Welcome to Oysterville

Oysterville is gearing up for a salute to our founding, April 12, 1854.  That’s the day, according to my great-grandfather R. H. Espy’s account, that he and I.A. Clark arrived here for their rendezvous with an Indian he called ‘Old Klickeas,’

Espy’s initials stood for Robert Hamilton and Clark’s for Isaac Alonzo.  I’ve been asked more than once why they are always referred to by “R.H.” and “I.A.” and I really have no idea.  On the roster of the Pacific County Reserve Volunteer Rifle Company formed on November 24, 1855, Espy is listed as “Private Hamilton Espy” and Clark as “First Lieutenant I.A. Clark.”  Some months later when Oysterville formed its own branch of the militia, R.H. was elected Major and was called “Major Espy” from then until his death in 1918.  Or so the story goes… with no mention of Clark at all.

It was the Major Espy who arranged for the first cannon (and other modern ordnance) to be sent to here from the east.  The cannon was originally purchased as insurance against rumors of an Indian uprising but, as it turned out, was only ever used for ceremonial purposes – e.g. at the Annual Oysterville Regattas where Major Espy, in top hat and frock coat, would give the order to “Fire!” so the race could begin.

T.H.O.M. Members, 2004

Somewhere along the line, a couple of overly enthusiastic celebrants loaded up the cannon with way too much black powder and blew it to smithereens.  Pete Heckes and his dad found a piece of the barrel down by the bay years ago and Pete mounted it on his pickup.  The stories about that old cannon are what prompted Nyel to create The Honorary Oysterville Militia (T.H.O.M.).    With the funds generated by selling commissions, T.H.O.M. purchased a replica 1841 mountain howitzer in time to celebrate the town’s sesquicentennial ten years ago.

“Fire!”

And so it is, that the cannon figures prominently in the plans for Oysterville’s 160^th celebration, as well.  The April 12^th festivities will begin at eleven o’clock at the church with a performance by the Shoalwater Storytellers depicting Espy and Clark’s arrival back in 1854.  The audience will be invited to participate in a songfest of “period music” featuring Oystervillians Bradley Huson and Katherine Holway Smith – lots of Stephen Foster” says Bradley – followed by a potluck picnic lunch at the schoolhouse.

When will the militiamen fire the cannon?  “At the height of the ceremonies,” says General Nyel.  In general, it will be a low-key celebration.  The public is invited and those with Oysterville roots or connections are encouraged to bring their stories and pictures for “show and tell” at the schoolhouse.  Mark your calendars!  Saturday, April 12^th, 11:00 a.m.