The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-11-08

took place here within the past thir-
teen years. Then there were the
Northern Pacific section house and
one place of business, the Indian
trading company store, in a frame
building, now swallowed up by the
Toppenish Trading company, a cor
100000, and a magnificent home of
brick. ia that time. as nearly as may
be estimated, the population was
about six. low it is more than 1000.
Glorious Future Predicted
Fifteen miles southeast from where
the Yakima river debouches from the
foothills through Union Gap stands
the city Of Toppenish, destined in the
not distant future to take it's place a.
the metropolis of the Yakima valley
between that point and where rolls
the Oregon" (now the Columbia).
The greatest building period expe
rienced by the city was undoubtedly
that of three years ago, commencing
January 1, 1909, although the Hotel
Toppenish, quite pretentious, was
erected in 1907, and many other brick
buildings constructed during that and
the succeeding year. Not what it was,
but what it is, and a few possibilities
of the future, shall be the principal
topics here treated.
Public Utilities
From sagebrush waste to hamlet,
to village, to town, to a progressive
city, is the way the record reads. II
it record in which the people of Top
penish may justly take pride. One
year ago steps were taken for the in
stallation of a sewer system and $685.
600 in bonds were voted as a starter
for the work Through some techni-
cal flaw in the proceedings, after the
state of Washington had agreed to
take the bonds work at that time wa
not commenced. Within the past 80
days $4,000 bonds have been author
lied to be issued, and from statements
of the city officials it is believed that
work on the trunk line of the sewer
will be commenced before January
Is, 1912.
The city owns it's own water system,
the water being taken from a we'll 1875
feet deep. Three pumps have been
installed, but they are not operated
during the irrigating season, when the
drainage upon them is the heaviest
The water supply is ample, so expert
engineers have reporteds to supply a
city of 5000 with all the life-giving
fluid necessary for all practical
purposes. The pumping plant
was installed at cost of approx
mately $4,000, while the water system
as a whole stands the city an eXpenes
of about $4,000.
Power and light are furnished by
the Pacific Power and Light company,
operating under a franchise EXTEND
ed to the Reservation Electric Light
company. The latter company has a
franchise for furnishing light and pow
err to the city and the inhabitants
thereof for a period of so years, which
it transferred to the former.
Municipal Government
The year 1911 has been a tempes-
tuous one in the government of the
city. That does not mean that Other
years have not seen other tempests,
for they have, but the present year
has been particularly prolific, but dur
ing all these clashes the city has been
getting the benefit of wise legislation.
Plans have been discussed for the
grading of a considerable portion of
Toppenish avenue, the main artery of
| trade, but the work has not yet been
| inaugurated. The improvements on
the streets have been principally grad
ing and graveling. The coming year
will see mile of paved avenue. Many
blocks of concrete sidewalk have been
laid, and the city is well taken care
of in that regard.
The city hall is a slightly two-story
brick structure in public square at
| Toppenish avenue and Front street.
On the first floor are the office of the
police magistrate, the quarters where
! city criminals are incarcerated and
! the equipment for the fire depart
ment On the second floor are the
council chamber, battle ground of
many a hard fought parliamentary
| duel (almost personal at times), office
of city clerk, etc.
Personnel of Council
Following are the names of those
composing the city council, together
with the names of the other city of
ficials: Dr. H. NJ. Johnson, mayor;
Messrs. d. w. Berger, u. Y. Coleman
l.. b Bryan, Fred Rowe, A. w. Nc
! Donald, d. S. Pape, and j. w. Peter
son, councilmen; w. II. Hassig, clerk
j. j. Hays, attorney; w. S. Doran
treasurer; d. r. Redman, engineer
j. J. Dawson, chief of police; f. II
Ferguson, police Judge; DR.. j. j. Til.
ton, health officer; II. j. Tomlinson
water commissioner,
An efficient volunteer fire depart
ment, with equipment worth $4,000
has Harry Housh as it's chief and F
5. Rinehart as its secretary.
Public Schools
The rapid growth in population and
the increased number of pupil!