Bringing Goldendale back to its roots

This week we present a story that originally appeared in The Sentinel November 6, 1958, titled “Bruce Spalding Presented Mail Box to Remind of Happy Days on Route”

“How many automobiles does it take to carry the rural free mail for 38 years out of Goldendale?”

When asked this question, Bruce Spalding answered “I think I have used 28 different cars. Of course, in the earlier years I used each several years, but in the last 15 years or so I have made it a practice to trade-in each year. I drove 5 model T Fords, three V-8 Fords, one Star, one Durant, five Chevrolets, six Dodges and seven Plymouths.

“In the beginning the Model T was equal to the task when the weather was good, but in winter we went back to horse and buggy, team, and sleigh, and on many occasions I made the rounds on horseback” he recalled.

The 38 years of service were recognized at a potluck dinner at the No. 12 schoolhouse last Wednesday evening, with Mr. and Mrs. Spalding as honored guests. Rural Route One patrons organized the event and gathered to show their appreciation to their carrier, scheduled to retire next January 1.

Bruce Born in Goldendale

Bruce, who will be 68 next February 24, is a native son of Goldendale. He has been a postal employee since he went to work as clerk November 1, 1910. His father, Howard M. Spalding, was postmaster in those days, having been appointed at about the beginning of President McKinley’s tenure.

On the death of his father in 1914, Bruce was acting postmaster for a time, then assistant postmaster. The post office was located in the old Gillenwaters building, then on the site of the present Goldendale Medical Clinic building on Main street.

On June 1, 1920, Bruce was appointed carrier for Rural Route 3, the beginning of this rural service. Later, about 1935, when routes 1 and 3 were consolidated, he became carrier of the enlarged route, which job he has held since.

Though he denied doing anything unusual, several patrons at the dinner declared Bruce had “come through in all kinds of weather,” many times after they had sought to persuade him to wait out a storm. They were strong in praise of the many small courtesies and helpful acts of the veteran carrier.

“We all think of him as almost a part of our families,” was one comment. “We’d be lost without the service he gives. We put packages and money in the box, he takes care of the details.” “Even reads our minds, I guess,” laughed another.

In commenting on his years of service, Bruce seriously remarked, “I think I can truthfully say I have enjoyed every mile of it.” Mrs. Spalding recalled the times she has accompanied her husband on his rounds and the beauty observed in the autumn leaves or winter frosts as seasons changed the countryside’s appearance. As a memento of the occasion, Bruce was presented an old and familiar friend, a venerable mail box, removed from its post on his route, given a coat of shiny aluminum paint, and half fi lled with greeting cards signed by the familiar names. Also included was a box of coins, this time more of them and intended for the carrier himself.

*Fourteen years later, as the Goldendale Post Office turned 100 years old, The Sentinel spoke of “the late Bill Spalding” and his recollections of deep snows such as few can now remember. “Four feet on the level,” he once mentioned. “For days all we could do was start out in the morning, go as far as the roads had been opened, and return.” On other occasions men on horseback bucked deep snowfalls, breaking trail for their mounts to conserve their strength, man and horse working as a team. On still other occasions it was rutted roads or other peril. Most of the time the going was good but regardless of conditions, the mail went through, was received and dispatched, as regularly as possible.

We take the Postal Service for granted, gripe at its mistakes and complain when it experienced dif- ficulties. But in the days of its history Goldendale depended on few things as it did the U.S. Mail.