Zoie McLean talks about childhood memories
By Alannah Allbrett
Zoie Lorinda Mangis-McLean was born on the Carman Ranch, outside of Creston, WA,
Nov. 2, 1904, after which the family moved to Wilson Creek Ranch. Her parents
spent 40 years on the ranch raising horses and cattle.
Zoie’s grandfather owned the first dry goods and general merchandise store in Creston.
Zoie says that she walked “a mile or more to get to the country school.” Later, she went on to high school in Creston, WA (approximately 57 miles due west of Spokane). “There was no bus service” in those days she said, so she had to board in town returning home on weekends. Her parents had her board with a nice, elderly lady whom they paid for her upkeep.
Zoie’s parents, Mr. Charles S. Mangis (1877-1974) and mother Elizabeth Underwood-Mangis were married in 1901 and were considered prosperous by most people’s standards. She lived in a large home on the ranch. “They did well enough to have hired help.” Her mother had a hired girl in the kitchen as “There were many ranch hands to cook food for.”
Her parents were able to send her to college WSC in Pullman, WA (now known as Washington State University). She says that, she was delighted to be able to go to school and that she was no problem. She graduated in 1928 with a B.A. Degree in Education.
“It seems everyone had a boyfriend, and I had a boyfriend too. I was a happy, free teenager and happy with my studies. I was a good student.”
When asked how the income levels at that time influenced her in those days, she
said she was lucky to have nice dresses that some of the other girls were unable
to afford. “In looking back,” Zoie said, “I did not realize what it took to send
me to college. I did not notice the as much as I probably ought to have.”
After graduation from college, she taught English and Drama for a year before marrying a Scottish man – a gold miner, Clair McClean. Zoie and her new fiancé, eloped. Her father only heard of their marriage while attending an auction. The couple was given a milk cow and chickens as wedding presents.
Zoie said that life became very different for her. She went from, “living in a big house to living in a shack outside of Shoup, ID.” From there, they moved from one mining camp to the next throughout Washington and Idaho.
The McCleans had two sons – Courtney the oldest, and Douglas the younger boy. Douglas now lives north of San Francisco and paid her a visit last month. Courtney, with his wife Evelyn, live in Orofino.
Many family pictures on Zoie’s dresser tell the story of her life and family. Most notable, however, were two oil paintings of a Scottish Castle (Castle in Duart, pictured lef). When asked about those paintings, Zoie said that was the area her husband’s family came from, With a sister-in-law and a niece she was able to visit Scotland. They had a wonderful trip and got to meet and talk with the Laird McLean. Zoie bought the paintings while traveling in Scotland.
Zoie now resides at Brookside Landing in Orofino. When asked if she enjoyed Brookside she said, “Oh yes, very much so!” She says that she has had a good life with many opportunities. She enjoyed serving as a Worthy Matron with the Masonic organization.
Zoie has two sons and their wives, six grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. She said that she just takes things one day at a time.
NOTE TO SENIORS: The Clearwater Tribune would enjoy hearing your Depression-era memories.