Walla Walla County, Washington - Chapter 7: Definite Orgaxization of Walla Walla County and Political History, 1901

Chapter 7: Definite Orgaxization of Walla Walla County and Political History

It was not until the autumn of Ihe yeat lands along the various streams as far north- 1858 that the Walla Walla country was for- east as the present site of Dayton, located mally opened to permanent settlement or oc- on the Touchet river, in Columbia county, cupation by white men, and even yet it was Walla \\'alla county was as yet hobbling not until the following spring that Congress along with essentially no political organizaratified the Indian treaties made through the tion. as has been noted in a precetling chai)- efforts of Governor Stevens in 1855. The ter. The legislature, however, made another Indians were, however, in a state of subjec- effort to look after the destinies of this tertion and fear, owing to the successful work ritorial offspring, and in 1859, under an act of Colonel George \\'right in his recent ex- bearing date of January 19th of that year, peclition directed against the hostile savages once more appointed officers to ser\'e the in this section of the territory. This circum- ccnmty, the incumbents to retain their posistance made it ])racticable for the white set- tions until the election and (jualification of tiers to come in and occupy the lands. A their successors. The oflicers thus appointed number of ranchers and cattle men soon es- \\'ere as follows: County commissioners, tablished themselves along the streams run- John Mahan, Walter R. Davis, John C. Smith ; ning forth from the western base of the Blue sheriff, Edward D. Pearce; auditor. R. H. mmmtains. Among those who thus located I'veighart: probate judge, Samuel D. Smith; in this section during the ckxsing months of justice of the peace, J. A. Simms. Commis- 1858 may be mentioned Thomas P. Page, sioners ]\lalian and Davis met at Walla \\';illa James Foster, Charles Russell, J. C. Smith, on the 15th of }ilarch, 1859, and, as author- Christopher ^laier, John Singleton, John A. ized by the general law of the territory, ap- Simms and Joseph .McAvoy, all of whom pointed James Cialbreath auditor and Lycurlong continued iheir residence there, being gus Jackson sheriff, after which they adwell-known ])ii)neers. Mr. Simms subse- journed. 1. T. Reese was elected recorder cjuently became Indian agent at the Colville in the following July, and upon him devolved reservation, where he served acceptably. The the duty of properly entering upon the recyear 1859 showed a materia! influx of per- orils the minutes of the proceedings of this manent settlers, ranchers filing claims to first, as well as subsecjuent meetings, of the commissioners. The secoiul meeting of the board was held on tlie J6th of March, when E. H. I'rown was appointed probate judge; Lycurgus Jaci<son, assessor ; Neil McGlinchey, county treasurer; and Wihiam B. Kelly, superintendent of public schools. At this session of the lioard was also made provision for a general election, to be held in July, for which purpose the county was divided into two voting i)recincts, - known respectively as Drv Creek precinct and Steptoeville precinct. In the former the polling place designated was the residence of J. C. Smith, the judges being E. Bonner, J. ^l. Craigie and William Fink. Many were advocating the name of Steptoeville as the appellation for the countyseat, and for this precinct the balloting was to be done at the church in "Steptoeville." The election judges for this latter precinct were J. A. Simons, William B. Kel'y and William McWhirk, while to Thomas Hughes were assigned the duties of clerk, and under such official supervision was duly held the second election in Walla Walla county, the first having been held in 1855.

The original board of commissioners met again jjrior to the election, their session having been held on the 6th of June, at Steptoeville. -At this time were arrangements made for the renting uf a conrt-house, for which accommodations the stupendous sum of twenty dollars per month was to be paid, while a tax le\'y of seven mills on the dollar was also made. At a meeting held on the 2d of July, the commissioners accepted the resignation of James Gallireath, county auditor, appointing as his successor in the office Augustus Von Hinkle. At this meeting the name of Steptoeville was changed to Waiilatpu.

Of ihe election held in July, 1859, no records are e.xtant, but that it occurred in due order is evident, for on the 5th of September following the new l)oard of commissioners assembled and by ballot determined their respective terms of service, - Charles Russell, one year; John ^Nlahan, two years; and Willliam AlcWhirk, three years. The records of this meeting gi\'e the essential data in regard to the election, which, as above noted, had occurred, though no definite record of the same can n(_iw be fnund. The county officers, therefore, whose bonds were ajjproved at this session of the board were as follows: .Auditor, I. T. Reese; sheriff, Lycurgus Jackson; treasurer, Ne 1 AlcGlinchey; assessor, Thomas P. Page; surveyor, PL H. Case; jus-i tice of the peace, J. M. Canaday. To Mr. Reese was voted the sum of forty dollars per month for the rent of court-house.

Receives Its Name

The \-illage of Walla Walla was so design;ited by the county commissioners at their meeting on November 7, '1859, and there was simultaneously granted to it a town go\'ernment. Here also was formally established the coimty-seat. - a due (|uota of glory antl hom^r for one day. The great fire which occurred ill 1865 destroyed many valuable records touching the early political affairs of the county, such as election returns, assessment rolls, etc.

The Election Of 1860

.\t a meeting held on the 7th of May, iXC)!), the county commissioners jilaced the tax le\-y for the _\-ear at se\-en mills on the di)llar, anil preparatory for the election in July following divided the comity into f\\c voting districts. - Walla \\'alla. Dry Creek. Snake Ri\er. East Touchet and West Touchet. At this election there was submitted to the people the (|uestion as to whether or not a tax should be levied for the erection of a courthouse and jail, and while the records, as previously mentioned, do not give the returns for said election in any respect, the fact that the two buildings were not built at that time offers adequate evidence as to the negative character of the vote of the qualified electors of the county. Prisoners of the county still continued to be sent to Fort Vancouver to languish in durance \ile. The officers elected in July, i860, were as follows: Auditor and recorder, James Galbreath; sheriff, James A. Buckley; surveyor, M. J. Xoyse; assessor, C. Langley; coroner, Almiron Daggett; justices of the peace. William J. Horton, John Sheets, Horace Strong, Elisha Everetts and William B. Kelly. Of the transactions of this official corps no trace of record can be found, but at the county election held in July, 1861, the board of county commissioners consisted of W. H. Patton. S. Maxon and John Sheets. On the 5th of November Sheriff Buckley was appointed county assessor, S. Owens, who had been elected to the office in 1861. having failed to qualify. The sheriff' had been, by virtue of his office, tax collector, and his appointment as assessor was a consistent action on the part of the board. That the citizens of the county still had certain yearnings for a bastile in which to confine malefactors, is shown in the fact that, on the 8th of November the commissioners awarded to Charles Russell the contract to build a cdunty jail, at a cost of three thousand three Inunlretl and fifty dollars. The building was duly completed in the year 1862, the contractor receiving in payment for his services six thousand seven' hundred dollars in scrip. It is worthy of note in the connection that, in 1 88 1, Mr. Russell purchased from the county this historic old building, which had been the scene and center of many thrilling events, demolished it, and removed the debris to his ranch. For the building which he had thus erected at the behest of the county ha paid the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars, and it was not criminal salvage at that.

The Effect Of The Gold Excitement

In a preceding chapter we have had occasion to incidentally mention the gold excitement of 1S60, which eventually had so pronounced an effect upon the growth and development of the eastern portion of the territory of Washington. Prior to 1861 there had been but little to encourage permanent settlements by emigrants in the vicinity of the Blue mountains, where now stretch far and wide some of the most productive and valualile farming and fruit lands in the Union. In fact, it may be said that even as late as 1 86 1 there was obtained a very slight conception of the great intrinsic value of this section as an agricultural district, land available for cultivation being considered as of limited extent. What a revelation has been made in less than a half century! Even had the art of agriculture been forced forward here at the time mentioned, there was practically no market for products, no shipping facilities being available, and aside from those connected with the garrison at Fort Walla Walla there v.ere no purchasers to be found for the products of the soil. Those who had come hither and taken up ranches along the various water courses devoted the same to grazing purposes.

their plan being to utilize the lands for cattleraising for an interval of a few years, raising small crops of grain for their own use in the meantime, and, perhaps, having a small residuum to sell. A well-known historian has said in regard to the conditions existing, that "had the military post been abandoned in i860 but few whites would have remained east of the Cascades, and stock-raising would have been the only inducement for anyone to remain there."

But through an unexpected source there was to be given an impetus to the settlement and development of this region. That metal which men hold as the basis of all values was destined to draw its devotees to eastern Washington and to absolutely transform the character of the country. One of the most notable gold excitements known to history was soon to come. It is related that a Nez Perce Indian made his way to California at the time of the gold excitement there, forming the acquaintance of some miners, whom he impressed by his intelligence and dignity of bearing. Among these miners was a somewhat visionary and enthusiastic man, E. D. Pearce, to whom the Xez Perce brave gave information as to his home in the far distant mountain fastnesses of what is now Idaho. He told a fantastic and romantic tale of the accidental discovery which had been made by himself and two companions while encamped for the night among the mountains which had been his haunt from childhood. .\ light of surpassing brightness was suddenly revealed to them among the cliffs, having the appearance of a refulgent star. The superstitious Indians regarded the shining object with awe, deeming it to be the eye of the Great Spirit, but at daybreak they summoned sufficient courage to investigate, eventually finding "a glittering ball that looked like glass," the same being imbedded in the solid rock. They were unable to dislodge the object, which they believed to be "great medicine." Pearce became imbued with the idea that the red men had discovered a wonderful diamond, and he determined to secure the same if possible. Upon this seemingly trivial circumstance hinged the disco\'ery of gold in what was eastern Washington, in i860. Pearce eventually made his way to the dalles of the Columbia and thence came to Walla Wklla, where he took up his abode. He scouted through the mountains east of Snake river and finally associated himself with a party, who were animated by the hope of finding gold, by reason of his representations, while he himself had ever in mind the wonderful diamond.

The little exploring party comprised seven men, but they were eventually ordered out of the Nez Perce country by the Indians, who were suspicious of their plans. Pearce finally induced a Nez Perce scjuaw to lead them through to the Lolo trail by a route which the members of her tribe seldom utilized. They proceeded to the north fork of the Clearwater river, through the Palouse country, and eventually camped on a meadow among the mountains. There one of the company, W. F. Bassett, tried for gold in the soil of a little stream which traversed the gulch. He found about three cents' worth of gold in his first pan, this being the original discovery of the precious metal in those mountains, and the place being tlie site of the famous Oro Fino mines, in the present state of Idaho.

After washing out about eighty dollars in gold the party returned to Walla Walla, making their headquarters at the home of J. C. Smith, on Drv creek, and finallv fo thor- oiighly enlisting his interest and co-operation that he fitted out a party of about fifteen men, largely at his own expense, to return to the new gold fields for the winter. Sergeant Smith's party reached tlie mines in November, i860, arousing the antipathy and distrust of the Indians, who appealed to the government officers for the protection of their reserve from such encroachments. A body of soldiers from Fort Walla Walla started out for the mines, with the intention of removing the interlopers, but the heavy snowfall in the mountains rendered the little party of miners inaccessible, so they were not molested. During the winter the isolated miners devoted their time to building five log cabins, the first habitations erected in Oro Fino, sawing the lumber by hand. They also continued to work for gold under the snow, and about the first of January, 1861, two of the men made a successful trip to the settlements, by the utilizing of snow-shoes, while in March Sergeant Smith made a similar trip, taking with him eight hun<lre(l dollars in gold dust. From this reserve he was able to pay Kyger & Reese, of Walla \\"alla. the balance due them on the prospecting outfit which had been supplied to the adventurous little i)arty in the snowy mountains. The gold dust was sent to Portland. Oregon, and soon the new mines were the subject of maximum interest, the ultimate result being a "gold excitement" quite equal to that of California in 1S49, ''i"'l within a few montlis the rush to tlie new diggings was on in earnest, thousands starting forth for the favored region.

For Gold

made their way up the Columbia river and tlience moved forward. to \\'alla Walla, which became the great outfitting headquarters for those en route to the gold country. At this point were purchased provisions, tools, camp accoutrements and the horses or mules required to pack the outfits to the mines. Through this unforeseen circumstance there was now a distinctive local market afforded for the products of the Walla Walla country, and the farmer who had produce of any sort to sell might esteem himself fortunate, for good prices were freely offered. Nearly all the grain that had Ijeen produced in the country was held, in tlie spring of 1861. in the mill owned and operated by Simms. Reynolds & Dent, the total amount not amounting to twenty thousand bushels. This surplus commanded a high price, the farmers receiving two and one-half dollars per bushel fur their wheat, while at the mines the operators were compelled to pay one dollar a pound for the flour manufactured therefrom. The inadequacy of the local supply of food pnnlucts was such that, had not additional provender been transported from Oregon, starvation would ha\-e stared the miners in the face. This fact gave rise to the almost unprecedented prices demanded for the jiroducts essential to the maintenance of life. New mining districts were discoxered by the eager prospectors and all was bustle ami activity in the mining region until the fall of 1861. In November of that year manv of the miners came to Walla Walla for the winter, bringing their hard-earned treasure with them and often sjiending it with the ]irodigality so typical of the mining fraternitv in the early days.

ter and fully realized the animus of the merchants at Oro Fino, who refused to sell their goods, l)elie\'ing' that starxation would ultimately face the miners and that they could then secure any i:)rice they might see fit to demand. In November of the year noted the prices at Oro Fino were quiited as follows on certain of the necessaries of life: Flour, twenty-five dollars per one hundred pounds ; beef, thirty cents per pound; coffee, not to be had; candles, not for sale; and bacon and beans, exceedingly scarce. That the prospectors and miners should seek to hibernate nearer civilization and take refuge in Walla Walla was but naltural under the circumstances.

During the rush to the mining districts, both in 1861 and i86j, Walla Walla was the scene of the greatest actix'ity : streets were crowded ; the merchants were tloing a thriving business ; and pack trains moved in a seemingly endless procession toward the gold fields. The excitement was fed by the glowing reports that came inmi th.e mining districts, and the natural result was to augment the flood of gold-seekers pouring into the mining districts in the spring of 1862, as will be noted later on. As an example of the alluring reports entered in the latter part of 1861, we may appropriately quote from the Washington Statesman of that period, said paper being published in Walla Walla, and being the precursor of the Walla Walla Statesman of the present day. From an editorial in said publication we make the following extract:

S. F. Ledyard arrived last evening from the .Salmon river mines, and from him it is learned that some six hundred miners would winter there; that some two hundred had gone to the south side of the river, where two streams head that empty into the Salmon, some thirty miles southeast of present mining camp. Coarse gold is found, and as high as one hundred dollars per day to the man has been taken out. The big mining claim of the old locality belongs to Mr. Wiser, of Oregon, from where two thousand, six hundred and eighty dollars were taken on the 20th, with two rockers. On the 21st, three thousand, three hundred and sixty dollars were taken out with the same machines. Other claims were paying from two to five pounds per day. Flour has fallen to fifty cents per pound, and beef, at from fifteen to twenty-five cents, is to be had in abundance. Most of the mines supplied until first of June. Mr. L. met between Slate Creek and Walla Walla, en route for the mines, three hundred and ninety four packs and two hundred and fifty head of beef cattle.

In the issue of the Statesman for December 13. 1861, appears the following interesting information concerning the mines and the inducements there oft'ered:

The tide of emigration to Salmon river flows steadily onward. During the week past, not less than two hundred and twenty-five pack animals, heavily laden with provisions, have left this city for the mines. If the mines are one-half so rich as they are said to be, we may safely calculate that many of these trains will return as heavily laden with gold dust as they now are with provisions.

The late news from Salmon river seems to have given the gold fever to everybody in this immediate neighborhood. A number of persons from Florence City have arrived in this place, during the week, and all bring the most extravagant reports as to the richness of the mines. A report, in relation to a rich strike made by Mr. Bridges, of Oregon City, seems to come well authenticated. The first day he worked on his claim (near Baboon gulch) he took out fifty-seven ounces; the second day he took out one hundred and fifty-seven ounces; third day, two hundred and fourteen ounces, and the fourth day, two hundred ounces in two hours. One gentleman informs us that diggings have been found on the bars of Salmon river which yield from twenty-five cents to two dollars and fifty cents to the pan, and that on claims in the Salmon river, diggings have been found where "ounces" won't describe them, and where they say the gulches are full of gold. The discoverer of Baboon gulch arrived in this city yesterday, bringing with him sixty pounds of gold dust, and Mr. Jacob Weiser is on his way with a mule loaded with gold dust.

\\ ithin the year more than one and onehalf millions of dollars in gold dust had been shi])ped from the mining districts, - a circumstance which of itself was enough to create a wide-spread and infectious gold-fever. An.- ticipating the rush for the mines in the vear

1862. a great deal of live-stock liad been brought to the Walla Walla country in the latter part of 1861. while the demands for food i^roducts led many ranchers to make provisions for raising greatly increased crops of grain and other produce to meet the demands of the coming season.

The winter of 1861-2 was one of utmost severity, and its rigors entailed a gigantic loss to residents throughout the eastern portion of \\'ashington territory, - a section practically isolated from all other portions of the world for many weeks. It has been said that this "was the severest winter known to the whites on the Pacific coast." The stock in the Walla Walla country perished by the thousands, the animals being unable to secure feed and thus absolutely starving to death. From December to Alarch the entire country here was et¥ectually hedged in by the \'a^t quantities of snow and the severely cold weather. Xot until March 22d do we find the statement in the local newspaper that ^varm rains had set in and that the snow had commenced to disappear. One result is shown in the further remark, that "Occasionally the sun shines out, when the sunny side of the street is lined with men." The loss of stock in this section during that memorable winter was estimated at fully one million dollars, hay having reached the phenomenal price of one hundred and twenty-five dollars per ton, while flour commanded twenty-five dollars per barrel in Walla \\'alla. It may not l)e malajiropos to quote a list of prices which obtained in the Ore Fino mining region in Deceml)er-, 1861 : Bacon, fifty to sixty cents per pound; flour, twenty-five to thirty dollars per hundred weight; beans, twenty-five to thirty cents per pound; rice, forty to fifty cents per pound ; butter, seventy-five cents to one dollar; sugar, forty to fifty cents; candles, eighty cents to one dollar per pound ; tea, one dollar and a quarter to one and a half per pound; tobacco, one dollar to one and a half; cofifee, fifty cents.

Rush Of Gold-Seekers Ix 1 862

In view of the recent gold excitement in Alaska, how familiarly will read the following statements from the Washington States^ man of March 22, 1862; "From persons who ha\-e arrived here from The Dalles during the week, we learn that there were some four thousand miners in Pcirtland fifteen days ago, awaiting the opening of navigation to thq upper country. Hundreds were arriving by every steamer, and the town was literally filled to overflowing." Under date of April 5th, tlie same paper gives the following pertinent information; "From one hundred and thirty to one hundred and forty passengers, on their way to the mines, come up to Wallula on every steamer, and the majority of them foot it through to this place (Walla Walla)." By the last of May it was estimated by some that between twenty-five and thirty thousand persons had reached or were en route to the mining regions east of the Cascades, but conservative men now in Walla \\'alla regard that a great overestimate. The merchants of Walla Walla profited largely through the patronage of the ever advancing column of prospectors and miners, but the farmers did not fare so well, owing to the extreme devastations of the severe winter just passed. Enough has been said to indicate the causes which led to the rapid settlement and development of eastern Washington and Oregon, - an advancement that might have taken many years to accomplish had it not been for the discov- ery of gold, in so romantic a manner. Tlio yield of gold reported through regular channels for the year 1862 aggregated fully seven millitin dollars, and it is certain that several millions were also sent out through mediums which gave no record.

Li February, 1862, food products and merchandise commanded the following prices at Florence : Flour, one dollar per pound ; bacon, one dollar and a quarter; butter, three dollars; cheese, one dollar and a half; lard, one dollar and a quarter ; sugar, one dollar and a quarter; coffee, two dollars; tea, two dollars and a half; gum boots per pair, thirty dollars; shovels, from twelve to sixteen dollars.

The status of affairs in Walla Walla county at the opening of the year 1862 was radically tlitferent from what it had been at the time of the last county election, and the matter of choosing incumbents for the various official positions had become one of no little importance. The rapid increase in population and the varying character of those who had taken up their abode, for a greater or less time, within the boundaries of the county rendered it imperative that men of ability and sterling worth should be selected to administer the affairs of the county, where lawlessness and crime walked side by side with virtue and rectitude. Many rough characters were attracted to the mining districts, and a large proportion of these had slight regard for the value of human life or for personal probity. Political affiliations had but little weight, under the circumstances, with the better element of the county's population; it was recognized as essential that good men should be chosen for office, rather than that the party lines should be strenuously drawn.

A call for a mass convention was issued prior to the July election, the same bearing the signatures of the following named representative citizens : R. H. Archer, J. D. Agnew, Ouin. A. Brooks, C. S. Bush, D. S. Baker, \\'. A. Ball, J. Buckley, O. L. Bridges, S. Buckley, A. J. Cain, H. J. Cady, E. P. Cranston, F. A. Chenoweth, W\ W. De Lacy, J. P. Goodhive, H. M. Hodges, W. P. Horton, J. Hellmuth, H. Howard, J. B. Ligersoll, W. W. Johnson, R. Jacobs, Kohlhauff & Guichard, E. E. Kelly, A. Kyger, S. Linkton, AL Lazarus, N. Northrop, E. Nugent, J. M. Norton, W. Phillips, W. H. Patton, R. R. Rees, L T. Reese, A. B. Roberts, B. Sheedeman, J. A. Simms, A. Schwabacker, John Sheets, D. J. Schnebly, J. Van Dyke and D. Young.

For some unknown cause the convention, which assembled in Walla Walla on the 21st of June, 1862, failed to place candidates in nomination, but that various candidates were put forward is shown by the records. The election occurred on the 14th of July, the result being as follows : For representative in the territorial legislature N. Northrop received 355 votes; S. D. Smith 317, H. i\L Chase 302, and F. A. ChenOweth 132; other officers elected being: Edward Nugent, district attorney; James McAulifY, treasurer; H. ^L Hodgis, assessor; W. W. Johnson, surveyor; J. F. \Vood, superintendent of schools ; L. C. Kinney, coroner; and James Van Dyke, John Sheets and S. S. Galbreath, county commissioners. James Buckley was appointed sheritt, serving until February, 1863, on the 7th of which month Isaac L. Roberts was appointed as his successor, holding the office only to the 17th of March, when he resigned, E. B. Whitman being appointed, to fill the vacancy. James Van Dyke resigned the office of com^ jnissioner in August, 1863, and on the 5th of September of that year H. D. O'Brj-an was appointetl to the office. S. S. Galbreath failed to (|ualify as commissioner at the time -of liis election, hut held the office by appointment, the same having been made on the 5th -of August. 1862.

The onspeeding tide of gold-seekers did not fail to bring in its wake a due quota of permanent settlers, for the resources of the \\'alla Walia valley began to receive a more grateful appreciation. Quite a large number of emigrants settled along the creeks and rivers skirting the base of the Blue mountains at the north and west. Farmers jiroduced little to sell, and prices continued to be high. Sufficient grain had, ho\ve\'er, been raised to warrant the erection of another flouring mill, the same having been built l)y A. H. Reynolds, on Yellow Ha\\k creek. This was originally known as the Frontier mill, later as the Star. Captain Medorem Crawford, who was in command of the emigrant escort of about eighty men, crossing the plains in 1862, and whose statements may be considered as authoritative as any data a\-ailable, estimated the number of wagons on the road for Washington territory and Oregon at sixteen hundred, and the number of persons at ten thousand. A large number of emigrants, principally from Iowa, settled in the Grande Ronde valley, being people of sterling worth and invincible courage, - the true l)asic elements of a prosperous commonwealth. A saw-mill was erected at the head of the valley, and the town of LaGrande sprung into being, having about fifteen houses in the fall of 1862. Flour sold there at fifteen dollars per hundredweight.

In November, 1862, we have the authority of the Washington Statesman to maintain that the town of LaGrande had a population of one hundred, two stores, one hotel and a blacksmith shop. In March, 1862, Lewiston, at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, had been laid out as a town, Wallula gaining a similar prestige in the following month, lieing located on the Columbia river. At the close of the year 1862 Walla ^^'alla, a city of less than one hundred houses, nestling at the base of the Blue mountains; La- Grande, in the mountain valley, as noted ; the military trading post at The Dalles : Pinkney City (Colville), in Spokane county, constituted, with the two previously mentioned, the village settlements established between the Rocky and Cascade ranges. Besides these there were, of course, tlie primitive mining towns in the mountains, the same being, however, little more than camps.

It was exceedingly gratifying to the inhabitants of this section to find that the winter of 1862-3 proved as mild and equable as had the previous one been austere and rigorous. L'p to the beginning of February, 1863. there had been practically no winter, and a grateful Chinook wind cleared the valley of snow, on the i6th of that month, the snow having, in fact, been in evidence for but a week. This represented the end of the winter.