Hardships were a part of history

I am reading a book this week that I hope to share with readers in a future edition: “Tough Enough: 25 Years in Hells Canyon” by Virginia Woods Meyer. It tells the story of the Wilson family and their experiences when the U.S. government decided to pursue a “taking” of their land to create Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.

The book is based on remembrances recorded by Doris Wilson. That name should be familiar to many in Wallowa County. Doris and Lem were the parents of Ray Wilson, a long-time saddle-maker.

Meyer, who lives in Meridian, Idaho, has received many positive comments about the book. As a newcomer to the area, I appreciate her deep dive into local history.

Several people have taken time to share historical insights with me, which is most appreciated.

ANOTHER BIT OF historical data came from Janelle Collins, who sent us her mother’s obituary for publication. Leona Darlene Carper Collins belonged to one of Wallowa County’s first families.

Her mother came from West Virginia over the Oregon Trail. It took four months.

You can only imagine what type of trip that must have been. Hardy hardly begins to describe the survivors of the Oregon Trail.

Her story resonated with me. My ancestors on both sides are of German from Russia heritage.

They were part of the emmigration by ethnic Germans from Germany to Russian (mostly what is today Crimera), where they were actually originally recruited and welcomed.

Things went well for a while, but the change in Russian politics and economic conditions exacerbated by a series of famines sparked the industrious Germans to leave in droves.

In my case, they came to the United States and began the trek across the country looking for a place to live in peace, speak their language and farm the land. My ancestors settled initially in South Dakota, but in 1906, began taking advantage of the offer of homesteads in North Dakota.

Today, it’s not unusual to stop to have lunch in a small North Dakota restaurant and be served Kneophla soup. It’s a cream-based concoction filled with tiny pillows of dough. I ate my share of it growing up when flour and cream, the two primary ingredients, were plentiful.

If you are German from Russia, I would welcome the opportunity to reminisce with you perhaps over a bowl of kase Knoephla or some rivel soup.

I WANTED TO take the opportunity to remind readers that the fun and information doesn’t stop after you read your print edition of the Chieftain.

We have been working hard as a staff to be as active as possible on Facebook. If you haven’t stopped by, please do so this week.

We’re easy to find. Open Facebook and plug in Wallowa County Chieftain. You’ll be whisked right to our front door.

Last week we had a lively discussion of the news of the day, lots of event photos as well as the upcoming eclipse in August.

Wallowa County isn’t in the direct path of the eclipse, but as one of our Facebook readers pointed out, we are close enough that visitors will find their way here before or after the Aug. 21 event.

We also included a handy map of the trajectory the eclipse will take across Oregon.

Wahl is the editor of the Chieftain who celebrates his German from Russia heritage.