Richard and Dorothy Gassner Oral History Interview, Fall 2008

Partial Transcript: You’d buy 100 pound sacks of flour and make all of your own bread. And that's when I learned how to make four loaves of bread at a time. Now I forgot my recipe.

Segment Synopsis: The conversation begins with a anecdote from Dorothy Gassner, who reminisces about learning to bake bread from scratch. The narrative shifts to a shared family history and personal anecdotes without returning to the topic of bread-making. Richard Gassner then introduces himself, mentioning his birthplace in Kingston, Oregon, and his upbringing on a farm. He details his family background, his experiences moving around in childhood, and his military service during World War II, including training locations and battles in the Pacific Theater. Richard's story touches on his brother Albert's service, his own battles and locations from Guadalcanal to Bougainville, and concludes with his contracting malaria, hospitalization, and eventual discharge. After the military, he met his wife during a period of leave and got married following his discharge. Dorothy Gassner provides then discusses her own background, describing her childhood, her education, and her experiences picking fruit and working in agriculture during her youth. Dorothy outlines her family background, mentioning her parents, siblings, and the health and locations of her family members.

Partial Transcript: Helen and I had shared a bicycle and we rode take turns riding.

Segment Synopsis: The narrative continues with personal memories and life stories from the speakers. Dorothy shares an anecdote about sharing a bicycle with her sister, Helen, and their adventures with their little white dog in the basket. She reminisces about her father's tire shop in White Salmon and his adaptation during the Depression, including the detail of him walking across the bridge to Hood River for work, highlighting the economic challenges of the time. She also recounts helping her Aunt Sarah in Poulsbo during summers, engaging in community activities, and meeting her future husband at a dance. The narrative shifts to their early courtship, detailing their activities, correspondence, and Richard's military service. The couple married on December 15, 1946, in a small ceremony at Dorothy's Aunt Florence's house. The account includes their honeymoon journey through Astoria and along the Oregon coast, mentioning their first experiences with local cuisine and sights. The story also touches on the adjustments to rural life, including living without electricity initially and then gradually modernizing their home with appliances and running water. The birth dates and places of their children are listed, marking significant family milestones. The narrative ends with the mention of their son Paul's death on May 31, 1970, in Vietnam, and his burial at Summit Cemetery, where the family has planned plots.

Partial Transcript: When I got off from the surface we got some horses.

Segment Synopsis: The conversation then turns to the experiences Richard Gassner had after he returned from military service, focusing on logging activities and the evolution of logging practices over time. Initially, Richard and his father engaged in logging with horses, pulling logs to a landing and then onto trucks for transport. This method was later upgraded to using a donkey engine for logging, a significant technological advancement at the time. Richard reminisces about working with Grover Clark and the transition from horse logging to using mechanical equipment, specifically an old 30 with no blade or drum. Dorothy and Richard discuss the construction of tram roads to facilitate logging, mentioning Marvin Ellis's portable sawmill and the innovative use of plank roads to navigate soggy terrain. Richard elaborates on the use of a Fresno for shaping the roads and the introduction of an A-frame to lift logs onto trucks, indicating a gradual modernization of their logging techniques. The narrative also touches on an accident where their father fell off a car and broke his back. Despite the challenges, they managed to sell logs in Portland. Richard provides technical details on the use of saws, including a specialized method for handling logs that required a unique approach if the saw became stuck. The conversation briefly mentions other individuals involved in logging activities, emphasizing the community aspect of the work.

Partial Transcript: And Bill, was there for a while, wasn't he?

Segment Synopsis: The speakers discuss their extensive history and experiences in logging, highlighting various techniques, tools, and equipment used over the years. Initially, the conversation touches on using horses for logging, transitioning to mechanical means like donkey engines and later, more advanced machinery. Richard recalls his progression from logging with horses to using modern equipment, including a significant mention of logging practices, such as the use of a two-man saw and later, a one-man chainsaw. The narrative weaves through different periods, mentioning specific people and places involved in their logging activities, including a project with Marvin Ellis and an accident that led to a family member's injury. The discussion also covers changes in logging practices over time, reflecting on the shift from long logs to short logs, and how the speaker's family, including his children, played a part in the logging work, showcasing a generational involvement in the industry. The conversation ends with reminiscences of the challenges and risks involved, including accidents and the practical aspects of running a logging operation with family labor.

Partial Transcript: Yeah, yeah, grandkids. But my kid never did. Never did.

Segment Synopsis: The Gassners reminisce about the evolution of farming practices over the years, focusing on the transition from manual to mechanized operations. Initially, tasks like cutting hay and transporting it to the barn were done with the help of horses, manual labor, and simple machines. This process was labor-intensive and time-consuming. Over the years, they introduced mechanized equipment such as tractors, balers, and more efficient hay handling systems, significantly reducing the physical labor involved and increasing productivity. They could now handle thousands of bales of hay efficiently, a task that was unthinkable before mechanization. The conversation also touches on financial prudence, emphasizing avoiding debt and living within one's means, a principle they adhered to even when it meant delaying the adoption of new technologies. They also share personal stories related to butchering animals for family consumption, the challenges and rewards of raising rabbits, and maintaining self-sufficiency in food by baking bread and raising various animals on the farm. The discussion concludes with a reflection on how work patterns have changed over time, noting that while they used to work seasonally and save money, current generations work year-round, although they speculate it's by choice due to a passion for farming. They also share anecdotes about family memories and the logistics of managing livestock, illustrating the complexities and joys of farm life.

Partial Transcript: Check back the next week and he'd probably bought the sheep back.

Segment Synopsis: The Gassners discuss their farming and ranching experiences, focusing on the transition from manual labor to mechanization, the family's involvement, and specific anecdotes about raising animals and working the land. They recount the evolution of farming practices on their property, from using horses and manual tools for tasks like hay cutting and baling, to adopting mechanized equipment such as tractors and balers, greatly improving efficiency and productivity. The conversation includes personal stories about the family's past, mentioning several family members by name and their roles. Additionally, they touch on other farm activities, like butchering and sharing livestock with the family, managing a large number of sheep, and dealing with the challenges and joys of raising rabbits. Lastly, they share memories of logging with a chainsaw, emphasizing the hard work involved in cutting down large trees and the techniques used to do so efficiently.

Partial Transcript: Them iron on them springboards was made by a blacksmith.

Segment Synopsis: Next, they discuss traditional logging and farming techniques, tools, and practices. Richard shares detailed descriptions of using springboards for cutting trees, maintaining sharp tools, and the process of chopping and falling trees. He also explains the use of hay carriages and the transition from loose hay to baled hay for easier transport and handling. The discussion includes the design and materials of double trees and singletrees used with horse-drawn equipment, highlighting the use of oak for durability. Richard reminisces about a horse-drawn plow used for digging potatoes, designed by his dad. Dorothy and Tom Gassner introduce various old tools and their uses, such as axes, pitchforks, sheep shears, and hand saws, reflecting on the evolution of farming tools and techniques over time.

Partial Transcript: I'm Tom Gassner and I'm the oldest son of Richard and Dorothy Gassner.

Segment Synopsis: Tom Gassner introduces himself as the oldest son of Richard and Dorothy Asner, who started their logging business. Born in Corvallis, Oregon, in 1947, Tom has spent his life in the local area, currently working on a logging job for Zocker Forest Incorporated in Greenburn Woods, Shot Pouch. Ronnie Gassner, born in 1952, is the youngest son of Richard and Dorothy, having worked in logging since he was 16 and now has three of his sons working with him. Steve Gassner, born in 1971 to Ron and Sharon Gassner, works in various roles in the logging operation, including setting chokers and operating machinery as needed. Ryan Gassner, another son, operates the yarder and helps with timber hauling, contributing wherever necessary. Terry Gassner, from Corvallis, drives a log truck for Gassner Logging Corporation. Rick Gassner, son of Terry and Kathy, born in 1975, does a bit of everything in the operation, from rigging to cutting timber, and fills in on different machines as needed. Mike Asner, born in 1976 to Tom and Georgia Gassner, married to Jill Lizenby with one son, Dylan, works on landing, preparing logs for shipment to the mill by removing knots and cutting them to preferred lengths.

Partial Transcript: I'm Kevin Gassner, I'm here with my dad.

Segment Synopsis: Kevin Gassner, accompanied by his father, discusses the process of evaluating trees while logging. They discuss keeping the cut high and ensuring that the trees are properly angled to avoid obstacles like the maypole. They mention that some trees have rotten bases and discuss the possibility of salvaging them for pulp instead of discarding them entirely. Kevin also notes that cutting techniques have improved, reducing the time it takes to fell a tree. Additionally, Mark Gassner introduces himself as Tom's son, mentioning that he has been driving a truck for about a year and plans to eventually take over the business from his father. They conclude their discussion and prepare to continue their logging operations.