Alfred (A.B.) Conrad was an very early settler. He moved his family out to the Eatonville and built his home around 1882. The home stood ñthe East Road, but you’d know it now has Highway 161.
Mrs. Conrad is on the left, and Alfred is by the third post from the left. And Mary Coccioli (daughter) is on the very right.
Shooting Deer & the Real Depression
A. B. Conrad, spoke at the Pioneer’s Picnic in 1932, when the Depression was on. He said, “We have seen worse times than these. There were no trails, no roads, no work, and no money; and a load of potatoes brought 45 cents in trade. We wore our clothing until there was no room for more patches and our children wore wood shoes.”
He told of killing two deer where the high school now stands. The deer meant a great deal to him because of meat it would put on the table for his family. While he was was wondering how he could get the meat home, a city hunter came rushing out of the brush and offered $10 for one of the animals. Ten dollars looked like a fortune to Mr. Conrad, who hadn’t seen money for months. (Men made .50 a day then.) It turns out the city man wanted his hunting buddies to think he shot the deer. (History of Southeastern Pierce County.)
Today the house still stands. You can see it on the right hand side of the road on your way out of town — just before you get to Northwest Trek. Feel free to give the hardworking Conrads a nod.
Photos courtesy of Pat Van Eaton.
Click on images to enlarge.
Eatonville To Rainier 