Historic Hood River
Skidder
5-12-2026
Notes
Here’s another real photo postcard submitted by an Historic Hood River viewer:
This photo card was unmailed. The photo shows three men operating a logging skidder. The only information on the back of the card indicates that Millard Merrill is the young man on the left. Possibly, his father Merrill is on the right.
The box on the ground between the men has a label which appears to end in “ite”. Dynamite? We know dynamite was used for stump removal and road construction in this era.
Pat A
Steam donkey, possibly a willamette.
Used in all phases of construction, such as the Condit dam construction pictures.
Usually moved by dragging itself to a new location.
That cable is shining from friction and constant work. Steamed up and ready as the smoke shows.
The box is possibly recycled as a toolbox.
Thorn
This photo sent me on a deep dive of logging terminology. Enjoy!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_donkey
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skidder
William C. Seaton
In the late 1940’s, I watched my Grandpa remove a stump with dynamite.
Roger Sheldrake
Bill, You may have heard this story from Arlen in past years: Our older brother John W. Sheldrake was a rather astute chemistry student at the early Wyeast high school. He played with some minor explosives but eventually managed to blow a neighbors pear tree out of the ground. Not sure how that was resolved! Any thoughts Arlen?
L. E.
I think at one time, dynamite was about as common a tool as a shovel or axe.
I remember my dad saying to my mom, “ I probably should do something with that box of dynamite up in the loft of the tool shed.”
I suspect it was from back in the days when my grandpa was clearing ground.
Arlen
I have no memory of the pear tree Roger but do remember well brother John/s blowing things up. He was amazing and I miss him. Arlen