Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1904-12-30


siders gave him."
eyes, and to think that Hazel would
go, to the ball when her father is ex-
pected to die! 1t is simply shame
burning shame!"
The above conversation took place
between two matrons of the fishing vii
lage on the northside of the Columbia.
Ten days of peace had reigned on the
river. Since the arrival of the militia
and dispersion of the fishermen there
had been no further trouble. The boat
carrying the command of Captain Bud
long had kept mp constant patrol OF
the river day and night and no at
tempt had been made on the part of
the southsiders to renew hostilities.
In fact committees had been APP
pointed consisting of fishermen from
each side of the river to arrange dupli-
cate bills governing the fishing indus
try of the river which were to be
passed by the respective legislatures of
the two states. Dan Lapham was a
committeeman from the north side.
1t was the night of the day upon
which the agreement had been reached.
Peace was at last declared between the
toilers of the Columbia. The north
siders were not to extend their trap
building any farther south and the
southsidels agreed not to cross certain
line with their nets which was settled
upon as the center of the stream
through the fishing waters.
The active and exciting life of the
fishermen had its influence upon their
manner of obtaining pleasure and rec
reation. They did not cultivate the
! intellect as a whole. In fact only a
few turned their attention to books.
Athletes by nature the men devoted
much time to athletics. They had
their ball grounds, tennis courts and
club rooms. Indoor sports were as
much in favor as their outdoor sports.
AS hand-ball players the village team
stood ready to challenge any of the
cities. Football and baseball playing,
in their respective seasons, found these
| fishermen In the field opposing the
best teams in the country.
| Aside from athletics, dancing was
the magic means of amusing both
Young and old. No week ever passed
during the season that the fishermen
did not engage in this pastime. It
was an occasion in which all took a
part and the large hall provided for
the purpose was always crowded. A
fisherman is never too young or too old
to dance.
Dancing was the means of celebrat-
ing all important events. No higher
tribute could be paid an individual or
event than by giving ball. 1t was
the zenith point in bestowing honors.
The settlement of the dispute be-
tween the northsiders and southsiders
occasioned the geratest ball in the his
tory of the northside village. They
were weaker in numbers but had won
out in measure and were determined
to celebrate the occasion in a fit and
proper manner.
There were honors due to many and
the fishermen we're not slow to bestow
these upon the deserving ones. The
occasion of peace come on for its share.
In fact, it was called the great peace
ball. While there were individuals
who shared the honors, Captain Bud
long and his men were the honored
guests. Dan Lapham had dis
tinguished himself on the water and as
q commissioner in settling the trouble
and Sankala was the heroine of the
hour. To Captain Budlong and his
men she was the most conspicuous per-
sonage at the mouth of the Columbia.
The fishermen SO accustomed to the ex-
citement Of river life, the act of the girl
in saving the boatload of soldiers was
not looked upon as much out of the
ordinary, though they all recognized
in Sankala a remarkable young woman.
The hall was decorated as it had
never been decorated before. The floor
was waxed with greater care, and mu-
sicians had been employed from the
nearest town. The rude fisher-folk
were decked out in their best garments.
The women took unusual care with
their toilets. When the ball room was
filled at an early hour, the people of
the fishing village presented very
good appearance. The soldiers, many
of them from the city, were surprised
to see the presto change from the rug
ged men of the fish-traps, and the care
less girls of the beach to the gallant
and gay figures of the ballroom.
Human nature is much the same
among all classes, and it was not ma
terially different among the fisher-folk.
Many of them had gathered early.
The women were seated in groups, and
commenting on those who entered lat.
er. Young girls and boys were skip
ping across the hall in frolicsome,
aimless manner. Old men sat in the
corners and looked on in silence.
A faint cheer rose over the room