Family History by Robert Monroe Fleming (Sr.)

Grandma’s Episode, from Sewall Reynolds

Transcribed by Robert M. Fleming Jr.


Grandma's Episode - contributed by Sewall Reynolds, son of Cora Causey Reynold - Grandson of Grandma Jennings Causey.

This episode took place in 1925/26. It seems that Charlie Causey who could acquire rosey ideas now and then came across an old hotel at, rather about 15 miles from Ashton, Idaho. Which was on one of the roads leading into near by Yellowstone National Park. He envisioned renovating the old hotel, he being a practical journeyman electrician, into a going concern. With tourists beating a well worn trail to his hotel, with it's Southern hospitalities. He probably felt that since his early ancestors were of the South he had inherited their famous warmth of friendliness.

To help him with his ideas after he got the place pretty well organized, and with his hospitalities, he with eloquent persuasions talked his Mother, Grandma Causey, and his sister, Cora Causey Reynolds, into going up there and join him in his hoped for money making endeavors. After the two ladies thru correspondence got their heads and ideas together agreed to give it a try for a few months. It then being in the summer time.

Guy Causey, with whom Grandma was staying, bought her a railroad ticket when he saw she had the pioneer new country feeling again rather seriously. But because he was still a skeptic of the outcome hemade it a round trip with a three month visitation permission. Sewall Reynolds when he saw his Mother had the same newcountry feeling as seriously as his Grandmother bought his Mother a round trip railroad. But since he like Guy had mental reservations about the whole thing got her one with a three month leeway.

The ladies took off, arrived in Ashton alright. Charlie met and took them out to the hotel he was still highly praising. The frontier pioneer aspects of the set up were a mental and later was to prove real physical test of their pioneer capabilities. And a total let down of their dreams as engendered by Charlie. They soon discovered they were the Southern hospitalities. Doing the cooking as well as the care of the place. It wasn't long before the coolness of Fall was on them. Which further made the lack of tourists beating a path to their door all the more noticable. Charlie had layed in a food supply but evidently not enough for any siege of the weather. Which in that semi-wild country could become very severe. Although it was almost time for that three month leeway on their railroad tickets to expire, the ladies were still there. It wasnt found out until much later why they lingered.

And that proved their undoing. For an unexpected early snow storm layed several feet of snow on the country. So they found themselves snow bound. If any tourists intended using their particular road they certainly wouldnt be doing it until the next year. The food they thought was to be sufficient vanished much quicker than they anticipated. Charlie was out almost every day with his gun looking for game. But that possible food supply had vanished with the tourists. Then Charlie came down with an illness that could have been flu or some thing similar. Possibly pneumonia, which is what Grandma thought he had. One thing was certain. The two ladies could not leave if they wanted to. Taking care of Charlie was the most important thing to do. Also with him bed ridden they had no way to leave the vicinity. Neither one was able to get around on snow shoes or skis. Where Charlie was able to snow shoe to Ashton for groceries, if he were well. So to economize on fuel, wood, they dragged a mattress into the kitchen by a window. Making a bed there for him so they had only that room to keep warm.

The days slipped by and before they knew it Thanksgiving was with them, but with out the proverbial dinner. Although Charlie seemed to be on the way to recovery with Grandma's pioneer remedies hestill was not in a condition to get to Ashton for food. Of which they now found themselves very short. In fact on this important day of the year when one was supposed to give thanks for the bountifulness of Nature they found they were down to a little flour, a few beans, some syrup, very little coffee, and increasing appetites. If Charlie was to recover fully they had to get nourishing food into him. No mention was ever made of a phone so it was assumed none was installed in this hotel. At least they had no way of calling Ashton or a distant neighbor for help.

On this important day while Grandma and Cora were debating how and what to try for a dinner, just something to eat. And with Charlie asleep on his mattress by the window, Cora in her restless moving around prowled near the window. Where she could look out at the usual dismal snow scene. Suddenly she let out a little scream of excitement and cried out. "Mother! Mother! What is that out there. Its a big animal of some kind. Before Grandma could leave the cupboard where she was pawing around hoping to find quantities of food that just were not there, Charlie stirred on the mattress. Cora's excited cries had aroused him. Raising himself on an elbow he asked, "What were you saying Cora"? She answered, "There is something out there close to the hotel. What is it?" The tone of her voice aroused him some more. Enough so that he raised himself higher on his one arm so he could see out the window.

One glance and life seemed to flow back in him with a rush. "Great God in Heaven! Give me my gun! Give me my gun, quick!" Grandma being very hard of hearing did not hear all this dialogue. But Cora certainly did. She knew that the gun meant some kind of food. She ran in the next room and got his rifle off the antlers on the wall and rushed back to give it to Charlie. While she was gone he had like a natural born hunter prepared for a quick shot by quietly, slowly easing up the window enough to allow a clear shot. Fortunately the animal, which was a big bull elk, was almost broad side to the window with his head away from the window. Almost as though nature or the Good Lord had placed the animal there to take care of the almost missing Thanksgiving dinner.

Cora carefully eased the rifle to Charlie without any undue flutter- [the first part of the bottom line of the page is illegible] Charlie eased it slowly out the window, drew his careful sight. As he was doing it the elk might have heard something for he turned a little more broadside to the window with his head and neck turned more sideways. He seemed to look not at the window but at something along the building away from Charlie's gun. In so doing giving a better shot at the neck just ahead of the shoulders. Charlie was thinking if he could hit near the spinal column it should paralysis the elk so he coulnt run any distance. If the animal did run the ladies would never be able to get to it, after it did fall. Taking a deep breath to steady himself Charlie slowly squeezed off the shot. Aimed a little below the back of the neck just ahead of the shoulder.

The big bull threw up his head, shook it a few times as his legs began to slowly spread out. And with a last violent body movement slowly collapsed to the ground. Hardly moving from his tracks. Charlie said later that was the best, prettiest shot he ever made. He had every right to be proud of it. When any one summarized the events of that day one would have to agree with Charlie. That he had made made akill, made something to really brag about.

Grandma still remembered much of her farm life training. With additional coaching from Charlie, who was still too weak to try it himself, and with Cora's help they went out and the two ladies skinned the elk enough to get the choice meat they needed. Charlie had cautioned them to shovel much snow over the carcass after cutting out plenty of the me at for a few days, which they did. To help kill the scent of the dead animal so as to not attract wolves and other wild animals. Within a few hours the elk was frozen so solid as it would be in any cold storage.

The first food prepared was a big kettle of elk stew, if you can call only meat salt, pepper a stew. But plenty of rich broth was there for Charlie. Grandma made little balls out of flour and water which boiled in with the broth made a tasty sort of dumpling. Their Thanksgiving meals that day were really ones to be thankful for. Their meat lasted four days. Then Cora and Grandma went out with shovel, broom, axe. After clearing snow from an area they took turns wielding the axe on the carcass. It was hard work, they were not used to, but they managed to hack off enough frozen meat for a few more days. Necessity gave them the needed energy. Then they recovered the elk with piled up snow. So far no wild animals had molested their cold storage food supply.

Every few days they followed that means of keeping meat in the hotel. It was food and better than nothing. So they managed. And the first thing they knew Christmas was with them. They still had a large part of the elk left. And still not noticed by wild animals. Charlie was now on his feet regaining his strength rapidly. The last time meat was needed from the elk Charlie went out for it. It was a struggle, not having his full strength back. But he said the exercise in the open air was really good for him. He was talking of snow shoeing to Ashton in a few days to try for some groceries. Which he would have to do some way on credit. For they were all out of money.

The business people in Ashton didnt believe in and refused to give credit. Charlie was at a loss how to obtain the needed food. He just had to try for credit. And in some way he hoped to find it. So he did set out on his shoes and with his gun. His big dog pulled the sled with Charlie breaking trail on his shoes. It was a trying ordeal, not fully recoved in health, 15 miles over very deep snow that did not always give good footing. Knowing that on him depended the lives of his mother and sister he made it to Ashton. As he was making his way down the main street towards a supply store he passes the bank on the other side of the street. The Banker saw him passing and came out the bank door to call to Charlie. Since credit and food was on Charlie's mind he just waved his hand and kept on down the street. But that gentleman motioned and called to him to come over to the bank. That he had something for him. So Charlie went over, inside where he could get some warmth. The banker said, "Charlie, I have $100.00 here that has been waiting for you to call." So saying the banker went behind the counter and counted out the money. Charlie stood dumfounded not knowing what to say. He was sure the banker was making a mistake. But the cash was needed so much by him and the ladies that he just kept his mouth shut, took the money without questions that would seem silly now, mumbled his thanks, and left the bank still almost in a daze. At the store he loaded the sled with all he from experience knew his pal, the dog, could pull. Even included as a treat candy for the ladies. On the way home the trail having been broken coming into Ashton, Charlie helped the dog over bad places by pushing on the sled which had handles for that purpose. With frequent rest they made it to the hotel both dog and Charlie some tired. Things went along much better now for a few days. The problems of the winter seemed well taken care of. Except the trip to town had been quite a strain on Charlie,not fully recovered from his illness. So he took things easy for a few days. By then it was the end of January. He had to figure some way to get the ladies into Ashton so they could catch a train to Guy Causeys where the ladies wanted to go.

A little explanation is probably in order. About the $100.00. The last trip Charlie had made into Ashton before he became ill Cora had given him a letter to mail. The letter to Sewall didnt give much informationexcept that they were delayed leaving the hotel. And were short of money and getting that way with groceries. Sewall figured $100.00 would be a big help which he sent in care of the bank to Charlie. The letter was slow in reaching Sewall because of Storms. He also could see that Charlie's dreams of the hotel were not so rosey. Then the illness at the hotel and the snow storms kept the money in the bank. It never occured to Sewall that Charlie had cashed in the return stubs of the railroad tickets of the ladies in order to get food before his illness. Sewall never told Charlie where the $100.00 came from. Charlie probably still thought the banker had made a big mistake.

Charlie snow shoed to his nearest neighbor some five miles away to get his help with the ladies. For that man had a team of horses and a sleigh which Charlie did not have. The neighbor said he would be over in two days which he was. Wrapping hot rocks in old rags to warm the feet the ladies were bundled in blankets. With Charlie on his snow shoes making the broken trail wider he and the dog had made the neighbor drove the ladies into Ashton. Father seeing them installed in the hotel there, giving them the necessary expense money and getting them their railroad tickets. Then later seeing them onto the train. Charlie went back to the hotel to keep the remains of the elk company. And his pal the dog. So ended, after their safe arrival at Guy's, their wild life new country pioneer adventure. And thinking back over all that had happened in telling Guy and family all about it that they were two very fortunate women. Taking in mind Cora looking out the window, the Good Lord sending the elk there; Charlie well enough to shoot it. ------ The winter of 1954/55 found Cora in Ashton's deep snow. Charlie in hospital there for appendicitis operation. An air bubble formed in his blood, reached his heart before it could be stopped, causing his death. Cora, notified, there for funeral, became ill with pneumonia. Her son, Howard, with whom she lived in Lakeview, Ore, in telling his boss at lumber mill where he worked he needed time off to get her. Bosse's son-in-law heard story. Had small plane. Told Howard if had go theyd fly up for her. They flew up. Nearest useable airfield was 40 miles from Ashton. Undertaker who buried Charlie had only transportation, his hearse. Bundling Cora in blanets, hot rocks, she made plane fine. There was question of altitude effects on her respiratory. The flight proved benefical for she slept all the way in bed they improvised in the plane. Arriving home without any bad results. Her recovery from then on was r apid.

As Grandma said in summing it all up, And who was a strong believer and supporter of the Christian Church. The Good Lord gives strength and support to those who believe in him. The happenings at Ashton prove that. How else could things happen so timely. And she probably had good points there. Wether Grandma prayed quietly by herself during the trying moments of the last few months she never said. But her family traditions on all sides of her ancestors would lead one to think so. For the McCormicks, were Presbyterians.; the McMurtrys were Christian Church; the Cayses were Presbyterians; as were the Bells; the Jennings were Presbyterians and Christian Church, as were the Causeys. Grandma and her husband Calvin started and help build Christian Churches in four different places these Causeys emigrated to in the United States as pioneers. They started and did most of the building of the first Christian Church in early day Spokane Wash. She probably thought in Ashton that the Good Lord was showing his appreciation for all the work she and her husband had done in His Name over the years.


<---Previous     Next--->


Return to Family History home page


©2009 Robert M. Fleming Jr.

This page was last revised on 27 December 2009.