This story written with the help of an important pioneer, Dorothy Baker. She and family once lived in Nespelem in the 30's and her father taught school there.

I haven't seen any of the families for over 60 years that I once knew while growing up in Nespelem. I think Barbara's husband was Don McClure, they owned a house in Nespelem. By some chance, If he is still living, he could tell you more about the family, Barbara died several years ago. I have several pictures of the May Day parade in Nespelem in the 30's. I was very young when I lived there but I can still remember many of the names of the people as if it were just yesterday. We lived in a little homestead on a corner of the street that ran by the Kuntz house. The Halls lived on the other side and I think that their son Roger Delorm is still living in Seattle. You might find him by contacting the Highline Methodist Church in Seattle. Vera Kinkaide married a gentleman from Ellensburg and the last that I knew they were living in Port Angeles. I Don't recall right off hand; Grace or Rachel DeCamps married names. The Churchill's moved to Oregon near the Columbia River and their daughter Dorothy Vera Churchill was living in Coos Bay Oregon the last time I heard. The Churchill's had a gas station across the street from the icehouse. Their names were Blanch and Screech Churchill and she was a Chinked.

Ed Beggs would be in his 80's if he were living. The older Mrs. Kinkaide was my Sunday school teacher and I remember that her husband played the harmonica at the Grange Hall. I recall him playing, "Buffalo Girls Won't you Come Out and Dance by the Light of the Moon". I used to take a clean milk bottle up to Parmeiters Dairy to get milk when we needed to replenish our supply. I also recall that the DeCamps lived across the street from the people named Pools and next door to them was the Davis Dry Goods, I recall Earl DeCamp was one of the early settlers in the area. I know the Indians had great respect for him and he could speak their native tongue. Chief Joseph made him a complete Indian chief outfit out of buckskin and it is on display in the Indian museum in Spokane, Washington. When we first moved to Nespelem the post office was located in the general store on the south end of town, near the livery stable. There wasn't many cars in town at that time mostly horses, buckboards, and buggies. Later the post office moved into the drug store and Mr. DeCamp was postmaster, after he died, Barbara was postmistress.

I remember the Grays at the Indian agency ( Nespelem at that time was a sub-agency for the Colville Reservation); their daughter Dorothy Gray was in my class. I am familiar with the Freidlanders, Evelyn, was a princess to the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival. Father Greva used to come to our house for dinner and he liked to visit with my Dad. One of the Moses moved back to Nespelem but I can't remember the name. He was well educated had a pock marked face and looked up to by the Indians. Right now, I can see faces in my mind but I don't remember all their names I believe a family named Cox lived across the street from us. The Nespelem School was down by the creek but it later was moved up on the hill and after we left it remained an old style wooden building still standing to that day. We had a wood stove in the room used for heat, which was much needed in the winter. Bob Kuntz was my age and had a sister Estelle, can't remember the rest of the family names. The Kuntz Grocery Store burned to the ground when we lived there. Goodness, I haven't thought of all this in years. All my family has passed away so I can't double check with them any longer.

If any of the Beggs are still living in Nespelem they might tell you more. The elder Beggs had a mine we children liked to go visit. My family had Christmas dinner with them and I remember candles on the Christmas tree, which wasn't allowed, at our house. Chief Joseph and Chief Moses' Indian burial sites are located at Nespelem. Please respect these sacred Native American burial sites when visiting these historical sites.