was powered with a "brick-yard boiler."  John talks about where the mill was and where the shipyards were in Marietta. John speaks about how steamboat boilers were made and operated. Specifically, how the boilers were encased in bricks to keep in the heat. John speaks about the Auntie Em Pence, the main, functioning steamboat. Howard asks about bridges, specifically the many bridges over the Nooksack in Marietta. John speaks about taking out the piling of the first bridge over the Nooksack at Clarks. Howard and John continue talking about bridges. John tells a story about dickering over lumber with George Swiloose. Howard asks about the Henry Roger's mill in Marietta. John speaks about the first rural telephone in Marietta. Howard asks about David Daly. Howard and John recall who sported a full beard in the older days. Howard asks about Fred Lane-Taylor. John recalls the story of Fred Taylor pursuing white suitors for his daughters who had a Native American mother. Howard recalls Irene Bond (Lane), one of Fred Taylor's daughter's. John speaks about the law of 1871 that required all "sqwa-men"(white men who lived with Indian women) to marry their Native American partners. Howard recalls Johnny Hyatt. John recalls George Smith and other township assessors.

Cassette Tape #2 - John speaks about serving as a township assessor. John speaks about assessing logs at the mill, and the onnery timber workers. (Break in Tape where reel was changed). John continues speaking about his assessing work. John speaks about working as a meat cutter (at great length) and delivering his cuts around the county up to Custer. John continues to speak about his butchering business for the remainder of the tape.

Cassette Tape #3 - Howard leaves the room and there is a period of silence. John speaks about George Dillenger. Howard concludes with John Nichols. End. Tape contains about 5 minutes of interview time.

Description:  Reel #17

Cassette Tape #1 - September 28, 1959. Howard introduces Mr. Ingwold Iverson who will show slides and present a discussion on Alaska. Howard notes that the slides used in this presentation will be donated to him. [These tapes really only have value in coordination with the slides] Iverson speaks about the Carslile Cannery to begin. Iverson speaks about the salmon fishing in Alaska halibut and churches. Iverson speaks about Father Duncan. Iverson speaks about the PAF cannery in Alaska. Iverson speaks briefly to many various unrelated topics as they pertain to his slide show: evidences of gold mines, Alaskan sled dogs, Dawson's city, Russian Orthodox churches, bears, Aleutian islands, Sitka Alaska and the fur trade, salmon spawning, various ships.

Cassette Tape #2 - Various ships continues, seal and sea otter hunting, PAF ships, harpoon guns, whales killed by harpoon, various other stories about his excursion into Alaska, sled-dog teams, Sitka in the early days, Mt. McKinley, Various famous rivers and glaciers.

Cassette Tape #3 - Tides, more steam ships, (tape breaks where reel was changed), S.S. Dora and a suspended horse, Copper River bridge, Chuckanut Pass, PAF canneries and traps, Rawle Anderson's plane and subsequent crash, Iverson gives a conclusion of his experiences and knowledge of Alaska.

Cassette Tape #4 - Iverson continues his conclusion, or ode to Alaska. Howard asks Iverson to run through the maps on his slides. (Tape breaks where reel was changed). Iverson talks about the Russian exploration expeditions to Alaska. Iverson talks about the purchase of the Alaska territory by the U.S.A.  END

Description:  Reel #18

Cassette Tape #1 - Howard Buswell introduces the content of the tape as "Albert's March," which is a waltz that as performed, composed and recorded by Mr. Albert Morhmann. Howard talks about the weather. Howard gives the date of his parents marriage. [The music begins abruptly]. Howard gives more background to Albert Mohrmann. Second side of the reel begins with a second playing of the waltz. Then, for good measure, the waltz played again.

Description:  Reel #19

Cassette Tape #1 - Services at Marietta Indian Mission on April 20, 1958. The "Indian-Christian hour" radio broadcast with services by Rev. Harnden. Sister Gerry blesses their Indian neighbors, the Lummi, Nooksack, Swinomish etc. Mrs. Harnden and others sing a hymn. Sister Gerry spends a good deal of time soliciting donations for the Harnden's boys and girls camp for Indian children. More hymns. Rev. Harnden gives his testimony. Hymn. Rev. Harnden's service. Closing hymn.

Cassette Tape #2 - Services at Marietta Indian Mission on May 4, 1958. Hymn. Boys and girls from Lummi Indian Reservation are at the broadcast. Bernice Plaster leads a prayer. Hymn. Sister Gerry reads a poem, "God wants little girls and boys."  The Lummi children sing a hymn, "Jesus loves the little children." Jerry Lewis, a Lummi Indian boy, reads a verse from the scriptures; other verses from the scriptures are read by the children. Charles [Freddy] (Toby?) sings a song and reads a verse. Bernice Plaster reads from the scriptures. Norbie, and his sister Regina read scripture. Hymn. Rev. Harnden leads services.