USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 26
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 26
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 26
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 26
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
Total agricultural, horticultural, and stock products . 25 262,500
The United States census report for 1910 gives a population for the four counties of 99003 It we allow for to per cent increase in 1916, we shall have approximately fifty- four thousand people in Old Walla Walla County The year 1916 represents, therefore, a gross income of nearly Saus for each man, woman. and child in the area This, it must of course be observed, is the income from the seal, and takes no account of the earnings of the manufacturing. mercantile. professional, and laboring classes It is safe to say that few regions in the United States of the world can match such an income representing the absolute increase in wealth taken right from the earth. It is no wonder that the farmers of our four counties have automobiles and household luxuries galore, and when harvest time is over take trips to California, Honolulu, or "back East." or, before the war. to Europe It is of interest to add here the approximate areas in cultivation in the four counties It was reported in 1916 as follows :
Grain lands, in bearing and in summer-fallow -
Walla Walla County 500,000 acres
The other counties. 500,000 acres
Fruit Jands- Asotin County 3.500 acres
( Note : An underestimate of Asotin County )
Walla Walla County 2.00 acres
Columbia County 1.0.45 acres
Garfield County
525 acres
MANIIMTURING
We have confined our attention thus far to what might be regarded as the natural fundamental industries of stock raising, farning, and horticulture.
But along with those essential industries to which the country was naturally adapted, there went of necessity some mercantile and manufacturing enterprises. Lister on the professional classes became interrelated to all the others. While the region covered by our four counties is not naturally a manufacturing country, yet from the first there have been those whose tastes and interests have lead them to mechanical pursints In a growing community where the founda- tion products are those of the soil and yet where the building arts are in constant demand there must necessarily be some manufacturing. Most of the enter- prises of that nature in this section have been connected either with building materials or with agricultural implements Saw mills came in almost with the
193
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
dawn of civilized life. Hence we are not surprised to find that the first pioneer in Walla Walla, Dr. Marcus Whitman, built a saw-mill. That mill was on Mill Creek, apparently nearly where the present Shemwell place is located. As is not known to many there was a small saw-mill on the grounds of the United States Fort. The flume ran nearly along the present course of Main Street and the mill was on the northern edge of the military reservation opposite Jesse Drum- heller's residence. Doubtless it was those mills which gave our beautiful creek its unfortunate name, in place of the more attractive native name of Pasca or Pashki, "sunflower."
The Statesman of December 13, 1861, notices the building of a saw-mill on the Coppei by Anderson Cox, one of the foremost of the early citizens of Walla Walla, who also had large interests in and around Waitsburg. Another promi- nent old-timer, W. H. Babcock, is reported in the issue of June 2, 1865, as having purchased a saw-mill on the Walla Walla. One of the earliest saw- mills, built at the close of 1862, was on Mill Creek in Asotin. There were various little mills in the timber land of the Blue Mountains. In the '80s Dr. N. G. Blalock and a little later Dr. D. S. Baker inaugurated the business of fluming from the mountains to Walla Walla. In the case of the former this was a calamitous business venture, but the latter with his usual sound judgment made a great success of the enterprise.
The most extensive lumbering business of Walla Walla in the earlier days was that still known by the corporate name of the Whitehouse-Crawford Co. This company was founded in 1880 by Messrs. Cooper and Smuck. In 1888 G. W. Whitehouse and D. J. Crimmins became chief owners, though Mr. Cooper retained his connection with the business. In 1905 J. M. Crawford acquired the business, being joined by his brother J. T. Crawford, in 1909. The business has become very extensive, having numerous branches, with the general name Tum-a-Lum Lumbering Co. There have been established in more recent years the Walla Walla Lumber Co., the Oregon Lumber Co., and the Bridal Veil Lumber Co., all doing large lines of business.
A large amount of capital has been invested in the manufacturing of agricul- tural machinery. The most extensive establishment in these lines in Walla Walla was the Hunt Threshing Factory founded in 1888 by Gilbert Hunt and Chris- topher Ennis, who purchased the machine shop of Byron Jackson, which became the property of Mr. Hunt in 1891. The special output of the factory was the "Pride of Washington Separator," but subsequently iron work and belting and wind mills and other lines were added. Owing to financial difficulties precipitated by the hard times beginning in 1907 this great establishment, which employed from seventy-five to a hundred men, was obliged to close its doors.
For a number of years the northwestern branch of the Holt Harvester Works, of which Benjamin Holt was manager, was located in Walla Walla. It conducted an immense business, particularly in the "side-hill" harvester and in tractors. The main northern house is now located in Spokane, while the Walla Walla branch is managed by E. L. Smith and Co.
Among the other manufacturing enterprises worthy of larger notice than our space permits may be named the Brown-Lewis Corporation, the Ringhoffer Brothers Saddle-tree Factory, the Webber Tannery, the Washington Weeder Works, the Walla Walla Iron Works, and the Cox-Bailey Manufacturing Co., Vol. I-13
194
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
now succeeded by separate enterprises of the two partners. From a historical point of view the iron foundry conducted by J. L. Roberts during the decade of the 'gos was one of the most conspicuous industries. The foundry business was later conducted by the Hunt Company.
It will give a view of the distribution of business houses and industries to insert here the tabulation of these on file in the Commercial Club office.
TRADES, PROFESSIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS CALLINGS
Accountants (public)
4
Apartment houses
8
Architects 3
Banks 5
Bakeries 6
Barber shops 20
2
Blacksmith shops
IO
Bottling works
2
Coal and wood yards.
7
Contractors and builders (all kinds)
33
Dentists
20
Doctors-a-physicians and surgeons.
27
b-Osteopaths
6
c-Chiropractors
3
Dressmakers and fitters. 2.1 Electricians . 5
I
Garages
14
Gas plants
I
Hospitals and sanatoriums
3
Hotels 4
Lawyers
2.4
Liveries-a-horse
3
b-Auto
3
Machine shops
5
Moving picture theaters
4
Newspapers
4
Painter and paper hangers.
4
Plumbing shops
4
Pool and billiard halls
6
Photograph galleries
4
Printing offices
4
Real estate dealers
31
Restaurants
22
Rooming houses
Shoe repair shops
6
Tailor shops I2
Electric light plants
Bowling alleys
KING DAVID TREES, THREE YEARS OLD, TRAVIS
196
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
Department
3
Drug
8
Dry goods 8
Electrical supply
3
Flour and feed.
3
Furniture
4
General
2
Grocery
35
Hardware
6
Harness and saddlery.
6
Implement
5
Jewelry
5
Meat
5
Millinery
8
Shoe
8
Variety-5 and 10 cent. 2
Ladies' suits and cloaks.
2
Perhaps no one business fact is so good a commentary on the financial con- dition of a community as the bank deposits.
The banks of Walla Walla have had during the year 1917 an average of seven million dollars deposits. On January 1, 1918, deposits exceeded eight millions.
As we shall see, the banks of the other cities of the district have similar or even greater amounts in proportion to population. It would doubtless be safe to estimate the bank deposits of the four counties at eleven million dollars, or over two hundred dollars per capita.
As a means of indicating the financial status of Walla Walla, with Garfield and Columbia counties, the following clipping from a local paper of October 16, 1917, will be of permanent value :
"Announcement of the official allotment of Liberty loan bonds to each bank in the Walla Walla district comprising Garfield, Columbia and Walla Walla counties, was made for the first time last evening by P. M. Winans, chairman of the executive committee, following receipt of a telegram from the Federal Reserve Bank at San Francisco, giving the total minimum and maximum allotments for this district. As soon as these figures were learned the allotments for each of the fourteen banks in the district were figured on a basis of deposits at the last" federal call.
"The minimum allotment for the district was placed by the Federal Reserve Bank at $1,483,000 and the maximum allotment at $2,457,842. From the way the campaign has been going it will require every energy to raise the minimum, which is 50 per cent more than the allotment for the district for the first Liberty bond issue.
"This time Walla Walla County alone must subscribe $1,044,000 or as much as the entire district subscribed for the first loan. The City of Walla Walla must subscribe $874.000 to report the minimum desired. Columbia County must subscribe $240,000 and Garfield County $199,000."
197
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY .
BANK ALLOTMENTS
The official allotment which each of the fourteen banks of the district was expected to subscribe among its customers, follows :
Walla Walla-
First National Bank $235,000
Baker-Boyer National Bank 243,000
Third National Bank 109,000
Peoples State Bank
I35,000
Farmers Savings Bank 152,000
Touchet State Bank, Touchet
7,000
First State Bank, Prescott.
12,000
First National Bank, Waitsburg
121,000
Exchange Bank, Waitsburg
30,000
Columbia National Bank, Dayton.
146,000
Broughton National Bank, Dayton
85,000
Bank of Starbuck, Starbuck.
9,000
Pomeroy State Bank, Pomeroy.
132,000
Knettle State Bank, Pomeroy .
67,000
$1,483,000
It may be added that the amount actually subscribed exceeded the maximum, being $2,647,000.
ANNUAL COUNTY FAIR
One feature of constant interest in any growing American community is the annual county fair. As a yearly jubilee, a display of products, and a general "get-together" agency, this characteristic feature of American rural life is entitled to a large place. It co-ordinates industries, creates enterprise, kindles ambition, and promotes the spirit of mutual helpfulness in pre-eminent degree. The Walla Walla fairs have had essentially the familiar features of all such institutions ; i. e., the exposition of agricultural, horticultural, and other products. Since the fairs have been held at the present grounds south of the city, the exhibition of live-stock and the horse racing features, and in the three prior years to the date of this work, the "Pioneer Days," have become leading events and have drawn thousands of visitors from all parts of the country.
The first fairs were somewhat broken and irregular.
Apparently the germ of our county fairs was the establishment of a race course on the flat west of town running around the hill adjoining what is now the Coyle place, by George H. Porter. In the Statesman of October 18, 1862, is quite a flaming advertisement of the races. They were to last four days, October 30th to November 2d. There were to be purses of $100, $50 and $150 for win- ners, with 20 per cent for entries. Buckley's Saloon was to be headquarters for making entries. Admission was to be 50 cents. The proprietor seems to have been somewhat on the order of a "bad man," as he later became involved in a murder case.
198
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
On July 9, 1866, an agricultural society was organized, of which the officers were: President, H. P. Isaacs; vice presidents, Anderson Cox, and W. H. Newell; treasurer, J. D. Cook; secretary, R. R. Rees; executive committee, Charles Russell, T. S. Lee and A. A. Blanchard. Under the management of this society the first county fair was held on October 4, 5 and 6, 1866.
Another organization, known as the Washington Territory Agricultural, Min- ing, and Art Fostering Society, undertook the maintenance of fairs in 1870. In September of that year the first of a series was held until 1873. Finding that the grounds were too far from the city they were sold and the fairs discon- tinued.
In 1875 C. S. Bush laid out a race-track at the place where Watertown now exists, and there a fair was held in October of that year. That place was for many years the location of races and fairs and public gatherings of all sorts.
During that same year of 1875 the first definite organization looking to pro- moting immigration was organized, and a thirty-page pamphlet was published setting forth the attractions of the Walla Walla Valley for business and residence.
As years passed increasing interest in the annual meets led to an attempt to give them a permanent character, and in 1897 the Fruit Growers Association, of which Dr. N. G. Blalock was president, undertook to finance and manage the fairs with a degree of system which had not hitherto prevailed. The first fair under the auspices of the Fruit Growers was held in the courthouse. The two succeeding were held in Armory hall. In 1900 a pavilion was erected on Second Street and for several years the annual fairs were held at that place. As an illustration of the character of the fairs of that stage of history we are- incor- porating here an account of the fair of 1900, taken from the October number of the Inland Empire magazine :
"The Fourth Annual Fruit Fair of the Walla Walla Valley was held in the City of Walla Walla October I to 7 inclusive, and was in every way the most successful and satisfactory exposition ever attempted in Southeastern Washing- ton. This was true as to the financial aspect of the fair, as to the attendance and as to the quality of fruit on display.
"Nature was responsible for the latter feature of the success of the fair, as she is responsible for much that goes to make up the category of the virtues of the Walla Walla Valley. Give our agriculturists and horticulturists a year with a well regulated rainfall, and frost which considerately stays away when not wanted, and they will with diligence and careful culture produce grapes, pears, apples and most every kind of fruits and vegetables of such quality and size as are seen in no other part of the Union.
"In 1899 the fair continued six days, but this year a full week was given, and the attendance exceeded that of previous years by over three thousand paid admissions. The visitors were not restricted to Walla Walla and the imme- diate vicinity ; fully one thousand came from Waitsburg, Dayton and other neighboring towns, and 500 from Pendleton, Milton, Athena, and various points in our sister state. The scope of the fruit fair is broadening and exhibits are received from an ever increasing extent of territory.
"From a financial point of view, the officers of the exposition have every reason to be congratulated. The gross proceeds of the fair were something over seven thousand dollars, and about eleven hundred dollars of this is profit,
HEAVILY LOADED LIMB OF JONATHAN APPLES, CLARKSTON
APPLE TREE ON THE PROPERTY OF WHITE BROTHERS AND CRUM, WAWAWAI, SNAKE RIVER
199
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
and is deposited as a nestegg for the fair of 1901. This is the first year in the history of the fairs that any material profit has resulted in dollars and cents. Last year $80 was taken in over and above expenses, and the year before nothing. Better management is responsible for this result, and a more thorough appre- ciation of the requirements of the fair.
"T. H. Wagner's military band, of Seattle, furnished music for the fair, giv- ing concerts every afternoon and evening.
"Mrs. Jennie Houghton Edmunds was the vocal soloist, and Herr Roden- kirchen, who is known to fame in the East and West, was their cornet soloist.
"One of the special features of the programme of the fair was an Indian war dance. A score of bucks and half dozen squaws from the Umatilla Reserva- tion were the performers, and their presence recalled to many of the visitors the days when the proximity of redskins was a consummation devoutly to be dreaded.
"The woman's department was this ycar under the direction of Mrs. John B. Catron, and formed the most interesting and tasteful display at the fair. A part was devoted to collections of Indian curios and relics, and this department was always crowded with visitors. Lee Moorehouse of Pendleton has on exhibi- tion many of his photographs of Indians and scenes on the Umatilla Reserva- tion, pictures which even now are of interest, and which fifty years hence, when the development of the country has crowded the redskins further to the wall, will be of great historical value.
"More than ever before have the people of this valley appreciated the value of fruit fairs and industrial expositions. Here the farmers anil those interested in the various lines of agriculture and horticulture have an opportunity to see the results of each others' labors and profit. by their experience. They are encouraged by the success of others, and obtain suggestions which are invaluable in their work. They learn in what direction the efforts of their neighbors are being exerted, and keep in touch with the development of the various agricul- tural pursuits.
"The Belgian hare exhibit, prepared by S. C. Wingard and E. A. Coull, was a feature not before seen at these fairs. This exhibition, with its hundreds of dollars' worth of valuable imported specimens of Belgian hares and fancy stock, was perhaps the most valuable at the fair, and of the greatest interest because of its novelty. Belgian hare culture is yet in its infancy, and the gentle long- eared creature was the center of attraction for those who wished to know more of these animals which are monopolizing so much attention among breeders of pet stock.
"The railroads doing business in Walla Walla took a most active interest in the fair. Two pretty and unique booths were erected and they proved among the attractive features of the event.
"The Northern Pacific and Washington & Columbia River railways took the cue of the Boxers and a pretty pagoda was designed. The structure was erected near the band pavilion and was provided with seats and accommoda- tions for the ladies and children. The pagoda was built of native woods and finished with moss brought from Tacoma for the purpose. The work was artis- tically done. At night a number of colored electric lights gave a finishing touch
( D WALLY WAIT S COUNTY
to the sere The design was largely the idea of Manager MeCabe and I'as senger Agent Collerbead, of the Washington & Columbia River Railway.
"The booth of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company was located near the tam entrance and it was neatly plated A commodious square booth was hm hel ated trunmed with grams and fruns taken from the company's experi mental farm near the city. The ceiling was made of a variety of handsomely colored weeks in the unwoven state, blended together with artistic effect The walls of the Tooth were hung with pictures, and chairs and reading offered rest and entertainment to all. The booth was in charge of General Agent Burns and C. 1ยบ Van De Water."
The officers of the association for 1900 were as follows: W. A Ritz, presi- dent ; C. F. Van De Water, secretary ; O. R. Ballou, superintendent ; Mrs. J. B. Catron, superintendent of the woman's department
VARIED ASPECTS OF THE FAIR
The Fair assumed different aspects in different years, sometimes taking on as the predominant interest the exhibition of fruit and vegetables, and at other times stock and machinery. At still other times the "horse race" was the domi- nant feature.
In 1903 a new organization was effected known as the Walla Walla Race Track Association. At a meeting of a number of the leading men of the city and county, of which Judge T. H. Brents was chairman, the following were elected trustees of the association : W. S. Offner, Joseph McCabe, R. B. Caswell, James Kidwell, Wmn. Hogoboom, John McFeeley, Chris Ennis, W. G. Preston and Frank Singleton. Under the auspices of the association the first of a new series of fairs was held in the autumn of 1903 at the present location upon the land known as the "Henderson" tract, purchased by the association. The name of the association became changed to the Walla Walla County Fair Associa- tion. In 1906 the pavilion still used was erected. In 1007 the dominant interest was the "Harvest Festival," the chief features of which were carried out within the city This will be remembered as quite a gorgeous pageant. J. J. Kauffman was duly crowned as King Rex, and Hattie Stine became queen of the carnival as Queen Harriet. Both coronations were signalized by spectacular parades and general hilarity which made that celebration the most memorable of the series In 1908. August 8th, a great disaster occurred at the Race Track, the destruc- tion by fire of the barns, together with several valuable horses, entailing severe loss both to the association and to several individuals, especially Wm. Hogoboom. In the same year the street railway line was extended from the city to the grounds. As indicating the personnel of the association of that period, it will be valuable to present here the names of the officers and trustees: T. H. Brents. president ; Grant Copeland, vice president ; R E. Guichard, secretary ; trustees, F. Tausick, M. Toner, W. A. Kitz, Sam Drumheller, Mordo McDonald, J. H. Morrow. J G. Kidwell, Frank Singleton. Wm. Ilogoboom, C. L. Whitney, B. F. Simpson, Ben C. Holt, J. P. Kent, J. Smith, and Wm. Kirkman Throughout the period to the present the association has been an incorporated organization, with the stock distributed widely among the farmers and business men of the community. Judge Brents continued as president until 1914. when bodily in-
201
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
firmity forbade further continuance, and his lamented death soon followed. Robert Johnson became secretary in 1907 and in 1909 W. A. Ritz became man- ager, being chosen president in 1914 upon retirement of Judge Brents. Messrs. Ritz and Johnson became so closely identified from that time on as to be asso- ciated with every feature of the history of the Fair. The woman's department was conducted with equal efficiency during the same period by Mesdames J. B. Catron, W. A. Ritz, and W. D. Lyman.
FRONTIER DAYS
In 1913, feeling that the common routine had rather palled, the managers decided to inaugurate a new order of things, and as a result the "Frontier Days" came into existence, with its spectacular displays of "bull-dogging," relay races, stage-coach races, cow-boys, cow-girls, Indians, etc., one of the last stands of the Wild West. In spite of the great success of these exhibitions as a means of drawing crowds and creating interest, the frontier days were not a financial suc- cess. After the meeting of 1915, the Fair Association decided not to continue, and hence there was no fair of any kind upon the grounds in 1916. There was conducted, however, a Merchants' Carnival upon the streets which while per- haps tame in comparison with its predecessors served to signalize the autumn season and to create a period of good fellowship and community enjoyment. During 1915 and 1916 the question of purchase of the Fair Grounds by the county became one of the especial subjects of local politics. A general spirit of caution and economy prevailed, and the proposition failed of a sufficient vote in the election of 1916. The grounds remain, therefore, in possession of the County Fair Association, and it is just to the members of the association to say that the thanks of the entire community are due them for their patriotism and genuine life in maintaining at a financial loss this important feature of com- munity progress.
With the cessation of the regular Fair there was a lively demand in every direction for something that would keep the Queen Mother of the Inland Empire upon the map as an autumn amusement center. In response to this public call, George Drumheller, the greatest wheat farmer of the Inland Empire (and for that matter doubtless the greatest individual wheat farmer in the world, having about twenty thousand acres of wheat land), rose to the occasion and prepared a program for a new exhibition, "The Pioneer Pow-wow." The personnel of the management was as follows: George Drumheller, managing director ; O. C. Soots, secretary; Tom Drumheller, arena director; Bill Switzler, assistant arena director ; John Neace, Jim McManamon, and George Marckum, judges ; A. G. Busbee, chief announcer ; Ben Corbett, assistant announcer.
As a permanent record of the Pow-wow we are incorporating here the sum- mary of it as given in the Walla Walla Bulletin at the close of the events :
"After three days of some of the finest riding, roping and feature cowboy work ever seen in the West, the first annual Pioneer Pow-wow came to a close last night. The Pow-wow was a success from every standpoint ; so successful, in fact, that plans will be made for a second and greater Pow-wow next year, prob- ably to be put on under management of a new county fair association, for which the event this year was a benefit.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.