USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 106
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 106
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 106
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
In all movements for the betterment of the community life, this club has been a coworker, and its initiative in forming the art committee has brought lasting results. The first food inspector, Mrs. Olive Kurtz, whose work has been particularly effective, is a member of this club.
In the Lincoln School building hangs a reproduction of a Corot master- piece, and in the Public Library is a marble bust, Dante's Beatrice, gifts of this club.
At the time of the organization of the Young Woman's Christian Associa- tion and the Young Men's Christian Association, the Twentieth Century Club contributed in a very substantial manner. At present six of its members are active members of the governing board of the Young Women's Christian Asso- ciation.
The Twentieth Century Club is on the "Founders Roll" of the State Fed- eration Endowment Fund, having contributed one hundred dollars to the fund.
The war, with its varied activities, brought a greater vision of service to its members, as they did all phases of war work from driving a motor to making four minute speeches. Also, adopted a war orphan.
With the dawn of peace, the club is active in the reconstruction work.
PORTIA CLUB
On June 9, 1903, twelve women met and formed a class for the study of Parliamentary Law and the following September the little class was organ- ized into a club to be called the Portia Club with a two-fold object, the study of Parliamentary Law and civic betterment. Membership was unlimited.
The Portia Club has taken its place with the other clubs of the city in con-
902
HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
tributing to the various funds for welfare work, and has many achievements to its credit of its own individual efforts. Tree planting was made a distinc- tive feature and fifty-six shade trees were planted by the club around the high school grounds, and many given to other public grounds. The planting of trees was promoted by the club throughout the county, and a member of this club planted a mile of trees along the Lincoln Highway.
An annual "clean-up-day" was proclaimed by the mayor of the city at the request of the Portia Club. Out of the civic convention called by the club, grew the Yakima Valley District Federation, and the public play grounds situated on Seventh Avenue were equipped and presented to the city by the club.
In the World War, 1917-1918, the Portia Club has been 100 per cent. loyal in every call of the Government, and has adopted a war orphan.
Thus the story of the Portia Club is that it has expanded from a little class for the study of Parliamentary Law into a large club of far reaching interests.
HOME ECONOMICS CLUB
The Home Economics Club of Yakima was organized November 9, 1911, under the name of the K. K. Club with eight charter members. At first it was a Kensington with short literary programs but in a few months the programs were changed to home economics entirely. The membership was gradually in- creased until there were thirty-five and the meetings were held at the domestic science room of a school building which would only accommodate that num- ber. The club joined the State Federation of Women's Clubs May 12, 1912. and the name was soon changed to the Home Economics Club.
The programs consisted of papers, discussions and demonstrations. Each year's program contained one meeting on sewing or textiles and another on apples. Since the beginning of the war, the apple day was changed to include beans and potatoes and was a public demonstration. Also, all the meetings were entirely on war conservation and were altered to meet each new war measure or need. Much time has been devoted to Red Cross and all the war organizations.
One year the club brought Miss Sutherland, our state leader of home demonstration work, for daily demonstrations for one week. The meetings were held at the Young Men's Christian Association and were all well at- tended. The club has always responded to all calls for any help along its line of activity, though most of the members have small children and many home duties. Much aid was given to the caring for soldiers' hospitals under the auspices of the National League for Women's Service.
THE COTERIE CLUB
The Coterie Club with a membership of twenty-five, the smallest federated club in Yakima, was organized February 12. 1903, federated April 28. 1914. The personnel of this club has changed from year to year until but two or three charter members remain.
The Coterie Club, as the name indicates, is "A circle of familiar friends." Its object, according to its constitution, is "intellectual and social culture."
1
903
HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
Its programs embrace a study of present day conditions as well as litera- ture past and present.
As a club it always responds generously and faithfully to public needs. The Young Women's Christian Association scholarship and endowment funds are among its annual benefactions. Its most unique feature has been for several years past, the "Mothering" of the Mckinley School, giving timely gifts to help pay for a phonograph, etc., and by giving little annual picnics to its teachers.
The Coterie Club is strongly patriotic. Its latest enterprise has been the adoption of a war orphan.
ART COMMITTEE
Cooperation is the keynote of success as a valuable asset to the city. Some most worthwhile public activities have been perpetuated through federated com- mittees, particularly those of art and health.
The Art Committee was formed to further the interest of art in the city. The attention of the members was first directed toward needed civic improve- ment ; as a result of an improvement contest, a hundred new parking strips were planted, and splendid results toward a cleaner city came from offering prizes for the best collection of local views by amateur photographers, both beautiful and unsightly scenes, which prompted the cleaning up of many back yards.
The Committee, by obtaining an expression from the various organizations, brought about the adoption of an official flower, a red rose (Gruss an Teplitz) was chosen. An annual "City Beautiful" ball was given to finance the work of the Committee. Many thousand rose plants were planted on the school yards and other public grounds. Many were also given to families who agreed to grow them, but could not afford to buy them. The Art Committee for many . years fostered the Children's School Gardens, holding an annual exhibit in September.
The chairman of the Art Committee organized a Rose Society in 1914 with one hundred members, promoting the growing of roses, with an annual June Rose Show. The Art Committee has secured a number of collections of pictures for exhibition in Yakima, and five school buildings and the Public Library have each been presented with a picture by a noted artist.
The ambition of the Art Committee for the future is to establish and equip a public art gallery and several hundred dollars worth of Liberty Bonds is the nucleus toward the fulfilment of this aim.
The Federated Health Committee is credited with many worthwhile en- deavors in cooperation with the public health officials, but that which stands out in the annals of club history, is the securing of a woman food inspector, Mrs. Olive Kurtz, who as the municipal housekeeper brought public eating places and markets to a state of cleanliness not excelled by any city in the United States, according to the statement of a National food inspector.
YAKIMA VALLEY DISTRICT FEDERATION
A number of Yakima club women have been selected to fill prominent and responsible positions in the state. Mrs. J. C. Gawler has the distinction of
.
904
HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
National honor. She was appointed chairman of the home economics depart- ment in the General Federation of Women's Clubs, by the president, Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker, in 1916.
Mrs. Wallis Williams was elected in 1916 as a member of the State Legis- lature, and her influence for good has been felt throughout the Northwest.
Miss Sue Lombard, who is now Mrs. Frank Horsley, was in 1905 elected president of the State Federation, and was in 1915 appointed by Governor Lister a member of the Board of Regents of the State Normal at Ellensburg, and is serving in that capacity at the present time.
Mrs. W. W. Robertson and Mrs. A. C. Davis have each served a term of two years as recording secretary in the State Federation. Mrs. I. H. Dills was elected to the office of corresponding secretary in 1905. At an earlier date Mrs. Nona Snyder served as auditor. In 1913 Mrs. A. E. Larson was elected a mem- ber of the Board of the State Federation as first trustee and had charge of the campaign, during her term of office, to raise the $13,000 endowment fund which was created at the time of her election.
The late Mrs. Granville Ross Pike made a lasting name for herself by her loving interest in our "Feathered Friends." She traveled over the state organ- izing "Bird Clubs" among the boys and girls. Mrs. Pike was for a number of years conservation chairman of the State Federation and held that position at the time of her demise last August.
It will not be possible to mention all of the Yakima women who were ap- pointed on standing committees in the State Federation of Women's Clubs, but they include Mrs. Olive Kurtz as chairman of food sanitation: Mrs. Edna Haines and Mrs. A. J. Splawn in the historical department; Mrs. Lucy Ellis on the press, and Miss Frances Townsen on the Art Committee. Yakima club women have entertained the State Federation twice, in 1900 and 1917.
The club spirit permeates the atmosphere of the entire valley. In 1911 the "Yakima Valley District Federation" was organized, with Mrs. J. M. Perry as president ; Mrs. E. B. Williamson, of Prosser, served as the second efficient leader and Mrs. F. M. Hornby of Grandview, was third president and at present holds that office.
The organization is composed of twenty-seven clubs covering a radius of a hundred and fifty miles. In each town and in many of the rural districts there are one or more women's clubs, varying in membership from fifteen to one hundred.
Sunnyside and Prosser each possesses a Departmental Club of sixty members. The Sunnyside "Woman's Club" has the honor of having provided a state president, Mrs. R. C. McCredie, who at the present time holds the office of director in the General Federation of Women's Clubs, and was appointed in 1915 by Governor Lister on the State Board of Health.
Mrs. O. K. Williamson of the Prosser "Woman's Club" served two years as vice president of the State Federation and was elected recording secretary of this organization at the convention last June. Mrs. Williamson is also a member of the State Library Board, appointed by Governor Lister in 1916.
Ellensburg has five active clubs which have formed a City Federation that
IN MEMORY OF
TOW-TOW-NAH-HEE A NON COMBATENT KILLEO 3-1/2 MILES NORTH OF HERE BY UW-HAH-TAH-MA-SO A GOV'T. SCOUT. YAKIMA WAR 1855-56. THE ONLY INDIAN HURT'IN THE "BATTLE" OF PAH-QY-TI-KOOT. ERECTED BY THE YAKIMAS AND FRIENDS NOV. 9, 1917
Courtesy of L. V. MeWhorter
MONUMENT ERECTED BY THE YAKIMA INDIANS AND THEIR FRIENDS, AT UNION GAP; WHERE THE TRIBESMEN MADE THEIR LAST STAND AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT TROOPS, NOV. 9, 1855
JAKIMA MAR
BATTLEOF
PAHOT CUTE!TWOBOYS
Nov 918 55
ERECTED BY DARE
Courtesy of L. V. Mcwhorter
MONUMENT ERECTED BY THE D. A. R. AT UNION GAP, TO COMMEMORATE THE VICTORY WON THERE BY THE U. S. TROOPS OVER THE YAKIMAS. NOVEMBER 9, 1855
905
HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
has also contributed a number of officers to the State Federation, including Mrs. H. S. Elwood as president and Mrs. David Murray, treasurer.
Open conventions of the Yakima Valley District Federation are held semi- annually. A splendid cooperative spirit prevails. It is an impossibility to reckon the influence radiating from these inspirational gatherings as the club women exchange ideas, in the spirit of love, for the welfare of humanity, for the gen- eral good, and the common interest which exists in this particular section.
MOTHERS' CONGRESS
Valuable organizations other than the so-called "Women's Clubs" were formed from time to time. In 1912 the Mother's Congress was organized in Yakima, with Mrs. Mary Blanker as president. This organization is devoted to child welfare and organizing Parent-Teachers Associations. Much has been accomplished in bringing the schools and the homes in closer relationship and raising the standards of home life.
Mrs. A. C. Varney has been a faithful worker in this organization, assist- ing Mrs. R. C. Nichols, county school superintendent, in organizing Parent- Teachers Associations. Mrs. Varney was elected in 1918 president of the state organization of the Mothers' Congress.
DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The Narcissa Whitman Chapter, Daughters of The American Revolution, was organized in Yakima, Washington, June 19, 1909, with twenty-one members. The objects of this chapter are: "To foster patriotism and to perpetuate the memory of those who achieved American Independence."
"To assist in preserving the records pertaining to the services of the pioneers of the state of Washington."
In order to help create an interest in the study of United States history, the chapter has each year given a prize to the High School student of the . graduating class who has attained the highest average in this subject.
The chapter has also contributed each year to the support of the Martha Berry School.
One of the most important things the chapter has done was to mark, with a granite boulder, properly inscribed, the site of the last battle which took place between the Indians and the whites. This spot is known as "Pahoticute" or "Two Battles."
When war came upon us the chapter took a very prominent part in war work, under the direction of Mrs. C. E. Udell, regent. "Housewives" were made and furnished to hundreds of soldiers, great numbers of sweaters, socks, wristlets, helmets, and scarfs were knitted and given to the men in the service.
Every member has given unsparingly of her time and means to the sup- port of the Red Cross; to the work of the Council of Defense, and as Minute Women.
"America and Americanism" has become the slogan of this chapter. It can truthfully be said that Narcissa Whitman Chapter, Daughters of The Ameri- can Revolution, has not been found wanting in this critical hour.
906
HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
CHAPTER PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL ORDER
Public Educational Order, while not a club, is a woman's organization, a sisterhood, whereby the members are bound by lasting ties to a work for gen- eral improvement, for individual growth in charity, and for mental and moral culture. Springing from a group of seven college girls who organized them- selves into the first Public Educational Order Chapter, Public Educational Order has become almost nation wide, chapters being organized in almost all the states of the Union.
Public Educational Order's work is essentially for women and for that purpose an educational fund has been established, and maintained by the chap- ters of the sisterhood, to assist worthy young women to higher education with a view to self support. Since the establishing of this fund in 1907, up to 1917. 260 young women have received help from it.
When a P. E. O. finds herself in a new town with a population of at least one thousand, and no P. E. O. Chapter, she usually does not feel quite at home until she has formed a chapter in that town. Such was the history of Chapter P., of Yakima.
Three P. E. O.'s who had come from other towns gathered around them six friends and in May, 1908, organized Chapter P. The nine charter members were : Mrs. Evangeline Howick, Mrs. Etta Clausen, Mrs. Minnie Lucas, Mrs. Maude Weisberger, Mrs. Charlotte Raymond, Mrs. May Roberts, Mrs. Alberta Udell, Mrs. Jessamine Van Amberg and Mrs. Agnes Joyce. The chapter now numbers fifty-one. The local work, aside from the intellectual and social, has consisted of work for the poor, support of the local and national Young Women's Christian Association, war work, purchasing of Liberty Bonds. Just at present the chapter is uniting with all the Washington chapters in a special war work assigned to them, the furnishing of extensive comfort bags for the refugee women of France and Belgium.
WAR ORGANIZATIONS
During the period of the perilous war times, the Yakima women proved themselves to be "good soldiers." Their hearts were tested as never before, and individually and collectively through the clubs and other organizations they responded to the call with the spirit of true patriotism.
Every phase of Red Cross work was faithfully pursued; indeed, the women of the valley are few in number who do not deserve honorable mention for their invaluable service. Those giving untiring efforts as leaders include: Mrs. W. L. Lemon and Mrs. Halsey Watson, as secretaries; Mrs. Jessie Gamble and Mrs. R. C. Sinclair in charge of the work-room; Mrs. G. J. Listman, the Jumble Shop, and Mrs. Ed Van Brunt at the head of the canteen work : and every train was met by two or more members of her coterie of splendid women, who pre- sented the soldier boys passing through with a basket of luscious Yakima fruit.
Another equally patriotic organization is the Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense. State Chairman Mrs. J. S. McKee appointed Mrs. Frank Horsley county chairman for Yakima. She resigned on account of illness and Mrs. A. E. Larson was appointed to take her place and organized
907
HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
the Minute Service Women, to make the house to house canvass carrying the Government messages. The Minute Women number three hundred and fifty and every home in the entire county is reached on short notice. This organiza- tion had charge of the woman's work in all campaigns. In the Fourth Liberty Loan the women sold more than a half million dollars worth of bonds.
Mrs. O. K. Williamson of Prosser was appointed chairman of the Woman's Committee of the County Council of Defense for Benton County and Mrs. L. Baker was appointed for Kittitas County. Each of the counties has a complete organization of Minute Women. Mrs. R. C. McCredie of Sunnyside is the district chairman, which covers four counties including with the above men- tioned Klickitat County.
Whether as individuals or "club women," since the arrival of the first pioneer settlers, the women have been co-partners with the men in shaping the destiny of the beautiful inland valley of Yakima, not only doing in a spirit of unselfish love that which was at hand to do, but reaching out with a broader vision of duty, realizing that the ideals of the state and nation are in the hands of the mothers of the land.
THE BUILDING OF SUNNYSIDE
In our progress down the Valley we reach a town of somewhat unique history and interest. This is Sunnyside. The founder and chief organizer of the activities of this interesting and important place is still a resident of it, S. J. Harrison, and he has kindly prepared a short sketch of the history of the place.
TOWN BUILDING
Northern Illinois began to be settled about 1850. Eighty-acre tracts in the heart of Chicago were then for sale at $25 to $50 per acre. At that time and for several years later "Government land" all over the "corn belt" begged for takers at $1.25 per acre. These lands with improvements now sell for $200 to $300 per acre. The wife of the writer was a daughter of one of these pio- neers. From these "first settlers" we received first hand information regard- ing the development of this then new country.
One thing that stood out prominently in these early settlements was the attention given to religion. With the first colonists was the preacher. Meet- ings were held in houses and barns and then in the little red schoolhouse for years until "meeting houses" were built. What the places of meeting lacked in comfort and convenience was more than made up in the warmth of devo- tion and fellowship.
The value of lands aside from the quality of soil and cost of operating was measured definitely by distance from town.
With the knowledge of the rise in value of farm lands in the "corn belt," the principles that controlled in their development, I began to investigate the thinly populated districts of the West and South in the hope of finding a local- ity where soil and climatic conditions were good. Several trips South and West were made in quest of such a location. The result was the choice of the Sunnyside district, Yakima Valley, Washington. Sage brush land with a water
908
HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
right was then (1898) selling at $30 per acre in five equal annual installments, six per cent. annual interest.
In order to control the moral influences of the community we decided that it would be necessary to purchase the townsite of Sunnyside.
When we were considering the locating of a colony we had no idea of town building, but with our ears to the ground it was soon evident that as the town went so the country would be. The hotels, banks and leading business firms have much more to do in establishing moral standards than the agencies giving exclusive attention to those questions.
At the time we acquired the townsite of Sunnyside the state was univer- sally "wet." The first and principal business in towns of all sizes was the saloon and card table. This was most obnoxious to the class of people we were laboring to colonize. We therefore decided to sell no lots in Sunnyside with- out a clause in the conveyance prohibiting the sale and manufacture of intoxi- cants, the carrying on of gambling, or prostitution ; also another clause not allowing owner to permit his lots to grow up to weeds. These restrictions attracted the kind of people we sought to locate. Although we had no railroad, business developed at a very rapid rate. Lots sold at higher prices than were obtained in surrounding "open" towns that had railroad accommodations.
The religious interests were taken care of as a matter of business just as they were in the American Army in the Great War with Germany. When the aggregate of church members did not exceed 125 an organization known as the "Federated Church" was effected. It embraced in its membership Baptists, Brethren, Christians, Congregationalists, Methodists and Presbyterians. It was agreed in the organization that each denomination should have such part of the Sunday services as its contribution was part of the whole amount received. This encouraged all the members of each denomination to be liberal in their subscriptions. It was further agreed that after five years any one of the de- nominations desiring to withdraw could do so by submitting a price which it was willing to give or take for the property and the others should within sixty days give answer as to whether they would buy or sell, and seller was to receive such percentage of its investment as the price stipulated was of the cost of the property. After six years of harmonious and successful cooperation the Metho- dists decided to withdraw and submitted a price which the Brethren, Congrega- tionalists and Presbyterians decided to accept. The Baptists and Christians also decided to withdraw at the same time. The Federation of the Brethren, Con- gregationalists and Presbyterians continued three years longer. The Brethren and Presbyterians had pastors that did not approve of the Federation, and obtained sufficient support in their congregations to decide to separate. The Brethren purchased the "Federated" church building and the Congregationalists and Presbyterians each built commodious houses.
After the separation denominational lines were tightly drawn and the rivalry and acrimony associated with competition took the place of the pre- vious harmony and cooperation. The town now laments "too many churches," too great a burden to give all proper support. Although there are now twelve places of regular worship it is very seldom at the evening service that the
1
-
--- ----------------- --- 1 1 i i 1 1
909
HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY
original Federated church would not accommodate more than all of the people that attend all of the churches.
As a community influence the Federated organization was a controlling factor. Everything it supported was put over successfully. People not in sym- pathy with church standards complained that the church dominated and con- trolled everything, which of course was true. On account of this Sunnyside was nicknamed "The Holy City."
While religion was given first place in importance to the town building it was a good ally in material ways. Sunnyside has led in schoolhouse building and curriculum, substantial business blocks, street and road improvement, and in irrigation and drainage development.
STEPHEN J. HARRISON.
One of the best known among the early builders in the lower Valley has been named in an earlier chapter as the first teacher in Prosser. This is Mrs. Emma Cobb Warnecke. Not only as the first teacher, but as one of the genu- ine builders of the early community, this woman, still in vigorous health, a blessing to her neighbors and full of good works, has kindly prepared a sketch which we take pleasure in introducing here.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.