Tribute to Nordic immigration

It’s Leif Erikson Day Friday, Oct. 9, and families of early immigrants from Norway have been called to place flowers in the Leif Erikson Plaza in Seattle on that day.

Our cousin, Carolyn Haroldson, and her husband, Bill, got an early start  Thursday and placed their flowers near the stones with the plaques containing the names of Botten and Haroldson immigrants.

Iver and Peder Botten (see line 13 on the bottom photo) arrived in 1892. They settled near Stanwood and Silvana, Washington, and later married sisters, who had come to Washington from Minnesota.

According to the Leif Erikson International Foundation, “The Viking explorer Leif Erikson was the first-recorded European to set foot on American shores, and he symbolizes our pride in being Nordic Americans.  Leif Erikson Day, Oct. 9, has become a day to honor Nordic immigration.”

Carolyn is the granddaughter of Iver and Clara Botten.

Fire and rain: A near-perfect Botten reunion

Washington state fire officials warned of “unhealthy air conditions” in Leavenworth last week, and this forecast threw a pall over plans for the Botten family reunion there.

The Lunds from Tacoma

At least two families cancelled plans to attend because of the smokey air caused by a nearby forest fire. About three dozen Bottens were undeterred, however, and they gathered in that north central Washington city for the weekend of Aug. 1-3. Everyone seemed to enjoy the time we spent together.

We had family from Norway, Ireland, Canada and at least four of the United States. The Enzian Inn was our headquarters, but one family rented a house, and two families drove in for the day.

Michael, Lily and Patty Reinsdorf

Tubing on the Wenatchee River was a popular pastime, as was the miniature golf course at the Enzian.

For weeks, we had been looking forward to meeting Toril and Kaisa Haugen from Norway, and it was nice to again spend time with Patty and Aine Waterson from Ireland. A last-minute addition was Roger and Rick Rearick from Florida. They are cousins on the Moe side of the family.

At least twice a thunderstorm rolled in, and, with thunder crackling, the clouds opened up and dumped hundreds of gallons of water on the city. We hoped that some of that water also fell on the forest fire over in Chiwaukum Creek. The fire was a potential menace to air quality, but the threat was pretty much a paper tiger.

Kaisa and Toril joined the extended Moe family.

Danny Moe and his family drove over for the day on Saturday, and they joined us on the river that afternoon. Next morning they were still in town, joined by brother David and Jean Moe.

Kaisa, Joyce and Toril

Joyce Strand had been leery of the air forecast, and she cancelled her reservation at the Enzian a couple days before the weekend. Her brother Nelvin and Jeanne talked her into going, and she changed her mind. Janet Reinsdorf had an empty bed in her room, and Joyce gladly accepted Janet’s invitation to be her roommate for the weekend.

Everyone seemed to agree that they want this biennial reunion tradition to continue, Without erecting any fancy banners, the family seemed to declare that it will be “Leavenworth or bust in 2016.”

Bottens gather at Leavenworth Aug. 1-3

For those not satisfied with lounging around the pool, there are plenty of activities to keep us busy as Bottens gather for their biennial reunion Aug. 1-3 in Leavenworth, Washington.

The Enzian Inn is the headquarters for the weekend’s activities, and allocated rooms in the inn have almost filled up. Between Friday afternoon and noon Sunday there are lots of choices for what to do. Those staying at the Enzian, of course, will have complementary breakfast each morning. After that, these are some of the activities from which to choose:

Shopping, of course. The Bavarian Village is wall-to-wall shopping.

“The Sound of Music,” 8 p.m., Aug. 1, Leavenworth Ski Hill Amphitheater, 10698 Ski Hill Drive, Leavenworth, Tickets $14, $25, $30. Call 509-548-2000 (http://www.leavenworthsummertheater.org/)

Live Music at several local establishments. See locations at www.leavenworth.org/calendar

Happy Hour Float (guided stand-up paddleboard trip on Icicle River), 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Aug. 1, Leavenworth Outdoor Center, 321 9^th St., Leavenworth, $40 for 2, $25 for 1, Info at 509-548-8823 http://www.leavenworthoutdoorcenter.com/home.html

River Tubing, daily, departures every half hour from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., bookings are filling up rapidly, $20 for ages 13 and older, $10 for 12 and under, Leavenworth Outdoor Center, 321 9^th St., Leavenworth, $40 for 2, $25 for 1, Info at 509-548-8823

http://www.leavenworthoutdoorcenter.com/home.html

River Tubing, daily, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $20 per person, River Riders, 509-668-7238, 10860 Hwy 2, Leavenworth, http://riverrider.com/

Rafting, Kayaking, Biking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding also available at Leavenworth Outdoor Center, 321 9^th St., Leavenworth, prices vary, Info at 509-548-8823

http://www.leavenworthoutdoorcenter.com/home.html

OK*2*Botay Caribbean Steel Drum Band at Ohme Gardens Summer Concert Series, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Aug. 1, Ohme Gardens, 3327 Ohme Road, Wenatchee, 509-662-5785. Tickets $18 http://www.ohmegardens.com/

Leavenworth Lions All-you-can-eat Community Breakfast, 7 to 11 a.m., Aug. 2, $6 for adults; $3 for children; free for children under age 3, Lions Club Park at community pool on Highway 2. http://www.leavenworthlions.com/

“The Drowsy Chaperone,” 2 p.m., Aug. 2, Festhalle Theater, 1001 Front St., Tickets $14, $25 and $30. Call 509-548-2000. http://www.leavenworthsummertheater.org/the-drowsy-chaperone

“Fiddler on the Roof,” 8 p.m., Aug. 2, Hatchery Park Amphitheater, 7919 East Leavenworth Road, Tickets $14, $25 and $30. Call 509-548-2000

http://www.leavenworthsummertheater.org/fiddler-on-the-roof

Morning Resort Yoga, 10 a.m. Aug. 2, $10, 7375 Icicle Road, 509-548-6344, http://sleepinglady.com/

Alpen Folk performs in the gazebo downtown 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug 2 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3.

Cascade Makers Market, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 2, Peshastin, 3 miles east of Leavenworth, 509-548-4196 http://www.smallwoodsharvest.com/

Plain Valley Farmer’s Market, 10 a.m., Aug. 2, 18636 Beaver Valley Road, Leavenworth, 509-763-3836. http://www.plainhardware.com/

Ol’ Blue Tractor Tours, hourly 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 2-3, $12; children free accompanied by adult, Wedge Mountain Winery, 9534 Saunders Road, Peshastin, 509-548-7068. http://www.wedgemountainwinery.com/

Nutcracker Museum, 735 Front St., Leavenworth, open 1 to 5 p.m. daily, admission $2.50 for adults, students $1, children 5 and younger free. http://www.nutcrackermuseum.com/

Miniature Golf, Enzian Falls Championship Putting Course, across Highway 2 from Enzian Inn. Free to Enzian Inn and Alpine Rivers Inn guests, 800-223-8511, http://www.enzianfalls.com/

Golf at Leavenworth Golf Course, 9101 Icicle Road, Leavenworth, 509-548-7267, $46 or $35 after 2 p.m. http://www.leavenworthgolf.com/

Whitewater Rafting, Blue Sky Outfitters, 900 Front St. Suite B, Leavenworth, 800-228-RAFT, $82 for half-day outing, http://www.blueskyoutfitters.com/

Olivia Botten: Queen of Independence Day

Independence Day.

It’s the Fourth of July, and today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. There are picnics, parades, speeches and fireworks. It’s a grand day.

Eighty years ago today was huge for the Bottens in America, too. On this day, one of their own would reign over the festivities in the Stillaguamish River Valley in Washington State. Olivia Botten had been duly elected following feverish campaigning in the weeks leading up to this day. She won by 2,000 votes, which sounds like a landslide, a metaphor that is not otherwise pleasant to this valley.

Olivia pondered all these things and kept a diary.

Monday, July 2: “Washed clothes. Go to Arl. [Arlington] to get new dress for parade. Entertained at Banquet by the Lions Club. Einar [her oldest brother] is installed Pres. of Lions.”

Tuesday, July 3: “Mrs. Phillips comes to get me & I have first choice of all gifts. Lots of fun. Bring my dress home & get the crown to try on. A beautiful beaded crown.”

Queen Olivia

Wednesday, July 4: “Parade first thing. Beautiful (decorated) car large bouquets of flowers. Crowning ceremony at park. Mr. Hartz crowned me ‘First Stillaguamish Queen.’ And my attendants get our presents presented by Senator Murphy. Band plays as I go back to car and then to Doc Mose for dinner. Dr. takes my pictures & Mr. Blackstone gives me a courtesy car for the day–made appearance at all the Big Day doings and drove around town. Out to airport and went up alone in the monoplane–the other girls went in biplane. Virginia, Betty and Ruth. Back to Mose for supper and then to fireworks & carnival. A grand day.”

Thursday, July 5: “All the excitement is over. Now for a good rest.”

When Olivia would be queen for a day

The Botten family must have been all in a buzz this week 80 years ago as 19-year-old Olivia Botten was flitting around Silvana and nearby towns rounding up votes.

Olivia Botten, 1932

The local post of the American Legion had informed her on June 18, 1934, that members wanted her to run for “queen” of the Independence Day celebration. Evidently, as her diary indicates, she had to go door-to-door “selling” votes for the royal election. A friend, Helen Preston, agreed to help her.

Her careful notes–sometimes in shorthand–from her diary indicate substantial progress:

June 20: “Canvassed in Arlington with Helen.”

June 21: “…worked in Arl all forenoon & to Bellingham on 4 o’clock bus with Gladys.”

June 22: “At convention in Bellingham.” Could this have been an American Legion convention?

June 23: “Helen out starting to cover residence dist in Arl. I’m at convention.”

June 24: “Convention ends. I come home with Ottems.”

June 25: “Stayed home.”

June 26: “Helen & I have covered every street in Arlington and almost every house.”

June 27: “On the go again. Got 1000 votes today. All excited.”

June 28: “Out working still down around island; got 950 votes today. I’m in the lead.”

June 29: “Out selling votes again to Everett & around Arlington.”

[Arlington is about seven miles east of Silvana, the Bottens’ home town. Everett is about 18 miles south.]

June 30: “Contest ends–count votes at Mansfields Drug–“Botten” wins by 2,000 votes. Mayor Backstrom gives us a new V-8 and we go for a long ride Helen, Rol and Wilma to Lundeens at Lake Stevens. Stopped at the Barrel in Marysville and ate. Lots of excitement in town.”

July 1: “Church–S.S. [Sunday School] picnic at the Lake. Everybody is congratulating me on being ‘queen.’ Lawn social at the parsonage.”

Tuppen’s letters from the war zone

Seventy years ago this year and next, Sgt. Arthur Botten was sending letters home from Allied air bases in Europe. The letters offer a glimpse into his life inside the war zone. Fortunately, we have several of these letters.

Arthur, known affectionately as “Tuppen,” was the eighth child of Iver and Clara Botten and the youngest of three sons. He was born on June 25, 1919.

Arthur Botten

According to his oldest brother, Einar Botten, Tuppen was a crewman on 64 bombing missions into southern France and southern Italy.

The letters provide some detail, although Tuppen was careful to not write anything about his missions.

An early letter to Olivia (one of his sisters) and Jack Hawkins mentioned the birth of their son, John, on Nov. 30, 1943. At the time Tuppen was still in the U.S.

By July 1944, though, he was in the thick of the fight in Europe. On July 24 he wrote to Olivia and Jack that he was “somewhere on the island of Corsica.” Commenting on the local villagers, he wrote that “most of the country folk seem to be in better circumstances than those in Italy. That is they have enough food, however, about the only thing they’ll sell is their wine and most of it has been diluted with gas or something. At any rate it’s enough to curl your toe nails so we have given it up as a bad job.

“Bet your Johnny is a big boy,” he went on. “I have three new nephews to meet now. [In addition to John Hawkins, Bill Gilmer was born on Sept. 27, 1943, and Dennis Botten was born on Jan. 17, 1944,] Hope I get the chance and I know I will. The way those Jerrys are backing up it shouldn’t take long.”

A-20 from the 47th Bomb Group

Tuppen’s return address on these letters indicated he was part of the 86th Squadron, 47th Bombardment Group, which flew the A-20, a twin-engine, medium bomber that carried a three-man crew. Some crews also flew the A-26, which also had a crew of three. The group saw plenty of action, flying first out of North Africa, and later it was based on Malta, Corsica and Sicily and in Italy and France.

In his book Brave Men, Ernie Pyle devoted a chapter to the men of the 47th Bomb Group.

Tuppen’s early training had been in a gunnery school. By November 1944 he had trained to become a bombardier-navigator. A letter dated Dec. 1, 1944, said, “Expect to make my first mission as a bomb-nav. soon. It leaves me a bit shaky but feel certain I’ll do okay.”

On March 15, 1945, he wrote, “I’m still doing my same work (as a) bombardier-navigator, and I have 44 missions. Have high hopes of finishing next month, and I should be home by June.”

Tuppen did come home from Europe, but we don’t know when. The war there was finished in May, and by the time the group returned to the States, the war in the Pacific was over, too.

Tuppen mustered out of the Army after the war, but he re-enlisted in 1948. He was killed in the crash of a B-36 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1951.

How Iver met Clara

When twins Iver and Peder Botten arrived in America in 1892, they shared many things. They shared the same handsome features, the same bank account, and they partnered in business. As it turned out, they also shared matrimony with the Prestlien family.

The twin brothers busied themselves and earned their income cutting shingle bolts from the huge trees cut down around Silvana and Norman in Snohomish County, Washington. Bolts are the sections of logs from which shingles are split.

As Iver Botten’s son, Einar, later told it in his book Decca’s and Dampa’s Yesteryears, the Norwegian immigrants in the area were a relatively close-knit group. “(E)veryone within a relatively short period of time knew everyone else,” he wrote. Among the Botten twins’ acquaintances were two young girls, Clara and Marie Prestlien, and the girls’ brother, Ole. Clara was seven years younger than the twins; Marie was three years younger.

Einar picks up the story:

Iver and Peder “learned that fishing at Sunday Lake was very good and, as luck would have it, the trail to the lake went by the Prestlien home. Most convenient, don’t you know.

“It wasn’t long before we see the twins in fishing togs on their way to Sunday Lake. The fact that the trail up the hill to Sunday Lake went near the home of the Prestliens was, of course, accidental. It was convenient, also, that they could ask for Ole when and if they should meet a member of the Prestlien family.

“Answering a knock on the door one day was none other than Anne Beate, (Clara and Marie’s) grandmother. When the twins asked to talk with Ole, she said with a twinkle in her eye and understanding smile on her face, ‘Aa nei, je tru itte det er Ole di ser etter, di narrer ikje me!’ Translated, it goes something like this, ‘Oh, no, I don’t think it is Ole you wish to speak with; you’re not fooling me!'”

On another day, Einar continued, the twins “were busy cutting shingle bolts on the Major farm (when) a certain farmer and his young daughters, Marie and Clara, drove by in a surrey…. They were on their way to Stanwood. Clara was to be confirmed on Sunday, and she needed shoes for the occasion.

“Upon returning home, they stopped to visit for a few moments with the two bolt cutters. As they continued on their way after the visit, (Iver) said to his brother, Peder, ‘I’m going to marry Clara some day.’

Iver and Clara, June 14, 1899

“Peder answered, ‘You do that, and I’ll marry Marie.'”

And they did.

Iver and Clara were married in the Salem Lutheran Church on June 14, 1899. Three months later, Peder and Marie were married in the church, too.