Walla Walla County, Washington - Chapter 17: Earlier History of Walla Walla City 1 862- 1 883, 1901

Li the preceding pages of this work we have been considering Walla Walla county as a whole. We shall now present matter belonging more exclusively to the city. The civic life of the town has, to an unusual degree, controlled the life of the county. With the exception of Waitsburg, no town of much size has risen in the county. At the present time the population of the county, as shown by the United States census of 1900, is 18,630. That of the city is 10,049. Many of the farmers having interests in various portions of the county live in the city. The business of the county has, therefore, to a greater degree than in most of our agricultural counties, gathered at the city. Reference has been made at various points in previous pages to the first establishment of settlements in what is now the city. We have not, however, given the consecutive

Fort ^^'alla Walla was established in its present location in 1857. The first business of the region grew up in connection with supplying goods and produce to the post. William McWhirk was the first trader in the place. He came here in the spring of 1857 and set up a tent for a store near the present corner of Main and Second streets. During the fall of 1S57 Charles Bellman set up another tent store near the present Jack Daniels saloon. There seems to be some difference of opinion as to who put up the first actual building. It is affirmed by some that William McWhirk erected a cabin on the north side of what is now Main street and Second, in the summer of 1857. In the fall of 'S7 Charles Bellman put uf) a structure of poles and mud a little farther to the east, near Ludwig's grocery store of the present. In. April of the next year, Louis McMorris put up a slab and shake structure for Neil McGlinchey, on the southwest corner of Main street near the present corner of Third. In the fall of 185c also various rude structures, some for residence and some for saloons, wer^e put up by James Galbreath, W. A, Ball. Harry Howard, IMichael Kinney, William Terry, Mahan & Harcum, James Buckley, and Thomas Riley. The first building that contained a floor, doors and glass windows stood on what is now the northwest corner of Main and Third streets. This was built by R. Guichard and William Kohlhauff, and the location is still owned by the heirs of Mr. Guichard.

There were two rival sites for the budding town. One was the point on the creek started by Mc\Miirk. McGlinchey and Bellman, the other was at the cabin built by Harry Howard half way between Mill creek and the fort and known as the Halfway House. Different opinions arose as to the proper name for the town. It was first called Steptoeville, then Waiilatpu. The first step toward a definite christening of the town was a petition to the county commissioners asking that a town be laid out to be known by the name of Waiilatpu. This petition was signed l)y the following names'. Charles H. Case, W. A. Ball, B. F. Stone, Joseph Hellmuth, E. B.Whitman, J. Foresythe. F. L. Worden, Baldwin & Bro., D. D. Baldwin, John M. Silcott, Francis Pierrie, R. H. Regart, I. T. Reese. P. J. Boltie, Dr. Tho.s. Wolf, Dr. D. S. Baker, N. B. Dutro, X. Eastman. A. G. P. Wardle. Neil McGlinchey, James Buckley. Frank Stone, Robert Oldham, Chas. Albright, William Stephens, R. G. ]Mofifit, D. D. Brannan, Pat 2^1arkey, R. Warmack, John M. Cannady, William M. Elray, J. Clark. John May, James McAuliff, A. D. Pambrun.

A protest was filed, asking that the name of Walla Walla be given to the place and to this the following names were attached : Samuel F. Legart, H. H. Hill, S. T. Moffit, John Cain, F. M. Archer, R. Powel, Louis A. Mullan. William B. Kelly.

The protest prevailed and the commissioners, on the 17th of November, 1859, fixed the name of Walla Walla and laid out the town with the following boundaries : Commencing in the center of Main street at Mill creek, thence running north four hundred and forty yards (440). thence running west one half mile to a stake, thence running south four hundred and forty yards to a stake, thence running east one half mile to a stake, thence running nortli to the place of commencement : eighty acres in all.

Tlie town government was organized, by the appointment of a recorder, I. T. Reese, and three trustees, F. C. Worden, Samuel Baldwin, and Neil McGlinchey. The town was surveyed by C. H. Case, providing streets eighty feet wide running north and south, and one hundred feet wide running east and west. The lots were laid out with a sixty-foot front and a depth of one hundred and twenty feet. They were to be sold for five dollars each with the addition of one dollar for recording, and no one person could Iniy more than two of them. Ten acres also were set aside for a town square and the erection of public buildings, but this was reduced to one acre.

The first lots sold w ere those taken by I. T. Reese and Edward Evarts, both in block 13, the sale being recorded November 30. 1859. On December 22, of the same year, one hundred and fifty acres of land was sur\-eyed into town propertv for Thomas Wolf and L. C. Kinnev, the

The original plat of the town is not now in existence, having been destroyed, probably by the fire of 1S65. The earliest survey on record is a plat made in October, 1861, by W. W. Johnson, which purports to be a correction of the work of C. H. Case.

On November 5, 1861, the board declared the survey made liy W. W. Johnson to be official, and W. A. George was employed as an attorney to secure for the county a prcyemption title to the land on which Walla Walla was built. \\'. \\'. Johnson was appointed to take steps to secure the title at the Vancouver land office, but he did not do so, and thus the effort of the county to secure the site failed. This ended what might be called the embryonic stage in the municipal life of Walla Walla, and we find the next stage to be actual incorporation.

The city of Walla Walla was originally incorporated by an act of the territorial legislature, passed (jn the i ith of January, 1862. By the provisions of said act the city embraced within its limits the south half of the southwest quarter of section 20, township 7 north, range 36, east, of the Willamette meridian. The charter made provision also for the election, on the first Tuesday in April, of each year, of a mayor, recorder, five councilmen, marshal, assessor, treasurer and surveyor, all vacancies, save in the offices of mayor and recorder, to be filled by appointment by the council, which was also given the power of appointing a clerk and city attorney. No salary was to attach to the offices of mayor or councilman until the population of the city had reached one thousand individuals, when the stipend awarded these officers was to be fixed by an ordinance enacted by the council. The charter designated the following officers to serve until the first regular election under said charter : Alayor, B. P. Standeferd; recorder, James Galbreath; councilmen, H. C. Coulson, B. F. Stone, E. B. Whitman, D. S. Baker, and M. Schwabacher; marslial, George H. Porter. The council assembled on the 1st of March to perfect its organization, when it developed that Mr. Schwabacher was ineligible for office, as was also Mr. Coulson, who proved to be a non-resident. Mr. Stone presiding, the council proceeded to fill the two vacancies by balloting, and James McAuliff and George E. Cole thus became members of the council, S. F. Ledyard being appointed clerk. The council again met, pursuant to adjournment, on the 4th of the same month, when Mr. Cole was chosen chairman ; Edward Nugent, city attorney; and Messrs. McAuliff, Whitman and Stone were appointed to prepare a code of rules for the government of the council.

Four hundred and twenty-two votes were cast at the first election, held April i, 1862, the following being the result : Mayor, E. B. Whitman ; councilmen, J. F. Abbott, R. Jacobs, I T. Reese, B. F. Stone and B. Sheideman; recorder, W. P. Horton; marshal, George H. Porter; attorney, Edward Nugent; assessor, L. W. Greenwell; treasurer, E. E. Kelly; surveyor, A. L Chapman ; clerk, S. F. Ledyard. On the nth of April, W. Phillips was appointed councilman in place of J. F. Abbott, while in the succeeding year it appears that J. Hellmuth had been appointed in place of B. F. Stone. The recorder resigned in January, 1863, his successor, J. W. Barry, being chosen at a special election held on the last day of that month. H. B. Lane succeeded Mr. Greenwall as assessor; on the i rth of April, 1862, Henry Howard was appointed treasurer, and W. W. DeLacy, surveyor, while in January, 1863, H. B. Lane was noted as clerk. The city re\enue for the first six months aggregated $4,283.25, of which sum Hquor and gaming licenses contributed $1,875. ^^'l^en it is remembered that this was at the height of the gold excitement, this last item may be well understood.

During the last quarter of the year the revenue of the new city was $2,714.19, but so large were the expenditures -that the opening of the year 1863 found in the treasury a balance of less than five dollars. The value of property ill the city was assessed in 1862 at three hundred thousand dollars, the succeeding year witnessing the increase of the same to five hundred thousand dollars.

The vote at the election of 1863 was light, there being but one ticket in the field. The following ofiicers were elected for the next fiscal year: Mayor, J. S. Craig; councilmen, R. Guichard, A. Kyger, E. E. Kelly, W. J. Terry (who was succeeded by A. J. Thibodo, appointed in November), and G. Linkton; recorder, E. L. Massy (who resigned, his successor, W. P. Horton, being chosen at a special election, held November 21); marshal, A. Seitel; assessor, H. B. Lane; treasurer, J. W. Cady ; surveyor, W. W. JoTinson. The council appointed E. L. Bridges city attorney, and H. B. Lane city clerk, the latter being later succeeded by A. L. Brown.

Again in 1864 but one ticket was in evidence at the municipal election, the result of which was as follows : Mayor, Otis L. Bridges ; George Thomas, Dr. A. J. Thibodo, J. F. Abbott, George McCully and P. M. Lynch; recorder, W. P. Horton; marshal, A. Seitel; assessor, A. L. Brown; treasurer, J. W. Cady; surveyor, W. W. Johnson. A. L. Brown received the appointment as city clerk. At the close of the municipal year the city was free from indebtedness.

and marshal, there being two candidates for the former and three for the latter, while there was only one for each of the other offices. The officials elected were as follows : Mayor, George Thomas; councilmen, Fred Stine, S. G. Rees (who resigned and was succeeded by John Dovell, in February, 1866), William Kohlhauff, W. A. Ball and E. H. IMassam, the last two mentioned being later succeeded by O. P. Lacy and B. Sheideman ; recorder, S. B. Fargo ; marshal, E. Ryan ; assessor, A. L. Brown ; treasurer. H. E. Johnson; surveyor, W. W. Johnson; clerk (appointed), A. L. Brown.

The end of the fiscal year showed a balance of $93.10 in the city treasury, a small amount in comparison with the revenue for the year, which had reached the very considerable total of $15,135.13, more than half of which had been derived from licenses. It is to be recalled, however, that the sources from which emanated these license fees were of such order as to encourage lawlessness and great resulting expense to the city through its police and jail departments and the administration of justice.

The municipal election of April 2, 1866, gave the following results, there being at this time three candidates- for the mayoralty: ilayor, E. B. Whitman; councilmen. Colonel P. ^^'insett, J. J. Ryan, J. W. McKee, George Baggs and Fred Stine; recorder, W. P. Horton; marshal, \\'. J. Tompkins; assessor, O. P. Lacy; treasurer, H. E. Johnson; clerk (by appointment), I. L. Roberts. The personnel o^' this official list had changed radically before the close of the fiscal year. Councilman Ryan was killed and was succeeded by B. N. Sexton, whose death occurred shortly after his appointment, whereupon J. D. Cook was chosen to fill the vacancy. Councilman McKee resigned and was succeeded by William Phillips ; B. F. Stone was chosen the successor of Councilman Baggs, in February, 1867; Mr. Stine resigned in the latter part of 1866, being succeeded by RGuichard: while in September of that year H. M. Chase succeeded to the office of clerk.

Owing to the fact that the city had been steadily increasing its indebtedness for the past two years, there came a demand for retrenchment, and the election of 1867, therefore, aroused more interest among the voters than had any previous one. In 1867 the municipal debt had reached nearly five thousand dollars, the receipts for the fiscal year 1866-7 having been $19,137.90, of which amount somewhat more than eight thousand dollars had been expended in street improvements and about thirty-two hundred in police services. A larger vote than usual was polled by reason of the issue mentioned, and the following officers were elected : Mayor, James McAuliff ; councilmen, C. P. Winsett, William Kohlhauff, N. Brown, I. T. Reese and J. F. Abbott; recorder, O. P. Lacy; marshal, E. Delaney; assessor, M. Leidy; treasurer, H. E. Johnson ; surveyor, W. L. Gaston; city clerk (appointed), H. M. Chase. The office of city attorney had been temporarily abolished in 1863, but in January, 186S, Frank P. Dugan was appointed to this office by the council.

The election of 1868 was held in July, in accordance with the provisions made in a revision of the charter, wdiich also made the recorder ex-officio clerk and provided other nfinor changes in the conduct of the municipal affairs. The election was held on the 6th of July, the result being as follows : Mayor, James McAuliff; councilmen, A. Kyger, J. F. Abbott, Fred Stine, William Kohlhauff and II. Howard ; recorder and clerk, L. Day ; marshal, E. Delaney; assessor, C. Leidy; treasurer, H. M. Chase; surveyor, Charles Frush.

The debt of the city still continued to increase, having nearly doubled at the close of the year ending June 30, 1869, the receipts for licenses having been reduced fully one-half, while taxes returned a revenue of slightly less than two thousand dollars. The expenditures of the year, though undoubtedly wisely made, largely exceeded the receipts. The election of July 12, 1869, gave the following results: Mayor, Frank Stone; councilmen, James Jones, W. S. Mineer, Thomas Tierney, P. M. Lynch and Thomas Quinn ; recorder and clerk, O. P. Lacy; marshal, Ed. Delaney; attorney (appointed), Frank P. Dugan; assessor, J. E. Bourn; treasurer, H. E. Johnson; surveyor, A. H. Simons.

The result of the election held on the nth of July, 1870, was as follows: Mayor, Dr. E. Shell; councilmen, J. F. Abbott, N. T. Caton, H. M. Chase, William Kohlhauff and G. P. Foor; recorder and clerk, W. P. Horton; marshal, E. Delaney; assessor, James Rittenhouse; treasurer, H. E. Johnson; surveyor, A. H. Simons.

The election of July 8, 1872, was somewhat more spirited, there being contests for all offices save those of mayor, treasurer and surveyor, to which positions each of the former incumbents was re-elected. Other successful candidates were as follows : Councilmen, Sig. Schwabacher, M. C. Moore, N. T. Caton, J. H. Foster and John Stahl ; recorder and clerk, O. P. Lacy; marshal, John G. Justice; attorney

At the opening of the fiscal year in 1872 the indebtedness of the city was nearly eleven thousand dollars, but this disconcerting total was by timely and far-sighted economy reduced to considerably less than one-half within the year mentioned. The receipts had been $24,995.70, and the assessment valuation of property, nearly equaly divided between real and personal, in the spring of 1873 amounted to $988,682.00. Though the election of July 14, 1873, was one of lively contest, except for the offices of surveyor and treasurer, it resulted in the re-election of nearly all the ofificers incumbent the preceding year, the result being noted as follows : Mayor, E. B. Whitman; councilmen, N. T. Caton, William Neal, J. H. Foster, J. N. Fall and M. C. Moore; recorder and clerk, J. D. Laman; marshal, J. G. Justice; attorney (appointed), Ed. C. Ross; assessor, M. W. Davis; treasurer. H. E. Johnson; surveyor, A. L. Knowlton. The treasurer resigned in April, 1874, F. Kimmerly being appointed to fill the vacancv. Under the council thus elected the city debt was again materially reduced, being only $2,243.07 at the end of the fiscal year. By a.change in the charter the city was divided into four wards, each of which was given one representative in the council, while the offices of clerk and recorder were again segregated and the council was emiwwered to appoint a clerk, who should also, by virtue of his office, serve as auditor.

The city election of July 13, 1874, brought about a complete change in the official personnel, with the exception of the marshal, who was re-elected without opposition. The result of the election was as follows: Mayor, James McAuliff: councilmen. first ward. F. P. .Vllen;

The result of the election of July 10, 1876, was as follows, the changes being few in number: Mayor, James McAulifif; councilmen, first ward, O. P. Lacy; second ward, G. P. Foor; third ward, William Kohlhaufif; fourth ward, .\. H. Reynolds; marshal, J. G. Justice; attorney (appointed), W. A. George; assessor, S. Jacobs; treasurer, H. E. Holmes; surveyor, P. Zahner: clerk, C. E. Whitney (appointed). The office of recorder had been abolished and the duties of the office relegated to a justice of the peace.

ing under the provisions of an act entitled "An act to provide for the incorporation of cities," which had been passed by the territorial legislature the preceding year. By the provisions of the new law the council would be composed of seven members beside the mayor, while increased governmental powers would be given to the body, including permission to extend the city credit to the amount of fifteen thousand dollars, and no more, and to appoint all minor officers except marshal. One hundred and sixty-three votes were cast in favor of the measure arid one hundred and twenty-one against. The regular city election of July 8. 1878, ga\-e the following results, under the new law : Mayor, James McAuliff; councilmen, first ward. Fred Stine and W. P. Winans ; second ward, F. W. Paine and Z. K. Straight; third ward, John Taylor and William Kohlhaufi" ; fourth ward, M. F. Colt ; marshal, J. G. Justice. Officers appointed by the council were : Justice of the peace, J. D. Laman; attorney, J. D. Mix; assessor, Samuel Jacobs ; treasurer, H. E. Holmes; surveyor, P. Zahner; clerk, C. E. Whitney; street commissioner, J. E. Berryman; health officer. Dr. J. M. Boyd.

For the sake of convenience and the conservation of space, the appointed officers will in the following lists be incorporated directly with the elective, without special reference thereto.

Prior to the annual city election of 1879 the city had lieen divided into three wards, instead of four, each of the first two wards being given two councilmen and three to the third, while four of the incumbents were elected to serve one year and three for two years. .Xnotlicr change in this regard was made by ordinance in 18S4, and the same is reproduced in a succeeding chapter, which has to do with the charter under which the city is operating at the

City officers elected or appointed at the annual election held July 14, 1879: Mayor, James McAulifif; councilmen, first ward, A. S. Legrow and H. M. Chase ; second ward, J. M. Welsh and A. Jacobs ; third ward, William Kohlhaufif, William Harkness (succeeded by William Kirkman July 6, 1880) and George T. Thomas ; marshal, John McNeil ; justice of the peace, E. B. Whitman ; attorney, J. D. Mix; assessor, Samuel Jacobs ; treasurer, H. E. Holmes; surveyor, H. D. Chapman; clerk, C. E. Whitney ; street commissioner, J. B. Brooks ; health officer, J. E. Bingham.

At the electiim held July 11, 1881, the question of creating a municipal system of water-works was submitted to the people, the result being an adverse majority of sixty-five. The officers chosen were as follows : Mayor, James McAuliff; councilman, first ward, William Glassford; second ward, Ed. Baumeister; tl.ird ward, .'\. H. Reynolds; marshal, J. G. Justice; justice of the peace, O. P. Lacy; at-

At the election of July lo. 1882, there was another vigorous contest for the office of marfchal, and a large vote was polled, the officers severally elected or appointed being as follows : ^layor, James McAuliff ; councilmen, first ward, W. P. \\'inans; second ward, Thomas J. Fletcher; third ward, X. T. Caton and John Dovell ; marshal, John G. Justice ; justice of the peace, O. P. Lacy; attorney. W. G. Langford; assessor, Samuel Jacobs; treasurer, Richard Jacobs ; surveyor, John B. Wilson ; clerk, Le F. A. Shaw ; street commissioner, J. B. Brooks; health officer. Dr. T. \\\ Sloan.