Emmett Hunt's Diary entry May 7, 1890

A shade warmer I think -- Mostly painting today -- only one man besides my own and a thing with one eye they call a timer.  The machine ?? Say they will let us off tomorrow but I say --- Possibly. me

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Emmett Hunt's Diary entry April 30, 1890

Just as fine.  Today saw our award -progress!  Shake on each side and center stern piece - put on keel in position and bottom ready for bedplates -- We also get on a gallon of paint on the right of pilot house and ???


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Jack Hanover Miller (11-4-1936/7-21-2013)

Jack Hanover Miller (11-4-1936/7-21-2013)

AKA 3 Fingered Jack

iPhone photo 

Many of you who lived in Gig Harbor, Washington in the mid-1960s and early-1970s most likely have some very interesting stories to share about Jack.  Or perhaps your parents do.  

As you can tell by Jack’s birthday, by the 1950s he was a teenager, and probably as a result of living on the West Coast, was influenced by the music that was suddenly becoming popular.  It was leaving Bing Crosby, Glenn Miller and the Big Bands behind, jazz was gaining ground as was R&B, folk, psychedelic rock, etc.  The Beattles and Rolling Stones were invading the US music scene, but San Francisco was a gathering place for groups like The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, and so on.  Jack Kerouac, Alan Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs were changing the way the written word was being used.  And a whole new generation was being labeled the Beat Generation or Beatniks or hippies.  Many of the younger generation no longer resembled their parents in their attitudes, behavior, social likes and dislikes.  Jack Miller was one of this “new generation” and his outlet was music.  

3-Fingered Jack's Tavern Sign (gifted by Peter Stanley) Harbor History Museum smug mug BUS-314-GH.tif

Let’s have a little glimpse into Jack’s biography so we can perhaps better understand him:  his parents, John Robert Lashley and Margaret Louise Hanover, were married in Seattle in July, 1935.  On November 4th the following year, Jack was born.  The country was still recovering from the Depression, and the war in Europe were making US citizens uncomfortable.  Jack’s dad enlisted in the WWII Army though I don’t know which Branch in 1943. In 1940 they were each living with their parents but they did not divorce until 1945.

Jack attended Marymount Military Academy and Madison Grade School in Tacoma, Washington and in Seattle, he went to B. F. Day and Gatewood Elementary schools briefly.  1946 saw him, and his mother moving to Missoula, Montana where he finished grade school, and Missoula County High School (now Hellgate High). When he was 12 years old, he lost the first joint of his thumb, 1st and 2nd joints of the index finger and the tips of the 4th and 5th fingers on his right hand in a gunpowder explosion on April 4th, 1948 on the University of Missoula’s golf course.  

While in high school Jack was a member of Spartanaires, a top school singing group for two years, and in his junior year, 1953, the All Northwest Chorus.   He graduated in 1954, and attended the University of Montana 1954-55 transferring to Montana State University in Bozeman for the 1955-57 term graduating with a degree in pre-engineering.  

Jack married Rosalie Marie Smith in June, 1957; he was 20, she was 16.  They had two children but the marriage wasn’t working and they divorced in 1961.  Jack worked for Boeing at the Renton facility in 1957-60.

He taught himself on the modified 4-string guitar and had his first professional gig New Years Eve 1963 at O’Sullivans in Coos Bay, Oregon.  He moved on to play in Havre and Great Falls, Montana during 1964-1966; then back to Boeing in Renton for the 1966-67 period.  Jack was still playing music as a one man band, and he first played at The Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor, Washington in 1966. He continued to play there on and off until 1969.  In 1969 he also started playing at Redondo Tavern (now Salty’s at Redondo) for thirteen weeks in the Spring 1969. Then summer of 1969 he was at Berg’s Colonial Inn University Place, Washington.

The owners of The Tides Tavern, had hired Bob Schoeder and Ross Palmanteer to manage The Tides Tavern in 1966.  But they were no longer managing when according to The Peninsula Gateway 12/11/1969 issue, “Bob Schoeder was arrested yesterday.  Bob and two friends were refused credit.  Then Jack Miller and (?) Harter, the new owners of The Tides Tavern locked the door.  Gig Harbor Police and Sheriff were called at 2AM.”

According to The Peninsula Gateway in their “Groceries to suds:  “The Tides” overflows with history by Barbara Felver, Gateway Staff, Wednesday, June 8, 1988 - Page 9A” in the portion regarding ‘the first tavern”  it states:  “Then in 1969, a man who had been brought in to entertain the customers with his songs put $8,000 down on the business.  He called himself Three Fingered Jack.”

Harbor History Museum smug mug BUS-313-GH.tif

 According to his biography, Jack  “kept The Tides Tavern from foreclosure and possible demolition, by buying and operating it as 3 Fingered Jack’s Tides Tavern until forced out of business in April 1973.  At which time Peter Stanley purchased the property and building.

There are of course, lots of humorous remembrances of Jack:  Thomas McNellis (Gig Harbor) was quoted “He was quite a character back in the late 60s and 70s.  In the late 60s, the “hippie” movement hadn’t hit Gig Harbor yet.  Blue collar, conservative, fishermen, nobody did drugs.  With him coming into the Harbor and taking over the Tides —-which he renamed 3 Fingered Jack’s Tides Tavern — he and the people who started following him kind of displaced people like my mom and dad, who went to the Tides every Friday after shopping.” (3 Fingered Jack Miller Left his Mark on Gig Harbor, by Brent Champaco, The Patch 8/12/13)

An anonymous recollection: “ 1972:  a potbelly stove was in the lower level by the doors to the deck.  Deck was unsafe/rotten.  Jack sat on upper level; by the bar in director's chair and played 60's rock and roll and sang.  Pulled wine bottles from holes in the ceiling.  He had a portable keyboard and guitar.  ”

Yet another anonymous recollection: “us kids used to climb over the roof on the east end of the building, sneak in the window into the mens room, and go in so we could listen to the music.”

Still another:  “We used to go into the Tides and close the place down, then jam with Jack until 4 or 5 AM.  Good old times.”

Jack though continued to work various day jobs and played various club dates until becoming a street musician at Pike Place Market, Safeco Field, Seahawks Stadium in Seattle as well as outside the Pantages and Rialto Theaters in Tacoma.  

In 1977 he married Shirley Carroll but the marriage was dissolved by divorce in 1981; in 1986 he married Anne DeBaufer and the marriage lasted until her death in 1991.  

On LinkedIn, Jack described himselfas “BUSKER@SeattleSeahawksStadium N.W. corner of S. Occidential Street at 3 Finger(ed) Jack’s Live Music.  He goes on to say “At age 75 still performing, trying to survive and selling my Commemorative 3 Fingered Jack’s Tide Tavern 1969-1973 Gig Harbor, WA and my one and only self-produced CD all available at Box 331, Graham, WA or …”

Private Collection - iPhone Photo

Private Collection - iPhone Photo

 Jack Hanover Miller appeared as Jerry Garcia in Doomedplanet(.com), 2001; the way out music teacher in Hell Hole High (.com) 2003 and the resistance leader in Paul Allen(.com) 2005.  

  

Jack died on July 21, 2013.  His obituary reads:  “3 Fingered Jack” Miller, age 76, passed away on July 21, 2013.  He was a colorful and popular local entertainer for over 50 years, best remembered as the owner of “3 Fingered Jack’s Tides Tavern” in Gig Harbor from 1969 to 1973.  He leaves daughters Tarina Marine, of Anaheim, CA, and Theresa Boyle Patterson of Seattle, and son, Shane Curtiss Miller of Fort Collins, Colorado, and three grandchildren.  Jack attended the University of Montana and Montana State University from 1954 to 1957.  He was a classically trained vocalist and self taught guitarist.  He performed his one man "old time" rock and roll at various Puget Sound clubs, and was a Seattle street musician at Pike Place Market, Seahawks Stadium and Safeco Field.  Jack appeared in 3 movies.  His music will be greatly missed.  A celebration of Jack's life was held on August 10, 2013.”

His son Shane C. Miller, is a script writer and did voice overs on Bush Busters 2008 on Web TV.

Shane is Second cousin to up and coming actor and producer Jake Hanover. 

Note:  

• Biography: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1380230/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
• Linkedin.com
• Ancestry.com
• 3 Fingered Jack Miller Left his Mark on Gig Harbor, by Brent Champaco, The Patch 8/12/13)
• Henry Eugene Allen and Juanita Fay Allen
• The Peninsula Gateway - obituary

© 2012 Harbor History Museum. All rights reserved.

Emmett Hunt's Diary entry April 23, 1890

Just as fine as ever except a small fog in morn.  Took our scows up then steamed to the Works got Winchester's scow and took  it to Seattle and quit.


© 2012 Harbor History Museum. All rights reserved.

Emmett Hunt's Diary entry April 16, 1890

Fairly good day..light rain at night -- Took scow to Clay works and boot in scow of bricks from McNeils -- no more.


© 2012 Harbor History Museum. All rights reserved.

Emmett Hunt's diary entry April 9, 1890

Foggy A. M. and beautiful and sunny in p.m.  Steamed home and in pm walk and talk.

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William Woodburn McDonald (October 7, 1878-April 7, 1951)

William Woodburn McDonald (October 7, 1878-April 7, 1951)

(This is based upon information received from a reader as well as independent research by author)

McDonald Real Estate was a fixture in the greater Gig Harbor community for several years after Woodburn (he rarely used his first name William) McDonald moved to Rosedale in 1935.  But before we learn about his time in Rosedale and Gig Harbor let’s start a the beginning.

McDonald was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and shortly after his birth the family moved to England.  By 1902, he had married Molly R. and was living in Canada where he listed his occupation as advertising.  Their first child, Jessie, was born in Canada in 1905.  The following year 1906 the family had arrived in West Seattle, Washington, and the family was increased with the birth of a second daughter, Mollie, named after her mother.  Unfortunately as stated in the Seattle Daily Times, April 15, 1906, Molly died on April 12, 1906 at age 29 of neuralgia of the heart.  Seattle Daily Times (published as The Seattle Times) April 15, 1906, Page 21.  Mary McDonald who diedFriday of last week of neuralgia of the heart at the West Seattle home, was buried yesterday.  Funeral services being conducted at the cemetery.  The deceased is survived by two small children.  You will notice it shows the name “Mary”; however her death notice in the Seattle Daily Times (Published as The Seattle Times) April 14, 1906, page 11 reads:  DAILY STATISTICS Deaths.  Molly R. McDonald, West Seattle, age 29, April 12.  Ancestry. com also shows the wife’s name as Molly in the Washington, Death Records, 1883-1960 as well as in the copy of the Register of Deaths in King County, State of Washington.  

The next news article again appears in The Seattle Daily Times (Published as The Seattle Times_ April 18, 1906, Page 20:  BEREAVED HUSBAND RETURNS.  Newspaperman McDonald Takes One Child Along.  WEST SEATTLE: Wednesday, April 18 — W. Woodburn McDonald has returned to his duties as advertising manager of The Daily News at New Westminister, B. C., taking with him his 2-year-old daughter.  A three-week-old girl has been left in the care of a Mrs. Bowker.  The child’s mother was buried last Saturday, having died a week previous after climbing a hill from the ferry to her home, an exertion proving fatal in her delicate condition.  The case has aroused much sympathy in this place, where the family was widely known.  

• The Tacoma Times, front page, 1/2/1915

This article from The Lethbridge Herald, Thursday, January 21, 1943, p 11 is out of chronological sequence but it supports McDonald previous time in Canada. HIGH LIGHTS OF CLARESHOLM HISTORY IN FIRST NEWSPAPER PRINTED THERE (From Our Own Correspondent)  CLARESHOLM, Jan. 21 —Major G. W. Ringrose is in receipt of a copy of the first paper printed in the town, the Claresholm Review, No. 1, Vol. 1, dated Dec. 24, 1904; Editor Woodburn McDonald.  The sender of the interesting item is Mrs. Allen Turner, Calif. daughter of J. N. Niblock, Medicine Hat, well-known division superintendent of the C.P.R. in the early days.

In a brief sketch of the town history the paper says that:  :On Feb. 15, 1902, O. J. Amundsen, T. J. Shelver, S. O. Brandon and Hans Rustom arrived with a few friends to found a town, such as it stands today.” 

O. J. Amundsen returned home by way of Winnipeg, where he bought 23 sections of land, and on May 10, 1902, he returned with 25 of the best families of Ramsay county, N.D. and to these men Mr. Amundsen sold 21 sections on that afternoon.

The Lethbridge Herald, 1/21/1943, p11

The editor closes with an optimistic prophecy for the young town as he says:  “There is not the slightest doubt that in another two years we shall have a population of 2000 inhabitants.”

The article continues describing some of the businesses being opened, merchandise being stocked and ends explaining “The town received its name from Mrs. Clare Niblock, wife of J. N. Niblock —“Claresholm”.

If you haven’t been confused enough we discover McDonald remarries in Pierce County, WA on July 15, 1907.  The marriage certificate #5686 lists the new Mrs. McDonald as Mollie A. Jones.  BUT on all the other records including City Directories, US Census reports, ancestry.com various family tree histories, the new wife’s name is Mary Agnes Jones, born in PA in 1886 and she dies October 23, 1951.

Following their marriage, the couple live in Pierce County either in Puyallup or in Tacoma.  They have four additional children and all except the only boy are born in Pierce County.  The son, Graham Woodburn is born in 1912 in San Diego, CA. because his father had moved the family there while he worked for newspapers as their advertising manager.  But by January 1915 the publisher of The Tacoma Times has persuaded McDonald to return to Tacoma and make it his permanent home.  

By January 1920, McDonald has decided to leave the newspapers and start his own agency.  According to Printers Ink, Volume 110, p. 134 “Woodburn McDonald Establishes Agency.  Woodburn McDonald, who has been engaged in newspaper work in Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle and Tacoma, Washington has established an advertising agency at Tacoma.”  And in Western Advertising, Volume 2, p. 43 “Carlson Joins Agency.  S. M. Carlson, who has been identified with Detroit newspaper work, has joined the staff of Woodburn McDonald Co., Tacoma office in the Fidelity Building.”  The Washington Newspaper, A Publication Dedicated to the Study and Improvement of Journalism in WA, Volume 7-8, p 382 January 1, 1921 “Tacoma - The West Coast Trade, monthly - Woodburn McDonald, editor & owner.  Advertising Dept:  Frank Lawrence, Morgan Emory - Advertising forms close tenth of month, Date of Publication: 15th of month”.  

In 1935, age 57, McDonald decides to move to Rosedale, Washington.  1937, Tacoma City Directory lists his occupation as advertising. 1940 US Census McDonald has listed his occupation as real estate salesman.  In 1942, he and Mary Agnes move to Gig Harbor, and his WWII Draft Card shows his occupation as real estate as well.  Based upon this information we will assume that he opened his real estate business along the waterfront on 10/27/1939.   Although some people say it was the first real estate office in Gig Harbor,  others in town also sold real estate much earlier such as Teresa Sweeney, Louis Mojean Real Estate and others before McDonald moved to Rosedale/Gig Harbor.  Perhaps the difference is that McDonald, due to his advertising background advertised in newspapers throughout the state.  I found one advertisement in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Classified Advertisements, Thursday, August 8, 1946 p13 advertising "Choice Level Waterfront Tracts 100 feet wide on the saltwater close to Gig Haror on the peninsula near Tacoma State Highway at the rear of the property".

According to The Peninsula Gateway, McDonald opens his real estate office 10/27/1939 along the waterfront; 6/29/1951 he moves his office to Rehn’s Corner at the junction of the new highway.  Previously he was in the Richardson Building.  Edward New and EP Moran move into an office in the space formerly occupied by McDonald where they sold both real estate and insurance.  12/11/1958 McDonald Real Estate has a new office at the Span Deli Drive In; it is remodeled in 1/21/1960 and Jake Bujacich joins the staff as a salesman; finally on 5/26/1966 the firm is sold to Sherm Miller and Jack Creamer.  

https://harborhistorymuseum.smugmug.com/FrankOwenShawCollection/Negatives/i-74WSFLR/A

McDonald’s son, Graham moved his family back to Gig Harbor in 1947 after serving as a State Patrol Officer in Mount Vernon, Washington from 1937 until 1946.  He joined the his father’s firm.  According to his obituary, Graham was integral in the development of Artondale Golf Course and the development of Raft Island.  Graham died March 26, 2002.

Graham's wife, Blowyn, though because there are eight women in the picture and only seven names given, I don't know which one she is: https://harborhistorymuseum.smugmug.com/HarborHistoryMuseumCollection/Organizations-Clubs-Groups/Sorelle-Club/i-RfkqZfH/A

Notes:

• ancestry.com (Family Tree Histories; The Lethbridge Herald)
• Seattle Daily Times (4/15/1906, p 21; 4/14/1906, p 11; 4/18/1906, p20)
• The Lethbridge Herald, 1/21/1943, p11
• Printers Ink, Vol 110, p 134
• Western Advertising, Vol 2, p43
• The WA Newspaper, A Publication Dedicated to Study and Improvement of Journalism in WA, Vol 7-8, p382, 1/21/1921
• The Peninsula Gateway - various dates
• The Tacoma Times, front page, 1/2/1915
• Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Classified Advertisements, Thursday, August 8, 1946 p13

© 2012 Harbor History Museum. All rights reserved.