Watson's Harverene™ Resort
On the South Shore of Lake Chelan, Washington
Established 1892
Be a Family Again™
The HomesteadBefore and during the time of the Chelan Falls Water Power Company project, J. Howard had continued to pursue the establishment of his homestead. He made consistent progress, but all was not easy, especially with one neighbor. From the very first day that J. Howard Watson posted his claim, there were problems with a neighbor who had settled property just down lake from the Watson property. John and Elizabeth Stevenson settled at First Creek in 1888.
"The day of the original posting of notice, I called on Stevenson at 3:30pm and told him I had taken the place just west of him. He asked if I meant the place on the other side of his (corral) fence, and I said I did. He then said Mr. Russell had told him not 30 days ago that he had decided to locate there and that if I went on there he would do all he could against me. He then called Mr. Russell in and asked him if it was not true that he had told him (Stevenson) thirty days ago that he had intended taking up that place. Russell said "I told Stevenson a month ago that I thought some of taking that place." I replied that Mr. Russell had been here two years, had not spend a dollar on it, had not even put up a house, and that it was in my opinion open to settlement. Stevenson warned me that if I went on there he would swear that it was Russell's place and that I would loose every dollar I spent on the place. Stevenson did all the talking, so much so that I asked him whether it was his claim or Russell's. Well, he said, Russell is sick and not able to work and I am looking out for his interests. (Russell had been sawing wood for Stevenson when I called). He is not mentally sick, I said, and I should judge his competent to talk for himself. Stevenson told me that Russell has been living on that claim in a cabin I build when I first came here. This cabin is on the east side of the creek by the side and north of the corral and east of the original fence running south from the corral, which w as the only fence on Stevenson's place when I went there."
J. Howard Watson
That first night J. Howard spent the night at a logging camp above Stevenson's place.
"Mr. Larson, the foreman of the camp said to me 'When I came here I saw notices all over this hill. I had come up the coulee and come in to Stevenson's place from behind. The notices were more than a mile behind Stevenson's house. I spoke to Stevenson about them and asked where the locators were. Stevenson admitted to me that he had posted the notices and signed fictitious names to them to keep those d__ saw mill men away.'"
J. Howard Watson
The next day:
"While we were at work, Stevenson and Russell rowed past on the lake and watched us falling the trees, but neither said anything."
J. Howard Watson
From February 23, 1892:
"While we were carrying the lumber to a place on lot one where the cabin was being built, Stevenson and Russell came around in a row boat. I did not know but there would be trouble and asked the carpenter to remain near until I found out what they intended to do. Stevenson was the spokesman, and after a few common places he said, 'everything is all right as far as we are concerned; we came around to say we had no objections to you going ahead.' I said that I would do my best to see that it was pleasant and that there was no use to quarrel about lines. Then I asked him where he thought his lines came to, and he said he thought they would come to the long point nearest the mouth of the creek. 'Well, Mr. Stevenson' I said, 'I am willing to abide by the survey and take my lines as they are shown by a survey, whether they fall west or east of that point.' They soon departed… ".
J. Howard Watson
Things were quiet between the neighbors until later that first summer:
"WATER FILING - FIRST TROUBLE. There was not trouble until the following August, 1892, when I posted a notice filing on one cubic foot of water for irrigation and household purposes. Then it was that Stevenson refused to sell us milk and butter, or vegetables any longer."
J. Howard Watson
Later that same fall while working on a dam and flume for the water system:
"On Nov. 19, 1892 with Mr. U. Mitchell as superintendent, while at work on that day just before noon, Stevenson cam over and said I was stealing his water and his land and ordered me to stop work on the dam. He said the place was not big enough for he and I, and one of us would have to get off. I've stood you as long as I intend to he said, and you've got to get out of this. Mitchell said if I was on Stevenson's land, I could be made to pay damages, and I asked him if he was claiming this land or was it Russell's? He replied that it was Russell's . I asked him whose fence was built while I was away? And he said it was Russell's - That he had built it for Russell and had been paid for doing so. Then I told him the land we were on could not possibly and for him to go about his business. This was in the 40 acre tract back of lot one, which he is not now claiming. The same afternoon - or rather about noon, Stevenson came down to my house. He was leading a horse, and Mr. Russell was riding the horse. They came up in front of my house and called me out. Mr. Russell said merely: 'I have been advised I can hold this claim.' What do you allege to be your claim I asked? He spoke to Stevenson before replying, and then said 'it is a quarter wide lying west of Stevenson's and running south one mile' … Stevenson said 'every dollar of improvement belongs to Russell' He talked so long and so violently that I asked him what his interest was, and why he did not allow Mr. Russell to do his own talking, then he dared me to come out and fight, and I swallowed the dare. Stevenson filed on a water right Nov. 11, 1892, and the next year ploughed out a dry ditch but never connected it to the creek, and it is now filled up, never having been used. The work on this ditch was begun by Stevenson June 19, 1893."
J. Howard Watson
As to Russell's rights:
"I had been informed before going to the place to take up a claim that Stevenson would try to hold Mr. Russell up as the man who was entitled to the claim, and I knew also that Russell had had a claim in the coulee but had given it up. In June of 1893, Mr. Russell came down to my place in a boat. He got out at the beach and walked up to where Mr. Mitchell was working on the irrigation ditch and during the conversation there he told Mr. Mitchell that he did not want the place that it was too rocky. Later he told the same to others, who informed me. I was therefore aware that he did not care for the place."
J. Howard Watson
Stevenson's change:
"So far as I knew there had never been an attempt on the part of Stevenson to claim the lot my house is on until after an erroneous survey was made, when they were attempting to get the township line for Tp. 28. This survey showed the line to run south of Stevenson's house, and one of the quarter section lines crossed lot one just west of my house. It has always been my belief that when Stevenson saw that line he believed that he could claim my house and home improvements. When the error was corrected and the township line was run north of my house and the section lines changed also, he forgot to cease coveting the property that he once owned - in his mind. This erroneous survey was made I believe in 1893."
J. Howard Watson
Stevenson's Affidavit:
"…to the affidavit, it was made by Stevenson for a change of entry, it is not based on facts. He speaks of a mound of rocks 70 rods northwesterly from the mouth of First Creek, and of posting a notice on certain twin trees. There was no mark on these trees when I located showing that a notice had been posted, and there was no mound of rocks, or anything appearing like a mound, until one was made there by Surveyor Worthington in 1894, when he was running the survey of Township 28 N R 21. He also speaks of a row of fence posts, which he said he set in 1890 to mark his western boundary. These fence posts were set after the first and erroneous survey of TP 27 was made in 1893, and they were set on that line running west of my house, and not on a line with the twin trees spoken of. They were of pine and would not have been new looking in 1893 when I first saw them there. It is also my belief that these posts were set by a settler named Ferguson who was occupying a homestead there at that time. The course of First Creek is correctly shown on the plat filed of township 27 - 21, and no part of it extends into lot one of section four. The improvements on his place are not worth $5,000 but are the most ordinary cheap improvements, the house being small and of logs, the outbuildings being of rough lumber and of the cheapest construction, and all could easily be replaced for $1,000 or even less. He has not got 40 acres in bearing orchard and he has not got 50 acres of cultivated land besides the orchard, and it is doubtful it he has 50 acres all told under cultivation. The road he refers to as being on lot one is on lot six, and no part of it is on lot one; the landing dock which is a few piles driven into the sand without cover of any kind, is also on lot six, and no part of it is on lot one. There is not any clearing on lot one …"
J. Howard Watson
Filing:
"The statement that Stevenson did not know of the error when he filed is not correct. He had Judge Navarre run out his lines, as I have been informed, and then refused to file so that his lines would be correctly outlined, and he also refused to make monuments of any kind to show where his lines were, or to make any definite statements of his several corners. It appears to be a fact that when he filed, he knew he was making an erroneous filing, but said he would make the land office correct his filings. To my knowledge, he never showed any man his corners prior to the last survey of Tp 27."
J. Howard Watson
Here's more from the book "We left because the Creek went dry" by Elizabeth Watson Perry. (This book may be purchased at the Lake Chelan Historical Society's Chelan Museum in downtown Chelan.) "Did the fact that John Stevenson spent time in the county jail at Conconully during the winter of 1897-98 have anything to do with the post office being closed in March of 1898? "Actually the trouble had started several years before in 1892 with a disagreement over property lines with his up lake neighbor, J. Howard Watson. Resentment simmered the next five years over one incident or another until in May of 1897, on a day that the Watson family arrived home from a trip to Spokane, Mr. Stevenson shot a horse belonging to Watson. Mr. Watson described the horse as a 'Thoroughbred mare' - Mr. Stevenson described the animal as a 'Cayuse that persisted in annoying him and destroying property.' When they appeared before Justice of the Peace C.C. Campbell the following week John (Stevenson) was found guilty and fined $300. The case then went to Superior Court in Conconully, then the county seat of Okanogan County. "In the meantime a survey of Township 27 in which the ranches of Andrew Barron, John Stevenson, J. Howard Watson and Bernard Deven were located was called for in an attempt to settle the boundary issues once and for all. In mid October Andrew Barron, U.I. Mitchell, Ike Stevenson, Mr. and Mrs. Watson, John Stevenson and Belle Meagher all came down from First Creek on the steamer, and along with Judge Campbell and Joseph Darnell, took the stage from the Superior Court trial in Conconully. They traveled in the same stage - it must have been an interesting trip. "According to the Chelan Valley Leader of November 1897, 'Deputy Sheriff O.A. Hoag accompanied by John W. Stevenson started to Conconully Tues. A.M. where the latter when to settle the fine imposed by the superior court for shooting J. H. Watson's horse. Since the fine and costs together added up to nearly $300 Mr. Stevenson will probably winter at the county seat. Sheriff Hoag reported that John's last words were "Tell the boys I am cheerful."' He returned home in February of 1898 after concluding his engagement at the county seat."
Elizabeth Watson Perry
The troubles between the Watsons and the Stevensons continued until the Stevensons moved away.
"By 1901 John and Elizabeth were spending winters in town and it was about this time he began leasing out the property to a series of tenant farmers. In 1905 he sold the farm to Frederick Vollmer, formerly of Philadelphia."
Elizabeth Watson Perry
Harverene Lodge
With the exception of the Stevenson/Russell problems, things at the Watsons' Homestead were advancing very well. To J. Howard's enjoyment, and credit to his homestead, he began the difficult task of clearing land for a garden, orchard and for livestock. He was enthusiastic in his horticulture endeavors and kept abreast on the best methods of growing fruit in the Central Washington region. Not only did he raise small fruits, but made winter apples his specialty. He also had an interest in a nearby stock ranch. The Watsons had a large garden and small family orchard located against the hillside along the lake, and a larger orchard and fields on the hillside above the home. J. Howard had first built a log cabin when he arrived. During the summer of 1892, construction began on a larger home for the Watsons.
"Wm. Antilon - Worked on my house … building it in the summer of 1892."
J. Howard Watson
It was an attractive two-story house, 32' x 48' with an el 12' x 20' which served as the kitchen. This home had a large front deck with a rounded corner sunroom deck facing the lake on the east side of the home. It was time to give their new home a name. J. Howard Watson's choice was "Shadow Bay". It was a very appropriate name for their location, especially during the winter months when the sun sits low behind Bear Mountain. This name was more than likely derived when J. Howard first posted claim in February of 1892. A poem was even written by J. Howard titled "Shadow Bay" that first year. Nevertheless, J. Howard was out voted by Katherine, who preferred the name "Harverene", derived from their son's first name (Harold) and Katherine's middle name (Verene) thus forming Har-verene. By this time, the homestead also consisted of a pig pen which was located over by the family orchard and garden (a fair distance from the home mind you), an apple packing shed and apple storage shed, a root cellar, a wood shed, chicken house, and a barn as well as the log house which was used for guests and a caretaker. They grew alfalfa and some wheat at times. They had horses and cattle. Gravity flow water for the homestead was provided from First Creek. They grew a variety of fruits and nuts. A large crib dock and floating wharf was established below the house on the lake, used for moorage and delivery of goods. At times, mail was delivered to Harverene Lodge, thus it became a hub for neighbors to gather. The Harverene Homestead was not a small endeavor by any means. During the summer and fall of 1892, work was also done to obtain water for the new homestead.
"August, 1892, when I posted a notice filing on one cubic foot of water for irrigation and household purposes."
J. Howard Watson
Notice of Water Right
State of Washington County of Okanogan To whom it may concern Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has and does hereby take advantage of and appropriates the right to use the water by diversion in a running stream or creek. To note First Creek as a point in Township 27 Range 21, County of Okanogan, State of Washington, near its northern line. The exact location being unknown to the undersigned as the corners could not be found upon diligent search, but which is a Government land location at a point on said creek about 1,700 feet south east from where it empties into Lake Chelan. Said appropriation will within six (6) months, or the legally specified time from the date hereof exact and construct a dam as said pump and a water way to conduct the water to his ranch of 160 acres more or less, located in un-surveyed land bordering on the north of the north line of Township 27, Range 21 and having the south shore of Lake Chelan as its northern boundary. That the undersigned, as such appropriation, claims the water there trying, bringing or flooming at said point and above said point. To the extent of one cubic foot of water per second of time, and the right to use said water and to secure said water at any other convenient point in its course, should the bed of the stream to change by high water or other causes. That the purpose for which said water is appropriated is for irrigation and domestic water works purposes on the said lands described and now claimed by the undersigned. That the means by which it is intended to divert that same is by a dam in said stream and a water ditch, flume where necessary, from said point to the place or places of intended use Dated this 15th day of August, 1892. J. Howard Watson
Witness: Leo Harding J.O. Harding F.M. Barron - County Auditor By H. C. Davis - Deputy
Statement of Water Right
To whom it may concern, This is to certify that the work of improving the water right appropriated by J. Howard Watson, Aug. 15, 1892 to the use of water running in First Creek to the amount of one cubic foot per second of time at a point on said creek, in Township 27 N. Range 21 E.W.M. County of Okanogan, State of Washington near the supposed Northern boundary line of said Township and located on said creek about 1700 feet South most from where it empties into Lake Chelan was commenced Nov. 15, 1892 and that it was completed June 17th, 1893. The head gate and dam are located at a point shown in the accompanying map and which is made a part hereof, just North of the rock bluff. The head gate being on the northwest bank of said creek. The flume and head gate are __________ (unreadable) inches, inside measurement. The pressure in low water is five (5) inches and the flume for a distance of one hundred (100) feet in laid on a grade of ___________ (unreadable) to the foot. This flume connects with a _______ (unreadable) gate box, which contains a waste gate to return water to said creek. The safety gate being ______ (unreadable) inches. The ditch has a depth of eighteen (18) inches, is two (2) feet wife and three (3) feet at the top and has a grade of 1/3 inch to the _________ (unreadable). The carrying capacity of said ditch is one (1) cubic foot per second of time.
"I began work on the dam and flume for the irrigation ditch on Nov. 19, 1892 with Mr. U. Mitchell as superintendent."
J. Howard Watson
THE DREAMER ON THE LAKEJ. Howard occasionally found time for more than just property improvements and paperwork:
"The Dreamer on the Lake"
A feller can't live on scenery, nor digest ther rocks an' trees; Nor a feller can't eat ther roses, not ther hummin' bird an bees; But there's heaps o' solid comfort, when ther toil o'day is o'er, To take a pipe o'tobaccy an sit by ther open door; An gaze at ther purty pictures that'll there before you grow, Of the water, ther rock shore, an-ther mountains tipped with snow; Of ther shafts o'light from ther sittin sun, paint in' lake, an' vail an' hill With er color bright, or er tint so light it ed test ther artists skill; An I get lost in contemplation, an fergit my humble lot - Fergit ther beans an' bacon all is boilin in the pot; Fergit ther rough-chinked cabin, that lets in their sun an' rain; Fergit ther hand an' cheerless cot, where I often lie in pain - Fergit ther cares o'poverty while holdin down ther claim, Fer in looking at ther pictures I rise to wealth an' fame; An sometimes while a-gazin at the constant shiftin scene, Ther rocks form into castles an their woods a park so green, That they lure me from their doorstep an' I rise to start to go - Then I waken from their dreamin' an' I laugh that it h'aint so! Yes, I'd rather live on bacon, and work like ther Grecian slaves, Than be plants on the prairie an' miss ther rocks an' ther waves.
J. H. W.
Harverene, June 27, 1893 The Merger of Two NewspapersJ. Howard had not entirely left the newspaper business behind. During the first two years of his homesteading, he maintained some involvement with his former Spokane newspaper and his business associates, and did some writing for them. W. H. Cowell had traveled to Spokane from Chicago to help the struggling Spokane Spokesman. Despite his arrival and contributions, prospects for the new paper remained dismal. It appeared that the Spokane Falls economy could not support two daily newspapers. While The Review copied many of the standards implemented by the Spokesman, the Spokesman was not able to complete with the already firmly established Review. There was not enough advertising revenue in the area at that time for both papers to prosper. This was evident to the management of both papers. Soon the owners met to thrash out the details of a merger, meeting in the Review's newly constructed and very elaborate new building. It was agreed by both groups that the Spokesman would be discontinued. The surviving paper would be known as The Spokesman-Review. The shares of stock in The Review would be divided four ways. The newly formed company would own The Review's new building and all of its printing equipment and furnishings. It would also have the Associated Press franchise and other press franchises. Just short of its third birthday, The Spokane Spokesman discontinued publication with its final issue on Sunday, Feb. 19, 1893. The first issue of the consolidated papers named The Spokesman-Review appeared to all on February 20, 1893. J. Howard Watson would continue to work for The Spokesman-Review off and on for a short time after the merger.
NEXT: Lake Chelan 1895 By Chelan Pioneer Don MathersCopyright © 2009 by Watsons Resort Inc | ||||||||||||||||||
