Henry and Lucy Robison

The first part of the Robison/Robinson Families of Whitley County, Indiana presented what was known about Henry Robison and his wife Ann. Census records indicate that they may have had eight children. Three children are named in Henry's will dated August 8, 1851 and the same children were also mentioned in a deed record dated August 15, 1855 where Ann and the children were selling land in Whitley County, Indiana. The children were Eliza Jane, Henry, and Emily.

According to his obituary, published in the Columbia City Commercial on December 14, 1904 Henry Robison (Jr) was the son of Henry and Ann Robison and was born in Champaign County, Ohio on January 7, 1833. "He came to Indiana at an early age and at the beginning of the civil war enlisted in Co L of the 80th Indiana regiment of volunteers for three years, and at the expiration thereof reenlisted and served until the close of the war when he was honorably discharged. During his faithful service he was hit by a piece of shell on the left shoulder causing his left arm to be helpless, but remained with his Company until the close of the war cheering by words and songs." For a number of years Henry and Lucy were the proprietors of the "Robinson House" in Lorane.

Whitley County records show that Henry enlisted in Company I of the 30th Indiana Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry (not Co. L 80th IVI). He was wounded on April 7, 1862 at Pittsburgh Landing.

On October 10, 1867 Henry Robison Jr. was married to Lucy Ann (Strait) Scott. Lucy had three children from her previous marriage to Charles Scott but only two were living at the time of her death in January 1907; they were Perry Scott of Marion, Indiana and Mrs. Harvey Waters of Lorane. Henry and Lucy had four children: Ella, Frank, Ida Anna, and Pearl Henry.


You can read this post to find out how the photograph above gives me my "link" to Henry and Ann Robison!

1. Ella was born about 1868 and married C. M. Kimball on February 13, 1897 in Whitley County. In the obituary notice of her father she is mentioned as Mrs. Ella Kimbal Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Her mother's obituary gives her name as Mrs. Ella Kimmel. Additional information on them can be found at Ella/Ellen Robison and C. M. Kimball. [Link added 09/18/..]

2. Frank Robison was born about 1869. He married Cora B. Beard on August 23, 1891 in Whitley County, Indiana. The obituary notices of his parents stated that Frank lived in Marion, Indiana (Grant County) and that is where he was found in the census records for 1900 through 1930. Additional information on them can be found at Frank and Cora Robison of Marion, Indiana. [Link added 09/18/..]

3. Ida Anna Robison was born January 17, 1872 and died November 22, 1899 in Whitley County, Indiana. Her obituary was found in my grandmother's papers. The clipping is not identified (no name of newspaper or date of publication). "On Friday of last week this community was called upon to pay their last tribute of respect to one that has been with us from infancy, attended our school and our social gatherings, and our pen cannot describe the sad parting. Ida A. Robison was born in Troy township, Whitley county, Indiana on January 17, 1872 and died November 22, 1899, aged 27 years, 10 months and 3 days. Anna was a patient sufferer for nearly four years of the dread disease consumption which has claimed her as its victim. Her last days were her happiest, fully realizing that the end was near she never complained but was pleased with what little could be done for her to relieve her sufferings and was submissive to the Lord's will in whose care she had placed her trust. Rejoicing in the hope of meeting kind parents, brothers and sisters in heaven she shook hands with all present and peacefully passed to the spirit world."

The photograph was identified by my grandmother as Ida Anna Robison.

4. The obituary of Pearl Henry Robinson was also found in my grandmother's papers: He "was born at Lorane, Indiana April 3rd 1880 and died December 19th 1901 aged 21 years, 3 months and 16 days. Pearl, as we best knew him came home sick from his work on the 19th day of March, just 9 months previous to his death. His illness proved to be that dreaded disease consumption, from which he was a long and patient sufferer following so closely his sister Anna, whom he so dearly loved and so frequently spoke of. In his death his parents have lost a dutiful son, the brothers and sisters a loving brother and the young people of the community, one of their number whose loss they deeply feel as their beautiful flower offerings testified. The funeral was held at the Free Methodist Church at this place on Sunday the 22nd. The house was filled with sorrowing friends who came to pay their last tribute of respect. Rev. J.M. Jolley, pastor of the church preached a very able and appropriate sermon. Interment in the Scotts cemetery."

Imagining Dad In the Garden

It's a dozen years since my dad died but he was with me in imagination as I mowed and wandered around the garden today. He loved our Illinois garden and if he were here he'd recognize these first 10" blooms as the Blue River II Hibiscus. Dad would know the Citrina daylily. A neighbor shared it with me in 1978 and it's bloomed in four of our gardens. Dad disliked purple clothes but liked purple flowers so this basket of Calibrachoa might get a nod of approval. Even if the visit is imaginary I'd better do something about the tree saplings sprouting in every shrub and flower bed. That was one of Dad's pet peeves. Get that pecan out of the hydrangea! There'd be no excuse for not weeding once Dad saw the Cobrahead tool Anneliese sent me for winning a contest on the Cobrahead blog. And he he might be amused that the winning plant ID was Horseradish, something he grew near his picnic table. If we were lucky we could catch a glimpse of the small Praying Mantis hanging upside down on the Meyer's Lemon. We could taste the first 'Carmello' tomato - a new one this year. Under bird netting some 'Early Girl' tomatoes are coming along and so are a cluster of 'Costoluto Genovese'. With so few tomatoes we'd have to use canned tomatoes for spaghetti sauce. In my mind I hear him say, "getting a little heavy handed with the oregano, aren't you, missy?" He'd be okay with lots of basil, I think...not being Italian never stopped my dad from cooking old-time Chicago Italian dishes - pounding round steak thin, rolling, filling and tying it to make Brachiole in red sauce. With maybe some zucchini sliced, dipped & fried in olive oil on the side.




I can't even imagine what kind of conversation we could have about the non-garden world - my father was a pipefitter at a Fisher Body plant, the division of GM that made car bodies. Every news broadcast this week has made me wonder how my parents would have felt about the whole thing.






What would he think about part of his family living in Texas?Dad learned to hate Texas weather when stationed here on manouvers prior to shipping out for 3 years in New Guinea during World War II.

Forty years later he learned to dislike Texas highways and their primitive rest stops when he & Mom drove IH35 all the way through Texas to San Antonio one hot September. But like most guys - once he got to the reunion of old army buddies, he had a great time.
Miss you, dad!

Firefighter

The firefighter is probably the largest of the wooden sculptures in the little park at the Pueblo Montano Trailhead. The sculptures were made byMark Chavez, who was one of the firefighters who fought the Albuquerque Bosque Fire of ... I have seen a lot of things made from wood using chainsaws (mostly bears) but the sculptures in the park are really unique. The tell the story of the fire, and the wildlife that live in the Bosque. The Bosque is the nature trails and native lands that border the Rio Grande River where it runs through Albuquerque, NM. During the fire many of the beautiful cottonwood trees along this section of the river were killed. Instead of cutting down the dead trees to use them as firewood or hauling them to the dump Mark Chavez turned these tree stumps into fanstatic sculptures. More information at http://www.examiner.com/x-1972-Albuquerque-Travel-Examiner~y..m9d10-Hidden-Albuquerque-Pueblo-Montano-park-and-the-wood-carvings-of-Mark-Chavez

Tieton River Climbing ..

Julie injured her foot in Montreal. So mountain excursions were out of the question as should could barely walk at times. So, she was interested in some rock climbing. Due to her injury, and the suspect weather forecast for Leavenworth, we decided to see what Tieton was all about. The forecast for Tieton was to be 60° and mostly sunny. Since it is a two and a half hour drive, we left Seattle at 5am to maximize our climbing. This was unfortunate, as when we first arrived in the parking lot around 7:40am, it was still quite chilly.

We figured we'd warm up on the hike (about a quarter mile of trail - the second half uphill.) When we got to the base of the climbs, it was windy and in the shade. It felt even colder than the parking lot. We sized up our first climb, and neither of us were willing to start climbing due to the cold. Since we were the only ones there, we left our packs, and headed back to the car where the sun was shining. As we got to the car, a few other climbers showed up. We chatted, and decided to drive down the road to check out "The Bend," another area of Tieton climbing. (We were at Royal Columns.) After our short drive and a stop at the toilet, we headed back up to the crag.

Once there, we put on all the clothes we had, and started slowly to do our first climb. The first choice was the three star Western Front (5.3). We started easy to gauge how tough the climbing would be. Tieton has a reputation for having stiff grading, but we didn't really think so. I will say, that the climbing is fairly steep for the grade in concern to Western Front. I led the route, and found it very heady, as many of my gear placements were not ideal. The climbing is crack climbing between the andesite columns and the moves were pretty straightforward. However, I found gear placement to be difficult, and some of my gear to be suspect. Julie followed the route and saw the difficult placements. One of the issues I had with gear was that I neglected to bring up a #4 Camalot, because the guide book said gear to 2.5". This was regrettable, as there were multiple good locations for it along the route.

First cold lead of day

After completing the route, I ran down near the car (and sun) to warm up a bit. I returned as the sun started lighting the tops of the columns where Julie had waited for me. It was somewhat warmer now, but still chilly. But the sun was starting to heat the columns, and it was around 11am.

Julie led out on the next route, The Rap Route (5.5). It was a short stem/chimney, that became a crack above a short column. The route did not feel any harder than Western Front, but seemed to have easier gear placements. After I followed, and we rapped from the top, we contemplated our next move.

Now that the sun was out we decided to eat lunch and relax on some rocks at the base of the columns to warm up a bit. We briefly sought out our next objective, but returned to the rock when we realized how windy it was just around the corner from our lounging spot. After more relaxing, we finally got up to do our next route.

It was my lead, and I chose Good Timer (5.4) because the small roof on Slacker (5.4) scared me off a bit. (That and Slacker was more in the shade and seemed to be windier.) Good Timer had some loose rock on it, and again was somewhat difficult to protect. The climbing was fine, but nothing remarkable. After I led it, Julie cleaned it and we contemplated our next move.

We found a route on the far left that looked interesting to us. Julie asked if I would lead it, and so I gave in. It wasn't in our guide book, so we weren't sure of the grade at the time I started up. The route seemed to be a lower angle than our previous routes, except for the last 6-8'. About a third of the way up it had a small crack which was too small for my fingers except at the very top of it. I worked my way around it to the right and made my way up the rest of the pitch. I found this route to be the most enjoyable climbing of the four we did. Perhaps it was because it took gear better and I felt better protected because of it? Perhaps it was just the route? After we climbed it, we borrowed another climber's guide book in the parking lot and found out the route was a 5.7. ("The finger crack" which I bypassed probably gave it that rating.)

After that, we left for home.

My take on Tieton is that the rock is slightly better than at Vantage, but still quite dubious. The climbing is fairly interesting and enjoyable if you can look past this issue. However, it is difficult, especially when leading to get over this. After Julie followed Good Timer, she told me she thought the whole column was going to fall. I found myself more concentrated at times on the pro and its ability to protect a fall, than on the climbing itself. The terrain is somewhat different than Vantage as well, as it is a greener part of Central Washington. I'll probably return to Tieton at some point, but not likely soon.

A few more pics located here.

It is true...I've made fun of YOU!

If you have worn a helmet rock climbing or a visor/face mask on ice I have likely made fun of you, at least silently, in my past.

I know, poor potty training. But it comes from honest hard labor and not getting killed..... yet.
While I almost never (never?) wear a helmet cragging on decent rock I always wear a helmet on ice or in a winter/alpine environment or on the typical limestone choss.

It is not my suggestion that you skip wearing a helmet or use me as a poster child as to when to or not to wear a helmet. Make up your own mind when you think you need a helmet and "live...or not" with that decision.

Helmets have gotten so light...the newest ones from BD and Petzl are down to ounces...literally half of my last helmet's weight.

But this isn't about helmets. The discussion is actually about face shields while climbing ice. I have to admit having more scars on my face than I care to. All of them from ice cuts. One in particular, a 1980 dinner plate on Carlsberg, knocked me out cold and cut my lip through to the gum line. Unpleasant all that to finally make Banff and getting sew up. I am not sure a face shield would have stopped the injury or brain fade but it might have helped. Either way not an experience I want to repeat.

Old habits die hard so no mask or visor for me. Well not until last season anyway. Two years ago I was finishing up the right hand side of Weeping Wall when for the first time ever, I popped a small piece of ice directly into my eye and it REALLY hurt! And I do mean REALLY hurt. I couldn't see and it hurt bad enough I couldn't climb for a few minutes. My eye was pouring tears. And it was later sore for several days. No fun on lead.


My partner that day was wearing a Petzl helmet and shield which I thought rather goofy at the time.....but not so much now. He wasn't goofy mind you, just his choice in gear was goofy from my inexperienced perspective. My first piece of damning evidence is the zebra striped bike tape he used to wrap his Nomics. '70s California hippy obviously. The fact that he has climbed a whole lot more ice that me..over a longer period time..and was still climbing harder...(the bastard!).... kept me from giving him shit about his obvious "goofiness". But I really wanted too. Right up till I poked myself in the eye!

That was my last trip for the season up north. I started looking for one of those fancy shields to add to my helmet on the drive home. "How about sliding me a pro deal on one of them fancy helmets with a visor, Jack?" "Nada."

Took me a few months and I still have a helmet without a shield but now one with as well. I pick and choose which helmet I want to use as the shield is fragile and a PIA to stuff along with the attached helmet into a pack. But I almost never go on water ice now without a shield/visor. So much for the old school label. Now I am one of the goofy ones. But I get to laugh at myself......every time all that nasty stuff bounces off my visor with every swing as I smile and "style" my way upward!

But if you show up with a wired frame football mask or looking like Freddy Krugger I'm still gonna laugh at you. Call it poor potty training.

Remember Bernice Calvert

In our family, we learned to remember Pearl Harbor early in life. My mother's mother, Bernice Bailey Calvert, was there starting a new life. Her first husband, Roger Calvert was killed in a car accident in 1930, and her son, Roger Jr was killed in a freak accident at the age of 13. A widow at 32, she managed The Broadmoor Apartments where she met her second husband, Frank Bernard Schultz who was playing a in a band at afternoon teas there to help put himself through medical school. In May 1941, he was a doctor in the Army Reserves, when he was called up and stationed in Hawaii-which seemed like a great gig at the time. It took over two months to get there. They were enjoying their new life- even though it was far from family here in Washington. Then the attack came. Bernie was called in to the hospital, and my grandmother was alone when a shell hit her home. She hurt her ankle, but managed to get to the hospital as well, and ended up helping all day. Soon all Army wives and children would be evacuated, but my grandmother wanted to stay. She joined the Red Cross and became the only woman correspondant to cover the war in the South Pacific. There she was at the age of 43, one life behind her and a completely different one ahead. They remained in Hawaii all through the war right up to the end- literally. She was actually on board the USS Missouri when the Japanese surrendered. That's why we remember Pearl Harbor.

Warnings of Failure

Among cyclists I know, many ride steel bikes and a good number have experienced frame failure of some sort. Really, I hear stories about it all the time. One woman described pedaling through town when suddenly her bicycle felt wobbly and loose. Turned out the seat tube had cracked, just above the bottom bracket. Another had a similar experience with his first bike: The downtube detached right at the bottom bracket joint and he had a bad fall. I have also heard multiple accounts of snapped chainstays.




Anecdotes like this make me think about frame failure in relation to frame material. We know that steel bends, whereas carbon fiber snaps. Steel fails gradually, whereas carbon fiber fails suddenly and catastrophically. And this is why we consider steel a safer material for frame construction. But what I am wondering is: How does this difference translate into real world experience?






What gets me about the stories of steel frame failure, is that the cyclists never see it coming. From their point of view, these too are sudden failures. In reality, I do not doubt that the failures were in fact gradual - but save for checking for evidence of stress with a loupe before every ride, how does the cyclist benefit from that gradualness?




Based on my limited experience test riding roadbikes, I am not attracted to carbon fiber frames. I prefer the ride quality of steel and titanium. But I am not sure I share the safety concerns about (quality) carbon fiber frames that some voice. Sure, in theory the frame can fail suddenly and catastrophically. But in practice, how would this differ from the gradual failure of steel that to the cyclist feels equally sudden?