Gyppo Logger

by Margaret Elley Felt, Robert E. Walls (Foreword)

Margaret Elley Felt’s autobiographical Gyppo Logger , originally published in 1963, tells a story almost universally overlooked in the history of the logging industry: the emergence of family-based, independent contract or "gyppo" loggers in the post-World War II timber economy, and the crucial role of women within that economy. For seven years Margaret Felt was her husband’s partner in their logging business ― driving truck, keeping the wage rolls, and jawboning her way into more credit at the supply stores.

Margaret Elley Felt is the author of thirteen books in addition to Gyppo Logger . She has contributed to popular magazines including National Wildlife and Parents Magazine , and was an editor and public information officer for several Washington State agencies.

Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Karen Charbonneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir was first published in 1960. Margaret Felt recounts the 10 (1944-54) years she and her husband Sonny operated a gyppo salvage logging company within view of Mount Rainier in Washington State. She played many parts - camp cook and flunky; cleaner and painter; bookkeeper; hiring agent; truck driver delivery logs to the mill;grocery and parts buyer;hauler of heavy broken parts from cats and other machinery; and wheedler of creditors as they spent each year in debt, but keeping their crews paid off and their equipment and logging camp in order. All this during a time when women had returned to their homes after World War II to become the perfect wives and mothers. Oh, she was also the mother to two girls. She had spunk and she loved the forests, despite the fact that her husband "barbered the green mountains" for a living. I enjoyed it very much.

[Benton Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A endearing autobiography about an independent logger's wife and her vital contributions as both mother and business partner. Paints a vivid portrait of a logging team's life in the post-war years to the mid-1950's in the forests around Mt. Rainer. Margaret Felt touches on all the ways a logging operation can impact family life, from devastating accidents to resentment of union interference. Almost like a wholesome version of Ken Kesey's "Sometimes a Great Notion." Would highly recommend to anyone interested in personal histories of the old Northwest.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book from the wife of a small time logger in the PNW