USA > Washington > Spokane County > Spokane > History of the city of Spokane and Spokane County, Washington : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume III > Part 52
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In 1900 Mr. Tolman was elected to the state senate from the old third sena- torial district, overcoming what was considered a sure republiean majority of eon- siderable magnitude and running many votes ahead of the demoeratie state and national tieket in the district. Almost from the beginning of the legislative session of 1901 he was the recognized floor leader of the minority in the state senate: in fact, was made chairman of the demoeratie caucus of both houses, chairman of the eastern Washington eaneus of both parties and both houses and in many ways was singularly honored. not only by democrats but by republicans as well. When the legislature convened there had been no general agitation for a railroad commission law. In eastern Washington there was a strong sentiment for a maximum freight law redneing the freight on wheat from tastern Washington to tide water. Upon studying the question as to what should be named as a maximum charge for haul- ing wheat. Mr. Tolman beeame convinced that no member of the legislature. in a short session of sixty days, eould determine what would be a just charge for such services. He, therefore. eonevived the idea of a railroad commission. At the
beginning of the session the republican leaders, led by Lieutenant Governor Me- Bride as president of the senate, also introduced a railroad commission bill which had various good features, but was indefensible from the standpoint of providing that the railroad commissions should be appointed by a board consisting of the governor. who was then a democrat. the lieutenant governor, and the state auditor, both of whom were republicans. or a majority of them; thus taking the appointive power away from the democratie governor and placing it in the hands of the lieutenant governor and the state auditor for political purposes. The democrats being in a minority, Mr. Tolman could not rally enough support for his bill to insure its passage. He. therefore. eondueted an aggressive fight to amend the republican measure, known as the "Preston Bill," by striking out the offensive feature with reference to the appointment and substituting a provision vesting the power of appointment in the governor, where it belonged. His fight along those lines ereated a great deal of comment and newspaper discussion and met with
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general approval throughout eastern Washington, from democrats and republicans alike, but for political reasons it failed of success. He then showed his good faith in the advocacy of a railroad commission by voting for the republican bill, rallying most of the democrats in the legislature to its support with the avowed purpose, if it became a law, of later procuring an amendment of the offensive section. However, the republican measure was defeated and Mr. Tolman's bill was brought on for consideration. Most of the republicans who had supported the Preston Bill rallied to the support of his bill, but unfortunately it was defeated by practically the same vote.
Another matter of general public interest in the 1901 session in which Mr. Tolman took part and which won favorable comment from the press of Washington and neighboring states, was the legislative reapportionment act. At the beginning of the session the republicans introduced a bill for the apportionment of the state into legislative districts, which was a mere skeleton. From time to time thereafter they cancused until they agreed upon the details of the bill and signed up two- thirds of the legislators in both the senate and house to pass the bill, and to pass it over the governor's veto if necessary. The result of the republican caucus was presented to the state senate at the hour of convening one morning. with a report from the committee recommending that it be made a special order of business for thirty minutes later, and be considered until passed, to the exclusion of other business. Mr. Tohman took the floor in opposition to this committee report. although two-thirds of the senate, being the republican members, were pledged in writing to pass the bill. He succeeded by a straightforward appeal to their sense of fair play. in gaining twenty-four hours in which to prepare his points in opposition to the bill. The next day when it came on for final action he spoke from the time of convening at 10 o'clock in the morning until 1 o'clock in the afternoon, with only thirty minutes for luncheon and that, too. after the senate, abont noon, brought in a rule forbidding further debate. He offered a minority report for the recom- mitment of the hill to the committee: offered a substitute for the bill; and then. one by one, offered a hundred and thirty-six different amendments to the bill. cach ene of which was germane: and in private conversation by the opposition, his joints were all admitted to be well taken. His fight on that occasion was so con- ducted as to bring him the good will and admiration of his opponents, the con- gratulations of most of those who witnessed it and favorable newspaper comment throughout the state.
In the session of 1903 the fight for a railroad commission was renewed. Prior to this, Governor Rodgers (democrat) had died and had been succeeded by Gover- For MeBride (republican). Therefore, at the opening of the next legislative ses- sion there was no opposition on the part of the republicans to a railroad commis- sion bill, which provided for the vesting of the appointive power in the governor. On the opening day of the session Mr. Tolman introduced the railroad commission Fill and a bill providing for the reduction of rates on the Spokane Falls & Northern Railroad. These measures were referred to the railroad committee, of which he was made a member, and which finally made an adverse report. The bill was Brought on for hearing in the senate and a long and exhaustive debate ensued. participated in by many men who have since become famous in the history of the state. As the author of the bill, as well as the recognized floor leader, not alone of the democratic party. but of the railroad commission forces. Mr. Tohan opened
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and elosed the debate. The bill was again defeated but the publie sentiment which was aroused through these proceedings led to the passage of an almost identical bill in 1905.
In the session of 1903 Mr. Tolman was nominated by his party for president of the senate and received the demoeratie vote. Many measures of importance were considered during that session, ineluding what become known as the Anti- Gambling law. This measure had passed the house and was made a special order on the senate calendar for a day. Two hours before the time fixed for the hearing of this measure word was brought Mr. Tolman that the opposition to the bill had not sueeeeded in getting a sufficient financial contribution from the gambling in- terests, and that they would endeavor to postpone the hearing for a week or more, in order to enable the gambling interests to raise a corruption fund to be used to defeat the bill. When the motion was made to postpone the hearing of the measure, Mr. Tolman raised the point of order that to change the regular order of business required a two-thirds vote. The chair held with him and because those seeking to delay the bearing had not anticipated the point and, therefore, had not provided against it, they were unable to postpone the bill by the two-thirds vote and the matter eame on for immediate hearing. The bill was passed and beeame a law and Mr. Tolman's action probably saved the gambling fraternity of the state a matter of fifty thousand dollars, and prevented the flagrant corruption of members of the legislature, which had so often been seen prior to that time. He also seeured the passage of the law, which all now agree to be just and salutary, and in all probability, if the delay had oeeurred, the bill would have been defeated.
When a new point involving parliamentry law was to be presented, Mr. Tol- man was always consulted and usually led the fight on one side or the other, and was recognized as one of the best parliamentarians in the senate. At the elose of his term he was not a candidate for reelection, because his business demanded attention and he felt he eould no longer serve the public at a loss. He also felt that he had been a reformer at a time when reform was unpopular, and had done his share. Moreover, he felt there was no need for him to longer saerifiee himself, for reformers sprang up on every side, following the publie sentiment created by his course. In 1904 when Governor MeBride was defeated for the republican nomination there was a strong and state-wide demand for his nomination for governor by the democratic party. Undoubtedly he eonld have won the nomina- tion and very likely the election had he used any effort to obtain it. but he always maintained the position that the office should seek the man and, unless absolutely drafted for publie service, would prefer to continue in the practice of his pro- fession. Many, however, contend that had he become the demoeratie nominee he would have been elected and the history of the state would have been changed.
Local interests also have profited by his eooperation and for three years, from 1903 until 1906, he was a member of the Spokane school board. In 1904 he was made a member of the Washington state commission to the St. Louis exposition and was one of the men appointed by Governor Rodgers to go to Portland and confer with the Oregon commission eoneerning the completion of plans for the exposition to be held in the Rose eity in 1905. It was he who first suggested the name of the Lewis and Clarke exposition and in a more or less prominent way he aided in making that an important interest to draw men to the northwest. In polities he has ever been an unfaltering demoerat and has frequently been men-
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tioned at the state conventions of his party as a candidate for governor. Ilis ambition, however, is not in that line. He is a man of quiet taste who shuns notoriety, yet he has the happy faculty of making and retaining friends.
On the 30th of April, 1889, Mr. Tohman was married in Chicago to Miss Maude Ingersoll, a daughter of Durham Ingersoll, of that city, Their two children are Leland Ingersoll and Margaret Ainley. Mr. Tolman belongs to Spokane Lodge, No. 31. F. & A. M., but has never been a club man. In his profession he dislpays much natural ability but is withal a hard student and is never content until he has mastered every detail of his cases. He believes in the maxim "there is no excellence without labor" and follows it closely. He has ever manifested hearty concern for the publie welfare and has been helpful in bringing about the purifying and whole- some reforms which have been gradually growing in the political, municipal and social life of the city. He prefers a quiet place in the background to the glamour of publicity, but his rare aptitude and ability in achieving results make him con- stantly sought and often bring him into prominence from which he would naturally shrink were less desirable ends in view.
WILLIAM HENRY LARKIN.
William Henry Larkin, who is engaged in buying stock with headquarters at No. 810 Forty-second street, southeast, Portland, is a native of this state, his birth having ocenrred on the 23d of June, 1864. He is a son of Perry and Mary (Cairns) Larkin, the father a native of Iowa and the mother of Illinois. They were among the early pioneers to the northwest, having crossed the plains to Ore- gon with an ox team in 1852, and here endured all the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier.
The carly years of William Henry Larkin were passed amid the pioneer con- ditions that yet prevailed in this section, and at the age of eleven years he began assisting his father with the cultivation of the home ranch. There be acquired his early knowledge of the stock business and was given the benefit of a common- school education. In 1887, he went to Garfield, Whitman county, and invested what capital he possessed in one hundred and sixty acres of land. Here he as- siduously applied himself to agricultural pursuits until 1895, but during that time he also engaged in the grain and butcher business and in 1891 he was employed on the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1895. he withdrew from agricultural activi- ties and removed to Colfax, where he secured employment in a butcher shop, but he subsequently engaged in stock-buying. He first became identified with the lat- ter business about 1903, and a short time prior to this he had purchased two hun- dred and forty acres of land south of Colfax, that he cultivated in connection with his stock business. In 1908 he again became identified with the meat business in Colfax by the establishment of a market of his own, that he operated for two years. At the end of that period he went to Portland to engage in stock-buying in connection with the Union Stock Yards of that city. Mr. Larkin's thorough familiarity with every branch of the meat and stock business well qualified him for
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the work he is now doing, and has unquestionably been a dominant factor in his success, as he is an excellent judge of stock and a shrewd buyer and can readily dispose of a large amount of business in an inereditably short time.
In Colfax. in November. 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Larkin and Miss Flora A. Dieus. a native of lowa and a daughter of Jacob and Charity (Griffin) Dieus, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Canada. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Larkin numbers ten, as follows: Stella, the wife of W. E. Nelson, of Portland ; Claude A., a resident of this state, who married Miss Ida Daughtry; Benjamin J. and Clarenee of Portland; and Blanche, Goldie, Wayne. Kenneth, Jack and Max, all of whom are living at home.
Mr. Larkin is a member of Colfax Lodge, No. 14, I. O .O. F., and he also belongs to the Artisans of Colfax and the Woodmen of the World. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party, but he has never held any office save that of sehool director. He is well known in Whitman county, particularly in Colfax, where he has always condueted his transactions in a manner to entitle him to the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen.
FRANK T. McCOLLOUGH.
The part which Frank T. MeCollough has taken in the upbuilding of Spokane deserves mention in the history of this city. for he was prominently connected with James Hill, the railroad magnate, and his interests, having charge of the donations and money which secured the right-of-way for the Great Northern Railroad through the eity. In the real-estate field his operations have also been notable for he has platted and put upon the market some valuable additions and has also taken an active part in the social life of the city. Mr. MeCollough was born August 30, 1868, in Flora, Illinois, and was one of the six children of W. G. and Orinda J. (Notestine) MeCollough. The former was born in Mansfield, Ohio, and is of Scotch descent, his ancestors having been numbered among the early New Eng- land settlers whose arrival in America antedated the Revolutionary war. W. G. MeCollough became a soldier of the Mexican war and during his business life was largely connected with railroad interests. His wife, who was born in Penn- sylvania. was the daughter of a Civil war veteran who served as captain of an Ohio company. She. too, belongs to a family that was represented in the war for independence and she comes of German lineage. She is now living in Illinois but her husband passed away in 1896. The two daughters of the family are: Ella. the wife of W. S. Glover, in railroad service in Illinois; and Tinnie, who is the widow of J. C. Condit, and resides in Beardstown, Illinois.
Frank T. MeCollough was edueated in the publie schools of his native state and at a very early age started out in life, becoming telegraph operator when a boy of twelve years. He served at different places between Vincennes, Indiana, and St. Louis, Missouri, and worked his way upward through various promotions until at the age of eighteen years he was filling the responsible position of train dispatcher. In 1889 he came to Spokane to enter the Washington Savings Bank but about that time the memorable fire occurred and destroyed the plans of
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FRANK T. MCCOLLOUGH
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the institution. He then entered the Spokane National Bank but in 1890 withdrew to form a partnership with L. C. Dillman, in the real-estate business under the firm name of L. C. Dillman & Company, which connection was continued until 1897. At all times he watched with interest the progress of events and the trend of the times, having faith in the future of this section and supporting its interests with enthusiasm. In the meantime the Hill roads were being in- stituted in this district and Mr. Hill came to Spokane. the city giving him the right-of-way for five miles through its territory, the property being valued at that time from a half to three-quarters of a million dollars. A citizens' committee made Mr. McCollough its secretary and as such he had charge of the money and dona- tions and also of seenring the right-of-way through the city. At that time the overland train tonnage was four hundred and eighty-three and Mr. Hill stated that he would have engines to haul twelve hundred tons or more. This seemed an inereditable statement at the time but with his characteristic foresight the rail- road magnate saw far into the future and now has engines hauling trains of eighteen hundred tons. It was in 1896 that Mr. Hill was in Spokane, at which time he made his headquarters at Mr. MeCollough's office.
The latter continued in the real-estate business until 1898 and his efforts proved an important factor in the development of this city. Ile put upon the market the River Front addition and Cliff Park addition, and in the former sold in eight months property to the value of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He then pur- chased from the Northern Pacific Railroad the Cliff Park addition and began its development. His firm paid a subscription of fifty-five thousand dollars for the cable railroad to that addition. It was a part of the Spokane street railway system and is now owned by the Washington Water . Power Company. Henry L. Wilson, now United States Ambassador to Mexico, was chairman and Mr. MeCollough a member of the committee which secured one thousand acres for a post site, and Daniel Lamont, then secretary of war, declared when he came to Spokane that it was the most beautiful site for an army post-in the United States, outside of West Point. In 1898 Mr. MeCollough turned his attention to the laundry business in which he has since been engaged. organizing the Crystal Laundry Company of which he is the secretary and treasurer. They conduct the largest laundry business in this city and have in connection therewith a dry-cleaning plant. Their business is located on the Spokane river and their plant represents an outlay of over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. comparing most favorably with many of the best laundries of the larger cities. D. R. MeClure is the president of the firm but Mr. MeCollough as secretary and treasurer is in a large measure managing the business. For many years he has been affiliated with the Old National Bank as a stockholder and is one of the owners of the Old National Bank building and a stockholder in the Union Trust Company and the Union Surety Company.
Mr. MeCollough's activity in club and social circles has made him very widely known and has been the means of winning for him a very large circle of warm friends. Ile is a charter member of the Country Club which was organized with a small membership and held its meetings in a club house at Liberty Park. He was serving as president of the club when the traction company opened its addition in Manito Park and offered to the club fifty-two acres of land for one hundred and forty-five dollars per acre. The purchase was made and after holding this for a little over four years the club sold it at thirteen hundred and seventy dollars per Vol. ITT-25
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acre, investing the proceeds in two hundred and forty aeres in Little Spokane. At present they have a very fine club house and the organization owns its own water supply and sewage system, while the total improvements on this property aggregate one hundred and eighty thousand dollars. Their building is one hundred and seventy-five feet long, was construeted to accommodate five hundred members, has thirty-two sleeping apartments and is altogether one of the handsomest club houses in the country, pleasantly situated just eight miles north from Riverside and Howard streets. With the exception of a single year Mr. McCollough has continuously served on the board of directors since the club was organized and is now secretary and treasurer.
Mr. McCollough's activity in elub and social circles has made him very widely life member of the Spokane Athletic Club and a charter member of the Coeur d'Alene Boat Club. He likewise belongs to Spokane Lodge, No. 74, F. & A. M., is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and a leading representa- tive of the Chamber of Commerce, having served many times on its important com- mittees. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his military experienee came to him as lieutenant of the Governor's Guard under Governor Richard Oglesby, of Illinois. He was held with his company in the armory for three days preparatory to being called out for duty at the time of the Haymarket riots in Chicago.
Mr. MeCollough was married in Spokane, November 14, 1889, to Miss Mary A. Wolgamot, a daughter of John F. Wolgamot, connected with mining interests in the northwest. His friends find him a genial, courteous and obliging gentleman. It would be difficult to place a limit upon the influence of his activities along busi- ness and social lines. He is well fitted by nature for leadership for his judgment is sound, his sense of justice keen and his spirit always stimulated by progressive- ness. These qualities have placed him where he is today-in a prominent position in the business and club life of Spokane.
THEODORE SCHOLER.
Theodore Seholer, who is at present chief engineer at the state hospital for the insane at Medieal Lake, Washington, was born in Germany. January 27. 1859, his parents being John Jaeob and Johanna (Wagoner) Scholer, who died in 1893 and 1902 respectively. Coming to this country in his youth Theodore Seholer completed his education in the country schools of Minnesota. After he was seven- teen years of age he put aside his text-books and started upon an independent career by learning the blacksmith's trade in Wabasha, Minnesota. He followed this trade for two winters, at the same time engaging in farming during the sum- mer months. Subsequently he removed to Reeds Landing, Minnesota, where he operated a blacksmith shop for two winters and after that. in 1882, came to Med- ical Lake. After opening a blacksmith shop here and conducting it for seven years he obtained the position as second engineer in the state hospital. So cffieient was he in his duties that after eight months he was promoted to chief engineer, a position he held for six and one half years. Subsequently he was given charge of the electric light plant in Cheney, and after eight months of satisfactory serv-
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ice there engaged in the sawmill business at Clear Lake and Shock Canyon. For four years he was engaged in this enterprise and won the success which was due his energy, industry and ability. After disposing of that business he returned again to the state hospital at Medical Lake, and has since served as its chief engineer. Although he has devoted the greater part of his time along mechanical lines he has still found opportunity to manage five acres of irrigated land near Lewiston, Idaho, in which enterprise he has met with as large a measure of sue- cess as in his previous undertakings.
On the Sth of April. 1883. Theodore Seboler was married to Effie Messinger, the daughter of Henry and Amelia Messinger, of Fairview. They have become the parents of eight children: George, who married Esther Greenwood; Elmer, who married Emma Starkey; Ethel, who became the wife of Frank White; Alta, who married Fred Grub: Earl, who is exchange teller in the Old National Bank of Spokane; and Herbert. Rosella and Raymond, all attending school.
In politics Mr. Scholer has given his active support to the republican party, and has shown great interest in promoting its measures. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Maccabees and of the Modern Woodmen of America. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist, hold- ing membership in the Congregational church of Medical Lake. Of the many men Germany has furnished to Spokane county none has displayed the salient characteristics of the Teutonic race-thrift, industry and progress-more genuinely than has Theodore Scholer. What he owns today and what qualifications he has for mechanical positions have all been brought about by his own efforts, and he stands as one of the prominent and respected citizens in his community.
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