The Lindblad family arrives in Wilson Creek, after traveling half a week, to pungent smell of sages. Read on.

"A Pioneer's Ballad"

Today we finish the first poem in Frank Lindblad's book, "A Pioneer's Ballad," with the title of "Go West."

The whistles blast, the ringing bell,

And clicking clack of wheels brought spell

Of joy to son and daughter.

To grownups trip was serious, But coming from the rest of us

Were giggles, fun, and laughter.

We kept our speed through little town; At larger one we would slow down

For fuel or some baggage.

At depots many driving teams

Had thriving business, so it seems,

With passengers and luggage.

To thresh the grain across the plains

Were crews at work before fall rains

And snow would give them trouble.

Great herds of stock there grazed at ease

Not fearing coming winter's freeze,

Which blows in on the double.

The mountains were an awesome sight,

Which caused us all to feel affright

At chasms, peaks, and ledges.

We gazed far up at gleaming snow,

With fear saw rivers far below,

In terror shrunk from edges.

Then leaving mountains once again

Our train was stopping in Spokane,

With trek in final stages.

To end this trip of half a week

They let us off at Wilson Creek

In pungent smell of sages.

E-mail from Cheryl

Facts from the past gleaned from the Moses Lake Herald, Columbia Basin Herald and The Neppel Record by Cheryl (Driggs) Elkins:

From the Columbia Basin Herald on Jan. 7, 1949:

Masons install first officers since lodge move

Headed by Floyd M. McBride, Moses Lake gasoline and oil distributor, a new set of officers was installed by Wilson Creek Lodge No. 174, F.&A.M., Wednesday night in the Women's Clubhouse.

It was the first installation held since the dloge charter was moved to Moses Lake last fall.

McBride was installed as master, succeeding Everett Wetzel. Stanley Allgeier, past master of the Ephrata Lodge, was installing officer, assisted by William C. Armstrong.

Potato board told to Grange

The proposed organization and functioning of the Washington State Potato Commission were discussed Tuesday night by Karl Goodrich before members of the Moses Lake Grange. Goodrich, president of the Washington State Potato Growers Association, is leading the campaign to establish a state commission to aid in the promotion and the advertisement of the Washington crop. Refreshments were served at the conclusion of the business meeting.

Mrs. Trask heads polio fund drive

Mrs. Dorothy Trask was named Moses Lake Chairman for the National March of dimes Campaign, Lloyd Cunningham, county chairman, announced this week. The national drive will be conducted from Jan. 15 to 31, with the annual dance to be held here on the night of Jan. 29 to the music of Wendall Kenny and his Men of Note, Mrs. Trask said.

She said plans for meeting the Moses Lake quota would be announced in the near future, after meetings with representatives of the community's organizations.