Spilyay tymoo., July 02, 1982, Page 3, Image 3

JULY 2, 1982 PAGE 3
SPILYAY TYMOO
Happiness is Key to longevity for Annie
Annie’s life was a busy one—one and off the reservation and often included traveling to “Watsuts'
{Lone Pine) to butcher fish.
by Donna Behrend
Annie Sm ith has lived
enough years to see two world
wars, two “police actions,”
suffer through a depression and
adjust to the current era of
îlectronics and automation.
Annie recently celebrated her
OOth birthday with relatives
and friends at the Warm
Springs Community Center.
Annie’s birthday, registered
with thé Tri bah Vital Statistics
department, as June 10, 1887.
which would make her 95. But,
according to Zelma, Annie’s
/oungest daughter, Annie was
87 at the time of Wesley’s
,Annie’s husband) death in
1969. “I’ve just been counting
year-by-year since then,” says
Zelma.
Annie was born in The
Dalles to Jim and Mary
Jackson. Early on, Annie, her
parents and her brother Charlie
and her sister Ruth moved to
Warm Springs where they lived
on S h itik e C re e k , th e
D e s c h u te s R iv e r ( th e
"“Wukmup” area) and in the
Dry Hollow area.
Her family lived in a tent in
the Wukmup area. The old
Smith barn still stands,, where
her family “worked the’land”.
The property, which was
owned by Wesley’s parents
Robert and Annie Smith, was
later purchased by Wesley and
Annie, according to Zelma.
Annie and Wesley were
married in 1906 and received a
helping hand—a few head of
cattle—from Annie’s parents.
~
Annie often spent times with her
' ~
Jackson (at-left in photo). In center is Annie y
g
“Dad had the horses and Mom
had the cattle,” says Zelma.
Wesley worked with his father-
in-law, farming and ranching.
W esley ’s p a re n ta g e is
unusual. His father was Jewish
and Wasco and his mother was Annie married Wesley ' 'Wack” in 1906. Their marriage lasted
Oriental and Wasco. Because until his death in 1969.
of the Jewish ancestry, Zelma
says their name should have owe it to her,” says Zelma. “She
been Grostein instead of Smith. gave me life.”
Annie’s life hasn’t been
Annie has had her tough
c e n te r e d o n ly on th e
Old Photos
reservation. She and Wesley bouts with, bad health within
and other family members the past few years. Just when
courtesy
traveled to the Columbia River she appeared to be going,
to fish near “Watsuts” or Lone Annie would bounce back,
of Annie and
Pine. Her Sister and brother-in- amazing family members as
law, Ruth and Joe Estabrook, well as doctors. Within the last
Zelma Smith
used to live there and all would year, doctors have diagnosed
diabetes and a heart ailment.
butcher fish at the site.
Birthday
Zelma has lived all her life
Annie appears to be very
with her parents and has always happy and contented for her
been involved in the farming one-hundred years. “We joke
Celebration
and ranching duties. After her around alot,” Annie stated
father’s death, Zelma assumed recently. It’s that “joking Photo by Behrend
all the responsibilities, which around,” the quiet life and her
included caring for her mother, family’s constant loving care
keeping tabs on the cattle herds that have contributed to
and harvesting the crops. “1 Annie’s longevity.
Friends and relatives helped Annie celebrate her 100th birthday in June. She sang a song and
¿ /« « w expressed her appreciation to all who attended. Also in photo are three of Annie’s six living
y. cfln(jren (ief t to right) Alvis Smith Sr., M yrtle Monroe and Claude Smith Sr>