The Pioneer Who Never Gave Another Speech After Mt. Baker Erupted
N. V. Sheffer, Whatcom County’s oldest living pioneer, brought his donkey cart to Ferndale’s old-settlers’ reunion—and told why he stopped speaking in public in 1854.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
As predicted in last week's Tribune, N. V. Sheffer received his share of the honors bestowed upon the old settlers at Ferndale last week by the throngs of visitors. 'Ferndale is alright,' says Mr. Sheffer, 'they gave us a royal good time and seemed as pleased to see me as Ezra.' Asked if Meeker would not soon pay him a visit he replied, 'Oh no, he is too busy selling his writings. Why, he just takes money with both hands. He hasn't got time to enjoy life.' The Ferndale Record has a very pretty little story about Mr. Sheffer's appearance and reception in Ferndale which we take pleasure in presenting herewith for our readers. 'N. V. Sheffer from Lynden, oldest living pioneer of Whatcom County having arrived here in 1854, is in the city with his donkey and cart. Mr. Sheffer is a native of Indiana, and went to school over 60 years ago in Warren County, Indiana, with Ezra Meeker. Mr. Sheffer is here with his pioneer outfit to welcome Ezra Meeker and escort him into town. Mr. S. is so well preserved, so robust, vigorous, healthy and good looking, that he would make a shilling mark for some young lady did he not betray his age by his words. He is also an affable, fluent talker and in the early days was considered quite an orator. In 1854 Mr. Sheffer was delivering a Fourth of July oration to a crowd of Native people not far from Mt. Baker, and when in the height of his patriotic eloquence old Mt. Baker suddenly blew her cap off continuing to erupt for about fifteen minutes. Since that time Mr. Sheffer has always declined to talk in public for fear of another eruption. Mr. Sheffer and Mr. Emmet Hawley also of Lynden have erected a log cabin on the grounds.'
“Since that time Mr. Sheffer has always declined to talk in public for fear of another eruption.”
Sheffer’s story is a reminder that local memory often lives in characters rather than monuments: the oldest settler with a donkey cart, a log cabin, and a volcano story. In a region still shaped by pioneer mythology, his self-deprecating joke about Mt. Baker cuts through the pomp.
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