Looking Backward

George Hunter, Pacific County Sheriff 1860-1862

     I’ve just begun reading a book that is making the rounds among some of my friends.  It is called “Reminiscences of An Old Timer” and was written in 1887 by Colonel George Hunter, a “Pioneer, Hunter, Miner and Scout of the Pacific Northwest” according to the title page.  Hunter also happened to be the fourth sheriff of Pacific County in Washington Territory.  He lived in Oysterville in the 1860s and counted my great-grandfather, R. H. Espy, and sheep farmer Lewis Loomis (later of railroad fame) among his friends.
     The book, itself, is a first edition, is in amazingly good condition for its age, and contains fifteen beautiful illustrations – lithographs, I think, but I am not very knowledgeable in that arena.  Unfortunately, I could find no acknowledgement as to the illustrator.  These days we would assume, therefore, that they were done by the author.  If that was the case, George Hunter was a very talented man, indeed.
     Like many other books of the period, it does not offer the benefit of an index.  Instead, on the table of contents, each chapter is described in detail through a list of the topics covered.  James Swan’s “The Northwest Coast or Three Years’ Residence in Washington Territory,” written a generation earlier, also uses that style of detailed chapter listings.  (Swan, however, included an index.)
     I’ve browsed the book a bit – looking for the Oysterville portion! – and have now begun reading in earnest.  I am well into Chapter I in which Hunter describes his family’s trek over the Oregon Trail in 1852.  As he says, “Of the dangers, trials, privations, hardships, heart-rendings and sufferings endured by those who crossed the plains in the early days, very much has been said and written, but not enough…”  I am greatly enjoying what Colonel Hunter has to add to the record.

15 Responses to “Looking Backward”

  1. Kyle Brewe says:

    Sydney, I’m in the middle of Swan’s Northwest Coast right now. What a great read, especially when I can look out the window, squint a little bit and see it all before me.

  2. Jim Sayce says:

    Chinook by the Sea is another great read and collection of stories as well. You can check out a copy at the Timberland Regional Library in Ilwaco.

  3. I’ve read Swan’s NW Coast several times; each time enjoy it a bit more. T h anks Jim, did know about Chinook by the Sea.

  4. Yes, and “Our Pacific County,” also by L.R. Williams, is informative. We are so lucky to live in an area that has been well documented from the earliest days!

  5. Kathy (Hunter) Phelps says:

    Hello..! From time to time I preform a google search for Colonel George Hunter as he is my Great-Great-Grandfather..! I also own a copy of his book and it is awesome. I know for a fact that he was the illustrator of the book, because of the same artistic abilities/ drawing style within our family. My Father, who will be 75 this year, still resides in Aberdeen. I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying the book.

    Best Regards

  6. sydney says:

    Thanks so much for getting in touch with me, Kathy. I enjoyed the book immensely and learned a great deal from it. I really didn’t know much about all the Indian fighting in the Northwest, although I do know that my own great-grandmother (who came from the Salem, OR area) was fearful of the Indians – even of our local Shoalwater Indians who were friends of my great grandfather’s. After reading your GG-grandfather’s book, I know more about what her childhood may have been like and can better understand her attitudes. It’s so illuminating to read ‘history’ as written by those who lived through it!

  7. Anne Wilson says:

    George Hunter does have some exciting stories to tell. I do own 2 copies of his book, one of which does have an appendix.

    I’m related to George Hunter, through his older brother Mat. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has additional information on the Hunter family.

  8. sydney says:

    Hi Anne, Thanks for getting in touch. I’m interested in the difference between the two copies of your book. What were the publication dates?
    Also — do you know Kathy Hunter Phelps who wrote me a year and a half ago? The way I figure it, the two of you must be first cousins several times removed…

  9. Melinda Gathings says:

    Hi, my grandmother was Jeanne Margarett Hunter. I was just talking with my aunt last night about our family history. She told me she thinks that George Hunter’s brother was my grandmother’s great,great grandfather. I had previously thought they said that George Hunter was her great,great grandfather. I’m trying to make sense of it all. I’m not sure but I would love to talk and find out anything, anyone may have about George Hunter’s brother!

  10. Melinda Gathings says:

    Hi Sydney, is there any way you could get in touch with Anne Wilson? I would really like to talk to her. It seems that I am related to George Hunter through his brother too. I am from North Carolina, but my grandmother was born in Portland, Oregon and had lived in Washington. Nahcotta, WA is one place they lived. My grandmother brought one of his books with her when she moved here and a picture box (that’s what my mom calls it). If anyone else has any information on the Hunter family you can find me on facebook, I would love to find out more!

  11. Anne Wilson says:

    Col. George Hunter was the third child of William Hunter and Jemima Meek (both of whom are buried in Brownsville, Oregon). Other children of William Hunter and Jemima Meek are: 1M Mathias Hunter (m. Nancy Frazier, lived in Covello, Columbia County, WA – my line); 2M John Hunter (m. Sarah Ann Carruthers, lived in Pacific County, WA); Col. George Hunter (m1 Harriet Amanda Stout, m2 Elizabeth Allen, m3 Ella Cronin); 4F Louisa “Susie” Hunter (m. Joseph White); 5F Mary Ann Hunter (m1. John H. Winship, m2 Angus McKay); 6M Wilford Hunter (died young); 7M William Morris Hunter (died young); 8F Caroline Frances Hunter (m. Eli Frazier Russell, moved to California); 9F Harriet Hunter (m. Robert Rex Carruthers, brother of Sarah Ann Carruthers; lived in Astoria); and 10 M William Alfred Hunter (m. & div. Louisa Frances Bounds).

    Sydney- Please forward my email to Melinda Gathings & Kathy Phelps. I am especially interested in the “picture box” that belonged to Melinda Gathings.

  12. Anne Wilson says:

    Jeanne Margaret Hunter is the daughter of John Lloyd Hunter and Margaret C. Ludwig.
    John Lloyd Hunter is the son of John Hunter (1833 – 1902) and Sarah Ann Carruthers (1841 – 1915). John Hunter married Sarah Ann Carruthers on September 28, 1859 in Oysterville. Other children of John & Sarah Hunter include: Ethel Maude Hunter, Clara Mabel Hunter, Jessie Dell Hunter and Frances Louise Hunter.

  13. Anne Wilson says:

    John Hunter is the 2nd child born to William Hunter and Jemima Meek. Col. George Hunter is John’s brother.

  14. Melinda Gathings says:

    Hi Anne,
    I have not been on this site in a while. That’s a lot of information! I will have to go by my mom’s and take some pictures of the “picture box” it has pictures on the outside of it, not sure who the people are or if they are of any importance of the family. I know now days you buy stuff and it just comes with pictures in it, not sure if they did stuff like that back then or not.

  15. Melinda Gathings says:

    Anne Wilson and Kathy Phelps,

    You can email me at melindagathings@live.com I’m not sure if I ever got your emails.

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