1907-01-14-sr-p5-reuben-bowers-hauls-fuel-wood
January 14, 1907 Spokesman-Review Page 5:
CENTRAL WASHINGTON
RECALL BIG BEND OF YEARS AGO
FARMERS HAUL LOGS FROM FORESTS MANY MILES DISTANT.
FUEL FAMINE IS VERY SERIOUS
Unless Conditions Relax Many May Be Compelled to Resort to Pioneer Methods.
HARRINGTON, Wash., Jan. 13.—A load of wood such as has not been seen on streets of Harrington for years brought in Friday by Reuben Bowers, farmer who lives southwest a few miles. It was a load of log wood, which is secured by going to the timber 49 miles distant, cutting the trees and loading the logs on sleds. Before the advent of the railroad this was the only means the Big Bend ranchers had of securing wood, and it was not unusual then to see residents supplying themselves in this way. The wood and coal famine existing in this section may drive many to this mode of procuring fuel if the railroad does not furnish cars for the transportation of fuel.