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 9
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 9
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 9
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 9
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"The question of deeds to lots in the orig-
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
inal townsite has retarded the growth of the town to a great extent as well as to greatly lessen the number of real estate transactions, not only in the 'old,' or original townsite, but addition property as well, for the reason that government townsites are generally little un- derstood here and people who have not taken the trouble to examine the subject have been inclined not to meddle with property they could not see a perfect title to. But those who have examined the prospects for titles to the original townsite, and among them our able local at- torney, have been satisfied all the time that no titles in the world could be better than those of Waterville town lots, and the formal accept- ance of the proof by the department of Wash- ington confirms the correctness of their posi- tions."
It was not until December, 1890, that the lot owners secured deeds to their lots. The patent to the townsite was received in May, 1890, by J. M. Snow, trustee, and the deeds to the lots were made out by Mr. Snow.
The first church edifice erected in Water- ville was begun in November, 1888, a Method- ist Episcopal church, 28 by 40 feet in size. Sub- scriptions were taken and several hundred dol- lars secured for this purpose.
Waterville in 1888 was willing to become the capital of Washington Territory. The Empire in its issue of December 27, of that year, told why the town was qualified to become the capital city of the commonwealth as fol- lows :
"Waterville is approximately the geograph- ical center of the Territory; it is so accessible from all parts of the Territory that three differ- ent railroads are breaking their necks to get here first ; it is midway between the Queen City of the Sound and the 'Minneapolis of the West,' Spokane. Three months ago Waterville was nothing, now it is a booming city with over a hundred fine buildings the shingles of which are not discolored by wintry storms. Among
the enterprises under contemplation for spring are a system of waterworks, street cars and electric lights. It has the most wideawake mer- chants and greatest number of beautiful women of any town in the United States. It is a boomer ; it is a bird ; it's going to be the capital."
In the vote for the location of the capital in 1889 Waterville was not a candidate, but re- ceived a few votes in Douglas county.
At the beginning of the year 1889 the pop- ulation of Waterville was estimated from 300 to 350. There were two general merchandise stores, three hardware stores, four grocery and provision stores, two hotels, one restaurant, three blacksmith shops, one drug store, two butcher shops, four saloons, five attorneys, three physicians, one undertaker, one news- paper and two bakeries.
Following is the opinion of Mr. Sam Vin- son, agent of the general land department, con- cerning Waterville, voiced while paying the town a visit March, 1889:
"It is the best town in the Big Bend coun- try, and I regard it as the second Spokane Falls. All that are lacking are transportation facilities. It is ten miles from the Columbia river in a beautiful and productive valley. Water can be obtained from the springs in the Badger Mountain, with a fall of 300 feet, that will supply a population of 20,000. In all my travels over Washington I have never seen a better location for a city-with the exception of Spokane Falls, of course."
During the fall of 1888 agitation for the incorporation of the town was begun. Water- ville at this time was the recognized metropolis of an immense territory and during the pre- ceding summer had enjoyed a rapid growth. But the town was not incorporated until the following spring. The growth of the town and its increasing importance made a city gov -. ernment imperative. A petition was circulated and it was signed by nearly every tax-paying citizen in the town praying that the district
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
court issue an order granting the incorporation prayed for. Following is a copy of the peti- tion.
"To Hon. L. B. Nash, Judge of the Fourth Judicial District of Washington Territory, and holding terms of court in and for the county of Douglas :
"We, your petitioners, being taxable inhab- itants of the town of Waterville, in said county, respectfully pray that said town may be incor- porated and police established for the local gov- ernment thereof. Your petitioners desire that said incorporated town of Waterville shall in- clude the following territory, to wit: The east lıalf of the southeast quarter of section 21, in town 25, north of range 22, east of the Willa- mette Meridian ; in Douglas county, Washing- ton Territory.
"Signed : H. R. Hilscher, W. F. Allender, WV. M. Crisp, Kirk Whited, Geo. A. Allen, D. Woods, F. M. Stricker, G. W. Hollingshead, Albert T. Greene, L. E. Kellogg, D. F. Riggs, C. M. Stephens, S. W. Phillips, D. C. Johnson, C. Gilchrist, Colin Campbell, William Fergu- son, J. M. Willis, Henry Lieurance, C. H. Abel."
March 22, 1889, the petition was granted by the following order :
"In the District Court of Washington Ter- ritory, Fourth Judicial District, holding terms at Waterville, in and for the County of Doug- las :
"In the matter of the incorporation of the City of Waterville.
"A petition having been presented to the court praying that the inhabitants of the follow- ing described tract of land situated in the coun- ty of Douglas and Territory of Washington, and more particularly described as follows, to- wit : The east half of the southeast quarter of section 21, township 25, north of range 22, east of the W. M., be incorporated under the name of the town of Waterville, and police be estab- lished for their local government ; and it appear- ing to the court that said petition has been
signed by a majority of the taxable inhabitants of the tract of land aforesaid, and sought to be incorporated as such town; and the court being fully advised of the premises, it is ordered, adjudged and decreed that they are hereby duly incorporated under the name of the town of Waterville within the limits of the tract of land above described, and that they are henceforth declared to be a body corporate under the said name of the town of Waterville.
"And it is further ordered that. C. N. Stephens, Albert T. Greene, W. F. Allender, L. E. Kellogg and S. W. Phillips be, and they are, hereby declared to be the trustees of said town, and to continue in said office until their successors shall be elected and qualified.
"And it is further ordered that said petition and this order be entered in full on the records of this court.
"Done in chambers this March 22, 1889. "L. B. NASH.
"Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Washington Territory, of the Fourth Judicial District thereof."
In pursuance with this order the gentlemen named in the decree met at the office of Snow & Greene on Thursday, March 7th, took the oath of office before R. S. Steiner, clerk of the district court for Douglas county, and formally organized as board of trustees for the town of Waterville. A. T. Greene was the unanimous choice for chairman of the board. Kirk Whited was appointed clerk of the board and city at- torney ; M. B. Howe, treasurer ; W. Z. Cooper, marshall. The only business transacted was the calling of an election to be held on Monday, April I, to select town officers. F. M. Stricker was named judge of the election, and Charles Peach and A. M. Tenny, clerks. At this elec- tion A. T. Greene, M. B. Howe, P. J. Knight, S. W. Phillips and John Robb were elected trustees.
In District Court, Judge W. H. Calkins presiding, on June 17, 1889, the following ter- ritory was added to the corporate limits of the
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tow11 : Greene's second addition, Kincaid's first addition and the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 22.
An organization that did much to advance the interests of the town was the Waterville Board of Trade, organized in April, 1889. Fol- lowing were the first officers of the board: A. T. Greene, president; P. E. Berry, secretary ; C. M. Stephens, committee on finance; W. F. Allender, committee on immigration and public lands ; R. W. Starr, committee on manufactures and public improvements.
This organization was shortly afterwards christened the Douglas County Board of Trade and was a lively factor in the settlement of the county as well as the town of Waterville.
The first fire company in Waterville was organized Wednesday evening, May 8, 1889. There were 26 members. A. H. Murdock was foreman.
Writing to the Tacoma Globe in May, 1889, a correspondent said :
"They are hustling, bustling, go-ahead fel- lows, these business men of Waterville. Nothing is too good for their pretty little city and they all pitch in for the common purpose of beautifying and benefiting the town. One donates a town lot for this, another puts his hiand down deep in his pocket to help that en- terprise, and so they pass the work around the ring, no one shirking responsibility or refusing aid."
October 10, 1889, the Empire stated that there were 246 buildings in Waterville, an in- crease of 238 in a little over a year.
People who were residing in Waterville during the winter of 1889-90 relate interesting tales of how they passed several weeks in the town completely isolated from the outside world. For more than two weeks the town was completely cut off by a heavy fall of snow ; 110 mail was received or sent. January 30th a mail was received from Ellensburg. The stage had become blocked with snow at the mouth of
Corbaley canyon and a Waterville rescue party went to his assistance with shovels and tobog- gan, and hauled the mail in by hand. The fol- lowing day mail went out on the toboggan as far as the stage had come the day before. Feb- ruary 5th another party started out on snow shoes to meet the stage at Orondo. This party comprised A. T. Greene, Sheriff Gillespie, M. B. Howe, R. W. Starr, C. A. Carpenter, Eugene Woodin, A. M. Tenny, Henry Smith, A. L. Rogers, Elder J. M. C. Warren, and W. M. Walters. A portion of this party returned the same evening with the news that the mail had not come over the mountain. The follow- ing day W. R. Wetsel headed a party of snow shovelers to relieve the stage. The following day the stage came in, but without the mail, as the late snow on the mountain had put a stop to all travel.
One of the results of this blockade was the prevention of a regular meeting of the board of Douglas county commissioners. Commissioner Stephens was the only member on deck. After "Assembling" and "adjourning" from day to day for a time, waiting for his colleagues, Messrs. Godlove and Lewis, Stephens, too, abandoned the field. As there was much im- portant business to be transacted a special meet- ing was called later. February 12th mails arrived from both east and west. The eastern mail consisted of letters only and was brought in from Grand Coulee on snow shoes. The western mail consisted of letters and papers, the latter being rather aged so far as the news features were concerned. This serious block- ade was not entirely raised until the following April. In the issue of the Empire, March 27th, we find these items :
"Provisions are getting scarce in town. Our merchants are out of meat, lard, sugar, baking powder, and flour is getting low. And there is not a pound of hay or grain for sale in town. It will be several days before teams can get to Almira.
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"Many of our merchants are temporarily out of business-sold out-pending the arrival of goods from the railroad."
At a regular meeting of the board of trus- tees April 14, 1890, a petition signed by 30 residents of Waterville was presented asking for a special town election to vote on the pro- position of the town of Waterville being organ- ized and incorporated under the general laws of the state, such incorporation to take the place of the old incorporation which was accom- plished under the Territorial laws. Washing- ton was now a state, and the old corporation had been declared void by the state courts. This petition was granted and Saturday, May 3d was named as the day for holding the special election. The following persons were named as officers of this new election : Judge, A. C. Porter ; inspectors, W. H. Calkins, Robert Gil- liland; clerks, C. C. King, William Crisp. Although the vote was light there was no op- position to the proposition to reincorporate. Under the new organization the first officers were: Mayor, A. J. Davis; councilmen, P. J. Knight, C. M. Stephens, Joseph Lovett, M. D. Smith, C. F. Abel. Police magistrate, A. C. Porter ; clerk, D. C. De Galia ; city marshall, J. B. Valentine.
The first flouring mills in operation in Douglas county were the Waterville Roller Mills, of 50 barrel capacity. They were placed in operation Tuesday, December 20, 1890, by D. J. Herstine.
The fall of 1890 and spring of 1891 were prosperous times for Waterville. Among other enterprises which served to add to this pros- perity was the creating here of a United States Land Office, the building of the flouring mill, the establishment of two banks, First National and Douglas County Bank and the building of a $10,000 school house.
In December, 1890, steps were taken by prominent citizens to interest Seattle capital in Waterville. The result was the establishment of the First National Bank by Seattle men and
the formation of a company among Seattle capitalists known as the Waterville Improve- ment Company. About 600 acres of fine agri- cultural land adjacent to town was donated to this company conditional that the company should place in Waterville a system of water works and" electric lights. Success attended these efforts and both the water works and electric lights were installed in 1892.
A militia company was organized and mus- tered in as the First Unattached. Company Na- tional Guard of Washington, Wednesday evening, October 26, 1892, by Captain E. W. Lyons, of Company G, Second Infantry, of Spokane. The officers of this company were IV. J. Canton, captain; F. M. Dallam, First Lieutenant ; A. E. Case, second lieutenant. Mr. Dallam soon after resigned, Case was made first lieutenant and J. M. F. Cooper, second lieuten- ant. The complete roster at the date of muster was as follows: W. J. Canton, Frank M. Dal- lam, A. E. Case, J. C. Lawrence, A. T. Greene, J. M. F. Cooper, George A. Newsalt, P. A. Snyder, O. D. Porter, J. H. Dickson, S. L. Behon, Edward Johnson, C. O. Steiner, Perry Wilcox, Charles W. McDermott, Will Day, Henry Lieurance, H. C. Hupe, M. S. Crisp, J. WV. Pearl, Charles J. Nokes, Philo M. Crisp, J. R. Pearl, C. H. Kirkland, Robert Beyers, Lewis Wetsel, Charles W. Hudson, Charles Harris, August Hupe.
This organization retained its individuality three years and was highly esteemed by the citizens of Waterville. July 1895, the First Unattached Militia Company was mustered out of the service. The reason for the disbandment is told in the following letter :
"Olympia, June 29, 1895-Captain W. J. Canton, Waterville, Washington-Sir: I am directed by the commander in chief to inform you that the disbandment of the First Unat- tached Company has been announced in Gen- eral Order No. 7, in pursuance of the provisions of Section 59, of the military code.
"The disbandment of your company car-
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ries with it no reflection in the slightest degree upon your patriotism or efficiency. The mil- itary code in providing for a reduction in the Guard requires that companies shall be station- ed in such localities as the necessities and ad- vantages of the service require, with reference to the means of rapid concentration. The mus- tering out of your company was wholly due to the fact that a careful consideration of all the existing circumstances has forced the con- clusion that your location is not so accessible nor of such strategic importance as that of other companies.
"The commander-in-chief desires to ex- press for himself personally, and the citizens of Washington, his appreciation of the valuable services rendered by your company. Your re- cord has at all times been most excellent, and your severance from the guard was determined with regret.
"Yours respectfully, "E. C. MACDONALD, "Acting Adjutant General."
Up to, and including the year 1892, there was great activity in the bustling town of Waterville. Business houses were erected and new enterprises inaugurated. Preparations were made for great events. A railroad was expected to arrive at almost any time-in fact at one period it looked as though three different railroads were striving to get to Wateville. Additions were platted which extended far out into the country. But all this was changed. "Financial depression" which has so often been recorded in this history, effected a marvelous change in the prosperity of Waterville. Build- ing operations were brought to a standstill; for many years the young city which started out with most flattering prospects, was suddenly halted in its once rapid progression. The latter part of the 90's witnessed a slight change for the better, but it was not until the season of 1902 that the old time prosperous gait was again reached. This, of course, was brought
about by the rapid settlement of the county at that time.
At all times since the reincorporation of the town of Waterville there had lurked in the minds of the people a suspicion that such action had not been valid. The citizens decided to make a third attempt to set matters right. This occurred March 25. 1894, The people had gone to the city council for permission to re- incorporate. A palpable error. Now they made application to the board of county com- missioners. The population of the territory according to a census taken by order of the commissioners just prior to the election which was called by them was 503. The result of the election was : votes cast, 105 ; For incorporation, 65; against incorporation, 28, 12 not voting on the question. For mayor-P. E. Berry, republican, and endorsed by the democratic con- vention, 89.
For councilmen-A. L. Maltbie, rep., 65; E. W. Porter, rep., 56; W. J. Stanley, rep., 67; M. S. Holland, rep., 53 ; C. M. Stephens, dem., 54; G. E. Steiner, dem., 40; J. H. Brockman, dem., 35; C. C. King, dem., 41 ; W. R. Wetsel, dem., 35.
For Treasurer-H. C. Thomas, dem., 44; George Hollingshead, rep., 42.
Even after the town had voted thrice on the question of incorporation complications arose. Doubts were expressed concerning the validity of the last election. The matter found its way into the courts. In September, 1894, Judge Wallace Mount, of the superior court. held that the old, or second incorporation, was good, and that the old council should be re- seated, and that the new incorporation was null and void. The case was carried to the supreme court. A dispatch from Olympia dated Novem- ber II, 1895, said :
.
"The supreme court in the case of the State of Washington ex rel., George Bradley, prose- cuting attorney, respondent, vs. P. E. Berry et al., appellants, affirms the judgment of the lower court. This is a proceeding involving
A DOUGLAS COUNTY WHEAT SCENE.
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the validity of the organization and existence of the town of Waterville as a municipal corpo- ration. The question has been fully decided several times before by the supreme court, and they decline to entertain further discussion."
Thus the Gordian knot was cut, and the second incorporation stood.
During the Spanish-American war Water- ville was represented by a company of her young men and officered by Waterville citizens. A number of Wenatchee boys also joined this company. The company departed for Tacoma, the muster-in point, July 8, 1898. Here they were mustered in as Company D, Twenty-sec- ond Washington Volunteer Infantry. July 2Ist Company D moved to Vancouver Bar- racks. Early in September orders were re- ceived to muster out the company, which was accordingly consummated October 30th. The officers of Company D were Captain P. G. Maltbie; First Lieutenant, Edward Johnson ; Second Lieutenant, J. N. Kiesling.
The United States census of 1900 gave Waterville a population of 482.
The year 1902 was, perhaps, the most pros- perous one in the town's history. The arrival of new settlers from the east and the rapid filling upi of the country in the Waterville neighborhood caused the county seat town to assume many of the features of a "boom." New brick blocks replaced frame buildings which had done service since the days of 1888 and 1889. In June, 1903, the assessor's census gave a population of 760. The population of Waterville at the present writing (July, 1904) is fully 1,000. Religious denominations were represented by the Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Church of God, Catholics and Chris- tians.
The fraternal societies number eight,' viz : Masonic, Odd Fellows, Maccabees, M. W. A., W. O. W., Eastern Star, Rebekahs, and Grand Army of the Republic.
Waterville is destined to become one of the leading cities of Central Washington. To 37
every one who has visited the place this is patent. It is situated in the midst of one of the richest agricultural sections of the state. Bar- ren of transportation and against great odds it has risen to a town of 1,000 people, a town which for progressiveness and enterprise can not be excelled. When a railroad builds through the country and the land surrounding Waterville is occupied by settlers, many of whom it is able to support, then will Waterville become a city of importance.
WILSONCREEK.
Wilsoncreek is the second town in size in Douglas county. Aside from Waterville it is the only one incorporated. It is on the Great Northern railroad, a minor freight division point of that line. Here are located an eleven- stall round-house, a large coal chute and other buildings common to railroad division. Some of these buildings were erected in the early 90's, shortly after the advent of the road. It was many years later before the town of Wilson- creek came into existence. While there was much homestead land in other portions of Douglas county, that lying along Crab and Wilson Creeks was not considered worthy of being termed farm land. But the rush of im- migration in 1902 induced people to examine these lands, then experiment, and the result was that the land was discovered to be "agricul- tural" in every sense of the word. Towns be- came numerous throughout the south country and Wilsoncreek easily distanced all competi- tors.
A postoffice was established in December, 1894. Previous to this the stock men of Doug- las county were compelled to go to Lind, in Adams county, for their mail. Concerning the earlier history of Wilsoncreek, the Big Bend Chief, of December 27, 1901, said :
"Some three years ago, ( 1898) one Moltke, (whether he was a relation of the late count is not certain) was induced to open a small store
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HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY.
near where Gentry & Goldsmith's lumber yard now stands. It is said that there were various articles of merchandise and stomach bitters for sale there. W. T. is an authority for the state- ment that one bottle of those bitters was suffi- cient to make a man steal from one pocket and put it in another. However, the count sold the shop to one Sanders who, in turn, disposed of it to R. L. Playfair. Playfair thought it a white elephant and coaxed Nichols Brothers to take it off from his hands. The Nichols Brothers closed out to G. D. Miller. In the meantime George Swanson had opened up a merchandising store just west of the bank."
Practically, this was the inception of Wil- soncreek. Almost the entire trade of the pioneer store was from the neighboring stock- men and cowboys. Old timers tell us of the high jinks of the "buckaroo," at the place where the town now stands. The gaming table was the principal recreation and money and bitters flowed as free as water. On January 1, 1900, seven people would complete the census of Wilsoncreek. One small store sufficed to more than supply the demands of the adjacent coun- try, and the Wilsoncreek hotel had recently been completed by William Blanchard. The guests were like angels' visits, few and far be- tween. But they soon became more numerous. According to the United States census taken at that time the population was 26. With the opening of the year 1901 Wilsoncreek con- sisted of a school house, one small store, the Wilsoncreek hotel and the Great Northern buildings.
The town was platted January 31, 1901, by Robert L. Playfair. The following additions have since been made. Playfair's First Addi- tion, April 3, 1902, by R. L. Playfair.
Taggart Addition, April 1, 1902, by W. H. O'Larey, F. E. Taggart and A. A. McIntyre.
First Addition, September 10, 1902, by Jesse Gentry and A. A. Goldsmith.
Schroeder's College Addition, October 25, 1902, by J. P. Schroeder.
School lot addition, April 25, 1903, by Zack Finney, W. H. O'Leary, Julius L. Stuart, directors, and A. J. Miles, clerk.
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