Part 13  March 26, 2000

     The name Van Houck is something that our mother pulled out of the air.  Although the name Van Houck is common in The Netherlands, it has nothing to do with our Houk's!  The tool box in the photo above should be in the Aurora, OR museum.  Click on the photo above to read the article about Doug's business.

     I traveled to Oregon twice in 1994.  The first time was a one week visit some time in the first half of the year. (The second trip was for almost 5 weeks in July and August.)  My brother was selling these buttons as a fund raiser, and I bought one just before I left to return to San Diego.  A few days later I got a call informing me that I had won 1st prize; which was a hand crocheted table cloth.
 
 

     I don't now what my brother lined this coffin with, but the original was lined with lead, and filled with alcohol to preserve the body of  young Willie Kyle.  OH MY!   I just took a closer look at this picture.  You can see a body in the reflection on the lid.  That ain't lead!
 
 

     I think the photo above was taken in Canby, Oregon.  From left to right: unknown to me, Earl Legget, Morris Carter (1993 Wagon Master), and Mr. Van Houck.  In the video "A Father's Promise And The Oregon Trail", Mr. Leggett mentions Mr. Van Houk, and tells about how he came to meet the 1993 wagon train in Western Idaho.  What he didn't  say in the video is what they did that night!  Okay boys and girls; on the count of three.  One.  Two.  Three:  "They got drunk!"

Mr. Van Houk had a sense of humor.  The brown station wagon is a Plymouth.  He had intended to take the "PLY" from the chrome Plymouth logo, and combine it with the "WOOD" from Cadillac's Fleetwood logo.  He wanted to have a PLYWOOD station wagon.

     The photo above was taken by a satellite in 1994.  The arrow pointing (North), at the patio that is shown above.  The light roof is the mobile home, and the dark roof is the work shop; which is attached to the East side of the mobile home.  The white object right next to the Northeast corner of the work shop is Doug's Dodge van.  The dark strip from top to bottom on the right is Highway 99E.

     It was my brother's intentions to build more of these covered bridges as mail box covers and bird feeders.  This one was made entirely from scrap material.  He was going to try to replicate existing Linn County, Oregon bridges, but time ran out on him.

    This photo was taken in 1994, but the bird feeder is too small to be seen in the satellite photo.  It is about twelve feet off the ground to keep cats out of it.  Not that Ms Dos didn't try.
 
 

     My brother had a fascination for old tools; collectibles and many still usable.  I hope the dirty rotten S.O.B. who stole them is enjoying them.

     I got to see this dining set, and it just breaks my heart that Doug's 4th ex didn't get the whole damn thing.  Please note that there is not a single nail in the chairs or the table.
 
 

See also: MY OREGON TRAIL FAMILIES
       and: CAPTAIN JAMES BLAKELY AND BROWNSVILLE