CPHM Annual Meeting – Jim Sayce Photo

I may be way off base here, but I don’t think it’s every day that a lecture on a rather obscure 19^th century politician packs in a nearly full-house audience. I mean, how many of the folks at yesterday’s Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum’s annual meeting knew very much at all about Judge John Briscoe (1818-1901) before hearing Mike Lemeshko’s talk?

However, the announcements promising a keynote speech, “The Cantankerous Farmer versus the Ilwaco Railway and Navigation Company,” by Community Historian Lemeshko drew an interested crowd. They were not disappointed! Mike’s presentation made John Briscoe and his strong-willed contemporaries (including my great-grandfather R.H. Espy) come to life – and not always in a flattering way!

With humor and more than a modicum of dramatic flair, Mike told the story of Briscoe’s long-standing fight with L.A. Loomis to keep the Peninsula’s historic railroad from crossing his property on its way north past Long Beach. Although Briscoe eventually capitulated, it was through a secret, backroom deal involving land, money, and intrigue. Great stuff! And well-illustrated with a power point slide show picturing many of the players in that long-ago drama.

From Summer 2001 Sou’wester

Afterwards, I couldn’t help wondering if any of those audience members will be among my ‘students’ next month at Grays Harbor Community College in Ilwaco. Beginning May 5^th, I will be giving a weekly class (5:30 to 7:20, Tuesdays, May 5 – June 23) called “Putting the Story Back in History.” Like Mike, my interest is in fleshing out the names and dates associated with the Peninsula’s past. It’s the people and their stories that fascinate me. I’m hoping that there are others interested, too – at least enough folks to make this eight-week class a ‘go.’

Ultimately, of course, my passion is in inspiring other people to document stories of their own and share them with the rest of us in some way. Mike is a Role Model Extraordinaire! Plus, he says yesterday’s presentation is probably just a first step – a “Friends of the Briscoe Cemetery” is on the horizon. And maybe a book. Way to go, Mike!