Three Island Crossing goes smoothly

Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Native Americans from Duck Valley Reservation assisted the pioneers crossing the river as their ancestors did during the 19th century.

A large crowd watched from the north shore as a wagon and horses entered the swirling waters of the Snake River during the 21st Annual Three Island Crossing Reenactment last Saturday.

It was a beautiful day for a Crossing. Cool temperatures with a breeze that tickled the surface of the river helped form the mood as one wagon and nine people astride horses, and one mule rider, started down the steep Oregon Trail to the river's south bank.

The wagon and six outriders traveled down an original section of the Oregon Trail to reach the river's edge. Depicting 19th century pioneers that made the Crossing, they formed a group, discussing the best way to tackle the river. Soon, a trail of dust caught their attention. Native Americans astride horses had used a less traveled route to reach the meadow below the trail. They met with one of the men on horseback, parleyed for a few minutes then approached the river's edge.

In the lead of the procession, were four members of the Shoshone-Paiute tribe; Reggie Sope, Edwin Horn, Brian Lewis, and Buster Gibson. Following behind was the wagon and other riders.

"Someone ordered up a beautiful day for us," said Lloyd Jefferies, after making his 11th river crossing. His team of horses, Maggie and Jigs, has made the Crossing almost as many times. Jefferies wife, Julie, has made the crossing five times, and helps stabilize the wagon as it enters an area called "The Shoot." It is at that section of river that the draft animals must swim for a several yards before finding firm footing on a submerged sandbar.

The river's water level was noticeably lower than in past years, and after a successful crossing, Lloyd Jefferies praised Pam Pace, a representative from Idaho Power Company, for making sure the water level was kept low for the Crossing.

Later in the day, Three Island Crossing Organization President Dale Smith would again make it clear that Pace and Layne Dodson, of IPCo., were to be commended for their efforts in making sure the river remained low for the event.

The lower water level made the crossing less treacherous than in past years when the water level ran up to 10,000 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs). During last Saturday's Crossing the river was running at just over 4,900 cfs.

It took very little time for the wagon and horsemen to cross the river. The two draft horses pulling the wagon did not have to swim as much as in past years because of the decreased water flow, and the moss was less of a problem, too.

Roy Allen, wagonmaster for this year's crossing, was pleased with how well it went. Astride his mule, he came across just ahead of the wagon. It is the second year Allen has served as wagonmaster.

"Amazing" and "cool" was how Kevin Vonllmer of Takoma, Maryland, described the crossing. He was there with his grandfather, Roger Lowen, of Reston, Va., and other family members that had gathered for a reunion. Lowen's wife, Anita (Barnes), was raised in King Hill.

It was "cool how the horses pulled the wagons…and the outriders with ropes pulling the wagons," Vonllmer said. He also thought it was "amazing" that the "Indians" would help the settlers.

Also attending the family reunion was Alon Katz, an Israeli student at the University of Ben Gurion in Baer-Shiva, Israel.

"It was amazing. I've never seen anything like it," he said, adding that there are no rivers the size of the Snake River anywhere in his homeland.

He said he could relate to the pioneer's in their search for a new land. Abraham, too, was looking for new land to settle with his people thousands of years ago, he noted.

Sukhvic Singh, a native of India now living in Boise, was fascinated by the crossing. He first learned about the crossing while driving to Yellowstone. He saw the sign outside town and thought it might be a good event to share with his wife and children.

"The kids were very excited," about the horses, he said. He enjoyed the opportunity of being able to see history come alive.

Singh also said that his culture and the Native American cultures share similarities, in religious feelings, sensitivity to animals, and arts, such as basket-making.

Over 60 members of the Wootan family were present during this year's crossing activities. This year's event was dedicated to the memory of Marv Wootan and his son Wayne, both of whom died last year in separate accidents.

Marv was crossing wagon-master for eight years and Wayne often drove his father's team of oxen across the river during the annual reenactment.

Following the parade of wagons and equestrians on Friday night, a ceremony was held to dedicate a fire ring at Three Island State Park in memory of Marv and Wayne. The ring sits at a location Marv chose several years ago, with a view of the river and the Narrows. It is located several yards south of the large pavilion.

At present it consists of an inner ring of small rocks encircled by another ring of large boulders. Now with just grass in between, the areas will eventually be covered in gravel, with the fire ring in the center. An etched slab of stone depicting two teams of draft animals pulling wagons, will be engraved with Marv's and Wayne's names and an inscription. The stone was carved by local artist Jesus Mesillas.

During Friday night's dedication, Steve Ratzlaff, pastor of the Hammett Community Church, said the fire ring reflected the cheerfulness of Marv's personality. "The fires that are built here will light up this place around it and the warmth of the fire will comfort those who come near," Ratzlaff said.

"As the stones that are set around this fire ring give a place to sit and rest, Marv's son Wayne gave his father some rest when he joined his father in working with the oxen and driving them down the hill and across the river," Ratzlaff eulogized.

Other speakers were Terry Gibson, Jill Laib and Dale Smith.

Marv's son Wes said the dedication was humbling. "They (Marv and Wayne) would have been humbled by the fire ring but would have recognized other people who helped," Wes noted.

Throughout the crossing, family members wore purple and blue corsages. Purple was Marv's favorite color and blue was Wayne's, explained Christine, Wes' wife.

Following the dedication, the evening's entertainment continued until 10 p.m.

Ratzlaff gave the invocation at Saturday's opening ceremonies. Bill Lowery, a friend of Darrell Keck, talked about his family's history on the Oregon Trail. Lowery's great-great-grandfather was a member of the second wagon train to cross the nation on the Oregon Trail. He and his wife would eventually settle in the Willamette Valley. Other relatives would also cross and settle in Malheur County, Oregon.

Terry Parish was the emcee during the crossing. He gave a brief history of the Oregon Trail and the affect it had on Native Americans. Initially, the two cultures got along, Parish said. But as more and more white men arrived and began to settle, competing for land and grazing their domestic herds of cattle, sheep and pigs, tensions began to develop between the two societies.

Parish noted that the last Indian war in Idaho was fought in King Hill in 1890 when Native Americans took exception to the destruction of wild camas fields by domestic swine. The camas was an important stable in the indigenous people's diets.

He then explained how the Glenn brothers started a ferry service that brought pioneers and supplies for Idaho's gold fields across the Snake River. The town near where the ferry operated was later named Glenns Ferry in honor of the two brothers.

Later, the town would become an important railroad terminal with a roundhouse and depot. The railroad pulled its operations out of Glenns Ferry in the early 1970's he said, and agriculture became the saving industry for the tiny community.

Now, with ever increasing water and electrical prices forcing farmers out of business, Glenns Ferry is looking for other industry. Tourism is now an important part of the town's economy, he indicated.

The annual Three Island Crossing is the biggest tourist draw for Glenns Ferry. Smith believes at least 1,200 people attended last Saturday's Crossing.

Those who crossed were: Roy Allen, Reggie Sope, JT McCallum, Mike Mitchell, Janine Jara, Lloyd and Julie Jefferies, Jesus Mesillas, Rocky Burges, Sharon Burges, Edwin Horn, Brian Lewis, Phillippe Pairoux, and Roger Pruett. Ethan Thomas, from Duck Valley did not cross, but met the reenactors as they emerged from the river.

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