The Delta independent., 1921-06-24
THE EVOLUTION OF
WARD CREEK VALLEY.
BY Charles G. States
JUNGLEvIllE

JUNGLEvILLE
Ward Creek Valley had a reputa-
tion for richness of soil and abund-
ance of pure mountain water. Had
also the reputation Of producing the
cleanest and best domestic coal
that could be found on the market.
Many of the hills were covered with
dense growth of cedar and pinon
trees, which insured cheap timber
and cheap firewood. Opportunity for
the development of water power was
second to none. One could scarcely
brinS to mind a natural resource
which Ward Creek Valley did not
possess; and yet it was commonly
known as "Jungleville."
The people who had chosen this
valley as their home had migrated
principally from the north middle
states. They were peace-loving
people who possessed a wonderful
degree of health of mind and health
of body; but many Of the homes were
mortgaged, and the greater portion
of the land was still in the wild.
There was once literary society
that sprang up suddenly, and meet
ings were held every two weeks at
the school house. 1t flourished for
a little while like the rank growth OF
squash vine. The energy of every
body became united in producing
what might be termed the fruit-the
giving of a sane and sensible Fourth
of July program, the like OF which
had never been known before; then
like a squash it died and was soon
forgotten Intellectual night settled
across the country, and, as far as lit
terary pursuits we're concerned, every
soul went to sleep; and the Valley
was still known as "Jungleville."
Master Of the Situation.
Sam Finster, fifteen year old
boy, lived with his parents on a
farm in Wayne county, Ohio.-not
many miles from the city of Cleve-
land. His father was an averaged
sized man of the dark type. He wore
a heavy mustache and goatee, and
his thick growth of hair, which was
usually cut in pompadour style, lay
fairly close to the head when it was
well brushed. This father was very
strict with his children, whom he
ruled with an iron will.
Sam had been at school and had
gotten into some difficulty with one
Of the boys. 1t all came about over
what might be termed a challenge
for fight; which Sam had declined.
After school the challenger had fol-
lowed him, and harrassed him, and
teased him, and insulted him all the
way home About the time they
reached the gate it was nearly dark,
and Sam was called very bad
mamie. When he was called such a
bad name, which he felt sure his
mother might have heard, he was
suddenly transformed into a fighting
machine; and the two boys fought
desperately. Sans father, hearing
the disturbance, rushed out Of the
house, and, as he hurried across the
lawn, he instinctively grabbed a
stick which nay near the gate. He
was so infuriated with anger that
his hair raised straight up and
seemed to quiver in the air. Just
one word from him AMI the big bully
was gone; and Sam remained alone
to receive the wrathful vengeance OF
of his father.
1t is not necessary to describe the
beating which Sam received. He felt
that his father had been unjust. He
had received all he could bear from
his antagonist who was larger boy
than himself; and then to receive a
whipping from his father without
granting one word of explanation
was beyond all reason AS they en-
tered the house he gave his father
glance of extreme hatred. II there
were welts on his body, the welts on
his heart were many times greater
When he lay his head upon the pill
low that night the tears flowed
freely; and he vowed again and
again that he would leave his fathers
house. He disguised himself as bes'
he could, raised the window care
fully, dropped the short distance tc
the ground, crept noiselessly across
the lawn to the road. and soon was
out of sight. Next morning all thai
could be found was the boys schoo
clothes. and the tears which hat
fdampened his pillow.
Weeks came and went: but M
trace of the boy could be found. Ad
vertisements appeared in journals o
large calculations; but no satisfac
tory was ever received. Months ant
years rolled away, and the parents
felt that they would gladly welcome
their son. Everything that belonged
to Sam was carefully placed in hil