"Some historian has said, 'History is not written with a microscope,'

nor should it be written with one's eye blinded to events that it were

better had never occurred, but so long as man continues to indulge

erroneous thoughts, those thoughts will be expressed in actions which,

with their effects, will be recorded. So, notwithstanding the enviable

record of the average business man of his day, there was the inevitable

exception when someone went wrong, or, so to say, was swept off his

feet by the lure of the open games of chance, presided over by the

man with the starched shirt and polished nails. Such heaps of gold

and silver, bags of dust even all so temptingly lay, just waiting the

turn of a card, the jingling of coins, the hustle and murmur of the

crowds, the glint and dazzle of the lights, the music and the song,

the tinkle of the glasses, the odor of cocktails and champagne, a

perfect riot of sensations, and over all that transport of abandon so

free of all restraint, 'society' looked on complacently, law lacked an

introduction, but 'twas all so sociable he took a hand or perchance

bought a few chips and the better to celebrate his first winning,

ordered a cocktail and cigar, and then was soon on the road that men of

all callings frequented in the very early days. Little wonder that an

occasional business man was found among the discard.

"Elsewhere I note that occasion was had to mention so many of the

names of firms and men in business in the early days, that I will not

attempt to repeat them, suffice to say that rare and potent conditions

must have worked together to produce a force of men so fitting to the

time and place as were these, to prosecute their chosen calling as a

means to success; some, to be sure, looking only to a temporary stay

which as time wore on, grew to be permanent, others, casting their

lot with the county from the beginning, remained to amass fortunes

of no mean proportions. Several having reached business limitations

here, naturally gravitated to larger cities, to enjoy a wider field

of operations, where they continued to court the Goddess of Fortune

successfully. Of those who remained many have attained to places of

honor, and of few indeed could it be said that the world was no better

for their having lived in it, and taken as a whole, the history of the

county would be sadly abbreviated were it to be deprived of a record of

their doings."

One of the best known of the pioneer families of Walla Walla is that of

the Ferrels. As a charming narrative of the typical events of a journey

across the plains and settlement in Walla Walla in the early days, we

incorporate here a paper by Mrs. Brewster Ferrel.

A WOMAN'S EXPERIENCE CROSSING THE PLAINS

May 1, 1864.

We started from Corydon, Wayne County, Iowa, to travel the wild and

desolate plains and seek a home in Walla Walla, Wash. This is a true

story, but before you get through reading it you will not wonder at the

people out west calling us green immigrants.

My husband and I and our little boy, who was two years old, and my

husband's brother, were all that came in our wagon. We had a good

little mule team. I have had a kind regard for mules over since I took

that trip. Did not know a mule could learn so much.

The first day was a sad one going past our relatives and old neighbors'

homes and stopping to say good-bye. Our people gave us little presents,

tokens of love, and lots of good advice, such as, "be careful and don't

let the Indians get you," or, "be a good girl and come back some day."

Well, we did come back twenty-four years after, but not with a mule

team.

The first night we stayed at a house. Next morning the good woman said,

"I will give you some pickled meat." So she went out in the meat house

to get it, and there was a skunk drowned in the brine. We thanked her

and got our meat at another place.

The next night we camped out, the first I ever slept out of a house,

and when bedtime came our little boy cried, oh, so hard to go home, but

we got him quiet and slept well; that was one thing we could do on that

trip.

Woman-like, I was very much afraid of the bad roads. We had all of

our belongings piled in that wagon, and among other things were our

firearms. We came to a very bad place in the road. I took our little

boy out of the wagon and we were walking behind when a shotgun that

was lying in the wagon went off and the shot came very near us. Then I

concluded in the wagon was the safest place and soon got so I was not

afraid to ride over any kind of road.

We traveled alone till we got to the Missouri River. Then we came to

a string of wagons about a mile and a half long. They were waiting to

be ferried over the river. We came there in the forenoon, and took our

place in line and moved up as the wagons went over. We stayed there all

that day and camped there that night. Next morning we got over.

Then we traveled with a train and the Indians came around our wagons;

some of them begged for food. One day when we sat down on the ground

to eat our dinner about a dozen big red-faced fellows came and stood

around with tomahawks in their hands. I did not want any dinner that

day, but they went away peaceably, and we traveled on over good roads

and through beautiful country up Platte River and on and on and soon

got used to seeing Indians. Sometimes they would follow our wagons and

some one would throw a piece of bread out to them and they would run

after the wagon and pick it up; then throw another piece, till they

would look like little chickens after an old hen.

Fuel was very scarce in that country. We had to burn sage brush, dead

weeds, or anything we could get. Sometimes my husband would keep

feeding the fire while I baked the flapjacks, as we called them.

The men folks were all the time looking out for good grass and water

for the stock, which they would herd on the grass till late at night,

and than tie them to the wagon wheels. In the morning they would take

them out again and herd them until starting time, which was pretty

early, as we wanted to hurry through to Walla Walla. We gave our mules

all the scraps we had left from our meals and they relished it very

much and would hunt in the wagon for the dinner box and look and wait

for their lunch.

There were some mean people crossed the plains. There was a man and his

wife and three grown daughters traveling in our train. One day when we

lay over we heard a commotion, and looking toward a tent we saw a girl

pitch out of it and a man's boot and foot up in the air. The girl said

her papa kicked her out because she had forgotten to water the horses.

One other time we had stopped to rest and I heard a woman cry and swear

and pray, first one and then the other. I said to a friend, "Let us

go and see if we can help her;" but she said "No; it is a woman with

a very loathsome disease and the man that drives the team was kind to

bring her out west." The man would cook a little food and hand it to

her and then go away.

Well, the people were not all bad; we found some very dear friends on

our trip. I never will forget them. It was a trying trip on us all.

We had some dangerous streams to cross. We would come to some that

looked impossible to cross. We would stop and plan and try the depth

in every way possible, and then block up the wagon bed to the top of

the standard, then tie them fast to the wagon, then cautiously drive

in almost holding our breath. We had four mules and the leaders were

small. Sometimes we could not see much of them but their heads. Our

little boy would laugh and enjoy the excitement, but I took many a cry

when I thought of where we were taking him. We had started and must

get through. I had about forgotten to mention the weather, which was

very stormy. It rained and snowed and blew our wagon sheet off and

everything we had got wet. Our flour got musty; we had to eat it; we

could get no other.

By this time we were getting pretty well up Platte River, and did not

see many Indians, but were hearing a good deal about their committing

depredations, and commenced to corral our wagons of nights. That was to

drive in a circle, unhitch, then the men would pull them close together

by hand, and after herding the stock would bring them in and tie to the

outside wheels of the wagons for the night.

One day our train came up to a corral of this kind and the women were

sitting around crying and the men were standing in groups talking very

earnestly, and not a hoof in sight. We soon learned their troubles.

They had left their stock out a little way from the wagons to feed

without any guards and the Indians had seen their opportunity and run

between them and their stock and run them off. What those poor people

did we never learned. We had to travel on.

One morning a few days after this sad scene we passed a train which had

not started out yet, and came upon another sad scene. Two men had left

their train in the evening and drove about a mile ahead, in order to

get better grass for their horses. Just at dusk they were sitting on a

log near their wagons when eight Indians came behind them and commenced

shooting them with arrows. The men jumped for their guns, but before

they reached their wagons the Indians had them both down. They left

them for dead and then took the four horses and guns and ammunition and

$800 in money and everything else they wanted out of the wagon, and

left. But one poor fellow was not quite dead. After the Indians left he

crawled a little way off in the brush and lay there till next morning.

When we came along he crawled out and told us all about it. We stayed

with him till his train came up, then helped him to bury his partner,

and then went on. I was pretty homesick for a few days.

We were getting into the mountains and the roads were bad, and so were

the Indians. We were very cautious; two men stood guard every night,

taking turns.

The weather was getting warm and pleasant after all, and through all of

our hardships we had some pleasant and amusing things happen. There was

a good many jack rabbits along the road. We had a rabbit pot-pie pretty

often. One day about a half-dozen men got after a rabbit and were

running past our wagon and shooting with their pistols. My husband was

walking by our wagon and said, "Hand me the shotgun," and I handed it

to him. He shot and brought down the rabbit, then gave it to me. That

ended the race and raised a laugh.

Once in every two days we would stop a day and rest, lay over, we

called it, to do our washing. We would take a bucket and camp kettle

and go to the creek; that was all the utensils we had to wash with.

When the clothes were dry they were ready to put on--no ironing on that

trip. We saw irons, tubs, washboards, and a good many other things that

people had thrown out of their wagons because their teams were giving

out. We did not dare to pick them up and haul them for fear our own

teams would give out. I knew one woman that had a cook stove in her

wagon and she was so anxious to bring it through that she would get out

and push on the wagon when it was going up hill, but she had to give it

up and set it out and go on without it. We were beginning to find out

how dependent we were on our teams.

Before we left home our neighbors and friends gave me a lot of nice

pieces and helped me make a keepsake quilt. I prized it very highly.

One day, I put it out to sun and some fire blew on it and burned it up.

Then I shed a few tears. Much as we needed everything we had we would

lose and leave our things at the camps. We lost our axe and coffee pot

and our comb. Then we tried to borrow a comb, but found out there were

but few in the train. So we women got together and had our hair cut

off. Then we were called the short-haired train.

The health of our train was pretty good. Sometimes a family would get

very sick from eating too many wild weeds they would gather and cook

for greens so as to have a change, as variety of wood was getting

scarce.

We brought a keg of sorghum syrup with us, and would have had plenty to

last through, but one day our little boy was missing, and looking in

the wagon we saw him. He had found the matches and was just putting

the last bunch in the syrup keg, so we had to do without sorghum.

One night we stopped near an old fort where some men were staying. So I

felt pretty safe, but before morning we found out they were worse than

Indians, for they had whiskey to sell and some of the men in our train

got some whiskey and got drunk, then fought and quarreled all night.

Next morning when a few wagons were ready to start the men that had

been drunk were asleep. Another train came along and we drove on with

them. It seemed a trip where every one had to look out for self. We

did not dare to stop long to help the unfortunate or we would not get

through ourselves. We did not start out to die on the plains. We passed

many a new made grave.

At this time it was as disagreeably hot as it had been cold on the

start. One time we tried traveling at night to avoid the extreme heat,

but that would not do.

I have not given many dates, as I have forgotten most of them. Am

writing this mostly for my children and grandchildren to read and want

it to be as near true as I can remember.

We learned that the main thing on that trip was to keep on moving. As

we got near and into the mountains the weather got cool and pleasant.

But, oh, such mountains and roads, sometimes they would seem almost

perpendicular, but we would climb and get up most all out of the wagon

walking, then slide down on the other side, then up, then down, and

soon day after day some of the mountains seemed almost solid rock.

One day we came to a beautiful little stream. Someone that was walking

dipped up a cup of water and said, "Will you have a drink?" I took the

cup. Imagine my surprise when it almost burned my lips. Those were the

first hot springs we had ever seen. Then we came to a place that looked

like it was covered with ice and frost, but it proved to be salt. We

picked up some pieces and used it for cooking.

We began to hear more rumors about the Indians and could see signs of

their mischief. So we corralled our wagons very carefully and went to

bed and were sleeping soundly when all of a sudden we were awakened

with hearing screaming and very rapid shooting. I jumped out of bed

and said, "The Indians have attacked us." My husband got up and said,

"I will go and see what the trouble is." Then I got all of the guns

and ammunition to the front of the wagon ready for battle, and was

piling the sacks of flour and bacon around our little boy, who was yet

asleep, when my husband came back and said it was coyotes yelping and

the guards were shooting at them. So we went to bed again and were soon

asleep. That was one thing we could enjoy on that trip.

Well, we finally got over the Rocky Mountains. You need not be

surprised if I tell you that our shoes were getting thin and pretty

badly worn. We did not start with an over supply and our clothes were

wearing out fast and we were looking pretty rough and sunburnt.

We came to some more deep rivers and had to block up our wagon beds

so we could cross. Then we came to a country infested with crickets.

I never saw anything like it; they were almost as big as a mouse and

could chirp and jump in such big bands. Our mules shied at them. Well,

we were glad to get out of that country.

One day looking ahead in the distance we saw something coming that

looked like covered wagons, but as it drew near we could see it was

actually coming the other way toward us, something we had not seen for

hundreds, yes, thousands of miles. Well, they came on and passed us.

It was a pack train, wonderful sight for us. They frightened our teams

in their weak and half-dead condition. Then someone said those were

cowboys.

Then we came to where some men camped. They were excited over losing

a lot of mules and horses. They were driving a band out west. The

Indians had stampeded them and run a lot of them away. We saw several

dead horses which the men had ridden to death trying to get the band

together again. We traveled on and came to some timbered mountains.

Now we could have plenty of wood to cook with. It was a treat to have

plenty of wood and water at the same time.

One evening after we had corralled our wagons and the guards had taken

the teams out to grass one of the men came running back and said, "Get

your guns quick; there is a drove of elk right among our stock." The

men hurried out with their guns, fired, and brought down two big elks

and dragged them into camp. I remember it so well, they looked so much

like one of our little mules. The men skinned them and cut them up and

then decided that my husband had fired the most fatal shot; so we had

first choice piece. The meat was fine.

We came to a desolate looking place. It was in a deep canyon and we

had to stop over night. There were some old bleached bones and a lot

of tangled hair. Someone said it was human hair and bones and that the

Indians had massacred a train and their bodies had never been buried.

We did not know how much of that was true, but at that time we could

believe almost anything. After all, our Indian troubles were mostly

scares, but as the old saying is, you had as well kill a person as

scare him to death.

By this time we came to some more awful hills to come down. We all got

out of wagons and the men tied ropes to the hind wheels and held back

while the teams and people slid down. Well, we all got down and went on

our way rejoicing, and finally got into some pretty country and laid

over to let our teams rest, and do our washing.

That day I took a stroll down by the creek and saw a big fish lying in

some shallow water in a little island. I very cautiously slipped around

between it and the main creek and put my hands under it and threw it

out on land. Then I wrapped my apron around it and went carrying it

into camp. It was alive and weighed about eight pounds. We would not

eat it for fear it might be sick, but some of the boys wanted it, so I

gave it to them. They cooked it and ate it and said it was very good.

Next morning we hitched up and traveled on.

The weather was pleasant and we began to see signs of civilization and

met another pack train which was loaded with flour, bacon, whisky,

and tobacco. I should not have said signs of civilization. But we

saw better things further on. Some of our people tried to buy some

provisions of them, but they would not sell; said they were taking them

to the mines and expected to get a dollar a pound for what they had.

Our money was pretty scarce and what we had was greenbacks and only

worth fifty cents on the dollar out West.

Then we came to a little garden and a cabin back in the brush. We could

see the green lettuce and onions through the fence. Some of our boys

said they would make a raid on that garden, but when they got on the

fence they saw a tree on the other side and a man hanging by the neck

from a limb of that tree. Then they said, "We don't want any garden

sass." We learned later that it was only a paddy stuffed with straw.

Our provisions were getting scarce and our teams were getting weaker,

and we very anxious to get through.

We finally arrived in the Grande Ronde Valley and then we spent the

last cent we had to buy a beef bone and some fresh vegetables. Then

all got together and made a big dinner. All sat down and ate together.

After dinner we all shook hands and said good-bye. Then each one went

his own way.

We started to cross the Blue Mountains and one of our mules got sick.

We had urged him too much. He seemed to be asleep on his feet, held his

eyes shut, and wanted to pull all the time. Well, he pulled through. I

had almost learned to love those mules, they had been so faithful.

We arrived in Walla Walla, Wash., footsore and weary, in just three

months from the day we started.

When we arrived in this beautiful little valley without a dollar and

scarcely any clothing and no provisions we had a pretty hard time. Now,

when a family gets their house and everything they have, burned, the

people around get together and help them, and it is right they should

in this land of plenty; and when a criminal leaves the penitentiary

they give him a suit of clothes and some money. But there was no help

for the green immigrants, as we were called, and I suppose we were, at

least in some respects.

We did not understand the western slang and Indian talk that we heard

so much. It was something like this. A man that had been out West about

five years was eating dinner with us, said, "That is hiu mucka muck."

He was referring to something on the table. We asked him if he liked

this country. He said, "You bet your life!" We said, "Why do so many

men out West wear revolvers on their belts and big knives in their

boot legs?" He said, "It is necessary to keep order; we have a man for

breakfast quite often."

Then we would hear the remark, lots of men out West are made to bite

the dust with their boots on; and then, you sabba, or savvy, and many

such expressions. Well, we finally got initiated. And the people were

very kind to us. We never saw a time when we appreciated our neighbors

so much. They were friends in need and in deed.

This country was covered with bunch-grass, flowers, Indians, coyotes,

and grasshoppers. A few white people were living along the creeks in

little huts. Some were growing a little wheat and others small grain

and gardens. Everything was very high priced. Wheat sold for a dollar

and a half a bushel. There was scarcely any fruit to be had at any

price. When I go through this beautiful valley, now a little less than

forty years after, and see wagon loads of delicious fruit going to

waste it makes me think of those times.

Well, we went to work; had to rustle, kept at it from early morn till

late at night. But we would jump from one thing to another. There

seemed to be too many chances. First we would settle on one piece of

land, then on another. There were thousands and thousands of acres

of good unclaimed land all about us, but people thought none but the

sloughs would grow anything. After two or three years of changing about

we finally bought eighty acres of land and settled down. Paid eight

hundred dollars for it. We gave thirty dollars, a horse, and our only

cow to make the first payment. At this time we had two children in our

family.

Before we had any wheat to sell it came down to fifty cents per bushel.

The country up to this time had been settled mostly by men; only some

of them had Indian women for wives. The families that settled this

country first were nearly all new married people and a baby came to

almost every home in less than two years for a dozen years or more.

One day I went to visit a dear neighbor and I was complaining of hard

times and she said, "We have been living on boiled wheat for several

days." I believe there were a good many others doing the same thing.

Those hard times seemed to bind neighbors close together. Three or four

of us would get together and go two or three miles to get some wild

gooseberries and elderberries and red haws and fix them up for fruit.

They were pretty good when there was nothing better.

I will now mention some of the Indian scares that we had to endure.

We had been warned by the newspapers to look out for the Indians, as

they were on the war path and had murdered some of the white settlers

and had mangled them terribly. So one Sunday the people were holding

meeting on Mill Creek in a little school house when a little girl came

running in, crying, and said, "The Indians are killing my mama and

papa." Some of the men hurried to the house, which was about a mile

away, and the young boy preacher got on a horse and away he went as

fast as his horse could go to warn the people at their homes that the

Indians had broken out. He stopped at our house and asked for a fresh

horse, as his was about run down. We did not have any, so he went

rushing on and stopping at every house to give the alarm. My husband

and several of the neighbor men had gone from home that day. Imagine

the scene. We were running from one house to another; each one of

us had three or four little children. After about a dozen of us got

together we decided to go to a log cabin that was near and wait for

the Indians to come. There was one man in the cabin and he was getting

ready to shoot out through the cracks between the logs. When a man

came from the seat of war and said no one is seriously hurt, it was a

drunken row and only one Indian was killed, we all went home and the

boy preacher got over his scare and has been long since a good and

noted preacher. And the Indian that was supposed to be dead came to

life again. Some of the men took him to town and had a trial and the

jury sentenced him to wash his face. Well, this is one of the many such

scares as some others can remember that are yet living.

I will relate one more incident. At this time there was a saw mill at

the head of Mill Creek and there were several families living at the

mill. The men had built a fort for the women and children in case the

Indians should attack them. One day some men who lived in the valley

took their teams and wagons and started to go to the mill, but when

they got in the mountains they saw a band of Indians coming down the

trail beyond the mill. The men at once stopped, unhitched from their

wagons, and jumped on their horses and used the tugs for whips and came

down the mountains on double quick and reported to all the people along

the road what they had seen, and the people were soon leaving their

cabins and running for the brush. And those at the mill saw the Indians

coming and they went running to the fort. Some one relating the scene

said the men could run faster than the women and children and got into

the fort first. Well, the Indians came and were friendly and very much

surprised when they saw the people running and said they had been back

in the mountains hunting and fishing and did not know that there was

any war going on.

The health of a people in a new country is usually good, but we would

sometimes get sick. Would hardly dare think of sending for a doctor.

There was no money to pay one and there could hardly be one found. But

there was a woman who lived in our neighborhood that had a good doctor

book. It was Doctor Gunn's work. She went by it in her own family, and

the neighbors sent for her. She would take her doctor book under her

arm and go to visit the sick. Then they would read and study together

and use the simple remedies prescribed in that book and get along

pretty well. In that way she got into quite a large practice. She often

rode a little blue pony. People would sometimes make the remark, "I

think there is someone sick at a certain house. I see the blue pony

tied at the gate."

This woman officiated where more than a hundred babies were born. She

was very successful, never lost a mother or child while she was taking

care of them. She most always went back every day for a week to see the

patient and wash and dress the baby. And most of the time she had one

of her own to take with her. She made no charges, as she did not have

any license. But she received a good many presents, and is sometimes

yet pleasantly reminded of by-gone days. Just a few days ago she

received a photo of five large, stalwart men and a letter from their

mother saying these are pictures of your boys; see how they have grown.

Then another time a picture came from a distance of two large twin boys

and a girl and word saying, see how your boys have grown.

I have not made mention of any names in this sketch, thinking it would

be just as interesting without.

Well, I must get back to my pioneer days that I started to write about.

Schools and churches were scarce. One woman taught a school in her

home of two rooms. She had about a dozen scholars. About one-third of

them were part Indian children. As I said before, some of the men that

came out West first came alone and took Indian women for wives. People

called them squaw men. We remember another woman that taught school in

her home of one room. At noon when the children were out playing she

would cook dinner and the family would eat, then she would take up her

school again.

We would sometimes go three or four miles to church in a home of one

room where three or four persons lived. The preacher would stand up

in the corner between the table and fireplace and preach, while the

congregation sat around on the beds and benches and boxes. Every corner

would be full. Many a one received a blessing in those humble meetings.

But we did not have to do that way very long. People with such energy

soon built school houses and churches.

Building material was hard to get. When one man worked for or sold

another man anything he would often pay him in gold dust. They used

that a great deal. We would take our little sack of gold dust and go to

town to buy things, and the merchants would weigh and blow and spill it

till we would not have much left. I said go to town; there was not much

town to go to. It was not like the town the little boy said he could

not see for the houses. One would hardly know it was a town by the

houses. At that time there was about a dozen, mostly business houses,

scattered around in Walla Walla.

MRS. BREWSTER FERREL.

Equally characteristic of the first days is the narration of the "first

boy in Walla Walla." This was Charles W. Clark. One of the honored

citizens of Walla Walla, he was doubtless "the first boy to ride down

Main Street," as he expressed it. Through his kindness we are able

to present here some scenes from his memory of the first days in the

history of Walla Walla.

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE FIRST BOY IN WALLA WALLA

I was born on August 29, 1846, in Oregon, on my father's claim near

LaFayette, Yamhill County, from which the family was taken to Oregon

City and thence to Portland.

Needless to say, Portland was then a raw, crude town on the edge of the

Willamette River, with no business places except on Front and First

streets.

In 1855 my father, Ransom Clark, left home for Colville mines. On his

way home to Portland he selected the place on the Yellowhawk, since

known from his name, ran out the lines with a pocket compass, for there

was no Government survey. The place was nearly in a square and extended

from about where the road just east of Harry Reynolds' house now is to

the present Whitney Road.

My father was on the place in 1855 when the Indian war broke out, and

he, like all the other settlers--few in number, of course--was ordered

by the United States commandant to leave the country.

That war prevented my father's making proof on the claim, but the

Government ruled that since the settlers had been obliged to leave

on account of war, they should not lose their time, but could resume

possession and continue to prepare for making final proof.

We lived in Portland until 1859, when announcement was made that Indian

disturbances were at an end. In the fall of 1858 father had returned to

the claim. With the coming of winter he went back to Portland, but on

March 1, 1859, he went back again to Walla Walla, taking me with him. I

was then twelve years old, a strong, active boy, and accustomed to all

sorts of work and capable of being of much assistance to my father in

starting the place.

We came from Portland with a team and wagon, putting them on the

steamer at Portland and going as far as The Dalles; thence driving to

Walla Walla. Mother was left alone in Portland with my brother Will,

then two years old.

We had quite a lot of apple and peach trees which we obtained at the

Tibbetts and Luelling nurseries, near Oregon City. I can tell you the

Walla Walla Valley looked beautiful in those early spring days. It

was just a waving sea of new grass, green all over without a fence or

anything to obstruct riding anywhere that we might wish.

We reached our claim on March 28th. So far as I remember there was

not another white boy in the whole valley, except at the fort, or

whose parents were employed at the fort. Some of the army officers had

children, but I hardly ever saw them. I had no playmates except the

Indian children, and they were very friendly. There were no women, that

is, no white women outside the fort, unless two or three transients.

There were several Indian women married to white men, former Hudson's

Bay men, down the valley at Frenchtown and elsewhere.

When we reached the claim we discovered that "Curly" Drumheller and

Samuel Johnson had done some plowing on the south edge of our place,

from the spring branch to Russell Creek. We sowed it with oats and

there was a good crop, which we threshed out with flails in the fall.

We set out some of our fruit trees on the flat just southeast of where

Harry Reynolds' house now is. Those were, I am sure, the first trees

ever brought to Walla Walla, that is, after those that had been raised

from seed by Doctor Whitman at Waiilatpu. John Foster bought the trees

which were set on his place from our lot. The bill for those trees from

Seth Luelling is still in possession of my brother Will.

After remaining six weeks my father returned to Portland to get my

mother and brother. I was left to keep the place, in company with

Robert Horton. We had nothing but a tent for a house, but we managed

to get along very comfortably. My main work was to cook. I helped

plow on John Foster's place to help pay for the logs which Foster had

gotten out that spring or summer for making our cabin. On Sundays and

sometimes on other days I would go to "town," which was just a mongrel

collection of shacks and tents, with a confused mass of settlers,

Indians and soldiers straying through. The chief amusement was horse

racing and gambling. There was a straightaway track where the cemetery

now is and another just about through where the chief part of town now

lies. The first circular track was laid out by George Porter about

three miles down the valley, running around the peculiar hill on the

Sam Smith place, afterward the Tom Lyons place.

The saloon business was very active then and every species of vice

flourished. There was a man named Ed Leach who had come with father and

me from The Dalles, who had afterwards drifted around town.

One day I was near the saloon owned by W. A. Ball, and I saw that there

had just been something going on, for there was a bunch of men standing

around talking excitedly.

Ed Leach was there, and seeing me he pulled me over to a place where I

saw blood on the ground, and he said, pointing out the puddle of blood,

"There, Charlie, is where I got him." He had just killed a man.

Nothing was done about it, so far as I know.

W. A. Ball was uncle of my wife, and one of the first business men in

Walla Walla. He was the one especially who insisted on giving the name

of Walla Walla to the town. Some wanted to call it Waiilatpu, while

some favored Steptoeville.

One day while in town a man called to me saying that he had heard it

rumored that my father was dead. I paid no attention to this, for I

had heard from him a few days before, that he had safely reached home,

was getting ready to return, and that everything was well. There were

no mails at that time and the only way to get messages was through

the army or by stray travelers. It would take a week or two to hear

anything from Portland.

But though I paid no attention to the rumor it proved a sad reality.

That very day after I had returned to the tent which I called home, my

mother's brother, Uncle Billy Millican, who is still living in Walla

Walla, appeared and told me that it was only too true, that my father

had been taken suddenly sick and had died a number of days before, and

that my mother was even then on her way to Walla Walla.

The next day she came, having come on the Steamer Colonel Wright, of

which Lew White was captain, on her second or third trip from The

Dalles to Wallula. From that place she came with Capt. F. F. Dent in

an army ambulance to Walla Walla. That Captain Dent, by the way, was a

brother-in-law of General Grant.

As you can imagine it was a sad, hard journey for a woman who had just

been made a widow, and who was soon to be again a mother.

It shows something of the nerve and heroism of pioneer women that they

could go through such experiences. My mother had been strongly advised

to give up her claim. A man had offered her $300.00 for it, and Judge

Shattuck, one of the leading lawyers of Portland, urged her to take it,

assuring her that it would be the most that she could ever get out of

it. But father had been greatly impressed with the prospective value of

the place and the prospects of the town, and my mother had been so much

impressed with his views that she determined to hold the claim.

Accordingly, after spending two weeks with me she returned to Portland.

I spent that summer, sometimes a very lonesome one, in the tent, or

hoeing the garden which he had put out, and in September Robert Horton

and Uncle Billy Millican put up a cabin from the logs.

The cabin was put on the present location of Harry Reynolds' house.

It was moved from there a few feet many years ago, and put on a good

foundation, so that it is now just about as sound as ever. It is

undoubtedly the oldest house now existing in the Inland Empire, in

which a white woman lived. My mother was about the first white woman in

this region, after the missionary period.

My mother came back to Walla Walla in October of that same year, 1859,

with her newly born child, then six weeks old, to live the remainder of

her life in Walla Walla.

During those early years the valley seemed to be filled with Indians,

but they were very kindly and well disposed, and we had no trouble with

them, even though a good part of the time we were alone, mother and

the baby and the little boy and myself as the nearest a man about the

place. We had plenty of horses and cattle and chickens and garden and

had an abundance of the necessities, though no elegancies.

There were two principal Indian chiefs, and they, with their squaws

and children were often around the house. They were fine Indians.

Yellowhawk was one of them, and his location was on the creek named

after him, on what is now the Billy Russell place near the Braden

schoolhouse. The other was Tintimitsy. His location was on what became

the J. H. Abbott place.

As I remember the old town in 1860, there were several shack stores.

One was that of Neil McClinchy, on what would now be between Third and

Fourth streets.

Baldwin Brothers were about between Second and Third. Frank Worden was

located just about where the Third National Bank now is. Guichard and

Kohlhauff had a store on the same corner where the White House Clothing

Store now is. John F. Abbott had a stable right in what is now Second

Street, just about what would be between the Jaycox Store and the

Jones Building. There was no order or system to the streets for many

years, and, as we know, they are very irregular now, having followed

convenient trails or breakings through the cottonwoods and birches

which grew on the creek.

The creek at that time ran right on the top of the ground and in high

water ran out in many places. Quite a stream at high water ran through

just about where Senator Ankeny's house is, over through the present

high school grounds and thence joining Garrison Creek.

During the long, cold nights of winter in 1860-61 we lived alone in our

cabin. Mother and I would grind our flour in the big coffee-mill. One

regular job we had, and often we were up till midnight working at it,

and that was to make sacks for the flour-mill which A. H. Reynolds, in

partnership with J. A. Sims and Capt. F. F. Dent, put up in 1859 on

what is now the Whitney place.

But my mother was anxious that I should have some schooling, and

having become married to Mr. Reynolds, she sent me to Portland Academy

for two years, and two years more to LaFayette where I lived with my

grandparents.

When I returned in 1865 I was a man. Walla Walla was growing. That was

right in the midst of the mining times and the Vigilantes, when they

had "a man for breakfast" nearly every morning. It was a wild, exciting

time, but through it all Walla Walla has grown to be the beautiful city

of which we are now so proud.

* * * * *

We have devoted considerable space in the early part of this volume

to Indians and Indian wars. The narrative of W. W. Walter gave a view

of the Cayuse war from the standpoint of a participant. Other wars

with the natives followed. The most spectacular and in many ways most

remarkable of all was that of 1877, with the Joseph band of Nez Percés.

We incorporate here an account of the personal experiences of W. S.

Clark, one of the leading pioneers of Walla Walla, and one of the best

informed students of early history.

THE NEZ PERCÉ WAR

On the morning of June 19, 1877, a courier reached the City of Walla

Walla bringing the sad news of the engagement on Camas Prairie between

the Nez Percé Indians and Colonel Perry's troop of cavalry in which

one-half of Perry's troop had been killed. The news caused a great deal

of excitement. Word also came that the citizens of Lewiston were in

danger of a raid by the Indians and that the settlers were pouring into

town from all sides and help was much needed.

Thomas P. Page, county auditor of Walla Walla County, started to work

raising a volunteer company. At 1 o'clock in the afternoon a meeting

was called at the courthouse where the facts were presented and

resolutions were passed promising aid to the people of the Lewiston

District. One hundred names were soon down on the roll and all who

could get horses were to start that night. The quartermaster at the

fort here gave us rifles and sixty rounds of cartridges apiece. At 6

o'clock that evening the following party left Walla Walla en route to

Lewiston: A. Reeves Ayres, John Agu, Ike Abbott, A. L. Bird, Chas.

Blewett, W. S. Clark, Lane Gilliam, H. E. Holmes, Albert Hall, Jake

Holbrook, Frank Jackson, John Keeney, J. H. Lister, Henry Lacy, Wm.

McKearn:, S. H. Maxon, Aleck O'Dell, C. S. Robinson, J. S. Stott, Ben

Scott, Albert Small, Frank Waldrip, T. P. Page, L. K. Grimm and J. F.

McLean.

We arrived at Dayton at 1 o'clock that night, and put our horses in

the livery stable and ourselves to sleep in the hay-mow overhead. Next

morning we breakfasted at the hotel. A. R. Ayers, H. E. Holmes and

Tom Beall were missing. We traveled to Marengo where a short stop was

made and the troops under Colonel Whipple came up. The volunteers took

the Indian trails across the hills and the regular troops followed the

wagon road. We stopped two hours on the Pataha and then traveled on to

Dan Favor's ranch which was about fifteen miles this side of Lewiston,

where we went into camp. Here we waited about three hours for supper,

there being some misunderstanding as to the getting of the meal. When

the troops came up they camped at the same place.

On the morning of the 21st, after paying our bills, we traveled on to

Lewiston. Leaving our horses on this side of the river, we crossed over

to the town where we met Major Spurgeon, the commander at that place,

who gave us to understand that the settlers nearby were in no immediate

danger and told us that, if we cared to go on into the Indian country,

we could be of service, but would have to be under the command of the

regular military authorities.

We re-crossed the river to our horses and, after dinner, signed our

names to report to General Howard for eight days of service. We then

elected our officers as follows: T. P. Page, captain, L. K. Grimm,

lieutenant, and John F. McLean, sergeant. Then we again crossed over to

Lewiston, this time with our outfits, and were regularly mustered in

for eight days of service. Up to this time, Ayres, Holmes and Beall had

not caught up with us. Some thought that they had backed out and gone

home, others thought that they would yet come up.

Major Spurgeon directed us to Fort Lapwai to report to General Howard,

where we arrived at 6 o'clock in the evening. Here we had supper, after

drawing on the post commissary for rations. It rained on us all that

night. The morning of the 22d we spent in repairing and fixing up our

outfits. At 1 o'clock we were again on the march as General Howard's

guard, the troops going in advance. There were three companies of

infantry, two companies of cavalry, one company of artillery and one

company of volunteers.

As we were starting off from camp that afternoon we were surprised as

well as pleased to see Doc Ayers, Doc Holmes and Ike Abbott coming

up. They were forgiven for their delinquency when we learned that

they had gotten lost, being led astray by Beall whose horse gave out

and who then gave up the expedition and went back home. They joined

us in the march without waiting to secure any dinner. While we were

going up Craig Mountain Ike Abbott's horse got away from him and he

did not catch him until several hours later. On the evening of the 22d

we made camp on Craig Mountain, putting our horses out with those of

the regular troops, and Sergeant McLean detailed J. H. Lister, Frank

Waldrip and myself to be on guard the first part of the night and Lane

Gilliam, A. L. Bird and Frank Jackson for the latter part. This was our

first guard duty and I thought that upon me rested the entire burden of

herding those 300 head of horses.

On Saturday, June 23d, we started early and traveled along the mountain

until after noon when we reached the great Camas Prairie. I was very

much surprised at the extent and richness of this prairie on any part

of which, it was claimed, timothy hay would grow. We passed the place

where our former citizen, Lew Day, was first attacked by the Indians

and later came to Ben Norton's place on Cottonwood where we camped.

Owing to the fact that we were in advance of the command, Captain Page

put a guard on the house and barn. He placed Henry Lacy as guard over

the barn and, after the command came up, Captain Wilkinson started to

enter the barn and Henry stopped him. The captain told Henry who he

was. Still this did no good and the captain turned and went away. Henry

Lacy and Charley Blewett were the youngest members of the company.

The following morning Aleck O'Dell, Lane Gilliam, Al Hall, Jake

Holbrook, Ben Scott, Ike Abbott, Wm. McKearn and I got up early

and started for Mount Idaho, nineteen miles distant. We passed the

place where Norton and his family, John Moore and Miss Bowers had

been overtaken by the Indians, also the place where a load of goods

for Mount Idaho had been captured by the Indians. We passed through

Grangeville and went on to Mount Idaho, arriving there at about 12

o'clock. We hitched our horses to the fence of a man by the name of

Aram (?) who gave them some hay. Mr. Brown at the hotel told us that

dinner would be at 4 o'clock. We told him that we were hungry and could

not wait. He wasn't long in getting us something to eat.

During our stay here O'Dell and one or two others had their horses

shod. I went into Volmer's store and wrote a letter home. Mr. Scott,

the manager of the store, showed us many courtesies. Both he and Mr.

Volmer had formerly lived in Walla Walla. Mr. Scott said that all

the people in that district who could were preparing to leave for

the Salmon River. Mr. Aram (?) invited us all in to dinner, which

invitation we gladly accepted.

Here we secured the following information with regard to the

depredations of the Indians. Joseph's band from the Wallowa and the

Salmon River Indians under White Bird had been camped on Rocky Canyon,

eight miles from Mount Idaho. The Indians attacked on Thursday, June

14th. The settlers on White Bird suffered severely. Jack Manuel was

living there with his wife and baby. The baby was killed and Mrs.

Manuel, after being horribly mistreated, was locked up in a room of

their house and then the house was burned to the ground. James Baker,

who lived about a mile below Manuel's place on White Bird, was killed.

Samuel Benedict was killed but his wife and little girl escaped and

came safely into town. H. C. Brown was shot in the shoulder but escaped

in a boat and was later found by the cavalry. Harry Mason was killed

but his sister escaped in the brush. William Osborn was also killed.

Those killed on John Day's Creek were Henry Elfreys and his nephew,

Robert Bland, Dick Divine, and two Frenchmen. The Elfreys were killed

by the Indians with their own guns which had been secured while the

settlers were at work in the field.

The settlers on Camas Prairie shared a similar fate. According to Mr.

Scott, Lew Day left Mount Idaho to place the settlers on the prairie on

guard and to give notice to the troops at Lapwai. The Indians overtook

him about two miles beyond Norton's house. They immediately fired

on him, hitting him twice in the back. Lew turned and went back to

Norton's place where he found Norton and his family getting ready to go

to Mount Idaho.

Norton, with his wife and boy, Joseph Moore, Miss Bowers, Mr. and

Mrs. Chamberlain and their child and Lew Day all got into the wagon

and started for town, the Indians following and firing on them. Four

miles the other side of Grangeville the Indians succeeded in killing

the horses and they were forced to abandon the wagon. Hill Norton and

Miss Bowers made their escape and came into Grangeville, bringing the

first information of the attack. Norton was killed, Joseph Moore was

hit twice, Mrs. Norton was shot through both legs, Mr. Chamberlain

and their child were killed, the child's head being split open with a

hatchet, and Mrs. Chamberlain was shot in the breast with an arrow.

Theodore Schwartz, another settler, was wounded.

At 6 o'clock that evening we started back to camp and arrived there at

9 o'clock. On Monday, June 25th, we left our camp on the Cottonwood and

continued our march to Johnson's camp or ranch, where we again made

camp. On the road we passed the place where, before the outbreak, about

one hundred lodges of Indians had been set at the lakes, on the rocks,

in the canyons and on the prairie. Also we passed over the ground of

Colonel Perry's retreat. Captain Page picked up some twenty cartridge

shells within a distance of fifty yards. At Johnson's we were given a

camping ground to the right of the main column, about half a mile from

wood and water. The boys were dissatisfied and we secured permission to

camp within the enclosure at Johnson's house. H. E. Holmes, Ike Abbott

and C. S. Robinson were put on guard.

After breakfast on Tuesday morning, June 26th, we left camp to

reconnoiter. We were in advance of the command that day. In our

reconnoitering we came across the body of a dead soldier about two

miles from camp. We were compelled to rest at times to allow the

infantry an opportunity to dig trenches which we might use in case of

need. About 12 o'clock we reached the summit looking down on White Bird

Creek. During the morning's ride most of the soldiers killed in Colonel

Perry's fight with the Indians were buried. For several miles we kept

coming upon their dead bodies.

In the afternoon, with Chapman as guide, we rode along the top of the

divide between Salmon River and White Bird. It was rough and tiresome

riding. We saw fresh tracks and Chapman told us that we were liable to

meet Indians at any time. Soon we discovered three Indian scouts across

the river and shortly after that we discovered the whole band moving

farther up the mountain. We fired a number of shots toward them but

they were too far away and we were only wasting our cartridges.

We then left the ridge and went down on the bottom at Manuel's on

White Bird. We went inside the gate and looked at the remains of the

buildings which the Indians had burned. A few of the volunteers strayed

down to the creek and what was their surprise to see, sitting in a

little shed which the Indians had spared, a white man whom we all soon

found to be Jack Manuel, and whom we had previously reported as among

the killed. He had been wounded in the back of the neck by an arrow and

had also been shot in the hips.

Our next task was to get Manuel out and away to safety. We soon fixed

a pole in a broken buggy that was standing near and by fastening what

spare ropes we had to the buggy and to the pommels of our saddles we

succeeded in getting him away. Finding that we were not making headway

fast enough, our captain sent to Captain Miller for two pack mules

which were soon at hand. Then, making the pole into shafts, we soon

arrived at camp where we turned Mr. Manuel over to his friends, who

were to care for his wounds and take him to Mount Idaho the following

day. It had rained all that day and we had had a hard day's work.

On June 27th we broke camp and marched to White Bird, the soldiers

burying the dead soldiers we found which they had not had time to bury

the preceding day. It was there on the White Bird side of the divide

that the terrible battle had taken place. That night we camped within

a short distance of the Salmon River which we expected to cross the

following day. It seemed likely that, on crossing the river, we would

have a fight with the Indians for we could see them for hours that

afternoon riding their horses about and swinging themselves from side

to side in all kinds of capers.

After we had made camp we received instructions to escort the pack

train back to Lewiston where they were going for supplies. On reaching

Lewiston the eight days for which we had engaged were up and, believing

that the army of General Howard was fully able to conquer Chief Joseph

and his braves, we returned to our homes.

On the afternoon after our return came word of the ambushing of

Lieutenant Rains and a dozen volunteers and regulars, and the killing

of Blewett and Foster near Cottonwood. The troops there had known

that the Indians were in the vicinity and the lieutenant called for

volunteers to go and hunt for Blewett and Foster, who had gone out

earlier in the day and had failed to return as they had been ordered

to do. The lieutenant and his men had not been gone long before a

volley was heard and, on other troops tracing them up, they found that

they had all been killed from ambush at the one volley. Foster had

been killed earlier in the day near the road at the entrance to the

prairie. Blewett had been killed a little later, around the mountain,

undoubtedly after a run for his life.

This Charley Blewett was my next-door neighbor and had been for ten

years prior to his death. We were students together at the school in

district number one and also at Whitman Seminary. We had all regretted

very much leaving Charley but he wanted to stay and Colonel Whipple

said that he would look after him. This he did, taking him into his own

mess. As soon as conditions would permit we had his remains brought

home and he was given a military funeral.

The long chase after Chief Joseph and his Nez Percé Indians, with one

or two fights and finally his surrender to General Miles, is now a

matter of history. While General Howard has been greatly maligned it

must not be forgotten that he was fighting one of the bravest tribes of

Indians in the United States.

* * * * *

Among the most attractive features of Walla Walla is the park. This has

usually been known as "City Park" for lack of a better name. Discussion

has been rife as to a better and a permanent name. That question is

still pending but the author ventures to express the opinion here that

the most appropriate name would be "_Pashki_," one of several forms

of the Indian name for the location of the park and also used for the

creek. The word means "sunflower."

We are fortunate to be able to present a sketch by Miss Grace Isaacs,

a "Native Daughter" of Walla Walla, and one of the foremost among the

creators of the park.

THE PARK AT WALLA WALLA

"When Mr. Olmstead outlined a plan for Walla Walla's parks ten years

ago, it was a source of satisfaction to discover that the work by our

first park commission was along similar lines.

"The Olmstead plan included a boulevard encircling the city and

connecting a series of parks in the four quarters of the town,

embracing land now leased by the golf club and other tracts owned

by the city. Its fruition has been regarded by many as a beautiful

dream, or an ideal not realized in this generation by some of our men

of affairs. Not so, however, with some enthusiasts, encouraged by the

president of the Park Commission, John W. Langdon. When the plans for

our first City Park were outlined, this forty acre tract, a part of the

oldest farm in the valley, had been the property of the city for some

years, it having been acquired by the purchase of the water system,

and contained two of the main reservoirs of spring water, which then

supplied the town. John F. McLean, as a member of the City Council,

had endeavored to improve the tract, but was handicapped for lack of

funds, and by lack of interest among his colleagues to the extent of a

resolution in the council to sell a part of the land for building lots.

Mr. McLean opposed this plan so vigorously, and continued to urge the

park's improvement so earnestly, that others became interested, and

when Mayor Tausick appointed the first Park Commission, Mr. McLean was

a member, with Mr. Langdon, John P. Kent, Mrs. J. C. Huckett and Mrs.

E. S. Isaacs.

"It was in 1901 that Mrs. Conde Hamlin of St. Paul, a member of the

Civic Improvement Committee of the General Federation of Woman's Clubs,

at the invitation of The Women's Reading Club and the Art Club of Walla

Walla (at that time the only clubs in Walla Walla, though our city

has the distinction of having organized in 1885, the second woman's

club in the State of Washington, it being also one of the first dozen

in the United States), gave us our first public lecture upon Civic

Improvement. The Commercial Club supplied the theatre and W. P. Hooper,

vice president of the Commercial Club, presided and introduced the

speaker. The immediate result was the organizing of local Improvement

Clubs of men and women, that did much to prepare public sentiment for

a broader development. The Women's Clubs which had already their civic

committees, making tentative experiments (of trash cans and such)

received an impetus, and finally the Park Commission was appointed, and

Mr. Langdon proceeded to draw a plan for the improvement of City Park.

A park superintendent was secured and then came the question of money.

It would require $4,000 to lay the system of water pipes through forty

acres; the Council gasped, and said 'dare we do it?'

"A mass meeting of women was called, and a petition to the Council

asking that this work be done, was circulated by women, and assumed

the remarkable length of fourteen feet of names when presented to

the Council. Needless to say, the argument was irresistible, and the

work was hurried to completion. There being still the necessity for

funds, the Woman's Park Club thus organized on the broad lines of

membership, willingness 'to work for parks' constituting eligibility to

membership, and year by year its plans have been carried to completion

in proportion to the state of the exchequer. Dreamland, a tract of

ten acres in the southwestern part of town, has been acquired, and

following Mr. Olmstead's recommendations, an effort is being made to

secure land for another in the northwestern area, which is more than

a mile from the Dreamland, and two from City Park. There are also

eight acres on Boyer Avenue known as 'Wildwood' awaiting development,

as well as the land lying along Mill Creek, previously mentioned as

leased by the Golf Club. Walla Walla possesses abundant land for all

the recreation places she will need for one hundred years at least, if

wisely conserved.

"The Park Club established and maintains the playgrounds in two parks,

and hopes another season to build swimming pools. For the establishment

of this department credit should be given the eloquence of Jane Addams

and of Judge Lindsey in depicting the need for the right environment of

children in their leisure hours. It was with the hope that preventive

measures might make some of the unhappy conditions of cities impossible

in this community. The Park Club has for eight years given annually a

'Community' entertainment, usually an open air festival in the park.

The Pageant of 1914, written and staged by Porter Garnett of the

Pageant Association of America, the artist who has staged so many of

the Bohemian Club's Grove Plays, will linger long in memory as 'the

most beautiful thing Walla Walla ever did.' It was a wonderful artistic

success, owing to the devotion of the Park Club to ideals, which were

epitomized by Mr. Garnett as 'those whose Civic pride and constructive

idealism have enabled them to dare and to achieve.'

"The year 1917 has been marked by a 'Kirmess,' the proceeds of which

are to be devoted to Red Cross work. It is the judgment of all

concerned that though the park needs work, the soldiers in the field

need our money more."

* * * * *

While there are naturally many more recollections in respect to Walla

Walla and its near vicinity, yet we have a number of others of great

interest from other parts of the field.

We are turning therefore, now from Walla Walla to the youngest sister

of the counties, Asotin. We have first a reminiscence of early

settlement in Asotin County, by Mrs. Mary A. Wormell, whose family is

among the most prominent of the builders of the county:

SOME PIONEER RECOLLECTIONS OF ASOTIN COUNTY

By Mrs. Mary A. Wormell

In the summer of 1880 the writer came with her family to that portion

of Asotin County known as Asotin flat. We arrived late in July

from California travelling by the "prairie schooner" route. We had

encountered many difficulties and no little discouragement en route,

and heard many disparaging stories about the new country towards which

we were travelling. One Californian, disgusted and homeward bound,

solemnly informed us that we would see icicles in Washington a foot and

a half long. And as the darky said: "We have seen all that an' mo'."

One day we met a family taking the back trail that had left our

locality the year before with this slogan printed on the new, white

cover of their "prairie schooner"--"Washington or Bust." They passed

slowly by, a weary, dejected looking outfit, and the weather-beaten old

canvas top bore the single word--"Busted." But even this demonstration

of defeat did not daunt us, for we were already "busted," had nothing

to lose and everything to gain, so we kept right on as the western

phrase so aptly puts it--"hitting the trail," to the north that brought

us at last to what is now Asotin County. It "looked good" to us then

and has kept right on looking good to us ever since.

[Illustration: A SPANISH CHESTNUT, CLARKSTON-VINELAND, 1907]

The townsite of Asotin at that time was a cattle range. There was

one cabin but farther up the river in what was later called the

"upper town" was a store and postoffice conducted by Alex Sumpter.

We proceeded to climb the hill driving where we could, for there was

practically no road. Upon reaching the plateau we gazed out over miles

and miles of bunch grass prairie that stretched away, seemingly, in

unbroken lines to the foot of the Blue Mountains nearly twenty miles

away. As we drove on we passed here and there a settler's home with a

few acres broken and fenced. There were the Bean, Ayers, and Bolick

ranches, while a little further on we came to the Boyer place. Nearer

the mountains there were many families; namely: Whiton, Scott, James

and Andrew Robinson, Sangster, Kanawyer, Dodson, Perciful, Flinn,

Bay, Huber, Dundrum, Shelman, Foredyce, Sweigert, and many others. We

located about four miles from Anatone, which at that time consisted

of a small store and postoffice conducted by Chas. Isecke. The only

schoolhouse in what is now Asotin County, was located about one-half

mile distant from the postoffice. Back in the Blue Mountains a few

miles was the saw mill of Messrs. Bean and Farrish.

The immediate neighborhood in which we lived held the honor of being

the first on the "flat" visited by the "stork"; Elmer Pintler, second

son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Pintler, being the first white child born

on Asotin flat, and Ellen Caroline Bay, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John

Bay was the first girl. Both little toddlers were two years old or

thereabouts when we moved into the neighborhood.

The country was now filling up rapidly; all fear of Indian troubles was

past, and the people were intent upon making comfortable and permanent

homes for themselves and their children. Money was so scarce that it

was often said that tamarack rails were "legal tender." Every man was

owner of a few, at least, for it was the only fencing known here at

that time. Consequently every man, at some time during the year, went

into the mountains and demonstrated the accomplishment of Lincoln.

The nearest flour mill was at Colombia Center, some thirty or forty

miles distant, and the yearly trips to that point were long and

tedious, over a track that could scarcely be called a road. The country

was full of cattle, so beef was cheap, being two or three cents per

pound, but pork was scarce. Vegetables were also scarce that year,

owing to a grasshopper raid. In 1881, instead of grasshoppers, there

were crickets, which passed through the country in May, but were

too early to do much damage, and the gardens were fairly good that

year. These raiding pests did not visit us again and all vegetation

flourished in the new soil.

The Pine Grove schoolhouse, the second to be built on the flat, was

built in the fall of 1880, and school was conducted there that winter.

This was not the first term taught in the district however, as a Mr.

Morgan had taught the few children in the neighborhood, the year before

in the home of Mr. Pintler. All school districts held at first only

three months of school, but it was a beginning out of which has grown

our school system of today of which all are so justly proud.

The diversions of the time, for there are no people on earth more

sociably inclined than the pioneer, were visiting, dancing, quilting

bees, barn and house raisings, "turkey shoots" on holidays, and of

course the patriotic celebrations of July Fourth.

As to dress, the people wore what they had and were glad to get it.

Cowhide and calico were the latest importations. It was not what they

wore but what they were that counted, and that simple garb clothed some

of the finest characters that I have ever known. Wherever there was

sickness, sorrow, or trouble of whatever sort, that home was filled

with friends with sympathetic hearts and helpful hands.

Of churches there were none and no resident minister, though an

occasional visiting or circuit minister held services in the

schoolhouse, but each school district maintained a flourishing Sunday

school. The most convenient and common mode of travel to these

gatherings was on horseback.

In 1883 Asotin County was established. We were very proud and later

when statehood was granted we felt that we were making progress by

leaps and bounds.

Year by year the acreage was increased, new fences were run, and in

an amazingly short time, the vast herds of horses and cattle that had

grazed peacefully there or wandered in long wavering lines, along the

deep old trails to the nearby water holes, gave place to the wide

fields of waving grain and passed on to the wilder regions.

And so we grew, the old log cabins with their mud and rock chimneys

were replaced by more pretentious dwellings, better farm buildings

began to appear, more machinery was purchased, the cayuses and the

gaunt range cattle were weeded out to make room for better livestock.

Along all lines we sought to improve the general equipment and thus

add to the farm's efficiency. Each year brought much progress and some

failure. There were hard winters and years of drought. There were good

times and hard times, but these were just the incidents common to the

life of every community. We weathered them all--and today are proud

that our little corner is a worthy part of the "Great Northwest."

In passing along any one of the numerous fine highways of which our

county boasts today, one meets occasionally an old pioneer slipping

smoothly along in his high powered motor, and there comes to mind a

picture of that same traveller, thirty or forty years ago, toiling

along that same highway, over a rough rutted course, that could only

by the greatest courtesy be called a road, with his jaded cayuse team

and lumber wagon, creeping along with the summer sun blazing down

upon him or the howling blizzard of winter buffetting, beating him

pitilessly, and the biting cold freezing him to the very bone. Picture

the contrast, dear reader, and rejoice in the progress of forty years.

In all the years to come we will be found working together for all that

makes for development and betterment along all lines, for in such unity

alone, can there be real progress. We know that each coming year is

better than the last, and all unite in the wish that good old Asotin

County may see many of them.

* * * * *

Another of the most prominent of the early families of Asotin County is

the Clemans family. A daughter of that family, now well known in Asotin

city as Mrs. Lillian Clemans Merchant, was for some years a teacher,

and then the superintendent of schools. We are glad to present here a

valuable and entertaining account of the early schools of Asotin County

from Mrs. Merchant:

BEGINNINGS OF SCHOOLS IN ASOTIN COUNTY

By Mrs. Lillian Clemens Merchant

The writer was not among the earliest settlers of this portion of

Washington, having reached the county in the autumn of 1885, although

the schools and school systems of the county were still in the

embryonic stage, we having enjoyed the privilege of attending school

in the first schoolhouse in the county, a little log building 12 by 14

situated about one-half mile from Anatone.

This seat of learning had one window on either side and was furnished

as follows: A few rude desks of varying sizes fashioned from rough

lumber but soon worn smooth by the activity of the children by whom

they were occupied, a long bench made of a hewed log with eight upright

pieces driven into it for legs, being used as recitation bench, a small

crude table constructed from native wood served for the teacher, a

few planed boards painted black in the rear of the room sufficed for

a board, a piece of sheep-skin tacked on a block of wood served as an

eraser, while a small box heater occupied the center of the room.

Many of the children rode cayuse ponies to school, staking or hobbling

them in the open, that they might feast on the tall bunch grass that

was so abundant. School was held only during the spring and summer

months. On rainy days the riding equipment was of necessity brought

into the schoolhouse. The odor emanating from them and the huddled

groups of wet children and the lunch pails made a peculiar combination

of odors, but in those days we knew nothing of germs. Children were

taught to value the privilege of attending school as almost sacred. A

year's work was frequently done in a term of three or four months, much

stress being placed upon the three R's.

These pioneer children represented many nationalities. One family in

the locality were direct descendants of the Wadsworth family of New

England to which the poet Longfellow belongs. There were many of Indian

blood. One of these young Indian women of distinguished lineage (half

breed) grew to womanhood with us. Later losing her father, her mother

having died in the girl's infancy, upon opening of the reservation of

the Nez Percés, secured her allotment and was persuaded by the teachers

of the Indians to attend Carlisle, which she did. But in recent years

we happened to be at the interstate fair, and walking into the main

pavilion where an Indian baby show was being held, there we saw our

schoolmate, a proud and happy mother wrapped in the regulation blanket

with the "blue ribbon" pinned on her dusky babe which she held in her

arms. Recognition was mutual, but owing to the natural reserve of her

race we secured no explanation of conditions.

Fortunately in those early days requirements for securing a teacher's

certificate were not rigid, so teachers were plentiful but none

qualified to teach beyond the grammar school work, necessitating a

removal for high school work which could be ill afforded at that time.

At Lewiston, Idaho, about twenty miles distant the Methodist Church

established a so-called college which flourished for a time. Many of

the young men and women of Asotin County availed themselves of the

educational advantages offered by it.

As soon as the normal school at Cheney opened its doors Asotin County

was represented, but in order to go there the student was compelled to

leave Anatone at 7 A. M., reaching Asotin four hours later and from

there another stage was taken which connected with the Uniontown stage

in Lewiston, Idaho. About 2 P. M. the Uniontown stage, now designated

as a wild-west stage coach, being drawn by six to eight horses,

carrying often fourteen to sixteen passengers, took the timid student

in charge and transported him as far as Uniontown. It being dark and

the train not leaving until morning a stop was made over night. The

train was boarded the next morning for Spokane, a stop of a few hours

in that thriving little village, and then off to Cheney which was

reached later in the afternoon, thus making two days for the trip. But

the influence of the splendid men and women in charge of the normal and

the excellent opportunities offered the student over his environment in

his home county was a splendid recompense for the sacrifice he had to

make in leaving Asotin County home folks and friends. But the return

of the student and his entry into the teaching profession where he was

given a royal welcome by all neighbors and old friends made him feel

once more that the effort was more than worth while.

The association of the teachers with the parents in these communities

was close indeed. It was the good fortune of the teacher to be

entertained over night in every home, although humble, thus acquiring

first-hand knowledge of the environment of every child under his or

her supervision. It was also the teacher who set the example for the

young people in the community thus almost invariably improving the

moral status. The teacher was often the Sunday school superintendent

or called upon to direct the community choir or was instrumental in

organizing debating societies or spelling schools, thus again coming

in close contact with the entire neighborhood. Out of this association

many friendships were formed that counted for much in the later

development of the county. The remuneration received by these teachers

rarely exceeded forty dollars per month, many receiving less, but these

faithful teachers who still remain in the county in various walks of

life have the satisfaction of thinking that their work was appreciated

when they observe the places these pioneer children occupy in the

county.

The county school superintendent was also an efficient factor in those

early days. He might be justly compared to a missionary. Every school

board and likewise patrons of the district looked to him for close

supervision of the work, as also did every teacher expect in him a high

tribunal for the settlement of difficulties that occasionally arose

through some misunderstanding.

Since the organization of the county the office of county

superintendent has been held by both men and women, as to service

about equally divided. Speaking from a woman's standpoint, school

visitation in early days in the county was not an easy matter. The

roads were extremely poor, schoolhouses far apart, many of which

were not accessible by vehicle. One was compelled to drive until the

road ceased to be fit for travel or terminated abruptly, at which

time the team was converted into saddle horses when the journey was

continued. Arduous indeed! was the trip but one was fully repaid when

some homesick teacher brightened under the encouragement given and the

children put forth an extra effort to make their school the best in the

county in attendance or improvement along some line designated by the

superintendent, the result to be passed upon by that officer upon the

next official visit. Some of the children in these isolated districts

were twelve and fourteen years old and never had the privilege

of being inside of any public building except their own little

schoolhouse, had never had the pleasure of spending a dime. These hardy

pioneers always shared their best with the superintendent. We recall

one of the young women superintendents having gone out for a survey of

the rural schools being entertained in a home over night where the only

bed in the home was a bunk nailed up to the side of the wall and filled

with straw. This the hostess and her three months' old baby shared

with the visitor, while the husband went to the barn loft to sleep.

This young woman so hospitably entertained was made to feel in this

humble home that those people struggling against poverty knew she was

interested in the development of the various districts and always had

the loyal support of every one in those communities. All worked for the

common aim--the betterment of local conditions.

In early days it was not out of the ordinary for Indians to appear at

the farm houses demanding a meal. One incident has been brought to

our knowledge where two blanket Indians went into a house asking for

a meal in almost unintelligible English, but during the progress of

the meal one of the girls of the family was murmuring a few German

phrases which she had learned from a neighbor, whereupon the younger of

the two Indians asked in splendid English why she had not learned the

languages when young. It developed that he was able to converse in five

languages, being a college graduate, while at this time Asotin County's

children had no advantages above the grammar grades. But let it be

said to the credit of these pioneer children who are the fathers and

mothers of the present younger generation that they made good and are

seeing that their children are getting the best the great state offers

educationally.

Thirty years have brought vast changes educationally--classical,

industrial and literary courses having been added to our systems, the

schools having been inspected and placed upon the accredited lists

of the state. Children are provided free transportation to and from

schools; hot lunches are provided; buildings equipped with splendid

heating systems and sanitary conditions are generally observed.

Teachers are paid excellent wages and are well prepared for their work.

The county superintendent is provided with an automobile for visitation

of schools which are practically all reached by an excellent system of

highways.

As an outcome of this superior development many of our young men are

holding positions of trust in the present crisis, in the service of

Uncle Sam both at home and abroad.

Would we return to the old conditions and times were we given our

choice? We love to dwell upon the early times, the struggles, the happy

hours, to think of those who were friends during those trying years,

but we wish our county to keep pace with the progress of the whole

Northwest. So we, in the future, as we have done in the past, as loyal

united citizens, will boost for the educational, spiritual and civic

growth of Asotin County.

* * * * *

We have given the personal reminiscences of pioneers of Walla Walla and

Asotin counties. We are now giving something of the recollections of

the first woman in what is now Columbia County, one of the pioneers of

1859, Mrs. Margaret Gilbreath:

S. L. Gilbreath and I were married at Albany, Ore., in March, 1859, and

started at once for Washington Territory with a band of cattle, one

wagon and team, and three herders.

At the Cascade Mountains two other men, John Wells and Tom Davis,

with a wagon and cattle, joined us. We soon found it impossible to

hurry on with the wagons, so they were left behind until the road was

opened, the rest coming on with the stock. Pack horses carried the

camp equipment. It was hard work opening up the trail on account of

fallen trees and deep snow. We camped on Butter Creek and sent two men

on to find suitable grazing land for our cattle. They returned in a

few days reporting that good land with plenty of bunch grass could be

homesteaded on the Touchet River. Having succeeded in bringing up our

wagons under much difficulty, we continued on our way to Walla Walla.

Captain Dent, commander of Fort Walla Walla, stopped us and insisted

that we settle near Walla Walla. We could not do this as the horses of

the garrison had eaten all the grass from the range and we were looking

for good pasture.

We inquired of the captain if we would be safe from the Indians if

we went to the Touchet Valley. He assured us that the Indians were

peaceable, which Mr. Gilbreath believed as he had served as volunteer

through the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856, and knew of the Nez Percés

fighting and scouting for the whites through the war. We found them

always friendly, unless they had been drinking.

Leaving Walla Walla we proceeded on our way to The Crossing, which is

now Dayton, reaching there August 27, 1859.

Mr. Stubbs, whose real name was Theodore Schnebley, lived here in a

log house with his squaw wife. He sold whiskey to the Indians, thereby

causing the whites much trouble. In coming into the Valley of the

Touchet we left the Indian trail and came down a ravine, in some places

having to shovel out places in the ravine to keep the wagons from

turning over. These wagons were the first brought into the Touchet

Valley.

The next day, after our arrival at The Crossing, we started to build

a corral for the cattle, but discovered a den of rattlesnakes. After

killing ten we decided to move down the valley to a fine location near

a big spring of pure water. This land we homesteaded.

The Indian chiefs were frequent visitors at our cabin, calling soon

after we came. Timothy and Lawyer and their friends sometimes sent

messengers on ahead to tell us they were coming to dine with us. We

would hasten to get ready a good meal for we thought it best to keep

them friendly.

Many times we expected trouble from them. Once they rode up the trail

shouting and firing off their guns. That night they burned the house

of Mr. Stubbs. Sometimes they would imitate wolves howling and slip up

near the house to see if there was a man there to know whether to scare

the white woman or not.

Once they came and demanded food and money and continued to frighten

me until I grabbed a rifle and started toward them. Then they threw up

their hands and laughed and said I was afraid.

Several times they would run a beef into the woods and kill it,

carrying home the meat. One night when the Indians had been drinking

and were giving us a great scare, two men hunting cattle and Reverend

Berry, who preached at our cabin once a month, happened to be there.

We were certainly glad to have company.

One day Mr. Gilbreath was plowing rye grass with oxen when Reverend

Berry came riding up. He stopped his work and waited for Mr. Berry

to come up to him, then said, looking at his clothes and general

appearance, "A Methodist preacher, I suppose." "Yes, I am," was the

reply. "Well, go on to the house. My wife is a Methodist and will be

glad to see you." Reverend Berry preached in our cabin all that fall

and winter of 1859 and 1860. His congregation consisted of Mr. and Mrs.

Herren, Mr. Stubbs and his dusky wife, Mr. Gilbreath and I, and men who

happened to be in the neighborhood. Mr. Berry afterward made his home

in Walla Walla for some years.

Whiskey Creek was so named because a band of outlaws made this region

their rendezvous, selling whiskey and stealing cattle. Their names

were Bill Bunting, John Cooper, Bill Skinner, George Ives and several

others who were later hanged in Montana for crimes. The authorities

there evidently knew their business, for these were the men who caused

the Vigilantes to organize against them. Many prominent men took part

in ridding the new country of these undesirables, among them Anderson

Cox and J. W. McGhee. It was said that in dealing with the thieves

Mr. McGhee said to George Ives who was up for trial: "George, we want

you to leave, and we want it to be a long time before you come back."

Mr. McGhee's deliberate way of speaking evidently carried weight, for

George left.

The first crop of wheat in the Touchet Valley was raised on the land

of Israel Davis on Whiskey Creek. He was leaving for the Willamette

to buy sheep and Mr. Gilbreath harvested the wheat by cradling, and

threshed it out by horses tramping on it. One night a wind came up and

Mr. Gilbreath and hired man got up out of bed and began the work of

cleaning the eat by pouring pails full of it from a scaffold to the

ground. In this manner over a thousand bushels were cleaned. This was

intended for seed for the coming year, but the hard winter of 1861 and

1862 followed when food for man and beast became so scarce that most of

it was sold to the needy for food, and to keep the teams from starving.

Some of the settlers ground the wheat in coffee mills and used it as

porridge. We sold our wheat for $2 a bushel. We could have sold at any

price but Mr. Gilbreath would not take advantage of their great need.

This was the most terrible winter ever experienced in the valley. The

snow drifted so deep that many of the cattle were frozen standing up.

Out of 300 of ours two cows and a calf, which we fed, were left. The

timber wolves killed a good many cattle that winter. One day a wolf

attacked a calf and the mother heard the cry of distress coming from

some distance. When she reached it, the wolf was starting to devour

the body. The cow fought it from the calf for a day or two, making the

most piteous cries. Other cattle smelled the blood and came bawling for

miles around. The sound of hundreds of frenzied cattle bawling will not

soon be forgotten.

We were fortunate in having plenty of supplies that winter, as we had

prepared to send a small pack train to the mines at Elk City. The deep

snow made it impossible to get supplies, so the neighbors called on us,

and our stores were opened to feed them. Our stock of food was divided

among thirteen families. The snow was so deep that only a narrow trail

could be kept open to Walla Walla by miners coming to and from the

Idaho mines. The snow lay on the ground until March, and in shady

places until June. We had to go to Walla Walla in the spring and buy

barley for seed.

Miller and Mossman who ran a pony express to the mines, stopped at our

cabin for meals, and for exchange of horses. Their saddle-bags were

often loaded with gold dust. Joaquin Miller, who is now known as one

of our best western poets, was then a rough frontiersman, dressed in

buckskin.

Having moved to a new log house, school was held in our cabin in

the spring of 1862. Five or six children attended. Mr. Harlin, an

Englishman, was the teacher, and he stayed with us.

Another school was taught in 1863 in the Forrest brothers' cabin. These

men were brothers-in-law of Jesse N. Day, who later founded Dayton.

Frank Harmon was the teacher and A. W. Sweeney of Walla Walla was the

first county superintendent.

Reverend Sweeney organized a Cumberland Presbyterian Church at

Waitsburg. Among others, Mr. and Mrs. Long and daughter and Mr.

Gilbreath and I were charter members.

Our first child who died in infancy was the first white child born in

the territory now included in Columbia, Garfield and Asotin counties.

The oldest living person born in this territory is Mrs. John Steen,

daughter of George Miller.

I was the only white woman in this territory for two months, until

Lambert Herren and family came and settled near. Mrs. Robt. Rowley, who

was two months old at that time, is the only living one of the Herren

family of eight children.

Mrs. Herren was a typical pioneer woman, fearless and kind-hearted,

nursing me and others in times of sickness, in the absence of a

physician. When the Indians threatened me, I sent for her and she came

with shotgun and indignation, and rescued me.

Great changes have taken place since those early days, and many

incidents of vital interest to us then have been forgotten, but the

kindness and simple living of the early settlers are not easily

forgotten.

* * * * *

We have had occasion in this volume to make frequent reference to Mr.

and Mrs. J. M. Pomeroy, founders of the town named from them.

One of their daughters, now Mrs. Peter McClung, living still in her

home town, was the "first child" in Pomeroy now living there. She

has kindly given us a short sketch of what might well be called the

atmosphere and the feeling of her childhood home.

We are pleased to include it here as the closing contribution of this

chapter of memories.

RECOLLECTIONS OF POMEROY

By Mrs. Peter McClung

To write a story of my experience as a child on the land now occupied

by the town of Pomeroy will not require extended space. Days were much

the same with the three children of the Pomeroy family isolated from

neighbors by distance measured in many miles. Being the youngest of

the three children my amusements were in large measure directed by my

brother, who was my senior by four years, and my sister, the oldest of

the trio.

My earliest recollections recall the counting of the election ballots

at our home which was the precinct voting place for the half dozen

votes then polled here. It was my great privilege and delight to sit

beside my father, for many years one of the members of the election

board, and listen to the humdrum tones of the men's voices as they

uttered the words that made for the success of some doughty pioneer

with political ambitions, or the defeat of one who had fallen a victim

to the solicitations of over-zealous friends.

For several years my father cast the only republican ballot in the

precinct. I soon reached an age that enabled me to comprehend that fact

and know its significance. Our voting precinct contained many thousand

square miles--bounded on the south by the Blue Mountains, on the

north by the Snake River, on the east by Idaho and on the west by the

Touchet River. I sometimes wonder if the deep interest I now feel in

all elections and campaigns is not in part due to my early experiences

wherein the heat of the neighborhood contests centered about me.

My play time was long and often lonesome, the same, I suppose, as that

of other pioneer children reared in the interior of this semi-arid

region. Great was my pleasure when I was allowed to ride my pony over

the hills after cattle, or to follow my brother on a hunt for prairie

chickens or ducks. When my father's two greyhounds, "Peggy" and "John,"

made one of their frequent raids on the then ever-present coyotes,

with the rest of the family my cup of happiness was near the point

of bubbling over. Old "Rero's" peculiar bark warned us of the near

approach of predaceous animal or bird.

The Pataha Creek then teemed with fish and angling occupied much of my

time. The great birds' nests in the trees that fringed the streams,

the cubby-holes of the animals along its banks, the caverns in the

granite-ribbed Pataha hills, in the fancy of a child, contained wonders

impenetrable, yet much there was revealed. With the beginning of the

town began a new life for me.

* * * * *

We insert at this point a notable speech upon a notable occasion by

one of the most distinguished citizens of Walla Walla, who is also

one of our Advisory Board, and whose support and suggestions in the

preparation of this work have been of utmost value.

This is Governor Miles C. Moore, last Territorial Governor. Upon his

retirement on November 11, 1889, he delivered the following address,

one eminently worthy of preservation in the literature of the State of

Washington.

ADDRESS OF EX-GOVERNOR MOORE

Ladies and Gentlemen: A custom has grown up here at the capital city

and crystallized into unwritten law, which requires the retiring

governor to deliver his own valedictory, and also to salute the

incoming administration. In accordance with that custom I am here

as the last of the race of territorial governors to say "Hail and

farewell." Hail to the lusty young State of Washington, rising like

a giant in its strength; farewell to old territorial days. It is an

occasion for reminiscence, for retrospection. To those of us who have

watched at the cradle of Washington's political childhood, this

transition to statehood has its pathetic side. It stirs within us

memories of the "brave days of old." The past rises before us.

We see again the long line of white canvas-covered wagons leaving the

fringe of settlements of the then western frontier, through tear-dimmed

eyes we see them disappear down behind the western horizon, entered

upon that vast terra incognita, the great American desert of our

school days. At last we see them emerge, after months of weary travel

upon the plains of eastern Washington, or, later, hewing out paths in

the wilderness, striving to reach that "Eden they call Puget Sound."

Hither year after year came the pioneers and builded their homes and

planted the symbols of their faith upon the banks of your rivers, in

the sun-kissed valleys of your inland empire, under the shadows of your

grand mountains, and upon the shores of this vast inland sea.

Very gradually we grew. The donation act passed by Congress in 1850,

giving to each man and his wife who would settle thereon a square

mile of land in this fertile region, attracted the first considerable

immigration. It also probably saved to the United States this northwest

territory. The entire population, which at the date of organization as

a separate territory, in 1853, was 5,500, had grown to only 24,000 in

1870, and to 67,000 in 1880.

Still with an abiding faith in the ultimate greatness of Washington,

and the attractions of her climate, when her wealth of resources

should become known, the old settler watched through the long years

the gradual unfolding of these resources, the slow increase in

population. At last the railroad came, linking us with the populous

centers of civilization. They poured upon us a restless stream of

immigration. A change came over the sleepy old territory. These active,

pushing emigrants, the best blood of the older states, are leveling

the forests, they are delving in the mines, they are tunneling the

mountains, they are toiling in the grain fields, they are building

cities, towns and villages, filling the heavens with the shining towers

of religion and civilization.

The old settler finds himself in the midst of a strange new age and

almost uncomprehended scenes. The old order of things has passed

away but your sturdy self-reliant pioneer looks not mournfully into

the past. He is with you in the living present, with you here today,

rejoicing in the marvelous prosperity visible everywhere around him,

rejoicing to see the empire which he wrested from savage foes become

the home of a happy people, rejoiced to see that empire, emerged from

the condition of territorial vassalage, put on the robes of sovereignty.

We are assembled here to celebrate this event, the most important in

the history of Washington, and to put in motion the wheels of the state

government. Through many slow revolving years the people of Washington

have waited for their exalted privileges. So quietly have they come at

last, so quietly have we passed from political infancy to the manly

strength and independence of statehood, that we scarce can realize that

we have attained the fruition of our hopes.

Let us not forget in this hour of rejoicing the responsibility that

comes with autonomy. Let us not forget that under statehood life will

still have woes, that there will still be want and misery in this

fair land of ours. To reduce these to the minimum is the problem of

statesmanship. The responsibility rests largely with our lawmakers now

assembled here. A good foundation has been laid in the adoption of an

admirable constitution pronounced by an eminent authority "as good as

any state now has and probably as good as any will ever get." Upon this

you are to build the superstructure of the commonwealth by enacting

laws for the millions who are to dwell therein.

You have the storehouse of the centuries from which to draw, the

crystallized experience of lawmakers from the days of Justinian down

to present times. To fail to give us good laws will be to "sin against

light." "Unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required."

The eyes of all the people are upon you. It is hoped and confidently

expected you will bring to the discharge of your duties wisdom,

industry and lofty patriotism; that when your work is done it will be

found to have been well done; that capital and labor will here have

equal recognition and absolute protection; that here will arise an

ideal commonwealth, the home of a race to match our mountains, worthy

to wear the name of Washington.

Now that I am about to surrender my trust and return to private life, I

desire to testify to my grateful appreciation of the uniform kindness,

forbearance and courtesy accorded me by the people of Olympia, and

by all the citizens of Washington, it has been my good fortune to

meet during my brief term of office. I shall always cherish among

the pleasant experiences of my life the seven months passed here as

Washington's last territorial governor.

To your governor-elect you need no introduction; if not a pioneer, he

is at least an old settler. It is a graceful tribute to this class

that one of their number was selected to be the first governor of the

state. It affords me pleasure to testify to his thorough and absolute

devotion to its interests. His every thought is instinct with love for

the fair young state. I bespeak for him your generous co-operation and

assistance.

* * * * *

With Governor Moore's address as last Territorial governor, this volume

may fittingly close. The development of the Territory there so vividly

summarized by him, has continued and has indeed exceeded all forecasts

during the twenty-eight years of statehood, from 1889 to 1917.

BIOGRAPHICAL

[Illustration: WILLIAM P. WINANS]

Old Walla Walla County

BIOGRAPHICAL

WILLIAM PARKHURST WINANS.

No history of Walla Walla would be complete without extended reference

to William Parkhurst Winans, who was an octogenarian at the time of

his demise. He had long been identified with the northwest and his

life was one of great usefulness and activity. He was of Holland

ancestry, descended from an ancient family belonging to the Holland

nobility. The ancestral line is traced back to Jean Winants, who was a

lawyer at Antwerp, living in 1580. The line comes down through Goswin

Wynants, who was born March 22, 1630, and was pensionary adviser for

the province of Limbourg in 1666 and was afterward a member of the high

council of Brabant by letter patent April 16, 1668. Goswin Arnould,

Comte de Wynants, was born July 20, 1661, was a member of the council

of Brabant by letters patent August 20, 1692, and in 1716 became a

member of the council of the privy council.

The following year he was called to Vienna as president of the supreme

council of the affairs of the Lowlands. He was created a viscomte

by letters patent December 24, 1721, then comte by letters patent

September 23, 1727. He passed away in Vienna, March 8, 1732. He had

married Catherine Christine Van-den-Broeck, who was born September 23,

1667, and died December 19, 1746. Ten children were born to them. The

coat of arms is described as follows:

"On a field argent, three bunches of grapes; a chevron azure,

surmounted by a cheif gules. A helmet with a mantle azure and gules,

and the crest, a Moor holding a bunch of grapes." The motto--"Fors

Non Mutat Genus," the liberal translation of which is "Fortune cannot

change the race."

When the Dutch colonized the new world in the beginning of the

seventeenth century, their descendants modified their name, adapting it

to the English orthography and pronunciation--Winans.

John Winans, of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, born in Holland, 1617, was

married in 1664 to Susanna Melyn. He was one of the eighty "associates"

who bought land from the Indians. He died in December, 1694, and his

will is now on file with the secretary of state at Trenton, New

Jersey. His wife was Susanna, daughter of Cornelius Melyn, the famous

patron of Staten Island, who led the popular party against Stuyvesant,

"central figure of his day." In 1640, Cornelius Melyn had a grant of

all of Staten Island.

The records show nine children born to John and Susanna Winans; and

Isaac, the youngest, 1684-1723, was the direct ancestor of the Winans

family as represented in Walla Walla. To him and his wife, Hannah, were

born six children: Hannah, Phebe, Isaac, Abraham, William and Elias.

The third of this family, Isaac Winans, was born in 1710 and died in

1780. He served as a member of the committee of safety during the

Revolutionary war and for loyalty to the colonies was taken prisoner

by the British and died from cruelties in the Sugar House in New York.

He was married twice and the children of Isaac and Margaret Winans

were Isaac, Mathias and Abigal. To him and his second wife, Magdalene

Winans, there were born five children, namely: Jane, Margaret, Moses,

Susanna and Elizabeth.

The sixth member of the family whose record has just been given was

Moses Winans, who was born November 9, 1753, and who departed this life

January 28, 1822. He served during the Revolutionary war in Captain

Squire's company of the Essex County Militia. His wife, Ruth, was born

August 5, 1758, and died January 26, 1817. They were the parents of

eight children.

The youngest one of these children was Jonas Wood Winans, who was born

January 19, 1802, and died October 1, 1878. He married Sarah Stiles

and they became the parents of William Parkhurst Winans, whose name

introduces this review. It was on the 20th of December, 1827, that

Jonas W. Winans wedded Sarah Stiles, who was born July 23, 1806, and

who departed this life January 8, 1858. They had a family of eight

children. Isaac, the eldest, was born October 20, 1828, was married

December 20, 1851, to Sarah Webster and died August 31, 1907. Ebenezer

Connett, born May 5, 1830, was married October 29, 1857, to Margaret

B. Rose. Meline was born February 15, 1833, and died January 12, 1845.

William Parkhurst was the next of the family. Sarah Jane, the fifth

child, was born July 7, 1839, and on the 30th of November, 1866, became

the wife of Augustus Dow. Her death occurred May 17, 1870. Jonas Wood,

who was born November 11, 1840, was married September 13, 1876, to

Alice E. Jones and died September 2, 1899. Elizabeth Magdaline, born

June 3, 1843, became the wife of William A. Hubbard, and died March

21, 1895. Mary Stiles, born January 23, 1846, was married January 31,

1877, to Dorus E. Bates, who died August 15, 1880, and on the 25th of

February, 1896, she became the wife of Augustus Dow.

William P. Winans lived to reach the age of eighty-one years and the

long period was one of great usefulness and activity, characterized

by rapid and substantial advance in business and by devotion to the

general good. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on the 28th of

January, 1836, and was a little lad of ten years when his parents

removed with their family to Pittsfield, Illinois, where he continued

his education in the public schools. He had started on a business

career in that state when ill health caused him to cross the plains.

In his early boyhood he had worked on his father's farm and at the age

of eighteen had become a clerk in a store, being thus employed through

the succeeding five years. At the doctor's orders, however, he was

forced to "get outdoors" and, attracted by the Pike's Peak excitement,

he joined three companions, and with a prairie schooner and four yoke

of oxen they started for Colorado. When within ten days of their

destination they met a party of miners who were returning home and who

had had an encounter with the Indians, some of them being wounded. The

next day they met scores of other wagons with their owners retracing

their steps and in one day passed over seven hundred wagons eastward

bound. All told the same story--that it was not a poor man's district,

for the gold was in quartz formation instead of being placer gold. One

night when Mr. Winans and his companions camped he noticed that the

wagon was headed east instead of west.

The next morning his partners, who were older than he, told him

that they had decided to return, but Mr. Winans refused to go back,

whereupon his companions unyoked his two oxen, turned them loose, put

his blankets and his share of the provisions by the side of the road

and left him. Next day, at noon, a wagon westward bound halted and the

driver asked Mr. Winans why he was camped there and which way he was

headed. Mr. Winans replied "westward." He joined forces with this man

and eventually they reached Cherry creek, now the city of Denver, then

containing about six or seven houses. One day a man by the name of

George Grimes, who had previously lived in Oregon, said: "I am through

here. I am going to Oregon. Do any of you fellows want to go along?"

Mr. Winans responded, "I'll go," and selling his oxen, he bought a good

saddle and two horses, one for a pack horse and the other for a riding

horse. One plan which the party pursued on their way westward was to

camp at night, build a fire, get supper and then move on in the dark

for a mile and camp, so the Indians would not surprise them, learning

of their whereabouts by means of the fire. At length Mr. Winans arrived

in Oregon in September, 1859, and located on the Umatilla river,

stacking the first grain in that vicinity. He also taught school in

Umatilla county in the winter of 1860-61 and he served as a clerk of

the first election in Oregon, which was held in 1860, the year in

which Lincoln was elected president. In July, 1861, he removed to Fort

Colville, Washington, and upon the organization of Spokane county was

appointed deputy county auditor.

The next year he was elected to the position of auditor, in which

capacity he served for two terms. He was afterwards appointed clerk for

the United States district court for the district comprising Spokane

and Missoula counties under Judge E. P. Oliphant. At a later period

Mr. Winans engaged in merchandising and in 1866 he was again called to

office, being elected county superintendent of schools. He aided in

building the first schoolhouse north of the Snake river in a district

that was two hundred by four hundred miles, lying between the Cascades

and the Rockies and extending from Snake river to the Canadian border.

With all of the early events which aided in shaping the history and

developing the country he was closely associated. In 1867 he was called

upon to represent Stevens county in the territorial legislature,

serving during that and the succeeding year and again in 1871. In 1870

he was appointed sub-agent of the six non-treaty tribes of the Colville

country, thus having to do with a group of Indians who had refused

to make peace with the government. He took the part of the settlers

against a proposed change of boundary of the Indian reservation and

saved some valuable lands for the settlers--lands which they had been

using for years and which they had brought under a high state of

cultivation.

All during these years Mr. Winans was engaged in merchandising, but

in 1871 disposed of his commercial interests in Colville and removed

to Walla Walla, where he formed a partnership with Major R. R. Rees,

thus establishing and conducting the largest store in Walla Walla in

the early days. The business was originally carried on under the firm

style of Rees & Winans and afterward was Johnson, Rees & Winans. Mr.

Winans remained very active in the conduct of the business, which

was developed to extensive proportions, but in 1890 he withdrew from

mercantile interests and became president of the Farmers Savings Bank,

which had been organized in September, 1889. The bank was opened at

Second and Main streets, where it has since been located. In 1890 the

bank was in temporary quarters while the old building was torn down

and the new Rees-Winans building was erected. Mr. Winans remained

president of the bank and active in the management of its affairs until

his death. He was always found at his desk and seldom took a vacation.

His life was one of intense and well directed activity and he never

stopped short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose, while

at all times the methods which he followed were those which would bear

the closest investigation and scrutiny. He had extensive interests

other than his connection with the Farmers Savings Bank and for thirty

years he was one of the directors of the First National Bank of Walla

Walla. His activities were ever of a character that contributed to the

progress and prosperity of the community in which he lived as well as

to the advancement of his individual fortunes.

On the 6th of October, 1869, Mr. Winans was married to Miss Lida Moore

and to them were born three sons who are yet living, sketches of whom

follow this. Mrs. Winans passed away December 4, 1876, and on the 20th

of November, 1879, W. P. Winans was married to Miss Christine McRae,

who survives him. They were the parents of three children. William

Stiles Winans was born May 6, 1881, and died December 16, 1891. Freeman

Earl Winans was born February 19, 1883, and married Miss Florence Ladd,

November 23, 1908. He is department manager of the United States Rubber

Company at Seattle. He is also a member of various fraternal orders.

Sarah Jean Winans, born September 19, 1885, was married in 1909 to

Major George Leroy Converse, Jr., Fourth Cavalry, U. S. A. She is the

mother of two children, George Leroy IV and William Parkhurst Winans.

It was on Sunday, the 22d of April, 1917, that Mr. Winans passed away.

He had attended church on that day and in the afternoon went for an

auto trip to pick wild flowers, of which he was very fond. Death

called him suddenly, his illness lasting less than an hour, and the

news of his demise was received with the deepest regret because of the

prominent part which he had taken in the public life of the community

and by reason of the firm hold which he had upon the affection of his

fellow townsmen. He was a most public-spirited citizen, interested

in everything pertaining to general progress and improvement, and he

lived to witness the remarkable transformation of the county as it

emerged from pioneer conditions. The funeral services were held in

the Presbyterian church and his remains were interred in Mountain

View cemetery, the Knights Templar commandery attending in a body and

officiating at the interment. Resolutions of respect were passed by the

Farmers Savings Bank and the First National Bank, and memorial services

were afterward held in the Presbyterian church, in which speeches were

delivered paying high tribute to Mr. Winans as a citizen, as a business

man, as a Mason, as an educator and as a Christian. The children of the

Sunday school, remembering his love for wild flowers, gathered many

of the blossoms of the field to decorate his grave. Thus was ended a

life of much usefulness, in which Walla Walla benefited greatly as the

result of his public spirit and his devotion to high ideals.

GILBERT PARK WINANS.

Gilbert Park Winans, the eldest son of William P. Winans, was born

January 25, 1870, at Fort Colville, near Spokane, Washington, and when

quite young removed with the family to Walla Walla, where he pursued

his education. He was married in Vancouver, Washington, to Carrie

Duckett, a daughter of Henry Duckett and a descendant of an old English

family. They now have one child, Yancey Park. Gilbert P. Winans is a

merchant and is prominent in fraternal circles, holding membership with

the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective

Order of Elks, being a past grand in the former, in which organization

he has filled all of the chairs of the local lodge.

PHILLIP MOORE WINANS.

Phillip Moore Winans is a prominent figure in banking circles of the

northwest, now occupying the position of cashier of the First National

Bank of Walla Walla. The story of his life is the story of thrift and

business sagacity grafted onto western energy and enterprise. It is

true that Mr. Winans did not have a humble origin or experience the

early privations of some men who have achieved success, but on the

other hand not one in a thousand who have enjoyed his modest advantages

have turned them to such excellent account. The wisdom, energy and

success with which he has pushed his way along is a study for American

youth. A native son of Walla Walla, he was born on the 10th of

December, 1874, his parents being William P. and Lida (Moore) Winans,

who are mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Reared under the parental roof, he acquired his early education in

the public schools of Walla Walla and afterward attended the Whitman

Academy and Whitman College, from which he received his Bachelor of

Arts degree as a member of the class of 1894. Following his graduation

he made his initial step in the business world in connection with

banking interests. He entered the Farmers Savings Bank of Walla Walla

in a clerical capacity and in March, 1895, he resigned his position

there to become connected with the First National Bank, with which he

has since been identified, covering a period of twenty-three years.

Advancing through the various positions of clerk, paying teller, and

assistant cashier, he became cashier in 1909 and has since occupied

that important position. The thoroughness of his training, his laudable

ambition and his keen sagacity have made him a most competent official

of the bank and one who has contributed in marked measure to its

growing success. His activity in this connection has not only made him

one of Walla Walla's representative business men, but also one who is

widely known in the banking circles of the northwest.

In 1899 Mr. Winans was united in marriage to Miss Rose M. Blalock, the

youngest daughter of Dr. N. G. Blalock, one of Walla Walla's early

pioneer settlers and a very prominent and gifted man of the northwest

country. Mrs. Winans passed away in November, 1914, and in February,

1916, Mr. Winans was again married, his second union being with Miss

Catherine V. Eppinger, of Portland, Oregon, a lady of culture and

refinement, who holds membership in the Women's Reading Club of Walla

Walla and takes a very active and helpful part in church and charitable

work.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Winans are members of the Presbyterian church.

Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and in his life

exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. He holds membership

in Walla Walla Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M.; Walla Walla Chapter, No. 1,

R. A. M.; and Walla Walla Lodge, No. 287, B. P. O. E., of which he is

a past exalted ruler. A prominent member of the Commercial Club, he

served as its vice president and one of its directors for five years.

He is also a member of the board of directors and is secretary and

treasurer of the Walla Walla Golf Club. He was one of the organizers

and has been a member of the executive board of the Associated Students

of Whitman College and has filled the position of treasurer of that

organization since it was formed. His political indorsement is given

to the republican party and while he keeps in touch with the current

of political thought and action he has never been an aspirant for

office. He ranks, however, with Walla Walla's foremost citizens and has

always been active in every movement for the promotion and upbuilding

of city and state. He has conducted important business affairs without

allowing personal ambition or interests to dwarf his public spirit

or activities. His personal characteristics and social qualities are

pronounced and he is an acceptable companion in any society in which

intelligence is a necessary attribute to congeniality. The simplicity

and beauty of his daily life as seen in his home and family relations

constitute an even balance to his splendid business ability.

ALLEN LIDA WINANS.

Allen Lida Winans, the youngest son of William P. Winans, was born

in Walla Walla, April 25, 1876, attended the common schools and was

graduated from Whitman College with the class of 1901. He is now with

the Hazelwood Company, Limited, of Walla Walla. Fraternally he is a

Knight Templar and Consistory Mason and is very prominent in the order,

in which he has held office. He is also identified with the Independent

Order of Odd Fellows.

ALPH PATRICK CAHILL.

Alph Patrick Cahill, manager and cashier of the Broughton National

Bank at Dayton, Columbia county, was born at Markesan, Green Lake

county, Wisconsin, October 7, 1859, a son of William R. and Angeline

C. (Church) Cahill. His paternal grandfather, Patrick Cahill, was born

in Dublin, Ireland, in 1800, while his maternal grandfather was one of

the pioneer preachers of western Pennsylvania. William R. Cahill, the

father, became one of the early settlers of the state of Wisconsin and

contributed in substantial measure to the pioneer development of Green

Lake county. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's

call to arms and went to the front in defense of the Union.

At the usual age Alph P. Cahill became a pupil in the public schools of

his native state, passing through consecutive grades until he completed

a high school course in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1873. He then turned

his attention to the occupation of farming but afterward engaged in

merchandising and subsequently took up the milling business. Step by

step he progressed as the years went on and in 1909 he assisted in the

organization of the Broughton National Bank of Dayton, Columbia county,

Washington, and has since continued as its manager and cashier, largely

shaping the policy and directing the activities of the institution. He

has been most careful to safeguard the interests of stockholders and

depositors alike, while the progressive methods of the bank have ever

been tempered by a wise conservatism.

On the 2d of December, 1882, Mr. Cahill was united in marriage to

Miss Irene M. Starr, a native of Oregon. For his second wife he chose

Frankie G. King, a native of Columbia county, and a daughter of one

of the pioneers of this section, William B. King, who was an old-time

stage man, operating the Walla Walla-Lewiston stage and mail route in

the early days. The second marriage was celebrated April 14, 1915. Mr.

Cahill's children are: Roy R., who is a graduate of Whitman College

and also of the law school of Columbia University of New York and who

married Jessie M. Criffield, a daughter of W. R. Criffield, of Walla

Walla; Fred V., who is a graduate of Washington University and is now

engaged in mercantile business and who married Grace J. Crossler; May,

who is the wife of Frank G. Barclay, a Columbia county farmer; Patrick

E., who married Ethel Johnston and is a bookkeeper in the Broughton

National Bank; Mack, a graduate of the Newberg (Oregon) high school;

and Burr, who is at home.

Fraternally Mr. Cahill is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Knights

of Pythias and the Masonic orders, being a Royal Arch Mason. He has

always been an active worker in these different organizations and has

been presiding officer in each. In politics he has ever been a stalwart

republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and

from 1892 until 1896 he filled the position of county auditor, his

re-election being an acknowledgment of his excellent service during

his first term. He was county commissioner from 1910 until 1912 and

he has always been loyal to every cause and trust reposed in him. His

military record covers three years' service with the National Guard.

His fidelity to duty has never been called into question, whether in

behalf of the public or in the conduct of his business interests. There

is nothing spectacular in his career but his record is that of a busy

life, such as contributes to the substantial force of every community.

JOHN A. DAVIS.

At the time of his death John A. Davis was in excellent financial

circumstances and was recognized as a prominent farmer of Walla Walla

county but during the early days of his residence here he endured many

hardships and privations, the conditions being then those of a frontier

region. He was born in Owen county, Indiana, November 17, 1839, and was

a son of Willoughby and Mary (Orman) Davis, both natives of Tennessee.

However, they removed to Indiana at an early day and remained there

until 1848, when they went to Wapello county, Iowa, where the father

continued to follow agricultural pursuits until his death. There the

mother also passed away.

It was in Iowa that John A. Davis received his education and grew to

manhood. In 1863, following his marriage, he and his wife made the

seemingly never ending journey across the great plains to the Pacific

northwest by ox team. They settled on a homestead on Mill creek in

Walla Walla county, and their first residence was a log cabin covered

with a clapboard roof and with a stick chimney. At that time there were

but few settlers in this region and there were many inconveniences

to be endured, but the rich soil indicated that in time the country

would be well settled and highly developed, and the pioneers labored

with confidence in the future. After residing upon his homestead for

a time Mr. Davis purchased 550 acres of excellent land on the Oregon

state line and there made his home until his death. He made excellent

improvements upon the place and followed up-to-date methods in his work

with the result that his resources steadily increased.

Mr. Davis was married in Iowa to Miss Carolina Snoddy, a native of Clay

county, Indiana, and a daughter of James and Anna (Kendall) Snoddy,

the former native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. The father

died in Indiana and the mother removed with her children to Iowa and

there spent her last years. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born fourteen

children, namely: John H., deceased; Margaret, the wife of Charles

Sweezy; James, deceased; Mary, the wife of William P. Reiser; Frank,

a farmer residing in Oregon; Laura, the wife of Fred Kaser; William

N.; Rosie, deceased; Estella, the wife of John Garvey; Clara, the wife

of H. Miller; Edna, at home; Nellie, deceased; Gertrude, the wife of

Raymond Reiser; and Elmer, who is married and living on the home farm.

[Illustration: JOHN A. DAVIS]

[Illustration: MRS. JOHN A. DAVIS]

Mr. Davis was not active in politics, as the management of his farming

interests left him little time for outside activities. He passed

away in 1907 and was laid to rest in Mountain View cemetery at Walla

Walla. He was an honored pioneer of the county, and his death was

deeply regretted by all who had come in close contact with him. His

salient qualities were determination, enterprise and industry, and

these enabled him to do his part in bringing about the agricultural

development of this section. Mrs. Davis gives her personal attention

to the leasing of the farm and to the management of all the business

affairs of the estate and is recognized as woman not only of excellent

judgment but a typical pioneer mother of whom her children and

grandchildren, in fact the entire community, justly feel proud.

ASEL HOYT BURNAP.

Asel Hoyt Burnap is a resident farmer of the Walla Walla valley, who

since 1911 has lived upon his present place, comprising thirty acres on

section 27, Hill township, Walla Walla county. Here he is engaged in

the live stock business and his land is largely devoted to the raising

of alfalfa. He was born in Barton county, Kansas, November 29, 1879,

a son of William D. and Mary (Hoyt) Burnap, who were natives of Ohio.

On leaving that state they became residents of Illinois in 1869 and

there remained until 1876, when they established their home in Barton

county, Kansas, where they continued to reside until 1881. In that

year they removed to Lamar, Missouri, where they remained until 1885,

when attracted by the opportunities of the northwest, they crossed

the plains in one of the old-time prairie schooners and established

their home in Wallowa county, Oregon. In 1893 they came to the Walla

Walla valley and settled upon a farm but at a subsequent period became

residents of La Grande, Oregon, where the father passed away. He was an

honored veteran of the Civil war and served from beginning to end with

the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, risking limb and life to win the cause

for the Union. The mother survives and is now living in Pendleton,

Oregon. Their family numbered seven children, five of whom are living.

Asel H. Burnap spent the period of his boyhood and youth largely in

Oregon, where he acquired a public school education when not busy with

work in the fields. He continued at home until he had attained his

majority, after which he engaged in the live stock business on his

own account. It was in 1911 that he purchased his present place of

thirty acres on section 27, township 7 north, range 33 east. Here he

has since resided and is extensively and successfully engaged in the

raising of alfalfa, which furnishes excellent food for his stock. There

is no finer tract to be found in the valley and Mr. Burnap is wisely

and successfully directing his business affairs, so that prosperity is

attending his labors. He is, moreover, the secretary and treasurer of

the West Side Hawley Irrigation Corporation. He has not only closely

studied the question of supplying water to the land but has taken up

every phase of the business and knows exactly what can be accomplished

in this section of the state along the line of profitable farming and

stock raising.

In 1905 Mr. Burnap was united in marriage to Miss Evalina Cummins and

to them have been born three children, Maud L., Leland G. and Melvina

A. The wife and mother is a member of the Congregational church and

Mr. Burnap holds membership in Trinity Lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F.,

being a faithful follower of its principles. His political endorsement

is given to the republican party, which he has supported since age

conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a progressive young

business man, alert and enterprising, and well deserves mention among

the substantial and worthy citizens of the Walla Walla valley.

J. C. WEATHERFORD.

One of the distinguished and honored citizens of Columbia county is J.

C. Weatherford, a successful agriculturist, making a specialty of stock

and wheat raising. He was born in this county on the 21st of May, 1882,

and is a son of F. M. Weatherford, whose sketch appears on another page

of this volume.

During his boyhood and youth J. C. Weatherford attended the common

schools and completed his education by a course at Armstrong Commercial

College, from which he was graduated. On putting aside his textbooks,

he turned his attention to farming and purchased a tract of land which

he has since operated with marked success. He is now the owner of five

hundred acres of very valuable and productive land, most of which is

devoted to wheat, and he gives considerable attention to the raising of

stock.

In 1910 Mr. Weatherford married Miss Fleta Ward, also a native of

Walla Walla county, and they have a little daughter, Antoinette,

who was born November 19, 1916. Mrs. Weatherford is a member of the

Episcopal church, and Mr. Weatherford's fraternal relations are with

the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. The

democratic party has found in him a stanch supporter of its principles

and his fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability elected

him state senator in 1912. For four years he filled that responsible

position with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his

constituents. He has also served as school director and has done much

to promote the interests of his community along various lines.

F. A. JONAS.

An energetic and farsighted business man, F. A. Jonas is meeting with

a substantial measure of success as a member of the Perrine-Jonas

Company; general merchants and foremost business men of Waitsburg. He

was born in Lewiston, Idaho, on the 27th of October, 1865, and is a son

of Milton and Eliza (Gilman) Jonas, both of whom were natives of Iowa.

They were married, however, in Florence, Idaho, having removed to that

state in young manhood and womanhood. The father crossed the plains

with an ox team to California in 1860 and there engaged in gold mining

until the winter of 1861-2, when he removed to Walla Walla county,

Washington. He then turned his attention to farming and stock raising

and continued to make his home in Walla Walla county until 1875, when

he took up his abode in Columbia county, where he continued to devote

his energies to general agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder

of his active business life. He was very successful as a farmer and he

and his sons acquired between thirteen and fourteen hundred acres of

land. His business affairs were carefully managed and his investments

judiciously made, and as the result of his close application and

persistency of purpose he won a substantial measure of success. His

death occurred September 8, 1908, while his wife had passed away

September 16, 1906.

J. A. Jonas was reared upon the home farm and was educated in the

district schools. In 1888 he started upon his business career a horse

raiser and from that point gradually worked into farming, which he

carried on upon leased school and railroad land. In 1891 he purchased

six hundred acres of such land, but the widespread financial panic of

1893 swept away the profits of five years' work. His land, however,

was bought under contract and he was to hold that. In 1895 or 1896 he

had finished his payments upon the property and in 1905 he bought two

hundred and forty acres adjoining. In 1909 he disposed of his landed

holdings for fifty-four thousand dollars and in 1910 he purchased an

interest in the mercantile business of the J. N. Gravelle Company

of Waitsburg, at which time the style of the firm was changed to

the Gravelle-Jonas Company. In 1911, L. R. Perrine purchased Mr.

Gravelle's interest in the business and the present firm, known as the

Perrine-Jonas Company, thus came into existence. They conduct a general

mercantile business and are ranked among the leading firms in this line

in Walla Walla county, carrying a fine stock of goods, while their

reasonable prices, honorable dealing and earnest desire to please their

patrons have secured to them a very gratifying trade.

On the 1st of January, 1888, Mr. Jonas was joined in wedlock to Miss

Mary A. Kinder, of Waitsburg, by whom he has three children, namely:

Beulah I., May I. and Ethel. Mr. Jonas gives his political allegiance

to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with the

Masons, belonging to Waitsburg Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M.; Dayton

Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.; Walla Walla Commandery, K. T.; El Katif

Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Spokane; and Waitsburg Chapter, No. 9,

O. E. S., of which his wife is also a member. Mr. Jonas is now worthy

patron of the Star, a position which he has occupied for the past ten

years, and his wife is worthy matron. He is also identified with the

Woodmen of the World and Mrs. Jonas holds membership in the Christian

church. They rank among the leading and influential residents of

Waitsburg, having much to do with its material, social, intellectual

and moral progress, and they enjoy the highest respect of all who know

them.

FRANK NEACE.

Frank Neace, who is actively engaged in farming in Columbia county,

was born in Walla Walla, Washington, on the 19th of October, 1875,

and has always been a resident of this state. The spirit of western

enterprise which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the

Pacific coast country has been manifest throughout his entire career.

He has worked with steady purpose to accomplish desired results and

has attained a substantial measure of success. He is a son of Louis

Neace, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work, and

while spending his youthful days under the parental roof he attended

the public schools and also continued his education in the Waitsburg

Academy. On reaching manhood he became associated with his brothers

and father in the conduct of extensive farming operations and in 1903

located on the farm on which his brother Louis now resides and which

was then owned by the father. For five years he cultivated about one

thousand acres of land in that place and in 1908 he removed to his

present home farm, which was then also owned by the father and which

became his property after the father's death. His farm comprises

thirteen hundred acres of land, which he cultivates to grain and

his broad fields present an attractive picture giving proof of the

industry and ability of their owner. Mr. Neace keeps in touch with the

most progressive methods of soil cultivation and development and has

added to his farm many modern improvements, so that the place is now

splendidly equipped with all the accessories and conveniences known to

the model farm of the twentieth century.

In 1903 Mr. Neace was united in marriage to Miss Katy Fulton, of

Milton, Oregon, who is a graduate of the commercial department of

Columbia College. Mr. Neace belongs to Touchet Lodge, No. 70, K. P.,

of Waitsburg, and he is widely and favorably known not only among his

fraternal brethren but by the general public as a substantial and

influential citizen, his life record being such as to commend him to

the regard and confidence of all with whom he has been associated.

JAMES STOTT KERSHAW.

Among the residents of Walla Walla whose memory goes back to the

pioneer days of this section is James Stott Kershaw, who became a

resident of Walla Walla county in 1861. He at once turned his attention

to farming, resolutely continuing the work of cultivating the fields

in spite of many hardships, and at length prosperity began to reward

his labors. He is now in excellent circumstances and is living retired,

enjoying the comforts of life. He has reached an advanced age but is

still hale and hearty and young in spirit and interests.

His birth occurred in Yorkshire, England, July 5, 1835, and he is a

son of John and Mary (Dewhurst) Kershaw. The father passed away in

1841 and in the following year the mother came with her four children

to the United States. They went to Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where

an uncle of Mrs. Kershaw's was living. Ten days after the arrival

of the family, however, the uncle died and the mother removed with

her family to Wahpeton Falls, New York, where she and her children

worked in factories engaged in the manufacture of cotton prints. While

thus employed the oldest daughter, Hannah, at that time eleven years

of age, was drowned in the creek in which she had been washing the

blocks from which the calicoes were printed. A short time after this

tragedy the family removed to Fall River, Massachusetts, where James

S. Kershaw learned the carpenter's trade, while the other sons worked

in factories. The mother also did whatever work she could find to do

and thus by common effort the family succeeded in making a living. On

July 28, 1856, they removed to Belvidere, Illinois, traveling by ocean,

river and the Erie canal. They found that the middle west offered the

opportunities which they had expected to find and James S. Kershaw soon

found work at his trade, while his two brothers became farm hands. In

a short time they had saved enough money to buy an acre of ground and

built a small house thereon. In 1859 our subject started for Pike's

Peak but on reaching the Missouri river heard such bad reports of that

region that he and three companions turned back, while one proceeded

westward.

[Illustration: MR. AND MRS. JAMES S. KERSHAW]

While living in Illinois Mr. Kershaw became acquainted with some who

made a business of driving horses to California for sale. They were

enthusiastic in their praise of the climate of the Pacific coast and

the almost limitless opportunities for advancement there and their

reports of the far west influenced the family to go to the coast.

Accordingly they sold their home, bought a team and provisions to last

them throughout the long journey and in the spring of 1861 set out for

their new home. It was not definitely decided in what locality they

should settle, but the general preference was for California. They had

been advised to "never camp twice in the same place" and when the train

of which they were a part made a halt of a few days at Fort Laramie,

four families, including the Kershaw family, left the main train and

continued the journey. Later they overtook four other families and

not long afterward were joined by four more and still later caught up

with a train of eight families under the command of Colonel Black.

In this train was a Mr. Babcock, who had settled in the Walla Walla

valley in 1859 and was just returning from the east with his family.

His description of the country around his home was so attractive that

the Kershaws gave up their half formed plan of going to California

and decided to locate in the Walla Walla valley. For some time they

were the guests of Mr. Babcock and then they inspected the surrounding

country with the view of determining on which tract of land to settle.

They chose the quarter section adjoining Charles Actor, on the present

site of Dixie, and during the first winter lived with Mr. Actor. That

first winter was one to discourage the faint-hearted, for the weather

was severe, more so than it has ever been during the many years since.

In addition to the extra work which the cold entailed in the care of

stock the early settlers had a great deal of difficulty in securing

enough wood to keep their homes warm and their food consisted almost

entirely of beef and flapjacks. Moreover, the wheat had a great deal of

smut in it and this had to be washed out and the wheat dried before the

grain could be ground into coarse flour in a coffee mill. The following

spring the Kershaws leased Mr. Actor's land and also began to improve

their own holdings. As soon as possible they erected a log house

and there resided until some years later when they erected a larger

residence across the road from Dixie. This town received its name from

the fact that the song "Dixie Land" was new at that time and had been

introduced into Walla Walla county by the three Kershaw brothers, who

were musicians and were often called upon to sing at local gatherings.

They became known by the name of the "Dixie Boys" and when the founders

of the new town were wondering what to name it, friends of the Kershaws

suggested that it be named Dixie in their honor.

After operating Mr. Actor's land for two years William G. Kershaw took

up a homestead adjoining the present town of Dixie and the family

removed to that place. The mother passed away there on the 17th of

January, 1875, dying of pneumonia after six days of illness, and was

the first person buried in the Dixie cemetery, which is located on

land included within the Kershaw homestead. Our subject was married in

the same year and erected a home on land which he had acquired east of

Dixie. He held title to three hundred acres there and also had a third

interest in one hundred and sixty acres on Dry creek and forty acres of

timber land. Year after year he gave his time and attention to the work

of plowing, planting and harvesting and his labors were rewarded by

abundant crops, from the sale of which he derived a gratifying income.

Through hard work and good management he gained a competence and in

1900, when his son, A. C. Kershaw, was married he turned the farm over

to him and for six years Mr. and Mrs. James S. Kershaw resided in

Dixie. In 1906, however, they removed to Walla Walla, where they are

still living.

Mr. Kershaw was married December 8, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Cook, who

came to the United States from England in 1870 with an uncle, William

Yeend, his wife and ten children. They made their way at once to

California but after remaining there for a few months came to Walla

Walla county, which they reached in December of that year. To Mr. and

Mrs. Kershaw have been born two children: Arthur C., who, as before

stated, is operating the home place; and Mary Bessie, the wife of E. J.

Cantonwine, of Walla Walla.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Kershaw hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal

church and in all the relations of life they conform their conduct to

the highest ethical standards. During the more than half a century that

Mr. Kershaw has resided in Walla Walla county he has at all times been

recognized as a man of sound judgment, of public spirit and of the

strictest integrity. He had a part in the hard task of developing a new

country and it is but fitting that he should now enjoy the fruits of

his labors. He finds pleasure not only in his individual prosperity but

also in the general development of the county and has always been glad

that in 1861 he elected to cast in his lot with that of this section.

HON. J. A. FONTAINE.