Walla Walla County, Washington - Chapter 10: Annals of the Years 1875 to 1s81, 1901

Chapter 10: Annals of the Years 1875 to 1s81

The year 1875 was an important one in the. annals of the city of Walla Walla, since it marked the completion of the line of the ^\'alla Walla & Columbia River Railroad from \\'allula to Walla Walla, the work of the energetic and far-seeing Dr. D. S. Baker, thus affording to the county-seat its first railway connection with the outside world, and also affording shipping facilities far ahead of the primitive methods heretofore employed. The road had been slowly advanced toward completion by the intervention of private capital, the citizens generously coming to the rescue of the enterprise and subscribing nearly twenty-seven thousand dollars. In October of this year were made the first shipments of grain by railroad out of Walla Walla, and it juay well be imagined that the completion of the road was the cause of marked satisfaction to the merchants and farmers of this locality. Other railroad projects were brought up and thoroughly discussed, Dayton ami Waitsburg having held mass meetings to consider the matter of securing railway connection with the county-seat, while other and more pretentious projects were agitated. Li the fall of the year 1875 Walla Walla was connecteil with r.aker City, Oregon, by telegraph line.

Divisio.N Of The Countv

Reference has already been made to the attempt of Waitsburg to effect a division of the county in 1869, the effort being unsuccessful. But the increase in settlement, the rapid development in agricultural and other indus- trial lines, made the proposition to form a new count}' not an unreasonable one in 1875. From a previously published history of Columbia county we make the fr)ll(jwin<:;^ extracts, which will show clearly how the division of the county, by the erection of Columbia county, was effected :

The springing up of Dayton and great increase in wealth and population of the country surrounding it, led the minds of people to the idea that a new county should be created. They were a portion of Walla Walla county, but were so far from the county-seat that it was a matter of great inconvenience and expense to transact official business. Especially were the citizens of Uayton in favor of a new county, and the location of a seat of justice in their midst, as such a step would help the town. Dayton was the only town in the proposed new county, yet, as it was near the western verge, those who could see into the future recognized the fact that settlement of the Pataha, Alpowa and Asotin country would result in taking the county-seat away from Dayton in time, or in creating another county to accommodate the people of that region. This served only to spur them on in their effort to secure the prize for Dayton, hoping to retain it when the conflict came in the future, by creating a new county, thus leaving Dayton in permanent possession of what it had gained. The Democrats had elected Elisha Ping to the territorial council in 1874, and as this gentleman was a resident and property-holder of Dayton his services were assured in securing the desired legislation. A petition was circulated and largely signed, in I8T.5, asking the legislature to divide Walla Walla county by a line running directly south from the Palouse ferry, on Snake river, to the Oregon line, thus leaving Waitsburg Just within the limits of the new county. The people of Waitsburg objected. If they had to be the tail to any kite, they preferred Walla Walla to Dayton. They delegated Mr. Preston to visit Walla Walla and consult with the people there on this subject. He addressed a large meeting in that city in September, and a remonstrance was prepared, which received many signatures, and was forwarded to the legislature. Representatives Hodgis, Lloyd, Lynch and Scott, of Walla Walla county, opposed a division with earnestness. The cause of Dayton was in the hands of A. J. Cain, who managed it in Olympia, with the assistance of Mr. Ping. The remonstrance sent in by the people of Walla Walla and Waitsburg called the attention of the legislature to the fact that the proposed line of division cut off two-thirds of the county, including the bulk of the agricultural land and all the timber, and suggested that if it was .necessary to create a new county at all, that a line running from Snake river to the Touchet on the line between ranges :iS and 39, thence up the south fork of the Touchet to the Oregon line, be selected. This was twelve miles east of the other proposed line, and would leave Waitsburg in Walla Wallacounty, aswell asa large belt of agricultural and timber land that otherwise would be set off to the new county. Walla Walla found herself helpless in the matter in the legislature. The members from the western side of the mountains were in the majority, and they were in favor of a division as desired by the people of Dayton. A bill to create Ping county was introduced and passed both branches, only to meet with a veto at the hands of Governor Ferry, who objected to certain features of it. Another bill was prepared, in accordance with his objections, to create the county of Columbia, and was hurried through the legislature in the last days of the session, receiving the governor's signature on the Uth of November, 187.5. The line was a compromise between the two proposed, and struck the Touchet two miles abgve Waitsburg, then went south si.\ miles, east six milL'S, and th.-n south to the Oregon line.

Though the opening of the centennial year, 1876, found Walla Walla county deprived of near two-thirds of its original territory, s'till prosperity smiled upon the locality, and the prospects for the future were most flattering. That the county had not suffered appreciably in the amount of real valuations by reason of the segregation of the new county of Columbia, is clearly shown Ijy a comparison of the assessed valuations of the years 1875 and 1876. In the former year the property in the county (then undivided) was assessed at $2,792,065, while in 1876 the total was nearly as great, being $2,296,870. Statistics gleaned by the assessor in this year afford the following data : In the county were reported 239 mules, 5.281 horses, 11,147 cattle, 13.25^ sheep, 4,000 hogs, 1.774 acres of timothy, 700 of corn, 2,600 of oats, 6,000 of barley, 21,000 of wheat, and 700 of fruit trees. The new railway was handling a large amount of the produce of the county, flour being now manufactured in six mills in full operation in the county. Prosperity was indicated in divers ways, and the condition of the county treasury was gratifying. On the 1st of May the treasury had a balance on hand of $5,271.61, and the amount due on out- standing warrants aggregated only $2,816.56. The roof of the court house was raised five feet in this year, and a two-story addition was made to the building, the dimensions of this annex being twenty by twenty-four feet. Another much-needed improvement was effected, in that the commissioners constructed three vaults of brick to be used for the filing and preservation of the county records.

The division of the county much displeased the citizens of Walla Walla county, who felt that their interests were not properly considered by the people of the sound, who seemed to discriminate against the territory east of the mountains and to have no concern about this section save in the matter of deriving therefrom as great a revenue as possible. Thus it came about that the matter of asking once more for annexation of this section of the territory to Oregon was taken up and vigorously supported by many who had hitherto strongly opposed the measure. James K. Kelly, United States senator from Oregon, introduced in the senate a bill which provided for the submission to the voters of Walla Walla and Columbia counties the question of their annexation to Oregon, the territory thus including all south of the Snake river. The annexation scheme was bitterly opposed by the citizens of the Puget sound district, by the territory of Idaho and particularly by the citizens of Dayton, who could see no reason for the change, maintaining that by reason of the rapid settlement of the country it would soon be possible to secure the admission of Washington to statehood according to the plans originally outlined. Dayton accordingly sent to congress a memorial objecting to the bill introduced by Senator Kelly, whereupon Walla Walla took a definite action also, holding a mass meeting and also sending, in turn, a memorial to congress, favoring the bill in question. The bill failed to pass, as did also the liouse Ijill, of similar character, introduced by Representative Lane, of Oregon, and providing that the question should be voted on at the Xoxember election. Although this latter bill was favorably voted upon by the committee on territories, it met the same fate -as had the senate bill. The annexation idea being thus adversely considered, and realizing that nothing further could be done along the line noted, Walla Walla county finally accepted the situation gracefully and concluded to act in harmony with other sections of the territory in the matter of working to secure the admission of Washington to the sisterhood of states.

County Election Of 1876

The Republican nominee for delegate to congress was Judge Orange Jacobs, who was the incumbent of the office at the time. The Democrats nominated John P. Judson, who was defeated by a small majority, Walla Walla coimty having given him a majority of one hundred and fifty-two votes. The county election, held November 7th, gave a distinct victory to the Democracy, all its candidates being elected. The one Republican elected was the county surveyor, whose name appeared on both tickets. The result of the election was as follows: Prosecuting attornev. T. J. Anders; councilman, Daniel Stewart; representatives, W. T. Barnes, William :\Lartin, A. J. Gregory and H. A. Vansyckle; probate judge, R. Guichard; sheriff, George F. Thomas; auditor, Thomas P. Page; treasurer, William 0."Donnell : assessor, Samuel . Jacobs; surveyor, P. Zahner; school superintendent, A. W. Sweeney (who resigned in the following May, being succeeded by L. K. Grim); coroner, L. II. Goodwin; commissioners, D. J. Storms, James Braden and Dion Keefe. In the county eighty-five votes were cast in favor of the constitutional convention and two hundred and ninety-two in opposition. The territory gave, however, a very satisfactory majority in favor of the holding of the territorial convention.

The finances of the county were held in excellent condition during the succeeding two years, the report of the fiscal year ending April 30, 1877, showing the receipts to have been $46,657.11 and the expenditures $43,- 797.99. The cash on hand aggregated $8,- 130.73, while less than eight hundred dollars was due on outstanding county warrants. The advances made in the shipping of the products of the county is distinctly indicated by the following statistics in regard to the amount of freight handled Ity the Walla Walla & Columbia River Railroad in the year 1877. There were received eight thousand tons, of which thirty-five hundred were agricultural implements. There were forwarded 19,884 tons of wheat, 4,653 of flour, 917 of oats and barley, 326 of flaxseed, 81 of wool, 172 of bacon and lard, and 280 of miscellaneous freight, - a gratifying total of 26,313 tons shipped out from the territory tributary to Walla Walla.

The Constitutional Convention

Judge Jacobs, the territorial delegate to congress, urged upon that' body, during the session of 1877-8, the passage of a bill admitting Washington to statehood, its territory to include the three northern counties of Idaho. Once again the old and dejected annexation scheme raised its weary head, Senator

Mitchell, of Oregon, presenting to congress another memorial advocating the annexation. Congress took no action on the memorial. In November, 1877, the legislature of the territory passed a bill providing for a special election, to be held April 9, 1878, to choose delegates to a constitutional convention, which was to be held in Walla Walla the second Tuesday in June. Fifteen delegates were to be chosen from Washington and one from Idaho, the latter to have no vote. The election called out about one-half the popular vote of the territory. In the meantime the work of framing a constitution had been pushed forward. The delegates to the constitutional convention were as follows : W. A. George, of Walla Walla; Edward Eldridge, Whatcom; S. M. Gilmore, Klickitat; S. M. Wait, Columbia; B. F. Dennison, representing the second judicial district; C. II. Larrabee, third judicial district; C. M. Bradshaw, Jefferson ; Henry B. Emery, Kitsap ; L. B. Andrews, King; D. B. Hannah, Pierce; Frank Henry, Thurston; .\. S. Abernctliy, Cowlitz; G. H. Steward, Clark; O. P. Lacy. Walla Walla; G. V. O'Dell, Whitman; and Alonzo Leland, of Nez Perce county, Idaho.

On June 11, 1878, these delegates asseml>led at Science Hall, in the city of Walla Walla, and were called to order by W. A. George. A temporary organization was effected by the election of A. S. Abernethy as president of the convention. The committee on credentials made its report, after which the convention was permanently organized, with the following officers : A. S. .\bernethy, president; W. B. Daniels and William Clark, secretaries; and Henry D. Cock, sergeant-atarms. The convention continued in session for a period of forty days, and within this time had framed a constitution to be submit- ted to the people for ratification or rejection at the next general election, to be held in November. 1878. It is recorded that but little enthusiasm was manifested in the subject of the constitution, the vote on this issue falling fully three thousand short of that cast for delegate to congress. In favor of the adoption of the constitution 6,462 votes were cast, and against the same 3.231. Many were apathetic in the matKT by reason of the fact that they considered the adoption of the constitution somewhat premature and felt that no genuine results could be attained at this time. The Democratic territorial convention of 1878 placed N. T. Cation in nomination for delegate to congress, and Thomas H. Brents was the nominee of the Republicans. Both the gentlemen were prominent lawyers of Walla Walla, so it will be seen that the people east of the mountains received due recognition at this time. Judge Brents is at the time of this writing judge of the superior court in Walla Walla county, and a specific sketch of his life appears on another page of this work. The vote cast in the territory was nearly three thousand greater than that of the last election, two years previous, the total being 12,647. J"<^'g^ Brents received a majority of 1. 301. and in his home county his majority was 146, the fact being particularly flattering to the successful candidate, since this was the first time that the county had ever given a majority to a Republican candidate for delegate to congress. The Republicans captured a share of the county oflices at this election, held November 5th, electing the councilman, three representatives in the legislature, the auditor and treasurer, surveyor, school superintendent and one of the commissioners. The result of the election was as follow^s: Prosecuting attorney, R. F. Sturdevant; councilman. J. II. Day; representatives, John A. Taylor, D. J. Storms, J. J\I. Dewar and Mark F. Colt; probate judge, R. Guichard; sheriff, J. B. Thompson; auditor, W. C. Painter; treasurer, J. F. Boyer; assessor, Samuel Jacobs; surveyor, P. Zahner (who resigned in February, 1880, F. F. Loeher being appointed to fill the vacancy) ; school superintendent, C. W. Wheeler; coroner, J. 'Si. Boyd; commissioners, M. B. \\'ard, Amos Cummings and Samuel H. Erwin. The vote in the county in favor of the adoption of the constitution was eighty-nine, against the proposition eight hundred and forty-seven.

The years 1879 and 1880 gave to Walla Walla an improvement in shipping facilities, since the Walla Walla & Columbia River Railroad was sold to the Oregon Railway <& Navigation Company, who changed the line to a broad gauge and otherwise so improved the equipment as to give the Walla Walla valley far superior transportation facilities to those hitherto enjoyed, thus tending to vitalize the industrial life of this section in a marked degree.

Delegate Brents introduced in the national house of representatives a bill for the admission of ^^'ashington into the Union, and though the matter w^as pushed forward with as much insistency as possible, yet congress refused to give it consideration, so that the agitation had to be abandoned until the next session of congress. Judge Brents was again nominated for delegate by the Republicans in 1880, the candidate of the Democracy being Thomas Burke. The former was successful at the polls, his majority in Walla Walla county being one hundred and eighteen votes. By the county election of November 2, 1880, the various official positions were again divided, the Republicans gaining a majority of

At this election the question of levying a tax for the purpose of building a suitable court house and jail, compatible with the wealth and dignity of the county, came up for decision, and it is gratifying to know that the voters of the county gave to the proposition an almost unanimous endorsement, 1,468 votes being cast in favor of the levy and only 158 against it. The fence law was also endorsed at this election.