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July 12, 1890, a special election was held to vote on a proposition to issue $10,000 in bonds for the purpose of building a school house in Davenport. There were cast 79 votes, of which 71 were in favor of the proposition, five against, and three votes were not counted. On the question of material for the contemplated edifice 70 votes were for a brick, and five for a frame, building.
The board of trade organized in the spring of 1889 passed into innocuous desuetude. From a condition of inchoation it had become moribund. Accordingly on Wednesday evening, December 15, 1890, the business men of Davenport assembled for the purpose of placing upon its feet a new board of trade. The meeting was well attended and after a number of those present had voiced opinions concerning the undeniable benefits to be derived from such a commercial organization the following officers were selected: P. W. Dillon, president; A. W. Turner, vice-president; George Oswalt, second vice-president; Guy L. Smith, secretary; J. A. Hoople, treasurer.
November 20, 1891, the Times said:
"The city council has at last taken steps to provide the town with fire protection adequate to its needs, having ordered a truck and hook and ladder outfit at a cost of nearly $700. The town has lone been without any means of
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combating the fiery element and that she has not suffered serious loss in consequence is owing more to good fortune than anything else. A lot was purchased on the corner of Sixth and Morgan streets on which suitable buildings will be erected in a short time."But by the time the apparatus arrived a new city council had taken office and the new members declined to accept it. Thus the matter of providing suitable fire protection was allowed to languish, and the whole affair was sidetracked temporarily.
Notwithstanding the fact that an unusually light crop had been harvested, and that Davenport relied almost entirely on its agricultural trade, the town forged to the front during the year 1891. Over $60,000 worth of improvements were made within that year. Among the principal improvements were: New school house, $8,000; David Wilson, brick block, $8,000; William Finney & Company, brick store, $5,000; J. A. Hoople, brick store, $5,000; Robert Tischner, brewery, $5,000; McGowan's planing mill building, $5,000, total $36,000.
January 30, 1892, initial steps were taken in Davenport toward the organization of a Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Those who assumed an active participation in the project were Jackson Brock, J. D. Woodin, W. D. Kipp, A. P. Oliver, F. F. Hall, T. L. Edwards, George S. Rodgers, Emil Graf, John Wolf, W. H. Howard, Joseph Park, H. J. Whitney, S. L. Burrill, Archey Markham.
On the first of October, 1892, there was put in operation a flouring mill in Davenport, an enterprise which had for several years been agitated. This enterprise was established by A. A. Davis and G. W. Howard, and had a capacity of 150 per day, with a storing capacity of 40,000 bushels of grain.
Saturday, May 6. 1893. a volunteer fire company was organized, starting in life with over thirty members. This was the first organization of the kind in the history of Davenport, although, as we have seen, attempts had been previously made to place one upon its feet. The town had been quite fortunate in its freedom from fire during the ten or twelve years of its existence, never having suffered from any conflagration of serious proportions. The following were the initial officers of the new company: William Finney, president; H. J. Whitney, vice-president; A. C. Shaw, secretary; C. C. May, treasurer. These were named as trustees: F. W. McGowan, C. G. Snyder, and E. A. Inkster, for the one year term, and A. W. Turner, P. W. Dillon and G. K. Birge for the six months' term. D. W. Glasgow was unanimously chosen chief and was empowered to select two assistants. Still, it was not until the following September that a fire engine was procured and placed in commission. It was not long after the organization of the company before its necessity was fully realized, even before the engine had been procured. June 17th McGowan Brothers' hardware store was burned, entailing a loss of $12,000, covered by insurance to the amount of $7,100. The Times said:
"The town escaped destruction by a very narrow margin. The burned building was surrounded on all sides by frame structures, and but for the efficient work of the newly organized company the greater part of the town would surely have gone up in smoke."This narrow escape resulted in much good in accelerating the procurement of suitable equipment for the fire company. The sum of $500 was raised by popular subscription with which to purchase apparatus and to this sum the town council added $150. On May 1. 1805. occurred one of the most serious fires that had yet occurred in Davenport, resulting in the loss of two Rosenquest residences and the one of H. H. Plough. The total loss was about covered by $2,400 insurance. This fire was followed two weeks later by another which destroyed the city mills causing a loss of about $5,000, with insurance of 82.500. W. L. Turner's residence burned about this time entailing of between $2,000 and S3. 000.
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An event of great importance to the town of Davenport took place during the year 1896. This was the construction of a wagon road from this town to the Cedar Canyon mine in Stevens county. The citizens of Davenport subscribed money for the road, and in May contracts were let for beginning the work. These rich mines of Cedar Canyon were producing large quantities of ore and by the enterprise of Davenport's citizens in building the road this was brought here for shipment and has resulted in considerable financial benefit to the business men of the place. Unusual activity in the building line was witnessed during the autumn of 1896. The prospect of securing the removal of the county seat from Sprague was the principal cause of business revival. In November the city council decided to erect a jail consisting of two stories, the lower one to be utilized as a city lockup and the upper one for council chambers. At this period every dwelling house in Davenport was occupied, and there were inquiries every day from new arrivals in town for this line of accommodation. While some hasty building was done the season was too far advanced for any immediate relief to these house seekers, and it became a serious question how the influx of population incident to the town's new relationship was to be provided for.
A financial panic succeeded the feverish boom of 1892. There was a season of depression from 1893 until 1897, and during these intervening years the people of Davenport were attempting to successfully solve the puzzle of "how to get something to eat." Little time or inclination had they to devote much attention to building enterprises. Still, Davenport did not suffer from this backset to so great an extent as other less eligibly located towns. True, business dragged to a certain extent, and it was a struggle for all classes of business men to keep their heads above water. And yet from year to year marked additions were made to the young city.
The town entered upon the year 1897 under most favorable conditions. Future prosperity, seemed assured. While no sensational progress was made in a business sense during 1896, there was considerable advancement in the line of growth and material development, much improvement in trade and a better, stronger feeling existed among all classes of business men. The first day of January, 1897, found nearly every house in town occupied and an increasing demand for more.
For several weeks following the removal of the county records from Sprague to Davenport the most absorbing question among the business men and citizens generally was the location of the court house building, a topic by no means original or unique. Apparently a majority of the citizens favored a location on the north side of the main street, although some desired it placed on the south side. This matter was decided finally by the county commissioners, on Tuesday night, February 7th, by a selection of a location on the north side on the block deeded by the citizens of Davenport. Concerning this temporary division of opinion the Lincoln County Times said:
"Excitement ran high Sunday afternoon, and the commissioners themselves were, apparently, undecided what to do up to the time of taking final action. It was reported that they were favorable to the south side location, and those friendly to the other side, who were the dominating element in town, began to bestir themselves to prevent the location going south. In the evening, between 8 and 9 o'clock, after the commissioners had met to take final action, a meeting of the north side advocates was called in Turner & Plough's old store room to devise some means of prevailing on the commissioners to adopt the originally proposed site in Columbia Addition. This meeting had been called to order for some time and several prominent citizens had expressed themselves quite vigorously, when some one came in and announced that the commissioners were writing out an
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order for the location of the court house on block 94, Columbia Addition. This announcement was greeted with vociferous and hearty cheers, and the gathering filed out the door and down the street to the commissioners' room to express their approval of the action taken.As a result of abundant crops and the return of prosperous times throughout the country Davenport, in the fall of 1897, assumed a thrifty, indeed, a jocund air. The merchants all conducted an extensive business. Not since the palmy days of '89 and '90 had there been such a volume of ready cash in circulation. Everybody, from the capitalist down to the Siwash who sawed wood — or refused to saw wood — was prosperous and happy.
"The chief worker for the south side was P. W. Dillon, and had he been supported by an equal number of the town's people would, in all probability, have made a successful fight, for the commissioners themselves, personally, favored a location nearer the depot."
The opening of war with Spain awakened a commendable patriotic spirit in Davenport, and this sentiment animated all classes of citizens. In May, 1898, it was decided to organize a battery of light artillery, and, accordingly, a formal petition was forwarded to Governor Rogers and Adjutant General Ballaine asking to be mustered into the state militia. Enrollment papers were at the Big Bend drug store and many signers signified by their acts their intention, or desire, to become members of this organization. If it was impossible to serve as members of a battery the signers declared their entire willingness to serve as infantrymen. The company was organized Saturday, May 28, the following officers being elected: Captain, J. J. Sargent; First Lieutenant, Henry G. Anderson; Second Lieutenants. C. H. McCourt, J. A. Prudhomme; First Sergeant, Patrick Corbett; Color Sergeant, O. T. Oswalt. It was decided to organize as light artillery, but to serve as infantry if necessary, to be included in the next call for troops. A few days later the adjutant-general authorized the company to he mustered in as infantry. The company drilled twice a week. And thus Davenport for the first time became represented in the military service of the United States.
One of the most destructive fires in Davenport's history broke out early Thursday morning, September 8, 1898, a conflagration which licked up a number of business houses on Harker street. The ominous cry of "fire!" aroused the slumbering population and after the first alarm was given the cry was quickly taken up, and within a few moments people of both sexes came pouring down to the scene of destruction from every direction. The sky was illuminated by fierce flames which covered the roofs and came streaming down out of the windows and doors of the wooden buildings adjacent to William Finney's large brick store. Rapidly the fire spread from one wooden shack to another, although scarcely a breath of air was stirring except that created by the flames themselves. It was difficult to tell in which of the wooden buildings the fire had originated, for flames swept over two or three of them almost simultaneously, but it was subsequently learned that the initial point had been in the Dale house, a frame building next to Mr. Finney's store. Within a very few moments following the alarm the fire engine was placed in position down by the creek which flows along Spring street, south and back of the row of wooden structures facing on Harker street. Here the fire had seemed great headway. From the first it was apparent that none of the wooden buildings could be saved, and for awhile it looked as though the entire business portion of the town must be swept away.
Had a stiff breeze prevailed it would not have been possible for the volunteer firemen, with the appliances at hand, to have saved a single building along Harker or Morgan streets. Fortunately scarcely a breath of air was stirring, and what little there was came from the north, the most favorable quarter. The store
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house and oil room back of the Finney block was soon a mass of flames. The rear door leading into the store burned out and flames were immediately communicated to the interior. In less than an hour after the alarm had been sounded the entire structure was reduced to a mass of smouldering ruins. The sheds in the rear of Millis' store and the adjoining stores fed the flames, and from here they seized upon the window and door frames in the rear of the bank and other brick buildings. The efforts of the firemen were then directed entirely to the work of preventing the destruction of the brick block west, along Morgan street, from the bank. There was no lack of willing hands and water was laid on the superheated brick walls with good effect. Valuable service was also rendered by the bucket brigade. Streams of water were poured from the back windows and along the roof. By 1:30 the volunteers had the fire well under control. Its onward march east across Harker street was checked by heroic effort, although the large plate glass windows in the Hooper block were shattered. Thus the fire was confined to the wooden buildings south along Harker street. The only brick building destroyed was the large store of William Finney. The frame structures destroyed were the Dale House, John Hanson's barber shop, the Oleson restaurant, and the saloon building occupied by Ellsworth Shaw.
During the progress of this fire men and women were constantly employed transporting goods across the street from the brick store buildings, and some damage resulted from breakage. The grocery store of H. D. Barber and the millinery store of Miss Mary Moore were destroyed. There were a number of narrow escapes and one man was so badly burned that it was feared he would not recover. The unfortunate man, Samuel Koehn, was a tailor in the employ of Daniel Delin. He attempted to find his way down the stairway which was was full of flames and smoke. He rushed through it all making his escape with great difficulty. He had been assisted out of his room by T. Larson, a carpenter, who heard him inside trying to make his way out. Mr. Larson was, also, badly burned about the face and head. Mrs. Mahet, the proprietor of the house, escaped with her child by jumping out of the top window at the rear of the building. A number of others made similar escapes with scarcely a stitch of clothing.
Following are the losses not covered by insurance: Dale House, owned by William Finney, $2,000; Oleson restaurant, owned by Judge Small, $600; E. Shaw, saloon, $600.
Following are the losses of those carrying insurance, the amounts being the amount of insurance paid by the companies: William Finney & Company, $11,650; E. Shaw, $500; M. Millis, $636.50; H. D. Barber, $419.35; Mary Moore, $57; G. T. Logsdon, $6.50; S. Kruger, $75; Maria A. Wainwright, $235; Mrs. E. G. Wilson, $564; C. R. Petrie, $76; H. W. Knapp, $78; H. C. Keedy, $289.
Following this disaster the city council established a fire limit consisting of all of blocks 78 to 79, inclusive, and the south half of blocks 80 and 83, inclusive, of Morgan's Addition. This limit included the blocks between Morgan and Spring streets from the town hall to the Times office, on the south side of Morgan street, and half the blocks on the north side of Morgan street.
Despite the fact that considerable building was done in the summer of 1898, there was a dearth of living houses and many who would have moved to town could not do so owing to lack of accommodations. The destruction by fire of the Dale House deprived many of a place of residence. During the summer months several families made their homes in tents.
More rapid advancement in business conditions was made in the young town during the year 1898 than ever before in its history. The sun of prosperity that bad kissed the bountiful wheat fields had, also, shone through the dark cloud of depression and gladdened the hearts
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of all. It was a season of magnificent crops and the harvest inspired confidence and awakened new hopes in almost every family. The pulse of trade was quickened, investments were encouraged and the season was one of general revival and convalescence from a low, financial fever. Commenting upon these favorable conditions the Lincoln County Times said:
"In this fortunately located little city it is evident in the renewal of building, the appearance of new faces in the streets, and a more cheerful disposition among the old residents that all are hopeful of the future. This growth of population has necessitated the construction of new business houses and the building of numerous residences, many of them handsome and substantial homes. The example of those who first started building last spring was a spur to others to follow, resulting in a wonderful growth in the place.The militia company organized in the spring of 1898 disbanded before the second call for volunteers was made. Word was received from the authorities at Olympia in August that a company from Davenport could he mustered into state service. Preparations were at once made for the forming of a battery, and Wednesday evening, September 13th, the company consisting of 28 members, was mustered in as Battery A. by Captain Lyons, of Spokane. Following were the officers and members of the company:
"It would simply be impossible to enumerate separately all the buildings erected in Davenport during 1898. No portion of the town has suffered neglect. On every hand can be seen evidence of this rapid growth. The total amount of money invested in these improvements foots up to thousands of dollars. On Morgan street three handsome brick buildings were added to the business blocks, two of them erected by David Wilson and one by Dr. Whitney. Ole Hair also put up a large and very neat brick block on Sixth street. During the year the secret societies completed the two-story auditorium at the corner of Ninth and Morgan streets. This is a very creditable structure, and supplies a long felt want in the nature of a public hall. The public school has been enlarged by a new addition that in its dimensions is about the size of the original building. But it is in the number of new residences that Davenport excelled during 1898, far surpassing the record of any previous year. Fully fifty new residences were constructed during the season. Among these were homes built by Fred Hulsman, H. N. Martin, David Wilson, J. B. Pershall, Mr. Earls, Mrs. Rogers, H. H. Hulton and C. E. Weyland.
Captain, H. G. Anderson; First Lieutenant, O. T. Oswalt; Second Lieutenant, Frank Dallam, Jr.; Sergeant. Emil Graf; Color Bearer, J. J. Sargent; George Bertonerer, Jalek Hopkins, Roy Millis, Stephen Jayne, Antone Kotsch, Charles Smith, Fred S. Knapp, John H. Snyder, M. W. Miller, James A. Redick, Ira B. Hyatt, Louie D. Todd, Lee Moore, T. Jayne, R. P. Moore, E. D. McDonnell, J. W. Gibson, W. Kennedy, Stephen O'Leary, H. S. Omacht, H. L. Perry, T. Goodlad, T. R. Jayne.
The adjutant general issued a general order consigning the various military companies of the state to organized regiments. The Second Regiment was composed of Company A. at Spokane; B at Colfax; C at Goldendale; D at Walla Walla; E at Spokane; F at Yakima; G at Garfield, and Battery A, Light Artillery, at Davenport. The Davenport boys were also attached to the First Battalion of the Second Regiment, with Companies A, E, and G, the Spokane and Garfield warriors, commanded by Captain E. W. Lyons, of Spokane. In January, 1899, the Davenport Company was supplied with arms. The battery was one in name only, as the organization was armed and equipped as an infantry company, having Springfield rifles.
Saturday. July 2, 1899, a special election was held in Davenport for the purpose of voting on a proposition to issue bonds for establishing
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a system of water works. There were 239 votes registered. No great interest was manifested and only 176 votes were cast. Of these 132 were favorable to the proposition and 44 against the same. These bonds were sold and in August work was commenced on the plant.
Battery A, of Davenport, left on Saturday, November 4, 1899, for Seattle to participate in the welcome extended to the members of the First Washington Volunteer regiment on its return from the Philippines. The battery was in charge of Captain Henry Anderson and First Lieutenant Richard Oswalt. Forty-two members of the battery took part in the excursion.
Davenport's new system of water works was placed in operation Saturday, December 9, 1899. This was the consummation of two years of exertion. Several propositions had been considered by the city authorities and there had been some lively skirmishing over the proposition. It had been at last decided that the municipality should own the plant. Upon reaching the next step was to decide upon the source of supply. Several sources were examined, but the one finally selected was that known as the "lower spring," which was purchased from C. C. May for $1,000. The town at last secured a small system, but a good one which promises to meet all requirements. The construction of the system is such that its capacity may be increased and the pipes extended at any time.
The year 1899 was but a continuation of 1898 in the matter of improvements of a permanent nature. Two handsome brick blocks were erected during this year and many residences. A conservative estimate places the value of improvements for 1899 at $100,000. June 9, 1900, a school election was held at which it was voted to bond the district for $20,000, the sum of $15,000 to be applied to the erection of a new school building, and $5,000 to pay indebtedness. The vote was 187 for; 78 against. In December. 1900. the new high school building was completed as a cost of about $16,000. During the winter of 1900-1 Davenport was visited by smallpox in the prevailing mild form. Public schools were closed and public gatherings of all kinds were discontinued for a short period. Twenty-one buildings were erected in 1900 at an estimated cost of $40,000. Tuesday evening, October 22, 1901, the Davenport Commercial Club was organized, a body which has accomplished much on the lines of betterment of the town and the settlement of the surrounding country. C. E. Meyers was the original president, and A. W. Turner, vice president; F. W. Anderson, treasurer, E. L. Spencer, secretary.
In November, 1901, the militia company was disbanded. For some time previous the company had existed as an independent organization, not being assigned to any regiment. The muster out was made by Lieutenant John Kinzie, N. G. W., and the arms and equipments of Battery A were shipped to Olympia.
Concerning municipal illumination the Lincoln County Times of March 13, 1903, said:
"The town of Davenport was illuminated Monday. March 9th for the first time with electric lights. The last piece of machinery was placed in position and the last connection was made about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when the switch was turned on, the same instant a bright light beaming forth from each lamp in the city. Not the slightest difficulty occurred and everything worked with complete and exact precision from the start. The electric light plant has been delayed to a late day, considering the town's size, but it is one of the latest improved plants in existence, and it has many advantages not offered in any city supplied at an earlier date."Saturday evening, June 20, 1903. the town was scorched with one of the hottest blazes in its history. At 5 o'clock p. m., flames broke out from the roof of the old Mirror office, corner of Spring and Harker streets. More than half a gale was blowing from the southwest.
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All combustible matter was as dry as tinder, and within the space of a few moments the entire building was a mass of smoke and flames. Next to this building stood a Chinese laundry, formerly the Cameron saloon ; then the Tripp livery barn; next the old store building owned by J. H. Nicholls, and last the little building owned by the Bowers Brothers, which was practically destroyed. The manner in which the fire boys fought the flames was deserving of the highest commendation. The last stand was made at the Bowers residence where there was a desperate fight between man and the devouring element. Although the firemen were protected by coats and wet blankets several of them were badly scorched. The Tripp livery stable was filled with horses and rigs, but the animals and almost everything in the building was saved, yet the flames swept through it so suddenly that the escape of two or three men who were working in the loft were cut off, and they were compelled to jump through the windows. This was the largest and best building in the row. The large O'Leary residence on the brow of the hill above where the fire was raging was ablaze at one time and was saved only by desperate efforts.
The heaviest loss fell to J. L. Tripp, who owned the livery barn, occupied by the Brink Brothers, valued at about $4,000, on which only $500 insurance was carried. The old Mirror building was owned by Mr. Breslauer and was valued at $400, insurance, $250. The laundry owned by Fred Latter was valued at $600, no insurance. The Chinaman lost several hundred dollars worth of fixtures. J. H. Nicholls lost $500 or $600, no insurance. The fire originated from fire-crackers with which some boys were playing in the Mirror building. The buildings destroyed were the first erected in the town of Davenport. They formed the original town, and were built by J. H. Nicholls and Robert Cameron in 1881-2.
In November, 1903, Davenport became ambitious to be advanced to a town of the Third Class. A town of this class is divided into wards and is entitled to seven councilmen and all its officers become elective. The first requirement is that the town must contain a population of not less than 1.500. Tuesday, December 8th, an election was had in accordance with a petition which had been circulated by Louie Todd, and the vote was 132 for, and 4, against advancement. A census of the town was subsequently taken by Enumerators Todd and Donahue who found a population of 1,616, an increase of over 50 per cent since the census of 1900. The result placed Davenport in the Third Class.
The first secret society organized in Davenport was that of the Odd Fellows, in 1889, with eleven members. The Masonic Lodge was organized the same year, with, a membership of seventeen. In the spring of 1890 the Knights of Pythias organized with a membership of thirty-five. The succeeding order was the Good Templars who perfected an organization in December, 1891, its initial membership being twenty. At present the fraternal societies of Davenport are: Columbia Lodge No. 56, Degree of Honor; Excelsior Lodge No. 240, I. O. G. T.; Davenport Lodge No. 64. I. O. O. F.; Loyal Americans; Davenport Lodge No. 55, A. O. U. W.; Arcadia Lodge No. 58, A. F. & A. M.; Lincoln Tent No. 62, K. O. T. M.; Davenport Chapter No. 25, R. A. M.
Davenport was the home of the first church organized between Spokane and the Columbia river. It was the First Presbyterian and was instituted in the fall of 1884, chiefly through the efforts of H. H. McMillan. During five years Mr. McMillan labored as its pastor, holding services in the public school building. In 1889 a building was erected. Sunday, December 14. 1902, this handsome edifice was dedicated. It cost $10,126. Today Davenport is represented by the following congregations: Baptist, German Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian, Christian, First German M. E., First M E.. St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal.
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In December, 1903, the public schools of Davenport had outgrown the then commodious school building.
Davenport is a town in which much attention has been given to the planting of trees, cultivating lawns, and otherwise beautifying homes. The result of such commendable labors is a beautiful transformation, and the many examples thus set will, doubtless, be followed by others who may succeed the present generation. The first impression of the visitor to Davenport, and after a casual glance about, is that it is a town of churches and schools, for in every part of the town are to be seen those emblems of civilization. The churches are large and are modern in style and appointment. The high school building, constructed of white pressed brick, is the largest and finest structure in the county. Davenport is the educational center of the Big Bend, and students come from the surrounding country to attend the schools, their graduates being accepted in all the higher institutions of learning throughout the state. There are two commodious meeting places for public assemblages, the Auditorium and Armory hall. The Auditorium is equipped with the necessary scenery to accommodate dramatic entertainments of all classes, and Armory hall serves for general entertainments. Davenport is the trade center for a vast territory, supplying the country beyond the Columbia river, a distance of over 30 miles. A large per cent of the Cedar Canyon mines in Stevens county finds its outlet through this city. There are two banks in the town, about a dozen grocery and general merchandise stores, two large hotels, a number of smaller ones, besides an equally large representation in other lines of business. Five doctors and ten lawyers are engaged in the practice of their professions.
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