USA > Washington > Douglas County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 2 > Part 46
USA > Washington > Adams County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 2 > Part 46
USA > Washington > Franklin County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 2 > Part 46
USA > Washington > Lincoln County > An illustrated history of the Big Bend country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams, and Franklin counties, state of Washington, pt 2 > Part 46
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ing early and yielding from twenty to forty bushels per acre. Several varieties are grown with success. A new and very popular feed for horses is spelts. This cereal seems to be a combination of wheat, barley, oats and rye in one. It yields 30 to 45 bushels per acre, seem- ing to do equally well in the dryest seasons. Sample yields have run as high as eighty and often sixty bushels per acre. It can be cut with a header or reaper, and stacked while green without rotting. The climate has been found too dry to raise timothy except along the creeks. A number of forage crops, as kaffir corn, mil- let, soja beans and brome grass are grown with success in various parts of the county. Within the last year or two clover has been introduced with satisfactory results.
"About two years ago Mr. Fred Miller, a new arrival from Russia, set out six hundred grape vines. Nearly all of them lived, and this year (1903) he has added one thousand more. Many of his neighbors are also starting vine- yards. In speaking of the possibility of rais- ing grapes in Adams county, Mr. Miller says wheat-raising will soon be a secondary matter with him. The experimental station started this year by the Agricultural department prom- ises to be a great help in diversifying farming and bringing forward the varieties of grain best adapted to the soil."
In regard to markets Adams county is most advantageously situated. It is surrounded with great mining and timber industries, and there is a constant local demand for farm products. Add to this the fact that it is in the center of the wheat belt, a few hours from the Pacific coast, and also in direct communication on a trans-continental railway with eastern markets. Here Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands, China, Ja- pan and the Philippine Islands are seeking to supply an increasing consumption of wheat. The horse and cattle markets are superior, and carefully considered, it seems that no part of the union affords a more promising field.
CHAPTER V.
POLITICAL.
By the legislative act creating Adams county James G. Bennett, George Sinclair, Sr., and John L. Johnson were named as county commissioners of the new county, and served as such, their first meeting being held Decem- ber 19, 1883. Mr. Sinclair was chosen chair- man of the board. The other county officials, named by the commissioners, were as follows :
Auditor, Samuel A. Wells ; treasurer, Will- iam Mckay; superintendent of schools, Mrs. Christina Bennett; sheriff, John B. Whittle- sey; assessor, Edwin Carrico; coroner, James Edwards; probate judge, Clark Long. All of these officers were selected by a unanimous vote of the board.
It is indeed unfortunate that the officials of the different counties of Washington have, in the past, not deemed it of great importance to preserve records of the various election returns. Owing to this it is impossible to give the reader the results of any of the elections held in Adams county prior to 1896, except the names of those who served the county in official capacities as gleaned from the commissioner's journal.
The first election held in Adams county was that of the general election of November 4, 1884. At that period there were three voting precincts in the county ; number 1, polling place, Ritzville: number 2, polling place, G. W. Bas- sett's house; number 3, polling place Robert Downs' house. The officers of election for these different precincts were as follows :
Number I, Joseph Comparet, inspector ; Gage S. Gritman and Nelson H. Greene, jud- ges ; Allen Hiltman and J. B. Lister, clerks.
Number 2, G. W. Bassett, inspector ; T. W. Martin and James F. Fletcher, judges; G. W. Tucker, clerk.
Number 3, Edwin Carrico, inspector; D. H. Carrico and Steven Devenish, judges ; John Schaffer and Alexander McLeod, clerks.
The following officials were elected in 1884: Probate Judge, Clark Long; treasurer, J. B. Whittlesey; auditor, W. J. Ferguson ; sheriff, A. T. Lemon (who resigned and N. H. Greene was appointed in 1885) ; school superintendent, Mrs. Christina Bennett ; surveyor, T. N. Haus- child; assessor, T. Martin, (R. J. Neergaard appointed to fill vacancy April 20, 1885). The county commissioners elect were G. W. Bas- sett, George Sinclair (chairman), and Robert Downs. Downs resigned and Andrew Mc- Queen was appointed to fill the vacancy August 8, 1885.
In the election of 1886 there were four vot- ing precincts, the last one having been formed in the southwestern part of the county, and the voting place being the Northern Pacific section house at Lind station. The officers appointed to conduct this election were :
Precinct No. 1 .- J. J. Comparet, inspector ; G. S. Gritman, William Edwards, judges; E. D. Gilson, clerk. The polling place was the county auditor's office, Ritzville.
Precinct No. 2 .- J. F. Collier, inspector; T. W. Martin and L. R. Brakefield, judges; polling place was at the residence of G. W. Bassett.
Precinct No. 3 .- D. H. Carrico, inspector ; Robert Downs and Stephen Devenish, judges.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Polling place the residence of Robert Downs.
Precinct No. 4 .- Charles Jell, inspector ; W. C. Campbell and J. J. Merriman, judges ; Mrs. Merriman, clerk.
A canvas of the vote showed that the fol- lowing officials had been elected :
Auditor, R. J. Neergaard; assessor, W. F. Newland; sheriff, N. H. Greene ; school super- intendent, Mrs. C. Bennett; treasurer, J. B. Whittlesey; (he resigned November 12, 1888, and H. T. Janssen was appointed) ; surveyor, T. W. Hauschild; probate judge, Clark Long; sheep commissioner, Thomas Durry ; coroner, James Edwards (who resigned and Dr. M. H. Daggett was appointed May 3, 1887. The county commissioners who served the succeed- ing two years were George Sinclair, chairman, John Moore and G. W. Bassett.
At the election of 1888 Precinct No. 5 had been added, and the polling place was at the residence of L. L. Sutton. These were elected.
Probate judge, J. D. Keefer. On the death of Mr. Keefer, Samuel L. Cronce was appoint- ed May 6, 1890. School superintendent, R. C. Egbers; Auditor, R. J. Neergaard; treasurer, H. T. Janssen ; assessor, G. S. Edwards; sher- iff, F. P. French ; commissioners, John S. Bo- vee, chairman, Joseph S. Milam and Andrew McQueen.
The election of 1889 was held for the pur- pose of ratifying the constitution of the new State of Washington. In Adams county G. N. Tuttle was elected clerk of the superior court, that office having been provided by the new constitution adopted.
The county election of 1890 resulted as fol- lows: Assessor, F. P. French; school super- intendent, R. C. Egbers; sheriff, Henry Zim- merman ; treasurer, F. M. Egbers; auditor and clerk, S. L. Cronce; coroner, A. E. Severence ; surveyor, Louis Scholl, Jr .; county attorney, J. C. Adams; county commissioners, P. L. Kretzer, chairman, A. E. Elder and J. Smith.
There were few changes in the personnel of the Adams county officials, elected in 1892, with
the exception of the commissioners and treas- urer. John Bovee succeeded F. M. Egbers as treasurer, and the new commissioners were E. E. Ellis, William G. Spanjer and L. Root. In July, 1893, County Attorney J. C. Adams re- signed and P. Davies was appointed. Coroner A. E. Severence removed from the county and F. R. Burroughs was named January 3, 1893.
But two years later in the election of 1894 a number of new names and faces appeared in the political field. The successful ones were as follows : Clerk, James Walton ; assessor, !V. WV. King; county attorney, L. Davies (the lat- ter resigned and O. R. Holcomb was appointed April 2, 1895); surveyor, A. L. Coffee; coroner, John A. Thiel; auditor, W. O. Lewis; school superintendent, J. W. Emmert; treasurer, George Sinclair; sheriff, John A. Thompson; county commissioners, L. Root, chairman, A. S. Kelsey and A. J. Willis.
In 1896 the Populists entered the field with a show of considerable strength. A populist county convention was held at Ritzville June 2, 1896. W. C. Reeder presided as chairman, and I. B. Laing as secretary assisted by C. F. Fis- cher. With the exception of a candidate for coroner the convention placed a full ticket in the Adams county political field.
The Republican party held its convention, also, at Ritzville, in July. Nominations for all the county officers were made. L. W. Shaw was made chairman and Benjamin Martin, sec- retary. The convention was almost unani- mously in favor of the free and unlimited coin- age of silver at a ratio with gold of sixteen to one. In the convention the only contests were based on the nominations for representative and sheriff. For the former office G. W. Bassett and G. Leonard were candidates, the former representing the gold standard element of the party. Mr. Leonard was nominated, receiving 34 votes. Mr. Bassett, owing more particular- ly to his position as favorable to the gold stand- ard, received only 12 votes. For the office of sheriff E. Hill, J. J. Merriman and A. G. Mor-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
ly were candidates, Mr. Merriman being nom- mated on the second ballot.
No Democratic ticket was placed in Adams county in the campaign of 1896. A mass meet- ing was called in Ritzville in September. Near- ly all the silver supporters were present. It was decided as inadvisable to put another silver ticket in the field, but all Democrats were urged io cast their votes for the Populist ticket.
The 1896 election resulted in an almost complete victory for the Populists, that party carrying the county for presidential electors, congregressional, state, legislative and judicial candidates and electing all the county officers except treasurer, coroner and surveyor, the candidates for the last two offices having no opposition. Following is the official vote :
For Republican Electors-243.
For People's Party Electors, 363.
For Congressmen-S. C. Hyde, 238; W. H. Doolittle, 233; J. H. Lewis, Pop., 362; W. C. Jones, Pop., 361.
For Governor-P. C. Sullivan, Rep., 238; John R. Rogers, Pop., 366.
For State Senator-W. T. Dovell, Rep., 242 ; John I. Yeend, Pop., 368.
For Representative-G. Leonard, Rep., 246; J. O. Couch, Pop., 361.
For Judge of the Superior Court-Wallace Mount, Rep., 286; C. H. Neal, Pop., 326.
For Sheriff-J. J. Merriman, Rep., 302 ; J. A. Thompson, Pop., 314.
For Clerk of Court-S. T. Wilburn, Rep., 258; Louis Walton, Pop., 355.
For Auditor-William Synder, Rep., 250; WV. O. Lewis, Pop., 366.
For Treasurer-George Sinclair, Rep., 331; W. F. Winslow, Pop., 287.
For Prosecuting Attorney-S. L. Cronce, Rep., 240 ; H. O. Holcomb, Pop., 371.
For Assessor-A. W. Shaw, Rep., 279; Ja- cob Bauer, Pop., 334.
For Superintendent of Schools-Mrs. L. Bemis, Rep .. 272; John Emmert, Pop., 344.
For Surveyor-J. J. Koch, Rep., 356.
For Coroner-J. M. Adams, Rep., 358.
For Commissioner, First District .- L. Root, Rep., 258; J. N. Olson, Pop., 346.
For Commissioner, Second District-L. W. Shaw, Rep., 255; A. S. Kelsey, Pop., 347.
The second Adams county populist conven- tion was held at Ritzville Saturday, June 25, 1898. Thomas B. Leonard was chosen chair- man and John A. Willis, secretary. There were present 58 delegates, and a full set of candidates for the county officers were named.
On the same day the Democrats held a ses- sion and an attempt was made to effect fusion between that element and the Populists. The Democrats claimed to have a voting strength in the county of from 75 to 150. They desired to name the candidate for representative in case fusion was accomplished. To this the Populists refused to listen, and decided to go into the contest unassisted.
June 28th the Republicans assembled, also at Ritzville, with 28 delegates entitled to seats. W. K. Kennedy was named as chairman and W. W. Zent secretary. O. H. Greene was made permanent chairman. A full county ticket was named, nearly every candidate being nom- inated by acclamation. The result was a com- plete surprise to the Populists and resulted in their overwhelming defeat. It was a reversal of the election of two years previous by major- ities ranging from one to 147 in favor of the Republicans. Following is the result of the official canvass :
For Congress-James Hamilton Lewis, Pop., 249; F. W. Cushman, Rep., 269.
For Representative-George Sinclair, Rep., 306; \V. O. Lewis. Pop., 240.
For Sheriff-Edward' Hill, Rep., 273; J ..
C. Shoro, Pop., 272.
For Clerk-E. D. Gilson, Rep., 318; John Bovee, Pop., 230.
For Auditor-G. A. Kennedy, Rep., 291 ; W. L. Olmstead, Pop., 255.
For Treasurer-A. W. Shaw, Rep., 339 ;. L. L. Sutton, Pop., 192.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
For Prosecuting Attorney-W. W. Zent, Rep., 299; C. Stager, Pop., 238.
For Assessor-D. Neilson, Rep., 319; C. Linn, Pop., 226.
For School Superintendent-L. C. Van Patten, Rep., 330; Walter Staser, Pop., 212.
For Surveyor-J. J. Koch, Rep., (elected without opposition.)
For Coroner-H. E. Gritman, Rep., 312; J. A. Thiel, Pop., 231.
For Commissioner, First District-W. C. Griffith, Rep., 274; J. N. Olson, Pop., 266.
For Commissioner, Second District-H. Kensler, Rep., 305; L. Zimmer, Pop., 225.
The Republican county convention of 1900 was held at Ritzville, Saturday, June 23. H. E. Merriman was selected as chairman and D. A. Scott, secretary. Nearly all the candidates were nominated by acclamation.
The following election produced an almost complete reversal in the political complexion of Adams county. Where the Republicans had carried everything in 1898, the 1900 election shows that with two exceptions every Demo- crat on the county ticket was elected. The Democratic presidential electors won by 52 plurality; the Democrats on the state ticket were also elected. The result :
Republican Electors, 461.
Democrat Electors, 523.
Prohibition Electors, 30.
Socialist Labor Electors, 3.
Socialist Democratic Electors, 10.
For Congressmen-F. W. Cushman, Rep., 440; W. L. Jones, Rep .. 446; F. C. Robertson, Dem., 529: J. T. Ronald, Dem., 520.
For Governor-J. M. Frink, Rep., 383; John R. Rogers, Dem., 597.
For State Senator-Oliver. T. Cornwell, Rep., 438; Robert Gerry, Dem., 542.
For Representative-J. J. Merriman, Rep., 443 ; Joseph S. Milam, Dem., 552.
For Judge of the Superior Court-H. A. P. Myers, Rep., 432 ; C. H. Neal, Dem., 563.
For Sheriff-H. E. Hill, Rep., 440; J. C. Shorno, Dem., 569.
For Clerk-Edgar D. Gilson, Rep., 468; John C. Staser, Dem., 538.
For Auditor-George A. Kennedy, Rep., 499 ; Lincoln Laughlin, Dem., 501.
For Treasurer-M. W. Starr, Rep., 420; A. W. Shaw, Dem., 579.
For Prosecuting Attorney-W. W. Zent, Rep., 456; C. L. Holcomb, Dem., 543-
For Assessor-Oscar L. Edwards, Rep., 421; Cecil Linn. Dem., 578.
For School Superintendent-L. C. Van Patten, Rep., 505; B. J. Neare, Dem., 497.
For Surveyor-T. W. Hauschild, Rep., 511 ; William H. McGhee, Dem., 495.
For Coroner-H. E. Gritman, Rep., 478; John A. Thiel, Dem., 515.
For Commissioner, Second District- George H. Kanzler, Rep., 467; Jacob Schoes- sler, Dem., 521.
For Commissioner, Third District-J. M. Batten, Rep., 480; A. J. Clever, Dem., 516.
The Democrats and Populists joined forces for the campaign of 1902, and held a joint convention at Ritzville, July 12. As chair- man W. R. Cunningham was selected. Allen Meisenheimer served as secretary, assisted by I. B. Laing. The only contests in the conven- tion were for representative, assessor and clerk. There were present 125 delegates.
The Republicans assembled at Ritzville, August 30th. There were 79 votes in the con- vention and the only contest was for the can- didacy for representative. The proceedings throughout were entirely harmonious.
In the election which followed the Repub- lican candidates on the congressional tickets carried the county. A majority of the county officers were elected by the fusionists. Follow- ing is the official vote :
For Congressmen-George T. Cotterill, Dem., 624; O. R. Holcomb, Dem., 604; Frank B. Cole, Dem., 622; W. L. Jones, Rep., 698:
-
51
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
F. W. Cushman, Rep., 656 W. E. Humph- rey, Rep., 674.
For Representative-A. S. Newland, Dem., 670; G. W. Bassett, Rep., 707.
For Sheriff-J. C. Shorno, Dem., 873; Jesse R. Harris, Rep., 513.
For Clerk-George F. Christensen, Dem., 737; S. G. Scheuerle, Rep., 634.
For Auditor-Lincoln Laughlin, Dem., 751 ; E. D. Gibson, Rep., 638.
For Treasurer-C. D. Linn, Dem., 750; W. J. Bennington, Rep., 624.
For Prosecuting Attorney-C. L. Holcomb, Dem., 755; D. W. Zent, Rep., 628.
For Assessor-Louis Walton, Dem., 763; Charles Larkin, Rep., 61I.
For School Superintendent-D. L. Van Amburgh, Dem., 643; W. J. Lansing, Rep., 736.
For Surveyor-W. H. McGhee, Dem., 610; T. W. Hauschild, Rep., 767.
For Coroner-J. W. Henderson, Dem., 686; H. R. Smith, Rep., 677.
For Commissioner of First District-Will- iam Horn, Dem., 677; H. E. Hill, Rep., 677.
For Commissioner of Third District-A. J. Clever, Dem., 621; J. M. Batten, Rep., 743.
CHAPTER VI.
EDUCATIONAL.
Concerning the educational facilities of Adams county the Ritzville Times, under date of May 3, 1901, said :
"It is sometimes the case in the newer set- tled portions of the country that the energies of the people are more devoted to the acquisi- tion of wealth and subjection of territory into which they have entered, and in their haste for material prosperity the higher ideals of life are overlooked and somewhat disregarded, hence institutions of learning sometimes have a hard struggle. While this may be true of some sections, it cannot be said of Adams county. The citizens are largely composed of an intelligent and cultured class of people who have made the public schools of the county rank among the best in the state. The common system extends into the remotest rural districts of the county. The buildings are substantial, conveniently located, and a course of study is provided for every child from lessons in the alphabet to the full measure of learning re-
quired to secure admission to the higher schools."
District No. 38, Whitman county, was or- ganized in the fall of 1882. When Adams county was formed this district became No. I of the new county. Here was a territory of 1,908 square miles, included as a part of one school district. The only school in this exten- sive district was at Ritzville. This was estab- lished in 1881. There were few children in the other settlements of the district and these were either taught by their parents at home or the other alternative, not at all. The building for the pioneer school house of Adams county was a small frame edifice, located where now are the stock yards. Miss Roxana White, who was a resident of McMinnville, Oregon, was the teacher. Her pupils were Jesse and Claud Har- ris, Lester, Arthur and Earnest Keller, Van Bennett, Clara MacKay, Nora Harris Edwards, Laura Harris Comparet, Bessie Bennett and Edith Keller Gibson.
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
Until the county was organized three years later this was the only school in its territory. With the organization of the county Mrs. J. B. Bennett was appointed school superintendent, which office she successfully filled until 1889, when she was succeeded by R. C. Egbers. The task confronting Mr. Bennett in bringing from chaotic conditions, a county school or- ganization was by no means a light one. Many of the inhabitants in the vicinity were poor, and the obstacles at first were so great that it appeared almost impossible to successfully or- ganize and conduct schools. However, where there is a will there is a way, and the will was strong and resolute in these early pioneers of Adams county. A petition was presented for the formation of school district No.I by the residents of Ritzville, and to Mrs. Bennett was delegated the duty of effecting the organization. Before a building could be erected for the ini- tial district the enterprising members of the German settlement northwest of Ritzville had secured the formation of District No. 2. They at once built a school building, the first one fol- lowing the creation of the county. This build- ing still stands, five miles northwest of Ritz- ville, and here school has been conducted in every year since it was built. Soon after this a frame house was built on the site of the present brick school building in the Ritzville district.
January 13, 1884, Mr. S. A. Wells was granted a permit to teach a three months' term of school, and he was the pioneer teacher fol- lowing the formation of Adams county. Other permits were granted in 1884 to teach, as fol- lows: May 24, Miss Ida Tuttle; September 20, Mrs. Catherine Kissling; November 24, J. A. Hewitt.
February 12, 1885, the latter, permit was revoked as Mr. Hewitt failed to pass at the regular teacher's examination, February 11th and 12th. This was the first examination ever held in Adams county for the benefit of school teachers. The board of examiners comprised
Mrs. J. G. Bennett county superintendent, Mr. J. Ferguson and R. J. Neergaard.
Following are the names of the teachers who presided over the public schools of Adams county during the first few years of its history; the dates their certificates were issued or per- mits granted from 1885 to 1888:
February 12, 1885, Grant Tuttle, 3d grade certificate ; November, 1885, Mrs. Fannie New- land, permit ; February, 1886, Mrs. Grant Tut- tle, 2d grade certificate; February, 1886, Mrs. Fannie Newland, 2d grade certificate; April, 1886, Mrs. Mary Elder, permit; July, 1886, Robert F. Egbers, permit ; November 11, 1886, Robert C. Egbers, Ist grade certificate; Novem- ber II, 1886, B. N. Carrier, 2d grade certifi- cate; December, 1886, John Bovee, permit ; July 13, 1887, Miss Rhoda Bardwell, permit; November, 1887, John Bovee, 3d grade certi- ficate; November, 1887, Miss Thressa Buck, 2d grade certificate; November, 1887, Miss Rhoda Bardwell, 3d grade certificate; May 9, 1888, J. J. Huffman, 2d grade certificate ; May 9, 1888, Miss Mary Morgan, 2d grade certifi- cate; May 9, 1888, Miss Lucy Wright, 3d grade certificate; November 14, 1888, Lewis A. Shaw, 2d grade certificate; November 14, 1888, Ortho Dorman, 3d grade certificate ; No- vember 14, 1888, Miss Belle Hill, 3d grade cer- tificate.
August 8, 1884, the school superintendent Mrs. Bennett, apportioned to School District No. 1, $339.96, that being the only district at the time in the county. In 1885 there were two districts and the apportionment of school money was made as follows: February 2d, District No. I, $84.85; same date, No. 2, $109.85; April 18th No. 1, $71.12; No. 2, $32.74; July 27, No. 1, $190.47; No. 2, $121.21.
During the year 1886 the apportionment was as follows :
January 13, the amount credited to the county school fund was $660.65. Of this amount District No. I received $467.40; Dis-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
trict No. 2, $193.24. August 3d the amount of $259.01 was credited to the schools and was apportioned as follows: District No. 1, $79.06; No. 2, $84.30; No. 3, $95.70.
During the first five years following the county organization there was some advance- ment made in the public schools. In 1889 we find that there were ten districts in the county and the total enrollment had reached 310 pu- pils. These ten districts were in existence when Mrs. Bennett left the office of county superin- tendent at the beginning of the year 1889. They were known as follows: One, Ritzville; Two, German; Three, Deer Valley; Four, Cow Creek; Five, Lowe; Six, Paha; Seven, Mc- Queen ; Eight, Sand Hill; Nine, Lemman; Ten, Couch.
Robert C. Egbers served the county of Adams as superintendent of public instruction four years, from the beginning of 1889 to 1892. During this period eighteen new school dis- tricts were formed, swelling the total to twen- ty-eight. John W. Emmert was next chosen by the public and also served the county four years. During these four years periods of financial depression occurred and many dis- tricts found it exceedingly difficult to raise money with which to carry on schools. How- ever, with careful supervision and much en- couragement from the county superintendent, school was maintained in the several districts on an average of six months yearly. Aside from this nine new dictricts were formed, mak- ing a total of 37 within the limits of the coun- ty. During the last year of Mr. Emmert's term of office the entire county was deeply grieved by his death. Following his decease the affairs of the office were ably conducted by his widow, Mrs. Leta Winslow Emmert. At the close of the term of office Mrs. Emmert, refusing to ac- cept a nomination for another term, L. C. Van Patten was nominated and elected in 1898. The period of rapid development had then al- ready commenced. The great prosperity of the year 1897 had attracted hundreds of peo-
ple from the east and they commenced flocking to the land of promise, and as a consequence the demand for new school districts was very ur- gent.
Development in the really frontier portions of the county had been just as rapid. There are localities where a few years ago not a sign of civilization could be seen, where now on every hand are houses and barns and plowed fields and school houses.
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