(WALTER TALKING)

A man always has to has have dreams and ambition, and I, Walter Crouse, was like other young men of the turn of the 20th century. My life was influenced by my parents. My father Henry Crouse,#2, and my mother, Anna Millhouse Crouse, #3. Both came from German descendants from across the seas of Hessia, Germany. Mother was born in Indiana of German immigrant parents.

So, to my descendants this story and these pictures have been collected so that you, too, may share a part of our early lives. Often the thin thread of memory is broken and the color and pattern often changed when picked up by someone else.

Montana map #3a. Springhill, Montana where I settled is in the Gallatin Valley, north and west of Bozeman.

The Crouses #5 and McRoberts #6 attended the same Springhill School #7 and Church #8. The church services at first were held in the school house. Dad later donated an acre of land for the church to be built on. Mother had been very forceful in getting the church going, seeing and feeling the need. We were given a card with a Bible verses for attending. The point was to see who could have the most cards for the year.

(LUCILLE TALKING;)

I, Lucille, at 15, thought the folks were content on their l60 acres in Graham, MO. MO MAP. #9. Graham is in the northwest corner. But one day my Uncle Charles Baker wrote to brother, Will what wonderful opportunities there were in MT. Will went to find out. He was impressed and wrote to the folks. We were bound for Montana's Gallatin Valley by train, having disposed of lots of our possessions; keeping just the necessities.

We found a farm in Springhill. #10. where we lived for three years. The farm was near the Springhill school, church and the Crouses. Later we McRoberts moved to 240 acres south of Bozeman, where we all finished school and went out into the big world.

WALTER TALKING:

Lucille, #11, and I often went horseback riding, huckleberry picking and lots of group gatherings in each other homes. Once the McRoberts family gathered enough huckleberries to can 90 quarts. In those days the ladies were expected to ride side-saddle, but because of the safety in the mountains, it was soon abandoned--in place of modesty. Our parents never objected to us having company, and we often mingled together. On Sundays at Springhill someone usually came home with us after church or often we went to their place.

From school days at Springhill, my interest in Lucille #13, whom I had spent a lot of time with blossomed. Man wasn't created to live alone, and Lucille was often in my thoughts.

LUCILLE TALKING;

I, Lucille #14, graduated from nurses training at Deaconesses hospital in Great Falls. In those days we went to peoples homes and took care of the patient. I recall the old Dr. I often worked with remarking. "Look and see how clean the backporch area is, and it will tell you what it is like inside." Some places were so dirty, that I would go out and milk the cow and drink the milk right there.

One of the enjoyable times was when I cared for the Robert Triplets #15, in Seattle. They were all boys. I remember them putting their rubber boots into the stove oven! Oh, what a smell.

I even worked in the Imperial Valley of Calif. but found that to be too hot in the summer.

I was called upon to care for Mother who became seriously ill. I cared for Duncan and some of Walter's family. I was with Lizzie during childbirth.

WALTER TALKING;

After Lucille finished her nursing career, we both came and took up separate homesteads out of Willow Creek, MT. Homesteading was something most young people did in our area.

My thoughts were continually of Lucille. We were married September 27, 1916 at Helena, MT.

"I, Walter #16, take thee, Lucille for richer, for poorer....."

LUCILLE TALKING;

"I, Lucille, #17, take thee, Walter.....in sickness and in health....."

We were well remembered with wedding gifts: You younger ones compare these SURVIVAL gifts with today's economy of abundance:

Minnie and Dick $20, chicken fodder, sink
David and Lizzie: $5 check
Father and mother McRoberts: heifer calf, 1 doz. chickens, pillows, comforter, seed potatoes
Duncan: pig
Aunt Ellen: casserole
Aunt Eleanor: tablecloth & napkins, roaster
Sue: rose pillow
Ida: centerpiece
Mother Crouse: carpet, and box of apples, 1 doz. chickens.

Yes, how excited we were to be married. And now our two homesteads were combined into one. Picture homestead #l8

At Helena, where we were married, the state fair was in progress. Who should we meet while on tour of the fair but the three Wall boys #19 -- who joined us for the rest of our honeymoon.!!!!!!

The following was written by brother, Arthur Crouse 1954, in his "recollections of Early Montana":

Walter had been an early partner with Dick (brother-in-law) in his farming operation, and later they seemed to plan their work so as to assist one another as much as possible. At an early age when most boys would be looking for some sort of play, or way to idle the time, Walter was always busy at some kind of work, but preferably if horses were involved. I remember that Mother had difficulty in keeping him in school through the grades. He lost his interest in school as each spring approached and the prospect of taking a team to the fields became a reality. Thus he became a good horseman at an early age...not of the cowboy type but of the practical kind. Dad & horses #20 He took delight in taking a group of unbroken horses and having them working a day or two. It was generally conceded that Walter could get more pull out of a team of horses than any driver in the valley. On one occasion he attended a roundup and sale of wild horses. He purchased a beautiful six year old bay. He received some good-natured ribbing from onlookers, knowing that an animal of this age with his freedom to roam the hills unmolested, would not be easy to conquer. When Walter left for home, the horse went with him. About a week later he had business in town, and he had a surprise for the boys when he drove in with his new bay horse and his buggy wagon.

"Walter had followed Dick to the Three Forks's hills Pic of area homestead #21) and also acquired a tract of land. He built a livable house, spent many hard-earned dollars in drilling a well, and constructed out-buildings for his livestock. It was here that he and Lucille started life together. But hopes, experience and determination cannot win when the elements and Mother Nature turn against you. Long, hard, dusty days in the field, sprouting crops that withered and died waiting for the rain--this was farming in the dry hills. You gave it all you had...what more could one do. The only time we ever were able to visit them on this farm was a hot day in July. They were still hoping for a good rain, but the point had already passed that would insure any likely crop. The entire country side was parched brown. However, a garden back of the house was a veritable oasis. A gasoline engine putted day and night pumping water from the well on to the rows of garden vegetables. This green and cheerful spot only seemed to make the rest of the farm more disheartening.

Pic Willow Creek homestead #22

Babies began to arrive and with a lost cause staring then in the face they departed for the State of Oregon. Walter had no trouble in obtaining work, but still retained his interest in farming. He never attempted wheat farming again, but with small acreage grew truck crops; his work never ending. With a family of growing children it was necessary for him to supplement his moderate salary in some manner. Dairying was one branch of farming that had no appeal for Walter. However, he saw the possibilities in this line and with his oldest son succeeded in building up one of the finest registered guernsey hers in the state. Truly a farmer by choice and by necessity, almost a life time on the job as Water Supervisor, is a tribute to his ability, faithfulness and honesty. His faithful wife, Lucille, a graduate nurse worked at her profession to help finance the children's education. (End of Arthur's quote)

WALTER TALKING

While living at Willow Creek, Mt. Phyllis #23, was born on Aug 1, 1917. Also the United States declared war on Germany and joined the "Great War." Also the new Josephine County Courthouse was completed in Grants Pass.

I rented the McRoberts ranch #24 & #25 south of Bozeman on Jack Rabbit Lane. Our Jack Rabbit ranch had a creek running through it. When it didn't rain our family and Opal #26, our household helper, would take buckets to the creek and water the garden #27. In the winter the creek iced solid, which we cut into huge ice blocks and stored in the icehouse for summer use. To last the summer the blocks were packed in sawdust and occasionally we would find a fish frozen in the blocks.

Mariam #28, was born September 5, 1919. Oregon put on its first state gasoline tax established by act of legislature. The G.P. high football team is undefeated. The Toka high school annual is not published again because of the war and Teddy Roosevelt dies.

Opal #29 was a very large lady. She helped Lucille, and watched the children. Phyllis remembers her as 'tyrant'. Opal put her on an apple box at the sink and made her wash the threshing crews dishes and pass the fresh hot biscuits and milk around the long table to the threshers. Upon our return from town one day, we found Opal stuck in the bathtub of those days.

Phyllis stayed at Grandma Crouses ranch #30 to go to school, as there was no school close. This is the same school I had attended. They sat two pupils to a seat.

Cousin Lynnette #31 and Carline and I had a good time together.

The children loved to watch the hugh flock of sheep #32 on the land across the street from us. We had no close neighbors. In the winter time we went by sleigh.

Our last Christmas in MT Santa visited us at home. I was out milking at the time and missed Santa.

Doris #33 was born Dec. 3, 1920. Prohibition amendment takes effect. The league of Nations opens in Paris and Women vote for the FIRST time in a national election........................................... First radio at Pittsburgh. goes on the air. lst regular commercial airline service in the U..S. begins. Two note-worthy movies of the yr. are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, starring John Barrymore and the Mark of Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks.

Walter Jr. #34 was born June 16, 1922. Also Mahatma Gandhi is sentenced to six years for civil disobedience.

James Doolittle makes the first one-day transcontinental flight. Noteworthy songs were Georgia, Chicago and Somebody Stole my Gal. The U.S.S. Langley is the first aircraft carrier. Radio becomes a national obsession. Protestant Episcopal bishops vote to erase "obey" from the marriage ceremony. First documentary movie Nanook of the North. Listerine advertisement went: "Often a bridesmaid, but never a bride." Bertha Calhoun graduates from H.S. Our neighbor and teacher.

After continued drought in Gallatin Valley, and good reports from friends, we were enticed to go to Oregon. The Will Ballards, formerly from Springhill PIC #35 last get together at Crouse ranch & 36 and now working for the railroad in a very small logging town of Powers, located in the Oregon Coast range, were a strong influence. I purchased a big Hudson touring car (#37) with jump seats and icing-glass windows for the trip. Hudson cars then cost about $900.

We moved to Powers, Oregon in late fall 1923. Mother Crouse came along to help with the children. Powers was a small, isolated, very cold place. The snow was very wet pic. #38 of 4 kids--commercially taken and cold. Housing was scarce. We shared our home with Will's mother who had T.B. I built the #39 children swings and teeter totters, and all the neighborhood kids came to use them, too. Doris remembers I always installed swings and play equipment wherever I lived.

#40 pic Powers School Doris fussed so when both Phyllis and Mariam went to school that they let her enter kindergarten with Mariam.

Christmas eve we took the family to a show. Upon our return home, we found Santa Claus had already been there. How thrilled the kids were!!!!!

Our winter was filled with too much rain and snow, resulting in washed out roads, bridges and railroads and I had worked for the R.R. helping to build the bridges. weather prevented us from getting to the hospital when Phyllis developed a mastoid. Lucille did a super job of caring for her.

In the spring we made our first visit to the Pacific Ocean camping out on the beach. What a wonderful time we had, crabbing, clamming and oyster gathering and then cooking them. The Ballards went with us.

When spring came, I went inland to Grants Pass to look for other work and a place with good schools up through high school, and found the cities slogan "It's The Climate" true. This sign was lite in 1920. This was the place for me. Here's a view of the G.P. #41 Opera House pg. 27 GPHS Centennial Opera House as seen from the outside and inside. The opera house was built in 11891 and was the site of many high school and elementary school graduation ceremonies.

No more long cold MT winters, which we always thought MT a good place to be from, weatherwise. I got busy and moved the family over from Powers and we were able to rent a house on A Street #42., just north of Herfley St., which is still standing. We moved into the Bell home and Mr. and Mrs. Bell moved into a smaller home down the street. The Bell's had a grandson who became our first playmate. The Talbot girls, Beth and Marjorie, lived down the street. On the east side of us lived the Judge with his grandson. Mother enjoyed visiting with Mrs. Talbot while we children played. Dad brought home orphaned owls and put them in a rabbit pen until they were old enough to fend for themselves. A goat furnished our milk, but milking the goat on a box hurt Dad's pride, and we soon had a Holstein cow who was so gentle that we kids swatted flies on her sides and Walt ran toy cars on her back, while Dad was milking her.

I went to work for the Grants Pass Irrigation district shortly after arriving in G. P. in #43 Dam picture this lush fertile valley which did have the "Climate". #44 Pic "It's the Climate" Mariam Centennial bk "hall of Fame" to produce, and the people were friendly and helpful. This was the country in which to raise my family. I faithfully worked for this irrigation district for 25 years. I tended and walked the closest ditch to our place for years, before being promoted to "chief trouble-shooter" and having to iron out everyones grievances and problems, plus their imaginary ones. At first all water users were trusted to only use water when instructed to, but as time went on, the "cheaters" had to have padlocks put on their gates, and eventually over a period of time everyone had head gate locks.

#45 pic of salmon. One of the fringe benefits of working for the irrigation district, until I got caught, was all the free salmon we got when the salmon were running the river. We gaffed at the dam, fished too close to the dam, were out of season, had no license and were fishing after dark!!!! All 5 counts added up a fine of considerable dollars, and Lucille was so mad she wouldn't speak to me for a long time, and the delicious taste of salmon left our table and salmon were hardly ever mentioned again in our home!!!!

Grants Pass's main industry was logging, and often one log was a logging trucks full load, as the logs were so large then. Pic #46 Grants Pass still boasts sawmills. Before the Box Factory burnt in the 1920's it boasted as being the largest box factory. Those were the days when all packing and shipping was done in WOODEN BOXES.

South of town was Marble mt., where mining was done with a R.R. running all the way out to the mine from town. The present courthouse's #47 original structure steps are of this marble. It was beautiful. Today the steps are well worn.

Lots of gold mining was done in this area. Since the price of gold has increased, new mining techniques are used, and a lot of the previously mined area is now being re-mined, with new improved equipment.

Farming has always been one of the main industries. At one time lots of berries #48 were raised in the area. These are my 1935 berry pickers. Lucille and I raised tulips #49 for awhile and fought the gophers. The tulips were a beautiful colorful sight when in bloom on the rolling hills.

After renting on A Street, we were able to purchase 10 acres up on Beacon Drive #50. Here is our home. Not great to look at. Originally it was two rooms with sleeping up stairs, but I added and kept improving with two new bedrooms, extending the living room. back porch and Lucille's sawdust lined pantry, which she filled every year with rows and rows of good canned vegetables, fruit, meat, jam, and jellies. Not a mansion or so great to look at, but it was very comfortable and filled our needs. What a 90 degree view PIC #51 we had looking out over everything and living above most of the valley fog, too.

On September l6, 1926, Kenneth Duane #52 &#53 were added to our family, arriving 4 yrs. after Walter. He was born at home in the evening. The rest of the kids went to bed a bit early that evening. Hirohito becomes the Japanese Emperor. New voices on the radio include Eddie Cantor, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Al Jolson, Jack Benny, Groucho Marx, Bing Crosby and Jimmy Durante. Lillian Gish stars in "The Scarlet Letter" and John Barrymore is Don Juan. The first sound movie demonstration is given. The semiautomatic .30 MI rifle is patented. Next yr. Charles Lindburgh flies solo nonstop N.Y. to Paris. "A 94 cent dress is good enough for anyone' child".......Macey's Advertisement.

Lucille and I always had a large garden #54, and sold the surplus to the local town grocery store in exchange for what few things we had to buy: sugar, flour and salt. I always kept cows for milk, selling the cream and

feeding the milk to the rest of the stock. Eventually I kept more cows and sold milk wholesale. We raised all our own meat, including, pork, chicken and other misc. animals and fowl. We always ate like kings and never knew what it was to do without, although all this required early to rise and early to bed. I often worked on the place after dark making improvements and building it up. During the depression days, lots of "friends" often found it convenient to be at our place at meal time. Lucille always made the best of the situation and instructed the kids not to eat the better pieces of chicken---and not so much second helpings...

My water customers offered me flower starts, bulbs and tubers. #55, as well as fancy banty chickens. The children put duck eggs, that were given to me under a banty hen. They hatched, and the poor mother banty was so frustrated when they kept getting into the water dish. During our real cold winters, I always scattered chicken scratch to the wild birds, and Lucille fed them dried bread. Lucille and I would get up very early some Sundays and I would do my irrigation jobs and chores.

Lucille would cook and pack a picnic #56 - #57 dinner. Then when the children came home from church, we would drive to a scenic place, or the Oregon Caves, Crater Lake or visiting families.

I built a brand new barn during the depression years from logs gathered on the hillside and brought down and out with the horses. #58. I also cut and sold or traded wood for music lessons for the kids, and other benefits at this time. I cut down a "sugar pine" up one of the gullies and sawed and split shakes for the roof of the barn. This was a real fine barn during these days. My irrigation job wasn't so profitable during off seasons, because not many people could pay much on their taxes, and at times they would give us a bond, which we couldn't cash, instead of pay. #59 Washington School pg l05 GPHS Centennial or enclosed page 49 also 60 pg 5l?

The kids were free to roam the hills and hike. They often went on wildflower picking excursions in the spring, and knew all the best patches and just where to find the first ones in bloom of each kind, and where they grew the most profuse. When they brought the wildflowers home, they tried Lucille's patience by putting them in her vases and jars. The kids especially liked to climb Beacon Hill behind the place. The power company made switchback trails to take supplies to the top of the hill, for installing the electric line to run the beacon light. It was a signal for airplanes in early flying days. It was easiest for them to power lines on the return trip, always jumping and hollering. Kids often took their friends to the top of Beacon Hill, even going up one night in the snow.

Often after a nice Sunday afternoon drive, it was a real treat to stop in town and have a 5 cent ice cream cone.

Kids learned early to help out with gathering the fruit #60 and vegetables for selling in the grocery store and learned to make use of their hands, which they were always grateful for.

I would send one of the children down the catch the old sorrel horse as he was pastured about a mile away, in order to cultivate the garden and orchard. The orchard was planted above the irrigation ditch so when the trees were young the children carried buckets of water to help get them established.

We always celebrated the 4th of July with a special dish of our first picking of string beans. One 4th Lucille had severely scalded her legs so as the car got warm, she opened the car door to let the air cool her legs. I went around a curve and out flew the kettle.

During the summer on Friday evenings we would take picnic dinners with friends and family and spend our evenings in the city park listening to the city band concerts. Walt Jr. later played in these concerts.

Our 'picking funds' from berry or bean picking, etc., were put in tobacco pouches, and then Mother put them in her purse for safekeeping. As we were paid in coin, the weight was tremendous and she lugged this purse everywhere. The kids were paid l cent a basket for picking berries. Hop picking was l cent a lb. 87 cents earned for a long day of work, was considered VERY GOOD.

Lucille and I saw that all my kids had a chance to play a musical instrument. Here is our orchestra.#61.

During high school days the kids were very active with their music belonging to both the high school band and orchestra and were playing for lots of sports, civic events, the school orchestra #62 concert, clubs and the C.C.C, camps. Lucille and I were so proud of them. Later they began attending the Methodist Church #63 and eventually the Sunday School started up an orchestra, which they participated in. Often in the summer time this group of players would drive out to our place and have orchestra practice. Mr. Martin Trepte was the conductor for this orchestra, as well as the school music--with his very broken English and German brogue.

There were always the swimming #64 in the irrigation ditch, too, especially when it was hot. When they were small, Lucille sat along the ditch bank to watch that the kids were o.k., but as they got older they often went up the ditch to the Jordan swimming hole (so named because Mr. Jordan taught some of them how to swim in this winder bend in the ditch.

Another form of recreation was our once a month Saturday night "window-shopping" as in those days the stores stayed open only on Saturday nights to nine.

pic #65 Walter for Senior dress-up day

This is Walt Jr. all dressed up for Senior Dress-up Day. Notice the lovely stand of oats and vetch behind him and how tall and lush it looks. Sometimes the stand was so heavy, it created problems trying to get it cut for haying.

Joe Calhoun always did my hay cutting for me then. I had several acres of this is for our winter supply of hay for the stock. See what a great view we had looking out across the valley from the front yard?

#90 This is Paul Youngblood skiing; #91 Bonnie Youngblood on porch; #92 Youngbloods and family in front yard; #93 Nancy Youngblood. #94 Mrs. Heath; Mr. Smith; #95 Harris kids and us.

The Heath, Smith, Calhoun and Youngblood families, and we spent many enjoyable times together. Sharing fun and food and swimming in the old hole on hot summer days. The children and our friends spent many evenings playing cards, with waffle feeds, ice cream and Bonnie's delicious angel food cakes plus candy making.

Our neighbors were two families each of Acords and the Calhouns. Calhouns were real supportive and were the ones that saw Walt Jr. got some good Guernsey #96 stock started which later became a beautiful herd of cows. As the eating style and desires of the people changed, Walt Jr. changed from Guernseys producing lots of butterfat to Holstein cows to satisfy the milk market with more milk and less butterfat--familiar sounds today?

Joe Calhoun bought a beautiful team of mules, but couldn't manage them. It was fun to help him break and train them and to know I had not lost my knack. My nephew, Bill Wall, said the ornerier they were the better I liked it. I also seemed to have a sixth sense about sick animals and what to do for them. Lucille was always at my side to help, especially when surgery was needed.

pic of 3 kids in war uniforms #66

WWII's starting Dec. 7, 1941, quickly effecting all of our lives. Kenneth #67, Walter #68 and Mariam #69, all were in the Navy. Doris' lst husband Chet #70, also served in the Navy. At the surrendering of the war with Japan, August 1945, all four were at Hawaii. We were so thankful everyone returned.

I also served actively in the homeguard #71 during this time.

This is Doris and Chet #72, who had a small lawn wedding in the front yard Sept. l0, 1939. Dottie and Marie #73 are their daughters.

Phyllis and Alva #74 were married also on the front lawn, Aug. l, 1942. After 8 yrs. of marriage Lynnette #75 was born, followed later with Walter #76. Al had two children Clarence and Jeannate #76 by his wife, who was deceased when Jeannate was born.

Kenneth and Betty #77 were married during the war; Jan. 22,1944. Betty was working in the Yosemite post office and Ken was working as Navy corpsman at Yosemite Lodge which was serving as a hospital.

Walter and Marion #79 were united in holy marriage Dec. 28, 1946 at Staten Island, N. Y., where Marion was living. To this union were five children born: Ken, Dick, Bob, Cheryl and Marie #80-#81.

This is Mariam and Joe #82 with Ken and Betty when they got married March 14, 1947 at St. Joseph Church in Bakersfield, CA. Their children are: Jennifer #83, Jim #84 and Mark #85.

pic helping on the wagon #86. Phyllis and children spent several months with us after the war, while they moved from the Oregon coast to Eugene. I helped them build their two-story garage with Al, then they lived in that until they built their home. Clarence and Jeannate loved the farm and the attention their grandparents gave them.

After Walt came home, we built more to the barn and put in a better milking system. Walt Jr. was active in agriculture in high school. He started with vegetables, then pigs, leghorn chickens and finally two registered Guernsey heifers which he purchased from Joe Calhoun. This was the start of specializing in Guernseys.

We sold our Beacon Drive property because we were acquiring more cows than our land could provide for and wanted to get bigger yet. Walt Jr. and I had a nice herd of registered Guernseys started.

We rented the bottom floor of a large home and helped our elderly landlady who had an apartment in the upstairs part of the house. Mrs. Miers had ---- acres for the stock.

The undeveloped land we purchased had a nice roll to it. We had to build our home, barn, milking parlor, #97 pic cutting poles; loafing sheds, fences, some #98 (rock hauling) land clearing and #99-#100 Mom and Dad, leveling. The place had a small creek on one edge. It was located near the Rogue River #xxx wagon/doghouse.

We always looked forward to the children coming home, especially those in the service as we were so concerned for their safety.

#101 Portola Drive House: Lucille and I both worked hard at developing the place until Walter Jr. came home from the service and finished college in 1948 to work with me. He and his new wife, Marion, built a home close by.

#102 Doris' children riding milk cart: Doris and girls spent time with us while Chet was in the service. Then we helped them develop their new homestead on the Columbia Basin out of Pasco, Washington. Came up and cleaned the sagebrush the 1st winter for them.

Insert newspaper article Walter's Death

This is Mother #87 at her 70th birthday party with her sister, Jen. It was held in Grants Pass at Walter's farm #88 on Portola Drive, and it was also 114 degrees that day. All the family #89 came and all the grandchildren, too.

Walt Jr.'s corn field #103:or picture off wall; This is some of the excellent corn Walt Jr. now raises for his 500 milking cows-- the old red Fort Vannoy barn was still standing.

pic big one Montana 1989 Crouse Reunion

May we not forget God's promise to us as we gaze at this beautiful rainbow taken in a field here close to Walt Jr.'s farm. It is time to close this history of Walter and Lucille Crouse's descendants as they leave behind 47 blood relatives from this union of two.