Then on June 29, 1911, the tree tore loose and disappeared downstream. Up until this time, scores of signtseers visited the tree taking away branches and bark as mementoes. Pieces found their way into City Hall, the Public Record Library, the State Historical Society and were even carved into gavels. Many visitors planted branches in the ground that took root. It is assumed that "children" of this hsitoric tree abound throughout Vancouver, bearing true witness to our city's rich historical past."


Source:    City of Vancouver/Urban Forestry, "The Witness Tree Program" brochure.

"On July 1, 1909, the citizens of Clarke County awoke to sad news. The Vancouver Independent reported "Disgusted with its surroundings and with the little respect in which it seemed to be held by members of the city council and others, the old Witness Tree ... at four o'clock last Sunday afternoon committed suicide by plunging into the Columbia River ... its death is upon the hands of those who refused to minister to its wants in its old age." Many sentimental residents took souvenirs from the prostrate tree. Two years would pass before the tree slid into the Columbia and "into history" as citizens noted in 1911."

Source:    "The Witness Tree" information sign, Vancouver, Washington, visited December 30, 2017.

"VANCOUVER, Wash., April 19. -- (Special) -- The old witness tree at the foot of Main street, with which are connected many historic associations, is in danger of being undermined by the Columbia River, and steps are being taken by the citizens so to construct a safeguard around the tree that it may be permanently preserved.

This is the balm of giead tree, marking the corner of the Amos Short donation land claim which was surveyed in 1846, and this marked the starting point for all surveys run in this section. It is the southwest corner of the military reservaion and forms the boundary at that point between the city and the garrison grounds. When Lewis and Clark made their trip down the Columbia they tied their canoe to this tree. The Hudson's Bay Company's first trading post in this section was built near the old witness tree."


Source:    "Morning Oregonian, April 20, 1909, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2018.

"VANCOUVER, Wash., May 27. -- (Special) -- A subscription list to raise #200 with which to preserve the old witness tree at the foot of Main street, was started today. The money will be solicited by a committee of High school students. The plan has the approval of the City Council and the public in general and there is no doubt the fund will be raised. James B. Kerr, of Portland, has subscribed #35.

The work of fixing the old Balm of Gilead tree so as to stop the waters of the Columbia from washing away the earth from the tree's roots will be done under the supervision of the City Engineer. It is planned to drive piling in the river a little beyond the tree and then fill in the space between the tree and the piling.

The old witness tree is one of the oldest landmarks in or around Vancovuer. All surveys started from this point. A century or more ago, beneath its branches, the Indians oft'times smoked the pipe of peace. It was to this tree that Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition to the Coast, tied their canoe."


Source:    "Morning Oregonian, May 28, 1909, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2018.

"VANCOUVER, Wash., June 28. -- (Special) -- There has been a constant pilgrimage today by citizens of Vancouver to the old "Witness Tree" that fell into the river Sunday afternoon, and there will be few people in the city who will not have in their possession some part large or small, of the historic tree.

The Woodmen of the World have sawed six blocks from the trunk of the tree and these blocks will be polished and used in the lodge rooms. It is likely that a block from the trunk will be preserved in the City Hall, in the park and in the Public Library, and part of the tree will be sent to the State Historical Society.

There is universal regret on the part of the people at the loss of the old witness tree."

Click image to enlarge

NEWSPAPER IMAGE: Vancouver's "Witness Tree". "Morning Oregonian", June 29, 1909, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2018.

"VANCOUVER, Wash., June 29. -- (Special) -- The relic hunters and souvenir collectors are still cutting and sawing at old witness tree which fell into the Columbia last Sunday. The old historic tree is now practically striped of all its boughs and limbs and part of the trunk has been cut up and carried off.

Today, embedded beneath the bark and at a point about ten feet above the ground in the trunk of the tree was found a bridge spike, supposed to be the spike driven into the tree by the surveyors when the first surveying lines were run from the old witness tree as a starting point.

A block was cut off about five feet long to be sent to the Clark County booth at the A-Y-P Exposition.

A block was cut today and arrangements were being made to send it to the British Museum in London, England. This is being done, as the old witness tree marked the landing point of the fur traders of the Hudson Bay Company in 1824, that company being an English corporation."


Source:    "Morning Oregonian, June 30, 1909, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2018.

"VANCOUVER, Wash., June 4. -- (Special) -- The spot where the famous old balm of Gilead witness tree grew, at the foot of Main street, is to be made into a park -- a beauty spot -- by the Vancouver Woman's Club. All surveys in the northwest started here.

The land is owned by the North Bank and the Northern Pacific, which companies have consented to lease the land to the city for $1 a year for each company. It is triangular in shape and contains three and one-eigth square feet. Mrs. F.E. Vaughan, president, and Mrs. Nellie Lambson, secreatry of the Vancouver Woman's Club, appeared before the Council tonight and secured assurance that the Council would lease the property."


Source:    "Morning Oregonian, June 5, 1913, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2018.