The First White Family: A Pioneer’s Log-Cabin Legacy

Extracts from the Diary of [Historian Name Redacted]

The first white family who settled in Snohomish was that of Mr. Thompson who stopped a while at the residence of E. C. Ferguson in this place in 1864; the next was that of John L. Clark, some time during the winter of '65. They took up the claim now known as the little farm [illegible]... Following W. B. Sinclair, wife and child, also Mrs. Ellis (wife of the Supt. of the top mine), intents of Amos Phinney & Co., on board the Steamer Mary Woodruff, chartered for the occasion, ran up for the Snohomish river. Leaving Fort Madison, about 9 o'clock A.M. and arriving at Priest Point before dark, the Captain not being acquainted with the channel, decided to anchor until morning. Started early the next day, but the river was quite high, and the steamer, but a primitive affair, compared with the first sailing Zephyr, consequently progress was slow, against the swollen current.

The passengers were delighted with the change from the bold abrupt cliffs of the Sound crowned with weather beaten fir, and stunted cedar, to the sloping grassy banks, overhung with alders, maple and spruce all clothed in tender green. The fragrance of camphor blossoms and snowy lilacs filled the air, which together with the warm sunshine, and singing birds, seemed the opening of a new creation. Almost every bend they surprised an Indian encampment, the natives all rushed out pell mell, to view with curious gaze the strange phenomenon whizzing through Steamboat slough.

A frightened deer strum [struck] norms in advance of the steamer and disappeared in the thick on [brush] on the opposite shore. A shrill whistle invoking the echoes added to his flight.

The country was wild looking in the extreme, a veritable footprint of civilization to beset, but for claims made, and very little clearing done. Arrived during the forenoon at what is now the thriving village of Lowell; the sole improvement then made was a log home used by Smith, Wilson & Co. on a logging camp. Reached Cadyville, as it was then called, on the evening of the 8th, made a landing on the bank below where McKardle's store now stands; the sight of which many crew viewed the arrival of 'Mary' with feelings very different from those of men that knew from Mr. Jones.

A small house, adequate to such a state, stood on the street onto [now] which Mr. Smith [illegible]ance of John Hiltou End... The dwelling place and home of Mr. E. C. Ferguson, together with those mentioned above comprised all the improvements at Snohomish City then made. All of the present town-site of Snohomish City was then covered with a growth of large trees, excepting a small tract in front of, and in the same vicinity of the above named buildings.