Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1915-06-25
PYTH|ANS GATHER
ON STEPT0E BUTTE
u.ndreds of Members of Order Cele-
brate on Summit of Historic
Butte--Many From
Pullman

order Knights or PytnlaS, represent
ing nearly every lodge in Whit
man county, with several from
II lges outside the confines of the
emmy. assembled Wednesday even
ing on the summit of historic Step
,oe butte, made memorable by the
hattie between the command of Gel
mel E. j. Steptoe and 1900 Indians
on May lie, 1858, and held one of
the most unique and at the same
time one of the most successful. con
yentions ever held in the NorthN est.
It was a gala time for Pyrhianism,
and both the organization itself and
Its individual members who made the
ascent Of the butte, profited hugely
through the novel meeting. Pull
man was represented at the meeting
BY 20 business men, members OF
Evening Star lodge, No. ~ who
made the trip in automobiles. Ar
irving at the foot of the butte, the
10 automobiles which carried the
Pythians from every nook ana cor
ner of the county were parked in
die old orchard On the west slope.
and the arduous ascent of t. barren
and rocky butte was made on foot,
the long line of members, travelling
light" and in single file up the
winding trail presenting au ext'a
ordinary scene.
As fitting reward for the
hard climb came the basket dinner
served on the summit, 1915 feet
above sea level and 1900 feet above
the level of the surrounding coun-
try.
The meeting was called to order
ty S. d. Ratliff of Colfax, acting
chancellor commander. Following
the exemplification or the second
rahk for the benefit of Tekoa can
didate by the Colfax lodge, a NAM
MON pyrotechnic display was given,
"hicn, although the dust storm and
LeaVy clouds interfered to consid-
cradle extent, could be plainly seen
from several towns in the county.
me third rank work was conferred
eps n class of nine candidates by
the Colfax team, three of the candi-
Gates being from Pullman.
The big majority of the Pythians
aaa never before assembled the butte,
ana the wonderful view of the sur
FUNDING country which the summit
'iloros was a revelation. On every
sue TOT miles and miles, could be
seen thousands of acres of near-rip.
.leat' not to exceed one-fourth of
.ne acreage being in summer fallow.
he Illumination from IL towns was
uistinctly visible after darkness had
fallen. $500
PREVIOUS to the initiatory work
'uoge Thomas Neill of Colfax gave
comprehensive resume of the incl
VENTS which make the butte mem.
S'apie' part of which is published
below:
on May 6, 1858, Colonel E. 7.
s'ep'oe left Fort Walla Walla in
soImand of five company officers
la loz men, for Fort Colville. to
a'ust differences existing between
INDIANS and whites at Colville
au 10 punish those who had run
- with cattle from Walla Walla,
-, a incidentally to give a moral eff
70 the Indians, and his men
some field experience.
A.. was supposed that the Spokane,
az rerce and Occur d'AIene In
ms as were very friendly, and by an
a0.ountable oversight, the com
n,.,. uiu not take as much ammu-
on as had been ordered by Col.
az Az Steptoe. but this fact was not
49, ,ered until they had encount-
:. 'ne Indians near Steptoe butte.
D.. me command had Timothy, Nez
i. oe indian, for guide, and, as
i,.., eo by Father Josef, Timothy
ha. sued to bring clash of arms
..s "een the troops and the Spokane
an .oeur d'Alene Indians, to settle
a..' Oia feud held by the Nez Perce
tba ns. those tribes. believing that
hs,. soldiers would easily defeat and
sors innate them. 1t appears that
m renegade Palousers had stirred
The indians by telling them that
tbs. soldiers were coming to fight
a. and take their wives and
uaaghters from them.
eom- 80 guide. instead of taking the
along the natural and