Historic Hood River
Balance
1-27-2016
Notes
Loggers had to have good balance to survive. These men are identified as “Fred Leifer” (front) and “Paul” (rear). We suspect “Paul” was related to Ed Wonsyld, who was a foreman at the Dee mill in the 1940s.
Charlott
A friend of mine last week, in fact, posted a video taken in the Dee area of the logging industry in I would say the late 40’s and 50’s. Went right from the forests where harvesting was going on, right through to the finished product at Dee Mill. Gave a good account of how each aspect was done. Lots of good footage of the mill. I will see if I can find out how one can locate it to view. Very, interesting and educational.
Kenn
My fear was falling down through the logs in a full pond, they may part to let you down through, they will not part to let you back up. And the wood chips in your eyes from that water is not pleasant..
L.E.
I don’t think I would want to get in a brawl with Fred.
I wonder if they are gathering up stray logs during flood stage? My dad did this kind of log work at the Camas Paper Mill when he was young.
Besides Ed, there was also Frank and Leonard Wonsyld who lived at Dee. I think there may be quite a few Wonsyld descendants still in the Hood River area. Maybe they will find HHR and these photos.
Buzz
Looks like they are playing around on a boom stick in shallow water to me.
Bill P
Three cheers to the "POND MONKEY". He really earned his pay.
Bill P.
L.E.
Any idea where this might be?
Kenn
Same attire we had at Cooks WA, a pike pole with no life jacket, helmet or corks. I was a non swimmer at the time and trying to save logs from departing down the Columbia during the 1948 flood. The job ended for me when I went downriver to help with Vanport cleanup.
This brings to mind the still operating Hull-Oaks steam saw mill south of Corvallis. They are the only mill that can cut 80′ with a diameter of 6′, and their tours take one from the pond to the finished product.. .
Bill P
Nichols Boat Works developed a small powerful, one operator, shallow draft boat that was used to manage logs in mill ponds, make up rafts etc. This boat was called a "pond monkey".
Bill P.
rachell
i’ve checked family records for Wonsyld and can’t identify these gentlemen as family, so must have been friends and co-worker. Either way their balancing skill is impressive!
Rachell
Paul is Paul Hooey. He was husband to Christine Wonsyld & was a Riverboat captain.