George Washington Bush - Supporting New Pioneers

Reminisces of David C. Beatty Page 82 of Early History of Thurston County Washington Together With Biographies and Reminiscences of Those Identified with Pioneer Days   by Georgiana Blankenship - 1914

...As evening approached, the party of adventurers reached Bush's, where a good supper was served them and permission given the boys to roll up in their blankets on the floor of the shack, which permission was gladly accepted. In the morning the march was completed by the arrival at Tumwater. There was only the stringers of a bridge then across the Des Chutes River at this place, the crossing having been made heretofore by Indian canoes. Horses and cattle were generally taken to Tenalquot Prairie, where there was a safe ford. This bridge, under construction, was being built by Ira Ward, the pioneer millman of Puget Sound. The young men, single file, walked the square timbers across the river, so reaching Tumwater. Mr. Beatty's eyes grew dim as he mused. "I can see them yet, sixteen as fine young men as were ever to be seen, filing across that river which flowed swiftly beneath the single stick of timber.