Walla Walla County, Washington - Chapter 9: Gener.xl and Political History of Walla Walla County, 1866-1874, 1901

Chapter 9: Gener.xl and Political History of Walla Walla County, 1866-1874

Montana mines was inaugurated in the early tuo sources of supply, San Francisco or Chispring, this having been pronounced "the cul- cago, and the rate war was on. The price per land anil the Snake river to Lewiston, thence by land to Helena, three hundred and twenty dollars: by way of Portland tn W'allula, thence by land to Helena, two hundred and seventyfive dollars; and by way of Portland to \\'hite Bluffs, thence by land to same destination, two hundred and seventy dollars. This data i; derived from information collected and published by the San Francisco chamber of commerce.

During the summer of 1865, according to reliable authority, more than one hundred pack trains, averaging fifty animals each, -with three hundred pounds to the animal, thus aggregating seven hundred and fifty tons, were sent forth from tlifferent points on the Columbia river to Montana. The cost of transportation was fully two hundred and forty thousand dollars, and the value of the goods aggregated about one million, two hundred thousand dollars. These data will afford an idea as to the vast amount of freight wliich was transported through the Walla \\'alla valley in 1865, and at the opening of the succeeding year the White Bluffs route was enabled to offer a rate of five dollars less per ton than was Walla Walla. The Oregon Steam Navigation Company favored the former route, as they were desirous of building up a town at White Bluffs, but this aroused the protest of the teamsters of Walla Walla, twenty-six of whom appended their signatures to a card which stated that in preference to any other point on the Columbia river, they preferred Wallula as the point from which to transport freight to Montana. This protest had due influence, and thus ^\'alla Walla was enabled to hold her own.

Within the year 1866 an unsuccessful attempt was made to annex Walla Walla county t') Oregon, a memorial being presented to the Oregon legislature advocating such assimilation. This movement was inaugurated by Anderson Cox, to whom reference has been made in connection with the election of 1865. He succeeded in pushing the enterprise through the Oregon legislature, and held it in the background in that of Washington. The scheme was headed off in large part through the efforts of Hollon Parker, who visited Washington City for the special purpose. It is a fact worthy of great interest that if tlie region south of Snake river had been annexed to Oregon its vote in presidential elections would have been sufficient to tiu'n the scale in favor of the Democratic candidates, and the election of 1876 would have gone to Tilden instead of Hayes. The Democratic party elected e\'ery candidate at the annual c<.iunty election held June 4, 1866, the result being as follows: Joint counci'man (for Walla \\'alla and Stevens counties), B. L. Sharpstein: representatives. D. M. Jessee, R. Jacobs, R. R. Rees, H. D. O'Bryan and Thomas P. Page; treasurer, James ^Ic- Au'iiff: assessor, H. M. Hodgis; school superintendent. ^^'. G. Langford ; county commissioners. T. G. Lee and H. A. Livingston. W. L. Gaston was appointed county survej-or \v. the fi'llowing December. Commissioner Livingston met an accidental death, on the 24th of August, and on the 3d of December Elisha Pmg was appointed to fill the vacancy. The county had as yet provided practically no accommodations for the several officials, who labored under great disadvantages by reason of their inadequate quarters, which were indifferently shiftetl from place to place, with no provisions for property filing records and documents. The county jail, used jointly by the citv, was a disgrace to the county and afforded so little surety against the escajie of prisoners, who were occasionally placed in irons on this account, - a thing that should have not been required. In the year 1866 an abortive attempt was made to patch up the old building, the city enclosing the structure with a high board fence, for the privilege of using it, and the county magnanimously contributing a paltry sum, which was utilized in reinforcing the apertures made by escaping prisoners, and in fitting up, over the cells, a room for the jailor to occupy.

The productive energies of the Walla Walla valley, along the lines which in the fullness of time contributed most largely to the precedence and substantial prosperity of the section, began to be more self-assertive during the year 1867, since this year marked the inception of exporting flour to the coast, this representing at the time the sole manufactured product of \\'alla Walla county. A few barrels were shipped in an experimental way, and after the adjustment of freight rates by the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, which appeared to have discriminated against such shipments at one time, the enterprise graciously expanded. The amount of flour shipped to The Dalles and Portland from April 19 to June 2, 1867, aggregated four thousand, seven hundred and thirty-five barrels, the transportation rates being six dollars per ton to either point. The shipment of flour to the mining districts within the year was approximate!}' the same in amount as that of preceding years. Later in the season a firm of Walla Walla merchants made the further experiment of shipping wheat to the coast, forwarding fifteen thousand bushels, and proving unquestionably that grain could be thus transported down the Columbia to the coast markets at a profit. It will be readily understood that these two experiments, ii so they may be designated, were, with their legitimate and normal results, of transcendent importance to the rapidly developing Walla Walla \alle\-. .\s has been justly said in a previous historical publication : "This was the beginning of the outward movement of the products of the county, made as a experiment, under circumstances that proved the practicability of a steady exportation of flour by the millers of this valley, and a consequent market for the vast quantities of grain it was capable of producing."

A review of the political situation in 1867 shows that there was an extraordinary interest and acti\-ity in the ranks of both the Democrats and the Republicans. The principal point of contest and interest was in the selection of a delegate to congress, each party having a number of aspirants for the important office. The people east of the Cascades felt that they were entitled to have a candidate selected from their section of the territory, inasmuch as the honor had hitherto gone to a resident of the sound countr}'. From the eastern section of the territory were five Democrats and two Republicans whose names were prominently mentioned ill this connection, and while the Republican convention for Walla Walla county sent an uninstructed delegate to the territorial convention, a \'igorous effort had been made in favor of the candidacy of Judge J. E. Wyche. At the county Democratic convention the delegates chosen were instructed to give their support to W. G. Langford, of Walla Walla, so long as seemed expedient. They were also instructed to deny their sujiport to any candidate who endorsed in any degree the project of annexing Walla Walla county to Oregon. In the territorial convention Frank Clark, of Pierce county, received the nomination of the Democracy for the office of congressional delegate, the balloting in the convention having been close and spirited. The Repiil)lican territorial convention succeeded in running in the proverbial "dark horse," in the person of Alvan Flanders, a Walla Walla merchant, who was made the nominee, defeating three very strong candidates.

Owing to the agitation of the Vigilance question, referring to diverging opinions of the citizens as to the proper method of administering justice, the politics of the county were in a peculiarly disrupted and disorganized condition, and the \'igilance issue had an unmistakable influence on the election, as was shown by the many peculiarities which were brought to light when the returns were fully in. The Democrats of the county were particularly desirous of electing certain of their county candidates, and it is stated that the Republicans were able to divert many Democratic votes to their candidate for delegate to congress by trading votes with Democrats and pledging their support to local Democratic candidates. The fact that such bartering took place is assured, for while the returns gave a Democratic majority of about two hundred and fifty in Walla Walla county for all other officers, the delegate received a majority of only one hundred and twenty-four. This action on the part of the AX'alla Walla Democrats secured the election of the Republican candidate, whose majority in the territory was only ninety-six.

The result of the election in the county, held on tb.e 3d of June, was as follows : Frank Clark, the Democratic candidate for delegate, received 606 votes, and Alvan Flanders, Republican, 482. The other officers elected were as follows : Prosecuting attorney, F. P. Dugan ; councilman, \\". H. Xew ell ; joint councilman (Walla Walla anil Ste\'ens counties), J. M. Vansyckle ; representatives, W. P. Horton,

The sheriff resigned on the 7th of November. 1868, and on the same day James Mc- .\uliff was appointed to fill the vacancy. A. H. Revnolds resigned as commissioner, in May, i86g. Dr. D. S. Baker being appointed as hissuccessor. Of the successful candidates noted in the above list, all were Democrats except P. B. Johnson, J. D. Cook, C. Eells, S. M. Wait and A. H. Reynolds.

The First Court House

As the county dedicated its first court house in the vear 1867, it is incumbent that we make a brief reference to the same at this juncture. .\s early as 1864. the grand jury had made a report on this matter, and from said document we make the following pertinent extracts i "We, the grand jury, find that it is the duty of the county commissioners to furnish offices for the different county officers. This we find they have not done. To-day the offices of the officers are in one place, to-morrow in another, and we hope at the next meeting of the board of county commissioners that they will, for the sake of the integrity of Walla Walla county, furnish the different county officers with good offices." Notwithstanding this merited reiiriiof, no action of a definite character was- taken bv the board of commissioners until the meeting of Alarch i r. 1S67, when it was voted to purchase, of S. Linkton, a building on the corner of Alder and Third streets, the same to be paid for in thirty monthly installments of one hundred dollars each. A further expenditure of five hun(h-ed dollars was made in fitting up the Iniilding for the use of the county, and thus Walla Walla county was able to hold up a dignified head and note with approval her first court-house. That the structure was altogether unpretentious, and devoid of all architectural beauty, it is, perhaps, needless to say. The executives of the county were at least provided with a local habitation.

Review Of The Year 1868

Within this year began the first logical and active agitation of the transportation ciuestion, and this problem involved the future of Walla Walla county and city to a greater degree than any other. Within the year an organized ettort was made to provide for railroad facilities for shipping the products of the country to the markets of consumption. Philip Ritz, apjjreciative of the results of tlie experiments of the pre\-ious year, consigned fifty barrels of Hour to Xew York city, where he disposed of the same at the rate of ten dollars per barrel, netting him a profit of one dollar and fifty cents a liarrel. This flour was the jiroduct of the old Phoenix mill. At the time, the cost of flour in Walla \\'alla was three dollars and se\'entyfive cents per barrel, and the transportation charges to Xew York, with commissions, aggregated four dollars and seventy cents a barrel. The cost of shipping wheat to San Francisco was too great to render it profitable to make shipments from Walla Walla, where the pmduct commanded only f(jrty cents jjer Inishel, and the same must be sold for one dollar and tu'enty cents per Inishel in San Francisco in order to cover the expenses of shipment, made at the rate of twenty-eight dollars per ton, of which amount six dollars per ton represented the transportation charges between Walla Walla and Wallula.

Thus the project of constructing a railway line between these two points became the topic of much discussion and consideration. After several enthusiastic public meetings had been held, the business men of this section manifesting a live interest, the Walla Walla & Columbia River Railroad was organized. Hon. Alvan Flanders, the delegate in congress, secured fiom that body the right of way for the proposed line and alsn permission for the county to subscribe three hundred thousand dollars for the support of the enterprise, with the pro- \ision that this should be done only upon submitting the question to the electors of the county and securing a fa\-orable result at the election. Xo definite progress was made in the matter for a term of several years, and the progress of the count}^ was materially retarded on this account. A fuller description of the transportation facilities of the county, and the history of the various enterprises involved, may be found on other pages of this work.

A Brief Record Of The Year 1869

Again in this }-ear was there to be chosen a delegate to congress, and the Democracy of Walla Walla county instructed their delegates to the territ(jrial comcntion to insist upon the nomination of a candidate resident east of the Cascade range, - the same desideratum that had been sought at the last preceding election. In the con\enti<in F. P. Dugan, J. D. Mix, B. L. Sharpstein and \X. H. Newell, of Walla Walla,

Tile Republican nomination was secured by Selucius Gartielde, surveyor-general of the territory. The names of two of Walla Walla county's citizens were presented 'before the convention. Dr. D. S. Baker and Anderson Co-x. The nomination of (iarfielde proved unsatisfactory to many of the party adherents, ard dissension was rampant. The disaffection became so intense in nature that a number of the most prominent men in the party ranks did not hesitate to append their signatures to a circular addressed to the "Downfallen Republican Party." said document bearing fifty signatures in all. On the list appeared the name of the delegate in congress and the chief justice of the territory. The circular called for a radical reorganization of the party, charged fraudulent action in the convention and made many sweeping assertions. This action provoked a strong protest, and the disaffected contingent did not nominate a ticket of their own. and Mr. Garfielde was elected by a majority of one hundred and thirty-two. He received in Walla Walla cnunty three hundred and eightj^-four votes, while his opponent, Mr. Moore, received seven hundred and forty.

In the county election the Democrats elected their entire ticket, by an average majority of three hundred. The county had at this time the privilege of electing six representatives to the lower house of the territorial legislature, which body had, in 1868, granted one more representative to the county. The result of the election was as follows : Prosecuting attorney, A. J. Cain; representatives. N. T. Caton, Fred Stine, H. D. O'Bryan, J. D. Mix, J- H. Lasater, Thomas

The year 1869 found the Walla valley in about the same status as the preceding year, though a severe drouth, extending over the entire coast country, had caused in this section a partial failure of crops, so that there was no surplus of grain or flour to ship out, save what was sent into the mining districts. Wheat brought from seventy-five to eighty cents per bushel, and flour reached as high a figure as six dollars per barrel. The increased prices made the returning revenue practically as great as the year before, notwithstanding shortage of crops.

As has been mentioned previously, the financial affairs of the county were badly involved at the time of the investigation incidentally made in 1863, and an indebtedness of from ti\-e to twenty tlmusand dollars had been in evidence continuously up to the year of which we are now writing. The last board of county commissioners realized that the financial integrity of the county was in jeopardy, and they determined that of the officers of the countv must be exacted a more careful and efiicient discharge of their respective duties, while they also set vigorously to tlie task of placing the treasury department of the county upon a better basis - insisting that its business should be handled according to true business ' principles. Tiie board were fortunately enabled to eftect a radical inipro\enient along the lines mentioned, the e\-idence of this being conclusive when we revert to the fact that on the 1st of May, i86y, the obligations of the county amounted to $9,569.13, while in the treasury the cash deposit was represented bv $9,209.18. In view of the fact that the sheriff who resigned in Xo\-ember, 1868, was indebted to the county, according to the report of the board, to the amount of more than three thousand dollars, for delinquent taxes collected, the financial showing at this time was all the more creditable to the board and to the various county officials.

The now thriving town of Waitsl^urg be-' gan to cast about for new dignities and honors, its ambition leading it to agitate the question of dividing Walla Walla county and giving to the town mentioned the coveted boon of being the official center of the new county. Walla Walla county at this time had an area of three thousand four hundred and twenty square miles, including what are Columbia and Garfield counties, and had the region been more thickdy populated it would have been too large and unwieldy for effective official control and management. In regard to the claims of Waitsburg and the matter of erecting a new county from W'alla Walla, Gilbert's history speaks as follows :

The seat of justice was in one corner far from the geographical center, though located in the midst of the most thickly settled district. Waitsburg at that time had a grist mill, saw mill, hotel, several stores and a good school. It was both enterprising and ambitious; and having no paper of its own, ventilated its opinions in the Walla Walla journals. Had the upper position of the county been settled as it was a few years later, a division would have been desirable, but even in that event, Waitsburg was too near Walla W'alla to become an acceptable county-seat, being necessarily located in the extreme corner of the proposed county. That this was true and that it would be but a few years before the seat of justice would be moved to another place in a more central location, were facts recognized by many of the business men of that village, nevertheless a petition was signed by one hundred and fifty residents, and was presented to the legislature in October, 1869, a delegation of citizens of the aspiring town accompanying it to Olympia. The county was to be divided so that about one-half the area and onethird the population and assessment valuation would be segregated. The fact that Waitsburg was not a natural center, together with the additional facts that no other existing town was, and the upper portion of the county was not thickly enough settled to demand a separate government, caused the legislature to decline to take any action in the matter. Waitsburg's dream of official honors was over, and the springing up of Dayton a few years later served to convince them that had they been conferred they would have been of a transitory character.

This year in Walla Walla county was marked by no events or conditions of special importance. Favorable climatic conditions having ]M"e\-ailed, the liar\-ests were bounteous again, and the surplus of grain and flour was so large as to justify large shipments of these products, much of the same being transported down the Columbia river. Tiie transportation charges were so heavy, however, that the lirices on the commodities in Walla Walla were exceedingly low, particularly in compar« ison with the prices ultimately paid at tho various points of destination.

In the month of August the cit}- council of Walla Walla deeded to the county commissioners the present courthouse square, on i\Iain street, the same having been set aside for such purpose at the time the town was platted. The matter of erecting a courthouse had been under consideration, and not a little public interest was manifested in the question, The commissioners did not, as a matter of course, feel justified in making any expendiio6 tures of county luiuls (H- credit in this line until the county h;ul secured a clear title to the land upon which the proposed building was to be erected. But when the deed to the land was finally in their possession the question of building- the court house remained in statu qi(i\ the matter having been indetinitely postponed hy the commissioners.

A census of the county was taken in the year 1870, and certain data resulting therefrom will be worthy of perpetuation in this connection. The number of houses in the county was i)lacecl at 1,149; number of families, 1. 1 50; white male inhabitants. 2,999; white female inhabitants, 2.1 11; colored male inhabitants, III; coloretl female inhabitants, 81. According to these figures the total population of the county aggregated 5,102. The following statistics will indicate to a degree the condition of the county at the close of the year 1870, and is worthy of reproduC' tion :

Average wages of farm hands, with board, $35.00; average w^ages of laborers, without board, $2.50; average wages of laborers, with board, $1.50; average wages of carpenters, $4.00; average wages of female domestics per week. $7.00: average price of board for laborer per week. $5.00; number of farms in county, 654; acres of improved land, 52,620: bushels of spring wheat, 190,256; bushels of winter wheat. 2,667: bushels of corn. 25.487; bushels of oats, 1 14.813: bushels of barley. 21,654; pounds of butter, 99,780: pounds of cheese, i.ooo; tons of hay, 6,815: number of horses, 5,650: number of mules, 627; number of milch cows. 4.772; number of work oxen, 292; number of other cattle. 8.046; number of sheep. 5.745 : number of hogs. 4.768.

covered at this time practically only one decade, in view of which fact the people of the locality had ample reason to congratulate themselves on the showing made.

According to all data available, the political pot boiled furiously throughout the terri-» tory as the liour of election ai)proache(l. Lack of harmony was manifest in both parties, and, as before, the chief interest centered in the election of a delegate to represent the territory in the federal congress. Those otfice-holders who \\ere most vigorously protestent and visibly disafYected, were summarily removed from office in January of this year, by the president of the L'nited States, this action having been recommended by the congressional delegate, -Mr. Ciarfielde. who thus drew upon himself still greater opposition and dislike. A change in the existing laws made it necessary to elect a tlelegate again this year, and a strong attempt was made to defeat Mr. Garfielde. who was confident of being returned to the ottice, There could be no reconciliation of the warring elements in the Republican party. The Republican territorial convention of 1869 had appointed an executive committee, whose pcrsoiiiicl was as follows: Edward Eldridge, M. S. Drew. L. Farnsworth, P. D. Moore. B. F. Stone, Henry Cock and J. D. Cook. In February a circular was issued by Messrs. S. D. Howe. A. A. Manning, Ezra Meeker. G. A. Meigs. A. A. Denny ;nid John E. liurns, who claimed to have been constituted the executive committee. The convention as called by the regular committee met in April and renominated ^Ir. Garfielde. The recalcitrant faction presented the name of Marshall Blinn in the convention, the bolters not being strong

The Democratic convention was far more harmonious, the nomination going to Judge J. D. ]\Iix, one of the most honored citizens of Walla Walla, and one enjoying a wide acquaintance throughout the territtjry. The campaign developed considerable acrimony between the factions of the Republican party, but the results of the election showed that the disaffected wing gained but slight popular endorsement. Six thousand three hundred and fifty-seven votes were cast in this election, representing a gain of thirteen hundred over the preceding year. Garfielde was elected, securing a majorit)' of seven hundred and thirty-six over Mix, the total vote for Blinn being only one hundred and fifty-five. L'pon the question of holding a constitutional convention there were one thousand one hundred and nine votes cast in opposition, and nine hundred and seventy-four in favor.

By reason of the change in the law the county election also was held a year earlier than usual, occurring June 6, 1870. The Democracy were victorious in the county, electing their entire ticket with the exception of superintendent of schools. For delegate James D. Mix received in his home county 670 votes, while Selucius Garfielde liad 527. The officers elected in the county were as follows: Prosecuting attorney, X. T. Caton; councilman, Daniel Stewart ; joint councilman (Walla Walla, Stevens and Yakima counties), N. T. Bryant; representatives, David Ashpaugh, James H. Lasater, John Scott, A. G. Lloyd, Elisha Ping and T. W. Whetstone ; probate judge, R. Guichard; sheriff. James Mc- Auliff; auditor, H. M. Chase: treasurer. A. Kyger; assessor, A. C. Wellman; surveyor, A.

The officials elected in the county this year did not assume their respective positions until the succeeding year. The officers elected in the preceding year had been chosen for a term of two years, and they contended that the change in the law of the territory which made it necessary to hold the election in 1870, instead of 1 87 1, did not invalidate their right to hold office until the expiration of their regular term. The matter was brought into the courts for adjudication, a test case being made in the contest between the prosecuting attorney-elect against the incumbent of the office at the time of the last election. In July James W. Kennedy, judge of the first district, ren dered a decision in favor of the defendant, holding that officers elected in 1869 retained their positions until 1871, thus reducing the term of the (officials last elected to one year.

Oregon still cast covetous eyes upon the Walla Walla valley region, and in 1870 its legislature foruarded to congress another memorial, asking that there be annexed to Oregon such portion of Washington Territory as lay soutii of the Snake river. The residents of the section indicated were not informed of the acti'jn until after the memorial had been presented to congress, and the proposition met with determined opposition here.

and iiermar.ent industrial prosperity of the county. In 1871 the matter of raih-oad facil ities was taken under consideration in an earnest way. some action having lieen taken. Init little having been accomplished in a practical wav. .\t this time the Northern Pacific Railroad Company made a proposition to survey a route from \\'allula to Walla Walla, contingent upon there being raised by the citizens of the county a subscription of two thousand dollars to assist in defraying the expenses of the survey. After the completion of the survey, in case the Xorthern Pacific tlecided not to build the road in accordance therewith, the plats and notes were to be turned over to the Walla Walla & Columbia River Railroad Company. The required subscription was raisetl. the .survey was made, and a report anil estimate of cost was given to the latter company in May, 1871. the Xorthern Pacific ha\ing deemed it expedient not to run its line to Walla Walla. A call for a s])ecial election, to vote on the question of subscription in county bonds, was called by the county commissioners, but in view of the fact that it woukl be a needless expense to hold the election, the order was revoked. Later on they again called an election, under the act of September 18. 1871, the former having been called luider the act of 1869. but the proposition to bond the county was adversely met at the polls. In ISlarcli, 1872, the railroad company began work at Wallula. grading several miles of the road within that year. A railroad from Walla Walla to La Grande was surveyed as far as Umatilla, wlien the project was abandoned.

In the fall of 1871 S. ^L Wait and William Matzger had begun the erection of a large fiouring mill on the Touchet ri\er. near the mouth of the Patit. and this .served as the nucleus of a town, which Ijegan to blossom forth in the spring of 1872, and grew so rapidly that, by fall it had a population of five hundred people, with facilities in accordance. This town was Dayton, the present countyseat of Columl)ia county.

The Republican territorial convention of 1872 again nominated Mr. Garfielde for delegate to congress, the Democrats and Liberals ])lacing the name of O. B. McFadden on their ticket, he being the candidate of the Democracy, who had coalesced with the Liberals, this being the year of the memorable "greenback" campaign in national politics. Mr. McFadden was elected by a majority nearly as great as Mr. (larfielde had received two years before. The holding of a constitutional con\ention was again voted on and defeated, Walla Walla county giving an adverse majority of seven hundred and fifty-two on the jiroposition. In the county election there were three candidates for some offices, and four for that of auditor. The Democrats elected their ticket, with the exception of one commissioner. At this election also the peol)le of the comity voted in favor of the erection of a county court-house and jail, the majority in fa\or being two hundred and twelve. 1 he officers elected in the county were as follows : Prosecuting attorney, T. J. Anders ; councilman. Fred Stine; joint councilman (Walla Walla, Stevens, Yakima and \Miitman counties), C. H. Montgomery; representatives, X. T. Caton, O. P. Lacy, E. Ping, C. L. Bush, John Bryant and H. ]\L Hodgis; ]irobate judge, L Hargrove; sheriff, B. W. (iriffin; auditor, R. Jacobs; treasurer, R. R. Rees; assessor, William F. Gwynn: surveyor, A. L. Knowlton ; school superintendent, A. W. Sweeney: coroner. A. J. Thibodo; county commissioners. D. M. lessee. W. P. P.ruce and S. L. King. The last named commissioner resigned his position on the 4th of May, 1S74, W. T. Barnes being appointed to fill the \acancy.

The vote on the question of building the court house and jail had been taken for the express purpose of securing a definite expression of the opinion of the tax-payers relati\'e to the much-needed improvement. Though the minority vote on the proposition was large, the commissioners felt justified in obeying the will of the majority, in harmony with which they caused plans and specifications to be prepared and presented, finally adopting those of F. P. Allen, in February, 1873, which provided for a brick court house on a stone foundation. Concerning this important matter another historical compilation speaks as follows: "The design was for a main building, with an ell that would give ample accommodations to all the county officers, court and jury rooms, and in the basement a jail with twelve cells. There were two stories above the basement, and the whole was surmounted by a dome, making a structure of considerable beauty. Although the county now had a clear title to the courthouse square, on ^lain street, there were several parties who desired to enhance the value of their property in the outskirts of the city, and therefore ofifered to donate land to the county upon which to erect the new building. These offers were considered and rejected, and the court-house square was selected as the building site. Two weeks later the commissioners saw fit to rescind their former action and accept the offer of four blocks of land between Secontl and Fourth streets, and onefourth mile north of Main street, much to the displeasure of the citizens who desired the building erected on the court-house square, where it would not take a Sabbath day's journey to reach it. The next step by the board was to alter the plans and reduce the size of the Ijuilding. take off the dome, and prune the structure of all its ornamental features, leaving it the appearance of a huge barn. The last act, and under the circumstances the most judicious one, was a conclusion not to erect the Ijuilding at all."

Within the year 1874 there was much discussion in regard tn the annexation of a portion of Idaho to Washington and the admission of the entire territory into the Union. Mass meetings were held in Walla Walla county and in Idaho, this section favoring the project with unmistakable tenacity^ and memorials were presented to congress. The question of a constitutional convention was again defeated when submitted to popular vote. In Walla Walla county the total number of votes cast on this proposition was only two hundred and sixty, and of these only twenty-four were in favor of the convention. Two candidates for delegate to congress were nominated, one being a resident east and the other west of the Cascades, which mountains had long represented the line separating and individualizing the interests of the two sections of the territory. The nominee of the Republicans was Orange Jacobs, and the Democrats presented as their candidate B. L. Sharpstein, of Walla ^\'alla. Judge Jacobs was elected by a majority of twelve hundred and sixty. This was the era of the independ-

-ent or "Grange" movenicnt, wliicli liad an unmistakable effect upon national ])olitics, its intluence being felt in this section of the Union. In the local election of Walla Walla county, held November 3, 1874, there were three tickets in the field, and three candidates were in line for nearly every office. The result gave the Democrats the victory in otifices purely local in character, while the Republicans elected their candidate for prosecuting attornev and a few members of the lesfislaturc. The officers elected were as follows : I'rosecuting attorney, T. J. Anders; councilman, E. Ping; joint councilman, W. W. Boon; representatives, R. G. Newland, J. B. Shruni, ['. M. Lynch, John Scott, H. M.

Hodgis and .\. (1. Lloyd; probate judge, R. Guichard; sheriff, George F. Thomas; auditor, R. Jacobs; treasurer, R. R. Rees; assessor, Samuel Jacobs; surveyor, A. L. Knowlton (who resigned in November, being succeeded by P. Zahner) ; schools superintendent, A. W. Sweeney; coroner, A. J. Thibodo; county commissioners, Charles White, C. S. Brush and C. C. Cram. The coroner resigned in November, being succeeded by O. P. Lacy, who in turn resigned the office, in November, 1875, V. D. Lambert being appointed to fill the \'acancy. Commissioner Charles White resigned in November, 1875. '^'^ being- Frank Louden.