USA > Washington > Asotin County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 33
USA > Washington > Columbia County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 33
USA > Washington > Garfield County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 33
USA > Washington > Walla Walla County > Lyman's history of old Walla Walla County, embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties, Volume I > Part 33
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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
"While I have always been a hard worker I feel that the Walla Walla Valley has been kind to me and mine. I first made the trip across the plains from the east in 1853. This time, as a boy driving cattle, I made California. After spending a short time in California I returned east to my old home in Sullivan County, Mo. In 1863, with my earthly possessions consisting of my young wife and two children, a team of oxen and a somewhat delapidated vehicle that might be called a wagon I left Nebraska for the old Oregon country. Travelling over the old well known trails it was a long journey before we reached the Walla Walla Valley. On the trip across one of my children was born; other mishaps, more or less the result of fording streams and hitting the rough spots on the trail, also fell to our lot, but with us all such accidents were accepted as a matter of course and we didn't waste much time grieving about them. Our little caravan on its journey west was headed for Vancouver, but when it hit Meacham Mountains one fine fall day in the year 1864 and we had an opportunity to see the beautiful Walla Walla Valley I decided right there and then that I would travel no farther and that the Walla Walla Valley would be quite good enough for me.
"Reaching Walla Walla we found a town of some eight hundred people ;
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1 moved on up to the Dayton country and soon had located a claim near Dixie. I'll never forget such families as Longs, Lambs and Locks whom we came up with in our new home. Right from the start they were kind to us and helped us to get started in a country that was new to us. After we once got a start with a cow and some chickens the rest was comparatively easy. In the old pioneer days in this valley neighbors were very kind to one another.
"But perhaps I have said enough. I do not wish to tire you. In concluding I will say that this gathering is one that I esteem a great occasion ; as it affords me an opportunity to meet many of my old friends and a chance to talk over old times with them it is a gathering I would not miss for anything. Thanking you very kindly for listening to my few brief remarks, I remain,
"Yours truly,
"C. R. FRAZIER."
LYMAN MAKES TALK
In an interesting and instructive talk, Prof. W. D. Lyman told of the intro- duction of apples and cattle into the Northwest. He stated that the first apple trees known to have been planted in the Northwest were grown from the seeds planted by Doctor Whitman and Reverend Spalding at Waiilatpu and Alpowa. "The first trees of any consequence, however, were planted in the Willamette Valley in 1847 by Henderson Llewellan, who brought 700 small trees from Ohio in a crude wagon that had been fitted out to carry the trees. The wagon in which the trees were packed, in boxes, was heavy and time and again Llewellan was urged by his comrades to abandon the wagon, but he had an idea that fruit would grow well in the new Northwest country and he would not give up his travelling nursery. The trees, which were apple, pear, peach and cherry, were planted and it is recorded that most of them grew, and from this first small orchard grew the great fruit industry of the Northwest.
"The introduction of cattle into the Inland Empire, while as important in the results created, is more picturesque historically. The Hudson's Bay Company had a few cattle here as early as 1830, but they were very scarce, so scarce that Doctor McLoughlin made a rule against killing them. Marcus Whitman brought sixteen head of cattle with him when he first came to this country, while in 1838 Doctor Eells brought in fourteen head. These were only the small beginnings and were confined mostly to this immediate vicinity.
"The general cattle business of the Northwest was developed largely by the efforts of W. A. Slacum, who was sent to this country in 1836 by the United States Government to ascertain some of its resources and size it up generally. While in this country Mr. Slacum talked with the different American settlers and came to the conclusion that the introduction of cattle would do more toward securing a foothold for the United States than anything else. The hard part of it was to secure cattle. The Hudson's Bay Company would not sell their stock, even to their own people, but rented it out. In 1843 Ewing Young came to the Northwest from California, where he was known as a cattle rustler, and finding that his reputation had come along with him, settled in the Chehalem Valley, where it was his intention to make liquor and sell it to the Indians and wandering white men. He was, however, persuaded by Slacum and Doctor
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THE BAKER-BOYER NATIONAL BANK IN 1910
THE BAKER-BOYER NATIONAL BANK, WALLA WALLA, IN 1890
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McLoughlin, who also saw the importance of securing cattle for this country, to go to California and bring a drove of cattle to Oregon. This drive took place in the years of 1837 and 1838. Young started from California with 700 head of cattle and arrived in the Willamette Valley with 800 head.
"The second great cattle drive started in 1839 with a group of Americans, eager to develop their own interests and the interests of the United States in this section of the country. Under the leadership of John Gale they built a small schooner called "The Star of Oregon," in which after many difficulties, they arrived where San Francisco is now located and after trading their schooner for 300 cows, took what money they had and purchased 1,200 cattle, 3,000 sheep and 600 horses. The sheep were purchased by the dozen, while the horses brought from three to six dollars a head. Consider the hardship these few men went through, bringing these animals that long distance under those conditions.
"The introduction of fruit and cattle into the Inland Empire meant much to the early settlers and meant vastly much more to the present generation."
BURGUNDER SPEAKS
Following this address, Vice President Ben Burgunder called attention to the fact that Kettle Falls, on June 23d, would celebrate the anniversary; of its dis- covery by David Thompson. Delegates from the association were asked; and Pres. N. G. Blalock was authorized to appoint whoever he saw. fit .: Ben Bur- gunder volunteered to act as a delegate, and any others. who can'go, will be made delegates.
Election of officers was then taken up, and despite his protests, Doctor Blalock was re-elected. The other officers elected are: first vice president, Ben Burgunder of Colfax; second vice president, A. G. Lloyd of Waitsburg; third vice president, Natt Webb; secretary, Marvin Evans; treasurer, Levi Ankeny ; historian, W. D. Lyman.
The association then adjourned to Reynolds Hall, where a dinner was served by Miss Burr, and the tables were presided over by young ladies of the dormi- tory. The banquet was most successful, about two hundred sitting down to the repast.
A number of short talks then followed, President Blalock calling upon the members of the association for brief addresses.
"I came here thirty-two years ago," said Rev. John LeCornu, "and at that time I knew nearly everyone. Now I know hardly anyone. I used to go where ] pleased across corners, but it's all fenced now. Where there were formerly stables on Main and Alder streets, are now big buildings; and where we then drove through dust or mud. we now have pavements. Schoolhouses, everything, have grown in numbers. We have grown, and we will continue to grow."
A. G. Lloyd of Waitsburg, second vice president of the association, expressed his pleasure of being present. He had been in the valley for more than fifty years.
W. P. Winans, who has been in the northwest for fifty-two years, made a brief talk, stating that fifty-two years ago yesterday he was on the Arkansas River, headed for this country.
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"These reunions are the pleasantest times in life. Not only for the present, but the future reminiscences of them, bring us pleasure, and I trust they will continue as long as we have pioncers."
ACCEPT INVITATION
Pres. S. B. L. Penrose of Whitman College, was then called upon for an address, and extended an invitation for the association to make its permanent meeting place at Whitman College. By rising vote, this was accepted.
"The college is a pioneer, it was founded by pioncers, and its existence will be fresh a thousand years hence, when we are all forgotten. The association can- not, I think, do better than to link its existence with this institution, whose life will be endless; and I extend to you an invitation to hold your future meetings at the college."
Cal Lloyd was the next speaker, and he expressed his pleasure at being present, and his hope that he would see every member at the next meeting.
H. A. Reynolds expressed a desire to have the word pioneer defined, and to have an organization, separate from the present one, for the sons and the daughters of pioneers.
"You cannot make a man a pioneer by legislation, any more than you can make a Grand Army of the Republic man. I was born here, but do not claim to be a true pioneer."
"I am not that kind of a pioneer," stated W. H. Kirkman, "for when I was two years old, without a quaver or misgiving, I took my father by one hand and my mother by the other, and faced boldly to the west, leading them to Walla WValla.
"The pioneers have laid here the foundation for the greatest civilization the world has ever known; and it is for them to enjoy, as fully as possible, the fruits of their labors."
"I too, used to know the country and every man in it," said William Rine- hart, formerly of Union, Oregon, but now of Walla Walla. "At Union I was secretary of the Pioneers' Association ; and we had enjoyable reunions, much like this one. I enjoy them, and trust I will be able to attend many yet."
Following the reading of the resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, members of the association were given an hour's ride about the city in auto- mobiles.
The attendance was more than two hundred, the largest in the history of the organization, according to old timers who have been in constant attendance.
RESOLUTIONS
Following is the report of the resolutions committee, composed of Prof. W.
D. Lyman, A. G. Lloyd and W. S. Clarke:
"Resolutions of the Inland Empire Pioneer Association, June 1, 19II.
"Resolved: That we recognize with deep gratitude to Providence this oppor- tunity which our gathering gives us for renewing the old friendships and making new ones.
"Resolved: That the hearty thanks of the association be extended to Presi-
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dent Penrose and to the officers of Whitman College for the use of Memorial Hall; and to Miss Burr, manager of Reynolds Hall, for the delicious banquet provided; and to the young ladies for their service upon the tables.
"Resolved: That we heartily thank the members of the Whitman College Glee Club for the beautiful vocal selections which added so pleasant a feature to the occasion.
"We also thank the staff of the local newspapers for their presence and interest in this meeting; and we recognize in their reports an indispensable ineans of bringing the aims and work of the society before the public.
"We thank the president, other officers and committee of arrangements for the preparations and completion of this meeting, which will occupy so attractive a place in our memories.
"Resolved, in conclusion : That we would urge upon the members of this association the desirability of preparing and giving to the historian biographical data to the end of fulfilling one of the great aims of the association, the preserva- tion of matter otherwise liable to be lost.
"We incorporate herewith our heartfelt recognition of those of our members who have passed on since our last meeting."
Death has been active in the list of pioneers during this brief period.
The association recognizes the loss of these valued friends and members of the ranks the inevitable movement of time and the fulfillment of lives nobly spent and of influences which have done much to make this country what it is.
The association extends its condolence to the members of the families bereaved through these deaths, and joins with them in the sentiments of joy and pride which their good deeds must impart to all whom their lives have reached.
The following is a list of those included in the number: Mrs. Kate L. Butz, Amos Cummings, William Coston, Mrs. M. E. Ernst, Mrs. Chas. Lampman, Mrs. E. H. Massam, L. P. Mulkey, Mrs. Lydia Olds, Mrs. Martha A. Payne, Dale Preston, William Stanfield, James J. Gallaher, Mrs. Hollon Parker, Joseph McCoy, Mrs. Martha Lovell, Jesse Cummings.
Members of the Inland Empire Pioneer Association are: Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Ring, Dollie Auker, Harry Gilbert, John A. Taylor, William Glasford, G. A. Evans, C. H. Kaseberg, A. G. Murphy, Thomas Gilkerson, Henry Chew, America De Witt, Oliver DeWitt, J. J. Rohn, Mrs. Chris Sturm, Henry Ingalls, D. Wertheimer, D. H. Irvin, Mrs. Mary Irwin, John McCausland, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Hungate, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Dunlap, Ben Burgunder, John Tempany, G. W. Bowers, Mrs. Isabella Kirkman, Levi Malone, Robert Kennedy, Mrs. J. C. Smith, Mrs. C. W. Reser, Miss Reser, Mrs. R. R. Rees, Fannie Hall, Mrs. J. WV. Foster, N. G. Blalock, Mrs. E. A. Edwards, T. J. Hickman, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Harbert, Mrs. Alexander Johnson, Mrs. E. Lewis, Mrs. Mary Jett, S. W. Smith, Mrs. Esther Smith, Mr. and Mrs. W. Thomas, Mrs. J. L. Robinson, Mrs. J. J. Morrison, George Dehaven, Mrs. Mehala Dehaven, Joseph McEvoy, Mrs. J. W. Cookerly, Mrs. Kate Henderson, John Braden, Joe Braden, Mrs. J. F. Brewer, Mrs. S. A. Stanfield, Mrs. Lucy Buff, Mrs. Dora Walker, Mrs. D. H. Coffin, Mrs. Mary McCoy, Natt Webb, Eliza Jane Webb, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Harbert, Mrs. A. T. Bedell, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Cornwell, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cantonwine, C. R. Frazier, P. Lightle, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Weidick, Mrs. Jessie
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Jones, Mrs. B. L. Sharpstein, Mrs. Frank Sharpstein, Mrs. Addie Upton, Mrs. Charles Painter, J. C. Painter, Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Hunt, L. F. Anderson, Mrs. D. S. Baker, Charles McEvoy, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Hart, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Evans, Mrs. Margaret Dovell, Mr. and Mrs. Woodson Cummings, Agnes L. LeVine, Mrs. Kominsky, Peter Meads, John Hodges, Mr. and Mrs. James Cum- mins, Hampton Huff, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Malloy, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Cauvel, Robert Cummings, J. A. Ross, F. A. Ross, Mrs. Rose Winans, Lulu Crandall, Mr. and Mrs. William Hardese, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. McCaw, Doctor and Mrs. Probst, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Clark, William Preston, D. G. Ingraham, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Lloyd, W. Manning, S. E. Manning, J. A. Beard, Agnes Beard, Mrs. J. P. Denn, J. C. Lloyd, J. H. Pettyjohn, Mrs. Kate Pettyjohn, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rinehart, Caroline Ferrel, W. D. Lyman, A. M. McAllister, Dorsey Hill, Marvin Evans, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Halter, W. P. Winans, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Whitney, Thomas Mosgrove, Perry J. Lyons, W. S. Offner, Sidney Coyle, Mrs. Sarah Coyle, C. B. Lane, Frances E. Lane, Mr. and Mrs. John LeCornu, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Mclellan, H. V. Grubb, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Reynolds, W. H. Kirkman.
CHAPTER VII
THE PRESS OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY
The newspapers of any region must always be given prominence in any history of it as being one of the great constructive forces as well as con- stituting the indispensable record of events. Besides these fundamental func- tions, there is usually found in connection with the press of a new region a group of men alive to the needs and opportunities and hence concerned in those varied interests which always take shape in new places. Add to this the fact that generally there are found among newspaper men odd, unique, and entertaining characters, and we evidently have all the material for one of the most interesting sections of any history. Walla Walla has had, even more than most places, several unique and marked personalities among her "knights of the quill." In dealing with them, as with other parts of this work, we feel regret- fully the pressure of the inexorable limits of space and are compelled thereby to omit the portrayal of some of those amusing, odd, and racy characters and events which might enliven the sober pages of history.
We have had occasion to refer many times to the Statesman as authority for early events and have also said something of its first appearance and early man- agement. Appearing under the names of Washington Statesman and Walla Walla Statesman, it continued for many years to fulfill its mission in the Walla Walla country and more than any other may be considered as the historic paper of this section. The Statesman had a kind of a double origin. For in Septem- ber, 1861, two brothers, W. N. and R. B. Smith, set on foot an enterprise through the acquisition of an old press from the Oregon Statesman and sent it to Walla Walla. Rather curiously, apparently without knowledge of the other design, N. Northrop and R. R. Rees started a similar enterprise only two days later. They had obtained a press of the Oregonian, and it was doubtless the first press in the Inland Empire, after that used by Rev. H. M. Spalding at Lapwai. Dis- covering each other's plans the two parties speedily coalesced and began the publication of the Washington Statesman. The first issue appeared on November 29, 1861. The editors and proprietors are announced as N. Northrop, R. B. Smith and R. R. Rees. We have given in an earlier chapter copious extracts from the first number. Several numbers in April, 1862, were on brown and yellow paper, for which profuse apologies are offered. On May 10, the editor has the following quaint "kick": "Our patrons, in sending us gold dust on sub- scriptions, or otherwise, will confer an especial favor by making a proper allow- ance for the weight of the sand. We can't make those who buy the dust of us believe that the sand is as valuable as the gold; nor do we believe it, either. Besides. in disposing of the dust, we are compelled to see it 'blowed' and Vol. 1-17
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'magnetized' until it is properly cleaned, and the result is that that which we receive for $5 sometimes dwindles down to $2.50."
By the retirement of Mr. Smith in January, 1862, and by the death of Mr. Northrop in February, 1863, the Statesman became the property of R. R. Rees, but in association with his brother, S. G. Rees, whose name appeared for the first time in the issue of October 11, 1862. In the number of May 9, 1863, the firm name appears as R. R. and S. G. Rees. In the number of September 2, 1864, the name IT'alla Walla Statesman was substituted for Washington Statesman, but without comment.
The firm name of R. R. and S. G. Rees was continued till November 10, 1865, when a notable change occurred. Wm. H. Newell became proprietor. In the paper of that date he makes his debut in an editorial which indicates his strong personality and his fine command of good English. It is a just tribute to Major Rees to say that his management of the Statesman, like that of the many other enterprises which made him one of the conspicuous figures in early Walla Walla, was broad, intelligent, and patriotic.
Mr. Newell was a character, bold, energetic, caustic, and as a writer, incisive and forceful. It is related that once having a joint debate with Judge Caton, he began by saying: "Fellow citizens, it is a disagreeable task to skin a skunk, but sometimes it has to be done. I am going to skin N. J. Caton." Judge Caton reached for his hip-pocket and the meeting broke up in a general row, though it does not appear that any one was seriously hurt. The Statesman under Mr. Newell was democratic in politics and during the embroglio between President Johnson and Congress it was an active supporter of the former. It is said by some that its attainment of the place of United States official paper in the terri- tory was due to that support. In 1878, the Statesman became a daily, the first in the Inland Empire. But on November 13th, the active, scheming mind of the editor was stilled by death. After a month's interval, Frank J. Parker, a son- in-law of Newell, and himself as unique a character as the former editor, began his long career as a journalist. The daily was somewhat in advance of the times and was discontinued within a short period, but in February, 1880, was again undertaken, not to be discontinued so long as the Statesman was a separate paper. Colonel Parker owned the Statesman till June, 1900, in which year it went into the hands of the Statesman Publishing Co., Dr. E. E. Fall being the leading member of the company.
During a large part of that portion of the career of the Statesman Walter Lingenfelder was editor in chief. He was a man of much journalistic ability, and later entered upon a brilliant literary career in New York.
The Walla Walla Union was the next newspaper to attain a permanent stand- ing in Walla Walla. This was the uncompromising radical republican organ and was the natural counterpart of the Statesman. It was founded in 1868 by a group of strong supporters of Congress in the great reconstruction struggle then in progress.
The first number appeared on April 17, 1869. H. M. Judson was the editor. but the policy of the paper was under the control of a committee consisting of P. B. Johnson, E. C. Ross, and J. D. Cook. Within a short time R. M. Smith and E. L. Heriff became the owners of the paper and E. C. Ross became editor. In 1878 Capt. P. B. Johnson succeeded Mr. Ross as editor, and with his entrance
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into the field of journalismn there began one of the most forceful and influential careers in the journalism of Walla Walla. Captain Johnson was a man of intense and dominating personality and possessed much ability with the pen. His politics were those of the stalwart republicans. He had been a soldier and officer of the Civil war, and the great conflict had so burned its traces upon his mind that it was difficult for him to think in terms of patience of any other policies than those which had saved the Union and freed the slave. He acquired the property control of the Union and until 1890 was sole owner and proprietor. In that year he disposed of his interest to Charles Besserer, who had for some time been publishing the Walla Walla Journal. And as soon as we name Charles Besserer old-timers will at once recognize the fact that we have arrived at the uniquest of the uniques. Nature broke her mold at that point and never made another of the same kind. German by birth, though as he once told the author, of Spanish origin, well educated in his home land, a soldier in the Crimea, in the Civil war in this country, and in various Indian wars, fulfilling at various times the functions of manager of a bakery, a distillery, and a hotel, a postmaster, a justice of the peace, a sheep man, a farmer, and finally an editor, Mr. Besserer maintained under all circumstances his characteristic self. He wielded a trenchant pen and though his obituaries were sometimes of a type to add pangs to the thought of approaching death on the part of citizens of old Walla Walla, he had a high conception of the responsibilities of journalism and of the requisites of a well managed newspaper. In 1896 the ownership of the Union passed from Mr. Besserer to Herbert Gregg and Harry Kelso. It was conducted by them as a bed-rock republican paper and disposed of three years later to J. G. Frank- land, Lloyd Armstrong and Bert La Due. After conducting the paper with success for a year the firm disposed of it to a group of leading republicans, among whom was D. B. Crocker. J. Howard Watson, well known over the state as a brilliant writer, for some time a correspondent of the Seattle Post-Intelli- gencer, was installed as editor in 1900 and held his place with conspicuous edi-, torial ability until failing health compelled him to retire. He made his home for a time on a beautiful place on Lake Chelan, but finally succumbed to an untimely death from tuberculosis. Mr. Watson was succeeded in 1902 by A. F. Statter, a man of many accomplishments, who conducted the Union with great ability for several years and then became private secretary to Sen. Levi Ankeny, from which post he attained a national position, becoming assistant secretary of the treasury in 1907. Eugene Lorton followed Mr. Statter as managing editor in September, 1903. In 1907 a marked change occurred in the status of Walla Walla newspapers, for in that year the Union and Statesman were brought under the one control and ownership of the Washington Printing and Book Publishing Co., with Percy C. Holland, who had been for some time connected with the Union, as manager. For sometime after the merger, Carl Roe acted as editor of the Union, which continued as a morning paper, while the Statesman, still an evening paper, was edited by Seth Maxwell. During several years following Dr. E. E. Fall became one of the chief owners and the manager of the Union, and there were a number of editorial writers and city editors of variable and some of them of transient careers. Among them was Walter Lingenfelder already mentioned in connection with the Statesman, who has become prominent in the East ; Scott Henderson, who subsequently became assistant attorney-general
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