Medical Lake, Washington - An Illustrated History of Spokane County, State of Washington

An Illustrated History of Spokane County, State of Washington

Among the best known towns of eastern Washington is ]\Iedical Lake, si.xteen miles west of Spokane. It is located on the original site of Mr. Andrew Lefevre's pre-emption, and is as clean, healthy, beautiful and attractive a jilace as can be found anywhere. The Washington Central branch of the Northern Pacific Railway runs through it. In early days, the region in which it is situated was known as the "four lake country," because adjacent to it that many lakes are to be found. In this respect it is highly favored. In fact there are five lakes within five miles of it, viz. : Medical. Little ]\Iedical. Silver, Clear and Granite, which, with proper enterprise, could be made to attract a far larger number of campers every summer than they now do. The place derives its name from the far-fained lake on the shores of which it is located. IMedical Lake is a delightful body of water containing extraordinary medicinal properties. It has beett designated as the "modern pool of Bethesda" because of the surprising cures which it has effected. It is about a mile long, the width varying from a half to one mile, the shore gently slopes, arising to no great height above the water's edge, the west end being fringed with pine trees. From time unknown we are tiild the curative properties were known to the Indians who congregated in great numbers around its shores, bringing the afflicted from all directions. According to Indian traditions the Great Spirit gave the water its medicinal properties. The water has proved a positive cure in severe rheumatism, catarrli, skin and otlier diseases. It has been carefully analyzed by G. A. Mariner, of Chicago, and Professor Lansing, of New York, and other eminent scientists, and contains the following properties in grains per United States gallon, 281 cubic inches :

The surroundings both immediate and remote, are charming to behold. "From a clean granite shore on the west gradually rises an evergreen and lofty eminence, beautifully interspersed with granite boulders of enormous dimensions, while along the water's edge are many cottages snugly stationed among the waving and cooling trees. The business and principal part of the town lies on a nearly level park, which extends eastward from the lake, affording a most beautiful town site. Close at hand are many fine farms, forests of pine, prairie, orchards, lofty buttes, some covered with timber and others with grass, while in the distance can be plainly seen the lofty and snow-capped ranges of the Cceur d' Alenes in the east, and the towering heights of the Colville and Salmon river countries toward the north." Hon. Stanley Hallett, former mayor and principal promoter and owner of the townsite, discovered the powers of evaporation by which the leading qualities of the water were retained. Thus the salt business was instituted by which the medical properties could be condensed and placed on the market for the benefit of those who could not avail themselves of the water. Sixty or seventy gallons of water make a pound of salt. From the bottom of the lake is obtained mud which proves effective in curing most stubborn diseases. This deposit is a gelatinous substance of a dark reddish color. The water <if the lake gives a sensation of being oily and its cleansing qualities are unsurpassed.

There is little trace of alkali. The temperature is such that for eight months of the year bathing is safe. The adjacent country is mostly open and fertile with some broken and more or less rocky parts covered with timber. In addition to the lakes water is easily obtainable anywhere. There are many thoroughly cultivated and productive farms with beautiful orchards. The average elevation is two thousand three hundred feet. On a commanding elevation the Eastern Washington Hospital for the Insane is located. The commissioners under whose supervision it was built were Hon. Stanley Hallett, IMedical Lake, Mr. B. B. Glascock, Sprague, and Hon. D. M. Drumheller, of Spokane. It is a magnificent Ijuilding and thoroughly equipped for its purpose. It is on the west side of the lake, about one hundred and eighty feet above the water, on a very picturesque spot, surrounded by evergreens of natural growtli, commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country. The building in its e.xtreme length is four hundred and sixteen feet, the center portion four stories high. Under the whole building is a granite basement, quarried near by of the best quality. The superstructure is of red brick, which was manufactured in the rear of the building. The roofs are covered with patent metallic shingles laid on felt and all cornices are of galvanized iron. The building required over six hundred thousand feet of lumber. The whole building is lighted by the incandescent system of electric light, the electricity being generated on the premises by a forty horse-power boiler and supplies five hundred lights. The whole building is heated by steam, with all the latest and most improved appliances.

It is one of the most handsome and imposing buildings in the state. The style of architecture is modern gothic and the cost was over three hundred thousand dollars. The first superintendent of the hospital was Dr. J. M. Semple, with Dr. W.H. Anderson as assistant. They served in said capacities for six years, giving evidence of eminent fitness. They were succeeded by Drs. W. Lockhart and J- D. McLean. The present incumbent is Dr. Mc- Lean, and Dr. Beans was the assistant until the beginning of the year, when Dr. G. E. Howe became assistant. Matters are moving smoothly in the institution, giving evidence of efficient ser\ice. There is great need of enlarged accommodations. The Northwestern School of Telegraphy is located at this place.

In this school the learner is carefully taught to manipulate the telegraph-key in proper form, and alternately copy with pencil or pen, letters, figures and words when made on the key by fellow-students and teachers. After becoming proficient in copying and sending figures, points, letters and words, the student is advanced to more rapid work ; sends and receives messages, daily market reports, newspaper paragraphs, train orders, and train-service messages; keeps a daily check and number sheet of the messages j sent and received by him from his ofifice to other offices and lines ; makes a daily report of all messages so sent and received by his oftice under Western Union rules and rates. In fact, all the mode and practice of study is practical telegraphy. The student is also instructed in the care of the gravity battery, how to construct the same, and connect lines, instruments and switch-boards. The schoolroom is especially fitted up with lines and tables .

Early Settlers. - Mr. Andrew Lefevre was one of the earliest settlers in Spokane county. He came as early as 1859, and for several years was the only white man in this region. Mr. Lefevre lived at this place until his death, January 15. 1900. He left behind him a wife and several children. It was about 1876 that the place began to take the form of a settlement. Among the settlers of the said date and two years following we find many sturdy and enterprising citizens, the most of whom coming this way via Canada and California, viz : J. D. LaBrie, Frank Malloy, C. W. Murphy, Stanley Hallet. G. W. Ainsley. \V. T. Barnes. G. H. Brower, Chas. W. Robbins, Charles Mc- Douall, E. L. Smith, J. A. Fancher and B. S. Dudley. The town was incorporated in 1890, and Stanley Hallett. a high-minded British American, has the honor of being its first mayor, and the first councilman, and other ofifi- ' cers. as well as later ones, are men of sterling character. Councilmen John A. Campbell, Christian Dittmer, C. L. Caldwell. Charles Bloomer and A. W. Green. Treasurer, J. M. Landis, Clerk. M. L. Fienberg. Successive mayors, Charles Bloomer, G. L. Moss and Andrew Peat. Successive treasurers, Stanley Hallett, eight consecutive years. The first buildings to be erected were the Cottage House Flotel. Lake House Hotel, now in operation, and Erickson livery stables. Among the industries are the Medical Lake salt evaporating works, and granite quarries of magnificent stone, operated by Giles and Peat, and the hospital which gives employment to a considerable number of the citizens. There are at least a dozen places of business besides the hotels already mentioned, and the Leyspon House on the west side of the lake.

sible educational advantages. .As early as 1879 a pri\-ate school-house was built, and in 1882 an unpretentious frame building was erected. In 1890 the present spacious and admirably equipped brick building was completed at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. It has no superior in the county outside of Spokane and scarcely its equal can be found in a town of no more than one thousand inhabitants. The average attendance at present is over two hundred and the studies reach the tenth grade.

Fraternal Organizations. - The town is not wanting in the spirit of fellowship. Stanley Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F., was the first to be organized in 1888, which had a membership of seventy-si.x. The Freemasons, Maccabees, and Woodmen are also represented, each having a fair membership, varying from twenty to fifty.

Medical Lake Lodge, No. 102, F. & A. M., was organized December 14, 1894. Charles McDouall was master to January 8, 1897; Andrew Peat, from January 8, 1897, to January 7, i8g8; Addison Inlay from January 7, 1898, to February 24, 1899; John A. Dobbs, from February 24, 1899, to February 9, 1900; \V. H. Anderson, elect. The first officers were Charles McDouall, worshipful master; A. W. Green, senior warden; E. L. Smith, junior warden : J. M. Semple, secretary ; Chas. Bloomer, treasurer. The present officers are : \X. H. Anderson, worshipful master : Andrew Peat, senior warden; John D. Jones, junior warden ; Charles McDouall, secretary ; C. W. Robbins, treasurer. Present membership, si.xteen.

Stanley Lodge was instituted July 20. 1888, with the following officers : J. A. Stewart, N. G. ; James Glasgow, V. G. : Guss A. Scholer, R. S. : F. W. Rowley, P. S. ; Thos. Halton, treasurer. Present officers : C. W. Robbins, N. G. ; Peter S. Irvine, V. G. ; J. D. Pettis, P. G.; Jas. Glasgow, R. Sec. ; C. D. Johnson, Per. Sec. ; Wm. Monter. Treas. Past Grands: J. A. Stewart, J. Glasgow, Stanley Hallet, C. S.

Religious Organisations. - The Congregational church was organized in 1883, bv the late venerable and greatly honored Rev. Gushing Fells, D. D. It was organized in prayer, cradled in prayer, and during its primitive period was the subject of the fervent petitions of that holy man pf God. Dr. Fells was its first pastor and to the end it was as the apple of his eye. It has been served by Revs. F. V. Hoyt, C. E. Chase, and A. Howells. Under the ministry of Rev. David Wirt in 1889, the present fine edifice was erected which is a fitting memorial of his faith and activity. With the con- \-enient parsonage it makes the most commanding and expensive church in the county outside of the city of Spokane. During the aggressive ministry of Rev. G. E. Hooker, one of the Washington Yale band, now of Chicago, who has gained an international reputation as a writer on sociological subjects, the church received a great uplift. Under the ministry of its present pastor. Rev. J. D. Jones, also a Yale man, who is an indefatigable worker, as well as an able preacher, the church has made wholesome and constant progress, exerting an increasingly potent and uplifting influence in the community. Among the auxiliaries of the church are a strong Ladies' Aid Society, doing splendid service both socially and financially, and a flourishing Christian Endeavor Society doing excellent work. The church has a membership of one hundred and thirty-two.

The Baptists built the first church edifice in the place, which is now one of the old landmarks, not far from the shore of the lake. For some years it was the meeting place of several denominations, and it is now used by the Methodist Episcopal church, the Baptists having withdrawn from the field several years ago.

means of grace in a commodious and conveniently located house of worship. Elder A. W. Dean, who was instrumental in the organization of this church, as well as several others of that faith in the county, was an able, scriptural and instructive preacher, and one whom the writer learned to love as a good brother in the Lord. He died at Medical Lake several years ago. Dr. A. W. Green was acting pastor for several years after the decease of Mr. Dean, and the church has a strong hold in the place and the surrounding region ; the present pastors are Rev. George E. Barrows and wife.

The Methodist Episcopal church was the first to be organized, but it never had a place of worship of its own.- Thougli not very strong in numbers, it is characteristically vigorous, and has a devoted membership and loyal constituency.

The Catholic church is not imposing in appearance, but has its fair proportion of faithful adherents and enjoys the efticient services of Father Faust.