History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I, Part 84

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 84
USA > Washington > Kittitas County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 84
USA > Washington > Yakima County > History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I > Part 84

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).

Besides the public schools and the Normal School, there have been two private schools worthy of mention. One of these was the Presbyterian Acad- emy. That institution was organized in 1884 by Rev. James Laurie, pastor of the Presbyterian Church. A fund of $1,300 was raised for the purpose of equipping the school, $500 being contributed by the people of the town and the remainder by the church board. With the means provided the promoters of the academy purchased the public school building, adapting it to the new use. The academy was maintained some ten years, being quite a center of light and learning to the young people of the community, until with the improved and larger life of the public schools it became plain that any private academy could no longer hold its own. The building was therefore made part of the Presby- terian Church, and it fulfills that function to this day.

There is now in existence in Ellensburg, a Roman Catholic School for pri- mary scholars. This is Lourdes Academy. It is housed in a very comfortable and attractive brick building and is well patronized and sustained. It is under the general charge of Father Luytin, pastor of the Catholic Church. The principal is Sister Angelas.

CHURCHES OF ELLENSBURG

There seem to be somewhat varying statements as to the priority in church organization. Our constant and reliable authority, Mr. Gerrit d'Ablaing, tells us that Rev. Robert Hatfield of the Methodist Church was the first minister in Ellensburg, but that the Presbyterian Church was the first to be organized and to maintain regular services. That was in 1879. Rev. Father Aloysius Parrodi of the Catholic Church, is quoted in the "History of Central Washington" as saying that he held the first Roman Catholic services in Kittitas County. In that year Father Parrodi built a small church about two miles south of Ellens- burg. In 1885 he built the church still used by his denomination in the city. In 1887 Father Parrodi was succeeded by Father Custer, and he, in turn, by Father Sweens in 1895.

The first pastor of the Presbyterian Church was J. R. Thompson, and the church was organized July 20, 1879. We find in the little pamphlet history of Ellensburg gotten out by the sixth grade children of the Edison School (the information was derived from old-timers and is generally found correct) the assertion that Mr. David Thomas was the first preacher and that he was a Presbyterian. Rev. James Laurie was the second Presbyterian pastor during the period 1884-89, and during his pastorate the Ellensburg Academy was organized under the auspices of his church. The Methodist Church began at just about the same period as the Presbyterian. Rev. George W. Kennedy,

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one of the genuine frontier preachers, well known all over central and eastern Washington, from whose book, "Pioneer Campfires," we have made extracts in an earlier chapter, was in the Kittitas Valley very early, probably the earliest of any preacher, but not to have regular appointments.

It appears from some interesting records in "Pioneer Campfires" that Mr. Kennedy held church services in the Kittitas Valley as early as 1873. We take from that book an extract centering around the famous Indian, Smohalla "the Dreamer":

"Across on the Columbia at Priest Rapids, there was the Smohalla band of about 500. Then Chief Moses and his band were just a little beyond, on the Wenatchee.

"During all the early settlement, there was constant alarm. The Spring of '73 the Modoc War came on. The Indians all over the interior were uneasy, and many of them took the 'warpath.'

"At the culmination of the battle at the lava beds those treacherous Modocs proposed a treaty, and General Canby, Doctor Thomas, Agent Dyer, and Super- intendent Meacham went out to treat with the Indians. But Captain Jack and those four others, came with concealed weapons, and at a signal struck down and murdered the peace commission. This inflamed the whole Indian popula- tion of the Northwest. At this time I must go to the upper valley and meet my appointments, forty miles away, and through the Indians' range, without a single settler. Dodging through as best I could, I found the people badly scared and ready to fort up. Old Chief Smohalla and his band of 200 had come over from Priest Rapids and were camped within the Valley.

"INTO THE HOSTILE CAMP"

"All the people came out on Sunday. Monday came : something must be done to relieve the terrible strain. Accordingly, four of us saddled our horses and started for Smohalla's camp. We went unarmed, thinking it safer to meet them on square footing of friendship. We took them completely by surprise. We asked to see the chief. The Indians spoke in the jargon tongue, and told us to tie our horses and wait the appointment of Chief Smohalla. We took a position on a hill in the middle of their camp, and had a full view. Not long after we saw all the Indian men going down to the council tent. Then they sent out an escort for us.

"As we entered the door of that long wigwam, nearly every warrior was present, ranged on both sides, the chief at the rear end. He looked like a king. Stolid as a statue. He was the war leader of the Columbias. We thought of the treachery of the Modocs, but we could not back out now. On we went until just before the chief. He motioned us to stand there: then asked the reason for our coming. I spoke to him in jargon and explained the purpose for our meeting. Then said, we wanted first to preach a sermon to him and his people from the 'white man's book of heaven.'

"That seemed to relieve all apprehension on his part and such a stillness I never saw in any audience before. For the space of half an hour not a muscle moved ; not an eyelid quivered. Rigid attention.

"I then told them that our people had become alarmed, for they thought so large a band of Indians meant hostility. And that God had made us all

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brothers and not enemies. So the Great Father wanted us all to live together in peace on earth. Then the old chief spoke: 'If we are all brothers, why has the white man taken our lands from us? Has the white man any rights here in Kittitas that the Indian has any right to respect? The Indians came first.'

"Well, that was an unanswerable speech. But I excused the white man all possible. 'That we could plow and plant where they could not and still let them hunt and fish.' And I promised utmost friendship on the part of the white brothers.

"We gave them our hand shake and pronounced benediction of God on them, and Chief Smohalla agreed to accept that as the 'Pipe of peace.' We finally got a change of countenance in that stern face; his hearty farewell- 'Klose tillacum mika,' and then under those balm and fir trees we most devoutly thanked God for saving us from savage treachery, and rode away."

In a sketch prepared by Rev. J. S. Smith for the "History of Central Washington," it is asserted that the first Methodist sermon was preached in the schoolhouse by Rev. Robert Hatfield in the Spring of 1880. In Septem- ber of that year Rev. D. L. Spalding organized the first class, Dr. Newton Henton being leader. The first church building was erected during the pastor- ate of Rev. S. W. Richards. It received improvements and enlargements under Rev. Ira Wakefield and J. W. Maxwell.

The fire of 1889 destroyed both the parsonage and the church of the Metho- dist congregation. It has been estimated that 1,500 members have been received into the Methodist Church.

The first Christian Church came into existence in April, 1886. Rev. J. P. McCorkle was the first pastor. A church was at once erected and that has escaped the various disastrous fires and is still occupied. The next year Rev. J. E. Denton became pastor. At the expiration of his term several short terms followed until 1904, when Rev. C. H. Hilton was chosen to the pastorate. A second Christian Church was formed in 1900, the first pastor of which was Rev. W. M. Kenney. After meeting in various places for three years, the congregation built a church of their own in 1903. On January 19, 1919, the Christian denomi- nations dedicated a new brick church, thefinest in the town, costing $29,000, with seating capacity for five hundred.

The Baptist Church dates from 1887. In that year Rev. Mr. Reese organ- ized what became known as the First Baptist Church. In 1888 a building was provided and that is used at the present time. .

Services of the Episcopal Church had been held at intervals after 1883. In 1894 Bishop Lemuel Wells, one of the great organizers of eastern Wash- ington, organized a church of his denomination. In 1896, Rev. Andreas Bard, later of Walla Walla, and at the present time of Kansas City, one of the most brilliant orators ever known to the pulpit of the state, became first rector of the Episcopal Church, which became known as Grace Episcopal Church.

The churches named above constituted the permanent churches of Ellens- burg. There were several attempted church organizations which ultimately blended with the stronger churches. Among these was an early Congregational Church, which by a system of cooperation instituted by the Presbyterian and

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Congregational bodies, became merged with the Presbyterian, with the agree- ment that the Congregational denomination maintain a church at some other point which might absorb the Presbyterians. The Free Methodists and Men- nonites also had transient organizations. Lutheran churches were organized later and have been maintained to the present. There is a considerable body of negroes in Ellensburg and to meet their church needs an African Methodist Church was formed.

At the present date the churches and pastors are as follows: Grace Epis- copal, Rev. H. I. Oberholtzer; First Presbyterian, Rev. Paul J. Lux; First Methodist, Rev. W. B. Young; Christian, Rev. F. E. Billington ; First Baptist, Rev. C. R. Cleringer : Roman Catholic, Rev. Father Luyten; Good Hope Luth- eran, Rev. Ewald Kirst : African Methodist, Rev. C. B. Clements ; First Luth- eran, Rev. G. Blessum.

FRATERNAL AND MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES

Like other cities in the active-minded and well-educated state of Washing- ton, Ellensburg has its full quota of organizations for cultivating the fraternal, social, intellectual, and moral welfare of the community.

The usual fraternal orders came in with the town. The Masons were first in the field. Ellensburg Lodge No. 39 was organized in or just before 1880. In 1886 the Ellensburg Chapter No. 11, R. A. M., and the Temple Commandery No. 5, K. T., came into being. The Masons had a home of their own in 1888, a building very creditable to themselves and the young city, but the fire of 1889 robbed them of their pleasant quarters. A subsequent building was lost by reason of the financial stringency. The order has, however, maintained an active existence. At the present date the secretary is E. J. Lindberg.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows dates back to the year 1881. At that time Ellensburg Lodge No. 20 was established by the grand master of the state, G. T. McConnell. In 1884 the lodge laid out a cemetery on Craig's Hill. In 1890 Ellensburg Encampment No. 16 was founded, and at the same time Miriam Rebekah Lodge No. 25 was instituted. At the present date the three lodges are in active existence and their officers are as follows: Ellensburg Encampment, C. W. Turner, C. P .; F. M. Cheney, S. W .; W. P. Hiddleson, Scribe; Peter Garvey, Treasurer. Miriam Rebekah Lodge, Valentine Cheney, N. G .; Loella Winslow, V. G .: Emma J. Vincent, R. S .; Grace Shaw, Treas- urer. Ellensburg Lodge No. 20, R. L. Harris, N. G .: Herman Eyman, V. G .; W. P. Hiddleson, Secretary : W. A. Edmonson, Treasurer.

The Woodmen of the World are represented by Ellensburg Camp No. 88, founded in 1891. Alki Circle, Women of Woodcraft, was organized in 1900.

The Modern Woodmen of America have Ellensburg Camp No. 5,714, which came into being September 24, 1898. In 1902 Harmony Lodge No. 3,001, Royal Neighbors, came into existence.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen was organized in 1896 with Fra- ternal Lodge No. 70. In 1901 Cascade Lodge No. 37 was duly established.

In 1901, also, Ellensburg Aerie No. 120, Fraternal Order of Eagles, was established.

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The Knights of Pythias were organized at about the same date and have maintained one of the strongest fraternal societies in Ellensburg. At the pres- ent time their commander is Willian Freybarger and their secretary is Beck- with Hubbell. The Elks have also a strong society, in Ellensburg No. 1102. At this date Thomas Cunningham is secretary.

One of the organizations which beyond all others the people of this coun- try ought to and almost always do honor is the Grand Army of the Republic. In the nature of the case the days of this noble society are numbered and except for its heritages, which can never cease to pass down from generation to genera- tion, it must soon cease to be. It occupies, for that fact in part, but yet more for its unique and exalted character, a place alone in American estimation. Ellensburg Post No. 11, G. A. R., came into being April 25, 1884. The first officers of this post were as follows, and in giving these names it is interesting to remember that the list embraces not alone members of the Grand Army of the Republic, but also some of the genuine builders of the Kittitas country : Commander, J. L. Brown; senior vice-commander, H. D. Marwin; junior vice- commander, S. T. Packwood; surgeon, S. T. Mason; chaplain, J. D. Dammon ; quartermaster, D. Ford ; officer of the day, William Tillman; officer of the guard, B. Lewis; inside sentinel, J. J. Swett ; sergeant major, H. H. Swasey ; quartermaster sergeant, G. W. Carver; adjutant, J. C. Goodwin; other charter members, John A. Shoudy, J. W. Dixon, J. B. Swett, E. H. Love, J. Wilson, and H. Davies. One very interesting event in connection with the G. A. R. is the first Decoration Day, May 30, 1884. An account of this appears in the "Standard" of June 7th. The meeting was held in what seems to have been the usual public gathering place at that time, Elliott's Hall, and the orator of the day was Rev. James Laurie of the Presbyterian Church. At the date of this work, David Kinkaid is past commander of the Ellensburg G. A. R. An active Woman's Relief Corps is maintained, of which the president is Mrs. Martha Beddoes.

The women of Ellensburg are in the forefront in associations for the cul- ture and improved morality of the city.

Several women's clubs have served to keep an ever progressive movement of mind and taste so vital in a new region where, in the nature of things, art works and accumulations of objects of historical and cultural value are attain- able to a less degree than in old communities. The Friday Club was the earliest of the women's clubs, dating its origin to 1895. The Gallina Club was organized in 1900. Mrs. S. B. Weed was first president of the Gallina Club. The Ellens- burg Art Club was formed in 1900. Mrs. J. B. Davidson was first president.

A little later the Women's Municipal Society came into existence with the avowed, and in fact attained, aim of bettering the civic life of the city. It goes without saying that the general refinement and the usual high standard of life in Ellensburg owes much to these various organizations of the women of the city. That most active of all the politico-moral organizations of the women of the United States, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, has been well represented here. In 1887 a local society was formed, and Mrs. Emily Horn- beck was chosen president. Through the efforts mainly of the W. C. T. U. the (46)

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ornament and convenience of the drinking fountain in the center of the intersec- tion of Fifth and Pearl streets was provided.

The Ladies' Municipal Club has been in existence for many years and is in a very flourishing condition, with one hundred members.

The Daughters of the American Revolution was organized by Mrs. J. B. Davidson, who became the first regent in the Spring of 1918. The society be- gan with twenty-two members. The first work was to organize the first Red Cross Auxiliary in Kittitas, March 29, 1918. Twenty-five sewing circles were organ- ized with 250 members. In May, Mrs. Davidson was chosen to represent El- lensburg in the great Red Cross meeting in Portland. Following this, a chapter of the Red Cross was established at Ellensburg, and by the efforts of Mrs. Davidson and the Circle leaders, over $700 was raised by the women alone in membership fees, as a working fund for the new society.

Ellensburg has had, in addition to its societies, schools, and churches, the advantage of location on the main line of the Northern Pacific Railroad and, since 1909, of the Milwaukee Railroad, and that fact, together with the existence of a fine auditorium in the Normal School and of a first class small opera house, has made it possible to secure the best theatrical, operatic, musical and lyceum circuits and the best lecturers on educational, political, and general themes. Owing to the happy conjunction of suitable buildings and convenient transpor- tation facilities, Ellensburg has enjoyed all these forms of culture and enter- tainment unusual in a town of its size.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

In many respects the -organization which beyond all others reflects the life of a community and organizes that life for practical improvement is the Com- mercial Club or Chamber of Commerce. There may be towns which attain growth and prosperity and set goals of civic improvement well ahead without such bodies, but if so they are a peculiar phenomenon in history. The author has not discovered any such phenomenon. Usually towns rise or fall with the activity and progressiveness of their commercial organizations.

The first steps in the history of the commercial society of Ellensburg were taken in February, 1902. A meeting of citizens was held in the office of the city clerk. P. A. Getz was temporary chairman and J. C. Hubbell temporary secretary. After interchange of ideas and general discussion as to the nature and ains of the society, the meeting adjourned to February 26. A committee of which C. P. Graves was chairman had been appointed to solicit attendance at the forthcoming meeting. The committee performed its functions so well that when the 26th arrived a good attendance arrived with it. The committee on permanent organization rendered a report by its chairman, Ralph Kauffman, which after some modification was adopted. The "Ellensburg Club," as it was first called, came duly into the light of life. The following were the first execu- tive committee and officers: Executive committee, J. C. Hubbell, Mat Bartholet, James Ramsay and C. H. Stewart. President, R. B. Wilson; vice-president, H. W. Wager ; secretary, P. A. Getz; treasurer, E. H. Snowden.

Many questions of importance and interest to the vital needs of the com- munity were discussed and action taken upon them in the meetings of the "Ellens- burg Club." It must be noted, however, that it soon ceased to be the "Ellens-

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burg Club." On March 21, 1904, the name became the Kittitas County Com- mercial Club.

On May 11, 1906, action was taken to promote the inauguration of raising sugar beets and securing the erection of a sugar factory. The club was divided into two rival companies, the Hustlers and the Rustlers, for the purpose of work- ing up enthusiasm and enlisting farmers to raise beets and capitalists to build the factory. J. C. Hubbell was captain of the Hustlers and F. E. Craig was captain of the Rustlers. The list of each company as recorded in the minutes examined by the author is a practical directory of the community of that date, for substantially all the business and professional men of the town were in one or the other company.

The Hustlers were as follows: J. C. Hubbell, Dr. McCauley, Mat Bartho- let, B. A. Gault, J. W. Vanderbilt, R. A. Turner, S. Pearson, R. Lee Purdin, H. F. Blair, J. P. Flynn, A. C. Steinman, F. L. Calkins, James Ramsay, S. C. Boedcher, James Stevenson, S. P. Fogarty, J. C. Sterling, E. H. Snowden, J. A. Shoudy, A. T. Schultz, H. M. Baldwin, Oliver Hinman, S. W. Barnes, J. E. Ferrel, A. C. Spaulding, J. H. McDaniels, W. C. Reece, F. P. Wolff, F. Bossong, R. B. Wilson, L. E. Palmer, S. Kreidel, F. A. Home, P. Garvey, H. S. Kurtitz, R. Lee Barnes, B. F. Reed, Thomas Cody, Thomas Haley, J. B. Davidson, W. C. Hayward, F. C. Porter, F. J. Page.

That certainly made an imposing array, but it was well matched by the Rustlers. Their membership was: F. E. Craig, H. E. Thompson, C. W. John- son, P. H. Ross, C. S. Palmer, Ralph Kauffman, W. B. Price, E. S. Coleman, C. R. Honey, S. P. Wippel, C. H. Flummerfelt, Dr. J. A. Mahan, Andrew Oleson, O. W. Sinclair, Mitchel Stevens, G. E. Dickson, H. E. Dodd, H. L. Stowell, M. Cameron, W. H. Talbot, P. G. Fitterer, H. S. Elwood, Dr. Felch, T. H. Mc- Granahan, J. B. Fogarty, H. F. Nichols, W. H. Packwood, Herbert Williams, A. H. Stulfauth, E. G. Grindrod, H. W. Haley, W. F. Zetzsche, J. H. Wippel, C. O. Johnson, V. U. Blackmore, William Dignon, W. J. Robbins, E. D. Lamar, F. D. Scott, R. H. Stevens, E. J. Brain, W. D. Bruton. As a result of the efforts of the club, 1,278 acres for sugar beets were contracted for. The beets seem to have done well, but conditions in 1907 and onward were difficult financially, and in spite of a favorable outlook for beet sugar production, the factory has never been erected. It is one of the coming things "after the war."

The club initiated special efforts at the meeting of June 8, 1906, to secure the location of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad at Ellensburg. Favorable conditions for right of way and depot grounds were made and in 1909 that great transcontinental line completed its passage of the Columbia River, climbed the lofty ridge between the Columbia and the Kittitas Basin, clove Craig's Hill with a deep cut, and became a definite part of the transporta- tion instrumentalities of Kittitas. During the same period that the club was encouraging the location of the Milwaukee, it was providing for a readable and inviting pamphlet for publicity purposes, "Kittitas, the Land of Plenty." This fine advertisement of the resources and attractions of Kittitas was gotten out jointly by the Kittitas Club and the Cle Elum Commercial Club. In this con- nection the activity and progressive character of the business men of Cle Elum may well be noted.

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During a large part of the early history of the club, under two names, the secretary was P. H. W. Ross, and to his industry and vision the success of the club is largely attributable.

A very important meeting was held on June 8, 1908. This is noted in the minutes as "important, though irregular." It was not on a regular meeting night. It was called especially to discuss the location of the Milwaukee depot, with representatives of that road. At that meeting the club joined the Spokane Chamber of Commerce and appointed a committee to provide for a permanent exhibit at the Spokane Apple Show. The committee consisted of B. F. Reed, J. P. Flynn, T. T. Wilson, J. E. Farrell and S. P. Wippel. There was still an- other interesting feature of that exceptionally important meeting. J. C. Hub- bell, then president of the club, made an address, welcoming the city council, who were present in a body, setting forth the purpose of the club to co-operate with the city officials in promoting the welfare of the town, and especially at that time in beautification of it. Mayor W. J. Peed responded in a like cordial spirit, making special mention of improved fire protection just then provided.

On August 17, 1908, another important step was taken. The name was changed to Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce. At that meeting provision was made for the purchase and distribution of a thousand copies of the Kittitas num- ber of the "Coast Magazine," a valuable number to which we are indebted for some of the facts used in this work.

At the time of adoption of the new name a new constitution was provided. As indicating the organization under which the Chamber has been carrying on its work for ten years this constitution may well find a permanent place in this volume. We accordingly include it at this point.

CONSTITUTION OF THE ELLENSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Article I.

Name. The name of the corporation shall be the "Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce."

Article II.

Aim. The aim of the corporation shall be to originate and further every possible movement looking to the improvement and enlargement of the material resources and activities of the city of Ellensburg and county of Kittitas, Wash- ington.

Article III.

Members. The members of this corporation shall be the signers of the constitution, and such other persons as may be elected in accordance with the by- laws to be hereafter adopted.

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History of the Yakima Valley, Washington; comprising Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton Counties, Vol. I, Part 84

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