In “Two Families, One Common Ancestor, Two Hundred Miles Apart” I introduced a quote by a little girl named Arlene, and then later brought her story forward in “Grandma Remembers.“
The wealth of wonderful family photographs and stories was overwhelming, thanks so much to Tess Reams, a descendent of these Imnaha pioneers. So, if you’ve enjoyed stories of her family history, I offer one more…
” ‘Crossing The Plains’ tells of Walter G. Beith as a nine-year-old coming with his family on covered wagon to Wallowa County in 1882. It also relates the first years the Beith family spent on Prairie Creek. When “Crossing the Plains” was originally printed in 1931. W. G. Beith only had a few copies printed for his family and friends.
In having my father’s book reprinted, we felt that he would be gratified that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren could have copies of it. Other members of the family could learn more of the family history too. It will also be available to those who have a special interest in pioneer stories.
It is our wish to dedicate the new edition to the members of the Beith family. In the early 1900’s my father had saved enough to buy a ranch on the Imnaha River and acquire some sheep. By 1914 when he sold out, he had three ranches and two bands of sheep. The remainder of his life was spent in Joseph.
For a number of years, he bought grain and managed the Kerr Gifford Company warehouse. Wheat was one of the principal crops and by Fall the warehouse was filled with grain waiting to be shipped to Portland.
Father was very interested in farming and stock raising. In Summer there was nothing he enjoyed more than driving around Prairie Creek seeing the crops. To Walt Beith, Wallowa County was an ideal place for these occupations. There was no one who was a more loyal citizen of his hometown and county than he
was.“
Winifred Beith Allen
August, 1979
Crossing the Plains – Google Doc version, searchable
