Chapter II: Distinctive Features in History of Columbia County (2)

The Baptist Church was dedicated on September 22, 1878, Rev. J. B. Bristow being the first pastor. One of the strongest of the early churches of Dayton was the Universalist, organized in 1876 by Rev. A. Morrison. Rev. E. A. McAllister became the pastor the next year and had so strong and enthusiastic a following that his people were able to erect the largest church in town. They could not, however, maintain their lead, and their church, sad to relate, was sold for debt and the congregation disbanded. A Congregational Church was organized and ministered to at intervals by Father Eells, by Rev. E. W. Allen and others, but there was no pastorate of much length till 1890. In that year a notable step occurred in the church life and intellectual life of Dayton, by the coming of Rev. S. B. L. Penrose, one of the "Yale Band," later president of Whitman College at Walla Walla, and one of the leading educators and public speakers of the Northwest. He took up his first pastorate in the Congregational Church at Dayton and remained there from 1890 to 1895, then becoming, after an interval at Honolulu, the president of Whitman College.

A Seventh Day Adventist Church was organized at Dayton in 1877, and three years later a church was built. Their first elder was Ambrose Johnson.

There was also a Presbyterian organization at Dayton during the first decade of its life, but with no building or regular pastor.

At the date of this publication the following churches are in active operation:

The Christian Church, with a membership of 575, Rev. J. Eliott Slimp, pastor; the Congregational, with 140 members, Rev. W. C. Gilmore pastor; Methodist, with 140 members, Rev. A. A. Calendar pastor; Baptist, 90 members, Rev. Lem T. Root, pastor; Episcopal, with 15 members, no settled pastor, but frequently visited by Rev. John Leacher of Pomeroy; United Brethren, 60 members, with Rev. J. H. Wilson as pastor.

DAYTON A CITY OF LODGES

Dayton has been somewhat distinguished as a city of lodges. Their foundation, too, dates to the period of county and city organization. The Odd Fellows secured a charter in February of 1876. On March 8, 1877, Patit Lodge No. 10 was duly organized, the first N. G. being Lee Searcy. The Masons were not much behind in time, for Columbia Lodge No. 26 was organized on October 11, 1877, with J. E. Edmiston as first W. M.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Order of Chosen Friends, the Knights of Pythias, the Good Templars, and the Grand Army of the Republic were all organized during the last years of the '70s or first of the '80s. During the exciting times of the Nez Percé war of 1877 there was a military organization which finally grew into the Columbia Mounted Infantry, and that in turn became the Dayton Grays. This played a somewhat important part in keeping alive a certain interest that made the Dayton country good recruiting ground for the State Guard of Washington, and during the present enrolling year of 1917 very responsive to the national calls.

POLITICAL ANNALS

Resuming the thread of political annals with the election of 1882, the first following the establishment of Garfield County, we find the following tabulation: For delegate to Congress, Thomas Burke, democrat, 673 to 442 for T. H. Brents, republican; for joint councilman from the counties of Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Whitman, J. E. Edmiston, democrat; joint councilman for Columbia and Garfield, N. T. Caton, democrat; representative, Elisha Ping, democrat; joint representative, John Brining, republican; sheriff, J. H. Hosler, democrat; auditor, J. W. Jessee, democrat; probate judge, J. W. Ostrander, democrat; county commissioners, E. Bird, democrat, J. F. Kirby, republican, and E. Crouch, democrat; prosecuting attorney, J. K. Rutherford, democrat; treasurer, F. C. Miller, republican; assessor, Henry Hunter, republican, by a majority of one vote; superintendent of schools, Julia Newkirk, democrat; surveyor, E. D. Miner, republican, without opposition; coroner, Dr. J. Clarke; sheep commissioner, O. E. Mack, democrat.

As will be seen, fourteen of the successful candidates were democrats and five were republicans. The total vote for congressional delegate, which might be considered representative of the general voting population, was 1,115. Thus it will be seen that Columbia County, like Walla Walla, was, during the period before statehood, predominantly democratic, though not by such steady majorities as to be counted on confidently. The gradual transition of those, as of other communities in the state, to prevailing republican dominance, is one of the interesting movements of the times. Various reasons, some good and some poor, may be assigned, varying according to political predilections of the observer. Broadly speaking, the transition was mainly due, in the author's judgment, to that tremendous movement of thought following the civil war, favorable to nationalism, the dominance of nation over state. The strife culminating in the Civil war and reconstruction thoroughly discredited the theory of state sovereignty, and the vast enlargement of Federal power swept into the ranks of nationalists an ever-increasing number of young men. This was more marked in the West than elsewhere, for the reason that state lines and state pride and ties have always been loose and weak in the new land where all sections and nations met on a common footing.

The republican party of the '60s, the party of Lincoln, Seward, Chase and Greeley, was based on a moral issue, that of the inherent wrongfulness of slavery. That of the '70s had rather a political basis, that of national power against local power. The transition again in the period from 1912 to date, whereby the pendulum has swung from republican to democratic leadership, has been based primarily upon economic questions, the conviction having become common that monopoly and privilege had become entrenched behind Federal patronage and that a new order of freedom for the individual must be secured. In the counties under consideration in this volume, as in others in the state and in the West generally, we see the manifestation of these tides of thought and changes of viewpoint. As local studies any one of our counties, Columbia among others, though conservative like most farming sections, furnishes abundant matter for reflection.

The election of 1884 was marked by the short-lived woman suffrage provision. By reason of this the total vote was considerably increased. In Dayton there was a total vote of 1,264, of which women cast 364.

The officials chosen were as follows: Congressman, C. S. Vorhees, democrat, 1,015 to 959 for J. M. Armstrong; joint councilmen, B. B. Day, republican, and C. H. Warner, democrat; representative, A. E. McCall, democrat; joint representative, S. A. Wells, republican; sheriff, J. H. Hosler, democrat; auditor, J. A. Kellogg, republican; county commissioners, J. W. Fields, W. R. Marquis, John Fudge, all republicans; prosecuting attorney, R. F. Sturdevant, republican; probate judge, J. Y. Ostrander, democrat; treasurer, F. C. Miller, republican; assessor, Garrett Romaine, republican; superintendent of schools, R. O. Hawks, republican; surveyor, W. McBride, democrat; coroner, Dr. E. H. Van Patten, democrat; sheep commissioner, H. B. Day, republican. A question of considerable local interest was that frequent one of the building of a courthouse. This proposal carried 986 to 588. Another interesting question before the territory was that of taxing church property. The vote in Columbia County was 802 in favor and 701 against. The proposition, however, did not win in the territory. Twelve republicans and seven democrats were garnered into the official storehouse, as a result of the election of 1884. The tide was turning toward republicanism. In the election of 1886 the republican candidates scored a sweeping success, every county office except that of probate judge being filled by one of that party. The democratic candidate for Congress, however, Charles S. Vorhees, again led the procession with 974 to 940 for C. M. Bradshaw. Wm. Ayers, democrat, was chosen to the council, and George Eckler, a republican, was chosen to the House of Representatives. The local officers were these: Sheriff, W. R. Marquis; auditor, Jay A. Kellogg; county commissioners, John Fudge, J. W. Fields and D. W. Gritman; prosecuting attorney, C. R. Dorr; probate judge, J. H. Gough; treasurer, F. C. Miller; assessor, Garrett Romaine; school superintendent, R. O. Hawks; surveyor, John Patrick; coroner, Dr. E. Bories; sheep commissioner, H. B. Day. There was one rather curious event in that election, leading to a decision by Attorney R. F. Sturdevant, which has some general interest. D. W. Gritman and Alexander Price had an equal number of votes for commissioner, 946. The former was a republican, the latter a democrat. Mr. Sturdevant decided that though the number of votes was equal, Mr. Gritman was entitled to the seat for the reason that the statute provided that no two commissioners should be from the same district and that Mr. Gritman had a majority over the other candidate in his district, while Mr. Price was in a minority in his own district, though having a tie with Mr. Gritman. The decision seems sound and logical. A complication of that sort is avoided by the present law providing for nominations by district, not at large.

The election of 1888, the last of the territorial days, was in an "off" year, and excited comparatively little contest. There were only 1,351 votes as against 1,914 in the preceding election. The falling off was mainly due to the invalidation of the Woman Suffrage law by Judge Langford, and the consequent elimination of women's votes. The democrats came back in this election, results being as follows: C. S. Voorhees for Congress led John B. Allen by one vote. In the territory, however, the election went the other way, and Mr. Allen took his seat in Congress. M. M. Godman, democrat, was chosen to the council and A. H. Weatherford, of the some party, was chosen representative. The county officers were these: Sheriff, W. R. Marquis, republican; auditor, Jay A. Kellogg, republican; county commissioners, Alexander Price and Daniel Lyons, democrats, and J. C. Lewis, republican; prosecuting attorney, E. H. Fox, democrat; probate judge, J. H. Gough, democrat; assessor, M. R. Hanger, democrat; superintendent of schools, G. S. Livengood, democrat; coroner, Dr. E. H. Van Patten, democrat.

To Columbia County, as to the other counties of the state, the year 1889 was a great date, for it was the date of statehood. The general plan for the election of delegates to the state convention provided for the division of the territory into twenty-five districts, each to have three delegates, of which not more than two could be from any one party. Each party, therefore, nominated two candidates. Those for District No. 9, including all of Columbia County and the precincts of Waitsburg, Coppei, Eureka Flat and Prescott, in Walla Walla County, were: democrats, Lewis Neace and M. M. Godman, and, republicans, E. C. Ross and R. F. Sturdevant. Mr. Ross having the least vote, the others were declared duly chosen.

We have given some space to the "life and works" of the Constitutional Convention of 1889 in a previous chapter, and need say here no more than that Columbia County, in the election which followed in October, 1889, did not accept the Constitution. The vote was 468 for and 730 against. In similar manner Columbia County registered her disapproval of Woman Suffrage by 816 to 422, and of Prohibition by 745 to 484. The result on these three important questions was similar in most of the Inland section, and with reference to Prohibition and Woman Suffrage, it was similar over the state.

The Constitution, however, was sustained by a good vote in the territory, and the state government became duly inaugurated.

The officers chosen in Columbia County in that first election under statehood were these: Congressman, John L. Wilson, republican, and for governor, Elisha P. Ferry, republican, both by very slight majorities, twenty-four in the first case and eighteen in the second; the other state officers having practically the same vote, all republican except J. H. Morgan, democrat, for superintendent of public instruction, chosen by ten over the republican candidate; judge of Superior Court, R. F. Sturdevant, republican; state senator, H. H. Wolfe, republican; representatives, H. B. Day, republican, and A. H. Weatherford, democrat; county clerk, U. Z. Ellis, democrat; other local officers were not chosen in that election, as it was an "extra" coming in with statehood.

The number of votes in that election was 1,314. Though the republicans were in the majority in almost all cases, it was by very scanty majorities, and it was plain that the good old democratic region of the Touchet was not yet entirely given over to republicanism. The precarious hold of that political faith was revealed in the election of 1890, for in that year the tide turned again and the republicans were left high and dry on the flats of Salt River, only two, John Woods for superintendent of schools, and J. C. Lewis for commissioner, being able to navigate their political barks into the desired haven. The total vote was 1,338, being an increase over the preceding year of only twenty-four. The results of the choice were as follows: Congressman, Thomas Carroll; representative to State Legislature, M. M. Godman; county attorney, J. E. Edmiston; clerk, U. Z. Ellis; auditor, J. H. Gough; sheriff, J. A. Thronson; treasurer, W. E. Ayers; commissioner, first district, I. N. E. Rayburn; commissioner, second district, J. C. Lewis; commissioner, third district, Daniel Lyons; school superintendent, John Woods, by two votes; assessor, W. J. Honeycutt; surveyor, Wilson McBride; coroner, Dr. E. H. Van Patten.

ELECTION OF 1892

The leading point of interest in connection with the election of 1892 was that it was the first in which the people of Washington participated in the choice of a President. Moreover it was a very strenuous campaign, and as we view it now it marked peculiarly the turning point in political thought toward the new set of issues, questions of labor and capital, money systems, railroad control and other economic problems, beginning to supplant the issues of the war and reconstruction. In that election the populists and prohibitionists appeared both in our new State of Washington and in the country at large. In Columbia County, as elsewhere, there was much scratching. The democrats carried the bulk of the county offices in this election, the republicans securing only the auditor, attorney and one commissioner. In this election, as is apt to be the case in periods of readjustment, the party in power suffered most.

On the vote for presidential electors the result was as follows: Cleveland, 674; Harrison, 618; Weaver, 188; Bidwell, 95.

At that time two congressmen were elected at large, and hence each of the four parties made two nominations.

The result was that Thomas Carroll and J. A. Mundy, democrats, received 656 and 635, respectively, to 592 and 591 for W. H. Doolittle and J. L. Wilson, republican candidates. H. J. Snively, democratic candidate for governor, had 647 to 571 for J. H. McGraw, republican, but the latter was successful in the state. On the Legislative ticket J. A. Kellogg and U. Z. Ellis for senator had a tie with 597 each, while Ernest Hopkins, populist, had 231.

For representative, S. W. Hamill, democrat, was chosen. R. F. Sturdevant, republican, and J. E. Edmiston, democrat, seem to have been almost constantly pitted against each other, and at this time the latter won the superior judgeship over the former. The county officers chosen were as follows: Sheriff, A. H. Weatherford; auditor, A. P. Cahill; clerk, Garl Taylor; treasurer, W. A. Newman; commissioners, I. N. E. Rayburn and R. H. McHargue, democrats, and L. M. Vannice, republican; assessor, W. J. Honeycutt; attorney, W. H. Fouts. republican; superintendent of schools, Charles H. Terpening; surveyor, T. B. Hicks; coroner, Dr. E. H. Van Patten.

Although there was a tie in Columbia County on vote for senator, and although the democratic candidate for superior judge received a majority, yet in both cases the republican had a majority in the district, composed of Columbia, Garfield and Asotin, and therefore Mr. Kellogg and Mr. Sturdevant occupied those places respectively.

The election of 1894, coming in the very midst of the hardest of the "hard times"--floods, strikes, Coxey armies, bank failures, "30-cent wheat," and general turmoil--was reflected in the great gain in the populistic ranks. This was largely a revolt of democrats against the Cleveland administration, very much as the election of 1892 was a revolt against the extreme tariff and other alleged "monopoly" tendencies of the Harrison administration.

The result was the triumph of the republican candidates, in the triangular conflict. Every position showed a republican triumph. W. H. Doolittle and S. C. Hyde received 677 and 671 votes respectively, while B. F. Heuston and N. T. Caton, democrats, had to be content with 420 and 417, outrun by the populists, W. P. C. Adams and J. C. Van Patten, with 426 and 446. Cornelius Lyman was chosen representative with 668 to 510 for M. M. Godman. The county officials were: Sheriff, Conrad Knobloch; auditor, A. P. Cahill; treasurer, J. H. Fudge; clerk, J. L. Mohundro; attorney, W. H. Fouts; assessor, R. F. Matkin; superintendent of schools, H. B. Ridgeley; coroner, Dr. G. M. Burns; commissioners, C. M. Grupe and Granville Hewitt.

The election of 1896 was characterized by a sweeping reversal of its predecessor. That was the year of the "Peerless Leader" with his "Cross of Gold." A new deal was on and the old democracy was slipping to its final doom. A new democracy, under the oriflamme of the People's Party, a real democracy this time, instead of the pseudo-democracy of the southern slave baron and aristocrat, was making its appeal East and West, but especially West, the logical home of genuine democracy. Fusion tickets and fusion conventions of democrats, silver republicans, and populists, "three-ring circuses" as they were styled by stand-patters, marked that great political campaign of 1896. In Columbia County the triune ticket agreed on by three conventions meeting simultaneously on September 10th apportioned nominations, so that representative, auditor, sheriff and superintendent of schools were of the populists; attorney, assessor, clerk, surveyor, coroner and county commissioners went to the democrats; the silver republicans were cut rather short with the solitary assignment of treasurer.

The combination adopted the usual designation of People's Party. In the election the republicans saved from the general wreck only the clerk and sheriff, by scanty majorities. The total vote was 1,623, somewhat in excess of any cast in the county up to that date.

The vote was as follows: The Bryan electors 847, the McKinley electors, 776; James Hamilton Lewis and W. C. Jones for Congress and John R. Rogers for governor; joint senator, J. C. Van Patten; representative, George Windust; judge Superior Court, M. M. Godman; sheriff, Conrad Knobloch; clerk, J. L. Mohundro; auditor, Dick Harper; treasurer, G. A. Parker; attorney, E. W. Clark; assessor, G. W. Page; superintendent of schools, Mrs. Ella Terpening; surveyor, Ira Trescott; coroner, E. H. Van Patten; commissioners, J. H. McCauley and J. C. Marckley.

The election of 1898 witnessed the same alignment, republicans against the "fusion" of populists, democrats and silver republicans.

The result, however, was another reversal, and all the places were filled by republicans, with the single exception of superintendent of schools. The vote resulted thus: W. L. Jones and F. W. Cushman for Congress; T. A. Anders and Mark A. Fullerton for Supreme Court; representative in Legislature, C. S. Jerard; sheriff, J. D. Smith; clerk, L. L. Ellis; auditor, H. E. Gilham; treasurer, F. W. Guernsey; attorney, W. H. Fouts; assessor, J. F. Porter; superintendent of schools, Mrs. Ella Terpening; surveyor, Ira Trescott; coroner, G. M. Burns; commissioners, Alexander Duffy and Cornelius Lyman.

The election of 1900 made it seem that the "fusion" formation was down and out, for the republicans carried the field by large or good majorities for every candidate. Results thus appear: Electors for McKinley 899 to 712 for those of Bryan; W. L. Jones and F. W. Cushman for Congress; J. M. Frink for governor by 835 to 760 for Governor Rogers; joint state senator, Edward Baumeister; representative, C. S. Jerard; judge Superior Court, C. F. Miller; sheriff, J. D. Smith; clerk, L. L. Ellis; auditor, H. E. Gilham; treasurer, F. W. Guernsey; attorney, R. B. Brown; assessor, J. F. Porter; superintendent of schools, W. W. Hendron; coroner, J. W. McLachlan; commissioners, Cornelius Lyman and Richard Jackson.

In the election of 1902 there was a considerable falling off, over a hundred votes, from that of 1900, and a marked diminution of interest. This was again essentially a republican victory, their adversaries coming through with only the clerk, attorney and treasurer. The official vote follows: W. L. Jones, Francis W. Cushman and W. E. Humphrey for Congress by an average of 808 votes to an average of 609 for the democratic candidates, Cotterill, Holcomb and Cole; representative, Conrad Knobloch, 740 to 732 for the democrat, M. M. Godman; sheriff, O. M. Stine; auditor, E. V. Thompson; clerk, Clark Israel, democrat by 808 to 665 for R. M. Campbell; treasurer, E. W. Alcorn, democrat by 837 to 638 for D. C. Guernsey; attorney, E. W. Clark, democrat, 792 to 681 for R. B. Brown; assessor, Wilbur Hopkins; superintendent of schools, W. W. Hendron; surveyor, John Patrick; coroner, Dr. C. H. Day; commissioners, R. A. Jackson and C. W. Sanders.

With 1904 comes another presidential election, as well as a full state ticket and the intense interest always belonging to such an election. The result of the presidential vote was significant of the state of the public mind, and Columbia County was in this respect an index of the country at large. Roosevelt was forced upon the unwilling managers and bosses of the "G. O. P." by the tremendous sentiment in favor of trust control and other liberal policies by the masses, while Parker was forced upon the unwilling democratic masses by a coterie of reactionary managers in New York. The result showed that the masses would win every time. Parker was snowed under for all time and the already defunct old-time democratic limited management had a rude jolt in its grave clothes, which, strange to record, the republican management of the same type did not heed, and as a logical result they got their jolts in 1912 and 1916. In Columbia, Roosevelt received an overwhelming majority, the electors for him receiving an average of 1,083 to an average of 480 for the Parker electors. Humphrey, W. L. Jones and Cushman received about 250 majority over their democratic opponents. On the other hand, George Turner, democrat, had 886 to 719 for A. E. Mead for governor.

The joint republican candidate for state senator, S. S. Russell, had 880 votes to 727 for Frank Cardwell, democrat. But, reversing again, F. M. Weatherford, democrat, beat W. H. Fouts for the lower house of the State Legislature. The successful county candidates were: Sheriff, F. W. Bauers, democrat; clerk, Clark Israel, democrat; auditor, E. V. Thompson, republican; treasurer, E. W. Alcorn, democrat; attorney, E. W. Clark, democrat; assessor, Wilbur Hopkins, republican; superintendent of schools, C. B. Leatherman, republican; surveyor, Wilson McBride, republican; coroner, Dr. C. H. Day, republican; commissioners, C. W. Sanders and C. E. Shaffer, both republicans.

The election of 1906 resulted thus:

1906

Representatives to Congress-- Party Vote

W. E. Humphrey Republican 795
Wesley L. Jones Republican 800
Francis W. Cushman Republican 801
Wm. Blackman Democrat 550
Patrick E. Byrne Democrat 538
Dudley Eshelman Democrat 538
A. Wagenknecht Socialist 30
J. H. Barkley Socialist 29
Emil Herman Socialist 29
A. S. Caton Prohibition 35
J. M. Wilkin Prohibition 35
Wm. Everett Prohibition 36

State senator, Tenth District, covering Asotin, Garfield and Columbia counties. Stevenson, Senator; Godman was Representative.

State Rep., Eleventh
Dist.--John R. Stevenson Republican Successful candidate
M. M. Godman Democrat Successful candidate
Sheriff--F. W. Bauers Democrat Successful candidate
County Clerk--Alvin Harms Democrat Successful candidate
Auditor--Walter A. Frary Republican Successful candidate
Treasurer--Thos. E. Gentry Republican Successful candidate
Attorney--R. M. Sturdevant Republican (No opposition)
Assessor--W. S. Hunt Republican Successful candidate
School Superintendent--Nellie
V. Gregg Democrat Successful candidate
Surveyor--F. W. Guernsey Republican Successful candidate
Coroner--Dr. John Huntington Republican Successful candidate
County Commissioner Second
District--Chas. Shaffer Republican Successful candidate
County Commissioner Third
District--C. J. Thronson Democrat Successful candidate

No record of election of 1908.

Though there is no official record, the county proceedings indicate the following choices:

State Senator, Tenth District
(joint)--John R. Stevenson Republican Successful candidate
State Representative, Eleventh
District--R. A. Jackson Republican Successful candidate
Sheriff--Ed M. Davis Democrat Successful candidate
Clerk--J. H. Swart Republican Successful candidate

(Mr. Swart resigned July 1, 1910, to accept appointment as county auditor, R. R. Cahill appointed to fill vacancy, Cahill resigned September 1, 1910, account leaving to attend school and W. L. Jackson appointed to fill vacancy. All republicans.)

Auditor--Walter A. Frary Republican Successful candidate

(Mr. Frary resigned July 1, 1910, to accept appointment as postmaster and J. H. Swart appointed to fill vacancy.)

Treasurer--Claude Beckett Republican Successful candidate
Attorney--R. M. Sturdevant Republican (No opposition)
Assessor--A. E. French Democrat Successful candidate
Superintendent of
Schools--W. H. Kintner Republican Successful candidate
Coroner--Dr. John Huntington Republican Successful candidate
Engineer--F. W. Guernsey Republican Successful candidate
Commissioner First
District--C. B. Bowman Democrat Successful candidate
Commissioner Second
District--A. P. Cahill Republican Successful candidate
Commissioner Third
District--W. C. Woodward Republican Successful candidate
Superior Judge, Asotin,
Garfield and Columbia
counties--Chester F. Miller (No Opposition)

1910

Representatives of Congress-- Party Votes

Wm. L. LaFollette Republican 820 Harry D. Merritt Democrat 431 David C. Coates Socialist 43 State Representative, Eleventh District--J. A. Fontaine Democrat Successful candidate Sheriff--Ed M. Davis Democrat Successful candidate Clerk--J. F. Clancy Democrat Successful candidate Auditor--J. H. Swart Republican Successful candidate Treasurer--Claude Beckett Republican Successful candidate Attorney--R. M. Sturdevant Republican (No opposition) Assessor--A. E. French Democrat Successful candidate School Superintendent--Flora Morgan Republican Successful candidate Engineer--Wilson McBride Democrat Successful candidate Coroner--B. D. Wiltshire Republican (No opposition) Commissioner First District--Geo. Spalinger Democrat Successful candidate Commissioner Second District--C. J. Thronson Democrat Successful candidate Commissioner Third District--W. C. Woodward Republican Successful candidate

(Owing to county being redistricted thought necessary to elect new commissioners throughout.)

1912

Party Votes

Presidential Electors Republican 672 Presidential Electors Democrat 855 Presidential Electors Socialist 172 Presidential Electors Socialist Labor 2 Presidential Electors Prohibitionist 59 Presidential Electors Progressive 803

Congressmen at Large-- J. E. Frost Republican 818 Henry B. Dewey Republican 836 E. O. Connor Democrat 820 Henry M. White Democrat 826 M. E. Giles Socialist 150 Alfred Wagenknecht Socialist 150 N. A. Thompson Prohibition 49 J. W. Bryan Progressive 611 J. A. Falconer Progressive 619

Congressman Third District-- Wm. L. LaFollette Republican 831 Roscoe M. Drumheller Democrat 999 Robt. Burnes Martin Socialist 136 F. M. Goodwin Progressive 481

Governor--
M. E. Hay Republican 830
Ernest Lister Democrat 986
Anna A. Maley Socialist 148
Abraham L. Brearcliff Socialist Labor 2
Geo. F. Stevers Prohibition 46
Robert T. Hodge Progressive 513

State Senator, Tenth District--J. C. Weatherford Democrat Successful candidate State Representative, Eleventh District--J.A. Fontaine Democrat Successful candidate Superior Judge, Asotin, Garfield and Columbia counties--Chester F. Miller (No opposition) Sheriff--F. W. Bauers Democrat Successful candidate Clerk--J. F. Clancy Democrat Successful candidate Auditor--J. H. Swart Republican Successful candidate Treasurer--James Bradford Democrat Successful candidate

(Mr. Bradford died July 29, 1913, and M. Riggs, democrat, appointed to fill vacancy.)

Attorney--E. W. Clark Democrat Successful candidate Assessor--Claude Beckett Republican Successful candidate

(Mr. Beckett died July 7, 1914, and Blanch Beckett, his wife, appointed to fill vacancy.)

School Superintendent--Maude L. Tucker Democrat Successful candidate Engineer--Wilson McBride Democrat Successful candidate Coroner--Dr. J. M. Miller Democrat Successful candidate Commissioner Second District--R. H. Prater Republican Successful candidate Commissioner Third District--J. H. McCauley Democrat Successful candidate Superior Judge, Asotin, Garfield and Columbia Counties--Chester F. Miller Non-partisan

1914

United States Senator--
Wesley L. Jones Republican 1,126
W. W. Black Democrat 880
Adam H. Barth Socialist 118
Ole Hanson Progressive 223
A. S. Caton Prohibition 122
Representative Third District--
Wm. L. LaFollette Republican 1,229
Roscoe M. Drumheller Democrat 847
John Storland Socialist 112
M. A. Peacock Progressive 234
J. V. Mohr Prohibition 114
State Representative, Eleventh
District--John F. Rockhill Republican Successful candidate
Sheriff--W. T. Wooten Republican Successful candidate
Clerk--E. D. Cleveland Democrat Successful candidate
Auditor--J. F. Clancy Democrat Successful candidate
Treasurer--M. Riggs Democrat Successful candidate
Attorney--R. M. Sturdevant Republican Successful candidate
Assessor--Blanch Beckett Republican (No opposition)
School Superintendent--Maude L. Tucker Democrat Successful candidate
Engineer--F. W. Guernsey Republican Successful candidate
Commissioner First District--Geo.
Spalinger Democrat Successful candidate
Commissioner Third District--E. L.
Lindley Republican Successful candidate

1916

Presidential Electors Republican 1,148
Presidential Electors Democrat 1,164
Presidential Electors Prohibition 25
Presidential Electors Socialist 108
Presidential Electors Socialist Labor 2
United States Senator--
Miles Poindexter Republican 1,269
Geo. Turner Democrat 1,004
Walter J. Thompson Progressive 2
Jos. A. Campbell Prohibition 24
Bruce Rogers Socialist 100
Representative, Fourth District--
Wm. LaFollette Republican 1,321
Chas. W. Masterson Democrat 944
Walter Price Socialist 104
Governor--
Henry McBride Republican 1,082
Ernest Lister Democrat 1,241
Jas. E. Bradford Progressive 3
A. B. L. Gellermann Prohibition 29
L. E. Katterfield Socialist 94
Jas. E. Riodan Socialist Labor 1
State Senator, Tenth District--Elgin V.
Kuykendall Republican Successful candidate
State Representative, Eleventh
District--Geo. Spalinger Democrat Successful candidate
Sheriff--W. T. Wooten Republican Successful candidate
Clerk--E. D. Cleveland Democrat Successful candidate
Auditor--J. F. Clancy Democrat (No opposition)

(Clancy resigned June 4, 1917, account condition wife's health, and Dick Harper, democrat, appointed to fill vacancy.)

Treasurer--M. Riggs Democrat Successful candidate Attorney--R. M. Sturdevant Republican (No opposition) Assessor--Blanch Beckett Republican (No opposition) Superintendent of Schools--W. W. Hendron Republican Successful candidate Engineer--Wilson McBride Democrat Successful candidate Coroner--Dr. J. M. Miller Democrat Successful candidate Commissioner First District--John R. Blize Republican Successful candidate Commissioner Second District--R. H. Prater Republican Successful candidate

(Mr. Prater resigned January 24, 1917, for business reasons and C. F.
Actor, republican, appointed to fill vacancy.)

Superior Judge, Asotin, Garfield and Columbia counties--Chester F.
Miller, Non-partisan (no opposition).

(We wish to acknowledge here the valuable assistance of Mr. J. F. Clancy of the auditor's office in compiling these records of election returns.)

MUNICIPAL POLITICS

Turning from the political history of the county to that of the towns, we will give our attention first to Dayton.

Of the founding and of the earliest days of the metropolis of the Touchet we have spoken already. We have also spoken of the schools and churches. It remains to take note of the municipal history and organization and of the journalism of the town. A petition from the citizens looking to incorporation is worthy of preservation, by reason of the fact that it was the first step in that direction, and still more from the fact that it contains what might be regarded as practically an authorized record of the business men of the town of that time. It is dated May 5, 1876, and is addressed to the county commissioners. We are indebted to the "History of Southeastern Washington" for this excerpt:

To the Honorables, the County Commissioners of the County of Columbia, in the Territory of Washington:

We, your petitioners, do most respectfully represent that we are citizens of the Town of Dayton in said county and are qualified electors under the laws of this territory; that we have resided in said town for thirty days and upwards next preceding the date of this petition; that we are desirous that said town should be incorporated, and a police established for our local government; that the territory we wish incorporated is bounded and described as follows, to-wit: The east half of the northwest quarter, and northeast quarter of section 30, and the east half of southeast quarter of section 30, and west half of southwest quarter, and southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section 29, all in township 10, north, range 39 east; also north half of northeast quarter of southwest quarter and north half of northwest quarter of southeast quarter of section 30, town 10 north, range 39 east, in the County of Columbia and Territory of Washington, a plat of which is hereunto annexed and made a part of this petition. And your petitioners do further represent that said town contains over one hundred and fifty inhabitants and we do most respectfully pray that you incorporate said town. Dated April 27, 1876.

John Mustard, A. L. McCauley, A. Vallen, R. F. Sturdevant, Mc. C. Lyon, J. S. Thomas, R. T. Watrous, F. Maynard, D. C. Guernsey, A. J. Cain, W. O. Matzger, O. C. White, M. Riggs, E. Tatro, F. G. Frary, A. M. Sparks, I. G. Abbott, L. L. Davis, W. W. Day, J. W. Maddox, James Gough, J. M. Hunt, J. M. Sparks, B. Magill, J. N. Day, G. A. Opperman, A. J. Dexter, Wiley Sparks, Salmon Park, G. L. Kirk, C. Hansen, J. H. Lister, P. Stedman, H. S. Critchfield, Thomas T. Elliott, A. Jacobs, J. M. Grinstead, J. H. Kennedy, J. L. Smith, William Hendershott, S. M. Wait, W. S. Newland, George W. Giles, W. A. Belcher, J. Kerby, D. S. Richardson, D. F. Spangler, C. W. Frick, H. P. Keach, W. A. Moody, Thomas Smith, L. E. Harris, R. A. Rowley, R. H. Condon, J. B. Armstrong, W. A. Sparks, C. A. Clark, William E. Coney, Con. Ruttlemiller, L. Ritter, J. H. Kennedy, Edward Owens.

The commissioners granted this request and in pursuance of the territorial law empowering commissions to grant incorporation, they appointed May 22d the date for electing trustees. Apparently the record of the results of that election is not available, but the trustees chosen a year later were J. F. Martin, Perry Steen, George Eckler, William Metzger and W. S. Strong. The assessor reported the population of the town at that time as 526.

In 1877 a sentiment developed that the existing form of incorporation was undesirable, and as the result of a petition by the citizens the trustees appointed an election for July 1, 1878, upon the question of the abandonment of that charter. The decision of the citizens at that election was to abandon the organization and to substitute another. In pursuance of that decision an election for mayor, common council of seven, and a marshal, was held on July 16th. D. C. Guernsey was elected mayor, and the councilmen chosen were J. B. Shrum, G. K. Reed, J. Mustard, J. L. Smith, J. K. Rainwater, Frank Pierce and D. B. Kimball. Edward Tatro was chosen marshal.

One of the interesting points called up by old-timers in that stage of Dayton's history is the development of what is now known as "Brooklyn" or first styled "Across the Patit." Between September, 1878, and March, 1879, fifteen houses were erected. F. M. Day is said to have been the first to build in that new tract, followed soon by Mr. Dunkle and Mr. Brewer. That was for a number of years one of the most popular suburbs of Dayton. Somewhat separated from the business part of the town by the pretty little stream of the Patit, and embowered in trees and shrubbery, it still impresses the visitor as a very charming village section. Dayton Heights in the eastern part of the town has, however, taken the lead as a growing residence section during the past dozen years.

A curious situation in regard to the town government developed. As a result of doubt about the validity of the existing municipal government, Jesse N. Day, the father of the city, refused to pay taxes levied by the county in 1878. County treasurer, H. H. Wolfe, instituted legal proceeding by levying upon property owned by Mr. Day. The latter accordingly brought suit, with David Higgins as his attorney, to secure restitution of his property. N. T. Caton of Walla Walla appeared as counsel for the county. This suit was called January 14, 1880. The result was a decision by Judge Samuel C. Wingard of Walla Walla, judge of the Territorial District Court, that the incorporation of the city was invalid.

The effect of this decision was to necessitate a new incorporation. By common agreement Judge Wingard was requested to give informal advice upon the legal status of the community and the steps that should be taken to give it a proper judicial character. Thus appealed to the judge gave the opinion that Dayton had been organized as a town and was still upon that footing, and that the town might incorporate as a city under territorial laws. Accordingly the old town government resumed and continued until the issuance of a new charter by the Territorial Legislature in 1881, which went into effect with the opening of the next year.

Under the new charter the Government was to consist of mayor chosen yearly; seven councilmen, chosen for two years, three elected in one year and four the next; a marshal chosen by popular vote; and justice, clerk, attorney, treasurer, health officer, surveyor, street commissioner and assessor, appointed by Council. The charter named as mayor and councilmen the following: Mayor, O. C. White; councilmen, G. E. Church, L. E. Harris, J. L. Smith, John Brining, J. E. Edmiston and W. A. Belcher.

The period of inauguration of the new charter was marked by three disasters, a severe fire on December 13, 1880, and another much more serious, on April 2, 1882, by the latter of which a loss of $90,000, partially covered by insurance, was sustained. The other disaster was much greater, and is still referred to with almost bated breath by old-timers. This was the dreadful smallpox scourge in the fall of 1881. It was reported that there were 167 cases and twenty-one deaths. The excitement was great, nearly reaching the proportions of a panic, and as is apt to be the case at such a time, there were "hard feelings" and charges of criminal negligence. Dr. M. Pietrzycki, one of the best physicians and one of the most unique and interesting characters of the city, was health officer at that time, and the testimony seems to be on all hands that his course was firm and wise and that he saved many homes from the deadly scourge.

Meanwhile the charter question was not settled. A memorial was presented to the Territorial Legislature in 1886, setting forth the imperfections of the existing charter and petitioning for still another. This memorial preserves the names of the mayor and councilmen of that year as follows: Mayor, D. B. Kimball; councilmen, D. C. Guernsey, T. J. Taylor, E. Ping, H. H. Wolfe, D. H. Hardin, H. F. McCornack, D. M. Vaughn.

This memorial was not, however, sustained, and the unsatisfactory charter continued in force for a number of years. At a municipal election of July 11, 1904, by a majority of one only of the whole vote of 404, the city voted to abandon the old charter and to adopt the new form of city government. Under that general charter Dayton has remained to this day. Since that new municipal organization went into effect the incumbents of the different offices have been the following:

The city election of December 6, 1904, resulted in the choice of G. T. Jackson for mayor, W. A. Frary for treasurer, R. M. Sturdevant for clerk, H. E. Hamm for attorney, C. H. Day for health officer, and for councilmen, Add. Cahill, G. E. Barclay, Lars Nilsson, E. S. Ryerson, L. F. Jones, W. L. Jackson, and W. H. Van Lew. The entire number of seven were chosen at that first election, one at large, three for two years, and three for one year. Hence in subsequent years there were regularly chosen three for the different wards and one at large each year.

In the election of December, 1905, the officials chosen were: G. T. Jackson, mayor; W. A. Frary, treasurer; R. M. Sturdevant, clerk; Leon B. Kenworthy, attorney; C. H. Day, health officer; Add. Cahill, L. F. Jones, Everett Eager and W. H. Van Lew, councilmen. In that case, as usually, the practice of re-election was held in honor.

In the election of December 4, 1906, results were these: A. Wilson, mayor; G. W. Jackson, treasurer; E. W. Clark, attorney; Jesse Matzger, clerk; C. F. Schlitz, health officer; Add. Cahill, J. D. Israel, Frank Gemmel, C. W. Powell, J. A. Muirhead, councilmen.

Results in the election of 1907 were these: R. L. Nottingham, mayor; G. W. Jackson, treasurer; R. O. Dyer, clerk; E. W. Clark, attorney; C. F. Schlitz, health officer; G. T. Jackson, J. A. Muirhead, L. M. Vannice, H. A. Kaeppler, councilmen.

On December 8, 1908, there were chosen: H. C. Benbow, mayor; G. W. Jackson, treasurer; R. O. Dyer, clerk; E. W. Clark, attorney; C. H. Day, health officer; John Carr, J. D. Israel, Edgar Eager, F. C. Hindle, councilmen.

Choices in December, 1909, were these: J. A. Muirhead, mayor; G. W. Jackson, treasurer; H. B. Ridgeley, clerk; E. W. Clark, attorney; C. H. Day, health officer; Lars Nilsson, L. M. Vannice, Asa Johnson, J. C. Fair, C. H. Torrance, John Carr, councilmen.

On December 6, 1910, the following were chosen: J. A. Muirhead, mayor; J. G. Israel, treasurer; J. L. Wallace, clerk; E. W. Clark, attorney; J. M. Miller, health officer; E. C. Eagleson, George Brown, Oscar Griffis, R. O. Dyer, E. H. Van Patten, councilmen.

On December 5, 1911, there were chosen: J. C. Fair, mayor; J. G. Israel, treasurer; J. L. Wallace, clerk; E. W. Clark, attorney; J. M. Miller, health officer; Dick Harper, W. G. Thompson, A. Nilsson, C. R. Rogg, councilmen.

In December, 1912, we find the choices as follows: Dick Harper, mayor; J. G. Israel, treasurer; J. L. Wallace, clerk; L. B. Kenworthy, attorney; W. W. Day, health officer; C. E. Shaffer, C. F. Schlitz, George Brown, E. E. Eager, councilmen.

In 1913 the choices were: W. C. Goddard, mayor; J. G. Israel, treasurer; L. B. Kenworthy, attorney; J. L. Wallace, clerk; W. W. Day, health officer; C. E. Shaffer, C. R. Rogg, G. F. Price, J. A. Hanger, councilmen.

The election of December 8, 1914, resulted: W. C. Goddard, mayor; J. G. Israel, treasurer; J. L. Wallace, clerk; H. E. Hamm, attorney; W. W. Day, health officer; A. P. Cahill, Willis Wilson, George Carpenter, W. L. Jackson, councilmen.

In 1915 results were: C. H. Day, mayor; J. G. Israel, treasurer; J. L. Wallace, clerk; H. E. Hamm, attorney; A. P. Cahill, C. R. Rogg, A. J. Knight, G. F. Price, J. A. Hanger, councilmen.

The election of December 5, 1916, was thus: H. E. Barr, mayor; J. G. Israel, treasurer; J. L. Wallace, clerk; H. E. Hamm, attorney; Willis Wilson, Lee Rinehart, George Carpenter, W. L. Jackson, councilmen.

It is interesting to note here that the assessed valuation of Dayton in 1917 was $1,027,244.

Various miscellaneous happenings of much interest occurred from time to time during the years covered by the political history which we have been tracing out. Dayton seems to have been peculiarly unfortunate about fires. In addition to those which we have mentioned, there was one on July 17, 1883, which destroyed the Weinhard brewery, and in January, 1884, an attempt, generally supposed by incendiaries, to burn the planing and flour mills of Wait and Prather. A famous criminal suit against C. F. McClary, Frank Taylor and D. Hutchings was brought on the charge of incendiarism, resulting in the acquittal of the first, the discharge of the third by nolle prosequi, and the conviction of Taylor upon his own confession. On September 25, 1884, there was another fire, also supposed to be incendiary, and on March 27, 1885, the Woolen Mills went up in flames, thus ending its untoward career after so promising a start. June 24, 1887, witnessed still another devastation by fire, the worst known in the history of the town, entailing a loss of $112,000.

In 1890, August 11th, there was still another visit of the "fire fiend," causing as great a loss, though not affecting so large a number of individuals. There was yet another fire, not so great, in August, 1891. These hard experiences with fires led to the establishment of a number of fire companies and hose companies, the details of whose history it would be interesting to follow, did space permit. The Columbia Fire Engine Company seems to have been the longest-lived of these, continuing from 1882 to 1892. Since inauguration of the municipal gravity waterworks there have been no destructive fires.

In the year 1890 there was a curious outbreak of burglaries and other light fingered works of art resulting in numerous criticisms of the authorities and a final appeal to Judge Lynch. Leroy Burris, who had been engaged as foreman in the printing office of the _Inlander_, was implicated in the charge of burglarious practices, was seized by Vigilantes, and after having been brought face to face with a rope was let off with banishment.

In 1892 the general unrest and hard times led to various ugly forms, and one of them was an attempt to imitate Tacoma in the banishment of the Chinese. The effort to run out the Orientals proved a fiasco, however, as the general sentiment of the majority of the citizens was strongly against it, and the sheriff was firm in his announcement of the probable outcome of any violation of the peace. Gradually the agitation subsided and the Chinese, who were few in numbers and were peaceable and law abiding, and who in no manner stood in the way of the rights and privileges of white citizens, remained unmolested. Dayton was saved from that most contemptible and inexcusable of all forms of public riot, a "race war."

The part which Dayton and Columbia County took in raising men for the Washington Volunteer force in the Philippine war is worthy of some special note. Not that the other counties and towns were in any degree deficient in their service, but the number of enlistments at Dayton was remarkable in comparison with the population. The Dayton men were enrolled in Company F of the First Washington Volunteers. Chester F. Miller, whose name has so often appeared in this history in connection with legal and judicial matters, was chosen captain of the company; Charles A. Booker was first lieutenant; George B. Dorr, second lieutenant. The company, like the others of the Washington Volunteers, bore itself with all honor. One member of the company, Edward W. Strain of Pomeroy, a member of one of the most conspicuous pioneer families of Garfield County, was killed in battle, and George B. Fargo and R. A. Chrystal lost their lives by sickness.

Columbia County is so entirely a farming country that there are practically no cities and towns of any considerable size except Dayton.

THE TOWN OF STARBUCK

There are, however, several villages whose records, had we space for them, would afford much matter of interest. The leading one of these is Starbuck. This has become within the last few years a railroad point of much importance, being a division and locomotive station on the O. W. R. & N. System, and, as the result of this, providing homes for a number of families and being the center of a very considerable business. It is the junction of the Pomeroy branch with the main line, and as an immense business is done on that branch, there is the prospect of a steady increase in the business centering at Starbuck. The picturesque and piscatorial Tucanon, of historic fame, and the drainage stream of one of the richest and most beautiful valleys in the state, passes right through the town, and its bright waters impart a needed verdure to the rather arid land as well as diffuse a grateful coolness to the sometimes intense heat which the low altitude and bluffy hill shoulders on either side impose upon the place.

Starbuck may be said to have come into existence with the construction of the railroad and the erection of a warehouse and section house in 1882.

It is referred to in the _Chronicle_ of Dayton in December, 1886, as Starbuck Station. Mention is made also of Col. George Hunter as receiving at that time the appointment as railroad agent. Colonel Hunter was noted as a pioneer and was the author of a book on pioneer life, entitled: "Reminiscences of an Old Timer."

Upon the completion of the Pomeroy branch line in 1886 considerable building ensued. McIntosh Brothers established a store, a depot building and several other buildings were put up. Sad to relate these buildings were destroyed by fire the next year.

In 1888-9 a new era of building came on, the most important structures being the round-house, machine shops, section houses, agent's house, turn-table, and some minor buildings, constructed by the railroad company. But Starbuck seems to have rivaled Dayton in disasters by fire. On May 18, 1893, the valuable structures of the railroad company, with much oil and coal and a number of locomotives, became victims of a fire. The loss to the company was $500,000.

In 1894 Mrs. Mary McIntosh undertook to lay out a town site. The plat was filed on June 1st. In October of the same year Woodend's Addition was platted. In 1906 Starbuck became incorporated as a city of the fourth class.

The municipal officers of the first government were: W. E. Sprout, mayor; C. A. Blackman, John Roddy, Frank Actor, W. F. Gardner and M. Ray, councilmen.

Within the decade following incorporation, Starbuck has increased in population from about four hundred to about seven hundred and fifty. The increased railroad force and added buildings in connection with division headquarters has made substantial increases in business, and at the present the metropolis of the Tucanon is a busy, bustling little city, with a fine school building, several churches, a flourishing bank, a number of stores, and many pleasant homes embowered in trees.

The present city government of Starbuck is composed of the following: Mayor, W. H. Barnhart; councilmen, Wallis Brundson, C. H. List, M. V. McCool, J. H. Walters, L. E. Hukill; treasurer, Sam Walters; clerk, D. C. Guernsey; marshal, James Smith.

There are three churches in Starbuck: Episcopal, of which the pastor is Rev. John Leacher, also pastor of the Episcopal Church at Pomeroy; Christian, the pulpit of which is occupied by Rev. Mr. Diggins of Walla Walla; the Methodist, in which services are maintained, but at present without a stated pastor.

As in all typical towns in the Northwest, Starbuck takes just pride in her schools and makes generous provision for them. The approximate value of the school building, with its equipment, is $35,000. There is a high school department with three grades, having at the present date nineteen pupils. The enrollment in the eight grammar school grades is 121. The faculty at the present time is: Principal, H. C. Hayes; high school instructor, Bertha Botts; grade teachers in order from eighth grade to first, Fred Lehman, Ethel Krouse, May Betts, Mrs. Myrtle Pettyjohn, Mrs. Ethel LeDuc, Mrs. Brooks Harris.

One narration of much interest connected with the near vicinity of Starbuck is the attempt on the part of Dr. Marcel Pietrzycki of Dayton, physician, capitalist, philanthropist, and newspaper proprietor, to establish a sort of co-operative ownership organization on a large ranch a few miles south of Starbuck.

We have given in connection with the Dayton schools the main features of his enterprise.

It would indeed have been an experiment of much interest in sociological lines, but hardly had the good doctor inaugurated his plans when failing health and his lamented death brought the great scheme to an untimely end. A few years later the ranch became the property of the Grote Brothers, who rank among the most extensive farmers of the Northwest. But--lamentable to relate--the mansion which had been the central feature of the builder's roseate schemes, was lost by fire, and the land which was to have been the scene of a great sociological demonstration has become a wheat and cattle ranch.

In the near vicinity is another notable place, the property of one of the most notable families in the region. This is the immense Jackson ranch. This place was founded and developed by Richard A. Jackson, one of the foremost of the builders of old Walla Walla County. He became the most extensive sheep raiser in Columbia and Garfield counties, his holdings belonging to both. His home was established in a fine house upon the Tucanon, and the great areas of grain and pasture land extended for miles from the creek, embracing in all about fifteen thousand acres. Upon the death of Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Jackson, with several of her capable children, continued the business with equal success, and at the present date maintains the former leadership in the production of wool. At the Lewis and Clark Fair at Portland in 1905, and the Alaska Yukon Exposition at Seattle in 1909, there was on exhibition a wool fleece from the Jackson ranch, which was said to be the largest fleece ever known, weighing the almost incredible amount of sixty-nine pounds. At present price of wool that fleece would be worth over thirty dollars.

Still another enterprise of more than local interest, of which the office and headquarters are at Starbuck, is the extensive irrigation project on the Snake River, a short distance above Riparia, founded and mainly owned by Pres. E. A. Bryan, known throughout the state and country as for many years the president of the State College at Pullman. The irrigation tract has been laid out with scientific accuracy and has become a valuable property under the management of A. W. Bryan, son of President Bryan.