USA > Washington > Spokane County > Spokane > History of the city of Spokane and Spokane County, Washington : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 47
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"A man by the name of Adams late in the season of '83 burned the brick for the old Gonzaga College. Adams was up a stump for a hand moulder and it looked for a while that he would not be able to get his brick made that year. We had a good moulder, a Colfax boy by the name of Monte Bickford, that we were paying $90.00 a month and board. Monte went over to Adams' yard to see how the clay worked. He found that it moulded first-class and came back and reported. He also said that the fathers over there offered him $5.00 and board to do the mould- ing. but that he had hired for the season to us and he did not want to break bar- gain. I told him to take it in and I would do the moulding on our yard for tln. rest of the season. Monte went to college, and moulded up all the material that had been hauled up from the bank of the river to the site of the prospective build- ing. The old building still stands and it was moved a few years ago a consider- able distance from its original site and planted down on a new foundation that stands square with the North Star, which is more than the first foundation did.
"But I am getting ahead of my story. The building was put up next year and I have still to mention that among the buildings put up in 1883 were the First National Bank, the Union block situated across Howard street from said bank, Henry French's block, Jamieson block, and the Browne block on the corner of Riverside and Post. Over 1,500,000 brick were laid in the wall in 1883 and the town for the first time was overbuilt. There were all kinds of vacancies and it was about two years before there was much more done in the way of brick-building
"In 1881 I was the only one in the brick-making business and the only build- ing that went up was the Gonzaga College building. Henry Brook and Preusse. the architect, were the officers in charge, and both of them took a hand with the trowel in its construction. There was about 250,000 brick used in the building.
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As between the rival cities of Spokane Falls and Cheney, 1884 was Cheney's round.
"1885 opened hard on your humble servant. A prospective gas works eamt to town that was all gas of the foulest kind. The promoters bargained for a lot from J. N. Glover on the corner of Washington and Front avenue. They also bargained for briek, lumber and everything needed for the construction of the works. The building was pushed along until it was about half completed, when the promoters started out over town to sell stock in the concern, but the gentle public would not bite, as the unfortunate material men had done. The promoters then rolled up their tent like an Arab and hied away. They had paid for noth- ing, neither lot, material, board nor lodgings.
"About the time they left a terrifie thunderstorm hit these parts and laid my brickyard in ruin. While it was drying up I went to town to try to get some sym- pathy and other necessities, when the cheering news was gently broken to me that the gas works people had cleared out. I went over to the works and found that nearly all of about 100,000 brick that I had sent in were in the walls ; there might have been 5,000 left still in the pile. As I was standing there viewing the ruin, wishing that 1 was possessed of an 'anathema of power so dread as to blend the living with the dead,' to send after the scoundrels that had just been working here. 1 saw Frank Johnson, contractor, and a priest coming across the street to where I was. 'Now,' says I to myself, 'if that priest would only go by on the other side I perhaps could get Frank to help me do some cussing;' but this was not the priest that ever went by on the other side, and this time to me he proved to be the good Samaritan himself. Johnson introduced me to him, Father Jacquet. I told my tale of woe to the reverend gentleman and he told me by way of consolation that I was just the man he wanted to see, that he wanted a whole lot of brick to build a church on Main avenue, about a couple of blocks away. He bought the brick lying at the works and enough more to put the church up. If I remember aright, he advanced me some money. Anyway, when [ parted with him I had prae- tically forgotten all about the late buffetings of the evil one.
"Later in the season of '85 I sold D. M. Drumheller brick for a residence on the corner of Second and Mill streets, and Mr. Van Valkenburg for his bloek adjoin- ing the Jamieson block on Riverside avenue.
"In 1886 I moved my plant from Latah creek up to the present location of Cannon Hill Park. Henry Brook and I bought eighty aeres of land up there from Calvin Robertson. Mr. Brook had forty acres adjoining which he had bought some time before from W. D. Parks. We paid $30 an aere for one of our forties and $50 for the other. Mr. Brook handled all of the brick I made, using most of them himself for the buildings for which he contracted. Among the buildings that he erected this year were the Keats block, corner Riverside and Howard. the old Hyde bloek, adjoining, and the First Presbyterian church on the present site of the Review building. This year, with one hand moulder I made over 1,000,- 000 brick. I moulded the last two months myself, which was the last of my hand moulding. In this year N. Triplet. my first co-worker that stayed in the clay- working eraft for any length of time, started operations. His yard was first located on Downer's ranch, or the present location of Liberty Park. Wm. Reddy ran a yard for several seasons on the same site some time after. Next year Triplet
SPOKANE AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
moved down to Hangman creek to the site of one of my old yards and he stayed in the business altogether for nearly twenty years. when he retired. He made and burned many millions and made brick for a good many of the substantial blocks put up after the big fire. Ile turned out a good, shapely, well-burned brick while he was in the business.
"In 1887 the first machines were introduced into Spokane for the manufacture of brick. That year I made 3,000,000 brick and burned them. There was great difficulty in early days in getting skilled help, and that year so much of the higher mysteries of the craft fell to my lot that I overworked myself and my health broke down. I did all of the burning in the daytime along with my other work, and also put in a good many nights. The burner that I had hired for the season had gone insane and was committed a short time before the yard started, and I could not get one to take his place. Early in 1888 I sold out all of my interests in the business, including the land, to Mr. Brook, and took the season off for rest and repairs.
"Mr. Brook ran the yard under the superintendence of George B. M. Rambo. and after a short time sold out to two men from the east, Messrs. Spear and Belt. Belt went out of the business that year, and Messrs. Brook and Spear formed the company that certainly came to stay, the Washington Brick and Lime Company. Mr. Brook died some years ago, but Mr. Spear is still at the head of one of the greatest industries of the northwest and a clay-working establishment of national note. Its history is written and is being written on tablets of clay. Nothing on earth can stand the guawings of the tooth of time like well-burned clay.
"In 1889 I came back to the business, taking in Mr. P. Erickson as partner. We have burned up a whole lot of wood and mother earth since that time and are still turning out our ware. J. C. Truitt came to town this year and started a brick- yard adjoining us. He stayed in the business five or six years.
"After the big fire of August 1, 1889, brickmakers crowded into Spokane from all over the United States. Next year there must have been about two dozen con- corns pouring brick into the city by wagon and rail. The business was entirely overdone and the burg was as badly overbuilt that year, which, of course, resulted in the inevitable and world-old struggle among the clayworkers, the survival of the fittest, and in about two years after, when the smoke of battle had cleared away, only the four old firms that were here before the fire, though 'much dilapi- dated, were still in the ring.' A still harder battle was on hand, however-those terrible years of the panie of '93. Three of the old yards survived those: The Washington Brick & Lime Company. N. Triplet, and J. T. Davie & Co. I think it was in '95 that we were the only outfit that moved a wheel."
CHAPTER XXXVIII CONCISE REVIEW OF TOWN, 1874 TO 1887
H. T. COWLEY ARRIVES WITH BAND OF NEZ PERCE HELPERS-APPEARANCE OF VILLAGE IN 1871-INDIAN SCARE-POW-WOW IN FRONT OF GLOVER'S STORE-FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT ORGANIZED-ELECTION IN GLOVER'S HOUSE- FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE AND SUPPER-NEZ PERCE INDIAN WAR-ARRIVAL OF TROOPS RELIEVES TIIE TENSION- BROWNE AND CANNON ARRIVE-GRAND OPENING OF THE CALIFORNIA HOUSE- CHENEY CAPTURES THE COUNTY SEAT -- FIRST BRICK BUILDING -- INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN-CITIZENS CELEBRATE ARRIVAL OF NORTHERN PACIFIC, 1881-SPO- KANE'S FIRST BIG FIRE-RUSH TO THE COEUR D'ALENES-LAST SPIKE DRIVEN IN N. P .- CITY ACQUIRES THE WATER SYSTEM-DEVELOPMENTS IN COLVILLE COUNTRY- PIONEER STREET RAILWAY-SPOKANE REGAINS COUNTY SEAT.
BY II. T. COWLEY
1 T WAS a radiant day in the month of June, 1871, when the writer, aecom- panied by four or five young Nez Perce Indians as helpers and guides, halted for a few moments on the bluff south of the falls, to admire the indescribable quiet and beauty of the groves of pine which interspersed to the dreamy murmur of the cataract. Descending, they pitched their eamp opposite the upper rapids, and laved their dust-begrimed faees in the limpid river. After a brief rest, the writer sought the little settlement which had preceded him one year, and found it to consist of Mr. and Mrs. James N. Glover, and Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus F. Yeaton and their charming little daughter Luella. The sum total of the embryo hamlet consisted of two "box" structures built continnous, one of which was oeeupied by Mr. and Mrs. Glover as a domicile, and the other as a store kept by Mr. Yeaton, with living rooms in the rear. These were the nucleus and headquarters. Besides. there were a couple of transient families who were helpers in the rather rnde saw- mill built on the site of the Phoenix mill of today.
This mill and a few lumbermen's rude shanties Mr. Glover had found in the spring of 1873, on his first prospecting trip into the Spokane country, attracted by the probable selection of the new Northern Pacific railroad company of the Spo- kane valley as the outlet from the Rocky mountains of their great transcontinental route. The mill had been erceted the previous year by S. R. Scranton, J. J. Down- ing and Mr. Benjamin, to supply the expected demand for building material which the early advent of the Northern Paeifie road would naturally ereate. The collapse of the great enterprise in its incipiency was a blight to the hopes of these hardy Vol. I -- 24
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pioneers, and one of the firm, Mr. Scranton, was rather solicitously avoiding an interview with the sheriff. This state of affairs was becoming disagreeable to the little community, and Mr. Glover's arrival on the seene at that time, from Salem, Oregon, was most opportune for all concerned. They were anxious to go farther west. and Mr. Glover easily negotiated the entire improvements and squatters' rights for $4,000, which was a most liberal sum. Seranton, the fugitive. concealed in a clump of underbrush, had to be approached in a boat under cover of darkness to complete the transfer. A dabbler at law named Swift had also built a comfortable log house some quarter of a mile from the falls, and his wife was acting as post- mistress. The mail service was up the Columbia and Snake rivers, via Lewiston, at that time the largest town in the upper country. besides Walla Walla. Major R. H. Wimpy, one of the pioneers of the Palonse country, and subsequently a repre- sentative of Stevens county in the legislature. had the contract for delivering the mail weekly.
After thus gaining possession of the future townsite, Mr. Glover was joined by J. N. Matheny of Salem and C. F. Yeaton of Portland, in a partnership for the purpose of running the sawmill and dealing in lumber and general merchandise. The pioneer settlers were scattered far apart, from Snake river to Colville, and Stevens county then embraced. besides its present limits, the counties of Spokane, Lincoln and Douglas. Probably not over 350, besides the garrison at Colville, would sum up the entire white population from Snake river to the British line. It was a daring venture to risk one's property, not to say life. in such isolation. although the Indians were peaceably inclined, and even anxious to adopt the white man's civili- zation. But the sparse settlements afforded renegade adventurers an excellent op- portunity for depredations and lawlessness. The predominance of brave and up- right citizens. however, was so noted that but few efforts at pillage and violence were ever undertaken. and the country prospered finely considering its feeble beginning.
Besides those already mentioned. were J. F. Moran, of Moran prairie; M. M. Cowley, trader at Spokane Bridge: William Spangler, founder of the town of Spangle: Henry Kaiser, a ranchman up the valley: Maxime and Peter Muluoine, proprietors of the California ranch ; Steve Liberty and Daniel Courehaine, their near- est neighbors: Frederick Post, who owned the site of the original town of Rath- drum: and Messrs. LeFevre, Labrie and Murphy, of the Medical Lake region.
The task which confronted the new firm of improving their investment and se- enring a living in the face of the slow resuscitation which was the apparent prospect of the Northern Pacific Railroad company owing to the failure of Jay Cooke, was not an attractive one. Mr. Glover, however, went vigorously at work, determined to conquer a success. Late in July, Mr. Matheny and Mr. Yeaton and family arrived and took charge of the new purchase, while Mr. Glover returned to Portland to select a stock of goods and order an entirely new outfit of machinery for the sawmill, returning by the middle of August with his wife. The machinery was put in operation late in the fall, and before winter had set in they had turned out over 100,000 feet of lumber, and put up a store room and dwelling combined, and the stock of goods was unpacked for business. Mr. Yeaton received the appoint- ment of postmaster and filled the office for three years.
Something of an Indian seare occurred during the season. which was about
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equally shared on both sides. Unfounded rumors of an expected outbreak got afloat and were magnified by the Portland and lower country papers, until an exeitement prevailed which prompted a number of families to abandon their claims and take refuge in Walla Walla. In the midst of the excitement, Rev. H. H. Spalding, a missionary among the Nez Perces at Lapwai, appeared, having come at the urgent solieitation of the Spokanes, and after holding religious services in the various camps at the root and fishing grounds, aided greatly in quieting the feverish apprehensions. These little excitements occurred ahnost periodically for several years, but with no better foundation except in the Nez Perce outbreak in 1877.
The little community wintered without serious incident (1873-74), and pre- pared for a busy season. But the hoped for immigration did not appear. A few additions were made to the unfinished dwellings, and several hundred thousand feet of lumber were added to the stock, but the demand was light and mostly on eredit, there being but little money in the country. The predatory crickets nearly devas- tated the small erops of the few remaining farmers, and the season was a discourag- ing one to the entire upper country.
In October (1874) the writer arrived with his family of four and a Mr. Poole and family of three came the following day. An intelligent and enterprising Spokane named Siliquowya, had feneed in below the bluff about 180 acres of land, and had urged the writer to build and conduct an Indian school on his premises. Messrs. Glover and Yeaton generously aided the project, agreeing to exchange lumber for grain, furs and ponies, and Mr. Poole accepted horses in payment for his aid as builder. The greatest event of the season was the visit of General Jeff. C. Davis, department commander, on a tour of inspection to Fort Colville. He met the Spo- kanes, just returned from their camas digging. in a pleasant powwow in front of the store. As the Indians were new hands at making contracts for building school- houses. they went beyond their resources, and the debts they ineurred were never fully liquidated, and they were never pressed for payment.
The first school district among the whites was formed that fall of '71, and comprised the region between Spangle and Colville, on the south and north, and the Idaho line and the Columbia river, on the east and west. Messrs. Yeaton and Poole and the writer were elected the first directors, and Mr. Swift clerk. The first school was organized and held in the writer's house, and comprised six pupils. Mrs. Swift finished the first term, as the writer's time was demanded exclusively in the Indian school.
The first territorial election was held in Spokane Falls precinet the same fall, the polls being opened in Mr. Glover's house. R. H. Wimpy was elected to represent Stevens county in the legislature. D. F. Percival of Four Lakes (later a banker at Chency ) and L. W. Meyers of Colville were elected county commissioners, and J. N. Glover justice of the peace. The county seat of Stevens county was at Colville. and thither the writer went. a distance of eighty-five miles, in the middle of Decem- ber. on a three-fold errand-as the bearer of the election returns. to perform the marriage ceremony for Captain Evan Miles, commander of the garrison. and Miss Stitzel. and to secure a teacher's certificate.
Notwithstanding the drawbacks of securing anything but the barest necessaries of life. it was resolved that winter to celebrate the holidays in the most elaborate manner at the command of the little community. Mrs. Yeaton. Mrs. Glover. Mrs.
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Cowley, Mrs. Swift, and Mrs. Poole combined their resources, and probably no more enjoyable Christmas tree and supper, and New Year's dinner, ever gladdened the hearts of the eight children who participated. The result was a surprise to all, who at first imagined that such a variety of gifts and good things could not be mustered in one of the most isolated regions of the west. The Indians also observed the fes- tivities in their own peculiar way, and the bonds of peace and good will were strengthened all around.
The winter and summer of 1875 hung heavily over the whole land, and the de- pression was keenly felt at Spokane. Enterprise drooped listlessly, and no improve- ments were undertaken. During the summer of this season. Rev. S. G. Havermale. then presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal church, passed through the hamlet with his wife, on the way from Colville in the course of his itinerary, and was vividly impressed with the scenery and water power. and recognized the future possibilities of the locality as a commanding site for a city. It impressed him also as a possible great educational center. and with a plan for an academy, he returned late in the fall and preempted what is now known as Havermale's addition. including valuable water power.
Early in the spring of 1876. Frederick Post decided to remove from Rathdrum, and transfer his mill enterprise from the present village of Trent to the Falls. With his interesting family the acquisition was hailed with delight. He was met by the town proprietors with the most liberal inducements. Owing to the searcity of help but little was done this season toward the mill enterprise but the excavation of a flume and the cutting of lumber. The town firm began the construction of a new store building and hall, on the site of Glover's corner at Howard and Front, and hastened its preparations for the celebration of the Centennial Fourth of July. which was carried through with great enthusiasm. and participated in by all the region between Snake river and the British line. The gathering was an inspiration to all eastern Washington, as it revealed to the participants the larger number and superior character of the pioneers than had been looked for. The celebration was a most happy success, and all returned more contentedly and hopefully to their scattered homes.
The population of the Falls was increased this season by Messrs. Downer, Evans and Smith. Mr. Evans started a cabinet shop, and Mr. Downer took up a farm southeast of the city. Mr. Smith remained for a time and went to farming in Spangle.
The spring of 1877 revealed but faint prospects for the enlargement of enterprise. and the town firm dissolved partnership. Messrs. Yeaton and Matheny retiring. The store and lumber business had not been profitable, but Mr. Glover held on. This was the year of the Nez Perces outbreak, and was the most trying period in the history of our settlement. The massacre of the settlers on Sabnon river by non-treaty Nez Perces terrified the whole upper country. and intense anxiety prevailed in an- ticipation of a general outbreak throughout all eastern Washington. Oregon and northern Idaho. From the 27th of June till the 10th of August the suspense was painful in the extreme, and many removed their families to Walla Walla and Colfax, and the latter place put up works of defense and organized a company of minute men. There were a few days of terror at the Falls, and the farmers and their families who had gathered in great haste for refuge, put up a small fortification
A. M. CANNON
REV. SAMUEL G. HAVERMALE
MRS. SAMUEL G. HAVERMALE
JAMES N. GLOVER
J. J. BROWNE
MARY
Y - JAUATIONS
WhARY
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on the Big Island, but the peaceable assurances of the Spokanes induced the settlers to scatter to their homes within a week. There was a great relaxation of the ten- sion, however, when, on the 10th of August, General Frank Wheaton arrived with 500 troops of the left wing of General Howard's army, which had pursued the hos- tile Nez Perces across the Clearwater and the Bitter Root mountains into Montana, where they were, later in the season, captured by General Miles.
The command was accompanied by Colonel E. C. Watkins, Indian inspector, who had authority to convoke the Indians of eastern Washington and northern Ida- ho in grand council, to assign them reservations. The movement of troops was for the several purposes of blocking the possible return of the hostiles through the Mullan pass, overawing the natives, and establishing the security of the infant set- tlements. The great council was held in the presence of the troops, who had en- camped between Riverside avenue and the river, on Havermale's addition. All the tribes summoned were present except that of Moses, who refused to appear. Aside from the confidence inspired in the settlement by the visit of the troops, the only result was the decision of General Sherman, who passed through later in the season, with an escort of fifty cavalry, to establish a post at Coeur d'Alene lake, and the wintering of two companies of infantry at the Falls, preparatory to building the fort in the spring following.
Herbert and Myron Percival. L. W. Rima. Dr. Masterson and several others arrived during the fall. The building of the quarters for the soldiery, and business created by their presence, presented a marked contrast to the previous winters, and inspired new confidence that the country would come out all right. Mr. Post had so far completed his mill that he began to turn out flour, and Spokane began to be a producing point.
The spring of '78 saw the departure of the troops to Coeur d'Alene, to construct the new post. the revival of the prospects for pushing through the Northern Pacific railroad, and the arrival of Anthony M. Cannon and J. J. Browne, whose pur- chase of a joint interest in the town site. and the addition of a large stoek of goods by Cannon, Warner & Co., gave a fresh impetus to the place. Among the arrivals this season were Captain J. M. Nosler. W. C. Gray, Dr. L. P. Waterhouse. A. E. Ellis and Platt Corhaley. Mr. Gray built the beginning of the old California house. and opened it on Thanksgiving evening. on the occasion of a supper and ball for the benefit of the public school building. which had been started in a grove near the Northern Pacific right of way. The entertainment was unanimously attended. and netted a handsome benefit for the school.
The season of 1879 brought renewed buoyancy and hope in the resumption of activity along the line of the Northern Pacifie road. A resurvey of the route was pushed through eastern Washington. The first newspaper. the Spokane Weekly Times, was established by Francis H. Cook. then a member of the territorial legis- lature from Pieree county. Howard street began to assume a business-like aspect with the store buildings of F. R. Moore & Co., corner of Front and Howard. J. T. Graham, corner of Main and Howard. Friedenrich & Berg, opposite corner. N. P. Hotel. by Arthur & Shaver. J. N. Squier, MeCammon & Whitman. R. W. Forrest. Louis Ziegler, Clark & Rickard, and Percival & Corbaley on Main, and Davis & Cornelius on Front.
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