In 1935 they moved to Texas with their two children where Carl’s parents had returned to in 1930. Before returning to Clayhurst in 1939 they had two more children and with their family of four came back to the district to make their home till Carl passed away in 1961. Kay Clay makes her home in Dawson Creek, and her children live near by.
The first school was located on Carl Clay’s land and the first teachers boarded with them. As there were no roads at that time and the pioneers lived some distance apart, Kay found it good company to have the teacher at her place. There were many things that they could share both being the same age and life was very difficult for the younger women with small children.
Due to the lack of roads and trails that would only allow the travelling to be done by horse-back or walking, Carl and his brother Bill along with the neighbors spent much
of their time throwing brush aside and making wagon trails. One of the main undertakings was to get a trail over the Peace River hill and a better approach to the river. Later, when the government put in roads, Carl was put in as foreman of the maintenance. He was with the Department of Highways for many years as foreman and there was a steady improvement in all forms of roads and travel could be done with greater ease.
Carl also shared with his brother Bill a love of music and played for many of the dances and house parties. This was really the only entertainment there was in the district for many years.
Kay tells me in her own words as to how Carl kept supplies in their home. “I remember how Carl would saddle up and ride to the river and then send his horse home. From there he would cross the river on a log raft and walk into Rolla General store. He would often pack on his back as much as fifty pounds. He never was able to arrive home without me first know he was coming, as his dog would always be able to sense or hear him as far away as the river. This was nice for me as the trip could take three or four days, just depending on the weather and many other hazards.”
“Miss Morton and I spent a great deal of time together, just riding horseback all over the country and visiting. As a schoolteacher she enjoyed meeting the parents of her pupils and gave us a lot of enjoyment. While carrying my last child, this horseback riding gave Carl a lot of worry and slowly he put a stop to it. There were many good times and the memories of these times help to offset the many hardships we did have to put up with. I do feel that we had a good life and are proud of the part we played as pioneers to develop a good district and that our family has remained to live and enjoy the district.”