A Usk Homesteader Dies of Consumption Far From Home
August Norland, 41, worked summers proving up his homestead and winters as a blacksmith for railroad contractors. Tuberculosis took him in a Spokane hospital, with his neighbor at his side.
August Norland died in Spokane on Tuesday, May 24, of consumption, at the age of 41 years.
Mr. Norland came to Usk about seven years ago and took up a homestead about five miles from here, where he worked during the summer improving the same, and during the winter worked as blacksmith for Grant Smith Co., railroad contractors. Mr. Norland, being unable to work last winter, journeyed to California to try and shake off the deadly disease which had obtained such a fatal hold on him, but returned to Spokane about ten days ago and was compelled to seek a hospital, where he steadily grew worse. Axel Ekman, his nearest neighbor, was notified and immediately left for Spokane, only to find his neighbor and friend unconscious, but he remained to the end.
Mr. Norland was well known in the Pend Oreille valley, especially in the vicinity of Usk, and had the reputation of being a good and industrious citizen, and made friends wherever he went, who are very sorry to hear of his demise, believing they have lost from their midst a man whose place will be hard to fill among his fellow-men. He leaves one brother in Wisconsin. Mr. Norland will be buried in Spokane. — Calispel Valley Times.
“Axel Ekman, his nearest neighbor, was notified and immediately left for Spokane, only to find his neighbor and friend unconscious, but he remained to the end.”
Norland's life was the classic homesteader's bargain: summers proving up the land, winters earning cash as a blacksmith, and a body worn down by both. Tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in this era, and the trip to California in search of a cure was a common, often futile, last resort.
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