Humboldt County, CA Biographies Esther (Nelson) Shannon Welch Contributed by BClayShannon, January, 2006 This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Written July, 1972 My name is Esther Sylvia Welch, and my social security number is 562-46-2126. I was born January 23, 1912, at Samoa (across the Humboldt Bay from Eureka) in Humboldt County, California. My father Jeremiah Bliss Nelson, was working on the railroad for Hammonds. It was for many years the largest lumber mill on the coast with the exception of Weyerhauser Lumber Company in Washington. From Samoa, we moved to Fields Landing, (where we lived in a houseboat on the landing) and which I do not remember. I was about three when we moved to Fortuna, where my brother Gerald was born. From Fortuna, we moved to Eureka, on sixth street between C and D Streets, and near a laundry. At that time there were probably some six thousand residents. It was very different in those days, and I can remember much of the change. My sister Margaret was born at this house. My father was called into the service in this time period, and perhaps was a soldier for two years. He was preparing to board a ship when the Armistice was signed, and so did not go to the front. His allotment had been slow in coming, and my mother had had to go to work to provide for us. Her sister took care of us, while she was at work at Abe�s Chop House as a waitress. My father was not a good worker or provider. His intentions perhaps were good, but he never grew up. He couldn�t keep a job, and I have no answer as to why. Our mother never ran him down to us children, nor did she discuss him to us. If we asked questions, she answered them, but no more. She was always so proud, never complaining about her lot, and she surely must have had occasion to do so, with three small children to support and raise. My father and mother finally divorced. Father had been gone so much of our life that I don�t ever remember any of us even missing having a father. Our mother cooked, washed, cleaned, sewed, played dolls, popped pop corn over the fireplace, took our brother to the Baseball games when he was old enough to go, took us to the Sequoia Park on Sundays, Samoa Beach for picnics on Sundays when it was nice; and was in fact Father, Mother, Uncle, Aunt, Cousin, Grandparents�the whole lot to us. I mention this last, because when she and my father broke up, both sides of the family never came round. They were afraid that she would ask them to taker her in, or help out financially. When no one came to visit, she in turn didn�t bother to visit them. She made us children her life and companions for some years. We, in turn, accepted everything without question. I think now though, of how very lonely and hard it must have been for her; especially after we had all been read to and tucked into bed. She was perhaps so tired, that when she went to bed she was already half asleep. God has made no finer Mother. I began school at Lincoln School on Harris Street, between California and Summer Streets. (We had moved prior to my going to first grade to A and Dollison Street, which was about six blocks to school.) My first teacher�s name was Mrs. Murray, and I adored her. My mother then moved to 1001 A Street, right across from the Washington School. I was then in upper A grade, and who should be my teacher but the same Mrs. Murray. To me, at six, I probably thought that she had come there to be with me. My mother had moved here because she had changed jobs, and was working at the Eureka Woolen Mills, and we were closer to school. We lived here for six years, until I was twelve years old. When I was twelve years old, I received a second-hand Piano for my birthday, and It was the most treasured gift I ever received. I was always playing on the edge of the table, across the front of a chair�anything that had an edge that I could pretend it was Piano or Organ. Looking back now, and since; I realize that it probably originated in listening to the beautiful organs that they had in Theatres. The Silent Days, when the words appeared across the screen, and the Organist accompanied the action on the Organ. Perhaps, an interlude of one-half hour before the movie started, one could sit and enjoy the sound of just the music filling the building; the organist always well groomed, sitting in a pool of light in the darkened theatre. This was their time to use as they wished, and they could and would explore the instrument and pipes; from a soft muted hum to a crashing crescendo! I know I sat, entranced; soaking up all the beautiful sound. Music can fill your very being, and it filled all of me. And so, my mother went with me to the Convent, and asked the sisters if they would give me lessons. This was arranged, and so my music lessons started. I still remember how I hated to practice scales�they were so boring. I wanted to get on with it, and play melodies. I took lessons for over a year, and then came down with an illness, definitely not a child�s. Erysipelas, which is an accute inflammatory disease of the skin, due to infection by various strains of streptococcus and accompanied by fever. I awoke one morning, my head just pounding; aching clear across the temples. My mother had New York Life Insurance, which at that time, cost ten cents per week, per child for medical care. She called the office, and they sent a nurse to the house. Being unable to find anything wrong with me, outside of my headache, gave me some Aspirin, and figured I would be all right after a bit. However ,this did not materialize. The pain got excruciating, and I was thoroughly miserable. I knew I didn�t feel good, but did not get up out of bed; and when my mother came home from work, and came in to see me I could see that she was worried. (What I did not know was that my face was swollen up like a balloon and my eyes were just little slits in my head, and when she touched my forehead and face it felt like I was filled with water.) She called Dr. Wallace, our family doctor, and he checked me over from head to toe. He sent my brother down to the store for a prescription, after he had questioned and questioned. He wanted to know if I had cut myself anywhere, or scratched myself and didn�t remember that I had done it, but it had not seemed important. I couldn�t remember. But he seemed to know that somewhere, somehow, there had been skin broken to allow infection in. Anyway, he said he was going to try this prescription on me. The symptoms all pointed to this one thing and he felt that he was right in his diagnosis; but he was still perplexed when he left. After awhile, I began to feel better and started thinking over what he had said, and tried to think if I had had a cut and it had gotten well, but I could recall nothing whatsoever. The doctor had debated about shaving my head, because my hair was thick and wavy; and he had told mother to brush my hair back from the sides and temples so that he could rub this ugly dark brown, stinky mixture into my scalp. This she did, and then tore a piece of white flannel to wrap around it. Laying there, my head being warm and sweaty�I reached to scratch a spot on top of my head, and encountered a small scab, which felt no larger than a head of a common pin. Like a flash, I wondered if that could be what he had been looking for? It was exactly that. Anyway, I was in bed for three weeks before I was allowed to get up and go outside; and then that first day was only for a few minutes. I had a high fever for several days, and the Erysipelas had almost completely circled my head, when the medication finally conquered it. Meanwhile, my Piano lessons ceased for awhile. However, my love for music still went on and I kept up with what I knew. I joined the Girl Reserves, which is connected with the Y.W.C.A. My closest friend was a little Finnish girl, Aili Weijola, who lived across the street from me. She had two brothers, Charles and Olave.. One block away lived the three Douglas girls; named Evelyn, Merle, and Eileen. Merle was the same age as Aili and myself. Eileen, the same age as my sister Margaret. Evelyn bossed all of us, and we were always together; at least, up until the teens. We attended Winship, which was called Junior High because it had only seventh and eight grades. From here, we went to the Eureka High School. While attending Junior High, I used to baby-sit the Fire-Chief�s children when they wanted to go out. Two little girls, and were they ever good to take care of. I can never remember us having any problems. The Carlson�s had a Player Piano, with thirty or forty rolls neatly piled on top. Mrs. Carlson taught me how to use it, and the three of us would sit on the Piano Bench, and sing along with the words. I was fascinated with all of the little holes which made the music come out, and the keyboard with all of the black and white notes flashing up and down, faster than the eye could seen. I was enraptured. They also had a beautiful green parrot who could talk. He sat in his cage, atop a nice table in the entry hall, and greeted everyone who came into sight. They said that he was seventy-five years old. We were warned not to put our fingers inside the cage. We all went to different churches on Sunday. We always attended Sunday School, and when I was fifteen, was asked to teach the four and five year old class. I now had another very close friend, Hazel Nash. We would stay at one another�s homes on Saturday nights. About this time, we were old enough to be taken to public dances; and the Nash�s would take us with them to Weymouth Inn. All of my life (since I was twelve, and my little girl friend Aili taught me to Waltz) I would rather dance than eat. We never tired. I was about seventeen when my mother had a nervous breakdown from working too hard, coupled with a rupture. She was in the hospital for twenty-nine days. She was not expected to live, and everyday I walked, or went by trolley to the County Hospital. It was at least two and one-half miles from our house. I had to go in the afternoons, because she did not want to have to worry about me getting home at night. The T B Hospital was right next to the hospital and many of the men patients had the run of the grounds, and freedom to leave the grounds. There was about eight blocks to walk from the end of the trolley line up to the hospital, and it was heavily wooded. Sidewalks in those days were about 30 to 36 icnhes wide, and when it was dark you also had to worry about not stepping over the edge; and carrying a flashlight. She was depend- on me to take care of my brother and sister. I would get all of us to school in the morning, and go myself. I arranged with Mr. Saunders, my bookkeeping teacher, to take that course in his evening class which was several times a week. Then I would come home, make the beds, straightened the house and go to see our mother. Then home again; prepare something to eat, and study or go to school. Our mother brought us up to mind; to respect her and one another. When she told us to stay home, we did just that. I can never remember disobeying my mother, and don�t think it even ever occurred to me. We did not have everything, but we had many things. A lot of things that you can�t buy for any price. The depression finally caught up with Humboldt County. There had been a bread line for a year or two, but finally many were out of work. Women, who were trained for office work, secretarial, clerks, etcetera; were asking for jobs in homes to pay for their keep. My mother had recovered enough finally, that while she could not go back to the Woolen mills still needed a job to earn some money to take care of us. Dr. Wallace asked her if she would consider doing some practical nursing for him. He needed a woman that he could trust and train to take care of an elderly lady. The lady was the mother of his close friend who worked in the Scotia Bank. The lady lived some eight blocks from our house, which was not bad. Mother took the job; and from then on, for some thirty years did work in private homes. My mother never remarried. She owns a small home in West Sacramento, and is very comfortable. It was through Dr. Wallace and his friend that I got my first job. I did have to go there for an interview; but first I went to my teachers to see how they felt about my quitting school just two weeks before the end of school. They all felt that I should avail myself of this opportunity while I had the chance. There were so many trained people looking for jobs, and they thought that I was sufficiently schooled to be able to handle it. So taking my courage in hand, I called them about the job, went to Redway from Eureka to see them, and got the job. They said they didn�t want someone who was experienced; that they wanted to break their help in themselves. They were opening a subdivision office there on the land, and wanted a girl in there at all times. They hired an accountant from Eureka to set up the books, and I was to sort out the various checks bills, papers, etceterra from the past several months and enter them into the accounts. I worked here perhaps seven months when the subdivision went bankrupt. The Scotia bank foreclosed on the Mortgage. The Incorporation had purchased a large quantity of lumber from Scotia Lumber Company, and other materials to build a number of houses, but did not keep up with any kind of regular payment schedule; or an adequate payment, when they did find time to make one. All of this time, they were selling a lot of lots; many for cash; but taking the money to Los Angeles, where they would throw big parties, as part of advertising to sell properties. The idea was a good one, if they could only have made it work. Garberville, in those days, was a resort town. It was busy during the tourist season; and little doing the rest of the year. I was not able to obtain work, so my mother suggested that I go to school at Miranda with my brother and sister. I did go, but found only first year bookkeeping, typing, shorthand, were offered this year. They were probably beginning courses at the school, so had not been given before. So, I took Sewing for two periods, English, for one period, Library for two periods; and practice with their little school orchestra. Then Miss Woodbridge, the Glee teacher, decided to put on an operetta, �Riding Down The Sky�. This was a small high school, so it took practically the whole school, to fill the cast. Production started, and from playing for one period now, and another period later, we were utilizing all of my periods, which was very rewarding. The High School is called South Fork High School, because it is on the south fork of the Eel River, but is situated in Miranda. Next, we had moved to Garberville, and here is where I married. We were married on Saturday morning, and my new husband had to be back to work on Wednesday morning. Our honeymoon trip took us to Gold Beach, Oregon. (In those days, it was quite a trip; for me especially. I had never been anywhere.) My husband was a Hook-tender (Boss) and was over a crew of men. There were four �60� Catterpillars, (which are cats or tractors, to some) and the responsibility for the landing, logging, and men, was his. Remember, this is the depression! In January, he had been getting ninety cents, then a cut to eighty cents, then to seventy-two cents, and finally down to sixty-seven cents. At this time, the company laid every one off, save about nine men. Ted was one of the nine men. Gandy-dancers (who are track and tie men were getting about thirty-two cents). They re-hired all the married men still living in the company cabins, but could promise them only four hours work a day, two and three days a week. They lowered the rent from $10.00 a month to $2.50. the mill was not running�the company was merely making work by having the men repile the lumber. It was a little sustenance, not much its true, but it sure beat nothing. I believe that Humboldt County suffered the least from the depression, than did any place else. It hit there the latest, and recovered the first. The logging at Hammond Lumber Company woods, took you inland about twenty miles, and the only way to get there was by train. The train with around twenty to thirty empty flat cars would leave Crannell on Sunday afternoon, about four o�clock, and it would sometimes take two and one-half hours to get to Camp 41 where I lived. The main camp was #43, and there were about 150 men at this camp. Our friends, who lived at Camp Forty-Three were Watchmen for the camp, and had at their use a Speeder, which they could use at their will, and would come over several times a week to visit. Red and Cleo Kent. I don�t recall Red�s name, but his hair was a fiery red; and his hair a crew cut�before anyone ever even thought of crew cuts! It took a little getting used to! One day, after we had been married a whole week, we were at Cleo and Red�s visiting, and we all decided to go on further to an older camp to look around. So, we boarded the speeder, and set off. It�s really fun, this miniature flat-car with an engine; the sun is shining, the birds are singing; the wind is blowing in your hair, blowing it this way and that. The iron wheels going around, and around, until in your subconscious you hear and feel the rhthmic motion, and the even steady thump, thump, as it moves over the tracks. The weather was very hot. It was the Fourth of July, and Cleo and Red had to stay around the camps�in case fire should break out. In which case, Red would have to get word to Crannell for fire fighting crews. There were phones at strategic points along the tracks, mainly for the use of the train conductors, to call in to the train dispatcher for clearance. They had a oune hundred ten ton Malley engine, and every day huge strings of cars loaded with logs, would wend its way down to the Hammond Lumber Company Mill at Samoa. I should have said six days; actually five and one-half, because the Malley would be ready to make its trip down to Crannell around noon time, and any of the men who wished to go home, or go to town; had to take this train. There was no other. On Saturdays� there was a box car with benches in it, to transport the hashers (waitresses) and men. A camp would be composed of a long building which was used as the Cook-house. A smaller building nearby would be the meat-house. There would be a small building with a phone, desk, chairs, which would be the time-keeper�s office. Along in lines, would be the mens� cabins. The hashers cabins were in a group on the other side of the Cook-house. The Cook would call meals by taking a long steel pin and hit it resoundingly on a steel triangle, or old small circular saw hanging near the door, and call out �Come and get it.� Enormous meals were always prepared, and enormous plates of food were served family style. It was an ordinary sight to see any one take the plate of eggs and scoop off four to eight of them onto his plate, plus an equal helping of potatoes; biscuits, pancakes or toast; (all of which were served every morning) butter, jelly, and syrup. Also, ham, backon, cookies, doughnuts, milk, chocolate, and coffee. Most men took a large bag of lunch. Each would pick out what he wanted to put into it. Sandwiches were made up and wrapped, as was pie and cake. There was no limit�each man took what he wanted. In season, there was also fruit. Some crews even took large stores of food to cook at the job. I don�t recall hearing just who did the cooking. Dinner was always two kinds of meat, two kinds of vegetable, beans, hot biscuits and loaves of bread; butter, jam, milk, coffee, pies and cakes. This may all sound unbelievable, but I will swear to it. I have eaten there at different times; in several different camps. It was a custom. I could go on and on, until I will have written the book that I intend to write some day. When I�ve retired. ? One day I will begin. December 1931 We moved to Pigeon Point to wait arrival of first son, born March 26, 1932 April 1932 We moved to Crannell. March 1933 Our first daughter is born, April 14. May 1934 We moved to Korbel for the season. We could drive up to the last two miles of Camp 9, and walk the rest of the way. September 1934 Our second son is born at Hydesville on the 3rd. June 1936 Our second daughter is born on the 20th, at Camp Baker. January 1937 Trip to Tulare, to meet my husband�s family. January 1938 We move to Trinity County; far in the hills. September 1938 We move to American Tank, near Carlotta. January 1940 Our third son is born on the 16th. March 1941 Ted and I go to see the World�s Fair at San Francisco. April 1941 Ted begins new logging show at Branscomb. September 1941 We move to Camp 3, Ten Mile Camp; where the children will go to school at Camp 2. June 1943 We move back to the ranch in Trinity. June 1945 We move to Westport, where, I not only cook for our crew, but for the Burman crew. There are fifteen men and our children. August 1945 We purchase small home in Westport, and add to the building. September 1945 War is declared �officially� over, and Ted�s brother comes home from overseas. February 1946 My sister-in-law and children are staying with us for a few months. Spring 1946 Ted�s brother Calvin and little girl engaged. Spring 1946 Brother Robert and Calvin have a tragic airplane accident. Robert put in hospital, with shock. Calvin, killed in the accident when the plane plunges into the ocean�two miles north of Westport. Summer 1946 Russ (son-in-law to be, goes to work for Ted. Summer 1946 John, one of our men gets ill; has repeated surgeries, dwindles from 180 pounds to 95. Autopsy: Cancer of the Pancreas. Terrible shock to his family, and to all of the crew. Spring 1948 Ted moves back to Trinity County ranch to develop it. Years 1949-50 We have all joined the Grange, and are active in it. Years 1949-50 I am playing Piano in small dance Combo. Years 1949-51 I am helping out at the Elementary School; playing the Piano, helping with the singing; teaching the children songs; making costumes for their programs at Westport. Year 1952 My marriage dissolves. We had just drifted apart. My husband�s business keeps him in Trinity and Humboldt Counties. My business of keeping the children in school, keeps us in Mendocino County. Year 1952 I have two children yet to put through school, and I do have some assistance from him. Not a great deal, and not regular. I go to work as a waitrress, then a dinner waitress. These hours were too late, and so I looked for other employment. I felt and still do, that children need their parents home with them at night. My boy was 13, and my daughter 17 years of age. September 1952 I went to work for Lee Wilson, owner of the Rexall Drug Store, as bookkeeper; where I kept all records. Payrolls, quarterly reports, cash registers, balanced tapes, handled all cash and banking were entrusted to me. August 1958 I went to work for Kemppe Hardware Company. Here, I worked with the Head Office Manager, Pauline Newberry. We handled all orders, and accounts�receivable and payable. We charged and figured Butane-Propane gas tags; used various bookkeeping machines for posting to accounts and ledgers, and other routine jobs. January 1963 I went to work for C. Louis Wood, the Dodge dealer, where I did some bookkeeping and Accounts receivable and payable. Payroll records and allied reports. March 1, 1964 I went to work for Coast Tire Recapping Company where I did similar work. January 1965 I went to work for Eastman Transport and Trucking Company where I did general office work. April 1966 I went to work in office for joint venture, at Caspar. I worked for Thomas Construction Co. of Fresno; one of the three companies. October 1966 I went to work for Glover and Doge. (Land Surveyors) February 1968 Volunteered 150 hours work for O.E.O. March 1968 Volunteered 174 hours work for O.E.O. May 1, 1968 I went to work for North Coast Opp. Inc. as a Community Aide. February 1970 I went to work for Head Start, as a Teacher Aide February 1970 Advanced to Teacher Assistant. Summer 1971 Walter and I are married. September 1971 Advance to Teacher position. September 1972 Teacher and Bus driver of our school bus.