Stories from Asotin, on the map

The Child Who Vanished: A Tragedy on the Columbia Bar

A two-year-old girl was swept overboard from a steam tug in the Pacific Northwest, becoming one of the many unnamed victims of the region's treacherous waters.

Vigilante Justice Looms in Asotin

A town sits on the edge of a riot following a deadly fire and accusations of arson.

“The party, bent on lynching, followed, and finally the sheriff was obliged to take the prisoner farther away.”

The Desperate Flight of Charles E. Myers

Accused of a fatal arson in Asotin, a man is moved from jail to jail across the state to escape an angry lynch mob.

“A short while after going to jail it was learned that a mob was after him.”

The Day the River Rose: Asotin’s Fear of a Washout

As floodwaters threaten to cut off the town from the mainland, residents brace for isolation and potential disaster along the Snake River.

The Wild West of Asotin City

Federal authorities scramble as intoxicated travelers on the Washington-Idaho border cause local terror and gunplay.

“Of late the red men have become quite saucy. They travel in parties of from five to fifteen.”

The Wolf-Dog of the Grande Ronde

A ranger’s loyal pet answers the call of the wild, but gives his life to defend his master against his own pack.

“He fought for me, Jack. He gave his life for me. How he fought? And against his own blood, too.”

A Wild Bear Fight on the Grand Ronde

A local hunter witnesses a brutal showdown between a cinnamon and a black bear in the Asotin County mountains.

“The two met in an upright position and tore and clawed each other for some time.”