In 1889 the railroad was built through what was to be known as Allen's Siding and later Clayton.
It is well documented that Mr. Allen built a sawmill adjacent to the new railroad siding and it was called Allen's Siding. Not one proven photo of Mr. Allen, his Siding or his sawmill exists. Thus the following page in the history of Clayton, Washington, has been pieced together as best we can.
Art Clayton Stelting and his parents' photo albums are our very best source of documentation. That and the well researched, "The Last Bell" by Alpha Naff, are as close as we are are apt come to the "rest of the story."
We will use Ruth Olson Stelting as a stepping stone into the past as well as the entire history of this little big town of Clayton. Just in the above article alone we have learned the Clayton Protestant Church was built of logs by the residents of the community in 1897. The Church was later resided but the structure still has the logs inside.
When Ruth Olson Stelting passed away she left a lasting legacy in the form of many historic photo albums. Her son Clayton Arthur Stelting made these albums available to our Society. We are extremely grateful for his contributions.
The wedding photograph of Julian Satre and his bride Myrtle Clark Satre.
John and Johanna Satre with seven of their children. There later was 14 children in all. They can be linked to the timetable of events leading up to Allens Siding and later Clayton, Washington.
Martin Olson 2nd from the left in back and his wife Anna in front far right with all their children now grown, Esther on the left, Ruth next holding Marvin, son Oliver, Ruby in back right and Art is taking care of Grandma. Just in case your were not paying attention, right in front of the rear tire of the car on the right is a tiny spectator with a keen eye on the proceedings.
The first 4 Olson kids left to right, Oliver born February 15, 1900. He died February 10, 2002. Ruth, born May 19, 1901. She died Nov. 2, 1993. Arthur was born June 28, 1902 and died April 17, 1923. Esther was born July 11, 1904 and died March 4, 1998. Ruby was born September 11, 1912. She died March 8, 2004. Oliver was born in Clayton 11 years after the Great Northern punched that life line north from Spokane Falls.
Jim Stelting, born January 24, 1897 and died December 18, 1984, while Ruth died November 2, 1993.
By now you have seen where Julian and Myrtle were married and now you see where they spent their lives together. On rare occations one sees a photograph that takes you aback. Such is this one.
An extremely early photo of Clayton, taken from the water tower. This was a post card sent by Mae Huffman's Uncle to her father in which has a post mark giving the date. We are searching for it. In the far background stands a rather large building about in the location of the Clayton Community Church. It is alleged that the Church was originally built from logs. Note there is no steeple on this building.The building also appears white in color, but that could be the setting sun casting rays upon all the buildings. In the very near lower right an unusual fence appears. This is speculated to be the vicinity of the very first Clayton school house.
Originally it was thought this was the first Clayton School until Luella Milner thought she recognized her Mother. But Her Mother attended Williams Valley school. She did however attend the The Clayton Community Church. It has since been determined to be the Church..
This is Jessie and Wendell Satre. Parents of Clark Satre above. Wendell is the son of Julian and Myrtle Satre who have kind of half way stolen the show on this Webpage. It is worth noting that Wendell who is 91 and Jessie 92 live less than 2 miles from your webmaster. Longevity in the Satre family just naturally comes with the territory.
At long last, The Stelting Ancestors. William Stelting, Mary Hubbard Stelting & Fredrick Stelting.
Grandmother Ida Malosh Stelting, Jim's mother.
A great picture from olden times. This comes from the Steltings photo albums. A challenge still remains. A picture when it was still a log church.
A very rare photo taken inside the Clayton Community Church. Is that Nita Jarrett fourth from left and Agnus Baynes far left? How about Sharon and Bill Jarrett are the 2 in the back on the far right?
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The Martin Olson farm where Ruth was born. It was located at the southeast corner of the intersection of what is now Williams Valley Road and Highway 395.
Part 1 of Peter Coffin's insights of Allen's Siding
Peter Coffin is a competent Genealogist, professional Surveyor. Detail is a given. If he can't find Mr. Allen, nobody can.
This is Andrea Satre. She is the mother of John Satre below in the left hand column. Anna, daughter of John Satre, married Martin Olson. Then Hanna ( Anna) gave birth to the star of our show, Ruth Olson. Ruth married Jim Stelting. They gave birth to Clayton Arthur, who together with his second cousin Clark Satre are the true authors of this web page. Clark is the family genealogist as well as the only one with the Satre blood line and Satre name with the exception of a younger Brother. One piece of the puzzle remains unaccounted for, the photo of Andrea Satre's husband Jon Satre.
The Satre family. Front Row. Father & Mother Julian and Myrtle Clark Satre, and son George. Back Row. Lorraine, Wendell, Eleanore, Irma,
Adding to the time line of Allens Siding/Clayton are the blue prints of Washington Brick and Lime, dated 1 - 27 - 1896 and identified as Clayton. This does not pinpoint the exact date of the name change. Only that it occurred prior to this date.
Martin and Anna Olson raised their five children on the outskirts of Clayton in the house shown at the top of the page. In this picture is Oliver, Ruth in her little rocker and little baby Arthur. Ruth lived every day of her life in Clayton. She and her husband Jim loved the town so much they named their first son, CLAYTON ARTHUR. Clayton (Art) now lives on the shores of Loon Lake.
When Mr. Allen arrived at the location known as Allens Siding it is stated in the "Old Clayton School" page at the beginning of the website, Mr. Allen set up and operated a lumber mill. Although there is no proof that the lumber mill in the background is the same mill, it was derived from the Stelting photo album. It would have been situated just as this mill is, adjacent to the railroad and a siding precisely as this one. Our own Peter Coffin has run many checks in his numerous methods of gaining official records including Government Census trying to find Mr. Allen's first name. This picture was actually taken in Boyds, Washington, 1915.
In the Bamonte Inland Northwest Historical Images book on page 86 is this photograph. Of particular note, it reads, "ALLENS CAMP." It was taken 20 years after Allen's Siding was born. The 20 year time span is lengthy. So very much occurred in that span in Spokane Falls, Colville and beyond. The father of the magnesite plant in Valley was either Mr. James Allen who was involved at Valley, WA, magnesite plant or was it Raymond Allen from Ione, WA. who developed one of the actual magnesite mines? ALLENS CAMP & ALLEN'S SIDING. Also difficult to ignore, ALLEN'S SIDING and 20 years later and 20 miles up the road -ALLENS CAMP. Hmmm
Here are the revealing facts from THE LAST BELL. Alpha Naff as its author gives us a detailed look into our subject. Allen's Siding. Our Society has been granted full access to the contents of this magnificently detailed, thoroughly researched journey into the past. CDPHS is indeed grateful for the privilege.
Mr. Rick Naff is the grandson of Alpha Naff. She and her husband Clarence raised Rick. To qoute Rick, "They are my heroes!" The words were uttered with total sincerity. He gave absolute permission to use th e contents of his Grandmother's book. He said, "I would be more than pleased." We also recieved the same reception from Tom & Shirley Dodson of the Stevens County Historical Society. Susan Dechant, President of the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society, sent us official permission to use portions of the book. Their website's address is: http://www.newgs.org/.
If in fact you would like to purchase THE LAST BELL by ALPHA NAFF go to http://www.newgs.org/publications.htm for information on ordering.
In essence the scope of the Last Bell is a compilation of and location of all the country schools scattered hither and yon around the landscape of Stevens County, Washington. She found several in our immediate area that we had overlooked. One must wonder, how did she locate so much more information that other historians overlooked. I know a good part is determination.
The CDPHS wishes to extend gratitude to Susan (Gallyon) Dechant. President, Researcher & Webmaster Northeast Washington Genealogical Society c/o Colville Public Library.
In the Hunters WA. vicinity & in the very primitive settlers years lived this Family, The ALLEN'S. Our Genealogist can find no connection with this family and Allens Siding. However !!!! How Mr. Allen came, built a Saw mill, got the siding named after him, left without a trace. Not even a picture of him, not even a first name. CDPHS was unable to confirm one iotta of information on Mr. Allen. He is as mysterious today as the day we began our search in ernest.
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