History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I, Part 56

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1134

USA > Washington > Benton County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 56
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 56
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 56

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YAKIMA COMMERCIAL CLUB

Perhaps the best index of any city, particularly in a new country, is its Commerecial Club, or Chamber of Commerce, or whatever it may be named.

Yakima's progress may in large measure be attributed to the activity and intelligence of its Commercial Club. It has given initiative and direction to the citizenship of the city in connection with the great enterprises and public move- ments from stage to stage of development.

The genesis of the Commercial Club may be said to have been in the Yakima Club of 1890. The governing board of that organization consisted of William Ker, Edward Whitson, Fred R. Reed, R. M. Vance and Dr. Elmer E. Heg.

Through the kindness of O. C. Soots, who became secretary in October, 1918, the best qualified to render such valuable aid, we are able to include here an authoritative sketch of the history of this vital organization.

Looking back over the history and accomplishments of the Yakima Com- mercial Club, one feature stands out most prominently and that is a record of work well done under adverse and sometimes embarrassing financial conditions.

During a quarter of a century the club has been a potent influence in the upbuilding of the Yakima Valley and there has scarcely been any movement marking a progressive step by the community that the organization has not either fostered or initiated. Nor do the records reveal a single instance where its indorsement or financial support has been given to an unworthy enterprise.

It was in 1893 that a few moving spirits got together and conceived the idea of a club designed to look after the business interests of Yakima-then not

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CALLAHAN CO. KG

Masonic Temple

MASONIC TEMPLE, YAKIMA

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HISTORY OF YAKIMA VALLEY

much more than a wide spot in the road-to lend assistance to the struggling farmer and stockman, and to lay the foundation for a city whose importance as a trade center would extend throughout central Washington. Such men as J. D. Medill, present postmaster ; E. F. Benson, state commissioner of agriculture : A. B. Weed, George Donald and W. L. Steinweg had a vision that some day the rich soil of the Yakima Valley would yield abundant returns from well watered fruit, vegetable and grain tracts, and consequently, to achieve results, there should be cooperative effort put forth through a wide-awake Commercial Club such as then existed in but five cities of the state.

Accordingly negotiations were opened with the Yakima Social Club for the purchase of its lease, furniture and equipment of quarters on the third floor of the building now occupied by the Star Clothing Company at Second and Main streets, and which was at that time perhaps the chief temple of trade and commerce in the bailiwick of North Yakima. And be it known that the Social Club was no ordinary Lime Kiln affair, for its initiation fee was $100 and its membership was composed of the most influential business men and farmers of the valley. On its roster were some blue-blooded aristocrats from England and some early settlers who literally had money to burn.

It is said that details of the transaction were largely left to Mr. Benson, who, with his usual trading sagacity, bargained for the furnishings and lease for $1,000, with the understanding that each Social Club member in good stand- ing would be given a paid-up membership for one year in the Yakima Con- mercial Club. And so it came about that in the Fall of 1893 the Yakima Social Club was absorbed by the new organization, which started off with nearly 300 members and with club quarters second to none in the Inland Empire. Col. W. F. Prosser, who died several years ago, was the first president and J. M. Gilbert, secretary. It was for the former the town of Prosser was named. Mr. Gilbert was a prosperous Nob Hill rancher who later removed to Syracuse. New York.

Official records of the club for a number of years are missing but it seems from talks with several of the older members that most of its energies and resources were devoted to the exploitation of this "Garden Spot of Plenty" with a view to attracting desirable homeseekers and investors, and in this work it was very successful.

When the Clogg Building was completed on Yakima Avenue in 1901. rooms had been especially designed and furnished for use of the club. Here enlarged accommodations made it possible to broaden the scope of activities and extend the social features of the organization. Many projects for the better- ment of the valley, such as irrigation, good roads, more scientific methods of fruit growing, etc., were promoted. Office executives during this period were Charles F. Bailey, who succeeded Mr. Gilbert; Fred Chandler, now one of the most successful auto dealers in the state, and who holds the record for length of service, having been on the job from 1897 to 1905; H. P. James, club secre- tary for five years and who, as a token of esteem for faithful and efficient serv- ice, was made a life member by vote of the board of governors. Upon the resig- nation of Mr. James, Dr. J. F. Barton was chosen as his successor in March, 1912. On account of ill health, Doctor Barton was obliged to quit after serving

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one month. Since that time the position of managing secretary has been filled by the following gentlemen in the order given: G. S. Ware, April, 1912, to March, 1913; W. B. Owen, to August, 1914; J. A. Harader, to July, 1916; H. Y. Saint, to August, 1917; W. W. Stratton, one month; C. A. Foresman, to June, 1918; Thomas B. Hill, to September, 1918.

From 1896 to date the administrative affairs of the club have been guided by Presidents Edward Whitson, Alex Miller, O. A. Fechter, George Donald, Dan Lesh, W. L. Lemon, H. C. Lucas, R. W. Rundstrom, H. Y. Saint, H. H. Lom- bard, Frank Horsley, James Leslie, W. A. Bell, R. B. Williamson, Robert Prior, R. D. Rovig, R. K. Tiffany.

Present officers of the club are: R. K. Tiffany, president ; W. B. Auda, treasurer ; Orpheus C. Soots, secretary. In addition to the officers the board of trustees is composed of A. H. Huebner, C. R. McKee, W. L. Dimmick, D. H. French, A. J. Gladson, J. T. Harrah, H. J. Medill, J. K. Arrowsmith, L. A. Dash, and Frederick Mercy, the first four being vice-presidents.

In January, 1912, an important epoch was entered when the club moved from the Clogg Building to the new Masonic office building at the corner of Fourth and Yakima, where a long lease had been secured on the entire fourth floor. Shortly thereafter a reorganization was effected under the bureau and budget plan. New furniture and equipment was installed at a cost of more than $3,000 and later a card room and billiard room were added to the amuse- ment features and the floor space remodeled in such a way as to provide one of the largest and most modern club quarters in the Northwest. Two hundred persons can be comfortably seated in the assembly room, which can be entirely shut off from other departments, and which is equipped with leather uphol- stered chairs, floor covering and lighting fixtures of the best quality. Here it is that nearly all community meetings are held, averaging one for every week- day in the year.

In March, 1913, the club began an active campaign for a road across the Cascade Mountains and, through Congressman Warburton and interested communities, finally succeeded in getting adequate federal and state aid for the Snoqualmie Pass highway. Other matters coming up for consideration during 1912-13 included closer cooperation between fruit growers and shippers, inter- est from the carriers on deferred claims, better trackage and transportation facilities, more thorough fruit inspection and many other things of benefit to the orchardist and small farmer; joined with the city in a movement for a new sewer system ; sought and obtained a reduction in long-distance telephone rates; backed the passage by the legislature of a new water code harmonizing and simplifying the then existing irrigation laws. In addition to these far-reaching activities, the club in January, 1913, sent to Olympia a committee consisting of H. Y. Saint, L. O. Meigs, Alex Miller, N. C. Richards and A. J. Splawn, with full authority to represent the city in the matter of an armory appropriation, State Fair appropriation, and legislation on horticulture. Concrete results attest the success of this committee.

But space is too limited to attempt even a brief summary of the manifold undertakings by the Commercial Club in the last seven years. Suffice to say it has not only succeeded in bringing to the valley the beet sugar and fruit by-

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products industries, but has assisted every worth-while movement having for its object the upbuilding of town and country. Aside from the fact that it has carried on a systematic program of material development, the club has devoted most of its energies since the declaration of war to those things which rendered essential aid to our government, and it is now working on fixed plans that will facilitate the gigantic task of reconstruction when the Hun has finally sur- rendered.

THE STATE FAIR

One of the most important institutions of the Yakima Valley is the State Fair. A brief sketch of its history may fittingly find a place at this point.

The first popular movements in the direction of annual exhibits of the products of the region carry us back to the days of old Yakima City. Legh R. Freeman, publisher of "Freeman's Farmer," prior to the incoming of the rail- road and the removal to the new town, was one of the constant advocates of a local fair.

In 1890 and onward the previous rudimentary fairs-some of them too elaborate to be termed rudimentary-led to a concentration of efforts to secure action by the legislature for locating a State Fair at Yakima. There was, of course, as always in such cases, a good deal of "pulling and hauling" in the legislature, but public opinion throughout the state rapidly grew to the consen- sus that Yakima was unquestionably the place for such an institution. The bill providing for it was introduced by Representative Webb of King County. It provided for an agricultural fair for promoting agriculture, stock-raising, horticulture, mining, mechanical industries, etc. The bill provided that exhibi- tions be given at or near North Yakima, beginning the last Monday in Septem- ber of each year and continuing five days. A board of seven commissioners was provided for, and this board was authorized to purchase not less than a hundred and twenty acres of land (at first two hundred acres) as near North Yakima as possible, for grounds and buildings. An appropriation of $40,000 was made for use in 1893, with an additional $10,000 for the next year. This bill, with considerable amendment greatly reducing appropriation, was passed, received the governor's signature, and became a law on March 15, 1893.

In the Summer and Fall of 1893 Yakima County raised $10,000 by taxa- tion with which land was purchased and deeded to the state. This land became the permanent location and upon it have been erected the buildings and struc- tures which now have become an imposing array, built partly by state appro- priations, but mainly by Yakima County and city. A valuable communication from E. F. Benson, state commissioner of agriculture, for a long time a resi- dent of the Yakima country, and one of the foremost builders of the state, is incorporated at this point. This communication, under date of December 14, 1918, has been prepared for special use in this work :

Chapter 134, Session Laws of 1893, provides as follows: Section 1, that the public good requires to be and hereby is established, a state institution by the name of the "State Fair of Washington;" section 2, that it is the object and purpose of this resolution to promote and further the advancement of all agricultural, stock-raising, horticultural, mining, mechanical and industrial pur-

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suits in this state, etc .; section 6, the State Fair Association which located the buildings, track, etc., for State Fair purposes on a tract of land containing not less than 120 acres, to be in one solid block of good soil with ample water, as level and conveniently located near the railroad shipping point at North Yakima, providing said tract of land is donated to the state of Washington, etc. Ten thousand dollars was appropriated in 1893. The State Fair was under the man- agement of a board of State Fair commissioners appointed by the governor, until six years ago, when the legislature created the department of agriculture, abolished the State Fair commissioners, and placed the general management and direction of the Fair under the commissioner of agriculture.

My memory is that only one State Fair has been missed since 1893, and that was in 1894, when the money having been used up for the previous session. a few active members of the Commercial Club of North Yakima put on a local or district fair. I remember very well the members of that committee. They were Mr. O. A. Fechter, chairman of our committee, the late Edward Whitson, Mr. Frank Horsley and myself. We started with ten dollars, donated by a cit- izen of Yakima to pay postage and everybody donated his time, and we cer- tainly did have one of the best district fairs I have ever attended.

Mr. A. B. Weed of North Yakima was the member of the legislature from Yakima County when the fair was secured. I remember very well the enthusi- asm which he had for the enterprise at the time, and his argument as to the great benefit it would be in developing the agricultural resources of all that portion of the state, especially that more nearly tributary or available to North Yakima. Among the most active directors who have assisted in building up the fair were the late A. J. Splawn and Mr. J. E. Shannon. Mr. Shannon was on the board for several years, and was secretary for a number of years.

The feature of outstanding importance at this time is that the fair during the past two years has very nearly paid its own way outside of the improve- ments and betterments to the property and the purchase of machinery and equip- ment. The gross receipts from the fair have come within about $2,000 of pay- ing all of the expense during the past two years. The attendance this year was approximately fifty thousand and the gross receipts were approximately $35.000 for the past year.

The educational features of the fair are being developed and during the past year $11,000 was expended in constructing an auditorium building equipped with moving picture facilities. A more cordial cooperation with the state col- lege exists now than perhaps at any previous time and the value of the fair in connection with the state college extension work and the various agricultural clubs is becoming one of the very important features of the fair. This year (1918) twenty-six counties of the state were represented by these clubs. The good roads development of our state is the chief foundation underlying the suc- cess of our State Fair. During September when the fair is held, there is no part of the state whose people can not reach the fair by automobile within a little more than one day, and with the continued good roads improvement, we feel very sure that the State Fair is just beginning a period of wonderful suc- cess. It has heretofore been looked upon by many districts of the state as being a local Yakima Valley institution. It has now, I think, for the first time, estab-

Y. M. C. A. BUILDING, YAKIMA

ELKS TEMPLE, YAKIMA

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lished its reputation as being a state institution and not merely a Yakima Valley affair. The building up of livestock and the assistance of the State College Extension Department are two of the most important features of the fair just now. We hope for a more general exhibit of the state's resources hereafter- not only agricultural, but mineral, fisheries and manufactures as well.

Very truly yours, E. F. BENSON,

Commissioner of Agriculture, per F. H. GLOYD, Secretary.

To give a view of the fair of 1918, interesting for readers of years to come, we incorporate here the reports in the "Evening Republic" of September 20, 1918, and the "Morning Herald" of the next day :

"Republic," September 20, 1918:

RIOT OF FUN HIERALDS INVASION OF FAIR GROUNDS BY ELKS AND THEIR FRIENDS First heat of the free-for-all pace went to Lady Hal, in 2:081/2 ; May Davis, second, and Mack Fitzsimmons third.

Lady Hal won the second heat of the first race in 2:0814; Mack Fitzsim- mons, second, and May Davis, third.

Red Star won the first heat in the 2:19 trot, for which the purse is $500, in 2:091/2. Cavalier Gale was second, Complete third.

Second heat of the second race-Cavalier Gale, first, in 2:0814; Red Star second ; Bonfire, third.

Elks, Elks, everywhere-and not a one to shoot! That's the situation at the State Fair today. Elks' Day, where the members of the herd have gathered for their annual riot of fun and to run the annual Elks' Derby, always the chief social event of the races.

Neither town nor fair crowd was left in doubt as to the character of the day. Promptly at 12:30 the Elks' horn band, led by L. G. Hays, as color-bearer, and followed by a delegation of Elks carrying the order's multi-starred service flag, left the temple to parade up and down Yakima Avenue. Upon their re- turn to the temple the parade line formed again, this time with the band from the United States Naval Training station at its head, and left for the Fair- grouds. Most of the Elks chose the pleasanter alternative of going by automo- bile, so the band was followed by a long line of automobiles, most of which were gay with the national colors and the Elks' emblems.

TOMORROW IS PATRIOTIC DAY

Commandant Miller Freeman of the Training Station, and Miss Pauline Turner, a Bremerton yeomanette, who is here to sing with the band, were in the honor place at the head of the line and were greeted with the cheers and applause which have marked the course of the Naval band wherever that joy- ous aggregation of young sailors has appeared.

Tomorrow, the closing day of the Fair, will be Patriotic day. Great as has

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been the success of the Fair so far, Secretary Frank Meredith promises that it will pass into history in a final blaze of glory occasioned by the fireworks which will mark the end of the Fair. From Governor Lister to the least employe of the Fair, all are convinced that the 1918 Fair is The Fair, insofar as this state is concerned.

FAIR OFFICIALS PLEASED

"Certainly this is the best Fair I have seen in Yakima," said Governor Lister, after viewing the display yesterday. "While some of the departments are not as strongly represented as they have been in the past, the fair is better balanced, the displays are more diversified, the interest in the fair is greater, and it is more educational. It is a fine thing for the farmers of the state to come here and get the lessons which one may derive from the fair and, at the same time, have a wonderfully enjoyable day. No one who sees the 1918 fair has any doubt but what it is a State Fair."

Commissioner E. F. Benson is as enthusiastic and a bit more boyish in his exurberant expression of it. "Yes, sire-ee!" he says, "this is some fair. Why, I'm almost satisfied myself. Of course we'll have a bigger and better fair next year-that goes without saying-but this year's fair is the biggest and best yet !"

E. E. Flood, of Spokane, and Dr. Granville Lowther, members of the State Fair advisory board, are ready to add their forceful commendations to the general praise chorus for the 1918 exhibition which has attracted more people than any previous State Fair ever held here.

ATTENDANCE KEEPS UP

"Well," exclaimed Auditor F. B. Fuller last evening after the 5 o'clock check-up on admissions at both gates, "this certainly beats anything I ever saw ! Between 8 o'clock yesterday morning-Governor's Day-and 5 o'clock in the evening, 6,500 cash admissions were recorded between the two gates.

"This showing for nine hours demonstrates that every day this year has been in advance of the corresponding day in 1917, at which time the gates showed for this same date 9,082 for the entire day and night run. In the 6,500 of today we are not including the admissions by season ticket nor the night shift after 5 o'clock. Since there were something like 1,500 season tickets sold, it is easily seen that we have beaten our own record of a year ago."

RESULTS OF THE RACES

Results of yesterday's races are :

Bertie Seattle won the final heat of the 2:24 pace in 2:1014; Joe McK., second; Baron Regent, third.

Dean Swift won the second heat of the special race in 2:0814; Wallace Hal, second ; May Davis, third.

Dean Swift won the third heat of the special race in 2:081/2; Guy Boy, sec- ond; Wallace Hal, third.

The third race, a $200 selling event for a purse of $75, three furlongs, was won by On Parole in 36 seconds; Shortcut, second; Passe 2d, third.

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The fourth event, a $200 selling race for a purse of $150, was won by Far Cathay, in 1:43; Leo H., second; Hazel C., third.

The track was fast and the animals in fettle. The performance of Bertic Seattle brought forth much admiration from the horse lovers present. On Pa- role has taken two races, and he, too, attracted considerable attention. Old horsemen say that he is a sure comer.

BENTON COUNTY EXHIBIT

Benton County, first over the top in the contest of county exhibits, has a wonderful display not only as to diversity, quantity and arrangements, but in quality as well. A sunburst, the slanting rays of which are represented by tall sheaves of wheat, oats, barley and grasses, with three half-circles of red and white grapes, the lower half circle of which is made from Flame Tokays, and behind all this a lighted electric lamp, forms the nucleus of the exhibit, which occupies a space of 30 by 15 feet.

The display is made up of six varieties of field corn, three varieties of sugar corn, three varieties of popcorn, eighteen varieties of dry grain, ten varieties of fresh grains, fourteen varieties of forage crops, five varieties of wild grasses. There are twenty-seven varieties of fruit, besides melons, squashes, pumpkins, egg plant, hops, corn, spuds, sweet potatoes, sugar beets and mangels, as well as a varied assortment of turnips, carrots, parsnips, tomatoes, pie citron, string beans and some delicious strawberries.

Among those who donated the exhibits and otherwise helped to make the display the success it is, are: Fred Servoss, Henry Page, S. M. Ross, Fred Johnson, Joseph Martin, Mrs. Mary A. Ross, Mrs. T. J. Chalcraft, William Starkey, Guy Heberling, E. N. Loveland and R. E. Carpenter.

SECOND COUNTY DISPLAY

Pierce County's display, the winner of the second prize in the contest, in charge of County Horticultural Commissioner Henry Huff and William B. Hawthorne, is the regulation shelf-style exhibit, but is nonetheless creditable. Mr. Huff says most emphatically that if it were not for a sheaf of grain which was lost and which cost five points, Pierce County would have won the first prize-yes, sir-ee!

There are thirty-five varieties of grains and seeds, twenty varieties of fruits and ninety varieties of vegetables, all of which are in a splendid state of preservation. There are six celery plants of special beauty from Puyallup and two boxes of curly kale from the same place. There are many varieties of ferns and Chinese wall flowers grown in Pierce County; eleven varieties of potatoes which look hard to beat, but good to eat ; blackberries, raspberries, beets, man- gels, five varieties of field and three varieties of sugar corn; the grain on dis- play scored 98 points in bundles and 100 in sheathed grains. Those who con- tributed to the success of the exhibit with displays of various kinds are : William Shultz and Jacob Stelling of Puyallup ; G. W. Richards of Steilacoom, Henry Benthien of Fife, Mrs. Catherine Hawthorne and a sister, Miss Anderson, of Sumner, and also the Commercial clubs of Tacoma, Puyallup and Sumner.

"Herald," September 21, 1918:

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Yakima people have loyally supported the Washington State Fair this year. The largest attendance this week was on Yakima day, though Thursday's total was 10,301, including Seattle and Spokane visitors. Yesterday the at- tendance fell off considerably, more noticeable on account of immense crowds the previous days. The check at both gates up to 5 o'clock was 3,607 paid ad- missions.

During the afternoon the Elks made merry in the grandstand with a saucy band, which ran in competition with the United States Naval Band, which in turn responded to their fun.

Several stunts were pulled by the Elks. Several of them assisted in lead- ing the stock as it paraded on the race course back and forth past the grand- stand. One of the stunts pulled off by the Elks was the attempt of a number of men to ride the burro Jazzbo. Hal Bowen, by taking ahold of the burro's ears and buckling his feet under the animal succeeded in staying the longest and won the five dollar prize that was offered. This was turned over to the Red Cross.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I, Part 56

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920 Publication date: 1919 Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 1134

Author: Lyman, William Denison, 1852-1920
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: [Chicago] S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1134