, 1882-10-28
History Of Walla Walla.
COLUMBIA.

day week upon Col. Gilbert, at Portland,
who is preparing the history of Waila Walla,
and in mentioning the subject OF early events
and the difficulty with which they are OBJ
tanned. accurately, it was suggested that
some of them pertaining to this city should
be published in the STATESMAN, for the pur-
pose OF giving those conversant with the
same, an opportunity to correct any errors
discovered therein, before the same are pub
following advance sheets OF a portion OF
chapter thiIty-one, Is given place in our col
of either additions or corrections that should
be made to it, to immediately communicate
such tact to F. T. Gilbert, Room -, Union
Block, Portland, Oregon, or confer person
ally with this Office. As it vii be printed
on Saturday OF this week /. viii be neces-
sary for those who would respond to this
invitation to correct errors, to do so at once.
CITY OF wALLA wALLA.
Although generally spoken Of, and consid-
cred as new town, situated IN 4 new coun-
try, the city of Walla Walla has a history
covering nearly quarter OF century, and
for the larger portion OF that time has been
business center of Importance 1t
is only within the last few years, however,
that the increase in facilities for transporta-
ton has LED to the opening up and develop
ment of this whole region, and the name and
fame of Walla Walla have becorne known
where larger cities are unheard OF. These
few years have witnessed the erection OF
substantial business blocks and handsome
residences, the Improvement Of the streets,
the addition Of gas and water works, the
erection of commodious public schools, pri-
vate acadamies and churches. and sein the
city take its stand among the business cen
ters Of the coast as the metropolis OF East
ern Washington. Pleasantly situated on
level tract Of fertile land, through which
flows Mill creek, tributary OF WaIia Walla
river, oruamented with fine shade trees,
tasteful wards and handsome residences, sur
rounded on all sides by well improved farms,
and lying almost under the shadow Of the
Blue mountains, it seems to lack little that
could be desired which the hand OF nature
has not supplied. Great as its growth IN
the past has been, it is but small when COM
pared with what the near future probably
has in store for it, and its business men look
forward with hope and confidence to the
coming OF that tine.
EARLY HISTORY OF wALLA wALLA.
The order of Col. Steptoe forbIdding set.
tlement east of the Cascades by white men,
was still in force in 1855, and only those
could remain IN the country Who were en-
ployed by the army, or licensed as traders.
The licensed traders were the first merchants
and the government employees the first
farmers in the WalIa Walla country, after
the missionaries or Hudson Bay French. The
first goods, except by the POST suffers, were
taken there TO traffic with the Indians, the
first produce raised Was for sale to the quar-
termaster. Green, Heath and Allen were
the post suffers, and tie next trader to take
goods to the valley was William McWhirk,
in the spring Of 1857, who useC tent for a
store that was pitched near where the Glass
ford planning mill now stands il Walla
Walla. The next conner was Charles Bel
man, during that summer, whose tent store
was on the south side Of, and close 70 Mil
creek, near where Main street now crosses
it. In the spring OF lS5S, the last named
gentleman put up store, constructed from
poles and mud, near the center of WHIST now
is the northwest side of Main street, between
the creek and Second. Joseph McEvoy,
who was soldier at the time, affirms to the
writer that Mr.. McWhirk had erected log
building on the north side Of Main street,
where second street now crosses II, IN the
SKINNER Of 1857. II so, his was the first
building constructed in Waila Walla after
the barracks, otherwise the mud and pole
store of Mr.. Belman taxes precedence. The
third structure was Of slabs, set end ways
In the ground, was covered with shakes,
and bailt in April 1858, by Louis McMorris
for Neil McClinchey, on the south side Of
Main street, near the present corner Of Third.
In lS5s, James Galbraith built on the south