The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1915-03-04
KENNEWICk OF THE PAST
Paper read by Mrs T. Mann before the Womans Club


which ranged over the country, when
he was little boy, also of "big Injun
fights" and other events in Indian life.
But there was nothing-not even a
tradition, as to who made these ar
row heads. In 1902 there was found
a part of pipe Is miles above Kenne-
wick, which was pronounced by Mr..
Harlan Smith, professor of archeolo-
gy, national museum of arts, New
York city, as belonging to race of
people far beyond any people of this
age. This pipe was found four feet
under ground and now is in possession
of said institution-properly credited
to this section.
We have been told that fifty years
ago where Kennewick now stands, the
wild bunch grass grew waist high,
and the Hudson Bay company cut hay
here and lowed it on RATS to Wallula
and vast herds of cattle and horses
roamed these hills.
In the winter of 1886 there was 80
inches of snow on the level and the
thermometer registered Fl degrees be-
low zero, causing great loss of life
to cattle and horses.
Kennewick Derivation
In seeking the source or origin of
the word, "Kennewick" we must go to
the year 1883. This date, according to
Mr.. H. S. Huson, formerly a civil
engineer of the N. p. Ry. Co., is the
correct date when our fair city re-
ceived it's baptism "Kennewick." Mr..
Huson is the author of this name, and
it is of Indian tongue and was pro-
nounced Kin-ne-wack, meaning a
grassy place, and in the course of his
business he Mr.. Huson) was obliged
to use this word so often, found him
self writing the word "Kennewick, !"
At one time Kennewick postoffice was
named "Te-He" being called under
rather ridiculous conditions. When the
wife of an engineer was shown the
beautiful depot building which her
husband had written her about and in
l. efforts to epress her delight or
disgust she laughed like
this "Te-He" and the bystanders inn
mediately called the place "Te-He."
There can be no mistake about our
little city being called "Te-He" in the
past, no matter how it originated, as
there is proof that letters were re-
ceived here addressed, TIE He, Wash,
sent by our government. The word
bears close resemblance to "Pa Ha"
Of Indian origin, station on the N.
p. railroad 10 miles west Of Ritzville.
Settlements and Occupations
According to our government sur
vey notes, this country was surveyed
in 1864. These notes speak of spare
settlements along the Columbia river,
engaged in range stock industry, but
do not give any definite locations.
There were many evidences of set
tiers as early as 1859. However, our
interests concern Kennewick, its rise
and fall during its infancy.
Kennewick-1SS3 to 1889
The first and original townsite was
plated on a tract of ground now COW
cred by the G. M. Annis buildings and
orchard. 1t was real railroad town
with the necessary temporary build
ings, including six-stall round house
coal bunkers, turntable, etc. The
town was built during the construc-
ton Of the bridge across the Columbia
river and the road through to the
coast. Prior to completion Of the
bridge all trains were transferred over
the river by ferry boats, thus max
ing Kennewick terminal. Relics of
transfer days are still in evidence in
the old piers near the river docks.
The road passed through where the
CARRIER home now stands, thence west
one mile, where it followed the pres
emit line.
When road and bridge work ceased
Kennewick became nil. The first ho-
tel was operated by c. E. Lum, pio-
neer of 1885. The lumber for this
hotel was shipped by boat from Port
land, the lumber costing $4,000 per
thousand. One of the first merchants
name was Joe Dimond, Jew. The
first postmaster was Mr.. Knowlton.
Soon after Mr.. Conway was appointed
postmaster, the Office occupying part
of his private residence. The first
small school house was built by dona-
lion, the school building being de-
stroyed by fire the same year. Among
the first white women to come to Ken
wick was Mrs. Sprowl, sister-in-law
of DR.. Hedger, of Kiona. Mrs. C. A.