47° 53’ 19” N • 121° 20’ 31” W
The Story of My Infirmity and the Permanent Cure by the use of the Waters of the Starr Hot Springs, near Index, Washington
by Carrie Starr Weismann
In the year 1870, I was living in the State of New York, and became afflicted with a swelling of my right knee. I was taken to Watertown, New York, to Dr. Spencer, at that time a noted surgeon. Dr. Spencer said it was tubercular, and there was nothing to do but to have the leg amputated.
I did not want to submit to such an operation, so went to consult another doctor, a Dr. Brown. At first he seemed to help me. I had to walk on crutches at that time about 18-months, and could not seem to recover full use of my leg. In the year 1884, I went to Omaha to consult with Dr. Lee, who was one of the surgeons who was called to Buffalo, N.Y. to work on President McKinley when he was shot. Dr. Lee told me that the outcome sooner or later must, in his opinion, be an amputation.
In 1887 I married Dr. J.N. Starr of Chicago, and he took me to Dr. Murphy and Dr. Fonger in Chicago. They both told Dr. Starr that that if he would take me to Puget Sound on the West Coast, where there was no frost, a complete change of air, water and food could be had, that I might improve. We came to Snohomish in the year 1888 in August. But, the change did not seem to improve my condition, and Dr. Starr had about decided to take me back to Chicago.
In a conversation with an Englishman one day, who had come in from the woods near the place now called Index, Washington, the Englishman told the doctor about the wonderful springs in the valley of the North Fork of the Skykomish River. He related that the springs were so charged with gas that a bottle would not hold the water. He also said he had been in Baden Baden, Germany, and he thought the water of these springs were much better than the water at Baden Baden.
Dr. Starr then found a guide, took a pack train and started for these springs. This was in the year 1889, in the month of March. After locating the springs and staying there a few days, building cabins and preparing to take me in, Dr. Starr returned to Snohomish and told me he had found the spring and a cure for my knee. (Note: Age 37). In May 1889, he made preparations to take me to the springs. I went on horseback, as there was nothing from Sultan to the spring but a mountain trail, and a very poor one at that.
The first night, we stopped in Sultan at Mr. Inman’s and the next stop was at or near Index at the Englishman’s. I found his wife a very charming woman. I could not go farther on account of my knee being so painful. In our party with others, we had brought a maid. Dr. Starr left me and the maid at the Englishman’s and he, with the rest of the party went on to the spring with the pack train. In a few days, I was able to travel the rest of the way to the springs, and on reaching the springs and not finding the comforts of life, I was not so well pleased, and I decided that I would not bathe in the water. But, as time went on, and my knee got much worse, I finally decided to bathe in the water. I took two baths every day for three weeks. At the end of the three weeks, I had no swelling in my knee at all, but was still very weak. It was then August, and time for me to go back to Snohomish, so I returned with the pack train.
In the Summer of 1890, Dr. Starr had things much more comfortable at the springs, and I went there and stayed a good share of the Summer. I enjoyed my stay there very much. I bathed in the springs a great deal, and was greatly improved. I soon was fully recovered from my infirmity, and the Doctor proceeded immediately to secure title to the lands on which is located these wonderful springs. We secured the grant, which was signed by Grover Cleveland as President of the United States in May 1896, and have owned it ever since.
Since that time, I have never felt anything of the lame knee, and now at the age of 84 years, I am exceptionally well, weighing a little less than 200 pounds and enjoying extremely my home at Wilber, Washington, with my present husband, Mr. Weismann, Dr. Starr, having died some years ago. While I am still able to do so, I am glad to tell of my complete cure at what is now known as the Starr Hot Springs that others who may hereafter be afflicted in some way may also be able to receive their cure in the same way.
Carrie Starr Weismann
March 6, 1928
Dr. J. N. Starr was an Indiana-born, Chicago-trained physician who came west with his wife Carrie in 1888. After locating the North Fork Skykomish mineral springs in 1889, he and Carrie established the early Starr Soda Springs / Starr Hot Springs site before later settling in Wilbur, Washington, where he practiced medicine until his death in 1909.
Note: In the 1930s, the Starr Hot Springs were renamed Garland Mineral Springs.
The 1959 flood at Garland Mineral Springs was one of those events that stayed with everyone who lived through it. The danger arrived when the rising waters of the river began carrying logs and debris directly into the lodge. As the water rose, those inside the lodge were startled by the sound of logs slamming into the side of the building. The lodge had been built with substantial timber construction, and during the flood that strength mattered. Logs and debris struck the building again and again, but the lodge held that night.
Inside the lodge, the situation was frightening and uncertain. I remember the sound of the flood roaring around the building, the impact of logs striking the walls, and the cries of animals being swept away in the torrent. We did a lot of praying that night.
Before the worst of the flood hit, we had walked the property and everything seemed to be all right. But as we stood near the basement stairs, we looked northeast and saw a wall of water headed our way.
We hurried down the stairs and then back up toward the coffee shop. Along the way, we found that an older man had become trapped in the laundry room in the basement. The floodwaters had risen so fast that the doors could no longer be opened.
We broke the window in the door and pulled him through to safety. After rescuing him, everyone hurried up the basement stairs and into the coffee shop, with the floodwaters close behind us.
As I remember it, the flood lasted all night and most of the next day. It may have lasted longer, but that is how I remember it.
The water continued to rise in the basement, stopping only about six inches from the ceiling. I remember opening, and then breaking, the chain on a window at the top of the stairs so the floodwaters would have a path out of the building. It was one more desperate effort to give the water somewhere to go. The next day, I remember finding our cat on top of the furnace. Somehow, he had managed to keep his head above the water. He survived.
One of the clearest memories from that night was of my father, Cameron Sharpe, walking the pool fence to reach the road and turn off the direct-current power coming from the generator plant on Troublesome Mountain. It was a dangerous thing to do, but shutting off the power was necessary for everyone’s safety. With floodwater moving through the property, the electrical system could have made an already dangerous night even worse.
The flood damaged the property severely. Cabins 24 and 25 were knocked from their foundations and washed 50 to 100 feet toward the lodge. The Holter family was living in Cabin 1109 at the time. They were not directly affected by the floodwaters, but they lost power when Dad turned it off. They were also stranded and could not reach the lodge until the water receded.
For those in the lodge, the flood was terrifying. For those cut off in the cabins, it must have been a long and helpless wait until the water finally began to go down.
After the floodwaters receded, the cleanup began. Mud filled the basement, and everyone pitched in to remove it one wheelbarrow load at a time.
We placed boards over the basement stairs to create a ramp. A rope was tied to the wheelbarrow, and others would pull from above while James Woolsey guided it. James was wiry and strong, the perfect person for that kind of work. It was all hands on deck.
I remember my father walking out to get help after the flood. He was really a tough guy. It is no wonder he lived to the age he did — 93.
About a week later, the river hit Garland again. It waited just long enough for us all to pitch in and clean the mud out of the basement, and then we had to face the river all over again.
The 1959 flood was more than a property-damage event. For those who were there, it was a night of fear, rescue, prayer, hard work, and survival.
The lodge held against the pounding logs. People escaped rising water in the basement. An older man was pulled through a broken window to safety. Cameron Sharpe risked himself to turn off the power. Cabins were knocked from their foundations. Families were cut off. The cleanup took strength, teamwork, and determination.
It is also a reminder that Garland has always lived with the river. The same waters that made the valley beautiful and gave life to the mineral springs could also rise with terrifying force. In 1959, the lodge survived. The people survived. And the story became part of Garland’s history.
The area around Garland Mineral Springs is a modest alluvial plain with about 12–18 inches of topsoil over river rock from previous periods. The flat area is populated with numerous trees that are several hundred years old, and some stumps with age rings exceeding 1,000 years. The 40-acre historical site at Garland Mineral Springs showed no signs of flooding, probably for several hundred years or more, prior to 1959.
In November of 1959, the “Perfect Storm” of events occurred, beginning the rapid degradation of the North Fork of the Skykomish River.
The resultant 100-year high flood took on the character of a 1,000-year high as rapidly melting snow poured into already flooded rivers. Stumps, logs, slash, and debris were swept downstream at high velocity.
The river began to rise far above anything ever evidenced for many hundreds of years, reaching a depth of about 3 feet in the previously untouched Garland Springs, and running swiftly. Wild animals were heard screaming as they were swept downstream. Large trees, vehicles, and cabins were swept by.
The 100-foot by 40-foot, three-story lodge at Garland Mineral Springs shuddered as it was pummeled by enormous fast-moving full-sized trees. After midnight, the pummeling stopped.
The next morning, the dozen or so survivors found that a large log jam had formed where the river should be, diverting it directly into the riverbank and high ground. A second log jam had formed just ahead of the lodge, saving the occupants.
We had a substantial low pressure boiler to provide steam heat and hot water for the lodge. It was about 7' long and about 5' wide. We burned up to 1 cord of wood daily during the coldest part of the winter. We cut dead trees from our land and were allowed dead firewood from U.S.F.S. land (you probably remember that). When cutting alder or deciduous trees, we would fell them in winter with the sap down so they would be dry. The sap would already have receded in the larger evergreen trees that were no longer living. The daily cutting, splitting and carrying wood in the winter months was quite a project, mostly in a drizzle and sometimes in snow. In the evening, we would bank the wood and it would provide heat through most of the night. Early in the morning, we would use some cardboard to generate a lot of heat and fast start-up for the main fire. This would produce steam heat in about 10-15 minutes. At one time, we learned how to place wet wood on top of a strong fire. The water would generate hydrogen and oxygen, with a hot blue flame. After the fire consumed the hydrogen and oxygen from the water, the dry wood would then burn in a normal manner. This extended the burn-time by some additional measure, possibly an extra hour.
A few days prior to the January 1961 fire, my father Cameron removed the protective screen from the top, and had cleaned the chimney. The screen was scheduled for re-installation that coming Saturday, as he was busy working on a local construction project to supplement our meager income. The weather was clear, and there had been no snow for several days. The cedar shake roof was tinder dry. At mid day, the lodge was getting pretty cool, so my mother Medora put some cardboard in the boiler to generate some quick heat and allow the wood to get going. She was unaware that the screen had not been replaced. Some glowing embers escaped and ignited the roof.
The driver of a passing logging truck stopped to advise that the roof was on fire and assist with evacuation. Firefighting hoses were frozen, and water pressure was generally inadequate to reach the roof at that time of the year. A few records were saved, but not much else. All occupants escaped unharmed. The lodge was fully involved within minutes. As the shell burned away, the extremely robust structure inside was revealed. It had been an extremely stout building, with massive timbers throughout.
I arrived home late from school that night to find no lodge; only an eerie glow as the burning embers illuminated the still-standing chimney. The family moved into round cabin #1. I slept in the loft. We replaced our clothes from Goodwill while the American Legion in Everett donated $200 to help us to get some dishes and cooking utensils. Many friends, relatives and strangers donated clothing, furniture and food.
The North Fork of the Skykomish River in Snohomish County is famous for its summer Steelhead runs and as a major Salmon spawning ground. It is a large tributary to the Snohomish River. During the past 65 years, the river has undergone substantial man-induced change. This has led to heavy downstream silting, possible total loss of the summer Steelhead run, significant degradation of Salmon spawning, and substantial loss of private and public land.
Fisheries and Forest Service regulations became increasingly difficult and prevented us from keeping the river under control. After the 1,000 year high in 1959, the river began braiding back and forth, taking mature old growth trees out on one side, then the other. Each year, 10 to 20 % of the salmon eggs are stranded, which appears to be a significant contributor to declining stocks.
Recent discussions with Fisheries indicated that there will probably be several years of study, followed by state and federal funding for a multi-million dollar restoration project to keep a consistent salmon spawning ground. It appears that some official don't like rip rap on banks, and gabions are not often allowed as the fish fins can become trapped in them. Fisheries does like what they call "fish friendly" banks made from logs and stumps that provide shelter for the fish.
The section of the N. Fork of the Skykomish River that runs through Garland contains hundreds of thousands of board feet of this log debris piled up in the braids throughout the channel. Dragging them to the banks and tying them in with cables would provide dirt cheap, fish friendly embankments that would do three things. First, it would provide a stable channel for the salmon to hatch. Second, it would stop the braiding. Third, it would protect the valuable mineral springs that are being decimated by the flooding.
During the years, the river has taken on a continuous braiding cycle, eroding one bank, then the other. Debris and many standing old-growth trees are swept downstream each year.
The summer Steelhead run may be extinct, and Salmon eggs fail to hatch as the river continually moves to new courses. The historic Garland Mineral Springs have been severely damaged and may soon be lost to the river.
Are the mineral springs a valuable resource? Recent discoveries by two Arizona State University scientists have found that mineral water and mineral mud from deep springs like Garland have some chemical combination that kills MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MRSA is a devastating problem invading hospitals around the world. We had known for some time that the Garland Mineral Mud had some spectacular healing qualities, but did not know why. The 25-million gallons of mineral water produced annually, just might be of some benefit to society. If we can save it.
I worked a variety of seasons as a housekeeper, waitress, and cook's helper in the mid to late '50's under then owner Cameron A. Sharpe. The gravel road in from Index was 13.7 mi.
There were four mineral springs. They all lay parallel to the main road and just to the left of the entrance. No. 1 and largest was orange-olive green in color and had a strong sulfurous/multi-mineral odor and salty-mineral taste. It was piped under the entrance road into the LARGE swimming pools (small one closest to coffee shop windows was about 3 feet deep and for kids. The big one was graduated. Spring #2 was very similar to #1 and the one visitors sampled. No. 3 was soda water, and #4 was carbonated, had been reclaimed, was wood-lined and we used a dipper for the makings of carbonated beverages or floats for the coffee shop.
On summer time-offs we picked wild huckleberries, made pies, and sold as a favorite in the shop. We accommodated drop-ins and overnight guests for various stays. Only the second floor bedrooms had sinks in the rooms; one had a large claw-footed bathtub for guests demanding a mineral water soak.
The electricity generated by the fast-descending small stream across the main road before reaching the entrance was DC, required converters, and was only available until 10 p.m. Electric appliances were small, like irons for clothes. All linens were transported out for laundering. —Polly
Reposted from NWHikers.net
My name is Janis (Sharpe) Brotherton, the only daughter of Cameron and Medora Sharpe, who with our Aunt LauraMae Mooney owned and operated Garland Mineral Springs from 1953 on into the 1960's.
I was 8 years old when my family began to make our home at Garland, and lived there until I left to attend college in 1963. I will be retracing my steps through the forest, along the bank of the North Fork, up and down horse trails and logging roads, and yes, even to the foot of Glacier Peak. As I stroll through memories of the 10 years I lived and played at the magical place called Garland Mineral Springs, my hope is that you, Reader, will experience some of the joy and wonder it has stamped into my heart forever.
My parents lived there until about 1966-67. It's been interesting reading the memories and beliefs of the various contributors.
I know that my memories and perspectives will never measure up to the writings my mother had been working on before the fire took it all. She never wrote about Garland after that. I believe she closed that chapter in her life. I guess it will merely remain a sweet memory for those of us who enjoyed that place at that time. There is really not much now to save. The river truly runs through it all!
Reverend Cameron Sharpe, attended seminary at Simpson Bible Institute in Seattle, Washington and in 1950s, he was serving as minister of the Community Church in Dever-Conner, Oregon. Cameron loved the outdoors, working with animals, and wanted to spend his life in service of the Lord. Laura Mae Mooney Cameron's sister-in-law was recently widowed from her husband Capt. Ray Mooney who had at times, expressed an interest in working with a Christian camp or conference center. After Captain Mooney's death, Laura Mae and her children, Ray John, and Barbara, settled in Albany Oregon, close to her sister Medora, and brother-in-law, Rev. The three shared a similar vision to serve the Lord operating a Christian camp.
In 1953, such an opportunity presented itself when Garland Mineral Springs became available. The Mooney's and Sharpe's pooled resources and purchased the Garland site on March 2, 1953 for $50,000 from Ralph and Ruth E. Taylor. The purpose and vision was to provide a resort and conference area where family-friendly Christian culture shaped activities. One month later in April 1953, Cameron and Medora moved their young family to Garland.
Cameron was both a minister and a skilled tradesman. Much of his working life was spent as a welder, a craft that reflected his practical nature and steady work ethic. As a young married man, he worked in the shipyards in Bremerton, Washington, and later worked on the Alaska Pipeline. He was the kind of man who could fix almost anything and often served the Lord simply by using his mechanical skills to help others.
The following hand-written note was found in my grandfather Cameron Sharpe's files:
The week following Easter Sunday 1953 we were moved by Aden Chambers of Dever-Conner from the Church’s rented parsonage to Garland Mineral Springs, 13 miles up the North Fork Skykomish River above Index, Washington.
Cameron & Medora with their 2 children, Janis (7), Jonathan (3) made the trip in their ’48 Pontiac Chief Sedan. Cameron Jr. (15) was left with his Aunt LauraMae Mooney in Albany to finish the school year at Salem Academy. Curtis (13) was left with the MervinCase family at Dever to finish the 8th grade at Jefferson grade school.
Upon arriving at Garland Springs, furniture was unloaded into the Lodge, with some in Cabin 1.
As the Lodge needed cleaning and all wiring checked, the family made Cabin 1 headquarters for the first month.
After becoming acquainted with the care of the water-power electric generator, the water supply, heating system for the Lodge, the family was ready to move into the Lodge and get ready for a Memorial Day opening.
Garland Mineral SpringsA Delightful Health Building
VACATION SPOT
IN THE CENTER OF NATURES WONDERLAND
with
ALL THE FACILITIES FOR A REAL MOUNTAIN VACATION
Things To DoTucked away among the rugged peaks of the Cascade Mountains, where the tumbling rumbling North Fork of the Skykomish River hurries by, is a quiet, comfortable and friendly resort known as Garland Mineral Springs. For many years these warm springs have caused folks to gather to drink their mineral waters and enjoy relaxing baths. Before the white man claimed this territory for himself, the Indians used to gather here for the healthful waters.
Tall, dark trees, clear mountain streams, beautiful long falls of water, wild yellow violets, roses, trillium form a verdant setting for the graceful deer, the shaggy mountain goat and the brown bear. The friendly little chipmunks, the shy rabbits, the noisy robins and dainty humming birds are local residents.
The fourteen miles to the springs is a scenic drive of everchanging beauty. From the springs, inviting paths and challenging trails lure the hiker onward and upward. For the brave-hearted and sure-footed, pea green Lake Blanca and Columbia Glacier offer their particular rewards. All this God has provided for those who take time to come apart and rest awhile.
Because God has created all the earth and because He has providentially placed this Forty Acres in our hands, we have dedicated it to His use and purposes. My sister-in-law, Laura Mae Mooney, my wife Medora and I earnestly desire that those who visit with us here will find rest, health and a personal knowledge of our Lord.
—Cameron Sharpe
The Sharpe and Mooney families purchased the Garland Mineral Springs property on March 2, 1953.
Prior owners of the Garland site include:
1935 and 1937 Catholic Northwest Progress ads for Garland Mineral Springs advertised mineral water cures, doctor in attendance. Garland water is promoted as beneficial for diabetes, arthritis, and other ailments.