Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1915-12-31
Observation-Disclosures

uA'Aoh AOl lhS LoIlOWlnS year crop,
Others of the scattered settlers en-
tertained an aversion for the numer-
Gus and steep hills, combining their
farming operations to the bottom
land, but Mr.. Taylor argued that I'M
less the hills would produce crops
Whitman county l4eld little in store
for grain farmers, and plowed every
acre of his land, although his fell
low settlers branded his labors as
wasted energy. He was undoubtedly
one of the first, possibly the very
first hill farmer in Whitman
county, and the success of his expert
ment proved highly profitable to the
other settlers as well as to himself.
During the first few years 80
cents was the average price received
for wheat, and the remoteness from
markets, together with the made
quate farming facilities at hand,
made the life of the early day farm
er an arduous but unremunerative
one. Land buyers were a minus
quantity, but any of the settlers
would willingly have sold for $40 or
less an acre.
Mr.. Taylor estimates that each of
his 100 acres has produced 80 crops
OF grain during the 3 years, but the
bumper crops of the past few years
prove that the soil has not been
robbed OF its fertility, due to pains
taking care and proper tillage.
All of the hardships of pioneer
days were endured by the Taylors,
and for the first two years after his
arrival here Mr.. Taylor was forced
to drive to Waitsburg. the nearest
trading post, for all the flour used
by his family. In 1877 the family
had its first and only Indian scare,
when rumors that some of the tribes
were preparing to go on the war
path and devastate the farms of the
settlers caused a wave of consterna-
ton to sweep over the new country.
The settlers hurried with their fam
lilies to Colfax and Palouse, then the
only hamlets in the county, where
they remained in barbados for sew
eral days. The threatened invasion
failed to materialize, the warning
tribes getting no closer than Camas
prairie, and the homesteaders re-
turned to their holdings.
Mr.. Taylor is now 80 years old and
his wife several years his junior, but
both carry their burden of years
lightly and should enjoy many more
years of the happiness and content
ment which is so justly theirs.
Mr.. Taylor is a veteran of the
Civil war and prominent member
of the local post. He enlisted in
Company A, Second Iowa Volunteer
cavalry, on August 10, 1851, and
served for over three years, partici-
pating in some of the most important
battles and skirmishes of the war.
Eight children were born to Mr..
and Mrs. Taylor. four of them still
living. These are Charles s. Taylor,
who is farming near Moscow; Frank
L. Taylor, residing In Idaho; Mary
Taylor Robbins and Bloom Taylor,
both of Pullman.
AS he writes these lines there
come to The Herald man fond recol-
lections of many happy boyhood days
spent at the Taylor farm, and as he
remembers the innumerable favors
ON him bestowed, the extreme hospi-
tally always In evidence, and the
love and happiness that pervaded the
entire household, he can not but re-
joice that God has been kind in met
ing out his years to this couple.
All Pullman wishes you a Happy
New Year and glorious Golden
Wedding. Mr.. and Mrs. Taylor, and
may your example inspire others to
emulate the useful services which
you have rendered for many years
to come.