USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 31
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 31
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 31
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 31
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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
Recitation of carly events, and incidents could go on forever And also it is hard to shape a series of stories, and a few smile historical facts, into an inter- esting history. But the foregoing gives the reader an idea of the times into which the missionary was forced to introduce the Christian teachings. A glance at Walla Walla today, called often the City of Churches, and then the retrospective glance into the '70s, shows the results of the influence which began work at that
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
early date and by its everwidening influence succeeded in civilizing this North- west.
WORTHY AND POWERFUL PREACHERS
Of the many worthy and powerful preachers of early Walla Walla it may be said that four seem to stand out beyond all others in the minds of pioneers. These are Cushing Eells, missionary, educator, school builder, and all-round saint ; John Flinn, a man of somewhat similar type, patient, tireless in good deeds, saintly and unselfish ; J. H. Wilbur, one of the big figures of early days; and P. B. Chamberlain, first pastor of the Congregational Church and first principal of Whitman Seminary. Each of these men had his peculiarities, some amusing, some pathetic, all interesting and inspiring. Old-timers, even those not at all given to walking the straight and narrow way, had profound regard for those militant exponents of the gospel. Father Wilbur had worked at the blacksmith's trade before entering the ministry and had muscles of iron around a heart as tender and gentle as ever beat. He was of giant strength and not at all times a non-resistent. It is related that once in Oregon before he came to Walla Walla, some rowdies persisted in disturbing a camp meeting which he was conducting. After warning them a time or two in vain he suddenly descended from the plat- form, keeping right on with the hymn in stentorian voice, swooped down on the two rowdies, seized them in his brawny hands, knocked their heads together a few times and almost shook the breath out of them, singing all the time, until it was plain that they would interrupt no more services, then returned to the pulpit, going right on as though nothing had happened.
Mr. Chamberlain was a man of very different appearance, small, delicate, refined in tone and speech. At first meeting one had little conception of his tremendous energy and iron will. He was a man of electric oratory and swayed pioneer audiences in his little church or in the groves at public gatherings as few men in Walla Walla ever have. He was, however, a genuine Calvinist in his theology, an intense Sabbatarian, and felt called on to attack secret societies and supposedly unorthodox churches with conscientious severity. Thus, though he was admired and respected by all, he could not maintain a working church. As showing something of the character of the man, we include brief extracts from entries made by him in the records of his church, pertaining to his first church building. The building was completed in 1866 at a cost of $3,500, most of which was Mr. Chamberlain's own money. Of it he says: "So it now stands consecrated to God, as all property should be. I leave it with Him, to be refunded or not as He may, at some future time, move the hearts of the children of men to desire to do." On July 13, 1868, two days after the fire, he writes: "God has put His own final construction upon the last part of the foregoing record. Last Saturday, between twelve and two, our pleasant church was entirely destroyed by fire, the fire originating in a neighbor's barn, situated within a few feet of the church. Thy will, not mine, be done." It is gratifying to record that the Methodists at once offered to share their house with their stricken neighbors and that within a few months the generous contributions of the people of Walla Walla enabled Mr. Chamberlain to gather his congregation again on the same place, corner of Second and Rose, and there the Congregationalists continued to worship under several
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
faturates until during that of Res An tin Kit in 1900 the present bu lding on 1'. louse and Alder streets was ciccted.
During the past few years a number of fine church buildings have been created of which the Lineman, the Presbyterian, the Paquet, the Marsin Method tt atol the First Methenh t, may be e pecally named.
A distinguishing feature of preest church life may be said to be the degree to which it has taken bold of municipal and political que tions, reform, and prob lens of practical hie In that respect the present churches of Walla Walla are essentially modern Hendes the churches named above, the United Brethren, Lutheran, German Methodist, German Congregational and Christian Science Churches, mamtam influential organizations, and the Salvation Army is active and useful
FRATERNAL ORDERS
Somewhat similar to the churches in philanthropic ams and to considerable degree composed of the same type of members are the fraternal orders.
If Walla Walla and its kindred communities may be regarded as the homes of schools and churches, they may in equal degree be regarded as the homes of lodges. Almost all the fraternal orders usual in American cities are found here As in case of the churches we find ourselves compelled by the limitations of space to accord too brief attention to these important and popular organizations.
The Masonic order has been for many years represented by an active mem- bership, having two lodges, one chapter, a commandery, and a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. The first lodge was Walla Walla No. 7, which came Into being October 19, 1859. At that date a dispensation was granted to C. R Allen, Braziel Grounds, A. B. Roberts, H. N. Bruning, T. P. Page, Jonas Whit- ney. Charles Silverman, J. Freedman, and R. H Reigert. Not till September 3. 1800, was the lodge organized. A. B. Roberts was the first Worshipful Master ; 1 M. Kennedy, senior warden; B. Scheideman, junior warden; T. P. Page. treasurer; W. B. Kelly, secretary ; C. A. Brooks, senior deacon; J. Caughran, junior deacon ; W. H. Babcock, tyler. In the summer of 1864 the lodge built a home at the corner of Third and Alder streets But this building was destroyed by fire in 1866 and for many years following the lodge held its sessions in the Knights Templar hall in the Dooley Block. For several years past the upper story of the Motett Building on Alder Street has been used as a Masonic lodge room.
The Odd Fellows have been represented in Walla Walla since 1803, and it is a matter of historic interest to record that the first dispensation to organize a lodge of Odd Fellows in Walla Walla was granted in that year to .\. 11. Purdy. James McAuliff, W. B. Kelly, 1 .. A Burthy, and Meyer Lazarus. With addi- tions from time to time there have come into existence three lodges, one encamp- ment, one canton, and two lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah. One of the notable institutions of the Odd Fellows is the Home on Boyer Avenue. This is an institution covering the state and now is housed in two commodious and at tractive buildings with accommodations for a large number of old people and orphan children The home is located upon five acres of fertile and wholesome land secured from Il P. Isaacs. The first building of wood was constructed in
W
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REV. CUSHING EELLS
The "St. Paul of the Northwest." Missionary to the Indians, 1838-47. Afterward teacher and preacher, and founder of Whitman College.
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
1897 and opened for use in December of that year. The second building of brick was constructed in 1914. There are many shade and fruit trees upon the grounds of the home, and it is truly an attractive and beneficent place. The order has also a fine hall on Alder Street.
Perhaps most rapid in growth of all the orders in Walla Walla has been the Elks. The Walla Walla lodge of Elks No. 287 was organized August 10, 1894, with fifteen members. The first member to fill the place of Exalted Ruler was Judge W. H. Upton, known for many years as one of the most scholarly, intel- lectual and capable of the lawyers and jurists of the Inland Empire. His death in 1906 was a great loss, deeply deplored by many circles, not alone in fraternity organizations, in which he was conspicuous, but in all lines of social and profes- sional life. After a slow growth of a number of years the fraternity took on a swift development and at the date of this publication the membership exceeds six hundred. The lodge possesses one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, dedicated with a series of appropriate ceremonies and entertainments on May 23, 24, and 25, 1913. The Elks have led many inovements for public betterment, as the municipal Christmas trees, park benefits and other benefits, Red Cross cam- paigns, and other endeavors of philanthropic and patriotic service. One of the recent enterprises of the lodge was the establishment in 1916 of Kooskooskie Park on Mill Creek, fourteen miles above Walla Walla. There in the beautiful shade along the flashing crystal waters of our creek (Pashki the stream ought to be called), the Elks and their friends are wont to disport themselves at intervals in the hot season, as their four-footed prototypesj their "totem;" of prehistoric times, were accustomed to do. The present Exalted Ruler is C. S .:. Walters. There is a regular publication called The Lariat, issued every new moon by the secretary, Fred S. Hull.
Of what may be called the great standard fraternities the next to be noted is the Knights of Pythias. It is an interesting historical fact that Walla Walla was the first location of a lodge of that order on the Pacific Coast north of San Francisco. That pioneer lodge was known as Ivanhoe Lodge No. I. Its early records are not available, but it continued in existence till 1882, in which year it surrendered its charter and went out of existence, to be succeeded by Columbia Lodge No. 8, instituted on October 23d of that year. Of the new lodge the first Past Chancellor was S. A. Deckard, and Chancellor Commander W. N. Gedders. The lodge has been maintained with vigor and success to the present date.
Of what may be considered the more specialized and limited organizations there have been and are a number: The Young Men's Institute and Knights of Columbus, Catholic organizations ; Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Arcanum, Women of Woodcraft, and National Union, insurance fraternities; and of more miscellaneous character the United Artisans, the Pioneers of the Pacific, the Degree of Honor, Ancient Order of Hibernians, American Yeomen, the Foresters of America, the Rathbone Sisters, Ladies of the Maccabees, Ancient Order United Workmen, Loyal Order of Moose, Improved Order of Red Men, Degree of Pocahontas, Good Templars, Sons of Hermann. Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Order of Washington.
Here as elsewhere throughout our country, and worthy here as everywhere of profound respect, is a post of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was chartered March 12, 1881, and the names appearing upon the charter are these :
OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
John 11. Smith, J. F. McLean, P. B. Johnson, J. M. Coolidge, R. P. Reynolds, Abram Ellis, James Howe, J. A. Neill, O. F. Wilson, 11. O. Simonds, Samuel Nulph, Charles Heim, Isaac Chilberg, .A. D. Rockafellow, William Leislie, F. F. Adams, F. B. Morse, R. M. Comstock, and Ambrose Oldaker. The first com- mander of the post, known as Abraham Lincoln Post, No. 4. G. A. R., was John II. Smith. In April, 1886, the A. Lincoln Relief Corps, No. 5, was established, with twenty-five charter members. Mrs. Jane Erickson being president. Fittingly included with the two previously named posts are the United Spanish War Veterans and the Sons of Veterans.
There are found in Walla Walla also, of more recent date, the Park Associa- tion, one of the most important and influential of all in the beautification and sanitation of the city, the Gun Club, Isaac Walton Club, Golf Club, Anti-Tuber- culosis League, and several Reading and Art clubs which have played important parts in ministering to the recreation, the health, the intellectual life, and the artistic taste of the people of Walla Walla and the region adjoining. It is to be regretted that the limitations of space forbid including here the many interesting details of these various organizations.
The Walla Walla Commercial Club occupies so commanding a place in the business life of this entire region and has such connections with similar organ- izations throughout the entire Northwest and even in the nation at large as to be worthy of a history of its own.
COMMERCIAL CLUB
The Commercial Club came into existence in 1885. It was represented in that year by delegates to an Open River meeting in The Dalles. For a number of years it was suggestive and mutually stimulating to its small membership, rather than possessing any regular organization. It met irregularly both in time and place. In 1904 John H. McDonald became secretary, but the organization was not such -as to provide for a secretary who could devote his entire time to it, and hence there was not then a real commercial club in the modern sense. But a new era began with the appointment in 1906 of A. C. Moore as the first regular and exclusive secretary. Mr. Moore had come to Walla Walla in 1888 and had been up to 1906 engaged in the O. R. & N. R. R. office. With his entrance into the secretaryship of the club new and broader plans for publicity and expansion by new memberships were begun. In 1908 the first of a series of regular pub- licity campaigns was begun. That was a time signalized by the seaboard cities of California. Oregon, and Washington-Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, Astoria, Everett and Bellingham-with special efforts to attract immigration and new enterprise. It was the publicity era par excellence.
Tom Richardson and C. C. Chapman of Portland accomplished wonderful things in that city and in Oregon. Both became well known in Walla Walla, where they were greatly admired and where their enthusiasm imparted such an impulse to the Commercial Club as to lead to a new organization with the special aim of advertisement and general publicity. It may be said that the real history of the club as a definite organization begins at that time, 1908.
The articles of incorporation are as follows :
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
ARTICLE I
The name of this corporation, and by which it shall be known, is "Walla Walla Com- mercial Club."
ARTICLE II
The time of existence of this corporation shall be fifty years from the date hereof.
ARTICLE III
The purposes for which this corporation is formed shall be to establish, equip, acquire, keep and maintain club rooms with the usual and convenient appliances of a social club ; to engage in literary, educational and social pursuits and to provide ways and means therefor, and for the development of the physical and mental capacities of its members, and others, and for their social advantage, improvement and enjoyment in connection therewith ; to advance the prosperity and growth of the City of Walla Walla and of the State of Washington; to encourage the establishment of manufactories and other indus- tries ; to seek remunerative markets for home products, and to foster capital and protect lahor mutually interested in each others welfare; to collect and disseminate valuable agri- cultural, manufacturing and commercial information ; to extend and develop trade agricul- ture, merchandise, banking and other lawful business pursuits, and to do any and all things necessary for the accomplishment of these purposes.
ARTICLE IV
The principal place of business of said corporation shall be at Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, State of Washington.
ARTICLE V
The members of this corporation may be individuals, co-partnerships or corporations. It shall have no capital stock, and shares therein shall not be issued. The interest of each member shall be equal to that of any other, and no member can acquire any interest which will entitle him to any greater voice, vote, authority or interest in the corporation than any other member. The corporation may issue membership certificates, which cer- tificates shall be assignable under such provisions, rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the by-laws of the corporation. Memberships in the corporation may be terminated by voluntary withdrawal, by expulsion and by death, and the loss of membership through any such causes and the incidents thereto shall be governed by the by-laws of the cor- poration.
ARTICLE VI
The number of trustees of this corporation shall be nine, and the names of the trustees who shall manage the affairs of the corporation until the second Thursday in April, 1909, are F. W. Kaser, H. H. Turner, F. S. Dement, W. H. Kirkman, J. M. Crawford, B. C. Holt, J. C. Scott, C. F. Nosler and J. P. Kent, all of whom reside at Walla Walla, Washington.
The first election provided for in the foregoing articles occurred on the second Thursday of April, 1909, and resulted in the election of the following officers and trustees: J. C. Scott, president ; J. H. Morrow, vice president ; George E. Kel- lough. treasurer ; A. C. Moore, secretary ; L. M. Brown, assistant secretary (pub- licity). Trustees: J. C. Scott, J. H. Morrow, George E. Kellough; O. Drum- heller, J. M. Crawford, F. S. Dement, R. H. Johnson, F. W. Kaser and E. C. Burlingame.
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OLD WALLA WALLA COLADS
Standing Committee, Light and Transportation B ( Helt, HI B Strong Oscar Drumheller, Fred tAffo anl Jobs Smith
How e Conomtice 1, M Makines Ge Struthers H A Gardner, P. S Demment and | P Kent
Membership 1. 11. Meyer, A C Van Dewater, J M Crawford, W. H Paxton and O. M Beatty
Reception and Entertainment T M Hanger, P. M Wmans, If H Turner R 1 ... Allen and W.A Ritz
Auditing. CS Butium, J G. Anderson, R 11 Johnson, F. C. Mills
labrary and Property J W. Langdon. J. J Kauffman, J. H. Morrow. J G Frankland and C. M Kader.
Manufactories and New Industries: F. W. Kaser, 11. Il Turner, J. M. Craw ford. W B Foshas and I. M. Brown.
The membership given in the handbook of 1910-11 includes 377 individuals und hrnis. The club had been, up to 1908, housed in the Ransom Building, now the Grand Hotel, but in that year of reorganization, made arrangements with the city for the present quarters in the City Hall. Large sums of money were raised during the "Publicity Fra," about $20,000 each year. Mr. \ C Moore continued to act as secretary until 1912, but in 1908 1 .. E. Meacham became publicity man ager, which post be retained until 1910, when he was succeeded by I .. M. Brown Mr- Brown became secretary in 1912, upon the resignation of Mr. Moore, and he in turn was succeeded in song by Mr. O. C. Soots, the present secretary.
The next epoch of the history of the Commercial Club may be said to have begun with the adoption of the bureau system at a special election in MM ril 8. 1915. The essential provisions of the new system may be found in excerpts which follow from the amended by-laws of the club:
BUREAU ORGANIZATION
Section ! The membership of this organization shall be also formed into three main divisions, according to the expressed preference of each member, for the purpose of dividing the work of the organization into departments or bureaus, these bureaus to be designated as follows :
I Civic and Publicity
Commercial and Industrial.
Horticultural and Agricultural.
All members who fail or neglect, within a reasonable time, to express their preference as to bureau ablation, shall be assigned to the several bureaus by the President in such proportion as may must nearly equalize the total membership of the several bureaus.
Section 2 After a member of the Club shall have expressed his preference as to Onreau affiliation, or shall Have been assigned to burean affiliation hy the President, his Flation shall be conditional upon his elect in to such bureau by an affirmative vote of a majority of those present at any meeting of the Bureau Committee
Section 3 Subiect in these By-Laws, each bureau shall have general charge of all matters relating to the general loss of work included in such bureau
Section & The work of each bureau shall be under the immediate direction of a Bureau Committee of not less than five, consisting of the Chairman, who shall have been designated Vice President in charge of the Board of Trustees, and not less than four others selected from the membership represented in that hurcan by him in conjunction with the President and from nommees of double the required number made by the c hership of te huren
Section & The standing and special committees of the Club shall be classified under
MOGLIE CO.
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WAITSBURG'S FIFTH ANNUAL HORSE SHOW, MAY 1, 1909
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OLD WALLA WALLA COUNTY
the several bureaus according to the nature of their duties by the Board of Trustees upon the advice of the President and Secretary. Until other assignments are made by the Board of Trustees, the committees shall be classified under the several bureaus as follows :
Civic and Publicity Bureau-Municipal and County Affairs; Publicity; Conventions; Expositions.
Commercial and Industrial Bureau-Entertainment; Good Roads; Investigation and Endorsement; Manufacturers; Frontier Days; Freight and Transportation.
Horticultural and Agricultural Bureau-Horticulture; Agriculture; Live Stock; By- Products; General Farming; Fruit Growers.
Section 6. The President, with the advice of the Vice-Presidents of the respective bureaus, shall appoint annually the standing committees of the Club included within the several bureaus. He shall appoint standing committees on Membership, Finance, House, and such special committees as may be found necessary. Each bureau shall have at least one member on the Finance Committee.
ARTICLE VI BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. The authority of this organization shall be vested in a Board of Trustees numbering nine (9).
Section 2. There shall be elected in every year of even numbers four Trustees, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council. There shall be elected in every year of odd numbers five Trustees, one from each Bureau. and two from the Mem- bership Council, these Trustees to serve for two years. each. Provided, that at the first election there shall be elected nine Trustees, two from each Bureau and three from the Membership Council, of whom five, three from the Bureaus and two from the Mem- bership Council receiving the highest votes shall serve. until the election in 1917 and four, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council receiving the next highest vote shall serve until the annual meeting of 1916. All of the provisions of Article VI shall apply to the special election held on the 8th day of April, 1915, to be known as the first annual meeting under these By-Laws.
The first president under the bureau system was a man whom all people of the city delight to honor and whose appointment as commander, with rank of Major of the First Battalion of Field Artillery, N. G. W., is recognized by hosts of friends throughout the state as an eminently fit employment of ability, patriot- ism and energy. This first president was Maj. Paul H. Weyrauch. Mr. O. C. Soots has continued to fulfill his functions as secretary with conspicuous ability.
The present personnel of officers and trustees is thus: E. L. Smalley, presi- dent ; K. Falkenberg, vice president, Civic and Publicity Bureau ; O. M. Beatty, vice president, Commercial and Industrial Bureau ; John W. Langdon, vice presi- dent, Agricultural and Horticultural Bureau; F. S. Dement, treasurer ; O. C. Soots, managing secretary. Directors: E. L. Smalley, F. S. Dement, J. A. Mc- Lean, J. W. Langdon, O. M. Beatty, K. Falkenberg, Fred Glafke, Louis Suther- land, O. T. Cornwell.
WALLA WALLA LABOR UNION
This is one of the largest and most influential organizations in the city. As compared with its brother organizations in the seaboard cities or in Spokane, it was late in formation. A community like Walla Walla, a rich agricultural region, Vol. 1-16
does not com to be the natural lone for bar wione The comment al and manufacturing at 1 mining oties are the natural locations for these organizations But in process of time the skilled laborer of Walla Walla were drawn by natural
Il tear makers", the Carpenters' and the Panters' umons were the first in the held They came into existence in 1900
Other groups rapidly followed and at the present time there are seventeen unions The meeting places and time and the officers of each union are indicated Is their published directory
1 AUF UNIUN DIRECTORY
Trades and Labor Council-Meets every Friday evening in Labor Temple S S Stovall, president ; I. F. Clarke, secretary.
Carpenters & Jones, Local 1214 Meets in Labor Temple every Wednesday might 1. V. Murphy, president ; O. D. Keen, financial secretary ; C. R. Nelson, recording secretary ; C. A. Tompkins, treasurer.
Printing Pressmen, Local 217- Meets second Wednesday of each month in Labor Temple. William Potgether, president ; A. L. Anger, secretary.
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