Historic Hood River
Spinning Yarn
5-15-2018
Notes
This photo is identified as “Ma Wagner” circa 1893. We have photos of “Ma” and “Grandpa” (Ulrich) Wagner. Can anyone fill in the story?
If you’re reading this before noon, you still can make it to the lunchtime discussion about inventions made in the Gorge. Join us at noon at the China Gorge restaurant.
nels
Appears to be an interior picture with all the cooking equipment but the light is coming from above.
L.E.
Most likely and outdoor kitchen.
I suspect those logs are hand hewn with a broad axe.
I also suspect Ma Wagner never had the luxury or the time or the money to attend lunchtime at the China Gorge.
But if she did…she would probably have put on her miserable corset just as she did for this photo.
L.E.
I was reading through some memories by George Gilmer. His family moved into the Gilmer Valley area, north of White Salmon, in 1871.
He says his mother cooked without a cook stove. She cooked over an open fire. His dad built up a kind of fireplace against the gable end of the cabin piling up rocks he gathered from the creek.
George says his mother had two spinning wheels and wool cards. She knitted all their "stockings, mittens and the like." They had a few sheep to shear.
"Mother’s spinning wheels were of two kinds. One was an old style, with an awful big high wheel. She would stand and give the wheel a whirl and it would run the head and drive the spindle awful fast. The little one ran by foot power. She would sit down to work it. She could spin much faster with the big one. Both were borrowed far and near when the country began to settle up and the neighbor women needed yarn to use."
Kyle
Wonder what the "R W" is on the logs behind her? "W" for Wagner, I suppose…
Arthur
I agree this is an outdoor kitchen area. You can see fencing and trees to the left, and a shed roof with cedar shakes to the far right.
L.E.
I can’t find any evidence that Ulrich Wagner lived in Hood River area. He was an early settler and farmer in the Clackamas County area. He passed away in 1908. His wife Catherine was 12 years younger. Their daughter married Martin Dragseth of Hood River.
Charlott comments on Martin Dragseth in photo
https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org?showimage=390
The September 02, 1920 HR Glacier says that Mrs. Martin Dragseth was called to Wilsonville on account of the serious illness of her mother Mrs. Wagner.
cg
The "awful big high wheel" mentioned above is called a walking wheel. The one belonging to the museum will be on display this summer during the textile show that will open in June.
Arthur
Great research, L.E. That explains why i couldn’t find Grandpa or Ma Wagner in our archives– the photos are of the family’s ancestors who weren’t Hood River residents. Still a great image though!
Arlen Sheldrake
yes, a great image of the old days, puts a perspective on how hard back then doing today what is easy. the "good old days" of cooking dinner……..not.
L.E.
Provided you had something to cook.
The June 19, 1913 HR Glacier says Mrs. Wagner is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Dragsneth for several weeks. Never know, she might have been giving a spinning wheel demonstration while visiting.