ARTICLE IThe name of this corporation, and by which it shall be known, is "Walla Walla Commercial Club."ARTICLE IIThe time of existence of this corporation shall be fifty years from the date hereof.ARTICLE IIIThe purposes for which this corporation is formed shall be to establish, equip, acquire, keep and maintain club rooms with the usual and convenient appliances of a social club; to engage in literary, educational and social pursuits and to provide ways and means therefor, and for the development of the physical and mental capacities of its members, and others, and for their social advantage, improvement and enjoyment in connection therewith; to advance the prosperity and growth of the City of Walla Walla and of the State of Washington, to encourage the establishment of manufactories and other industries; to seek remunerative markets for home products, and to foster capital and protect labor mutually interested in each others welfare; to collect and disseminate valuable agricultural, manufacturing and commercial information; to extend and develop trade agriculture, merchandise, banking and other lawful business pursuits, and to do any and all things necessary for the accomplishment of these purposes.ARTICLE IVThe principal place of business of said corporation shall be at Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, State of Washington.ARTICLE VThe members of this corporation may be individuals, co-partnerships or corporations. It shall have no capital stock, and shares therein shall not be issued. The interest of each member shall be equal to that of any other, and no member can acquire any interest which will entitle him to any greater voice, vote, authority or interest in the corporation than any other member. The corporation may issue membership certificates, which certificates shall be assignable under such provisions, rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the by-laws of the corporation. Memberships in the corporation may be terminated by voluntary withdrawal, by expulsion and by death, and the loss of membership through any such causes and the incidents thereto shall be governed by the by-laws of the corporation.ARTICLE VIThe number of trustees of this corporation shall be nine, and the names of the trustees who shall manage the affairs of the corporation until the second Thursday in April, 1909, are F. W. Kaser, H. H. Turner, F. S. Dement, W. H. Kirkman, J. M. Crawford, B. C. Holt, J. C. Scott, C. F. Nosler and J. P. Kent, all of whom reside at Walla Walla, Washington.The first election provided for in the foregoing articles occurred on the second Thursday of April, 1909, and resulted in the election of the following officers and trustees: J. C. Scott, president; J. H. Morrow, vice president; George E. Kellough, treasurer; A. C. Moore, secretary; L. M. Brown, assistant secretary (publicity). Trustees: J. C. Scott, J. H. Morrow, George E. Kellough, O. Drumheller, J. M. Crawford, F. S. Dement, R. H. Johnson, F. W. Kaser and E. C. Burlingame.Standing Committees: Freight and Transportation—B. C Holt, H. B. Strong, Oscar Drumheller, Fred Glafke and John Smith.House Committee: T. M. McKinney. Geo. Struthers, H. A. Gardner, F. S. Dement and J. P. Kent.Membership: W. H. Meyer, A. C. Van Dewater, J. M. Crawford, W. H. Paxton and O. M. Beatty.Reception and Entertainment: T. M. Hanger, P. M. Winans, H. H. Turner, R. E. Allen and W. A. Ritz.Auditing: C. S. Buffum, J. G. Anderson, R. H. Johnson, E. C. Mills.Library and Property: J. W. Langdon, J. J. Kaufman, J. H. Morrow, J. G. Frankland and C. M. Rader.Manufactories and New Industries: F. W. Kaser, H. H. Turner, J. M. Crawford, W. B. Foshay and L. M. Brown.The membership given in the handbook of 1910-11 includes 377 individuals and firms. The club had been, up to 1908 housed in the Ransom Building, now the Grand Hotel, but in that year of reorganization, made arrangements with the city for the present quarters in the City Hall. Large sums of money were raised during the "Publicity Era," about $20,000 each year. Mr. A. C. Moore continued to act as secretary until 1912, but in 1908 L. E. Meacham became publicity manager, which post he retained until 1910, when he was succeeded by L. M. Brown. Mr. Brown became secretary in 1912, upon the resignation of Mr. Moore, and he in turn was, succeeded in 1914 by Mr. O. C. Soots, the present secretary.The next epoch of the history of the Commercial Club may be said to have begun with the adoption of the bureau system at a special election in April 8, 1915. The essential provisions of the new system may be found in excerpts which follow from the amended by-laws of the club:BUREAU ORGANIZATIONSection 1. The membership of this organization shall be also formed into three main divisions, according to the expressed preference of each member, for the purpose of dividing the work of the organization into departments or bureaus, these bureaus to be designated as follows:1. Civic and Publicity.2. Commercial and Industrial.3. Horticultural and Agricultural.All members who fail or neglect, within a reasonable time, to express their preference as to bureau affiliation, shall be assigned to the several bureaus by the President in such proportion as may most nearly equalize the total membership of the several bureaus.Section 2. After a member of the Club shall have expressed his preference as to bureau affiliation, or shall have been assigned to bureau affiliation by the President, his affiliation shall be conditional upon his election to such bureaus by an affirmative vote of a majority of those present at any meeting of the Bureau Committee.Section 3. Subject to these By-Laws, each bureau shall have general charge of all matters relating to the general lines of work included in such bureau.Section 4. The work of each bureau shall be under the immediate direction of a Bureau Committee of not less than five, consisting of the Chairman, who shall have been designated Vice-President in charge of the Board of Trustees, and not less than four others selected from the membership represented in that bureau by him in conjunction with the President and from nominees of double the required number made by the membership of the bureau.Section 5. The standing and special committees of the Club shall be classified under the several bureaus according to the nature of their duties by the Board of Trustees upon the advice of the President and Secretary. Until other assignments are made by the Board of Trustees, the committees shall be classified under the several bureaus as follows:WAITSBURG'S FIFTH ANNUAL HORSE SHOW, MAY 1, 1909Civic and Publicity Bureau—Municipal and County Affairs; Publicity; Conventions; Expositions.Commercial and Industrial Bureau—Entertainment; Good Roads; Investigation and Endorsement; Manufacturers; Frontier Days; Freight and Transportation.Horticultural and Agricultural Bureau—Horticulture; Agriculture; Live Stock; By-Products; General Farming; Fruit Growers.Section 6. The President, with the advice of the Vice-Presidents of the respective bureaus, shall appoint annually the standing committees of the Club included within the several bureaus. He shall appoint standing committees on Membership, Finance, House, and such special committees as may be found necessary. Each bureau shall have at least one member on the Finance Committee.ARTICLE VIBOARD OF TRUSTEESSection 1. The authority of this organization shall be vested in a Board of Trustees numbering nine (9).Section 2. There shall be elected in every year of even numbers four Trustees, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council. There shall be elected in every year of odd numbers five Trustees, one from each Bureau, and two from the Membership Council, these Trustees to serve for two years each. Provided, that at the first election there shall be elected nine Trustees, two from each Bureau and three from the Membership Council, of whom five, three from the Bureaus and two from the Membership Council receiving the highest votes shall serve until the election in 1917 and four, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council receiving the next highest vote shall serve until the annual meeting of 1916. All of the provisions of Article VI shall apply to the special election held on the 8th day of April, 1915, to be known as the first annual meeting under these By-Laws.The first president under the bureau system was a man whom all people of the city delight to honor and whose appointment as commander, with rank of Major of the First Battalion of Field Artillery, N. G. W., is recognized by hosts of friends throughout the state as an eminently fit employment of ability, patriotism and energy. This first president was Maj. Paul H. Weyrauch. Mr. O. C. Soots has continued to fulfill his functions as secretary with conspicuous ability.The present personnel of officers and trustees is thus: E. L. Smalley, president; K. Falkenberg, vice president, Civic and Publicity Bureau; O. M. Beatty, vice president, Commercial and Industrial Bureau; John W. Langdon, vice president, Agricultural and Horticultural Bureau; F. S. Dement, treasurer; O. C. Soots, managing secretary. Directors: E. L. Smalley, F. S. Dement, J. A. McLean, J. W. Langdon, O. M. Beatty, K. Falkenberg, Fred Glafke, Louis Sutherland, O. T. Cornwell.WALLA WALLA LABOR UNIONThis is one of the largest and most influential organizations in the city. As compared with its brother organizations in the seaboard cities or in Spokane, it was late in formation. A community like Walla Walla, a rich agricultural region,does not seem to be the natural home for labor unions. The commercial and manufacturing and mining cities are the natural locations for these organizations. But in process of time the skilled laborers of Walla Walla were drawn by natural evolution into the great circle of organized labor.The Cigar-makers', the Carpenters' and the Painters' unions were the first in the field. They came into existence in 1900.Other groups rapidly followed and at the present time there are seventeen unions. The meeting places and times and the officers of each union are indicated by their published directory:LABOR UNION DIRECTORYTrades and Labor Council—Meets every Friday evening in Labor Temple. S. S. Stovall, president; L. F. Clarke, secretary.Carpenters & Joiners. Local 1214—Meets in Labor Temple every Wednesday night. A. V. Murphy, president; O. D. Keen, financial secretary; C. R. Nelson, recording secretary; C. A. Tompkins, treasurer.Printing Pressmen, Local 217—Meets second Wednesday of each month in Labor Temple. William Potgether, president; A. L. Anger, secretary.Journeymen Plumbers—Meets in Labor Temple every second and fourth Thursday of each month. Harry Harter, president; W. G. Collins, recording secretary; Fred Bowman, financial secretary.Painters, Paperhangers and Decorators—Meets first and third Monday evening of each month at Labor Temple. H. R. McCoy, president; O. K. Sweeney, recording secretary; H. J. Burke, financial secretary; Charles Hazlewood, treasurer.Bricklayers' Union—Meets in Labor Temple first and third Tuesdays of each month. Louis Hermish, president; Wm. F. Taylor, financial secretary; Russell Taylor, corresponding secretary; George Root, treasurer.Meat Cutters' Local—Meets first Monday of month in Labor Temple. H. N. Kettleson, vice president; A. McLeod, financial secretary; Theodore Maskeyleny, treasurer.Musicians' Protective Union—Meets in Germania Hall second Sunday of each month. M. A. Power, president; H. S. Buffum, secretary.Teamsters—Meets at Labor Temple second and fourth Mondays. Walter Elliott, president; Frank Dunnigan, financial secretary; Frank Lansing, corresponding secretary.Building Trades Council—Meets every Friday night at Labor Temple. F. J. Myers, president; James Grindle, secretary.Allied Printing Trades Council—Meets in Labor Temple second Wednesday of each month. R. C. McCracken, president; Charles Francke, secretary.Typographical Union No. 388—Meets last Sunday of each month in Labor Temple. H. F. Heimenz, president; J. M. Baldwin, financial secretary; Al Berg, recording secretary.Electrical Workers—Meets first and third Wednesdays at Labor Temple. E. M. Cruzen, president; Mitchell Anderson, secretary-treasurer.Journeymen Barbers—Meets first Thursday of every month in Labor Temple. N. J. Nicholson, president; H. S. Graves, secretary.Woman's Union Card and Label League—Meets in Labor Temple the first Tuesday of each month, at 2.30 P. M. Mrs. L. F. Clarke, president; Mrs. J. A. Lyons, secretary, Mrs. O. K. Sweeney, treasurer.Culinary Alliance, Local 626—Meet first and third Wednesdays in Labor Temple. Will Williams, president; Charles Miller, financial secretary; Fred Kenworthy, recording secretary; William Bowden, treasurer.Theatrical Stage Employes and Moving Picture Operators—Meets at Labor Temple first and third Sundays. J. A. Duggar, president; Frank Wright, vice president; Carl Crews, secretary; Blain Geer, treasurer.Sheet Metal Workers—Meets at Labor Temple second and fourth Mondays each month. O. L. Demory, president; C. C. Shafer, secretary.Hod Carriers, Building Laborers—Meets at Labor Temple every Thursday. Conrad Knopp, president; Fred Breit, financial secretary.Cigar-makers' Union—C. M. Golden, president; George Surbeck, secretary.The general management of these unions is delegated to the Trades and Labor council, in which each union is entitled to three representatives. The comparatively quiet and comfortable conditions in Walla Walla have not induced radical action by the unions and they have been a regularizing and balancing force of efficacy in their own lines and usually an influence for harmony in industrial life.The organ of the unions is theGarden City Monitor, published by L. F. Clarke and Jesse Ferney. A special number of theMonitorappears annually on each Labor Day. It is worthy of all praise, both from the editorial and the typographical standpoints.The membership of the Walla Walla unions now is about five hundred.FARMERS' UNIONThe largest and in many respects most important organization in the four counties is the Farmers' Union. This great organization is national in its aims and membership. Washington and Northern Idaho constitute one unit of the National, and in turn it is divided into county units, either single counties, as the large ones of the state like Yakima or Whitman, or by grouping, as in the smaller. Our counties belong in the latter category, and we find the Tri-County Union of Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield. Of this union G. M. Thompson of Dayton is at this date president, and A. C. Moore of Walla Walla is secretary. In the Tri-County Union there are eight local unions. They appear, with the secretary of each in this enumeration: Waitsburg No. 1, W. D. Wallace; Prescott, No. 2, O. V. Crow; Dayton, No. 3, Roy Ream; Mayview, No. 4, C. W. Cotton; Pomeroy, No. 10, W. J. Schmidt; Walla Walla, No. 27, W. J. McLean; Starbuck, No. 119, E. W. Powers; Central, No. 145, J. E. Tueth. As will be seen, Waitsburg has the distinction of being the premier union in point of time. It was organized in May, 1907, the first president being N. B. Atkinson, and the first secretary. J. A. Enochs.The total membership of the Tri-Sate Union is about six hundred. That of the Walla Walla Local is about one hundred and fifty.Intimately related to the Farmers' Union is the Farmers' Agency. While the officers are entirely distinct, the membership is practically identical, since the provisions of membership require any who own stock in the agency to belong to the union. Any farmer, however, may market his grain with the agency. At the present day Hon. Oliver Cornwell is president of the Agency, and the secretary is Eugene Kelly. As first organized and conducted for several years under the presidency of Hector McLean, the Agency was an information bureau only. But when Mr. Cornwell became president he entered upon the large task of creating out of it a genuine co-operative grain buying organization. After some years of experiment and adjusting, at times with very strenuous conditions, the effort was wholly successful and the Agency became a coherent organization, backed by the united force of the Farmers' Union and by the main weight of the farming community of Walla Walla. The primary object of the Agency is to co-operate to advantage in the marketing of crops. The local Walla Walla Agency has come to be a tremendous factor in the wheat market. Its existence has been abundantly justified by its success during these recent years in maintaining steady markets and in securing to its members all possible advantages.Aside from the immediate business aim of marketing crops through the Agency, the Farmer' Unions, both in their local capacity and in the Tri-County organization, have come to be one of the great forces in the political and social life of the region. Questions of roads and bridges, taxes, public buildings, state educational and penal institutions, problems affecting transportation and the labor market and labor union questions, have been subjects of discussion and recommendation at the regular weekly meetings. Lectures from time to time by recognized experts in the various problems involved have been presented and public men in state and county positions have been glad to consider with the unions the subjects relating to their functions.PUBLIC SCHOOL, PRESCOTTFRONTIER DAY IN WALLA WALLA—SCENE ON MAIN STREETIt is safe to say that any measures agreed upon by the Farmers' Unions are pretty certain to become the action of the body politic in the different counties. Once each quarter, and sometimes oftener, there are meetings of the Tri-County Union, at which the larger problems of farm life are considered, and in connection with which appetizing banquets prepared by the skillful hands and fine artistic taste of the wives and daughters bring joy and gayety and good fellowship to all concerned.To many of the readers of this volume, and in years to come to their children and grandchildren, the most significant of all the organized associations of their home country is theINLAND EMPIRE PIONEER ASSOCIATIONThis association was formed in 1900, largely under the initiative of Dr. N. G. Blalock. While there has been little machinery or formality about it, its yearly meetings for renewing the old ties have been among the most anticipated and cherished of all in the minds of many of the builders, the fathers and mothers of the Inland Empire. While the main membership has been in Walla Walla County or her daughter counties, it is not confined to that county, and a number of members live in Umatilla County, Oregon, and in Whitman, Adams and Franklin counties on the north side of Snake River.The officers of the association chosen at the first meeting were: Dr. N. G. Blalock, president; W. P. Winans, A. G. Lloyd and Ben Burgunder, vice presidents; Marvin Evans, secretary; Levi Ankeny, treasurer; W. D. Lyman, historian. These officers were almost constantly re-elected, until the lamented deaths of Doctor Blalock, Mr. Winans, and Mr. Lloyd. Ben Burgunder was chosen president to succeed Doctor Blalock, and at the present time F. M. Lowden, Joseph Harbert and W. D. Wallace are vice presidents.With the feeling that the members of the association and many others will be glad to read some of the proceedings and to see the list of members as a matter of permanent reference, we close this chapter with the excellent accounts given in theWalla Walla Unionof October 15, 1904, and June 2, 1911, of the annual meetings of those years.ANNUAL PIONEER MEETING OF 1904About one hundred and fifty of the pioneers of Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon, sturdy men and women, who have seen the country grow from a desolate looking waste of sagebrush and sand to one of the beauty spots of the Northwest—men and women who had not only seen this take place, but had helped, and are still, many of them, helping in this wonderful evolution—people who thirty or forty years ago were neighbors, though living many miles apart, met yesterday and sat down to the festive board loaded with the good cheer provided by the devoted pioneer women of this city in honor of the occasion.OLD NEIGHBORS MEETThe crowd assembled in the Goodman Building and there registered and received their badges, after which they marched to the banqueting rooms. Therewere many hearty handshakes as these old neighbors met, and the scene was one of glad reunion. There were the more elderly who had come here in the prime of life and whose gray hairs and wrinkled cheeks recalled the energy and vitality that had been spent in building up a new country. There were the younger men. those whose memories of older lands are but indistinct visions, and who have grown up with the country. But all had the common bond of acquaintance dating far back, a friendship tried and found worthy in the strife of many years.A FESTAL BOARDFlowers in profusion in the banquet hall told of the interest and devoted preparation of the pioneer ladies for this great annual event. The long tables in the room were laden with an abundance of every delicacy of the season. Before beginning the feast all stood with bowed heads while Rev. J. W. McGhee returned thanks, after which the edibles were enjoyed by the happy throng, reminiscences adding much pleasure to the occasion.Dr. N. G. Blalock, as toastmaster, at the close of the banquet, made a short address of welcome to the pioneers and spoke with much feeling in commemoration of people who had blazed the way to the present civilization and offered a tribute to their noble heroism and the deeds of courage and self-sacrifice.HARDSHIPS OF INDIAN WARSThe toastmaster introduced as the "Pioneer Indian War Veteran" of the association, Hon. A. G. Lloyd of Waitsburg. Mr. Lloyd gave a brief account of campaigning in 1855 in the Yakima Indian war. In one instance the volunteers were caught in a snowstorm and were cut off from supplies at The Dalles and were reduced to a small amount of flour and some tobacco. They furnished their own clothes and horses and could not draw on the Government supplies as there were none to draw on. Mr. Lloyd closed with the patriotic remark, "But we only did our duty and no more."FIRST NEWSPAPERCapt. P. B. Johnson responded to "The Pioneer Newspaper Business." He related the anecdote of the adopted child which replied to the boasts of other children that it had no papa and mamma, that "Your papa and mamma are yours because they have to be, mine are mine because they want to be." He referred to the younger pioneers being pioneers because they had to be.Captain Johnson said that when he had an opportunity to come here from Arizona he looked up the location on the map and expected to find fruits and fields similar to those in the same latitude east, but when in 1864 he arrived at Wallula, by steamer, he saw a vast extent of sagebrush and nothing more. He then read from Bancroft's history some interesting items showing the contrast of forty years. A weekly mail had been established between Walla Walla and Portland. The town contained 800 inhabitants. The only reference to the agricultural possibilities of this valley was the fact that some man had succeeded in raising a fine quality of sorghum which produced an excellent quality of syrup.Of the county officers that year the following are still alive and citizens of this city: Councilman, Daniel Stewart; sheriff, W. S. Gilliam; treasurer, James McAuliffe.A COMPARISON WITH THE PRESENTCaptain Johnson compared the advanced conditions of the present civilization, with the start of the country newspaper and the paper of today. "The news item at the early stage was the local news, births, marriages, deaths and the few other happenings; the editorials were devoted to national and territorial affairs and to my contemporary, theStatesman, across the street. I am out of the business, but I believe that the little four-page paper of those days had more influence than the large papers of today. My happiest days were when I was running a little country newspaper."PIONEERS IN BUSINESS"The Pioneer Business Man," was responded to by Benjamin Burgunder, a retired merchant of Colfax. "The work of the pioneer merchant was not all glory. Our patrons all claimed that we sold our goods too high. In the early days we had to go to San Francisco to buy our goods, then they came by water to Portland, by steamer from Portland to the lower Cascades, thence to the upper Cascades by rail, then again by steamer to The Dalles, from The Dalles to Celilo by rail and again by steamer to Wallula. From there they were brought by ox teams and pack horses to the interior. In some instances in the mines goods were carried on the backs of men. In one case it cost me just 60 cents per pound to deliver my goods at their destination. But those were times when we got dollar prices. I lost $25,000 once in developing the interests of the Northwest by trusting mining men."Mr. Burgunder paid a high tribute to Rev. H. H. Spalding, pioneer missionary, as one who had done more than any other for the development of the Northwest.PIONEER FARMINGJ. F. Brewer responded to "Pioneer Farming." "Farming in the Willamette Valley was first done by the crudest methods. I remember raking the grain that my father cradled. Later the mowers and reapers came and the header evolved from these. I came to Walla Walla in 1862. All south of the place was a barren sagebrush plain, and only one house, a stage station, in this region as far as I knew. In other parts of the valley there were a few farmers, all on the creeks. I remember the remark of Mr. Swezea, a prominent pioneer farmer, 'Your sons and mine may see railroads here but we never shall.'"Miss Nettie Galbreath recited "The Pioneers," a poem, which was received with hearty applause.PIONEER RELIGIONRev. Henry Brown responded to the "Pioneer Minister." "I came to Walla Walla in 1886, by way of Pasco. There had been a fire and about all there wasleft was safe which I was told belonged to the county, Pasco being a county seat. Several men with loaded guns were guarding the safe. At night I rented a wood shed, put my family in it and loaded two guns that I had and prepared to guard my family, thinking I had reached a land of ruffians and toughs. Father Wilbur, the pioneer missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, happened to be there; he asked what I was doing with my guns."IN THE COLVILLE VALLEY"Colville Reminiscences," was responded to by W. P. Winans. "One of the interesting features of that time was the social courtesies. A dance was given at the cantonment, to which every person in the valley, at least 400, was invited. The large hall was decorated with flags, banners and sabers. Immense chandeliers were formed of sabers, a candle being placed on the point of each saber. The effect was very unique. The guests were refreshed with all they could eat and drink. On New Year's Day we Americans drove to Angus McDonald's to make a call. He insisted on us staying to dinner. He entertained at that time in all 130 persons. We had no salads, but we had a good dinner.""In 1870 I heard the first Protestant sermon; it was preached by Rev. Cushing Eells. I took up the first collection in the Colville Valley, with which Father Eells bought a Bible, which is now in the Congregational Church at Chewelah."WOMEN OF EARLY DAYSHarry Reynolds responded to the "Pioneer Women." "The sublime sacrifice on the part of woman made by the pioneer women is unique in history. Those women were not fleeing from persecution or punishment, but were sacrificing the comforts of civilization for their devotion to duty and home. They represent the purest home life of America; the best womanhood. The pioneer women are the builders of the Inland Empire."PIONEERS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO BE"If we are not pioneers because we wanted to be and wear different colored ribbons, we have one advantage, we came at a tender age," said W. H. Kirkman, responding to "Pioneer Sons." "I came when I was two years old and brought my father and mother along with me. This valley was a barren waste of land then; now it is the finest valley the sun shines on; all honor to the pioneers.""I remember when the Village of Seattle boasted of being as large as Walla Walla; now, Seattle is the third city of the coast. Again all honor to the pioneers who have wrought such changes."EARLY SCHOOL WORK"Pioneer Education" was responded to by Professor Lyman. "I could draw contrasting pictures of the privations, rude homes and dangers on one side and the triumph of civilization on the other side of the line of pioneers, the log schoolhouse with the puncheon floor of the early days, with the well-equipped buildings of today. But is there more heart, soul and energy now than then?"BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF WALLA WALLATHE CITY HALL, WALLA WALLATWENTY-SEVEN OFFICERS RE-ELECTEDThe old officers were re-elected to serve for 1904-05: President, Dr. N. G. Blalock; first vice president, James McAuliffe; second vice president, Milton Evans; third vice president, A. G. Lloyd; secretary, Marvin Evans; treasurer, Senator Levi Ankeny; historian, Prof. W. D. Lyman.A committee on necrology was appointed, consisting of Professor Lyman and Marvin Evans.The third Thursday of September was appointed as the permanent day for holding the annual meeting of the Inland Empire Pioneer Association. The limit of eligibility was extended from 1875 to 1880.The following were among those present:Pioneers of 1843—Daniel Stewart.1845—Mrs. N. A. Jacobs, George Delaney, A. C. Lloyd, W. W. Walker.1846—Charles Clark.1847—Mrs. W. C. Painter, Elizabeth J. Scholl.1849—J. Pettyjohn, F. M. Lowden, J. M. Gose.1850—Samuel Kees, Lizzie Kees, Mark A. Evans, John McGhee.1851—E. T. McNall.1852—Eva Coston, Charles Lampman, Mrs. Jackson Nelson, C. C. Cram, Solomon Cummings, Hollon Parker, Peter Meads, Rebecca J. Meads, Nat Webb, John F. Kirby, Jennie Lasater, A. Wooton, Mrs. A. J. Colvin, Mrs. S. M. Cram.1853—J. N. McCaw, Angeline Merchant, W. D. Lyman, Mrs. Catherine Ritz, J. F. Brewer, A. McAlister, Catherine McAlister, Evaly Fleetch, Jacob Kibler, Mrs. M. H. Kirby, C. R. Frazier and wife.1854—Nellie Gilliam Day, James McEvoy, Mrs. Nat Webb, D. Wooton.1855—Alice E. Chamberlain, L. L. Hunt, John Rohn.1857—William Clark, Clare E. Cantonwine.1858—George W. Brown, E. H. Massam, William Coston.1859—W. P. Winans.1860—Philip Yenney, H. C. Chew, Thomas Gilkerson, C. F. Buck.1861—Charles H. Gregory, Mrs. N. E. Rice, A. J. Evans, Mrs. Araminta J. Evans, M. Evans, J. L. Hawley, Mrs. Mary Ernest.1862—Mrs. E. E. Kellogg, Christine Winans, William Glasford, Ben Burgunder.1863—H. A. Reynolds, Isabella Kirkman, W. J. Cantonwine.1864—Anna Stanfield, P. B. Johnson, William Stanfield, Sallie Stanfield, Hettie Malone, W. D. Paul, M. A. Caris and wife, George Dehaven, Caroline Ferrel.1865—Daniel Garrecht, James McInroe, S. F. Bucholz, J. A. Beard, Mrs. George Dehaven, John Sanders.1867—Louis Scholl.1868—Maggie Clark, W. H. Kirkman, J. W. Frazier, Marvin Evans.1869—Charles Painter, Mrs. W. C. Prather, D. C. Ingraham, Mina Evans.1870—Joseph Merchant, F. A. Garrecht, Z. K. Straight and wife.1871—Alice McEvans, George H. Starrett, Mrs. S. J. Pettyjohn, B. A. Herrold.1872—N. G. Blalock.1873—F. S. Gowan, Mrs. F. S. Gowan.1874—Julia Brown, Mrs. N. W. Dunnington.1875—D. D. Earp, Chris Seibert, Victor Schaffer.1876—J. F. Bucholz, George Whitehouse.1880—M. G. Parr.Unknown date—Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Nuttall, G. W. Loundagin and wife, Theodore Wolf and wife, Joseph Braden.PIONEER MEETING OF 1911(FromWalla Walla Unionof June 2, 1911).Though Father Time's blade has cut with remorseless sweep, and though the pioneers of the Walla Walla Valley have fallen before its swing, the attendance at the annual reunion of the pioneers yesterday was greater than has ever been known.More than two hundred people who came to the Northwest before railroads were built attended the annual meeting of the Inland Empire Pioneer Association at Whitman College yesterday.Honoring for the twelfth time Dr. N. G. Blalock, the Pioneer Association yesterday re-elected him its president. Marvin Evans was also chosen to fill the office of secretary for the twelfth successive time. Doctor Blalock and Mr. Evans both sought to refuse, but the overwhelming sentiment forced them to accept the positions."I feel that I shall not be with you again," said Doctor Blalock, "but if I can do any good while I am living, I am willing to do so. My health is such that I can do but little; but while life lasts I am ready to serve you, if you desire it. I had hoped to retire, but being an American, I must sacrifice my personal desires to the will of the majority."Hotly scoring the features of the meeting a year ago, Solomon Rader made the first address of the day."Political whitewash, the seeking of coal mines and the passing of two-gallon demijohns are out of place at a pioneers' reunion. Last year we had all three, this year I trust we will have none. I believed last year, when I made my farewell address, that I would not live to be present at this meeting, but I am here, and I feel twenty years younger than a year ago."Mr. Rader carried his remarks into a prohibition talk, and reviewed the focal situation, stating he believed that the votes of women might change affairs. Doctor Blalock then stated that he believed it the duty of all women to vote and that the pioneer woman should be first of all to cast her ballot. He introduced Mrs. Lulu Crandall of The Dalles, who spoke on "How We Preserve History at The Dalles."She told of the acquisition of the old surgeons' quarters of the old Fort Dalles, how they had been furnished, and how the relics of pioneer days were preserved there. An historical society has been organized, which is supportedby three classes of members: Active, who are members of the state historical society; associate, who are not members of the state organization; and honorary, those who made history in early days. The first two classes of members pay annual dues of $2. The plan, stated Mrs. Crandall, is working nicely.C. R. Frazier of Dixie was called upon, and his address, read by the secretary, follows:"Fellow members and friends of the Walla Walla County Pioneer Association:"As a member of the Walla Walla Pioneer Association I appreciate very much the fact that I again have the privilege to attend another one of this society's annual meetings and to meet with fellow members and friends of our association. To meet old pioneer friends and to talk over old times with them is something that affords me genuine pleasure. Certainly as long as I am able to get about you'll always find me in attendance at the annual meetings of this association."The few brief things I wish to say at this gathering I have had written out for when I attempt to talk at such gatherings as this one I find that my memory is not as good as it used to be and it is hard for me to say anything in a connected way."For forty-seven years I have been a resident of the Walla Walla Valley. As I have expressed myself many times before I think our valley, its climate and resources considered, is one of the greatest countries in the world. For years on my farm at Dixie I have been a producer of a varied line of farm products, not the least of which was much choice fruit and also several varieties of nuts. My orchards were not purchased ready made and I might say that I was the original planter of every tree on my place. During late years a picture of one of my apple trees has appeared in many newspapers and magazines throughout the world because it is a tree that holds a record for producing in one season as much as 126 boxes of fine apples. I will admit that I am proud of that old apple tree."While I have always been a hard worker I feel that the Walla Walla Valley has been kind to me and mine. I first made the trip across the plains from the east in 1853. This time, as a boy driving cattle, I made California. After spending a short time in California I returned east to my old home in Sullivan County, Mo. In 1863, with my earthly possessions consisting of my young wife and two children, a team of oxen and a somewhat delapidated vehicle that might be called a wagon I left Nebraska for the old Oregon country. Travelling over the old well known trails it was a long journey before we reached the Walla Walla Valley. On the trip across one of my children was born; other mishaps, more or less the result of fording streams and hitting the rough spots on the trail, also fell to our lot, but with us all such accidents were accepted as a matter of course and we didn't waste much time grieving about them. Our little caravan on its journey west was headed for Vancouver, but when it hit Meacham Mountains one fine fall day in the year 1864 and we had an opportunity to see the beautiful Walla Walla Valley I decided right there and then that I would travel no farther and that the Walla Walla Valley would be quite good enough for me."Reaching Walla Walla we found a town of some eight hundred people;I moved on up to the Dayton country and soon had located a claim near Dixie. I'll never forget such families as Longs, Lambs and Locks whom we came up with in our new home. Right from the start they were kind to us and helped us to get started in a country that was new to us. After we once got a start with a cow and some chickens the rest was comparatively easy. In the old pioneer days in this valley neighbors were very kind to one another."But perhaps I have said enough. I do not wish to tire you. In concluding I will say that this gathering is one that I esteem a great occasion; as it affords me an opportunity to meet many of my old friends and a chance to talk over old times with them it is a gathering I would not miss for anything. Thanking you very kindly for listening to my few brief remarks, I remain,"Yours truly,"C. R. Frazier."LYMAN MAKES TALKIn an interesting and instructive talk, Prof. W. D. Lyman told of the introduction of apples and cattle into the Northwest. He stated that the first apple trees known to have been planted in the Northwest were grown from the seeds planted by Doctor Whitman and Reverend Spalding at Waiilatpu and Alpowa. "The first trees of any consequence, however, were planted in the Willamette Valley in 1847 by Henderson Llewellan, who brought 700 small trees from Ohio in a crude wagon that had been fitted out to carry the trees. The wagon in which the trees were packed, in boxes, was heavy and time and again Llewellan was urged by his comrades to abandon the wagon, but he had an idea that fruit would grow well in the new Northwest country and he would not give up his travelling nursery. The trees, which were apple, pear, peach and cherry, were planted and it is recorded that most of them grew, and from this first small orchard grew the great fruit industry of the Northwest."The introduction of cattle into the Inland Empire, while as important in the results created, is more picturesque historically. The Hudson's Bay Company had a few cattle here as early as 1830, but they were very scarce, so scarce that Doctor McLoughlin made a rule against killing them. Marcus Whitman brought sixteen head of cattle with him when he first came to this country, while in 1838 Doctor Eells brought in fourteen head. These were only the small beginnings and were confined mostly to this immediate vicinity."The general cattle business of the Northwest was developed largely by the efforts of W. A. Slacum, who was sent to this country in 1836 by the United States Government to ascertain some of its resources and size it up generally. While in this country Mr. Slacum talked with the different American settlers and came to the conclusion that the introduction of cattle would do more toward securing a foothold for the United States than anything else. The hard part of it was to secure cattle. The Hudson's Bay Company would not sell their stock, even to their own people, but rented it out. In 1843 Ewing Young came to the Northwest from California, where he was known as a cattle rustler, and finding that his reputation had come along with him, settled in the Chehalem Valley, where it was his intention to make liquor and sell it to the Indians and wandering white men. He was, however, persuaded by Slacum and Doctor McLoughlin, who also saw the importance of securing cattle for this country, to go to California and bring a drove of cattle to Oregon. This drive took place in the years of 1837 and 1838. Young started from California with 700 head of cattle and arrived in the Willamette Valley with 800 head.
ARTICLE IThe name of this corporation, and by which it shall be known, is "Walla Walla Commercial Club."ARTICLE IIThe time of existence of this corporation shall be fifty years from the date hereof.ARTICLE IIIThe purposes for which this corporation is formed shall be to establish, equip, acquire, keep and maintain club rooms with the usual and convenient appliances of a social club; to engage in literary, educational and social pursuits and to provide ways and means therefor, and for the development of the physical and mental capacities of its members, and others, and for their social advantage, improvement and enjoyment in connection therewith; to advance the prosperity and growth of the City of Walla Walla and of the State of Washington, to encourage the establishment of manufactories and other industries; to seek remunerative markets for home products, and to foster capital and protect labor mutually interested in each others welfare; to collect and disseminate valuable agricultural, manufacturing and commercial information; to extend and develop trade agriculture, merchandise, banking and other lawful business pursuits, and to do any and all things necessary for the accomplishment of these purposes.ARTICLE IVThe principal place of business of said corporation shall be at Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, State of Washington.ARTICLE VThe members of this corporation may be individuals, co-partnerships or corporations. It shall have no capital stock, and shares therein shall not be issued. The interest of each member shall be equal to that of any other, and no member can acquire any interest which will entitle him to any greater voice, vote, authority or interest in the corporation than any other member. The corporation may issue membership certificates, which certificates shall be assignable under such provisions, rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the by-laws of the corporation. Memberships in the corporation may be terminated by voluntary withdrawal, by expulsion and by death, and the loss of membership through any such causes and the incidents thereto shall be governed by the by-laws of the corporation.ARTICLE VIThe number of trustees of this corporation shall be nine, and the names of the trustees who shall manage the affairs of the corporation until the second Thursday in April, 1909, are F. W. Kaser, H. H. Turner, F. S. Dement, W. H. Kirkman, J. M. Crawford, B. C. Holt, J. C. Scott, C. F. Nosler and J. P. Kent, all of whom reside at Walla Walla, Washington.The first election provided for in the foregoing articles occurred on the second Thursday of April, 1909, and resulted in the election of the following officers and trustees: J. C. Scott, president; J. H. Morrow, vice president; George E. Kellough, treasurer; A. C. Moore, secretary; L. M. Brown, assistant secretary (publicity). Trustees: J. C. Scott, J. H. Morrow, George E. Kellough, O. Drumheller, J. M. Crawford, F. S. Dement, R. H. Johnson, F. W. Kaser and E. C. Burlingame.Standing Committees: Freight and Transportation—B. C Holt, H. B. Strong, Oscar Drumheller, Fred Glafke and John Smith.House Committee: T. M. McKinney. Geo. Struthers, H. A. Gardner, F. S. Dement and J. P. Kent.Membership: W. H. Meyer, A. C. Van Dewater, J. M. Crawford, W. H. Paxton and O. M. Beatty.Reception and Entertainment: T. M. Hanger, P. M. Winans, H. H. Turner, R. E. Allen and W. A. Ritz.Auditing: C. S. Buffum, J. G. Anderson, R. H. Johnson, E. C. Mills.Library and Property: J. W. Langdon, J. J. Kaufman, J. H. Morrow, J. G. Frankland and C. M. Rader.Manufactories and New Industries: F. W. Kaser, H. H. Turner, J. M. Crawford, W. B. Foshay and L. M. Brown.The membership given in the handbook of 1910-11 includes 377 individuals and firms. The club had been, up to 1908 housed in the Ransom Building, now the Grand Hotel, but in that year of reorganization, made arrangements with the city for the present quarters in the City Hall. Large sums of money were raised during the "Publicity Era," about $20,000 each year. Mr. A. C. Moore continued to act as secretary until 1912, but in 1908 L. E. Meacham became publicity manager, which post he retained until 1910, when he was succeeded by L. M. Brown. Mr. Brown became secretary in 1912, upon the resignation of Mr. Moore, and he in turn was, succeeded in 1914 by Mr. O. C. Soots, the present secretary.The next epoch of the history of the Commercial Club may be said to have begun with the adoption of the bureau system at a special election in April 8, 1915. The essential provisions of the new system may be found in excerpts which follow from the amended by-laws of the club:BUREAU ORGANIZATIONSection 1. The membership of this organization shall be also formed into three main divisions, according to the expressed preference of each member, for the purpose of dividing the work of the organization into departments or bureaus, these bureaus to be designated as follows:1. Civic and Publicity.2. Commercial and Industrial.3. Horticultural and Agricultural.All members who fail or neglect, within a reasonable time, to express their preference as to bureau affiliation, shall be assigned to the several bureaus by the President in such proportion as may most nearly equalize the total membership of the several bureaus.Section 2. After a member of the Club shall have expressed his preference as to bureau affiliation, or shall have been assigned to bureau affiliation by the President, his affiliation shall be conditional upon his election to such bureaus by an affirmative vote of a majority of those present at any meeting of the Bureau Committee.Section 3. Subject to these By-Laws, each bureau shall have general charge of all matters relating to the general lines of work included in such bureau.Section 4. The work of each bureau shall be under the immediate direction of a Bureau Committee of not less than five, consisting of the Chairman, who shall have been designated Vice-President in charge of the Board of Trustees, and not less than four others selected from the membership represented in that bureau by him in conjunction with the President and from nominees of double the required number made by the membership of the bureau.Section 5. The standing and special committees of the Club shall be classified under the several bureaus according to the nature of their duties by the Board of Trustees upon the advice of the President and Secretary. Until other assignments are made by the Board of Trustees, the committees shall be classified under the several bureaus as follows:WAITSBURG'S FIFTH ANNUAL HORSE SHOW, MAY 1, 1909Civic and Publicity Bureau—Municipal and County Affairs; Publicity; Conventions; Expositions.Commercial and Industrial Bureau—Entertainment; Good Roads; Investigation and Endorsement; Manufacturers; Frontier Days; Freight and Transportation.Horticultural and Agricultural Bureau—Horticulture; Agriculture; Live Stock; By-Products; General Farming; Fruit Growers.Section 6. The President, with the advice of the Vice-Presidents of the respective bureaus, shall appoint annually the standing committees of the Club included within the several bureaus. He shall appoint standing committees on Membership, Finance, House, and such special committees as may be found necessary. Each bureau shall have at least one member on the Finance Committee.ARTICLE VIBOARD OF TRUSTEESSection 1. The authority of this organization shall be vested in a Board of Trustees numbering nine (9).Section 2. There shall be elected in every year of even numbers four Trustees, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council. There shall be elected in every year of odd numbers five Trustees, one from each Bureau, and two from the Membership Council, these Trustees to serve for two years each. Provided, that at the first election there shall be elected nine Trustees, two from each Bureau and three from the Membership Council, of whom five, three from the Bureaus and two from the Membership Council receiving the highest votes shall serve until the election in 1917 and four, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council receiving the next highest vote shall serve until the annual meeting of 1916. All of the provisions of Article VI shall apply to the special election held on the 8th day of April, 1915, to be known as the first annual meeting under these By-Laws.The first president under the bureau system was a man whom all people of the city delight to honor and whose appointment as commander, with rank of Major of the First Battalion of Field Artillery, N. G. W., is recognized by hosts of friends throughout the state as an eminently fit employment of ability, patriotism and energy. This first president was Maj. Paul H. Weyrauch. Mr. O. C. Soots has continued to fulfill his functions as secretary with conspicuous ability.The present personnel of officers and trustees is thus: E. L. Smalley, president; K. Falkenberg, vice president, Civic and Publicity Bureau; O. M. Beatty, vice president, Commercial and Industrial Bureau; John W. Langdon, vice president, Agricultural and Horticultural Bureau; F. S. Dement, treasurer; O. C. Soots, managing secretary. Directors: E. L. Smalley, F. S. Dement, J. A. McLean, J. W. Langdon, O. M. Beatty, K. Falkenberg, Fred Glafke, Louis Sutherland, O. T. Cornwell.WALLA WALLA LABOR UNIONThis is one of the largest and most influential organizations in the city. As compared with its brother organizations in the seaboard cities or in Spokane, it was late in formation. A community like Walla Walla, a rich agricultural region,does not seem to be the natural home for labor unions. The commercial and manufacturing and mining cities are the natural locations for these organizations. But in process of time the skilled laborers of Walla Walla were drawn by natural evolution into the great circle of organized labor.The Cigar-makers', the Carpenters' and the Painters' unions were the first in the field. They came into existence in 1900.Other groups rapidly followed and at the present time there are seventeen unions. The meeting places and times and the officers of each union are indicated by their published directory:LABOR UNION DIRECTORYTrades and Labor Council—Meets every Friday evening in Labor Temple. S. S. Stovall, president; L. F. Clarke, secretary.Carpenters & Joiners. Local 1214—Meets in Labor Temple every Wednesday night. A. V. Murphy, president; O. D. Keen, financial secretary; C. R. Nelson, recording secretary; C. A. Tompkins, treasurer.Printing Pressmen, Local 217—Meets second Wednesday of each month in Labor Temple. William Potgether, president; A. L. Anger, secretary.Journeymen Plumbers—Meets in Labor Temple every second and fourth Thursday of each month. Harry Harter, president; W. G. Collins, recording secretary; Fred Bowman, financial secretary.Painters, Paperhangers and Decorators—Meets first and third Monday evening of each month at Labor Temple. H. R. McCoy, president; O. K. Sweeney, recording secretary; H. J. Burke, financial secretary; Charles Hazlewood, treasurer.Bricklayers' Union—Meets in Labor Temple first and third Tuesdays of each month. Louis Hermish, president; Wm. F. Taylor, financial secretary; Russell Taylor, corresponding secretary; George Root, treasurer.Meat Cutters' Local—Meets first Monday of month in Labor Temple. H. N. Kettleson, vice president; A. McLeod, financial secretary; Theodore Maskeyleny, treasurer.Musicians' Protective Union—Meets in Germania Hall second Sunday of each month. M. A. Power, president; H. S. Buffum, secretary.Teamsters—Meets at Labor Temple second and fourth Mondays. Walter Elliott, president; Frank Dunnigan, financial secretary; Frank Lansing, corresponding secretary.Building Trades Council—Meets every Friday night at Labor Temple. F. J. Myers, president; James Grindle, secretary.Allied Printing Trades Council—Meets in Labor Temple second Wednesday of each month. R. C. McCracken, president; Charles Francke, secretary.Typographical Union No. 388—Meets last Sunday of each month in Labor Temple. H. F. Heimenz, president; J. M. Baldwin, financial secretary; Al Berg, recording secretary.Electrical Workers—Meets first and third Wednesdays at Labor Temple. E. M. Cruzen, president; Mitchell Anderson, secretary-treasurer.Journeymen Barbers—Meets first Thursday of every month in Labor Temple. N. J. Nicholson, president; H. S. Graves, secretary.Woman's Union Card and Label League—Meets in Labor Temple the first Tuesday of each month, at 2.30 P. M. Mrs. L. F. Clarke, president; Mrs. J. A. Lyons, secretary, Mrs. O. K. Sweeney, treasurer.Culinary Alliance, Local 626—Meet first and third Wednesdays in Labor Temple. Will Williams, president; Charles Miller, financial secretary; Fred Kenworthy, recording secretary; William Bowden, treasurer.Theatrical Stage Employes and Moving Picture Operators—Meets at Labor Temple first and third Sundays. J. A. Duggar, president; Frank Wright, vice president; Carl Crews, secretary; Blain Geer, treasurer.Sheet Metal Workers—Meets at Labor Temple second and fourth Mondays each month. O. L. Demory, president; C. C. Shafer, secretary.Hod Carriers, Building Laborers—Meets at Labor Temple every Thursday. Conrad Knopp, president; Fred Breit, financial secretary.Cigar-makers' Union—C. M. Golden, president; George Surbeck, secretary.The general management of these unions is delegated to the Trades and Labor council, in which each union is entitled to three representatives. The comparatively quiet and comfortable conditions in Walla Walla have not induced radical action by the unions and they have been a regularizing and balancing force of efficacy in their own lines and usually an influence for harmony in industrial life.The organ of the unions is theGarden City Monitor, published by L. F. Clarke and Jesse Ferney. A special number of theMonitorappears annually on each Labor Day. It is worthy of all praise, both from the editorial and the typographical standpoints.The membership of the Walla Walla unions now is about five hundred.FARMERS' UNIONThe largest and in many respects most important organization in the four counties is the Farmers' Union. This great organization is national in its aims and membership. Washington and Northern Idaho constitute one unit of the National, and in turn it is divided into county units, either single counties, as the large ones of the state like Yakima or Whitman, or by grouping, as in the smaller. Our counties belong in the latter category, and we find the Tri-County Union of Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield. Of this union G. M. Thompson of Dayton is at this date president, and A. C. Moore of Walla Walla is secretary. In the Tri-County Union there are eight local unions. They appear, with the secretary of each in this enumeration: Waitsburg No. 1, W. D. Wallace; Prescott, No. 2, O. V. Crow; Dayton, No. 3, Roy Ream; Mayview, No. 4, C. W. Cotton; Pomeroy, No. 10, W. J. Schmidt; Walla Walla, No. 27, W. J. McLean; Starbuck, No. 119, E. W. Powers; Central, No. 145, J. E. Tueth. As will be seen, Waitsburg has the distinction of being the premier union in point of time. It was organized in May, 1907, the first president being N. B. Atkinson, and the first secretary. J. A. Enochs.The total membership of the Tri-Sate Union is about six hundred. That of the Walla Walla Local is about one hundred and fifty.Intimately related to the Farmers' Union is the Farmers' Agency. While the officers are entirely distinct, the membership is practically identical, since the provisions of membership require any who own stock in the agency to belong to the union. Any farmer, however, may market his grain with the agency. At the present day Hon. Oliver Cornwell is president of the Agency, and the secretary is Eugene Kelly. As first organized and conducted for several years under the presidency of Hector McLean, the Agency was an information bureau only. But when Mr. Cornwell became president he entered upon the large task of creating out of it a genuine co-operative grain buying organization. After some years of experiment and adjusting, at times with very strenuous conditions, the effort was wholly successful and the Agency became a coherent organization, backed by the united force of the Farmers' Union and by the main weight of the farming community of Walla Walla. The primary object of the Agency is to co-operate to advantage in the marketing of crops. The local Walla Walla Agency has come to be a tremendous factor in the wheat market. Its existence has been abundantly justified by its success during these recent years in maintaining steady markets and in securing to its members all possible advantages.Aside from the immediate business aim of marketing crops through the Agency, the Farmer' Unions, both in their local capacity and in the Tri-County organization, have come to be one of the great forces in the political and social life of the region. Questions of roads and bridges, taxes, public buildings, state educational and penal institutions, problems affecting transportation and the labor market and labor union questions, have been subjects of discussion and recommendation at the regular weekly meetings. Lectures from time to time by recognized experts in the various problems involved have been presented and public men in state and county positions have been glad to consider with the unions the subjects relating to their functions.PUBLIC SCHOOL, PRESCOTTFRONTIER DAY IN WALLA WALLA—SCENE ON MAIN STREETIt is safe to say that any measures agreed upon by the Farmers' Unions are pretty certain to become the action of the body politic in the different counties. Once each quarter, and sometimes oftener, there are meetings of the Tri-County Union, at which the larger problems of farm life are considered, and in connection with which appetizing banquets prepared by the skillful hands and fine artistic taste of the wives and daughters bring joy and gayety and good fellowship to all concerned.To many of the readers of this volume, and in years to come to their children and grandchildren, the most significant of all the organized associations of their home country is theINLAND EMPIRE PIONEER ASSOCIATIONThis association was formed in 1900, largely under the initiative of Dr. N. G. Blalock. While there has been little machinery or formality about it, its yearly meetings for renewing the old ties have been among the most anticipated and cherished of all in the minds of many of the builders, the fathers and mothers of the Inland Empire. While the main membership has been in Walla Walla County or her daughter counties, it is not confined to that county, and a number of members live in Umatilla County, Oregon, and in Whitman, Adams and Franklin counties on the north side of Snake River.The officers of the association chosen at the first meeting were: Dr. N. G. Blalock, president; W. P. Winans, A. G. Lloyd and Ben Burgunder, vice presidents; Marvin Evans, secretary; Levi Ankeny, treasurer; W. D. Lyman, historian. These officers were almost constantly re-elected, until the lamented deaths of Doctor Blalock, Mr. Winans, and Mr. Lloyd. Ben Burgunder was chosen president to succeed Doctor Blalock, and at the present time F. M. Lowden, Joseph Harbert and W. D. Wallace are vice presidents.With the feeling that the members of the association and many others will be glad to read some of the proceedings and to see the list of members as a matter of permanent reference, we close this chapter with the excellent accounts given in theWalla Walla Unionof October 15, 1904, and June 2, 1911, of the annual meetings of those years.ANNUAL PIONEER MEETING OF 1904About one hundred and fifty of the pioneers of Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon, sturdy men and women, who have seen the country grow from a desolate looking waste of sagebrush and sand to one of the beauty spots of the Northwest—men and women who had not only seen this take place, but had helped, and are still, many of them, helping in this wonderful evolution—people who thirty or forty years ago were neighbors, though living many miles apart, met yesterday and sat down to the festive board loaded with the good cheer provided by the devoted pioneer women of this city in honor of the occasion.OLD NEIGHBORS MEETThe crowd assembled in the Goodman Building and there registered and received their badges, after which they marched to the banqueting rooms. Therewere many hearty handshakes as these old neighbors met, and the scene was one of glad reunion. There were the more elderly who had come here in the prime of life and whose gray hairs and wrinkled cheeks recalled the energy and vitality that had been spent in building up a new country. There were the younger men. those whose memories of older lands are but indistinct visions, and who have grown up with the country. But all had the common bond of acquaintance dating far back, a friendship tried and found worthy in the strife of many years.A FESTAL BOARDFlowers in profusion in the banquet hall told of the interest and devoted preparation of the pioneer ladies for this great annual event. The long tables in the room were laden with an abundance of every delicacy of the season. Before beginning the feast all stood with bowed heads while Rev. J. W. McGhee returned thanks, after which the edibles were enjoyed by the happy throng, reminiscences adding much pleasure to the occasion.Dr. N. G. Blalock, as toastmaster, at the close of the banquet, made a short address of welcome to the pioneers and spoke with much feeling in commemoration of people who had blazed the way to the present civilization and offered a tribute to their noble heroism and the deeds of courage and self-sacrifice.HARDSHIPS OF INDIAN WARSThe toastmaster introduced as the "Pioneer Indian War Veteran" of the association, Hon. A. G. Lloyd of Waitsburg. Mr. Lloyd gave a brief account of campaigning in 1855 in the Yakima Indian war. In one instance the volunteers were caught in a snowstorm and were cut off from supplies at The Dalles and were reduced to a small amount of flour and some tobacco. They furnished their own clothes and horses and could not draw on the Government supplies as there were none to draw on. Mr. Lloyd closed with the patriotic remark, "But we only did our duty and no more."FIRST NEWSPAPERCapt. P. B. Johnson responded to "The Pioneer Newspaper Business." He related the anecdote of the adopted child which replied to the boasts of other children that it had no papa and mamma, that "Your papa and mamma are yours because they have to be, mine are mine because they want to be." He referred to the younger pioneers being pioneers because they had to be.Captain Johnson said that when he had an opportunity to come here from Arizona he looked up the location on the map and expected to find fruits and fields similar to those in the same latitude east, but when in 1864 he arrived at Wallula, by steamer, he saw a vast extent of sagebrush and nothing more. He then read from Bancroft's history some interesting items showing the contrast of forty years. A weekly mail had been established between Walla Walla and Portland. The town contained 800 inhabitants. The only reference to the agricultural possibilities of this valley was the fact that some man had succeeded in raising a fine quality of sorghum which produced an excellent quality of syrup.Of the county officers that year the following are still alive and citizens of this city: Councilman, Daniel Stewart; sheriff, W. S. Gilliam; treasurer, James McAuliffe.A COMPARISON WITH THE PRESENTCaptain Johnson compared the advanced conditions of the present civilization, with the start of the country newspaper and the paper of today. "The news item at the early stage was the local news, births, marriages, deaths and the few other happenings; the editorials were devoted to national and territorial affairs and to my contemporary, theStatesman, across the street. I am out of the business, but I believe that the little four-page paper of those days had more influence than the large papers of today. My happiest days were when I was running a little country newspaper."PIONEERS IN BUSINESS"The Pioneer Business Man," was responded to by Benjamin Burgunder, a retired merchant of Colfax. "The work of the pioneer merchant was not all glory. Our patrons all claimed that we sold our goods too high. In the early days we had to go to San Francisco to buy our goods, then they came by water to Portland, by steamer from Portland to the lower Cascades, thence to the upper Cascades by rail, then again by steamer to The Dalles, from The Dalles to Celilo by rail and again by steamer to Wallula. From there they were brought by ox teams and pack horses to the interior. In some instances in the mines goods were carried on the backs of men. In one case it cost me just 60 cents per pound to deliver my goods at their destination. But those were times when we got dollar prices. I lost $25,000 once in developing the interests of the Northwest by trusting mining men."Mr. Burgunder paid a high tribute to Rev. H. H. Spalding, pioneer missionary, as one who had done more than any other for the development of the Northwest.PIONEER FARMINGJ. F. Brewer responded to "Pioneer Farming." "Farming in the Willamette Valley was first done by the crudest methods. I remember raking the grain that my father cradled. Later the mowers and reapers came and the header evolved from these. I came to Walla Walla in 1862. All south of the place was a barren sagebrush plain, and only one house, a stage station, in this region as far as I knew. In other parts of the valley there were a few farmers, all on the creeks. I remember the remark of Mr. Swezea, a prominent pioneer farmer, 'Your sons and mine may see railroads here but we never shall.'"Miss Nettie Galbreath recited "The Pioneers," a poem, which was received with hearty applause.PIONEER RELIGIONRev. Henry Brown responded to the "Pioneer Minister." "I came to Walla Walla in 1886, by way of Pasco. There had been a fire and about all there wasleft was safe which I was told belonged to the county, Pasco being a county seat. Several men with loaded guns were guarding the safe. At night I rented a wood shed, put my family in it and loaded two guns that I had and prepared to guard my family, thinking I had reached a land of ruffians and toughs. Father Wilbur, the pioneer missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, happened to be there; he asked what I was doing with my guns."IN THE COLVILLE VALLEY"Colville Reminiscences," was responded to by W. P. Winans. "One of the interesting features of that time was the social courtesies. A dance was given at the cantonment, to which every person in the valley, at least 400, was invited. The large hall was decorated with flags, banners and sabers. Immense chandeliers were formed of sabers, a candle being placed on the point of each saber. The effect was very unique. The guests were refreshed with all they could eat and drink. On New Year's Day we Americans drove to Angus McDonald's to make a call. He insisted on us staying to dinner. He entertained at that time in all 130 persons. We had no salads, but we had a good dinner.""In 1870 I heard the first Protestant sermon; it was preached by Rev. Cushing Eells. I took up the first collection in the Colville Valley, with which Father Eells bought a Bible, which is now in the Congregational Church at Chewelah."WOMEN OF EARLY DAYSHarry Reynolds responded to the "Pioneer Women." "The sublime sacrifice on the part of woman made by the pioneer women is unique in history. Those women were not fleeing from persecution or punishment, but were sacrificing the comforts of civilization for their devotion to duty and home. They represent the purest home life of America; the best womanhood. The pioneer women are the builders of the Inland Empire."PIONEERS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO BE"If we are not pioneers because we wanted to be and wear different colored ribbons, we have one advantage, we came at a tender age," said W. H. Kirkman, responding to "Pioneer Sons." "I came when I was two years old and brought my father and mother along with me. This valley was a barren waste of land then; now it is the finest valley the sun shines on; all honor to the pioneers.""I remember when the Village of Seattle boasted of being as large as Walla Walla; now, Seattle is the third city of the coast. Again all honor to the pioneers who have wrought such changes."EARLY SCHOOL WORK"Pioneer Education" was responded to by Professor Lyman. "I could draw contrasting pictures of the privations, rude homes and dangers on one side and the triumph of civilization on the other side of the line of pioneers, the log schoolhouse with the puncheon floor of the early days, with the well-equipped buildings of today. But is there more heart, soul and energy now than then?"BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF WALLA WALLATHE CITY HALL, WALLA WALLATWENTY-SEVEN OFFICERS RE-ELECTEDThe old officers were re-elected to serve for 1904-05: President, Dr. N. G. Blalock; first vice president, James McAuliffe; second vice president, Milton Evans; third vice president, A. G. Lloyd; secretary, Marvin Evans; treasurer, Senator Levi Ankeny; historian, Prof. W. D. Lyman.A committee on necrology was appointed, consisting of Professor Lyman and Marvin Evans.The third Thursday of September was appointed as the permanent day for holding the annual meeting of the Inland Empire Pioneer Association. The limit of eligibility was extended from 1875 to 1880.The following were among those present:Pioneers of 1843—Daniel Stewart.1845—Mrs. N. A. Jacobs, George Delaney, A. C. Lloyd, W. W. Walker.1846—Charles Clark.1847—Mrs. W. C. Painter, Elizabeth J. Scholl.1849—J. Pettyjohn, F. M. Lowden, J. M. Gose.1850—Samuel Kees, Lizzie Kees, Mark A. Evans, John McGhee.1851—E. T. McNall.1852—Eva Coston, Charles Lampman, Mrs. Jackson Nelson, C. C. Cram, Solomon Cummings, Hollon Parker, Peter Meads, Rebecca J. Meads, Nat Webb, John F. Kirby, Jennie Lasater, A. Wooton, Mrs. A. J. Colvin, Mrs. S. M. Cram.1853—J. N. McCaw, Angeline Merchant, W. D. Lyman, Mrs. Catherine Ritz, J. F. Brewer, A. McAlister, Catherine McAlister, Evaly Fleetch, Jacob Kibler, Mrs. M. H. Kirby, C. R. Frazier and wife.1854—Nellie Gilliam Day, James McEvoy, Mrs. Nat Webb, D. Wooton.1855—Alice E. Chamberlain, L. L. Hunt, John Rohn.1857—William Clark, Clare E. Cantonwine.1858—George W. Brown, E. H. Massam, William Coston.1859—W. P. Winans.1860—Philip Yenney, H. C. Chew, Thomas Gilkerson, C. F. Buck.1861—Charles H. Gregory, Mrs. N. E. Rice, A. J. Evans, Mrs. Araminta J. Evans, M. Evans, J. L. Hawley, Mrs. Mary Ernest.1862—Mrs. E. E. Kellogg, Christine Winans, William Glasford, Ben Burgunder.1863—H. A. Reynolds, Isabella Kirkman, W. J. Cantonwine.1864—Anna Stanfield, P. B. Johnson, William Stanfield, Sallie Stanfield, Hettie Malone, W. D. Paul, M. A. Caris and wife, George Dehaven, Caroline Ferrel.1865—Daniel Garrecht, James McInroe, S. F. Bucholz, J. A. Beard, Mrs. George Dehaven, John Sanders.1867—Louis Scholl.1868—Maggie Clark, W. H. Kirkman, J. W. Frazier, Marvin Evans.1869—Charles Painter, Mrs. W. C. Prather, D. C. Ingraham, Mina Evans.1870—Joseph Merchant, F. A. Garrecht, Z. K. Straight and wife.1871—Alice McEvans, George H. Starrett, Mrs. S. J. Pettyjohn, B. A. Herrold.1872—N. G. Blalock.1873—F. S. Gowan, Mrs. F. S. Gowan.1874—Julia Brown, Mrs. N. W. Dunnington.1875—D. D. Earp, Chris Seibert, Victor Schaffer.1876—J. F. Bucholz, George Whitehouse.1880—M. G. Parr.Unknown date—Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Nuttall, G. W. Loundagin and wife, Theodore Wolf and wife, Joseph Braden.PIONEER MEETING OF 1911(FromWalla Walla Unionof June 2, 1911).Though Father Time's blade has cut with remorseless sweep, and though the pioneers of the Walla Walla Valley have fallen before its swing, the attendance at the annual reunion of the pioneers yesterday was greater than has ever been known.More than two hundred people who came to the Northwest before railroads were built attended the annual meeting of the Inland Empire Pioneer Association at Whitman College yesterday.Honoring for the twelfth time Dr. N. G. Blalock, the Pioneer Association yesterday re-elected him its president. Marvin Evans was also chosen to fill the office of secretary for the twelfth successive time. Doctor Blalock and Mr. Evans both sought to refuse, but the overwhelming sentiment forced them to accept the positions."I feel that I shall not be with you again," said Doctor Blalock, "but if I can do any good while I am living, I am willing to do so. My health is such that I can do but little; but while life lasts I am ready to serve you, if you desire it. I had hoped to retire, but being an American, I must sacrifice my personal desires to the will of the majority."Hotly scoring the features of the meeting a year ago, Solomon Rader made the first address of the day."Political whitewash, the seeking of coal mines and the passing of two-gallon demijohns are out of place at a pioneers' reunion. Last year we had all three, this year I trust we will have none. I believed last year, when I made my farewell address, that I would not live to be present at this meeting, but I am here, and I feel twenty years younger than a year ago."Mr. Rader carried his remarks into a prohibition talk, and reviewed the focal situation, stating he believed that the votes of women might change affairs. Doctor Blalock then stated that he believed it the duty of all women to vote and that the pioneer woman should be first of all to cast her ballot. He introduced Mrs. Lulu Crandall of The Dalles, who spoke on "How We Preserve History at The Dalles."She told of the acquisition of the old surgeons' quarters of the old Fort Dalles, how they had been furnished, and how the relics of pioneer days were preserved there. An historical society has been organized, which is supportedby three classes of members: Active, who are members of the state historical society; associate, who are not members of the state organization; and honorary, those who made history in early days. The first two classes of members pay annual dues of $2. The plan, stated Mrs. Crandall, is working nicely.C. R. Frazier of Dixie was called upon, and his address, read by the secretary, follows:"Fellow members and friends of the Walla Walla County Pioneer Association:"As a member of the Walla Walla Pioneer Association I appreciate very much the fact that I again have the privilege to attend another one of this society's annual meetings and to meet with fellow members and friends of our association. To meet old pioneer friends and to talk over old times with them is something that affords me genuine pleasure. Certainly as long as I am able to get about you'll always find me in attendance at the annual meetings of this association."The few brief things I wish to say at this gathering I have had written out for when I attempt to talk at such gatherings as this one I find that my memory is not as good as it used to be and it is hard for me to say anything in a connected way."For forty-seven years I have been a resident of the Walla Walla Valley. As I have expressed myself many times before I think our valley, its climate and resources considered, is one of the greatest countries in the world. For years on my farm at Dixie I have been a producer of a varied line of farm products, not the least of which was much choice fruit and also several varieties of nuts. My orchards were not purchased ready made and I might say that I was the original planter of every tree on my place. During late years a picture of one of my apple trees has appeared in many newspapers and magazines throughout the world because it is a tree that holds a record for producing in one season as much as 126 boxes of fine apples. I will admit that I am proud of that old apple tree."While I have always been a hard worker I feel that the Walla Walla Valley has been kind to me and mine. I first made the trip across the plains from the east in 1853. This time, as a boy driving cattle, I made California. After spending a short time in California I returned east to my old home in Sullivan County, Mo. In 1863, with my earthly possessions consisting of my young wife and two children, a team of oxen and a somewhat delapidated vehicle that might be called a wagon I left Nebraska for the old Oregon country. Travelling over the old well known trails it was a long journey before we reached the Walla Walla Valley. On the trip across one of my children was born; other mishaps, more or less the result of fording streams and hitting the rough spots on the trail, also fell to our lot, but with us all such accidents were accepted as a matter of course and we didn't waste much time grieving about them. Our little caravan on its journey west was headed for Vancouver, but when it hit Meacham Mountains one fine fall day in the year 1864 and we had an opportunity to see the beautiful Walla Walla Valley I decided right there and then that I would travel no farther and that the Walla Walla Valley would be quite good enough for me."Reaching Walla Walla we found a town of some eight hundred people;I moved on up to the Dayton country and soon had located a claim near Dixie. I'll never forget such families as Longs, Lambs and Locks whom we came up with in our new home. Right from the start they were kind to us and helped us to get started in a country that was new to us. After we once got a start with a cow and some chickens the rest was comparatively easy. In the old pioneer days in this valley neighbors were very kind to one another."But perhaps I have said enough. I do not wish to tire you. In concluding I will say that this gathering is one that I esteem a great occasion; as it affords me an opportunity to meet many of my old friends and a chance to talk over old times with them it is a gathering I would not miss for anything. Thanking you very kindly for listening to my few brief remarks, I remain,"Yours truly,"C. R. Frazier."LYMAN MAKES TALKIn an interesting and instructive talk, Prof. W. D. Lyman told of the introduction of apples and cattle into the Northwest. He stated that the first apple trees known to have been planted in the Northwest were grown from the seeds planted by Doctor Whitman and Reverend Spalding at Waiilatpu and Alpowa. "The first trees of any consequence, however, were planted in the Willamette Valley in 1847 by Henderson Llewellan, who brought 700 small trees from Ohio in a crude wagon that had been fitted out to carry the trees. The wagon in which the trees were packed, in boxes, was heavy and time and again Llewellan was urged by his comrades to abandon the wagon, but he had an idea that fruit would grow well in the new Northwest country and he would not give up his travelling nursery. The trees, which were apple, pear, peach and cherry, were planted and it is recorded that most of them grew, and from this first small orchard grew the great fruit industry of the Northwest."The introduction of cattle into the Inland Empire, while as important in the results created, is more picturesque historically. The Hudson's Bay Company had a few cattle here as early as 1830, but they were very scarce, so scarce that Doctor McLoughlin made a rule against killing them. Marcus Whitman brought sixteen head of cattle with him when he first came to this country, while in 1838 Doctor Eells brought in fourteen head. These were only the small beginnings and were confined mostly to this immediate vicinity."The general cattle business of the Northwest was developed largely by the efforts of W. A. Slacum, who was sent to this country in 1836 by the United States Government to ascertain some of its resources and size it up generally. While in this country Mr. Slacum talked with the different American settlers and came to the conclusion that the introduction of cattle would do more toward securing a foothold for the United States than anything else. The hard part of it was to secure cattle. The Hudson's Bay Company would not sell their stock, even to their own people, but rented it out. In 1843 Ewing Young came to the Northwest from California, where he was known as a cattle rustler, and finding that his reputation had come along with him, settled in the Chehalem Valley, where it was his intention to make liquor and sell it to the Indians and wandering white men. He was, however, persuaded by Slacum and Doctor McLoughlin, who also saw the importance of securing cattle for this country, to go to California and bring a drove of cattle to Oregon. This drive took place in the years of 1837 and 1838. Young started from California with 700 head of cattle and arrived in the Willamette Valley with 800 head.
ARTICLE IThe name of this corporation, and by which it shall be known, is "Walla Walla Commercial Club."ARTICLE IIThe time of existence of this corporation shall be fifty years from the date hereof.ARTICLE IIIThe purposes for which this corporation is formed shall be to establish, equip, acquire, keep and maintain club rooms with the usual and convenient appliances of a social club; to engage in literary, educational and social pursuits and to provide ways and means therefor, and for the development of the physical and mental capacities of its members, and others, and for their social advantage, improvement and enjoyment in connection therewith; to advance the prosperity and growth of the City of Walla Walla and of the State of Washington, to encourage the establishment of manufactories and other industries; to seek remunerative markets for home products, and to foster capital and protect labor mutually interested in each others welfare; to collect and disseminate valuable agricultural, manufacturing and commercial information; to extend and develop trade agriculture, merchandise, banking and other lawful business pursuits, and to do any and all things necessary for the accomplishment of these purposes.ARTICLE IVThe principal place of business of said corporation shall be at Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, State of Washington.ARTICLE VThe members of this corporation may be individuals, co-partnerships or corporations. It shall have no capital stock, and shares therein shall not be issued. The interest of each member shall be equal to that of any other, and no member can acquire any interest which will entitle him to any greater voice, vote, authority or interest in the corporation than any other member. The corporation may issue membership certificates, which certificates shall be assignable under such provisions, rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the by-laws of the corporation. Memberships in the corporation may be terminated by voluntary withdrawal, by expulsion and by death, and the loss of membership through any such causes and the incidents thereto shall be governed by the by-laws of the corporation.ARTICLE VIThe number of trustees of this corporation shall be nine, and the names of the trustees who shall manage the affairs of the corporation until the second Thursday in April, 1909, are F. W. Kaser, H. H. Turner, F. S. Dement, W. H. Kirkman, J. M. Crawford, B. C. Holt, J. C. Scott, C. F. Nosler and J. P. Kent, all of whom reside at Walla Walla, Washington.
ARTICLE I
The name of this corporation, and by which it shall be known, is "Walla Walla Commercial Club."
ARTICLE II
The time of existence of this corporation shall be fifty years from the date hereof.
ARTICLE III
The purposes for which this corporation is formed shall be to establish, equip, acquire, keep and maintain club rooms with the usual and convenient appliances of a social club; to engage in literary, educational and social pursuits and to provide ways and means therefor, and for the development of the physical and mental capacities of its members, and others, and for their social advantage, improvement and enjoyment in connection therewith; to advance the prosperity and growth of the City of Walla Walla and of the State of Washington, to encourage the establishment of manufactories and other industries; to seek remunerative markets for home products, and to foster capital and protect labor mutually interested in each others welfare; to collect and disseminate valuable agricultural, manufacturing and commercial information; to extend and develop trade agriculture, merchandise, banking and other lawful business pursuits, and to do any and all things necessary for the accomplishment of these purposes.
ARTICLE IV
The principal place of business of said corporation shall be at Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, State of Washington.
ARTICLE V
The members of this corporation may be individuals, co-partnerships or corporations. It shall have no capital stock, and shares therein shall not be issued. The interest of each member shall be equal to that of any other, and no member can acquire any interest which will entitle him to any greater voice, vote, authority or interest in the corporation than any other member. The corporation may issue membership certificates, which certificates shall be assignable under such provisions, rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the by-laws of the corporation. Memberships in the corporation may be terminated by voluntary withdrawal, by expulsion and by death, and the loss of membership through any such causes and the incidents thereto shall be governed by the by-laws of the corporation.
ARTICLE VI
The number of trustees of this corporation shall be nine, and the names of the trustees who shall manage the affairs of the corporation until the second Thursday in April, 1909, are F. W. Kaser, H. H. Turner, F. S. Dement, W. H. Kirkman, J. M. Crawford, B. C. Holt, J. C. Scott, C. F. Nosler and J. P. Kent, all of whom reside at Walla Walla, Washington.
The first election provided for in the foregoing articles occurred on the second Thursday of April, 1909, and resulted in the election of the following officers and trustees: J. C. Scott, president; J. H. Morrow, vice president; George E. Kellough, treasurer; A. C. Moore, secretary; L. M. Brown, assistant secretary (publicity). Trustees: J. C. Scott, J. H. Morrow, George E. Kellough, O. Drumheller, J. M. Crawford, F. S. Dement, R. H. Johnson, F. W. Kaser and E. C. Burlingame.
Standing Committees: Freight and Transportation—B. C Holt, H. B. Strong, Oscar Drumheller, Fred Glafke and John Smith.
House Committee: T. M. McKinney. Geo. Struthers, H. A. Gardner, F. S. Dement and J. P. Kent.
Membership: W. H. Meyer, A. C. Van Dewater, J. M. Crawford, W. H. Paxton and O. M. Beatty.
Reception and Entertainment: T. M. Hanger, P. M. Winans, H. H. Turner, R. E. Allen and W. A. Ritz.
Auditing: C. S. Buffum, J. G. Anderson, R. H. Johnson, E. C. Mills.
Library and Property: J. W. Langdon, J. J. Kaufman, J. H. Morrow, J. G. Frankland and C. M. Rader.
Manufactories and New Industries: F. W. Kaser, H. H. Turner, J. M. Crawford, W. B. Foshay and L. M. Brown.
The membership given in the handbook of 1910-11 includes 377 individuals and firms. The club had been, up to 1908 housed in the Ransom Building, now the Grand Hotel, but in that year of reorganization, made arrangements with the city for the present quarters in the City Hall. Large sums of money were raised during the "Publicity Era," about $20,000 each year. Mr. A. C. Moore continued to act as secretary until 1912, but in 1908 L. E. Meacham became publicity manager, which post he retained until 1910, when he was succeeded by L. M. Brown. Mr. Brown became secretary in 1912, upon the resignation of Mr. Moore, and he in turn was, succeeded in 1914 by Mr. O. C. Soots, the present secretary.
The next epoch of the history of the Commercial Club may be said to have begun with the adoption of the bureau system at a special election in April 8, 1915. The essential provisions of the new system may be found in excerpts which follow from the amended by-laws of the club:
BUREAU ORGANIZATION
Section 1. The membership of this organization shall be also formed into three main divisions, according to the expressed preference of each member, for the purpose of dividing the work of the organization into departments or bureaus, these bureaus to be designated as follows:1. Civic and Publicity.2. Commercial and Industrial.3. Horticultural and Agricultural.All members who fail or neglect, within a reasonable time, to express their preference as to bureau affiliation, shall be assigned to the several bureaus by the President in such proportion as may most nearly equalize the total membership of the several bureaus.Section 2. After a member of the Club shall have expressed his preference as to bureau affiliation, or shall have been assigned to bureau affiliation by the President, his affiliation shall be conditional upon his election to such bureaus by an affirmative vote of a majority of those present at any meeting of the Bureau Committee.Section 3. Subject to these By-Laws, each bureau shall have general charge of all matters relating to the general lines of work included in such bureau.Section 4. The work of each bureau shall be under the immediate direction of a Bureau Committee of not less than five, consisting of the Chairman, who shall have been designated Vice-President in charge of the Board of Trustees, and not less than four others selected from the membership represented in that bureau by him in conjunction with the President and from nominees of double the required number made by the membership of the bureau.Section 5. The standing and special committees of the Club shall be classified under the several bureaus according to the nature of their duties by the Board of Trustees upon the advice of the President and Secretary. Until other assignments are made by the Board of Trustees, the committees shall be classified under the several bureaus as follows:
Section 1. The membership of this organization shall be also formed into three main divisions, according to the expressed preference of each member, for the purpose of dividing the work of the organization into departments or bureaus, these bureaus to be designated as follows:
1. Civic and Publicity.2. Commercial and Industrial.3. Horticultural and Agricultural.
All members who fail or neglect, within a reasonable time, to express their preference as to bureau affiliation, shall be assigned to the several bureaus by the President in such proportion as may most nearly equalize the total membership of the several bureaus.
Section 2. After a member of the Club shall have expressed his preference as to bureau affiliation, or shall have been assigned to bureau affiliation by the President, his affiliation shall be conditional upon his election to such bureaus by an affirmative vote of a majority of those present at any meeting of the Bureau Committee.
Section 3. Subject to these By-Laws, each bureau shall have general charge of all matters relating to the general lines of work included in such bureau.
Section 4. The work of each bureau shall be under the immediate direction of a Bureau Committee of not less than five, consisting of the Chairman, who shall have been designated Vice-President in charge of the Board of Trustees, and not less than four others selected from the membership represented in that bureau by him in conjunction with the President and from nominees of double the required number made by the membership of the bureau.
Section 5. The standing and special committees of the Club shall be classified under the several bureaus according to the nature of their duties by the Board of Trustees upon the advice of the President and Secretary. Until other assignments are made by the Board of Trustees, the committees shall be classified under the several bureaus as follows:
WAITSBURG'S FIFTH ANNUAL HORSE SHOW, MAY 1, 1909
WAITSBURG'S FIFTH ANNUAL HORSE SHOW, MAY 1, 1909
WAITSBURG'S FIFTH ANNUAL HORSE SHOW, MAY 1, 1909
Civic and Publicity Bureau—Municipal and County Affairs; Publicity; Conventions; Expositions.Commercial and Industrial Bureau—Entertainment; Good Roads; Investigation and Endorsement; Manufacturers; Frontier Days; Freight and Transportation.Horticultural and Agricultural Bureau—Horticulture; Agriculture; Live Stock; By-Products; General Farming; Fruit Growers.Section 6. The President, with the advice of the Vice-Presidents of the respective bureaus, shall appoint annually the standing committees of the Club included within the several bureaus. He shall appoint standing committees on Membership, Finance, House, and such special committees as may be found necessary. Each bureau shall have at least one member on the Finance Committee.ARTICLE VIBOARD OF TRUSTEESSection 1. The authority of this organization shall be vested in a Board of Trustees numbering nine (9).Section 2. There shall be elected in every year of even numbers four Trustees, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council. There shall be elected in every year of odd numbers five Trustees, one from each Bureau, and two from the Membership Council, these Trustees to serve for two years each. Provided, that at the first election there shall be elected nine Trustees, two from each Bureau and three from the Membership Council, of whom five, three from the Bureaus and two from the Membership Council receiving the highest votes shall serve until the election in 1917 and four, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council receiving the next highest vote shall serve until the annual meeting of 1916. All of the provisions of Article VI shall apply to the special election held on the 8th day of April, 1915, to be known as the first annual meeting under these By-Laws.
Civic and Publicity Bureau—Municipal and County Affairs; Publicity; Conventions; Expositions.
Commercial and Industrial Bureau—Entertainment; Good Roads; Investigation and Endorsement; Manufacturers; Frontier Days; Freight and Transportation.
Horticultural and Agricultural Bureau—Horticulture; Agriculture; Live Stock; By-Products; General Farming; Fruit Growers.
Section 6. The President, with the advice of the Vice-Presidents of the respective bureaus, shall appoint annually the standing committees of the Club included within the several bureaus. He shall appoint standing committees on Membership, Finance, House, and such special committees as may be found necessary. Each bureau shall have at least one member on the Finance Committee.
ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. The authority of this organization shall be vested in a Board of Trustees numbering nine (9).
Section 2. There shall be elected in every year of even numbers four Trustees, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council. There shall be elected in every year of odd numbers five Trustees, one from each Bureau, and two from the Membership Council, these Trustees to serve for two years each. Provided, that at the first election there shall be elected nine Trustees, two from each Bureau and three from the Membership Council, of whom five, three from the Bureaus and two from the Membership Council receiving the highest votes shall serve until the election in 1917 and four, one from each bureau and one from the Membership Council receiving the next highest vote shall serve until the annual meeting of 1916. All of the provisions of Article VI shall apply to the special election held on the 8th day of April, 1915, to be known as the first annual meeting under these By-Laws.
The first president under the bureau system was a man whom all people of the city delight to honor and whose appointment as commander, with rank of Major of the First Battalion of Field Artillery, N. G. W., is recognized by hosts of friends throughout the state as an eminently fit employment of ability, patriotism and energy. This first president was Maj. Paul H. Weyrauch. Mr. O. C. Soots has continued to fulfill his functions as secretary with conspicuous ability.
The present personnel of officers and trustees is thus: E. L. Smalley, president; K. Falkenberg, vice president, Civic and Publicity Bureau; O. M. Beatty, vice president, Commercial and Industrial Bureau; John W. Langdon, vice president, Agricultural and Horticultural Bureau; F. S. Dement, treasurer; O. C. Soots, managing secretary. Directors: E. L. Smalley, F. S. Dement, J. A. McLean, J. W. Langdon, O. M. Beatty, K. Falkenberg, Fred Glafke, Louis Sutherland, O. T. Cornwell.
WALLA WALLA LABOR UNION
This is one of the largest and most influential organizations in the city. As compared with its brother organizations in the seaboard cities or in Spokane, it was late in formation. A community like Walla Walla, a rich agricultural region,does not seem to be the natural home for labor unions. The commercial and manufacturing and mining cities are the natural locations for these organizations. But in process of time the skilled laborers of Walla Walla were drawn by natural evolution into the great circle of organized labor.
The Cigar-makers', the Carpenters' and the Painters' unions were the first in the field. They came into existence in 1900.
Other groups rapidly followed and at the present time there are seventeen unions. The meeting places and times and the officers of each union are indicated by their published directory:
LABOR UNION DIRECTORY
Trades and Labor Council—Meets every Friday evening in Labor Temple. S. S. Stovall, president; L. F. Clarke, secretary.
Carpenters & Joiners. Local 1214—Meets in Labor Temple every Wednesday night. A. V. Murphy, president; O. D. Keen, financial secretary; C. R. Nelson, recording secretary; C. A. Tompkins, treasurer.
Printing Pressmen, Local 217—Meets second Wednesday of each month in Labor Temple. William Potgether, president; A. L. Anger, secretary.
Journeymen Plumbers—Meets in Labor Temple every second and fourth Thursday of each month. Harry Harter, president; W. G. Collins, recording secretary; Fred Bowman, financial secretary.
Painters, Paperhangers and Decorators—Meets first and third Monday evening of each month at Labor Temple. H. R. McCoy, president; O. K. Sweeney, recording secretary; H. J. Burke, financial secretary; Charles Hazlewood, treasurer.
Bricklayers' Union—Meets in Labor Temple first and third Tuesdays of each month. Louis Hermish, president; Wm. F. Taylor, financial secretary; Russell Taylor, corresponding secretary; George Root, treasurer.
Meat Cutters' Local—Meets first Monday of month in Labor Temple. H. N. Kettleson, vice president; A. McLeod, financial secretary; Theodore Maskeyleny, treasurer.
Musicians' Protective Union—Meets in Germania Hall second Sunday of each month. M. A. Power, president; H. S. Buffum, secretary.
Teamsters—Meets at Labor Temple second and fourth Mondays. Walter Elliott, president; Frank Dunnigan, financial secretary; Frank Lansing, corresponding secretary.
Building Trades Council—Meets every Friday night at Labor Temple. F. J. Myers, president; James Grindle, secretary.
Allied Printing Trades Council—Meets in Labor Temple second Wednesday of each month. R. C. McCracken, president; Charles Francke, secretary.
Typographical Union No. 388—Meets last Sunday of each month in Labor Temple. H. F. Heimenz, president; J. M. Baldwin, financial secretary; Al Berg, recording secretary.
Electrical Workers—Meets first and third Wednesdays at Labor Temple. E. M. Cruzen, president; Mitchell Anderson, secretary-treasurer.
Journeymen Barbers—Meets first Thursday of every month in Labor Temple. N. J. Nicholson, president; H. S. Graves, secretary.
Woman's Union Card and Label League—Meets in Labor Temple the first Tuesday of each month, at 2.30 P. M. Mrs. L. F. Clarke, president; Mrs. J. A. Lyons, secretary, Mrs. O. K. Sweeney, treasurer.
Culinary Alliance, Local 626—Meet first and third Wednesdays in Labor Temple. Will Williams, president; Charles Miller, financial secretary; Fred Kenworthy, recording secretary; William Bowden, treasurer.
Theatrical Stage Employes and Moving Picture Operators—Meets at Labor Temple first and third Sundays. J. A. Duggar, president; Frank Wright, vice president; Carl Crews, secretary; Blain Geer, treasurer.
Sheet Metal Workers—Meets at Labor Temple second and fourth Mondays each month. O. L. Demory, president; C. C. Shafer, secretary.
Hod Carriers, Building Laborers—Meets at Labor Temple every Thursday. Conrad Knopp, president; Fred Breit, financial secretary.
Cigar-makers' Union—C. M. Golden, president; George Surbeck, secretary.
The general management of these unions is delegated to the Trades and Labor council, in which each union is entitled to three representatives. The comparatively quiet and comfortable conditions in Walla Walla have not induced radical action by the unions and they have been a regularizing and balancing force of efficacy in their own lines and usually an influence for harmony in industrial life.
The organ of the unions is theGarden City Monitor, published by L. F. Clarke and Jesse Ferney. A special number of theMonitorappears annually on each Labor Day. It is worthy of all praise, both from the editorial and the typographical standpoints.
The membership of the Walla Walla unions now is about five hundred.
FARMERS' UNION
The largest and in many respects most important organization in the four counties is the Farmers' Union. This great organization is national in its aims and membership. Washington and Northern Idaho constitute one unit of the National, and in turn it is divided into county units, either single counties, as the large ones of the state like Yakima or Whitman, or by grouping, as in the smaller. Our counties belong in the latter category, and we find the Tri-County Union of Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield. Of this union G. M. Thompson of Dayton is at this date president, and A. C. Moore of Walla Walla is secretary. In the Tri-County Union there are eight local unions. They appear, with the secretary of each in this enumeration: Waitsburg No. 1, W. D. Wallace; Prescott, No. 2, O. V. Crow; Dayton, No. 3, Roy Ream; Mayview, No. 4, C. W. Cotton; Pomeroy, No. 10, W. J. Schmidt; Walla Walla, No. 27, W. J. McLean; Starbuck, No. 119, E. W. Powers; Central, No. 145, J. E. Tueth. As will be seen, Waitsburg has the distinction of being the premier union in point of time. It was organized in May, 1907, the first president being N. B. Atkinson, and the first secretary. J. A. Enochs.
The total membership of the Tri-Sate Union is about six hundred. That of the Walla Walla Local is about one hundred and fifty.
Intimately related to the Farmers' Union is the Farmers' Agency. While the officers are entirely distinct, the membership is practically identical, since the provisions of membership require any who own stock in the agency to belong to the union. Any farmer, however, may market his grain with the agency. At the present day Hon. Oliver Cornwell is president of the Agency, and the secretary is Eugene Kelly. As first organized and conducted for several years under the presidency of Hector McLean, the Agency was an information bureau only. But when Mr. Cornwell became president he entered upon the large task of creating out of it a genuine co-operative grain buying organization. After some years of experiment and adjusting, at times with very strenuous conditions, the effort was wholly successful and the Agency became a coherent organization, backed by the united force of the Farmers' Union and by the main weight of the farming community of Walla Walla. The primary object of the Agency is to co-operate to advantage in the marketing of crops. The local Walla Walla Agency has come to be a tremendous factor in the wheat market. Its existence has been abundantly justified by its success during these recent years in maintaining steady markets and in securing to its members all possible advantages.
Aside from the immediate business aim of marketing crops through the Agency, the Farmer' Unions, both in their local capacity and in the Tri-County organization, have come to be one of the great forces in the political and social life of the region. Questions of roads and bridges, taxes, public buildings, state educational and penal institutions, problems affecting transportation and the labor market and labor union questions, have been subjects of discussion and recommendation at the regular weekly meetings. Lectures from time to time by recognized experts in the various problems involved have been presented and public men in state and county positions have been glad to consider with the unions the subjects relating to their functions.
PUBLIC SCHOOL, PRESCOTT
PUBLIC SCHOOL, PRESCOTT
PUBLIC SCHOOL, PRESCOTT
FRONTIER DAY IN WALLA WALLA—SCENE ON MAIN STREET
FRONTIER DAY IN WALLA WALLA—SCENE ON MAIN STREET
FRONTIER DAY IN WALLA WALLA—SCENE ON MAIN STREET
It is safe to say that any measures agreed upon by the Farmers' Unions are pretty certain to become the action of the body politic in the different counties. Once each quarter, and sometimes oftener, there are meetings of the Tri-County Union, at which the larger problems of farm life are considered, and in connection with which appetizing banquets prepared by the skillful hands and fine artistic taste of the wives and daughters bring joy and gayety and good fellowship to all concerned.
To many of the readers of this volume, and in years to come to their children and grandchildren, the most significant of all the organized associations of their home country is the
INLAND EMPIRE PIONEER ASSOCIATION
This association was formed in 1900, largely under the initiative of Dr. N. G. Blalock. While there has been little machinery or formality about it, its yearly meetings for renewing the old ties have been among the most anticipated and cherished of all in the minds of many of the builders, the fathers and mothers of the Inland Empire. While the main membership has been in Walla Walla County or her daughter counties, it is not confined to that county, and a number of members live in Umatilla County, Oregon, and in Whitman, Adams and Franklin counties on the north side of Snake River.
The officers of the association chosen at the first meeting were: Dr. N. G. Blalock, president; W. P. Winans, A. G. Lloyd and Ben Burgunder, vice presidents; Marvin Evans, secretary; Levi Ankeny, treasurer; W. D. Lyman, historian. These officers were almost constantly re-elected, until the lamented deaths of Doctor Blalock, Mr. Winans, and Mr. Lloyd. Ben Burgunder was chosen president to succeed Doctor Blalock, and at the present time F. M. Lowden, Joseph Harbert and W. D. Wallace are vice presidents.
With the feeling that the members of the association and many others will be glad to read some of the proceedings and to see the list of members as a matter of permanent reference, we close this chapter with the excellent accounts given in theWalla Walla Unionof October 15, 1904, and June 2, 1911, of the annual meetings of those years.
ANNUAL PIONEER MEETING OF 1904
About one hundred and fifty of the pioneers of Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon, sturdy men and women, who have seen the country grow from a desolate looking waste of sagebrush and sand to one of the beauty spots of the Northwest—men and women who had not only seen this take place, but had helped, and are still, many of them, helping in this wonderful evolution—people who thirty or forty years ago were neighbors, though living many miles apart, met yesterday and sat down to the festive board loaded with the good cheer provided by the devoted pioneer women of this city in honor of the occasion.
OLD NEIGHBORS MEET
The crowd assembled in the Goodman Building and there registered and received their badges, after which they marched to the banqueting rooms. Therewere many hearty handshakes as these old neighbors met, and the scene was one of glad reunion. There were the more elderly who had come here in the prime of life and whose gray hairs and wrinkled cheeks recalled the energy and vitality that had been spent in building up a new country. There were the younger men. those whose memories of older lands are but indistinct visions, and who have grown up with the country. But all had the common bond of acquaintance dating far back, a friendship tried and found worthy in the strife of many years.
A FESTAL BOARD
Flowers in profusion in the banquet hall told of the interest and devoted preparation of the pioneer ladies for this great annual event. The long tables in the room were laden with an abundance of every delicacy of the season. Before beginning the feast all stood with bowed heads while Rev. J. W. McGhee returned thanks, after which the edibles were enjoyed by the happy throng, reminiscences adding much pleasure to the occasion.
Dr. N. G. Blalock, as toastmaster, at the close of the banquet, made a short address of welcome to the pioneers and spoke with much feeling in commemoration of people who had blazed the way to the present civilization and offered a tribute to their noble heroism and the deeds of courage and self-sacrifice.
HARDSHIPS OF INDIAN WARS
The toastmaster introduced as the "Pioneer Indian War Veteran" of the association, Hon. A. G. Lloyd of Waitsburg. Mr. Lloyd gave a brief account of campaigning in 1855 in the Yakima Indian war. In one instance the volunteers were caught in a snowstorm and were cut off from supplies at The Dalles and were reduced to a small amount of flour and some tobacco. They furnished their own clothes and horses and could not draw on the Government supplies as there were none to draw on. Mr. Lloyd closed with the patriotic remark, "But we only did our duty and no more."
FIRST NEWSPAPER
Capt. P. B. Johnson responded to "The Pioneer Newspaper Business." He related the anecdote of the adopted child which replied to the boasts of other children that it had no papa and mamma, that "Your papa and mamma are yours because they have to be, mine are mine because they want to be." He referred to the younger pioneers being pioneers because they had to be.
Captain Johnson said that when he had an opportunity to come here from Arizona he looked up the location on the map and expected to find fruits and fields similar to those in the same latitude east, but when in 1864 he arrived at Wallula, by steamer, he saw a vast extent of sagebrush and nothing more. He then read from Bancroft's history some interesting items showing the contrast of forty years. A weekly mail had been established between Walla Walla and Portland. The town contained 800 inhabitants. The only reference to the agricultural possibilities of this valley was the fact that some man had succeeded in raising a fine quality of sorghum which produced an excellent quality of syrup.
Of the county officers that year the following are still alive and citizens of this city: Councilman, Daniel Stewart; sheriff, W. S. Gilliam; treasurer, James McAuliffe.
A COMPARISON WITH THE PRESENT
Captain Johnson compared the advanced conditions of the present civilization, with the start of the country newspaper and the paper of today. "The news item at the early stage was the local news, births, marriages, deaths and the few other happenings; the editorials were devoted to national and territorial affairs and to my contemporary, theStatesman, across the street. I am out of the business, but I believe that the little four-page paper of those days had more influence than the large papers of today. My happiest days were when I was running a little country newspaper."
PIONEERS IN BUSINESS
"The Pioneer Business Man," was responded to by Benjamin Burgunder, a retired merchant of Colfax. "The work of the pioneer merchant was not all glory. Our patrons all claimed that we sold our goods too high. In the early days we had to go to San Francisco to buy our goods, then they came by water to Portland, by steamer from Portland to the lower Cascades, thence to the upper Cascades by rail, then again by steamer to The Dalles, from The Dalles to Celilo by rail and again by steamer to Wallula. From there they were brought by ox teams and pack horses to the interior. In some instances in the mines goods were carried on the backs of men. In one case it cost me just 60 cents per pound to deliver my goods at their destination. But those were times when we got dollar prices. I lost $25,000 once in developing the interests of the Northwest by trusting mining men."
Mr. Burgunder paid a high tribute to Rev. H. H. Spalding, pioneer missionary, as one who had done more than any other for the development of the Northwest.
PIONEER FARMING
J. F. Brewer responded to "Pioneer Farming." "Farming in the Willamette Valley was first done by the crudest methods. I remember raking the grain that my father cradled. Later the mowers and reapers came and the header evolved from these. I came to Walla Walla in 1862. All south of the place was a barren sagebrush plain, and only one house, a stage station, in this region as far as I knew. In other parts of the valley there were a few farmers, all on the creeks. I remember the remark of Mr. Swezea, a prominent pioneer farmer, 'Your sons and mine may see railroads here but we never shall.'"
Miss Nettie Galbreath recited "The Pioneers," a poem, which was received with hearty applause.
PIONEER RELIGION
Rev. Henry Brown responded to the "Pioneer Minister." "I came to Walla Walla in 1886, by way of Pasco. There had been a fire and about all there wasleft was safe which I was told belonged to the county, Pasco being a county seat. Several men with loaded guns were guarding the safe. At night I rented a wood shed, put my family in it and loaded two guns that I had and prepared to guard my family, thinking I had reached a land of ruffians and toughs. Father Wilbur, the pioneer missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, happened to be there; he asked what I was doing with my guns."
IN THE COLVILLE VALLEY
"Colville Reminiscences," was responded to by W. P. Winans. "One of the interesting features of that time was the social courtesies. A dance was given at the cantonment, to which every person in the valley, at least 400, was invited. The large hall was decorated with flags, banners and sabers. Immense chandeliers were formed of sabers, a candle being placed on the point of each saber. The effect was very unique. The guests were refreshed with all they could eat and drink. On New Year's Day we Americans drove to Angus McDonald's to make a call. He insisted on us staying to dinner. He entertained at that time in all 130 persons. We had no salads, but we had a good dinner."
"In 1870 I heard the first Protestant sermon; it was preached by Rev. Cushing Eells. I took up the first collection in the Colville Valley, with which Father Eells bought a Bible, which is now in the Congregational Church at Chewelah."
WOMEN OF EARLY DAYS
Harry Reynolds responded to the "Pioneer Women." "The sublime sacrifice on the part of woman made by the pioneer women is unique in history. Those women were not fleeing from persecution or punishment, but were sacrificing the comforts of civilization for their devotion to duty and home. They represent the purest home life of America; the best womanhood. The pioneer women are the builders of the Inland Empire."
PIONEERS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO BE
"If we are not pioneers because we wanted to be and wear different colored ribbons, we have one advantage, we came at a tender age," said W. H. Kirkman, responding to "Pioneer Sons." "I came when I was two years old and brought my father and mother along with me. This valley was a barren waste of land then; now it is the finest valley the sun shines on; all honor to the pioneers."
"I remember when the Village of Seattle boasted of being as large as Walla Walla; now, Seattle is the third city of the coast. Again all honor to the pioneers who have wrought such changes."
EARLY SCHOOL WORK
"Pioneer Education" was responded to by Professor Lyman. "I could draw contrasting pictures of the privations, rude homes and dangers on one side and the triumph of civilization on the other side of the line of pioneers, the log schoolhouse with the puncheon floor of the early days, with the well-equipped buildings of today. But is there more heart, soul and energy now than then?"
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF WALLA WALLA
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF WALLA WALLA
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF WALLA WALLA
THE CITY HALL, WALLA WALLA
THE CITY HALL, WALLA WALLA
THE CITY HALL, WALLA WALLA
TWENTY-SEVEN OFFICERS RE-ELECTED
The old officers were re-elected to serve for 1904-05: President, Dr. N. G. Blalock; first vice president, James McAuliffe; second vice president, Milton Evans; third vice president, A. G. Lloyd; secretary, Marvin Evans; treasurer, Senator Levi Ankeny; historian, Prof. W. D. Lyman.
A committee on necrology was appointed, consisting of Professor Lyman and Marvin Evans.
The third Thursday of September was appointed as the permanent day for holding the annual meeting of the Inland Empire Pioneer Association. The limit of eligibility was extended from 1875 to 1880.
The following were among those present:
Pioneers of 1843—Daniel Stewart.
1845—Mrs. N. A. Jacobs, George Delaney, A. C. Lloyd, W. W. Walker.
1846—Charles Clark.
1847—Mrs. W. C. Painter, Elizabeth J. Scholl.
1849—J. Pettyjohn, F. M. Lowden, J. M. Gose.
1850—Samuel Kees, Lizzie Kees, Mark A. Evans, John McGhee.
1851—E. T. McNall.
1852—Eva Coston, Charles Lampman, Mrs. Jackson Nelson, C. C. Cram, Solomon Cummings, Hollon Parker, Peter Meads, Rebecca J. Meads, Nat Webb, John F. Kirby, Jennie Lasater, A. Wooton, Mrs. A. J. Colvin, Mrs. S. M. Cram.
1853—J. N. McCaw, Angeline Merchant, W. D. Lyman, Mrs. Catherine Ritz, J. F. Brewer, A. McAlister, Catherine McAlister, Evaly Fleetch, Jacob Kibler, Mrs. M. H. Kirby, C. R. Frazier and wife.
1854—Nellie Gilliam Day, James McEvoy, Mrs. Nat Webb, D. Wooton.
1855—Alice E. Chamberlain, L. L. Hunt, John Rohn.
1857—William Clark, Clare E. Cantonwine.
1858—George W. Brown, E. H. Massam, William Coston.
1859—W. P. Winans.
1860—Philip Yenney, H. C. Chew, Thomas Gilkerson, C. F. Buck.
1861—Charles H. Gregory, Mrs. N. E. Rice, A. J. Evans, Mrs. Araminta J. Evans, M. Evans, J. L. Hawley, Mrs. Mary Ernest.
1862—Mrs. E. E. Kellogg, Christine Winans, William Glasford, Ben Burgunder.
1863—H. A. Reynolds, Isabella Kirkman, W. J. Cantonwine.
1864—Anna Stanfield, P. B. Johnson, William Stanfield, Sallie Stanfield, Hettie Malone, W. D. Paul, M. A. Caris and wife, George Dehaven, Caroline Ferrel.
1865—Daniel Garrecht, James McInroe, S. F. Bucholz, J. A. Beard, Mrs. George Dehaven, John Sanders.
1867—Louis Scholl.
1868—Maggie Clark, W. H. Kirkman, J. W. Frazier, Marvin Evans.
1869—Charles Painter, Mrs. W. C. Prather, D. C. Ingraham, Mina Evans.
1870—Joseph Merchant, F. A. Garrecht, Z. K. Straight and wife.
1871—Alice McEvans, George H. Starrett, Mrs. S. J. Pettyjohn, B. A. Herrold.
1872—N. G. Blalock.
1873—F. S. Gowan, Mrs. F. S. Gowan.
1874—Julia Brown, Mrs. N. W. Dunnington.
1875—D. D. Earp, Chris Seibert, Victor Schaffer.
1876—J. F. Bucholz, George Whitehouse.
1880—M. G. Parr.
Unknown date—Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Nuttall, G. W. Loundagin and wife, Theodore Wolf and wife, Joseph Braden.
PIONEER MEETING OF 1911
(FromWalla Walla Unionof June 2, 1911).
Though Father Time's blade has cut with remorseless sweep, and though the pioneers of the Walla Walla Valley have fallen before its swing, the attendance at the annual reunion of the pioneers yesterday was greater than has ever been known.
More than two hundred people who came to the Northwest before railroads were built attended the annual meeting of the Inland Empire Pioneer Association at Whitman College yesterday.
Honoring for the twelfth time Dr. N. G. Blalock, the Pioneer Association yesterday re-elected him its president. Marvin Evans was also chosen to fill the office of secretary for the twelfth successive time. Doctor Blalock and Mr. Evans both sought to refuse, but the overwhelming sentiment forced them to accept the positions.
"I feel that I shall not be with you again," said Doctor Blalock, "but if I can do any good while I am living, I am willing to do so. My health is such that I can do but little; but while life lasts I am ready to serve you, if you desire it. I had hoped to retire, but being an American, I must sacrifice my personal desires to the will of the majority."
Hotly scoring the features of the meeting a year ago, Solomon Rader made the first address of the day.
"Political whitewash, the seeking of coal mines and the passing of two-gallon demijohns are out of place at a pioneers' reunion. Last year we had all three, this year I trust we will have none. I believed last year, when I made my farewell address, that I would not live to be present at this meeting, but I am here, and I feel twenty years younger than a year ago."
Mr. Rader carried his remarks into a prohibition talk, and reviewed the focal situation, stating he believed that the votes of women might change affairs. Doctor Blalock then stated that he believed it the duty of all women to vote and that the pioneer woman should be first of all to cast her ballot. He introduced Mrs. Lulu Crandall of The Dalles, who spoke on "How We Preserve History at The Dalles."
She told of the acquisition of the old surgeons' quarters of the old Fort Dalles, how they had been furnished, and how the relics of pioneer days were preserved there. An historical society has been organized, which is supportedby three classes of members: Active, who are members of the state historical society; associate, who are not members of the state organization; and honorary, those who made history in early days. The first two classes of members pay annual dues of $2. The plan, stated Mrs. Crandall, is working nicely.
C. R. Frazier of Dixie was called upon, and his address, read by the secretary, follows:
"Fellow members and friends of the Walla Walla County Pioneer Association:
"As a member of the Walla Walla Pioneer Association I appreciate very much the fact that I again have the privilege to attend another one of this society's annual meetings and to meet with fellow members and friends of our association. To meet old pioneer friends and to talk over old times with them is something that affords me genuine pleasure. Certainly as long as I am able to get about you'll always find me in attendance at the annual meetings of this association.
"The few brief things I wish to say at this gathering I have had written out for when I attempt to talk at such gatherings as this one I find that my memory is not as good as it used to be and it is hard for me to say anything in a connected way.
"For forty-seven years I have been a resident of the Walla Walla Valley. As I have expressed myself many times before I think our valley, its climate and resources considered, is one of the greatest countries in the world. For years on my farm at Dixie I have been a producer of a varied line of farm products, not the least of which was much choice fruit and also several varieties of nuts. My orchards were not purchased ready made and I might say that I was the original planter of every tree on my place. During late years a picture of one of my apple trees has appeared in many newspapers and magazines throughout the world because it is a tree that holds a record for producing in one season as much as 126 boxes of fine apples. I will admit that I am proud of that old apple tree.
"While I have always been a hard worker I feel that the Walla Walla Valley has been kind to me and mine. I first made the trip across the plains from the east in 1853. This time, as a boy driving cattle, I made California. After spending a short time in California I returned east to my old home in Sullivan County, Mo. In 1863, with my earthly possessions consisting of my young wife and two children, a team of oxen and a somewhat delapidated vehicle that might be called a wagon I left Nebraska for the old Oregon country. Travelling over the old well known trails it was a long journey before we reached the Walla Walla Valley. On the trip across one of my children was born; other mishaps, more or less the result of fording streams and hitting the rough spots on the trail, also fell to our lot, but with us all such accidents were accepted as a matter of course and we didn't waste much time grieving about them. Our little caravan on its journey west was headed for Vancouver, but when it hit Meacham Mountains one fine fall day in the year 1864 and we had an opportunity to see the beautiful Walla Walla Valley I decided right there and then that I would travel no farther and that the Walla Walla Valley would be quite good enough for me.
"Reaching Walla Walla we found a town of some eight hundred people;I moved on up to the Dayton country and soon had located a claim near Dixie. I'll never forget such families as Longs, Lambs and Locks whom we came up with in our new home. Right from the start they were kind to us and helped us to get started in a country that was new to us. After we once got a start with a cow and some chickens the rest was comparatively easy. In the old pioneer days in this valley neighbors were very kind to one another.
"But perhaps I have said enough. I do not wish to tire you. In concluding I will say that this gathering is one that I esteem a great occasion; as it affords me an opportunity to meet many of my old friends and a chance to talk over old times with them it is a gathering I would not miss for anything. Thanking you very kindly for listening to my few brief remarks, I remain,
"Yours truly,
"C. R. Frazier."
LYMAN MAKES TALK
In an interesting and instructive talk, Prof. W. D. Lyman told of the introduction of apples and cattle into the Northwest. He stated that the first apple trees known to have been planted in the Northwest were grown from the seeds planted by Doctor Whitman and Reverend Spalding at Waiilatpu and Alpowa. "The first trees of any consequence, however, were planted in the Willamette Valley in 1847 by Henderson Llewellan, who brought 700 small trees from Ohio in a crude wagon that had been fitted out to carry the trees. The wagon in which the trees were packed, in boxes, was heavy and time and again Llewellan was urged by his comrades to abandon the wagon, but he had an idea that fruit would grow well in the new Northwest country and he would not give up his travelling nursery. The trees, which were apple, pear, peach and cherry, were planted and it is recorded that most of them grew, and from this first small orchard grew the great fruit industry of the Northwest.
"The introduction of cattle into the Inland Empire, while as important in the results created, is more picturesque historically. The Hudson's Bay Company had a few cattle here as early as 1830, but they were very scarce, so scarce that Doctor McLoughlin made a rule against killing them. Marcus Whitman brought sixteen head of cattle with him when he first came to this country, while in 1838 Doctor Eells brought in fourteen head. These were only the small beginnings and were confined mostly to this immediate vicinity.
"The general cattle business of the Northwest was developed largely by the efforts of W. A. Slacum, who was sent to this country in 1836 by the United States Government to ascertain some of its resources and size it up generally. While in this country Mr. Slacum talked with the different American settlers and came to the conclusion that the introduction of cattle would do more toward securing a foothold for the United States than anything else. The hard part of it was to secure cattle. The Hudson's Bay Company would not sell their stock, even to their own people, but rented it out. In 1843 Ewing Young came to the Northwest from California, where he was known as a cattle rustler, and finding that his reputation had come along with him, settled in the Chehalem Valley, where it was his intention to make liquor and sell it to the Indians and wandering white men. He was, however, persuaded by Slacum and Doctor McLoughlin, who also saw the importance of securing cattle for this country, to go to California and bring a drove of cattle to Oregon. This drive took place in the years of 1837 and 1838. Young started from California with 700 head of cattle and arrived in the Willamette Valley with 800 head.