TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
TOLD by the PIONEERS - Washington Secretary of State
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Told <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pioneers<br />
Fa<strong>the</strong>r started to take a homestead but he had to leave it for a time<br />
and meanwhile ano<strong>the</strong>r man jumped his claim, so he never proved up<br />
on it. He went to Vancouver and lived <strong>the</strong>re for two or three years.<br />
Then he got a farm three miles north <strong>of</strong> Battleground and here we've<br />
been ever since.<br />
CHARLES H. LITTELL<br />
Spokane County<br />
I have voted in ',ashington 55 years. I recall <strong>the</strong> exciting and<br />
amusing election for <strong>the</strong> county seat <strong>of</strong> Lincoln county. Davenport<br />
and Sprague contested for <strong>the</strong> honor and Sprague won. The Nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
Pacific railway ,vas being constructed through Sprague at <strong>the</strong> time,<br />
and Davenport, claiming that Sprague allowed non-resident railroad<br />
laborers to vote, refused to turn over <strong>the</strong> county records. A sheriff's<br />
posse was organized at Sprague and after <strong>the</strong> excitement had subsided<br />
in Davenport, <strong>the</strong> mounted and armed posse rode over to Davenport<br />
and secured <strong>the</strong> records with very little trouble. Several years<br />
later ano<strong>the</strong>r election was held for <strong>the</strong> county capitol and Davenport<br />
won without protest, and has held it ever since that time<br />
:Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> houses in <strong>the</strong> ~Iondovi district were <strong>of</strong> logs. As logs<br />
could be cut from <strong>the</strong> near<strong>by</strong> forest, and lumber was expensive and<br />
required a long haul, furniture was all home-made. The log cabin<br />
built <strong>by</strong> Evan ~IcClnre (a neighbor and relative), in 1881, is still<br />
standing and in use as a granary on his farm.<br />
Transportation was <strong>by</strong> wagon and horseback. Deep Creek was <strong>the</strong><br />
nearest trading point, where a small store was located. After <strong>the</strong><br />
Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Pacific railway was built through Cheney in 1882-83, this<br />
tow:n <strong>of</strong>fered a better market place. The Central 'V"ashington branch<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Pacific was constructed through Mondovi and <strong>the</strong><br />
Big Bend country in 1888-89 and settlers took up <strong>the</strong> land very rapidly.<br />
PI01,TEER SMALL TOWN LIFE<br />
Island County<br />
The dance at ctsalady ·was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most enjoyable affairs ever<br />
given in this county, taking place in 1884. The steamer Helen, in command<br />
<strong>of</strong> Captain L. Kineth, was sent to Coupeville for <strong>the</strong> invited<br />
guests, <strong>the</strong> list including virtually <strong>the</strong> entire population <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> village.<br />
The ball opened at 9 :00 o'clock, and at midnight supper was announced,<br />
when <strong>the</strong> invited guests, having <strong>the</strong> place <strong>of</strong> honor, were es-<br />
154