"What we need here is a ferry,"

said my father, Richard, as he walked up to our campfire. "I've talked to Martin, and Thompson, and Jones and they agree -- we have to be able to get across the river. It will be years before we get a bridge in this area."

By Photographer: Marion Post Wolcott (1910-1990)Restoration: Adam Cuerden

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"You're right as usual, Richard. I'll help you any way I can."

"Thanks, James. I knew I could depend on you and Ed. The neighbors are eager to help also -- we all need the ferry here to make our trips to the west less time consuming."

"How will you keep the ferry line from tangling with the paddlewheel boats that come by?" 

"Good question, daughter."

"You probably already arranged for weights to attach to the line, that will sink it when you relax the tension. The boats will just go over it."

"That is just what I have planned James. Let's get at it. There's a row boat waiting for us at the river, that I borrowed at Harrisburg, upstream from us."

"I don't know if I'll ever get used to "upstream" meaning south and "downstream" meaning north. I've never seen another river like the Willamette." Turning to Mary Ann, James added, "I'll be back by dark. Is there anything you want me to bring you from the general store?"

"More bacon and cornmeal if you please, James." "Will do" James said and stole a kiss as he was leaving.

This image is a work of an employee of the United States Farm Security Administration or Office of War Information domestic photographic units, taken as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain in the United States.