Ray Kelby tells of angling to get what he needed to support his family during his life. But he didn't need to angle for assistance from the community for support of his special needs Granddaughter Judy and he was grateful. Read on.

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 complete the story of Raymond William Kelby:

In 1955 we were able to have our granddaughter, Judy, placed in Rainier Children's School at Buckley and Audrey and I devoted our lives to help her. We provided all her personal items.

We, as well as some of our "pro-German" friends in Wilson Creek made several trips a year to Buckley taking Easter baskets, apples, watermelons, Christmas presents and loads of clothes donated by the people of Wilson Creek to the hall where Judy was, so that all the children could have something since a lot of people never came back to see their children or relatives or leave anything for them.

When Audrey passed away in November 26, 1963 I continued on in her name too. In January 1968 I was able to have Judy transferred to Lakeland Village at Medical Lake and once again my friends and I made several trips a year to bring things to her hall. I think that it would be appropriate here to give recognition to all the wonderful people in and around Wilson Creek who were so unselfish in donating clothing, time, other items and apples etc. to Judy's hall at Buckley and Lakeland village.

I can tell you that everything so donated was eagerly accepted and used to provide all the patients at Lakeland Village with the clothing and of course, the fruit for their meals. The clothes are really needed and utilized and I want to thank you all for being so generous. Best yet, is that I, "Little Ray," didn't have to do any angling to have you people contribute.

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 Hartline, by Kathryn (Kay) Evans, recorded May 9, 1978 and the letter written by her grandmother, Aunt Kate, in 1940:

"One of the most necessary things was some way of getting around, so I had to buy a pony. I had to borrow a saddle for a few weeks until I could get back to Sprague, 80 miles away, the nearest place where one could be bought.

"My first ride on horseback was an unfortunate experience, a distance of six or eight miles to see the county superintendent of schools. By the time I got to his ranch, I was wondering if life was worth living; great blisters on where I sat down and some more on my legs where I tried to grip the saddle to keep from falling off. Of course, it was a lady-like side saddle I had. A woman or girl who rode astride was almost considered a prostitute in those days.

"Anyway, when I got to my destination that afternoon, I could scarcely get off my pony. Mrs. Ladd had a sofa with a featherbed on it. It was hardly soft enough for my blistered seat to sit on. I kept wondering how in the world I would ever get back to my shack again.

"I slept with Mrs. Ladd that night and I thought I slept soundly, but she said that most of the night I kept her awake by sitting up and grabbing. I was reliving that terrible ride. However, the next morning after getting into the saddle and going a few miles, I felt fine and never suffered from riding again, after my numerous blisters healed.

"My next horseback ride was from Sprague, where I had gone with my uncle and some other neighbors who were going to the Palouse section for the harvest. My pony I tied behind the wagon, and when we got to Sprague, they went on and I stayed a day or two and bought my own saddle, a side saddle, of course.

"An astride saddle for women was unthink?able in those days. I rode home alone the 80 miles from Sprague, stopped about half way over night. I got home the second evening about 9 o'clock, tired, hungry and thirsty. Found the water in the tiny spring from where I got my water, all muddy.

More from Aunt Kate next week.

Birthday greetings to Jerry Lester:

Happy Birthday Jerry Lester, #65, from the Hut Crew, Lani Schorzman, Thomas Steffens, Chuck Buck, Ted Nugent and Dennis Clay.