Coos Bay Shanghai

By Naomi Russell

Coos Bay Shanghai, an adult book, is a story about a pioneer family that settled in the Coos Bay, Oregon area. Their mode of transportation is mainly by boat and they ship their commodities through Rock's Dock at Empire City. They experience many problems, including Slim's thievery, a fire that tears at their heartstrings but has its rewards, the loss of their daughter Terisa, and disaster that wipes them out financially.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 26, 2000
• ISBN: 9781477241103

Naomi Russell

Russell was born in The Dalles, Oregon in 1922. Upon the demise of her husband George, she moved to Arizona to be near her daughter. For the want of something to do, and with 'twenty billion choices,' out there, she decided to write. Her first book is entitled Rachel's Goat and she was awarded a signed contract on her first submission. She then hurriedly wrote Nikki, Rooster & Chick-a-Biddy and both books, including Coos Bay Shanghai are available under 1stbooks.com on the internet. Rachel's Goat and Coos Bay Shanghai are available in bound form at your favorite bookstore. Russell is the offspring of a Coos Bay, early pioneer family. In writing Coos Bay Shangai, she made a particular effort to conceal the identity of her characters so that only the family members would recognize them. And yes, the fish really did jump into the boat.

Book preview

Coos Bay Shanghai

By

Naomi Russell

Copyright © 1999, 2000 by Naomi Russell

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

ISBN 1-58500-564-9

ISBN: 978-1-4772-4110-3 (ebk)

1stBooks-Rev. 4/17/00

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

Cover

by

Virginia (Ginni) Russell

About the Book

Coos Bay Shanghai, an adult and primarily a fictitious book, is the story about a pioneer family who settled on Catching Inlet, at Coos Bay, Oregon. Their mode of transportation is mainly by boat and they ship their commodities through Rock’s Dock at Empire City.

The family experiences many problems, including Slim’s thievery, a fire that tears at their heart strings but has its rewards; the loss of their daughter and a disaster that wipes them out financially.

There are many characters in Coos Bay Shanghai, including the harlot on the hill and the hell fire and damnation preacher. Then there is Beelzebub, a very bad boy. The sheriff is an inebriate and can’t resist nipping on the Mustang Lineament and that is when he talks too much. His wife is in charge of the Quilting Bee and tongues do wag. But the darling of the story is Teresa. She gives her all at everything that she does and baking biscuits isn’t her only talent! These are but a few.

What would have been, could have been and who knows, maybe was, so please do enjoy.

Acknowledgments

Coos Historical Museum, Coos Bay, Oregon

Ann Koppy, Executive Director

Timber Inn, Coos Bay, Oregon

Gordon and Elaine Joelson, Owners

NOBRA Pilots Association, New Orleans, Lousiana

Captain Clarence S. Smith, Retired Maritime Pilot

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Parks,

Fisherman’s Wharf

Hoag Hoganson, Ship Rigger, Balclutha

Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum, Tucson, Arizona

Charles Bucky Steele, Tour Director

San Francisco’s Architectual Heritage,

San Francisco, California

Anastacia Fink, Historian

Hagley Museum Library, Wilmington, Delaware

Katie Newell, Reference Librarian

Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Lois Schnenberger, Head of Preservation and Conservation

Claudia Burg, Physics and astronomy, Research Associate

Gene Russell, my son

Many Thanks

My sincere and warmest thank you to:

Nadene Snyderof

Mesa, Arizona

For her many hours of hard work and devotion in critiquing my material.

CHAPTER 1

The church was filled to capacity and George Bainbridge Decker, a stately figure, sat on the platform listening to Daniel deliver his very first sermon. George was a large man with dark auburn hair and green eyes. He couldn’t help looking over the congregation and counting the eligible maidens, while Daniel, obviously nervous, held his bible in one hand and gestured with the other.

George and his sons had built the church on the hill. They chose the site because it overlooked the little hamlet of Empire City, Oregon. Through the tree tops and beyond was the waterway that led to the sea; the Pacific Ocean, with her magnificent oceangoing vessels.

The year was 1872 and it had been ten years since George had brought his family across the plains and settled on Catching Inlet. They settled here because Polly, his wife, refused to go another step on one of his wild escapades.

Daniel Phillips, age twenty-six, had graduated from The Institute at the top of his class. Not only was he an ordained minister and a professor, but he taught music as well. He was flattered to look over the congregation and see that every seat was taken, but Daniel could swear on his Holy Bible that Teresa Decker, with her fair features, flushed when he glanced in her direction. Her father, after all, was the deacon and considered one of the most well-to-do persons in the Coos River Valley.

For one split second, their eyes met and Teresa turned crimson while Daniel stammered in his effort to gain control. His knuckles turned white and he clutched his Bible as the turmoil churned in the pit of his stomach. In desperation he turned a page, searching for some key word of guidance from above.

Late summer had set in and the ladies had furnished a potluck dinner to celebrate Daniel’s arrival. This would have been an excellent time for him to draw Teresa’s father to one side, but the ladies swarmed around Daniel with their marital age daughters in tow. George regarded such behavior as ridiculous,and Polly Decker’s parental intuition told her that Daniel would leave on first tide in the morning.

The ladies were gathering their belongings and George slowly walked over for a handshake. An outstanding sermon, Reverend. I’ll write my favorable report to The Institute in the morning.

Thank you Mr. Decker, I’m grateful. I see your son rode his own horse?

Yes, that’s Ferrell, our oldest. We’re expecting a new calf, and the deer and bear like to come smelling around the orchards.

By the way, I thought I might row up your way on first tide, if it’s not upsetting your plans.

A sudden gust of wind blew in from off the ocean and both men grabbed for their hats. That’s fine with us, Daniel. Looks like we just might have a red sunset and the weather’ll hold for you.

George and his family walked down the hillside and crossed the road. Single file, they followed the sandy pathway along side of Rock’s Dock and Store where their tugboat, the Polly Sue, was tied.

George Decker’s four oldest sons were the backbone of the family’s vast timber holdings. Ferrell, was twenty and he took life seriously. He was tall, like his father, with auburn hair, green eyes and of slender build, a handsome fellow, but he was not yet interested in the girls.

Ferrell arrived home and the cedar shingles were stacked where they had been left, dockside. He checked on Bessie, remounted his horse and as usual, footprints were visible with a few of the juicy winter apples missing.

At fifteen, Larson was already as tall as Ferrell’s six-foot and he had more to go. His kinky red hair brought him lots of teasing and he was developing a set of muscles.

Billy Albert was next down the line and was a year younger than Larson. Hard work and a hearty appetite had produced an awkward youth with the bone structure of an ox. At fourteen, Billy could run like a deer and when it was time, Ferrell would let him spot the next cedar tree for their shingle operation.

John Decker, the youngest of Polly and George’s older boys, had also inherited George’s auburn hair. He had grown to become a strapping youth, at the age of twelve, and was still considered the cutup, but John had learned a lot from his older brothers. His main job when the operation was going full swing, was to tie the shingles into bundles and load them onto the sled. Their old horse, Faithful, which they had brought with them westward would patiently wait while John stacked them along side of their dock.

The next two of George and Polly’s offspring were Teresa and Maryann. Teresa was eighteen, Maryann was sixteen and a look-alike of her older sister. Teresa was marrying age and she was teaching her younger sister how to cook.

Matthew, age ten, and Norris, age five, were the last two of George and Polly Decker’s family. In the spring of the year, when the bark would slip on the willow trees, their time was spent blowing their whistles and playing Indians in and around the tall fir and cedar trees.

Feeding a family of ten was a full time job, but Polly had her cherished stove that George and Ferrell had brought from Rock’s Dock. Otherwise, they would still be cooking over the open hearth. Once the coals were kindled, and just before sunup, the aroma of biscuits baking would permeate through their log cabin.

Polly was heavy with child, and with all seven boys and only two girls, she silently prayed for another girl. Weary from their long Sunday, she laid down on their bed while Teresa climbed the stairs to the loft, changed her dress, pulled her apron on over her head and returned to the kitchen.

She took the ham down from the overhead hook, cut it into slices and set it in the oven while Maryann brought in the rutabagas, potatoes and onions from the garden. And of course, she always included a few sprigs of mint that grew around their spring.

CHAPTER 2

Daniel closed the lid on the new organ and checked for items that may have been overlooked. All was in order, with the exception of a child’s bonnet that had fallen onto the floor. He picked it up, put it on the table near the front door and walked across the vestibule. He closed the door behind him and cautiously glanced up at the sea gulls flying around the bell tower. For a moment he paused, breathed deeply, and looked at the view that lay before him. More than a dozen homes were scattered amongst the trees. There were also two hotels and two saloons, as well as a post office. The roof of the new courthouse was finished. The smoke from Luse’s sawmill blew with the wind and Rock’s Dock and Store were across from Mrs. Kelly’s boarding house.

Daniel stood surveying his kingdom which only three weeks prior he had viewed for the very first time. It was gratifying to know that Empire City was a busy and growing seaport with the potential growth for tithe money in the collection plate.

Daniel grabbed for his hat and hurried down the steps. His thoughts were many and he didn’t realize that he had already walked the quarter of a mile to Mrs. Kelly’s back door. After scraping the bottom of his boots on the metal blade, he hurried up her four back steps, opened the screen door, walked across the back porch and entered her kitchen.

Reverend Phillips, ye owe me for last weeks’ board ‘n room, she called out, leaning forward on her high stool.

Her voice had startled him and he now had to convert his thoughts from charming Teresa to big, raw-boned Colleen Kelly who was twice his size. Recovering his composure, and standing his full five foot four inches, Daniel looked at her through his steel black eyes. Mrs. Kelly, you deeply concern me. Business is never conducted on the Sabbath Day.

Ashamed of herself, she leaned her back against the warm wall and continued mixing her cake while a satisfied Daniel climbed the stairs to his room.

When an oceangoing ship was in the bay, the captain wouldcome to Colleen Kelly’s boarding house for one of her famous meals. But word had spread that she tolerated no foolishness. Behind her back, she was referred to as a tough old red head, with a temper to go with it. But Rock saw to it that the seafaring passengers that came into his dock, fully understood that rowdiness was never allowed, however, Mrs. Kelly did have the best of food around. Of course, if they weren’t satisfied, they could always go to Ross’ or Hooligan’s Hotel near the waterfront, or for a fee they could take the sloop on up the bay to Marshfield.

Running a boarding house wasn’t an easy business. Mrs. Kelly always prepared the starter for her bread the night before. She baked two cakes every day and had one in the oven before breakfast. While her cake was baking, she made her biscuits and slid them in the oven as soon as she removed her cake. After breakfast, she kneaded her bread and baked her pies. Her meat for the evening meal was put in the oven as soon as her bread was finished baking, and it was only then that she got down on her hands and knees and scrubbed her floors.

Beelzebub, Colleen’s hired man, worked for his board and room and slept in the shack that was attached to the leeward side of her barn. His chores were to milk her cow and goats, hitch Old Jack to her wagon and pick up her supplies in the outlying area.

During warmer weather, Colleen would buy two young heifers and after they were butchered, Beelzebub would hang them in the cooling shed. She lost no time in showing him how to barrel her cherished corned beef, the very corned beef that her Boston cousins had taught her how to make.

Breakfast was served at six o’clock sharp. No one ever left her table experiencing the pangs of hunger that she had endured during her youth. To cut down on the amount of work, she kept a pot of soup and a huge pot of coffee on the stove at all times. But the mornings were getting chilly now and she found that she had to rise before her rooster crowed.

All was quiet and the heat felt relaxing while her thoughts were miles away in her native Ireland. Colleen leaned against the wall, and felt the warmth from the stove penetrating into hertired and aching muscles. Her only concern of the moment was that Daniel owed her his room and board for the past week, otherwise, she felt contentment from within.

Daniel stirred in his bed while, off in the distance, he could hear Mrs. Kelly moving about. He drew the covers over his head and drifted off, waiting for the heat to come up through the floor register from the ceiling below. Things were very modern here and he liked that.

In the back of Daniel’s mind he envisioned Teresa and sat up with a start. If he was going to make first tide, he had to get a move on in order to make it all the way up to Catching Inlet and return.

He jumped out of bed in his stocking feet, pulled his pants on over his long johns and stepped up to the window cubicle. On a clear day Daniel could look to the west and see the ocean breakers. The view to the east should reveal the bay but as usual, the fog was so heavy this morning that it was impossible to see Rock’s Dock and Store that he knew lie straight ahead.

Daniel drew away from the window, glanced into the mirror, and ran his hand over his curly beard. He pulled his shirt over his head, meticulously combed his black hair, buttoned his trousers, and noticed the hole in his stocking. He wiped the dust from his boots, laced and tied them, grabbed his coat, opened his door, inhaled the aroma of Colleen’s coffee and walked down the stairs.

Good mornin’ to ye, Reverend Phillips. Did ye sleep well?

That I did, Mrs. Kelly.

Do help yer’sel to the coffee, Reverend, and I’ll fix ye some breakfast.

Breakfast sounds good, Mrs. Kelly. I also need to give you two dollars toward my room and board, announced Daniel, with an air of authority.

Reverend, ‘tis three dollars ye owe me, not two, scowled Colleen.

Mrs. Kelly, do you think you could darn my stocking? I see there’s a hole in one of them.

Rising up off her stool and pursing her lips, she set her bowl on her worktable with a thud. Punctuating each word with her index finger, she announced, I will be more than ‘appy to darn ye stockins, Reverend, but first, YE ‘AVE TO TAKE ‘EM OFF, said Colleen, placing both hands on her hips with an air of disgust.

Daniel flushed. Heaven forbid if the other boarders should overhear! Oh yes, Mrs. Kelly, perhaps you’re right, he replied, trying to set an example and keep his voice barely above a whisper. Stroking his beard, he cleared his throat and asked, Mrs. Kelly, would you mind if I give you the remaining dollar next week?

Colleen was alarmed and her voice became an octave higher. Next week? Reverend Phillips, I’m runnin’ a boardin’ ‘oose, not a charitable institution. I ‘ave me food to buy, ‘n this week I must buy a quarter o’ beef, if ye are goin’ to ‘ave the proper meals set before ye. Colleen was excited and rolling