Clark County History: Benjamin Eulalie de Bonneville By Martin Middlewood for The Columbian
Published: February 14, 2021, 6:00am
Share: An officer of the U.S. Army, fur trapper and explorer, French-born Benjamin Louis Eulalie de Bonneville blazed portions of the Oregon Trail and explored the American West. In 1837, Washington Irving published a biography based on interviews of Bonneville, who relayed the explorations. Bonneville served as commander at the Fort Vancouver Barracks for two years. For this undated photo, he donned a hairpiece. (Contributed by the National Park Service)
Alive, he was among the famous explorers of the West. Dead, he’s forgotten. His name appears here and there as a reminder Bonneville Salt Flats and Bonneville Dam. But the Pontiac Bonneville, like him, is now a dusty memory.
Clark County History: Moses Williams, Buffalo Soldier By Martin Middlewood, for The Columbian
Published: February 7, 2021, 6:00am
Share: Medal of Honor recipient Moses Williams (1845-1899) served in the U.S. Army for 31 years. When he hadn t received his medal for distinguished gallantry in action after a delay of 15 years, Williams was forced to petition the Secretary of War while serving at Fort Stevens on the Oregon Coast as an ordnance sergeant. He earned the country s highest military award in 1881 during combat with Apaches in New Mexico. Several members of his patrol with the 9th U.S. Cavalry s Buffalo Soldiers were pinned down, and Williams rescued the wounded with little regard for his own life. He retired in Vancouver, and died shortly thereafter. (Courtesy of the U.S. Army Museum of Noncommissioned Officers, Fort Bliss, Texas)
Clark County History: Courthouse burns By Martin Middlewood for The Columbian
Published: January 31, 2021, 6:00am
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2 Photos An 1890 fire burned the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver. (Contributed by Clark County Historical Museum) Photo Gallery
The only man publicly hanged in Vancouver almost burned up in an 1890 courthouse fire. On a windy February night, as five prisoners and 10 other men slept in the jail, the county clerk’s office caught fire. The flames quickly engulfed the courthouse and jail at 11th and Franklin streets. Sheriff Fleming’s son, the jailer, freed the shrieking prisoners trapped behind steel bars. The last one he rescued was almost roasted, and the only captive charged with murder.
Clark County History: Columbia River freezes over By Martin Middlewood for The Columbian
Published: January 24, 2021, 6:00am
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4 Photos Clarence Murray made the iced-over river a landing strip for an American Eagle, 90 horsepower biplane on Jan. 31, 1930. Celebrating their landing, a photographer captured Murray, right, and his son, Glenn, standing on the frozen Columbia River. This was the last time the river froze over. (Columbian files) Photo Gallery
The Columbia River froze at Vancouver on Jan. 26, 1847, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. That winter was among the coldest and corralled the HBMS Modeste in ice. Taking advantage of the time to play, the ship’s and Hudson’s Bay officers crafted makeshift curling stones and turned to a friendly game. The ship’s officers won.
Clark County History: Camas ‘slacker’ monument By martin Middlewood,] for The Columbian
Published: January 17, 2021, 6:05am
Share: This is the only known photo of the Slacker Obelisk erected in Camas in September 1918. Anyone not supporting World War I, not buying Liberty Bonds, pacifists, union members willing to strike, anyone with a German surname, or anyone considered red was viewed by the eagerly patriotic as slacking in their duty. This attitude led to conflict and the establishment of sedition laws and surveillance groups that violated innocent citizens civil rights. No one knows when or why the structure simply vanished one day. (Courtesy of Two Rivers Heritage Museum)