Leaving the Island

That was a heart-rending winter for me. I knew the minute we stepped into the house Earl had not told his parents he was going to be married. They didn't welcome me. Mrs. Sullivan was very upset and took to her bed. Later she called me to her bedside and told me they didn't need me there, I should go home. I remembered what Mother had said, Earl was their only means of livelihood. I kinda felt I understood her feelings and felt sorry for her. But I loved Earl and I didn't want to go back home. Besides I had no money nor no way to get there.

It was a bleak, bitter cold winter. Earl was kept busy cutting sage brush for firewood. I wanted to be with him, but I was pregnant and sick. It was at this time Earl's dad and his brother, Tade, started their still operation. Earl's mother stayed in bed most of the time, and whenever it was possible, Earl had to take Hazel Belle [his young sister] to school. I was left to do the cooking and housework. The atmosphere was tense and unhappy.

I was glad when spring came and I could get out and roam about the island. It was peaceful and balm to my heart. There was beauty everywhere. Earl went to work in July, just in time to buy some necessary things for our baby. John was born on the island at 7:00 a.m., Sunday morning, August 26, 1928.

Near the end of September, my sister Vera came to visit me. I was excited and happy to see her. I had been off the island only a few times and I was lonesome. She stayed a week. It was a Saturday and Earl was home. He was about to take Vera to catch the train at Ontario. I was crying as I watched them through the kitchen window walk toward the boat landing. That was when Mrs. Sullivan said, "If you would do more around here, you wouldn't be so lonesome."

That did it! I flew out the door and caught Earl and Vera just getting into the boat.

I yelled, "Wait, I'm going with Vera."

Earl stared at me and in an agitated voice asked, "What on earth, honey, are you saying?"

"I'm going home with Vera. I may as well be living with my folks as with yours, and I'd be happier."

"What about John?"

"He'd going with me."

"You can't go and leave me all alone?"

"I can't see much use in your being in Owyhee and me on the island. I'll come back when you get me a place of my own near your work."

Earl asked Vera if she could stay another week. When she said she would, he took off to get us a place to live in Owyhee. A few days later he made arrangements with his dad to pay him for looking after the farm, and we moved to Owyhee. Earl had rented a tent that had a plank floor and board walls, about four feet high. It was poorly furnished and dirty, but we were a family alone and happy.