USA > Washington > Lincoln County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 23
USA > Washington > Adams County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 23
USA > Washington > Douglas County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 23
USA > Washington > Franklin County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 1 > Part 23
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In February, 1889, circulation was given to a report that the title to the townsite of Dav- enport was defective, and that purchasers of town property were securing nothing more tangible than a straw deed to such property as they acquired. It was asserted by the Lincoln County Times that this rumor had been given wings by a newspaper published in Sprague. At that period Mr. Frank M. Dallam was editor and publisher of the Times and he proceeded to investigate the conditions of real estate affairs. February 8th he wrote as follows concerning the matter, showing conclusively that the title to the townsite of Davenport was perfect :
The southeast quarter of section No. 21. town- ship No. 25. north of range No. 37, E. W. M., was bought by John C. Davenport and associates about the year 1882, from the Northern Pacific Railway Company, on the contract plan, and a few blocks were platted and recorded as the town of Davenport. The deferred pay- ments due the railroad company were not made, hence the railroad company only could perfect title. However, this does not concern those interested in the present town of Davenport, built on Margan's, Columbia, Tim- mons', Essig's, Dillon's, and Hogan's additions, the title to all of which property being legally and tech- nically perfect. There was never but one house built on the quarter section of land bought by John C. Daven- port, and it was destroyed by fire in 1882, and no oppor- tunity is offered for sale on that quarter section by any person or corporation, hence any interest that John C. Davenport and associates owned, then or now, does not interest us in the least. The title to all lots on the market in Davenport is absolutely perfect, and every purchaser receives a warranty deed signed by individuals or a corporation of known responsibility and great wealth.
Saturday, May 8, 1889, the Big Bend Na- tional Bank, of Davenport, opened its doors for business. This was the first banking institu- tion in the place and it enjoyed a large and mer-
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itoriously confiding patronage. Tuesday even- ing, May 28th, of the same year, there was or- ganized in Davenport a board of trade. This result was brought about largely by the patriotic efforts of Mr. David Wilson. Following the decision to organize such an institution these officers were elected: Dr. F. H. Luce, presi- dent; J. H. Nicholls, vice-president ; Frank M. Dallam, secretary; J. Hoople, treasurer. An executive committee consisting of the four of- ficers named and C. W. Christie, David Wilson, H. H. McMillan, C. C. May and Willard Her- ron, was selected. The charter members of the Davenport board of trade were: F. H. Luce, J. H. Nicholls, J. H. Hoople, Frank M. Dal- lam, C. W. Christie, David Wilson, H. H. Mc- Millan, C. C. May, Willard Herron, William Finney, T. L. Edwards, W. E. Ratcliff, Dr. J. H. Whitney. J. L. West, George Oswalt, Mr. Rowe, Thomas O'Connor, Mr. Olson, C. L. Simmons. L. C. Keedy, Mr. Madden, J. C. Small, Mr. German, Mr. Fischner, George Weaver, T. J. Robinson, Mr. Hader, H. Born, D. H. Mathorn.
One of the most important enterprises es- tablished in Davenport during the summer of 1889 was the brick yard, by James E. Roe, of Spokane Falls. Previously, owing to the scar- city of material, building operations had been seriously handicapped, and the advent of this enterprise was hailed with enthusiasm by the residents of the town.
Wednesday evening, August 14th, the first united efforts were made in the way of afford- ing adequate protection from fire. At Keedy's hall a meeting was held the ostensible purpose of which was to organize a fire company. But at first there was considerable apathy, lack of enthusiasm being plainly noticeable. In its re- port of this meeting the Times said :
"For a time it was so extremely chilly, ow- ing to the conspicuous absence of several prom- inent citizens, who, it was supposed ought to take some interest in such a laudable object, that the chances were a hundred to one that nothing
would be accomplished. But the arrival of Mr. A. W. Turner, who called the meeting to order and stated the object for which they were met, cansed a visible melting of the icicles."
Speeches were made by Mr. Turner, Judge J. T. Robinson, Major Hoople, A. P. Oliver, H. C. Keedy, E. E. Plough, Prosecuting Attor- ney Christie and Thomas McGowan. A com- mittee on organization consisting of Frank M. Dallam, David Glasgow, E. E. Plough, H. C. Keedy and Martin McGowan was named. Yet this was all that was at that time accomplished in the way of organizing a fire company. A second meeting was called for the purpose of perfecting the inchoate organization, but only one or two were present and the enterprise was, for the time, abandoned. The people were luke- warm-or cold-in regard to fire protection and thus no company was formed until several years later.
Work was steadily progressing on the Cen- tral Washington railroad during the summer of 1889. and lively times were experienced. One thousand men were employed on the new line by the company, and numerous buildings were erected in town. Visiting strangers-and possible investors-were driven about the coun- try by industrious real estate men and shown the various natural facilities for money making offered by a most fertile and productive soil. It was the claim advanced at this time that, dur- ing the summer of 1889 the city had made a larger growth than any other place in eastern Washington, aside from Spokane, and this growth, it was urged, was of a permanent char- acter. In the fall of this year considerable work was accomplished in the way of street grading.
The story of the incorporation of Daven- port is one replete with incident. The first at- tempt to incorporate the town was made in April, 1889, although the subject had been widely discussed during the previous winter. A petition was circulated and signed by almost every resident taxpayer. Saturday, April 6th,
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this document was placed in the hands of Judge Nash who was vested with the power to grant or refuse the prayer of the petitioners. This permission, or judicial order, was issued in May following. The first regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the town of Davenport was held in the office of C. C. May on Monday morning, May 15, 1889. Those present were J. H. Nicholls. H. C. Keedy and Thomas O'Connor. The absent members were A. W. Turner and H. H. McMillan. The board was organized by the election of J. H. Nicholls, president, and Willard Herron, town clerk. The following officers were appointed : J. M. Boyes marshal; C. W. Christie, town attorney ; A. P. Oliver, street commissioner; W. M. Finney, treasurer ; F. C. Lee, assessor.
The new town board did not attempt to create a revolution in municipal affairs by the enactment of drastic or oppressive ordinances. They moved slowly and without immoderate exhibition of authority and it is, perhaps, as well that they did so as subsequent events proved that the entire process of incorporation so far had been illegal. However, the effects of their work were realized by- the citizens and Davenport was greatly benefited by the ( sup- posed) incorporation.
The year 1889 was the most prosperous in Davenport's history, before that period, and the improvements completed in those twelve months footed up over a quarter of a million dollars. Let us review with Frank M. Dallam, at that time editor of the Lincoln County Times, the progress of Davenport during this year. De- cember 27th, he said :
"Prior to 1889 Davenport was little more than a cross-roads postoffice. *
* The promised advent of railroads and the construc- tion of the same was a material factor in push- ing ahead the place, although before that event a few houses had sprung up around the original structures that had constituted the 'town.' No one who has been absent a year would recog- nize the Davenport of today, as the Daven-
port of a year ago. It is vastly improved in every respect. and the people who have since the first of last January located in our midst are congratulating themselves that their lines have been dropped in such a pleasant place. One year ago today the only means of reaching Davenport was by stage, a private con- veyance or on foot. The distance to any point on the railroad was long and the trip tedious. The town was isolated. There were only a few houses and a small population. People al- ready here were confident and cheerful, how- ever, for the location was such that it was only a question of time until railroad communica- tion would be established, and then a bright fu- ture was assured. A year ago last summer the construction of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern road was commenced by a comany of capitalists. It was headed westward through a rich farming country. The jealous eyes of the Northern Pacific officials saw that the trade of a vast inland empire was about to be wrested from them by a competitor. A branch of the great transcontinental line must be thrown out to counteract the effect of the building of the other road. To think was to act. Ground was at once broken on the Central Washington, and rapidly two ribbons of steel stretched off into a section that had never echoed to the shriek of the iron monster. The people of Davenport watched anxiously the movements of the rival companies. A year ago this month the sound of the approaching locomotive could be dis- tinctly heard far off to the southeast. In Feb- ruary the Central Washington crew spiked the iron into the corporate limits and connection with the outside world was complete. The ad- vent of this railroad was the cause of much re- joicing and a new impetus was given to the place. By a great mistake the Seattle. Lake Shore & Eastern was built to within four miles of town, and there the terminus remained for some months. At last the enterprising citizens raised the necessary amount to grade the road- way into town and then Davenport had the ad-
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vantage of a competing line with all points east and west, at the same time insuring for its being a railroad center, as no road will be constructed across the state in future years without being compelled to pass through this place.
"With the first sign of spring, and before the snow had disappeared from view building operations commenced. Not only did the rail- roads make valuable improvements, but individ- uals vied with each other in erecting substantial business houses and attractive homes. The straggling business center assumed a more com- pact appearance; the residence quarter spread out ; new firms became established, and clear up to the time cold weather set in, only a few weeks ago, the trowel and hammer and saw kept up a steady refrain, an accompaniment to the march of improvement, and the sweetest music that ever tickled the tympanum of an enterprising people. We are not prepared to give a detailed list of the improvements that have been made. We have not the names of the builders nor the cost figures. Everybody who possessed the requisite capital did not hesitate to invest in per- manent structures. Handsome brick and frame buildings, the product of a single year, attest the public spirit and confidence of our people. Mr. David Wilson has done much toward assist- ing in the development of the place. Messrs. Luce, Christie, Squier, Small, Nicholls, Germain, Griswold, Keedy, Plough, Turner, Oswalt & Hughes, G. R. Oswalt, Mc.Arthur, Snyder & Tischner, Moylan, Edwards, Mothorn, Worts. Zuehlke, and scores of others, whose names would be mentioned if we could call them to mind at this hasty writing, have aided in this building up of a town. Public and private edi- fices have sprung up. The flats about town that did not contain a vestige of a habitation twelve months ago are now thickly dotted with com- fortable homes. Two large brick blocks and a dozen neat two-story frame business houses have been constructed. A hotel has been added to the place, which, in architectural appearance, furniture and management is second to no hos-
telry in eartern Washington, and we bar none. The members of the Presbyterian congrega- tion have contributed their share by the erection of an elegant place of worship. . Altogether the total amount of money expended in Davenport in private, public and corporation work during 1889 will foot up to over $250,000.
"During the year the town has been incor- porated and the advantages of this movement have been apparent. There is better order kept and the board is composed of progressive citi- zens possessed of the requisite push to help on a growing place. Considerable street grading has been let and when completed the improve- ment will add materially to the appearance ot the town, making a better impression on strang- ers and encourage people to renewed activity."
By a decision of the state supreme court, handed down early in 1890. it was held that the incorporation of all towns under the Territorial laws was void and possessed no legal standing. Between the incorporation of Davenport and the rendering of this judicial opinion Washing- ton had been admitted in to the union as a state. In company with a number of other towns in the state Davenport was thrown out of the in- corporated class and at once relegated to primi- tive villagehood. Steps were at once taken to secure legal incorporation. In March AAttorney Ayers drafted a petition to the legislature on the part of Davenport in regard to the illegal in- coropration. The petition was favorably acted upon by the legislature and the prayer of the petitioners granted. Tlmus the acts of the trus- tees and officials of Davenport were made se- cure so far as persecution of their actions done in good faith were concerned.
At the session of the commissioners of Lin- colu county, in May, 1890. the following peti- tion was presented :
To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners of Lincoln, County, State of Washington :
The undersigned respectfully represent to your hon- orable body that they are qualified electors of the County of Lincoln and State of Washington at this date, and
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that they are residents within the limits of the cor- poration hereinafter prayed to be established and in- corporated, and within the limits hereinafter mentioned, fixed and described ; that within the following described limits are now five hundred people as nearly as your petitioners can state. The above mentioned limits and proposed boundaries of said corporation are as follows, to-wit: Section 21, in township 25, north of range 37, east of the Willamette Meridian, in Lincoln county. State of Washington, and more particularly described as follows, to-wit : Commencing at a point at the north- west corner of section 21, at the intersection of sec- tions 20, 17 and 16, said township and range, thence running east 320 rods, more or less, along the southern boundary line of section 16, to the intersection of sec- tions 16, 15 and 22, said town and range; thence south 320 rods, more or less along the western boundary of section 22, to the intersection of sections 22, 27 and 28, said town and range; thence running west along the northern boundary of section 28, 320 rods more or less, to the intersection of sections 28, 29 and 20, said town and range; thence running north along the eastern line of section 20, 320 rods, more or less, to the place of beginning, according to the United States govern- ment survey thereof.
Wherefore, the undersigned, your petitioners, pray your honorable body to incorporate the territory lying within said boundaries and the inhabitants thereof as a town under and by the name of "The Town of Daven- port." under and by virtue of, and in accordance with the provisions of an act of the legislature of the State of Washington entitled "An act providing for the organi- zation, classification, incorporation and government of municipal corporations and declaring an emergency."
Dated at Davenport, Washington, April 15, 1890.
This petition was signed by exactly one hun- dred citizens. It was presented to the county commissioners, favorably acted upon, and they named May 20th as the date of a special elec- tion for the purpose of voting on the proposi- tion. Upon that date the election was, accord- ingly, held. There was no unusual excitement and only a slight vote was polled. Against the regular ticket a light opposition was manifested in certain quarters. The following was the vote cast: For incorporation, 105; against incor- poration, I. For mayor, A. W. Turner, 102; for treasurer, William Finney, 105; for coun- cilmen, R. Tischner. 102; P. W. Dillon, 99; H. D. Mothorn, 97; John Peet, 85; T. O'Connor, 88; George Oswalt, 32 ; J. A. Hoople, 12.
Having now passed through the various
processes made necessary by the enactment of a law in relation to the organization of towns by the first legislature of the new State of Washington, Davenport at last succeeded in the accomplishment of its wishes on June 9, 1890. The following dispatch marks the. official be- ginning of the new municipal government :
"Olympia, June 9, 1890: Certified copy of order of county commissioners incorporating section 21, township 25, north range 37. E. W. M., and the inhabitants thereof under and by the name of The Town of Davenport, filed this 9th day of June, 1890.
"ALLEN WEIR, "Secretary of State."
July 12, 1890, a special election was held to vote on a proposition to issue $10,000 in bonds for the purpose of building a school house in Davenport. There were cast 79 votes, of which 71 were in favor of the proposition, five against, and three votes were not counted. On the question of material for the contemplated edifice 70 votes were for a brick, and five for a frame, building.
The board of trade organized in the spring of 1889 passed into innocuous desuetude. From a condition of inchoation it had become mori- bund. Accordingly on Wednesday evening. December 15, 1890, the business men of Dav- enport assembled for the purpose of placing upon its feet a new board of trade. The meet- ing was well attended and after a number of those present had voiced opinions concerning the undeniable benefits to be derived from such a commercial organization the following offi- cers were selected: P. WV. Dillon, president; A. W. Turner, vice-president ; George Oswalt, second vice-president ; Guy L. Smith, secretary; J. A. Hoople, treasurer.
November 20, 1891, the Times said : "The city council has at last taken steps to provide the town with fire protection adequate to its needs, having ordered a truck and hook and ladder outfit at a cost of nearly $700. The town has long been without any means of com-
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batting the fiery element and that she has not suffered serious loss in consequence is owing more to good fortune than anything else. A lot was purchased on the corner of Sixth and Morgan streets on which suitable buildings will be erected in a short time."
But by the time the apparatus arrived a new city council had taken office and the new mem- bers declined to accept it. Thus the matter of providing suitable fire protection was allowed to languish, and the whole affair was side- tracked temporarily.
Notwithstanding the fact that an unusually light crop had been harvested, and that Daven- port relied almost entirely on its agricultural trade, the town forged to the front during the year 1891. Over $60,000 worth of improve- ments were made within that year. Among the principal improvements were: New school house, $8,000; David Wilson, brick block, $8,- 000; William Finney & Company, brick store, $5,000 ; J. A. Hoople, brick store, $5,000 ; Rob- ert Tischner, brewery, $5,000; McGowan's planing mill building, $5,000, total $36,000.
January 30, 1892, initial steps were taken in Davenport toward the organization of a Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Those who assumed an active participation in the pro- ject were Jackson Brock, J. D. Woodin, W. D. Kipp, A. P. Oliver, F. F. Hall, T. L. Edwards, George S. Rodgers, Emil Graf, John Wolf, W. H. Howard, Joseph Park, H. J. Whitney, S. L. Burrill, Archey Markham.
On the first of October, 1892, there was put in operation a flouring mill in Davenport, an enterprise which had for several years been agitated. This enterprise was established by A. A. Davis and G. W. Howard, and had a ca- pacity of 150 per day, with a storing capacity of 40,000 bushels of grain.
Saturday, May 6, 1893. a volunteer fire company was organized, starting in life with over thirty members. This was the first organ- ization of the kind in the history of Davenport. although, as we have seen, attempts had been
previously made to place one upon its feet. The town had been quite fortunate in its freedom from fire during the ten or twelve years of its existence, never having suffered from any con- flagration of serious proportions. The follow- ing were the initial officers of the new company : William Finney, president; H. J. Whitney, vice-president ; A. C. Shaw, secretary: C. C. May, treasurer. These were named as trustees : F. W. McGowan, C. G. Snyder, and L. A. Ink- ster, for the one year term, and A. W. Turner, P. W. Dillon and G. K. Birge for the six months' term. D. W. Glasgow was unanimous- ly chosen chief and was empowered to select two assistants. Still, it was not until the fol- lowing September that a fire engine was pro- . cured and placed in commission. It was not long after the organization of the company be- fore its necessity was fully realized, even before the engine had been procured. June 17th Mc- Gowan Brothers' hardware store was burned, entailing a loss of $12,000, covered by insur- ance to the amount of $7,100. The Times said: "The town escaped destruction by a very narrow margin. The burned building was surrounded on all sides by frame structures, and but for the efficient work of the newly organ- ized company the greater part of the town would surely have gone up in smoke."
This narrow escape resulted in much good in accelerating the procurement of suitable equipment for the fire company. The sum of $500 was raised by popular subscription with which to purchase apparatus and to this sum the town council added $150. On May 1, 1895, oc- curred one of the most serious fires that had yet occurred in Davenport, resulting in the loss of two Rosenquest residences and the one of H. Hl. Plough, The total loss was about $3.400 covered by $2,400 insurance. This fire was fol- lowed two weeks later by another which dis- troyed the city mills causing a loss of about $5.000, with insurance of $2.500. W. L. Tur- ner's residence burned about this time entailing a loss of between $2,000 and $3,000.
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An event of great importance to the town of Davenport took place during the year 1896. This was the construction of a wagon road from this town to the Cedar Canyon mine in Stevens county. The citizens of Davenport subscribed money for the road, and in May contracts were let for beginning the work. These rich mines of Cedar Canyon were pro- ducing large quantities of ore and by the enter- prise of Davenport's citizens in building the road this was brought here for shipment and has resulted in considerable financial benefit to the business men of the place. Unusual activ- ity in the building line was witnessed during the autumn of 1896. The prospect of securing the removal of the county seat from Sprague was the principal cause of business revival. In No- vember the city council decided to erect a jail consisting of two stories, the lower one to be utilized as a city lockup and the upper one for council chambers. At this period every dwell- ing house in Davenport was occupied, and there were inquiries every day from new arrivals in town for this line of accommodation. While some hasty building was done the season was too far advanced for any immediate relief to these house seekers, and it became a serious question how the influx of population incident to the town's new relationship was to be pro- vided for.
A financial panic succeeded the feverish boom of 1892. There was a season of depres- sion from 1893 until 1897, and during these intervening years the people of Davenport were attempting to successfully solve the puzzle of "how to get something to eat." Little time or inclination had they to devote much attention to building enterprises. Still, Davenport did not suffer from this backset to so great an ex- tent as other less eligibly located towns. True, business dragged to a certain extent, and it was a struggle for all classes of business men to keep their heads above water. And yet from year to year marked additions were made to the young city.
The town entered upon the year 1897 under most favorable conditions. Future prosperity. seemed assurred. While no sensational prog- ress was made in a business sense during 1896, there was considerable advancement in the line of growth and material development, much improvement in trade and a better, stronger feeling existed among all classes of business men. The first day of January, 1897, found nearly every house in town occupied and an increasing demand for more.
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