Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington, Part 119

Author:
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Spokane, Wash. : Western History
Number of Pages: 992

USA > Washington > Chelan County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 119
USA > Washington > Ferry County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 119
USA > Washington > Okanogan County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 119
USA > Washington > Stevens County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 119

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).

There are few cities of importance in the state of Washington in which Indians during the early days of exploration and settlement did not congregate for the purpose of holding councils of war, or participating in seasons of sport. Spokane, Walla Walla and Wenatchee

are three places in eastern Washington for which many tribes have a profound venera- tion. It is only a few years since they con- sented to release their claims to Spokane, abandon their tribal relations to take up their abode with Chief Moses. For the various tribes of the northwest Wenatchee has ever been a favorite spot. There is scarcely a mem- ber of the Colville, Snake, or Columbia River, Palouse, Coeur d'Alene, or Spokane tribes that has not a lingering veneration for the place, and their stolid hearts grow tender at the mention of Wenatchee. For ages they con- vened here in annual council, to engage in wor- ship or sport, to prepare their catch of fish for the winter, or to make their sanguinary ar- rangements for war. Here the swart brave wooed and won the dusky maiden just as suc- ceeding generations are doing today. Than the Indian there is no race with keener powers of observation or discernment. Of distances and directions he possesses an instinctive knowl- edge. Their trails which only a short time since were still visible, with the approach of civilization were adapted by government supply trains, stockmen and later by wagon and rail- roads.

The first "business house" in Wenatchee was established, possibly so early as 1867. In that year two men whose names were Ingra- ham and McBride opened a trading post at what is now Rock Island, and carried on a thriving trade with the Indians. Sometime afterward these men moved their post to the mouth of the Wenatchee river, where the first town of Wenatchee afterward made its appear- ance. Ingraham & McBride's chief stock in trade was whiskey, which they sold to the In- dians. In 1872 these men, in order to evade the law which they had broken by selling liquor to Indians, were obliged to leave in some haste, and their business was purchased that year by Samuel Miller and the Freer Brothers.

The original building in the Wenatchee Valley was a log structure built in 1872 by

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Samuel Miller, just north of the present town of Wenatchee. It was used for years by Mr. Miller as a trading post, and in later years was the postoffice building. It was an ancient land- mark familiar to the old timers-miners and prospectors-who worked all through this country in the early days, and many events con- nected with the history of the Wenatchee Val- ley have their foundation in the old "Sam Mil- ler" trading post. In 1888 a Mr. McPherson established a store on the bank of the Columbia river, about three-quarters of a mile above the present site of Wenatchee. That same summer another little store came in and was located in a tent. The goods for these stores were freighted over the mountains from Ellensburg by wagons. The roads were in a terrible con- dition and several days were required in which to make the trip. Here was established a post- office and Samuel Miller was made postmaster. At that period mail arrived in Wenatchee only twice a week, being carried by stage over the mountains between Wenatchee and Ellensburg. During the winter of 1888 and 1889 Mr. Mc- Pherson moved his store back farther into the valley to what was later known as the "North End." The postoffice was removed from Mr. Miller's; a hotel was built and within a short time there was quite a little village in the "North End."

Originally the town of Wenatchee was lo- cated about one mile north of its present site. It was named in 1888 by its founder, Don Car- los Corbett, from the old Indian chief, Wenat- chee. A number of wide-awake western men, fully alive to the possibilities of the surround- ing country, organized in 1891, the Wenatchee Development Company. They made a number of purchases during the survey of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway, now the Seat- tle division of the Northern Pacific. In 1892, following the completion of the Great Northern Railway, the Wenatchee Development Com- pany, closely in touch with James J. Hill's road, surveyed and platted the present site of the

town of Wenatchee. By a system of lot trading with the settlers of the "North End" buildings and residents were soon located on the new site.

Probably the first mercantile house worthy of the name was established in Wenatchee by W. H. Merriam. There had been Indian trad- ing posts in the neighborhood previous to this, but nothing approaching the dignity of a mod- ern "store." Mrs. Arzilla Tripp was the first woman to make her permanent home in Wenat- chee. With her husband she came here early in 1883. May 20, 1891, Wenatchee had gained a population of 108 people.

In Wenatchee the first fraternal bonds were welded Saturday evening, October 10, 1891, when a council of the Junior Order United American Mechanics was instituted. It num- bered among its charter members some of the staunchest business men and more prosperous ranchers in Wenatchee and vicinity, and the council was christened "Wenatchee No. 12." Deputy State Councilor Boyle conducted the work of institution. He was assisted by Henry Sharp and other members of the order residing at Ellensburg. Following were the officers elected : M. Horan, Charles B. Reed and Jacob Miller, trustees ; Mr. Horan, Jr., P. C .; James L. Weythman, C .; Jacob Miller, V. C .; W. E. Stevens, R. S .; J. W. Bolenbaugh, treasurer ; D. A. Curry, Com .; George W. Brown, I. S .; E. E. Clemmens, F. E .; D. W. Perry, O. S.

January 7, 1892, the population of Wenat- chee had jumped to three hundred. Tuesday evening, March 8, in response to a general de- mand of public sentiment an anti-Chinese meet- ing assembled in Wenatchee, at which the at- tendance was large and the personnel represen- tative citizens both in and out of town. Frank Reeves called the assembly together and suc- cinctly stated the object of the meeting. Hon- orable Michael Horan was elected chairman and George Kline served as sercetary. A ris- ing vote on the question to exclude Mongolians from the town exhibited marked unanimity, but

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one man declining to come to his feet, and even he refused to vote in the negative. The ques- tion concerning the modus operandi of exclu- sion was then discussed at length. Methods employed in Pierce county were outlined and recommended by the chairman of the meeting. Ways and means were described graphically by L. E. Kusel as in force in California towns, particularly in Eureka. Seemingly alone in his views was Mr. N. N. Brown, who spoke at length against the wisdom of an exclusion act. It was quite evident that there existed no de- sire for mob violence, while the wish to deport the Celestials was nearly unanimous. It was moved by W. J. Bowen that a committee of six be elected to see that no Chinamen were per- mitted to locate within the limits of Wenatchee. This motion was amended by C. F. B. Haskell to confining the power of such a committee to "honorable, legal and lawful means," and with this amendment the motion prevailed. Follow- ing are the names of the committee elected : Michael Horan, chairman; W. E. Stevens; W. J. Bowen: J. A. Moorehead; George W. Kline; and L. E. Kusel. When it was sug- gested that it might be found a difficult matter to exclude Chinese by "honorable, legal and lawful means," it was omniously met by the frank statement that if these failed another mass-meeting could easily be assembled and the committee authorized to adopt other methods.

May 1, 1892, the Columbia Valley Bank was thrown open for business. This was We- natchee's initial banking institution. Arthur Gunn was cashier. Sunday morning, May 8, Rev. Thomas M. Gunn, D. D., superintendent of missions for the state of Washington of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, organ- ized the First Presbyterian Church of Wenat- chee with the following named gentlemen as officers : Elder, Arthur Gunn : trustees. S. T. Sterling, F. E. Madigan and George Cooper ; Clerk, S. T. Sterling.

In May, 1892, the present townsite of We- natchee was thrown on the market. The We-

natchee Development Company, which owned a large portion of the property in the vicinity, and which was in close touch with the Great Northern Railway officials, platted the town and ordered the change. Within five days $100,000 worth of property was sold in the new townsite. The company exchanged lots in the new townsite for old town lots and moved the buildings to the new site free of charge. Some antagonism to the work of this company was manifested by a few of the citizens, but nearly all decided to make the change, and early in June, most of the opposition disappearing, the transfer of buildings was made. The Wenat- chee Advance of June 2, said :

"A number of businesses are making the change of location today, and a majority of the others will follow immediately. The bank is coming, two livery stables are now under course of construction, grocery and general merchan- dise stores will be here early in the week, res- taurants will follow up, butcher shops are now on the road and soon the "whole works" will be located in the town of Wenatchee on the pic- turesque banks of the majestic Columbia, con- ducting business on a substantial basis."

It was not until the latter part of June that the postoffice was removed. But not all the people moved from the old town into the new. Some still lingered amid familiar scenes and associations which had combined to form for them a home. The Great Northern Railway Company constructed a passenger and freight depot on the new site, which was far superior to the old one in the matter of drainage facili- ties, besides being more centrally located among the adjacent farming lands.

Friday morning, May 27, 1892, Wenatchee was visited by a fire which occasioned a loss of about $10,000. It was only by great effort on the part of the citizens that the flames were confined to the livery stable of O'Connors & Company. Twenty-two horses perished in the building.

At Graphic Hall, Wenatchee, Sunday

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morning, July 31, an enthusiastic meeting was held, the object of which was the organization of a Presbyterian Sunday School. Mr. G. W. Bartholomew was selected as chairman and the question of organization was informally dis- cussed. It was decided as a finality that the time was opportune for such a commendable enterprise, upon which the chairman declared the election of officers in order. Mr. Arthur Gunn was unanimously named as superintend- ent; G. W. Bartholomew, assistant; Mrs. Groves, secretary ; Miss Zimmerman, treasurer, and Miss Carrie Sanders, organist.

For some time previous to August, 1892, there had prevailed a sentiment in Wenatchee favorable to incorporation. In that month a petition was presented to the board of commis- sioners of Kittitas county asking that Wenat- chee be incorporated in a town of the fourth class. The signers of this petition were :

W. H. Willis, Arthur Gunn, W. H. Mer- riam, C. T. Howard, J. S. Gray, J. W. Arthur, R. J. Mackison, W. B. Ready, J. H. Temple- ton, W. H. Middleton, M. Mackison, Eugene Enloe, J. R. Holcrift, George H. Allen, E. W. Harlow, D. Bishop, C. Sundstedt, Gust Pear- son, J. A. Thompson, Kirk Whited, Eugene A. Fisk, Conrad Platzoder, G. W. Bartholomew, I. W. Reeves, C. R. Weber, J. Doyle, J. Mc- Arthur, Fred W. Olds, C. H. Florida, Benie Carlos, C. L. O'Connell, Paul Allen, John White, S. W. Cox, George L. Rice, M. B. Mer- cer, James Stevens, J. W. Birchfield, J. A. Ear- tin, J. B. Sessier, W. P. Taylor, P. A. Wood & Company, Posey S. Wilson, J. H. Martin, S. W. Wright, George Guilland, C. A. Braun, John Pike, T. F. Crawford, John O'Brien, Eugene Walker, R. H. Hammond, J. Berg- man, S. W. Phillips, J. H. C. Scarlock, Oride Cote, G. Roolicau, W. Y. Wolf, F. Lape, F. Brockhoff, S. F. Peterson, W. A. Sanders, W. R. Prowell, S. T. Sterling, W. W. Booth, D. C. Griffin, J. F. Miller, G. W. Hoxsey, J. A. Man- ning, R. Bennett, James Reed, Nels Johnson, A. Bedford, Richard O'Connell, E. B. Chap-

man, M. Callaghan, N. N. Brown, Henry C. Long, James Riley, F. E. Madigan, J. B. Jo- hanasen, H. R. Schildknecht, S. Palo, Eli Lewis.

This petition was granted by the commis- sioners of Kittitas county, and they named Friday, December 23, as the date for a special election to vote on the propopsition. The very important question of incorporation was deter- mined by the decisive vote of 107 for, to 7 against out of a total of 122 votes cast. The Wenatchee Advance said: "The victory was a most signal one and is unimpeachable evi- dence that our people are now alert to their best interests and intend to work for the up- building of the best town in Central Washing- ton. The day was stormy, and there being but one ticket in the field a comparatively light vote was cast, but everything considered it is a most creditable showing. The election was held un- der the general election laws of the state, (Aus- tralian system), which accounts for the dis- crepancy in the vote, the returns appearing on their face that only 114 ballots were dropped into the official box, whereas there were 122, eight votes being cast either in blank, or in such an incongruous manner of marking that the judges were unable to determine the inten- tion of the electors. Following is the vote in detail: For incorporation, 107; against incor- poration, 7; for Mayor, Posey Wilson, 95; for councilmen, R. J. Mackison, 100; T. J. Groves, 93; W. A. Sanders, 99; M. B. Mercer, 81 ; M. Horan, 80; scattering, 5; for treasurer, Arthur Gunn, 100."

Wednesday evening, January 18, 1893, the council met for its initial session, and the wheels of the new municipal government were put in motion.

On the whole the year 1892 was a most eventful one for the city of Wenatchee. Its progress was marked and flattering. Among the other enterprises of this progressive year was the organization of a board of trade. A meet- ing of representative business men was held Sat-

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urday evening, September 17, 1892, when the organization was completed with the following members: M. Horan, Eugene Enloe, G. WV. Bartholomew, T. J. Groves, Charles Jasper, R. R. Morrison, W. R. Prowell, Thomas Mann, W. H. Willis, Charles Metcalfe, Peter Garvey, H. W. Patterson, J. H. C. Scurlock, W. H. Bowen, William Kleinburg, J. A. Martin, W. H. Merriam, W. P. Watson, Arthur Gunn, M. J. Carkeek, Frank Reeves and F. M. Scheble. The officers chosen were: Arthur Gunn, presi- dent; Charles Metcalfe, vice-president; F. M. Scheble, treasurer and W. J. Brown, secretary.

Monday, October 17, 1892, was hailed by the citizens of Wenatchee as a historic and red letter day. With the going down of the sun the young city had rail and telegraph communica- tion with the world around her. The commit- tee whose duty it was to prepare for this in- teresting event issued handbills calling upon the public-spirited citizens, at 2:30 o'clock p. m., to give a royal welcome to the steel rails and steaming locomotive. At that hour the road had reached a point about opposite the Watson Hotel, and to the music of an excellent band the assembled people watched the work of track building as it progressed toward Orondo ave- nue. Here a speakers' stand had been erected and the audience was entertained by fitting and eloquent remarks by Judge Carroll B. Graves, of Ellensburg, Frank Reeves and L. H. Bowman. These speakers were introduced by W. R. Webber, as master of ceremonies. At the con- clusion of the speaking three times three cheers were given for the Great Northern Railway and its energetic projector, President James J. Hill. So soon as the train had passed Orondo Crossing the silver spike was driven. This high honor was conferred upon Samuel and Philip Miller, two of the oldest inhabitants of Wenat- chee Valley, while the privilege of setting the spike in its place fell to that worthy citizen, WV. A. Sanders. With this farewell ceremony the exercises were brought to a close.

Beyond a doubt the year 1892 was the

liveliest ever witnessed in Wenatchee's his- tory. Railroad building, of course, was re- sponsible for a large share of this unusual en- terprise and progression. Not only in business was the town wide awake, but it was so, also, in a social way. The usual crowd of "hoboes" and "bad men," who invariably assemble at points where railroad construction is progres- sing were present, and they did all in their power to make Wenatchee a "tough town." A perusal of the columns of the Wenatchee Advance during the greater part of this year cannot help but lead one to this conclusion. Depredations committed by the offscourings of the earth ranged from petty thefts to murder and riots. Not one or two crimes a week would be heralded, but often ten or twelve. For some time no reputable citizen was safe in the town. The authorities were powerless to rid the place of the hoboes, or to check their heinous deeds. Thirteen dance halls in one block, numerous saloons and other resorts flourished. It was only after the construction work on the rail- road was completed in the vicinity of Wenat- chee that this element left the town and drifted on to new fields.

During the winter of 1892-93 Wenatchee was visited by one case of small-pox. The dis- ease originated in the construction camps of the railroad then building into town. For a time it was confined to this camp, but later reached the town, a portion of which was placed under quarantine. Men, and in many cases, women, forsook the town with an alac- rity born of intensified earnestness, and in num- bers that were really alarming. Business in- terests suffered greatly from the "scare," but quickly recovered when it was found that there were to be no other cases. Twenty-one men were in strict quarantine.

Tuesday, December 5. 1893, there was held in Wenatchee a municipal election, at which the following officers were elected : Councilmen- F. M. Scheble, T. J. Groves ; treasurer, W. H. Willis; clerk, W. R. Prowell; marshal, J. W.

HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

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Ferguson; city attorney, Thomas Mullen; health officer, Dr. E. W. Stevens.

The "hard times" of 1893 spent consider- able of its force on the business of Wenatchee as well as in all other towns in the country. The people, also, missed the monthly pay-rolls which the Great Northern Railway Company had furnished the previous year during the era of construction work in this immediate vicinity. While banks all over the country were closing their doors the Columbia Valley Bank with- sood the financial storm. It was the only one within a large territory in Central Washing- ton that weathered there "hard times."

Early Saturday morning, 12:30, September 2, 1893, the sound of pistol shots and the cry of "fire!" aroused the citizens of Wenatchee from slumber. The entire available popula- tion soon turned out and began the work of fighting the flames in a systematic and effectual manner that would do credit to experienced firemen. In the rear of Sunstedt & Pearson's building the fire originated, the structure hav- ing been recently vacated by the Minnesota Mercantile Company. But the direct cause of the fire was not known. It was discovered by two or three parties at its first inception. The wind was in the east, and within a remarkably short time several shacks and small buildings in the rear of F. B. Loney's real estate office and the Mann building were ablaze, including the small frame house occupied by John Doyle. The Wenatchee Advance says :

"By this time the whole row of buildings facing Wenatchee avenue were blazing and be- yond help. All efforts were then directed to adjacent buildings. The Seattle Beer Hall was saved only by cool, prompt and effective labor. Blankets were spread over the wood-shed in the rear of the building and kept wet until water that was standing in barrels was exhausted, and then shouts of "water!" went up from a hun- dred throats. Soon, and with commendable promptness the water wagons of David Mor- gan and W. A. Sanders came trundling along,

and stopped near the bank to be met by citizens with buckets. A pile of lumber and wood near the bank building caught fire, and but for the well-directed energies of several cool-headed citizens the flames would have run up the wall under the water gutters, and also, caught in the windows, destroying that magnificent brick building. Several men were stationed on the roof and others at windows, throwing water upon the walls and window casings.

The millinery store of Mrs. Rose Reeves was saved by tearing down the outbuildings back of the bank, which prevented the flames from spreading farther in that direction. At one time the wind hauled to the east and it re- quired prompt and heroic work to save the buildings on the opposite side of the street. The fire was now confined to the west side of Wenat- chee avenue, and by two o'clock, A. M., the en- tire wooden row was in smoking ruins. Fol- lowing are the losses :

F. B. Loney, $600; Sunstedt & Pearson, $1,000; Lee & Mann, $1,200; M. Callaghan, $2,500; Edward Benson, $400; W. H. Alex- ander, $400; R. V. Wells, $25. All of these were total losses, there being no insurance. The Columbia Valley Bank was damaged to the amount of $150, fully covered by insurance.

January 27, 1894, the following various branches of business were represented in We- natchee; one bank, two general merchandise stores, one grocery store, one paint and wall paper store, two confectioneries, three hotels, one restaurant, one bakery, two butcher shops, one livery stable, one lumber yard, one tin shop, one lime, cement and brick yard, two blacksmith shops, four saloons, one millinery establishment, one newspaper and one whole- sale liquor house.

In the fall of 1894 there was completed a handsome brick school house, erected at a cost of $10,000. During the following few years there was very little history making in Wenat- chee. The young city held its own, taking no backward step, although but little of importance

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occurred. But in 1898-99 the revival of pros- perity and "good times" took place, here as elsewhere, and Wenatchee began to assume an important part in the general progression of the state.

January 22, 1898, the initial movement was made toward the establishment of a public lib- rary and reading room. The ladies of the W. C. T. U. secured control of the Wenatchee Ad- vance for the issue of January 22, and pub- lished the entire paper for that week. In this manner the sum of $80 was raised and before the close of the year a library had been pro- cured in addition to a first-class reading room. September 2, 1898, the Wenatchee Fire Depart- ment was organized. Its original membership comprised seventeen active citizens. The first officers were: L. O. Hall, chief; George J. Evans, first assistant chief; Charles Kinney, second assistant chief; Dr. Gilchrist, drill- master; William M. Cumins, secretary; Percy Scheble, treasurer. The United States govern- ment census of 1900 gave Wenatchee a popu- lation of four hundred and fifty-one.

The steamer Wenatchee, better known as the "Irish World," was destroyed by fire at her dock early Saturday morning, July 13. 1901. The origin of this disaster remains un- known. The steamer was built in 1899 and was owned by Baily & O'Connor. The insur- ance of $3.500 only partially covered the loss.

Between Tuesday, September 3, and Fri- day, September 6, 1901, the first county fair was held in the city of Wenatchee, and in every particular it was an unqualified success.

October 10 of this year five miles west of Wenatchee, there occurred a frightful wreck between two freight trains, both running extra on the Great Northern railway. It resulted in the death of Samuel Stallcup, a fireman, and. H. H. Hixson, a brakeman, and serious injury to E. P. Carson, brakeman, - - Fielding, engineer, and James Barr, engineer. Near the same place on the Great Northern occurred another wreck, March 7, 1902, caused by a

rear-end collision. The stationary train had been stopped by a landslide and huge rock on the track. Lee Ferryman, a brakeman, was killed, being scalded to death.

A remarkable growth was enjoyed by We- natchee during the year 1902. In a special edi- tion of the Wenatchee Advance, issued January 3. 1903, it is estimated that the total cost of resi- dences and business houses erected in 1902 was $320,000. Some of the principal business houses built that year, and their cost, are as follows :

Wenatchee Hardware Company, brick, one story and basement, 50x100, $5,500; Scheble & Lane, two story brick, 48x80, $6.500; Orondo Shipping Company, frame mill, ware- house and machinery, $22,000 ; Seattle Brewing & Malting Company, cold storage, $4,500; O. B. Fuller, one-story brick, 38x100, $5.500; D. A. Beal, two-story brick, 25x120, $4,600; John Durieux, two-story brick. 25x80, $5,600; L. O. Bardin, two-story brick. 50x75, $9.500; Mrs. Parsons, Columbia hotel, $2.500; J. M. Duffy, Olympia building, $2,200; W. M. Cross, Olympia cafe, $800 ; Captain Alexander Griggs, two frame buildings, $1.500; Morse & Wheeler, feed store and barn, $1.500; Eagle Livery, ad- dition to barn, $850; S. D. Cox, store building, $850 : J. W. Allison, "Owl Club," $1,500; Fritz & Padoshek, frame addition, $600; total, $75,000.

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Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington, Part 119

Author: Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Spokane, Wash. : Western History Number of Pages: 992

Author:
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Spokane, Wash. : Western History
Number of Pages: 992