Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington, Part 120

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 120
USA > Washington > Ferry County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 120
USA > Washington > Okanogan County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 120
USA > Washington > Stevens County > Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington > Part 120

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).

During this progressive year three new steamers were built in the Wenatchee ship- yard; the North Star, at a cost of $7,000; the Gerome, $9,000, and the Chelan, $15,000. mak- ing a total outlay of $31,000 in shipbuilding for the year. Fifty thousand dollars would be a low estimate for improvements in the valley in the immediate vicinity of Wenatchee.

The fruit shipments by express from Wenatchee, for the year ending November 31, 1902, were as follows : Total number of boxes, 162.743: total weight, 4.615.467 pounds, or an amount equal to 132 car-loads. The in- crease over the shipments of a year before was

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

about 85 per cent. The shipments by freight for the same period aggregated 105,000 boxes ; running the total up to 267,743 boxes, or 225 car-loads. Much of this fruit was from or- chards only in partial bearing.

The steady increase in bank business and balances redounded to the acknowledged pros- perity of Wenatchee. In January, 1903, Guy C. Browne, cashier of the Columbia Valley Bank, said: "The growth of our business has been very rapid. The volume of business al- most doubled in 1902. More people are begin- ning to see the advantage of sending money by bank draft, and our draft business during 1902 increased 100 per cent. Bank deposits to a large extent reflect the prosperity of a com- munity. Our increase in deposits we think very flattering to both Wenatchee and the Columbia Valley bank. Take our deposits on December 30, a time when they are never as high as at other periods in the year, for the last five years, and the increase is wonderful. They are as fol- lows :

December 30, 1898 $33.750.45

December 30, 1899 41,862.54

December 30, 1900 59,518.93

December 30, 1901. 104,710.48

December 30, 1902 167,484.89

The Wenatchee Commercial Club, one of the most prosperous business organizations in the northwest, was organized Monday evening, April 20, 1903. The original officers were as follows: John A. Gellatly, president; A. Z. Wells, vice-president ; Arthur Gunn, treasurer ; H. C. Littlefield, secretary; trustees, C. E. Stohl, N. N. Brown, C. A. Harlin, L. V. Wells, and Ira D. Edwards.

November 25, 1903, the population of Wenatchee had increased to 1,690. Thursday, November 19, a special census was completed by W. A. Sanders. Wenatchee then became a

city of the third class, having 150 in excess of the required number of inhabitants, 1,500. The year 1903 witnessed a remarkable growth of population as well as many substantial im- provements. During this year over one hun- dred and twenty buildings were erected within the city limits, the total cost of which amounted. to fully $200,000. Some of the principal items of this amount were the Wenatchee Milling Company's grist mill and warehouse, $20,000; Wenatchee Box Factory, building and ware- house, $6,000; high school building, $8,000; Baptist church building, $3,300 ; Electric Light and Power Company's buildings and ma- chinery, $18,000; Griggs block, under construc- tion, $13,000; Olympia Cold Storage and We- natchee Bottling works, building, $9.000; and 15,400 lineal feet (nearly three miles) of side- walk, $7,700.

Outside of the town proper and within a radius of two miles of Wenatchee, over fifty residences, in addition to barns, were erected at a total cost of not less than $75,000. The great Wenatchee (High Line) canal was, also, com- pleted during this year at a cost of $250,000. The Home Water Company expended about $15,000 on the water proposition, and the expenditure of the Farmers' Telephone Com- pany will amount to at least $10,000. These improvements, added to those within the city limits will bring the total to fully half a million dollars for the town of Wenatchee and its immediate vicinity. The Wenatchee Advance said, early in January, 1904 :

"Among the many enterprises of Wenatchee in which large capital is invested the Columbia & Okanogan Steamboat Line stands prominent.

"There are seven boats in its fleet of steam- ers plying the Columbia river north to Brew- ster, Bridgeport and Riverside on the Okano- gan river. The steamers, the date of their building and the cost of their construction follows :

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

Name.

Built.

Cost.

\V. H. Pringle

I90I

$35,000

Selkirk

1899

15,000

Chelan

1900

18,000

Alexander Griggs

1903

10,000

North Star

. 1902

9,000

Gerome

1902

6,000

Echo

1897

1,500

Total

$94,500

"To the above must be added the cost of dockage, wharf-boats, etc., in Wenatchee and at up-river points, and a reasonable estimate places such cost at $13,000. Thus we have a total investment of $107,500. As stated in the Advance a few weeks back, the three largest boats, W. H. Pringle, Chelan and Selkirk, are to be elaborately fitted up for the season of 1904, and the work connected with these pro- posed improvements will involve the expendi- ture of several thousand dollars. * * The * season just closed has witnessed a large volume of up-river steamer business, and there is an absoute certainty that during the year 1904 business will be largely increased."

Concerning the eligible location of We- natchee the Seattle Commonwealth in its issue of November 8, 1902, said :

"In addition to being the center of Wash- ington's fairest and richest valley, yet in its infancy, the town of Wenatchee has been bene- fited ever since its inception by its advantageous situation. Its advantages are many and have been materially heightened and multiplied since the construction through the valley of the Great Northern Railway, and these advantages must have the effect in the near future of placing We- natchee in the forefront of the state's inland cities. Primarily must be taken into considera- tion its geographical position, and in this re- spect the town is superior to any center in the state of Washington.

"Tributary to it is the entire territory of Chelan and Okanogan counties, and the eastern

half of Douglas county. This is not due to railroad facilities, but to its natural position, and Wenatchee is by nature destined for all time to be the distributing point of this terri- tory. It is a mercantile, as well as a fruit center. Conveniently situated on the Columbia, navigable for 170 miles to the northward, all the up-river settlements, including much of the Big Bend wheat belt, some thirty small towns in all, are also tributary to Wenatchee.

"Another factor which has contributed to the town's growth in the past, and which must undoubtedly do so in the future, is its close identification with the interests of the Great Northern Railway Company."

The original townsite of Wenatchee was platted August 28, 1888, by Don Carlos Cor- bett. The next year the following additions to the old town were platted: Haley's, Bur- rell's, Murray & Company's and Haley's sec- ond addition. In 1890 Prowell's addition was platted; in 1891 Stahl & Tidmarsh's First, Bolenbaugh's First and Haley's Third were added, and in 1892 Stevens' First. These ad- ditions were all to the old town.

The Great Northern plat of Wenatchee was filed May 4, 1892, by the Wenatchee Develop- ment Company, and an amended plat was filed by them August 5, 1892. The same year the First addition, Engineers', was platted. In 1893 came the Central addition; in 1899 Suburban Home, Second Suburban Home and Manufac- turers' addition; in 1900 Warehouse addition and Smith Park; in 1901 Garden Home addi- tion and Nob Hill; in 1902 Home Lands, Fairview and Keefer's addition, and in 1903 Grand View addition.

CHELAN.

As a townsite Chelan came into existence under a serious handicap. Previous to 1886 all the tract of land north of the Chelan, to the Methow river, had been an Indian reservation, and was open to "homestead entry only." by

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

proclamation of President Cleveland, after per- mitting such Indians as were parties to certain treaties, and who so desired, to take allotments. It was then in Okonogan county. Probate Judge Ballard, assisted by United States Sur- veyor Henry Carr, in July, 1889, laid out the government townsite of Chelan, the plat of which was filed in the land office at Yakima. But for some reason which has never been satis- factorily explained this plat was received and filed by the register of the land office as a pre- emption, despite the fact that nothing but a homestead could be taken upon the newly opened tract.

Thus, at its inception, and after some 300 or 400 shacks had been erected by those claim- ing lots, it was discovered that no title could be obtained. All this confusion operated as a temporary back-set. However, the defect was finally and completely remedied by former United States Senator (then Congressman) John L. Wilson, who secured the passage by congress of a bill granting valid title to these early settlers in the town of Chelan. This was in 1892, and the bill forever settled the question of the titles of the Chelan townsite. Following is the report of the house' committee on public lands on the bill to grant certain land to the town of Chelan, in Okanogan county, Wash- ington :

The land in question was required for townsite pur- poses under the laws of the United States, and as such was located by C. H. Ballard, probate judge, in trust and for the use and benefit of the town of Chelan. Pend- ing this a treaty was made releasing the Indian title, as the legislation concerning that precluded location of land embraced in the treaty under all but the homestead laws. Inasmuch as a townsite cannot be located under homestead law and homestead cannot be located on land selected as a townsite, no title can be given to lands without an enabling act of congress. The committee finds no adverse claims, and therefore report the bill to the house with the recommendation that it pass.

A special from Washington, D. C., dated February 29, 1892, said :

"Representative Wilson today asked unani-

mous consent, and secured the passage of a bill granting a patent for a quarter section of Okanogan county upon which the town of Chelan is situated. The patent goes to the probate judge for the use and benefit of the in- habitants of the town under the townsite laws. The townsite was taken under the pre-emption laws; later it was discovered that in the segre- gation of Okanogan county from the Colville Indian reservation it had been provided that the lands could be acquired only under the homestead laws. As a large number of people had taken and improved lots on the townsite this worked a great hardship. Appeal was made to representative Wilson, who promptly introduced the measure."

Having passed both houses this bill was ap- proved March 24. Later C. H. Ballard, trus- tee of the Chelan townsite, came to Chelan and attended to the business of giving patents to residents. Today the title is as good as the United States government can make it, and since that period the town has grown steadily and satisfactorily.

In the spring of 1888 the white settlers along the shore of Lake Chelan comprised W. L. Sanders, Henry Dumke, I. A. Navarre and family, Frank Mowrey, R. H. Lord, Augustus W. Cooper, William Feickert, L. H. and Albert Spader and J. W. Horton. In 1887 Judge I. A. Navarre, W. L. Sanders and Henry Dumke settled on the lake and they were the original pioneers of the country. The first white child born on the lake shore was little Joe, the son of Judge Navarre. Among the first settlers north of the Chelan river were Messrs. L. H. Woodin and Julius A. Larrabee, with their families, the latter from Ripon, Wisconsin. Each of these men took a tract of land east of the new town- site. Thomas R. Gibson erected the first resi- dence house within the limits of the town of Chelan, but this was almost immediately fol- lowed by residences built by W. F. Allinder and Reuben Underwood. A store conducted by C. E. Whaley in 1890 was the original business

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

enterprise in Chelan. Mr. Whaley first visited the place early in 1890, coming across the Big Bend country afoot, from Waterville. Shortly afterward he opened up business with a small stock of goods. Chelan secured a postoffice in the spring of 1890, and Mr. Brinton Love- lace was apointed postmaster. He was suc- ceeded by H. A. Graham, and he, in turn, by C. E. Whaley. The present postmaster is J. A. Larrabee.

Among the sturdy, enterprising pioneers of Chelan who have figured prominently in its stirring and eventful history are L. H. Woodin, Julius A. Larrabee, C. E. Whaley, Thomas R. Gibson, W. F. Allinder, Reuben Underwood, Brinton Lovelace, H. A. Graham, A. F. Nich- ols, Dr. J. L. Jacobs, D. A. Vroman, Carpenter & Murdock, A. L. Johnson, Mr. Converse. Joshua A. Baker, C. C. Campbell, Dewitt C. Britt, J. D. Berrier, Leslie Barden, Dr. Albert S. Hayley, and Daniel J. Switzer.

In May, 1890, there were three hundred buildings on the townsite of Chelan, many of them having been erected for the purpose of holding lots. At that period County Commis- sioner Charles Johnson was president of the Chelan board of trade, an organization that has accomplished much in the way of advertising the resources of the district and attracting the attention of home seekers and investors. There were in Chelan at this time three general mer- chandise stores, one hardware store, one drug store, two saloons, and a blacksmith shop. November 19, 1891, the Chelan Leader said :

"Over two years ago the present site of the town was platted and it has had a steady growth ever since. A new town only a mile up the south shore has been laid out within a year and named Lake Park, where the steamers land. and it is a beautiful situation. The two places together have five stores, three hotels, one saw- mill, one market, one or two real estate offices, a good livery stable, two church organizations and a live Sunday School."

In January, 1893. a petition signed by C. C.

Campbell and 83 others, praying for the incor- poration of Chelan, was presented to the com- missioners of Okanogan county. The com- missioners' report denying the petition is as follows :

"In this matter it appearing to the county commissioners that the said petition has not been signed by sixty qualified electors of the county, residents within the limits of such pro- posed corporation, as is required by law, it is ordered that said petition be rejected and re- turned."

In the fall of 1893 Chelan's financial insti- tution, the First Chelan Bank, was established by Messrs. Converse & Baker, two gentlemen from Blue Earth, Minnesota. In July, 1893, the other business enterprises of Chelan had in- creased to five general stores, a bakery, black- smith shop, printing office, the Chelan Leader, a livery stable, a market and a saloon.

As with so many other towns favorably lo- cated Chelan has had the county seat bee in her bonnet. In the summer and fall of 1894 Che- lan was a candidate for the capital of Okano- gan county. A petition signed by 705 quali- fied voters of that county was presented to the commissioners asking that a special election be called for the purpose of voting on the proposi- tion to remove the county seat from Conconully to Chelan.

Judges W. A. Reneau, of Waterville, C. C. Campbell and Deputy Sheriff Farley, of Chelan, appeared before the regular October meeting of the board at Concomilly, and pre- sented the petition. Arguments were made in favor of granting the same by Judge Reneau, and against it by one. Hankey, who had been employed as county attorney. The board de- cided to call the election, but later reconsidered this action and issued an order against granting the petition.

In May, 1898, the question of county seat removal was again sprung. On the 28th in- stant a meeting was held at Exhibition Hall, Chelan, over which presided Judge C. C. Camp-

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

bell. Mr. Ellery R. Fosdick served as secre- tary. Chairman Campbell stated that the ob- ject of the meeting was to take initiatory steps looking to the removal of the county seat from its present location to the Chelan Valley; that the law required a petition signed by at least one-third of the voters at the last election, ask- ing that the question of removal be submitted to the people at the next succeeding general election, stating definitely the proposed new lo- cation and other material facts, and presented to the county commissioners at their first regu- lar meeting. Judge Campbell also read the law, showing conclusively that with the present population, county division, which some pre- ferred, was out of the question and would be for an indefinite time to come. Calling for a general expression from the assembly a general discussion followed participated in by Messrs. C. Robinson, Joseph Darnell, C. C. Campbell, C. E. Whaley, DeWitt C. Britt, Charles Colver, Bernard Devin, Benjamin F. Smith, J. F. Will- iams, Fred Pflæging, H. R. Kingman, A. H. Murdock, P. H. Farley, H. A. Graham, J. F. Baker, James Pumpelly, F. W. Easley, Ellery R. Fosdick, Augustus W. Cooper, R. H. Lord, William M. Emerson, T. A. Wright and others.

Messrs. Cooper, Lord and Emerson volun- teered their services in circulating the petition free of charge, and it was voted unanimously to undertake the removal of the county seat to the Chelan Valley. The chair appointed A. H. Murdock, Ellery R. Fosdick and H. R. Kingman a committee to draft a subscription paper for the purpose of raising funds for im- mediate expenses. The chairman also stated that Judge William Henry had offered to do- nate a site for court house purposes, and that Mr. M. M. Kingman had offered two acres in his residence tract on the south side of the Che- lan river. The offer of Mr. Kingman was ac- cepted. Everyone being invited to subscribe to the expense fund a handsome sum was collected and the meeting adjourned.

And yet this last attempt was destined to

come to naught. The petition was subsequently signed by 529 voters. If the reader wil turn to the "First Exploration and Early History of Okanogan County," in Part Four of this work, he will see that, while the county commissioners granted this petition, and an election was held, the question of a division of the county had been injected into the discussion, and this fact mili- tated against the new county seat "boomers." The question of removal was defeated by a vote of 550 against, to 253 for removal.

Chelan decided to incorporate in May, 1902, At an election the citizens voted almost to a man in favor of the proposition, there being only seven votes against it. Much thought was bestowed upon the question and it was dis- cussed from various view points. The new city council comprised the following members : Elmer Boyd, H. B. Higgins, A. H. Murdock, G. L. Richardson, and C. E. Whaley. Amos Edmunds was elected mayor, and J. A. Van Slyke, treasurer. The total number of votes cast was sixty-three.

Amos Edmunds, the first mayor of Chelan, formerly resided at La Harpe, Illinois, where he had large property interests. Until coming to Chelan he had resided on a farm all his life, and was for many years one of the largest breeders of blooded cattle in the United States. In 1900 he came west on a visit to his brother- in-law, C. C. Campbell, of Chelan, by whom he was induced to build the Hotel Chelan. Elmer Boyd, the youngest member of the coun- cil, completed a course in mining and assaying at the state agricultural college, at Pullman, Washington, and at the time of his election to the city council was engaged in the assaying business. He is a son of ex-county commis- sioner Boyd.

H. B. Higgins was a contractor and builder, having a business block on Jackson avenue in association with his brother. A. H. Murdock had been engaged in the hardware business in Chelan for ten years, and aside from his town property was heavily interested in valuable

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

mining property in the Chelan district. G. L. Richardson was the senior member of the Richardson Drug Company, which had been in business in Chelan for about a year. C. E. Whaley was in the general mercantile business in Chelan for about twelve years, during five years of which time he was postmaster. His was the first store in Chelan. J. A. Van Slyke, the treasurer-elect, was a son-in-law of J. F. Baker, president of the First Chelan Bank.

In August, 1903, twenty-four of Chelan's most enterprising business men assembled at the Chelan Hotel, on the 18th instant, for the purpose of organizing a Commercial Club. On the 3Ist the organization was perfected and named the Chelan Commercial Club, with the following officers: M. M. Foote, president ; J. H. Holden, vice-president ; Frederick H. Fu- rey, secretary ; Barnett Stillwell, treasurer; M. M. Foster, Amos Edmunds, Dr. A. I. Mitchell, J. A. Van Slyke and E. Weber, board of direc- tors. The charter members of this organiza- tion were A. P. Kelso, Emil Weber, Rush J. White, W. D. Richards, Amos Edmunds, J. A. Van Slyke, Barnett Stillwell, W. H. Cum- ming, E. E. Weber, J. H. Holden, M. E. Lies, M. Garton, Charles A. Shindler, Frederick Pflæging, F. H. Furey, Judge C. C. Camp- bell, M. M. Foote, John Isenhart, A. I. Mit- chell, O. W. Brownfield, C. S. Ridout, George M. Jacobs, Thomas R. Gibson, Captain John B. Lucas.

The condition of Chelan January 1, 1904. is thus described by the Leader of that date :

The year just closed has been one of notable pros- perity for Lake Chelan. During the year many thous- ands of dollars have been expended developing the mines, a number of which are practically ready to mine and ship ore so soon as a smelter is built to handle them. The Railroad Creek, twelve-mile, mining, narrow gauge railway has been made very nearly ready for the rails, and the Holden mine alone has contracted to de- liver to a smelter syndicate 500,000 tons of copper and gold-bearing ore.

Large building operations have been carried on at the foot of the lake, including handsome brick blocks, frame business houses, brick and frame residences, one

new church, an annex to another, etc. A retaining dam has been built in the Chelan river to improve lake navi- gation and to regulate that great and important reser- voir. Another bridge has been erected across that stream. The Chelan Water Power Company has in- stalled and put in operation an electric lighting plant for Lakeside and Chelan that any place might be proud of; has excavated and built a brick and cement reservoir and has laid over five miles of water mains, for a water system for the community that would be hard to equal anywhere in eastern Washington outside of Spokane, and has installed a pumping plant at their power works, expecting to fill the reservoir, flood their mains and begin active business with the opening day of the new year. Although several new mercantile firms have come in, business has been more than usually prosperous; an un- usually large holiday trade is reported, and there have been no failures in business.

The Auditorium Association has been reorganized and put on a business basis, and has begun in earnest to lift its indebtedness incurred in building that elegant structure, and to finish it in a comfortable and credit- able style. There has been comparatively little sickness during the year in proportion to the population, which latter has been greatly augmented by a good, well-to-do class of people, and we have been remarkably free from contagious diseases. The tourist travel to the lake has far exceeded that of any previous year, taxing to their upmost capacity all the hotels and resorts. The public park has been plowed and fenced and will be planted to trees next spring. A fine, costly, well-equipped sanita- rium is one of the acquisitions of the year. Taken alto- gether the Lake Chelan community has made a decided advance over any previous year in its history.

The Congregational Church was the first one to occupy the field in Chelan. It was estab- lished in 1890, but was never very strong, sus- pending services a few years later. Shortly after the establishment of the Congregational Church the Methodists also organized, and this proved an important moral and religious force in the community. In November, 1896, the Methodists began the erection of a house of worship, 28x40 feet, with a seating capacity of 250. In August, 1897, it was completed and occupied. Its total cost, including furni- ture, was $1,425. In 1897 the Episcopal Church was organized, the result of ministra- tions at various times by Bishop L. H. Wells, of Spokane, ably supplemented by the labors of Rev. B. C. Roberts. St. Andrews Episcopal Church is one of the notable sights of Chelan.

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HISTORY OF NORTH WASHINGTON.

being built entirely of logs. The interior is unique, finished in the rough, giving the whole a rustic appearance that is both pleasing and impresesive. It is seated with long benches, with backs, and the pulpit chairs are made of pole wood, while the pulpit stands are con- structed of large logs, cut about four feet in length, and standing on end. A pole fence also surrounds the church. The plans were ordered by Bishop L. H. Wells, and K. K. Cutter, of Spokane, was the architect of this place of worship which was built during the fall and winter of 1898. Rev. Henry J. Gurr is pastor. The first Episcopalian church service was held June 28, 1891, in the old school house, Chelan, by Rev. Charles B. Crawford. He came to Chelan from All Saints' Cathedral, Spokane. At this first service he baptized Archie Chelan Feichert and Elmer Glenwood Porter. From the fall of 1896 until the spring of 1898 Rev. Brian C. Roberts was minister in charge. He came over from Waterville to care for the work here and at Chelan Falls. The first officers were A. H. Murdock, warden; Mrs. C. E. Whaley, secretary; and Mrs. S. P. Richard- son, treasurer. Through the faithful services and unflagging interest of Mrs. C. E. Whaley, the Sunday school was well started. Mrs. I. A. Navarre was church organist. Under the lead of Mr. A. H. Murdock, the men co-operated in getting out logs and laying the stone founda- tion for the present church. Rev. Mr. Roberts was called to be canon at the Cathedral, in Spokane, and rector of St. Stephen's school.

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Illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties, state of Washington, Part 120

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