Cousin Sam: HISTORY OF THE BIG BEND COUNTRY

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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AN ILLUSTRATED

HISTORY

OF THE

BIG BEND COUNTRY

EMBRACING

LINCOLN, DOUGLAS, ADAMS AND FRANKLIN

COUNTIES

STATE OF WASHINGTON

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WESTERN HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY

PUBLISHERS

1904

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DEDICATED

To the

Pioneers of the Big Bend, Who Have Overcome Most Formidable

Difficulties, Stood Like the Rock of Gibralter Against

Prejudice and False Report, and

Made This Now Famous Country to Blssom as the Rose.

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Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored. — Daniel Webster.

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                             If boundless plenty be the robe,
                              Trade is the golden girdle of the globe.
                             Wise to promote whatever end He means,
                             God opens fruitful Nature's various scenes.
                             Each climate needs what other clims produce,
                              And offers something to the general use;
                             No land but listens to the common call,
                             And in return receives supplies from All.
                                                                              —Cowper.

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PREFACE.

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      In compiling a History of the Big Bend country — one of the most important sections of the State of Washington, the authors of this work have encountered, of course, those obstacles that are inseparable in the construction of any pioneer History of the West. Territorial legislative acts and the records of early county commissioners were vague and indeterminate in those days. In many respects they are conflicting and confusing. This, more particularly, applies to political history and educational affairs.

      But from this mass of data — official records, state and county documents, combined with interviews with the earliest and most reliable pioneers — the authors have endeavored to mine facts and smelt them into an accurate and conscientiously written history of pioneer days, avoiding as far as possible doubtful statements and conflicting reports. This has been done with a full realization of the responsibility attending the writing of an original county history.

      Part I., which concerns itself directly with the prominent events in the history of the Territory and State of Washington since 1550, is a comprehensive abridgment of the earliest history, from the most authentic data obtainable, written by eminent historians of the United States, England and Spain. In this connection we acknowledge our indebtedness to the late George Bancroft; Hon. Hall J. Kelley; the "Journal" of Captain Lewis; letters and other documents written by the ill-fated Dr. Marcus Whitman; "Oregon: the Struggle for Possession, " by William Barrows; "Astoria, " by Washington Irving; Congressional Reports on the Oregon Question; Washington's Correspondence with John Jay; the. Colfax (Washington) Commoner; correspondence af James Douglas; Barton's "Washington Legislative Hand Book and Manual"; correspondence printed in the Olympia Pioneer; the eminent Western historian, Hubert Howe Bancroft; state papers of Governor Isaac Ingalls Stevens; Archibald McVickar and Hon. A. A. Denny.

      Many have been the friendly co-adjutors who have kindly and cheerfully assisted us in the compilation of this volume. We desire to here frankly state that in no instance has any one of these pioneers, business men or even temporary residents, of the vast country traversed — the great wheat belt of Washington, bearing on every hand undeniable evidence of thrift and prosperity — refused to assist us or failed to greet our work with encouragement. We cannot too cordially thank each and all of them.

      The editorial fraternity has been exceptionally friendly. To L. A. Inkster, Lincoln County Times; James Odgers, Davenport Tribune; Howard Spining, Wilbur Register; R. D. Anderson, Sprague Times; H. L. King, Franklin County Register; C. T. Geizentanner, Franklin County News-Recorder; Joseph G. Tuttle, Big Bend Empire; Benjamin Spear, Douglas County Press; Dan J. Jones, Coulee City News; Pettijohn & Swenson, Ritzville

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Times; W. H. Hughes, Hartline Standard; Gibson & Thompson, Adams County News; Al P. Haas, Lind Leader; J. F. Dealy, Hatton Hustler; Gale Smith, Washtucna Enterprise, due acknowledgment is made for valuable assistance in our work upon this History.

To Judge N. T. Caton, County Auditor A. L. Brown, of Davenport; A. T. Greene, L. E. Kellogg, R. S. Steiner, John R. Lewis, S. C. Robins, Douglas County; J. M. Snow, of Spokane; George R. Roberts, Douglas County; Charles Rankert, Franklin County; Mrs. J. G. Bennett, George Sinclair, J. F. Cass, Jr., George W. Bassett, Otis Algoe and J. J. Merriman, Adams County, and many others, our thanks are sincerely tendered for the many, courtesies extended by them.

The general and introductory history is the production of Richard F. Steele. The special histories of Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties were written by Richard F. Steele, assisted by Arthur P. Rose.

THE PUBLISHERS.

Spokane, Washington, 1904.

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ENDORSEMENTS.

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We, the undersigned, citizens of Adams County, Washington, having been selected as a committee to examine the manuscript of a History of this County to be published by the Western Historical Publishing Company, certify as follows:
We, as pioneer residents of the County, have read the narrative of the events recorded, and to the best of our knowledge find it to be a true, impartial and candid record of the leading historical incidents that are woven into the annals of Adams County. The treatment of the subject is fair and comprehensive, and, to the best of our belief, accurate. As such we give it our cordial endorsement.

Mrs. James G. Bennett,
George Sinclair, Sr.,
Edgar DeWitt Gilson,
Committee.

Ritzville, Adams County, September, 1904.

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We, the undersigned, citizens of Douglas County, Washington, having been selected as a committee to pass judgment on the merits of the History of said County to be published by the Western Historical Publishing Company, do hereby certify as follows:
We are pioneer residents of the County, have always taken especial interest in its development, and have been active participants in many of the incidents described in said History. We have read the manuscript narrative of these events, and it has our unqualified endorsement as a conscientious History and literary work of merit. In the treatment of the subject it is impartial, accurate and reliable, and we cordially recommend it to all.

A. T. Greene,
L. E. Kellogg,
C. J. Stanley,
J. M. Snow,
Committee.

Waterville, Douglas County, July, 1904.

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We, the undersigned, residents of Franklin County, Washington, having examined a portion of the manuscript of a History of Franklin County to be published by the Western Historical Publishing Company, and made such corrections as were deemed desirable, cordially testify that the work gives evidence of careful research and conscientious attention to facts.

D. W. Page, Mayor of Pasco,
Charles Rankert,
W. S. Helm,
Henry L. King,
Committee.

Pasco, Washington, August, 1904.

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We, the undersigned, having examined that portion of the History of Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties to be published by the Western Historical Publishing Company relating to Lincoln County, bear testimony that it gives evidence of extensive reading, research and conscientious adherence to facts, and presents, to the best of our knowledge, an accurate, comprehensive and impartial record of events. As such we endorse and commend it.