Letter Written by Betty Hansen Explains Road Need

We have read your letters in the Grays River Builder, acknowledging the letters written by Mr. Meserve, and have enjoyed them immensely, so I thought I would write to you and tell you about the conditions in these vicinities.

Like you folks, we are also strong and settled in two small communities (Frankfort and Sisson Creek), which are situated along the north shore of the Columbia River. Some of the settlers have made their homes here for the past fifty years; buying lots, erecting beautiful homes and paying taxes all these years. The only means of making their livelihood has been the fishing industry, four months out of each year, which means the provider of a large family has to make a "good catch" in order to support his family for a year, as during the past there has not been, nor still is absolutely no employment of any other nature available.

Now, these children are all grown and practically all of them have deserted these isolated houses in order to find employment elsewhere. Some of them have settle on farms, while others are in large cities with families of their own. But the faithful fisherman are still struggling along endeavoring to make enough during these four months to take them through the cold winter.

A few of us have purchased land and are located on farms, but some of us must also depend upon the fishing industry in order to help us make our livelihood, as it is absolutely impossible for us to seek employment elsewhere and still be able to live at home with some of our aged parents during their few remaining years, whom need our protection and care. As a large majority of people do during this day and age, whom have employment elsewhere, is to step inside their cars, start the motor, step on the gas, and put it in high, and drive down the wonderful highways and county roads until they reach their destination, but, Mrs. Elliott, we are experiencing the same difficulties and handicaps that you are and we all know how to sympathize with you - NO ROAD.

At the present time the only outlet we have out of Sisson Creek is by boat during high tide. If we plan on getting back to the creek during the same tide we must make our time very limited, or be forced to spend from five to six hours on the river and wait patiently for the next tide. During the summer months we do not mind it so, but when the cold wintry winds blow on the old Columbia and the boat rocks to and fro, first on top of the

enormous swell and then goes out of sight for an instant, it is farm from being pleasant. Also, at times, it is so rough that we dare not venture even entering the creek until the tide is real high, as we are in danger of hitting the boat against some old piling or snag. Anyone that is not familiar with our "road" will not attempt entering

the creek at any time. During cold weather it freezes over entirely and we are forced to stay in here until the ice melts. We have a small landing, consisting of a few boards nailed onto some logs which we have anchored out in the channel. When it is necessary for us to go to Astoria to do our shopping, as this is the most

convenient and nearest available business town, we take the launch Victoria from this landing. We also must ship our farm products to Oregon in this manner. During the winter months all the boat owners at Frankfort hoist up their boats in order to keep them safe and secure. The only means of transportation these people have in this little town is by way of the Launch Victoria. Practically all of these folks also spend their money in Oregon, as Astoria is really the most convenient town to all of them. I assure you none of us are proud of the fact as we all would most certainly want to spend our money and transact our business in our own state and counties, but without a road this is impossible for us to do.

While I am discussing the cold weather and ice I wish to tell you about the experience we had on February 9, 1933. At ten o'clock that morning we had the misfortune of loosing our home in a fire, and while my brother was upstairs trying to save a few things, the roof collapsed, just as he was in the act of throwing some things out of the window, and he was caught between the roof and the floor but, in some manner managed to free himself. He was very seriously burned on both legs, both hands, and his face was burned almost beyond recognition.

the creek was frozen over it was impossible for us to get him to the landing to rush him to the

hospital. He managed to reach our neighbor and almost immediately became delirious. All that day and the following night he lay there suffering with those severe burns and with the kindly and tender care of our neighbor managed to ease the pain somewhat. At six o'clock the next morning we managed to carry him to the Victoria on a stretcher, and he spent two months in the hospital.

Several years ago one of the youngsters in this vicinity developed pneumonia, and as the Victoria was not in service a that time and we were unable to get out of the creek due to a very low tide, his father set out on foot through the woods along a narrow path to try to get to Astoria in some unknown manner to get some medicine and consult a physician. He succeeded, however, and returned home the next day (Sunday) and they were not able to get him to the hospital until the next day. If we had a road at that time and were able to get them to hospitals immediately a lot of this painful suffering would have been avoided.

We understand the Eden to Altoona road is almost completed, and we certainly are happy that that residents of the community are getting an outlet after all these years of patient waiting and we are positive that eventually the road will be extended to give you people above Altoona the outlet you need, but it takes time and funds.

Frankfort is situated about two and one half miles from the Ocean Beach highway. A road down to these little villages would open a very good section of this county. The land is very fertile and would make excellent farms. There would be sufficient land for about fifteen settlers and a big portion of it would be very easily cleared. It would also give these "shut-ins" the advantage of attending social affairs, churches, theatres, dances, schools, beaches and different amusements which they have been deprived of practically all of their lives. It certainly does seem unfair that we are so close to all of these and still are unable to attend any of these functions.

If we had cars (which undoubtedly most of us would) it would take us only a few minutes to

attend any of these. Also, the men could have steady employment and be able to live at home.

For several years we have been working vigorously for a road, making trips both to South Bend and Cathlamet. Our commissioners advised us that they would cooperate with us to the fullest possible extent, in order to give us an outlet. We certainly hope we have reached our goal, as, in a few years so many of these lovely homes would be vacated with no one to take their places.

I must not forget to tell you about our last trip to South Bend on the 18th of this month. There were about fifteen of us ranging in ages from two years to seventy-five years. We left Svensons Landing and proceeded coming down the river in a fish boat, snowflakes began to fall thick and fast and it was bitterly cold. We managed to get out of Deep River with no difficulty, but when we entered the Columbia river we were unable to see land and we lost sight of all the beacon lights.

Finally our engine stalled and not having the slightest idea where we were at, we decided to lay anchor and discovered we were on a shallow bank, the tide ebbing very rapidly and the snow still falling. The women and the baby managed to get into the cabin and be protected from the cold wind and the snow, but the men outside had to make the best of it. We were all an excited crowd

as none of us were not any too enthused about spending the night on a mud flat. But after almost an hour of coaxing the engine began to run and the snow had let up considerable, we discovered where we were and started on our way. It certainly isn't very pleasant being lost in a snow storm on the Colombia river. It took us three hours to travel the distance of five miles from Svensons Landing to Frankfort. I hope the time is near when we can all step into our cars and enjoy life with the rest of the world instead of traveling in fish boats.

Yours very truly,

Betty Hansen

Addendum by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum in January 2025: Betty Hansen – Elizabeth Emma Hansen born 3 May 1900 in Onieda, Wahkiakum County, Washington to Isakki “Isaac” and Hilda Kristine Gustava (Olson) Hansen, he was born in Finland and she in Sweden. Betty married Alexander Jalo Onkka in August 1938 and she died 16 Dec 1952 in Oakland, Alameda County, California. No children from this marriage.

Betty had 4 brothers that could have been hurt in the house fire. Carl Gustav Hansen born 15 Sept 1898 in Knappton, Pacific County, Washington; died 5 Jan 1944 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. Did not marry. Albert Hugh Hansen born 2 Feb 1902 in Frankfort, Pacific County, Washington; died 20 Mar 1978 in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. Married Erna L. Mueller.

Osar Richard Hansen born 16 Feb 1905 also in Frankfort; died 29 Jul 1977 in Pacific County, Washington. Married Aune Hilja Harrison in 1927. Lee Louis Hansen born 27 Aug 1907 also in Frankfort; died 23 Mar 1978 in Longview, Cowltiz County, Washington. Married Mildred Sophie Parmilla Larson in 1937.