Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1922-12-15
LOCAL HISTORY TO
Be COMPILED BY CLUB
Ellisport Club Makes Valu-
able Collection Of
"reminiscences.

On Thursday, December 7, the
Womcn's club of Ellisport was
delightfully."- entertained by Mrs.
Cunningham. The program, which
was rather a novel one, proved to
be most enjoyable. Each member
gave "reminiscences Of her first inn
preston Of Ellisport Tor Chautau-
qua Beach, as il used to be- and OF
Vashon island. These short talks
were so interesting that the ladies
were asked to hand to the Secre-
tary for fling these rea:nis,
cences, also any data, pictures or
material of a historical nature
concerning this place or the is
land. Several photographs and
paintings made by loved pioneers,
since gone to their rest, were
brought and these and others will
be gladly donated to the Vashon-
Maury Historical society, should
one be formed. 1t is the hope of
this little club that other clubs
and organizations will unite in an
effort to collect and preserve ma
terial that might be of interest to
future generations. Some day the
islands past might be shown in
pageant. Perhaps our genial edit
or will volunteer to help the work
along, and, for the present, be the
keeper of the archives. Doubtless
he will be glad to give space in
the paper at times, to brief hls-
torical articles, "reminiscences by
pioneers and others, etc. Perhaps
some one can tell of the first
house on the island; the first
church, school, lodge, etc; of the
first marriage; the first white
child born, early transportation,
etc.
Among other interesting things
given at the club meeting were
several facts regarding the nam
ing of places, sent in by w. 2.
Bonney, secretary of the Washing
ton State Historical society:
The larger of the now twin is
lands was discovered III May, 1892,
(130 years ago. by Capt. George
Vancouver, and named after his
friend, Captain James Vashon.
In May, 1871 (49 years later
Lieut. Wilkes discovered that the
southeast part was . separate is
land. and he named that Maury
after Lieut.. Maury. Lieut.. Wilkes
also named the west passage, Col,
vas, after Geo. NJ. Colvosorrio, one
of the men of his company.
Mr.. Bonney also related a Ms,
qually ledgend, told to him sew,
eral years ago by Henry Sicade
"Many, many years ago the north.
ern Indians used to prey upon the
Nisqually tribe, carrying Of then
property, their women and then
children. Finally one of their
warriors proposed to train navy
of aanCa men to resist these in.
vasions This navy was brought to,
gcther in QuartermaSter harbor
When the northerners appeared
coming from beyond Alki point
the NisquaIly canoes went through
the passage where the Portage is
now. The men had been trained
to throw heavy stones and wher
they came into contact with the
enemy, they threw the stones into
the canoes with such force as tc
make holes in the bottoms, thu,
forcing the northern warriors tc
take to the water, where they be
came easy prey to the Nisquallie'
who soon dispatched them will
spears and other weapons. Out Of
one hundred canoes from the
north, the legend tells us, only
three escaped to 20 home aud tel
of the great defeat. "
BY the way, attention may be
called to the correct pronuncia
ton of "Allli." Pioneers tell Us
that the last vowel in the word is
not long, but short.