From "The History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Nancy Grubb (nancyg@theofficenet.com)
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PETER HALEY
	Peter Haley who resides about six miles south from Colville,is one 
of the sturdy pioneers who opened this western country for the ingress of 
civilization.  He is now quietly passing the golden years of his life on his 
estate, where he devotes himself to general farming and stock raising.  He 
has won the esteem and good will of all who know him in this county and so 
successfully has he manipulated the resources of the country that he is 
comfortably fixed financially, and, in addition,is one of the substantial 
citizens of the county. 
	Peter Haley was born in historic Killarney,county Kerry,Ireland, the 
date being JUNE 1833. His parents Donald and Catherine (Merl) Haley, were of 
old Irish stock and were foremost citizens of their section. The father was 
engaged in transporting merchandise from Cork to Killarney.  When our 
subject was a very small child,his father died,whereupon the mother with her 
children came to the United States.  They landed in New York,but soon made 
their way to  South Weymouth,Massachusetts,where Peter attended school until 
he was eleven. At that age he stepped forth to assume the responsibilities 
of life for himself He followed stage driving in northern Massachusetts for 
sometime and when fourteen accompanied his uncle across the plains to Oregon.
For two years his lot was cast with this uncle in the Willamette valley,and 
then he took up steamboating on the rivers. Later he farmed in the Web-Foot 
State and then journeyed to Walla Walla. At the time Governor Stevens was 
corralled by Indians and called for volunteers to carry a dispatch to the 
soldiers at The Dalles,Peter Haley was the first man to offer his services. 
He started on the perilous journey, assured of the danger that awaited him,
but determined to reach the soldiers or lose his life in trying to assist 
his fellows. He traveled as fast as horse flesh could carry him and when
his steed finally fell dead beneath him,he made the balance on foot. So 
completely exhausted was he when he arrived with his call for help to 
relieve the Governor and his people,that he was unable to travel. For thirty 
days,the physicians nursed him back to strength sufficient to travel to 
Portland,where for three months he was under the care of medical men. After 
spending some time in Portland, he returned in 1868 to Walla Walla.
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