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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
July 20, 2023     Shelton Mason County Journal
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July 20, 2023
 
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Steam leaves the Woods n May 1956, the Simpson Lookout magazine includ- ed the following story: “I’m the Three-Spot, named after William Shorter, one of the early Simpson engineers. I’m 30 years old, and as steam lokies go, that makes me a grandfather. Steam is going out, step— ping aside“ for the diesels. Simpson has used lokies like me since the nineties, but diesels are running the Simpson rails now. I’m just an old fellow puffing a lot of memories. They had me run out to Camp Govey during the March snows to get some Cats. Snow was too deep to log in the mountains, and the Cats needed a ride to the flat lands. So they picked me over a diesel to go get the Cats. Truth is, I think the diesel didn’t want to get its wheels cold. One thing I like about Cats, even if they are diesel kin, is they help themselves. They don’t have to be lifted on the flat cars — they run themselves right up there. Coming to this little tres— tle, I sure smoked the crows out of the trees. Must be ‘ what made the crows black, old smoking lokies like me. I also really liked crossing Vance Creek bridge, 346 feet above the creek. Noth- ing down there but fish look- ing up, watching for Cinders. HISTORY . AT A GLANCE Those Cats really had to hang on — what a splash they would have made, spilled from Vance Creek Bridge! I talk too much. That’s the trouble with us old lokies. We like to let off steam. While I take a drink and a little rest, I’ll just add that we hope, when the day comes that steam is gone from the Simp- son railroad, you’ll remember us. We weren’t fancy built or slicked up like the diesels, but we worked hard and we pulled in the logs that kept the town and the mills going for 60 years.” An article in the August 1958 Lookout began, “Steam at last has left the woods.” In July, Simpson had removed its last steam donkey from Camp Grisdale and replaced it with a bright yellow diesel- operated machine. Bob Ste- venson, who had grown up in Simpson logging camps and began operating a steam What’s your tsetse Let us help you ach Peninsula NIUN‘ (‘RIDUYU ‘Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Dwtdends we computed on the actual amount in the account and are pald quarterly, Them are substantial penalties for eany Withdrawal of cerlificate funds. Early withdrawal of certificate lands is sublecl to a penalty oi one half of the interest that would be earned over the original term ol the certificate. The penalty is calculated on me amount withdrawn Fees can reduce the earnings on your account. Mmunum balance to open share certificate/CD ls $500. Membevship ehgibdrty IQQUWBd. Terms, restrictions and conditions apply Federally insured by NCUA 360.426.1601 pcfcuorg donkey at the age of 17, said about the passing of steam, “It’s just like seeing an old friend leave. I’ve never run anything but steam. It’s been my bread and butter all my life and I’m sorry to see it go.” In September 1958, the Simpson Logging Co. said “Farewell to Steam” in an official excursion from Shel- ton to Camp Grisdale, which was celebrating its 10th an— niversary. Instead of log cars, the steam locomotive Benja- min Snider, also known as the Nine-Spot, pulled three Northern Pacific passenger cars filled with 250 guests making a last nostalgic trip. I Jan Parker is a research- cr for the Mason County His: torical Museum. She’s at par]:- eijfll‘hctcrom. IVIembcrs/iip in, Thursday, July 20, 2023 Shelton-Mason County Journal — Page 7 Top, the 3 Spot William Shorter. Above, Simpson Steam Donkey. Photos courtesy of Mason County Historical Museum will receive a free copy oft/1e boo/e “Shelton, the irst Cen— tury Plus Ten." the Mason County Historical Society is $25 pcryear. For a. limited time, new members bows-iload'forsxcwa. , & lNSTANT rewards!