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Note: ollowed as the traditions began. "My first recollections of the cottage at Lake Stuart are of our first summer at that place which became home away from home for so many of the family for so many years."
"The first trip was a big undertaking and I remember it so well--probably my first trip. Margaret says it was 1907 so I was almost six years old. The first leg of the journey was a drive to Oakes--twenty five miles by horse-power to catch a six a.m. train. Eva drive a buggy and Ella and I rode with her. My father followed in a surrey with Mother, Jean, Margaret, Dot, Harold and the lunch. It seems to have been dark all the way and when our horse went lame, all I could see was Father's white panama as he took a stone out of the horse's hoof. Then the train was exciting for a time and then seemed interminable.
We were met at Clitherall about mid-afternoon by Mr. Forkner and his two horses and sort of a spring wagon with several seats. But first we had a meal at the hotel. The ride to the cottage seemed the most dangerous I had ever seen--after North Dakota those hills looked like mountains with the lake below. Beyond this trip that first summer is rather sketchy. Jean and I bathed constantly and built many sand castles on the beach--most of that wide sandy beach is gone now. I seem to remember visitors but don't know how they got there. They would usually tell Jean they wished they could have one of herl curls--she was the cute one--so self-assured and independent. One day when there were guests she came downstairs from her nap carrying two curls--this must have been very traumatic since I remember it--or did I envy her her daring?"
"Mr. Forkner ran a very good resort but it was primitive. A small ice box which he kept filled with ice. A small cook stove which he kept supplied with wood. A pump on the back porch for water and lamps for light to say nothing of the little house behind the big house.
Mr. Rorkner had a big garden which supplied some vegetables and even strawberries. He had a store which carried some staples and even ice cream which was served on the store porch. Once a week or so Mildred Forkner would call to get a grocery order from town which was duly delivered. Every evening someone rowed to either the Stewart farm, where Maple Lane is now, or the other end of the lake to the Fletcher farm for milk and cream. Sometimes we could could buy vegetable at the farm or chickens. Several years later we had to take a live chicken home and we hat it tethered in the yard because nobody would kill it. Then Dot's freind, Ester neverman, came visiting and when she learned our dilemma, she asked for the axe and we had chicken! Mother probably baked all the bread we ate and the laundry was done with tub and washboard. Perhaps not too much laundry because we seemed to live in bathing suits.
Mr. Forkner had stakes connected by rope to show the drop-of. Mother would sit on the porch and call out our names--we would answer by raising a hand. The kids did quite a lot of fishing. Usually trolling with a long line on a shingle. With every snag the long line had to be brought in then let out slowly and constant directions given to the rower--too slow--too fast--too far out--too close to shore, etc. But we had fish often and even when I was big enough to clean them at the scaling board with the mosquitoes biting, I never tired of fish.
One outstanding event of those early years was the wedding of Ella and Frank Stone on July 16, 1917. I believe we had only two days to prepare. According to the picture a goodly company was able to attend. The living room walls of the first cottage were covered with a white cheesecloth carefully tacked on. The camp was scoured for a suitable record to play for the wedding march. Not very suitable, as I recall, and scratchy besides. Very early in the morning of July 16 we picked a wash-tub full of white water-lilies (think of it!), pinned them to the walls and made Ella a bouquet. A minister appeared--possibly from Fergus Falls. Probably there was a wedding cake and other food but that was infinitely less interesting (to me) than the other preparations.
By that time will and Mabel had bought the cottage next door. Mr. Forkner had named that "Stillmore" while ours was "Biltmore". later on other cottages were acquired by other members of the family--first Frank and Ella at the end of the lake. "Biltmore" was re-built and later became Margaret's. Will's cottage was sold to Clare and Bob Small. Will was always a faithful summer visitor. Then George and Frances Stone acquired the former Shea cottage--it now belongs to their son John. Dot and Byron bought a cottage--Dick and Lorraine and the Downes, later on the Elys--bought the former Albrecht cottage which now belongs to our son Tom Dowen and family. We had many visitors and parties there due to Lorraine's energy. Dot and Byron's fiftieth wedding anniversary was celebrated with the large group divided between Clare's and Margaret's cottages for dinner and a program. And the bride woree her wedding dress and shoes! Flossie sang the same song she sang at their wedding. Ruth and Don Buck hosted a party celecrating 70 years at Lake Stuart.
Each individual has their own special memories of this long association with "the lake". It was a special place to us and we've never ceased to bless our parents for starting this tradition.
Since 1926 Grace and Tommy have lived in Lewistown, Montana. Tommy's business has always been automobiles -- first Chevrolet, then Oldsmobile, Cadillac and GMC trucks. They just managed to keep their heads above water during the 1930's and then through World War II when there were no cars to sell. Tommy decided he needed a government job and was appointed county salvage chairman as a result. Tommy worked for more than 25 years on the board of the American Cancer Society. Both Grace and Tommy canvassed the county for money for the community hotel and then the hospital.
Grace's main occupation has been homemaker with some volunteer jobs such as community concert and library boards and Great Books leader. Both Grace and Tommy have given up these responsibilities and are enjoying the opportunity to "do as we please."
Note: Daughter Grace tells the story of this first trip and of those which f
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