USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > An illustrated history of Walla Walla County, state of Washington > Part 18
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results : Representatives, J. F. Brewer, Will- ers. J. M. Hill, Milton Aldrich and Frank iam Fudge and J. M. Dewar : attorney, E. K. Lowden. Hanna: auditor, William C. Painter ; sheriff, A. S. Bowles: treasurer, J. F. Boyer ; assessor, 1. 11. Bowman: surveyor, J. B. Wilson ; su- perintendent of public schools. J. W. Mor- gan : judge of probate, R. Guichard; commis- sioners, Amos Cummings, W. P. Reser and W. G. Babcock: sheep commissioner, .A. S. LeGrow: coroner, H. R. Keylor.
The record of the election of 1886 is here noted : Representatives, P. A. Preston and W. M. Clark; auditor, L. R. Hawley : sheriff, A. S. Bowles : treasurer. J. F. Boyer : assessor, M. H. Paxton : surveyor, J. M. Allen; super- intendent of public schools, Ellen Gilliam; judge of probate, R. Guichard; commission- ers. T. C. Taylor, Joseph Paul and Edwin Weary ; sheep commissioner, Timothy Barry; coroner. Il. R. Keylor.
In 1888 the following officers were elected in the county : Representatives, E. L. Powell and L. T. Parker; auditor, L. R. Hawley ; sheriff. J. M. McFarland: treasurer, John F. Boyer; assessor. M. H. Paxton; superintend- ent of public schools. J. B. Gehr : surveyor, L. W. Lochr: coroner, Y. C. Blalock: justice of the peace, John A. Taylor : probate judge, Il. W. Eagan; commissioners, James Mc.Au- liff. Frank MeGown and C. J. Laman; con- stable. James A. Messenger.
At the election of 1890 the following in- cumbents of the county offices were chosen : Representatives, J. L. Sharpstein and J. C. Painter ; attorney, Il. S. Blandford ; clerk, IT. W. Eagan; auditor. W. B. Hawley ; sheriff, J. M. McFarland : treasurer. R. Guichard ; assess- or. M. H. Paxton : superintendent of public schools. J. B. Gehr: surveyor, L. W. Loehr; justice of the peace. J. W. Cole : commission-
The results of the election of 1892 were as follows: Representatives, A. Cameron and Joseph Merchant: senators, David Miller and John L. Roberts : superior judge, W. H. Up- ton; clerk. H. W. Eagan: attorney, Miles Poindexter ; auditor. W. B. Hawley: sheriff. C. C. Gose: treasurer, Il. H. Hungate: super- intendent of public schools, E. L. Brunton ; assessor, T. H. Jessup; surveyor, J. B. Wil- son: coroner. C. B. Stewart: justice of the peace, W. T. Arberry ; constable, M. C. Gus- tin: commissioners. Edward McDonnell. J. B. Caldwell and Frank M. Lowden.
In 1894 the following officers were elected in the county: Representatives, Joseph Mer- chant and J. W. Morgan; attorney. R. H. Ormsbce: clerk, Le F. A. Shaw; auditor. . 1. H. Crocker: sheriff. William Ellingsworth : treasurer. M. H. Paxton: superintendent of public schools. E. L. Brunton : assessor. J. B. Wilson ; surveyor, E. S. Clark ; coroner. S. M. White; justice of the peace, E. HI. Nixon; constables. M. C. Gustin and Ben T. Wolf.
The election of 1896 resulted as follows: Representatives, J. H. Marshall and A. Ma- thoit : senators. David Miller and John I. Yeend: superior judge, Thomas H. Brents: attorney, F. B. Sharpstein: auditor. . \. H. Crocker : clerk. J. E. Mullinix; sheriff. Will- iam Ellingsworth; treasurer. M. H. Paxton; surveyor. E. S. Clark; assessor. J. B. Wilson; superintendent of the public schools, Grant S. Bond: coroner, W. D. Smith: justice of the peace, W. T. AArberry; constable, Ben T. Wolf: commissioners, Milton Evans and Os- car Drumheller.
The following were elected to the various offices in 1898: Representatives. C. C. Gose
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
and Grant Copeland; sheriff, A. Frank Kees; clerk, Schuyler Arnold; auditor, C. N. Mc- Lean; treasurer, John W. McGhee, Jr. ; attor- ney, Oscar Cain; assessor, Walter L. Cad- man; superintendent of public schools, Grant S. Bond; surveyor, W. G. Sayles; coroner, Y. C. Blalock; justice of the peace, William Glasford; constable, Emil Sanderson; com- missioners, Delos Coffin and D. C. Eaton.
The election of 1900 gave the following results : Representatives, Grant Copeland and John Geyer; senators, W. P. Reser and O. T. Cornwell; superior judge, Thomas H. Brents; prosecuting attorney, Oscar Cain; auditor, C. N. McLean; clerk, Schuyler Arnold; sheriff, A. Frank Kees; treasurer, W. B. Hawley; assessor, Walter L. Cadman ; surveyor, W. G. Sayles; superintendent of public schools, J. Elmer Myers; coroner, S. A. Owens; justice of the peace, William Glasford; constable, J. C. Hillman; commissioners, Edward Corn- well and Amos Cummings.
At this election Judge Brents received the largest majority ever accorded a candidate in Walla Walla county, 2,324 votes being cast in his favor and 1,295 in favor of the oppos- ing candidate.
At the present time the county is divided into twenty-six voting precincts. A list of these precincts, with the vote cast in each for the elections of 1896 and 1900 will be found interesting for comparison.
1896.
1900.
Baker
93
IOI
Clarke
160
192
Clyde
103
152
Coppei
78
79
Dixie
167
162
Eureka
97
78
Fremont
283
251
Frenchtown
61
97
Hadley
59
47
Hill
59
80
Lewis
244
287
Lower Dry Creek
54
55
Lower Touchet
20
26
Mill Creek
77
66
Mullan
93
91
Prescott
155
170
Ritz
235
262
Russell Creek
55
49
Sims
124
168
Steptoe
123
127
Stevens
259
334
Small
207
216
Waitsburg
198
269
Wallula
105
94
Washington
123
II2
Whitman
199
220
Total vote
3434
3785
Total vote in the city
1485
1670
It may be of interest to readers desiring an accurate conception of the financial con- dition of the county to have here presented a few statistics from auditor's report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900. By this statement it is shown that the number of acres of improved land in the county is 252,159.90; of unimproved land, 351,256.42; total num- ber of acres assessed, 603.414.32; that the value of lands exclusive of improvements is $2.812,505; improvements on lands, $492,- 805; total value of lands and improve- ments, $3.305.310: that the total value of railroad tracks within the county is $911,685; and of personal property, $2. 126.945; that the total value of all taxable property as assessed is $8.245,852. These figures were so modi- fied by state and county boards of equalization
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
and corrections by auditor as to make the total valuation of property $8.247.952. The report is authority also for the statement that the total county indebtedness in 1900 was $90,- 400.64, and that the cash in the county funds was $12.437.60, leaving a net indebtedness of $78.023.04.
STATEHOOD.
The statistical summary of elections just given makes no mention of the great event in the history of Washington state, to-wit, its birth. In 1889 Washington became a state. Some of the efforts to attain this consummation have already been noted in these pages. The government in general did not realize the rapid growth of this region. Miter 1883, with the completion of the Northern Pacific Railroad, population increased very rapidly. The am- bitions and energetic inhabitants of the terri- tory felt eager to don the garb of statehood. The national administration, in 1888-9, began to see that it would be a suitable time to admit the largest group of states ever admitted at one time. The pressure from Washington, Mon- tana and Dakota had been unceasing. The government became satisfied that these three great territories fulfilled all the requisites nec- essary for statehood. Accordingly a bill was passed in 1889 providing for the creation of Washington, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. This great change in the his- tory of the territory stimulated all manner of enterprises, and turned the attention of home- scekers throughout the United States to Wash- ington as a region where they might well cast their lot. It is a matter of interest and pride to Walla Walla to note that the last territorial delegate, John B. Allen, and the last territorial governor, Miles C. Moore, were citizens of this place. In the constitutional convention which
was summoned to meet in 1890 for the purpose. of framing a constitution for the new state, Judge B. L. Sharpstein, Dr. N. G. Blalock and D. J. Crowley represented Walla Walla.
In glancing back over the political history of this state and territory it may be observed that Walla Walla county has been largely rep- resented in state affairs. Of the congressional delegates from 1857 to 1888 four were citizens of Walla Walla county. These were George E. Cole, elected in 1863. Alvin Flanders, in 1867, Thomas HI. Brents, in 1878, 189% and 1882, and John B. Allen, in 1888. Three other citizens of Walla Walla. J. D. Mix. B. L. Sharpstein and N. T. Caton, were nominees by the Democrats, but not elected.
Miles C. Moore, for many years an honored citizen of Walla Walla, was appointed by Presi- dent Harrison to the governorship of Wash- ington in 1880. Upon him, therefore, devolved the bowing out of the territory and the usher- ing in of the state. Men of all parties united in testifying that both duties were performed with conspicuous ability. The political history since admission to statehood has been of a somewhat checkered character. The state has been in general strongly Republican, and yet all parties have been distracted with factional struggles. The first state legislature was strongly Republican and chose as the first sena- tors W. G. Squire, of Seattle, and John B. Allen, of Walla Walla. The first Republican state convention met in Walla Walla, and nomi- nated E. P. Ferry for governor and John L. Wilson for representative to congress. The Re- publican candidates were elected by a large majority. Of the subsequent bitter strife between the Allen and the Turner factions we will not here speak. Nor will we speak of the failure by reason of that strife to elect a senator in the year 1893. nor
119
HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
of the appointment by Governor McGraw of John B. Allen to fill the vacant place and his subsequent rejection by the sen- ate. These things belong rather to the his- tory of the state than the county, although these conditions dominated the political affairs of the county. It was during this portion of the county history that the management of the state penitentiary became such a potent factor in both county and state politics. One ring after another got control of penitentiary affairs, and candidates for state or national offices found it wise to exercise great caution in deal- ing with those penitentiary rings. The ap- pointment by Governor McGraw of J. H. Cob- lentz to the wardenship of the penitentiary, the slashing manner in which the latter undertook to run the politics of the county, as well as the meekness with which the majority of the county statesmen submitted to the yoke, the frequent spreads and entertainments, some of a highly moral and religious character. the sub- sequent defalcation, and at last the tragic sui- cide of Warden Coblentz,-of these we need not speak at length, for are they not all written in the chronicles of the tax payers of Walla Walla?
During the past five years the most intimate connection between the politics of Walla Walla county and the state has been through the candidacy of Levi Ankeny for the senatorship. Although the Wilson ring and allied influences have thus far been able to prevent the election of Mr. Ankeny. yet he has the hearty support
of almost all the different parties in his own
In the presidential election of 1896 the usual Republican majority was overcome by the fusion of the Democratic and Populist parties into the organization known as the Peoples' party. The vote was 1,596 Republican, 1,652 Peoples' party. 37 Prohibition, 64 Gold Demo- crat. The presidential election of 1900 saw the tide turned the other way.
In spite of the agricultural occupation of the people of this county the Populist party is not so strong as in other portions of eastern Washington. . \ generally conservative impulse has kept the independent elements from making any large accessi ins from the ranks of orthodox voters. Apparently financial and personal motives possess greater influence than political and independent ones. It is plain that the great desideratum in both county and state politics is some large general interest, which is capable of creating a genuine patriotism and true pub- lie spirit. Such influences, though rare, and be- lieved by some cynics not to act at all, never- theless do come into existence at times, and are in reality the only salvation of republican in- stitutions.
It may well be expected that a region so highly favored by nature as Walla Walla, with s. many influences tending to the creation of an intelligent, patriotic and liberty-loving pop- ulation, will in due season create a high stand- ard of patriotism and political rectitude.
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CHAPTER XII
THE LAND WE LIVE IN.
The preceding chapters have been mainly historical. Those remaining will be mainly de- scriptive.
In this chapter we propose to view some of the general physical aspects of this great state in which Walla Walla county is located. After stich a view of the state as a whole we shall find it the more interesting to traverse in imagination our own county, and arrive at a dne conception of its rich resources. Of all peculiarities of the "Evergreen state," none is so impressive as its infinite variety. From the rolling grass plains of the eastern part to the arid flats of Yakima, from the aiguilletted and glacier-crested uplifts of Chelan or Okanogan to the smiling vales of Walla Walla, from the fog-shrouded shores of Puget sound to the drifting sands and perpetual sunshine of Ken- newick, with all the variety of products which conforin to such differences of nature,-coal, gold, silver, wheat, cattle, fruit, wool, hay, lum- her, fish, hops, etc., ad infinitum,-we note that one predominant fact of variety. To stranger and resident alike this presents an indescrib- able charm. In one sense Washington has no characteristics, for it is both dry and wet, both clear and cloudy. both timbered and prairie, both mountainous and level, both barren and luxuriant, both beautiful and dismal. Equally contrasted are its products. All characters, then, may be said to belong to it.
This grand and varied character of our great state has received its tribute of admira-
tion from both visitors and citizens. We can- not render this chapter attractive in any better way than by quoting some of the best of these beautiful tributes.
For a brief review of the progress and pres- ent conditions of the great state of Washington there can perhaps be found no more reliable and incisive account than the following, which ap- peared in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer of Sun- day. December 30, 1900:
"It is not too much to claim for the state of Washington that it is at least the equal of any state in the Union for diversity of resources ard magnificence of opportunity, and far sur- passes most. Its location on the Pacific coast is shared by only two other states. neither of which contains within its boundaries all of the advantages possessed by the most northwestern of the states of the Union. Its great inland sea of Puget sound forms a harbor unrivaled by any other in the world. Its mountains are full of mineral, its forests will yield lumber for many years, its wheat fields produce as fine a quality of grain as any in the United States, its orchards are infinite in their variety, its meadows are richer than can be found any- where else. and as a dairy state it has no equal. Of no less importance is the fact that its climate is the most conducive to sustained energy. The temperature runs to neither extreme, and is absolutely free from blizzard, drouth, tornado or flood.
"The state of Washington owes its name
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
to a Kentucky member of congress named Stanton. The petition to be set off as a separate territory from Oregon was before congress as early as 1852. and the territory was created March 2, 1853. The name proposed was Co- lumbia, but Stanton said : 'We have already a territory of Columbia. This district was called Columbia, but we never yet have dignified a territory with the name of Washington. I de- sire to see a sovereign state bearing the name of the father of this country. I therefore move to strike out the work Columbia wherever it occurs in the bill and insert instead thereof the word Washington.'
"It remained a territory until 1889. Acting under an enabling act passed by congress, the constitution of the state of Washington was framed by a convention of seventy-five dele- gates chosen by the people of the territory, at an election held May 14, 1889, under the act of congress approved February 22, 1889. The convention met at Olympia July 4, 1889, and adjourned August 22, 1889. The constitution was ratified at an election held October 1, 1889, and on November 11, 1889, the president of the United States proclaimed the admission of the state of Washington into the Union. It is worthy of note that the act of congress provid- ing for the state of Washington was approved on Washington's birthday.
"The state lies between the 46th and 49th parallels of north latitude and the 117th and 125th meridians of longitude west from Green- wich. It has an area of 69,994 square miles, and is. therefore. greater in area than any state east of the Mississippi, and is greater than all six New England states combined. In 1860 it had a population of 11,594; in 1870. 23.955; i!' 1880, 75,116; in 1885. 130,465; in 1890 its population was 349.390; and now it is 518,103.
"The first settlements were trading posts of the Hudson's Bay and Northwestern fur com- panies. There was a settlement of farmers from the Red river valley, who located at Nis- qually in 1841. There were also early mis- sionary settlements at Walla Walla in 1835, and Spokane, then Fort Spokane, in 1838. The first American settlement on Puget sound was made in October, 1845, at New Market, now Tumwater. In 1880 the largest body of urban population in the state of Washington was found at Walla Walla, which had a population of 3.588. The next largest body was in Seattle, with its population of 3,533.
"The early historical accounts of what is 110W the state of Washington are very meager. Most of the expeditions had some other object than possession of this part of the country. Expeditions by Juan de Fuca, Captain George Vancouver, Captain Robert Gray, by sea, and by Captain William Clark and Captain Meri- wether Lewis, by land, have left their marks ir now familiar names. There was also one unfortunate expedition undertaken in 1832, under Captain Bonneville, numbering one hun- dred and ten men and twenty wagons, which, starting from Fort Osage, reached as far west as Fort Walla Walla.
"Captain Nathaniel J. Wyeth, of Massachu- setts, also in 1832, got as far west as Fort Vancouver. John Ball, a member of his party, opened a school-the first known-at that place. One of his teachers describes it as a primitive Babel. 'The scholars,' he says, 'came in talking in their respective languages- Cree. Nez Perce, Chinook, Klickitat,' and others whose names he did not know. Dr. Marcus Whitman is another of the heroic pio- neers who has impressed his personality upon the early history of the state.
"President Pierce, whose vice-president was
122
IHISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
named King, appointed Major Isaac 1. Stevens the first governor, and all of these are remem- bered in the names of counties. A subdivision of Stevens county was, in 1800. created a sep- arate county under the name of the first gov- ernor of the state, Elisha P. Ferry. By proc- lamation, September 29. 1853. from the sum- mit of the Rocky mountains, Governor Stevens announced his assumption of his executive duties, and soon after he arrived at Olympia. the selected capital.
"The remoteness of the new territory made its development very slow. The construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which it was intended to terminate at Olympia, but which was extended to Tacoma in 18So, is one of the great historical incidents in the development of the state. Even then it was supposed that Portland would be the real terminus, but work was pushed on, and on September 7. 1883. the last spike was driven. On Monday, the 5th day of July. 188 ;. the people of Washington com- memorated the arrival the day before of the first overland train direct from Duluth to Ta- coma. From that time the growth of the state has been rapid. The building of the Great Northern has placed the state on the line of another great transcontinental road. and many branches have since been added.
"The surface of the state is separated into two great natural divisions by the Cascade range of mountains, extending from north to south, placing about two-thirds of the total area of the state in the eastern division. This division makes a great difference in climate, and the two portions differ very much also in soil and resources. The western side is much more thickly populated, and its climate is moist and far less variable than that on the east. where winter and summer are more distinctly marked. Eastern Washington is the valley of
the Columbia, while western Washington is the valley of Puget sound, lying between the Cas- cades and the Olympics.
"In western Washington the strip of land bordering on the Pacific coast and extending lack as far as the summit of the first mountain ranges has a wet climate : the region between the coast range and the Cascades has a moist climate, varying in the amount of annual pre- cipitation from twenty to sixty inches ; in east- ern Washington the annual precipitation varys only from fifteen to sixteen inches, although there is an irregular ring within which the rainfall varys from fifteen to twenty-five inches annually, and these diversities affect the char- acter of the native productions.
"The moisture of western Washington re- sults in wonderful richness of meadow prod- nets. Hay, oats and hops are the principal field crops, but the valleys are splendidly adapted to culture of fruits, vegetables and flax, and to the pursuit of the dairy industry. The drier climate of eastern Washington has made the cultivation of wheat the principal source of wealth, but irrigation of the volcanic soil has resulted in a marvelous production of apples. pears, peaches, apricots, cherries and all small fruit.
"The mountains of the state of Washing- ton are entitled to special mention on account of their grandeur of scenery and their timber lands. Beautiful though many of its mountains are, there is none anywhere which can com- pare with Mount Rainier. With an altingte officially given as 14.444 feet. although it is actually nearer 15,000. it is the third highest reak on the continent, but it stands first in grandeur and sublimity. The higher altitudes of these mountains give fir. hemlock and spruce : the tablelands fir and spruce : the val- leys fir, cedar. spruce, cottonwood, maple and
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HISTORY OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY.
alder. Much of this timber is surpassed in size only by the redwood forests of California.
"At one time the mountains harbored the mountain lion, but he has almost disappeared, , and of animals to be feared there are left only the bald-faced bear of the Cascade mountains, although on the east side there may be found occasionally a remnant of the wolf family in the gray wolf, the black wolf, and coyote. The cougar-the mountain lion-the lynx and wild- cat are almost entirely extinct. The grand game of the state is the elk, which is still to be found in the Olympic mountains. On the eastern side of the Cascades the mule deer stands next to the elk in size and grace. White- tailed deer, black-tailed deer, wild goat and many fur-bearing animals are to be found, and occasionally the mountain sheep, or big horn, is to be seen. Of upland game, grouse, quail and snipe are plentiful. There is a sufficient quantity of water fowl, of Canada geese and of many varieties of duck, plover and curlew t.) tempt the hunter. The waters of Puget sound, of the rivers and the coast teem with fish, including salmon, sturgeon, halibut, smelt, cod. flounders, oysters and clams.
"Variety of resources is not more consid- erable than quantity. The state of Washington produces the largest merchantable timber, and has the largest mill in the world: it has the largest cannery in the world, and its produc- tion of wheat, timothy hay, alfalfa and hops, to the acre, is greater than in any other state in the Union. Oats run from forty to eighty bushels per acre, and barley from thirty to seventy bushels per acre.
"The wheat yield runs from twenty to thirty-five bushels per acre, and even more, reaching as high as sixty bushels in the famous Palouse belt, and three crops of alfalfa can be
raised in one year. Hay cuts from two to four tons to the acre, two crops a season.
"One of the great resources of the state, second only in importance to lumber, is its coal. In the southern part of King and in Pierce county the coal deposits are estimated to be practically inexhaustible. The character of much of the coal is bituminous and semi-bi- tuminous, making 66 to 68 per cent. coke.
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