Life Jacket
“Cap” Markham came to the Sandpoint area on Oct. 5, 1883, when he was 12 years old with his father, Francis, and his mother, Elmina. Originating from Astoria, Oregon Territory, “Cap,” with his parents and additional six siblings, joined his uncle, Lyman, who was the first white man to settle the Laclede area. The family ran a ferry across the Pend Oreille River at Seneacquoteen.
Immersed in the river life from 12 years old, “Cap” whittled and carved model boats from the beautiful straight-grained white pine blocks sawn from the fallen trees in the surrounding forest. With no formal training “Cap” moved to bigger challenges by building from the keel to the smoke stack, several of the finest boats in the northwest.
Around 1926 Cap built the “Tyee,” the first large towboat on Priest Lake. He built a second “Tyee” which was operated by the Northern Navigation Company. “Kaniksu,” a Forest Service launch on Priest Lake, also demonstrated his skill as a boat builder.
This life jacket came off the S.S. Tyee, Priest Lake. Made of block cork and covered in tan canvas. How well do you think it would keep you afloat?
Donor: Russ Bishop
Adopted by:
“Cap” Markham came to the Sandpoint area on Oct. 5, 1883, when he was 12 years old with his father, Francis, and his mother, Elmina. Originating from Astoria, Oregon Territory, “Cap,” with his parents and additional six siblings, joined his uncle, Lyman, who was the first white man to settle the Laclede area. The family ran a ferry across the Pend Oreille River at Seneacquoteen.
Immersed in the river life from 12 years old, “Cap” whittled and carved model boats from the beautiful straight-grained white pine blocks sawn from the fallen trees in the surrounding forest. With no formal training “Cap” moved to bigger challenges by building from the keel to the smoke stack, several of the finest boats in the northwest.
Around 1926 Cap built the “Tyee,” the first large towboat on Priest Lake. He built a second “Tyee” which was operated by the Northern Navigation Company. “Kaniksu,” a Forest Service launch on Priest Lake, also demonstrated his skill as a boat builder.
This life jacket came off the S.S. Tyee, Priest Lake. Made of block cork and covered in tan canvas. How well do you think it would keep you afloat?
Donor: Russ Bishop
Adopted by: