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The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled in favor of local Hanford water users, effectively ending a long-standing legal battle over irrigation rights and land ownership.
“The contract allowance of 33 acre inches is just about a third of the amount necessary to grow and mature crops in this soil and any settlement that might be made that did not provide for from two to three times this allowance would be foolish.”
Settlers and a New York corporation clash in federal court over the future of the Priest Rapids dam project.
“Let them come in closer touch with the Pioneer who has toiled and as yet received scanty return.”
A visiting party from White Bluffs witnesses a dramatic demonstration of a natural gas well near the Yakima river, sparking local hopes for a new industrial future.
“With a roar that was deafening for a few minutes, and throwing off sufficient heat to cause a general falling back of the crowd, the flame leaped to a height of perhaps 25 feet.”
A woman files for divorce citing physical abuse, property disputes, and claims that her husband locked her out of the kitchen.
“Mrs. O’Brien complains that her husband has caused her undue humiliation and shame, that he has locked the door of the kitchen and has made her prepare meals on a small oil stove.”
As residents of the arid Columbia Basin organized against a powerful utility, a local newspaper feud revealed the high stakes of early regional water rights.
“It is estimated that the hearing will last at least two days and will be largely of an expert nature. Several fine legal questions will be up to the commission for determination, and it is possible that some new law will be written.”
With the receiver out of funds and water users refusing to pay excess charges, the future of the Hanford irrigation project hangs in a precarious legal balance.
“It is a condition and not a theory that confronts Receiver E. F. Benson.”
Local water right owners resolve to keep their legal battle for irrigation rights alive all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“The water right owners made it clear that they want a vigorous fight made in resisting such an attempt.”
After years of litigation and uncertainty, Hanford Valley orchardists find hope in a court ruling regarding their rights to the Priest Rapids power plant water supply.
“The water right owners have been more optimistic over the future than they have been for years, for they feel that the prospects are brighter now than ever.”
A young girl is recovering in the hospital after she was found gagged and bound near the Presbyterian church in Hanford.
“A large bump on the back of her head indicated that she may have been struck a blow before being bound and gagged.”
Public Service Commission members visit the Columbia River Valley to mediate a dispute over the proposed consolidation of telephone lines.
“The very life of the promising communities up and down this great valley depends upon the successful operation of the irrigation companies which supply the water.”
Local farmers gather to review legal progress on water litigation and pledge financial support to their committee.
“Pledging that official to do everything possible to help solve the water problem, to the extent of offering to serve as mediator between the water users and the Power company.”
When appendicitis struck at a Hanford house party, the Milwaukee branch line chartered an engine and coach to get a young woman to the Olympian—and a Spokane operating table.
“the engine and coach on the Hanford-Beverly branch of the Milwaukee was chartered for a special trip to Beverly”
Residents from across the valley gathered for the unveiling of a $12,000 high school building, a source of local pride.
“The Highschool building is one of the best and most modernly equipped in the state and is a credit, not only to Hanford but to this whole valley.”
Northwest growers draft a cooperative marketing contract, and White Bluffs-area orchardists are summoned to Hanford to hear the plan.
“the farmer who produces a box of apples at an actual cost of a dollar or more will be able to get at least that much instead of the 50 or 60 cents a box for which many of them had to sell the last season.”
When the Columbia River froze solid, Hanford residents bypassed the ferry and walked across the ice to their ranches.
“This is something that even the oldest settlers have never witnessed before.”
After a hard-fought battle, the state Public Service Commission slashes irrigation rates for Hanford farmers, promising a new era of development.
“The commission’s ruling will furnish relief to the Hanford settlers and will probably result in considerable development.”
A legal representative for the Hanford irrigation project calls for a unified plan to resolve the long-standing water dispute.
“All hands are beginning to realize that court decisions and legal victories, while costly, are not worth much unless both sides are satisfied.”
Thirty-two land owners organize to challenge the Consumers Ditch Company's water rates.
“the whole trend was for an early and amicable settlement of this water question that has so long been the bane of existence around here.”
A fierce blaze leaves a Hanford ranching family with little more than their jewelry and a piano.
“So fierce were the flames and so quickly was the house consumed that the four men who were there and Mrs. Haynes were able to save only the piano, victrola, the books, a rug or two.”
Local growers revolt against aggressive sales tactics by warehouse companies.
“We as stockholders of the Hanford Horticultural Exchange consider these underhand and unfair methods.”
A postal inspection in Hanford leads to the sudden removal of M. W. Gross and the appointment of a successor.
“Inspector Rowan had Mr. Gross’s commission cancelled and secured the appointment of T. E. Kamerer as postmaster by telegraph.”
A high-stakes legal battle over irrigation rights heads to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, leaving local growers in suspense.
“The outcome of the case is of tremendous interest to the water right owners, as the very substance of the water rights is involved.”
A local committee is preparing for a high-stakes legal showdown in San Francisco over agricultural irrigation rights.
“The final outcome will be watched with interest because of the tremendous effect it will have on affairs in the valley.”
Lawyer forced to front legal fees as landowners fail to back their own water rights challenge.
“Attorney Carroll B. Graves has entered his appearance in the Supreme Court but because of lack of funds it was necessary for him to dig up the appearance fee out of his own pocket.”
Local leaders successfully blocked a petition for an independent highway district that would have taxed Benton County landowners to pay for Sunnyside's infrastructure.
“Instead of condemning Sunnyside for trying to put over the independent district we really owed them a vote of thanks for being responsible for providing the opportunity for all of the districts, communities and factions in Benton County to get together.”
A routine repair at a Hanford well turns into a brush with death when a frayed electrical cord nearly kills a man deep underground.
“When his son, Arthur, who was at the top of the well holding the cord out of the way of the ascending motor, looked down he could see nothing but electric sparks.”
An attorney advises Hanford-area farmers to drop their long-standing water right grievances to secure a future for the project.
“If the rancher paid too much for his land... he must forget it and start out new.”
A Hanford inventor and the Great Western Iron Company claimed the Columbia Valley's sand held high-grade magnetite worth $90 a ton.
“"Several assays have been made of the iron and each time it has been pronounced high-grade magnetite iron, practically free from any foreign matter. This is the iron which is used in the manufacture of steel and is worth $90 a ton."”
Dissatisfied with local middlemen, a group of Hanford growers bypass the regional market to ship a test car of fruit across the country.
“Your apples excited the admiration of other people on the wharf and we should not be surprised if they took your name and address and drop you a line.”
A family trip to White Bluffs ends in a harrowing roadside rescue after their car flips 12 miles south of Hanford.
“After some difficulty the child was released from under the car and the whole party brought to Hanford.”
A local man walks away uninjured after his car flips during a collision near Hanford.
“Ed’s car turned completely over but he lay down in the seat and fortunately escaped injury.”
Consolidation of banking institutions reflects the changing economic landscape of the mid-Columbia river region.
“The bankers did not deem that business justified the maintenance of two banking institutions in the up-river country.”
C. F. Whaley of Ballygreen Farm penned the words to “Every Girl Who Has a Heart Loves a Soldier,” with music by Madame Schumann-Heink’s accompanist—and the profits went to the Red Cross.
“Mr. Whaley is winning an enviable reputation as a song-writer, having composed the words to one of the latest song hits, “Every Girl Who Has a Heart Loves a Soldier.””
Valley residents are left waiting in silence as the Public Service Commission stalls on critical water and power rate decisions.
“Much dissatisfaction is being expressed by the settlers at this apparent neglect on the part of the commission.”
After eluding local authorities for months and facing a forgery conviction in Portland, a Hanford man is brought back to Benton County.
“After being convicted and sentenced on this charge, he was paroled that he might be turned over to the Benton county officers.”
A vacant ranch house near the town of Hanford, built of concrete and valued at $5,000, is reduced to ruins by a suspected electrical fire.
“A greater part of the structure was of concrete and owing to this fact the fire burned for a long time.”
A geological assessment suggests the presence of a dome structure in the Rattlesnake Hills, prompting investors to initiate drilling for oil and gas.
“I am backing my judgment by taking up leases adjoining, and with my associates... expect to commence development work at once.”
A weekend hunting trip in the Yakima River valley goes sideways when a party of 'nimrods' loses their transportation—the mules.
“We have been convinced that 'Bill' and 'Breno' may be no experts at duck hunting, but when it comes to hunting mules they sure hold the tin medal.”
A local trucker works 24 hours straight to haul apples, highlighting the transition from horse-drawn wagons to the motor age.
“Beginning at 8 o’clock Tuesday morning and working straight through 24 hours, (no 8 hour day on this job) to 8 a. m. Wednesday.”
Two strangers are held in the county jail after a clean safe-cracking job leaves the town of Hanford without its store funds.
“The robbers did a neat job and left behind no clue.”
Facing a fourteen-mile stretch of road with no human habitation, Benton County installs a telephone booth to aid motorists stranded between Hanford and the Yakima River.
“There is quite a bit of automobile travel on this road now and a fellow is sure out of luck if the old car goes bad.”
A bold coyote invades a residential fence line, bites local dogs, and sparks a small-town manhunt.
“We are now all afraid to appear on the streets.”
A local man faces a heavy fine and jail time after officers force entry into his home to seize alcohol.
“She had broken one bottle on the stove but the liquor was still running off the stove when the officers got in and a fair sample was caught in a basin.”
A local mail carrier avoids disaster by saving the packages from his burning Reo sedan.
“By working fast, Mr. Maupin, who was driving, was able to save all the mail and express.”
After five years of publication, the Hanford Columbian suspends operations, marking a shift in the local media landscape.
“In fact, neither White Bluffs nor Hanford is large enough yet to support its own newspaper.”
A simple trip to buy a racing car results in a sudden change of heart and ownership for two Hanford men.
“Mr. Berg fell violently in love with the racer and before they reached Hanford had confessed as much to Mr. Yoder.”
A fierce high school basketball rivalry concludes as White Bluffs clinches the series victory over Hanford.
“This game was the fourth of a series of five games between the two schools and, since this victory was the third for White Bluffs, the series is ours.”
A growing rural community prepares to christen a modern educational facility built for the future of vocational training.
“The new building will be provided with the latest equipment for practical and vocational education. It is a model of rural school building construction.”
Hanford prepares for a local flag-raising ceremony, part of a wider Benton County effort to boost wartime morale.
“The flag is one of three purchased by Benton county, one being given to each of the three commissioners.”
A new packing warehouse will anchor the fruit industry in Hanford as growers sign on to a unified cooperative model to manage their harvests.
“It is claimed the Spokane Fruit Growers company will handle between 75 and 90 per cent of the Hanford fruit this year.”
A Hanford toddler wins big at a Spokane fair, fueling local pride in the valley's future generation.
“When our babies go there and carry off prizes too, they should have as much praise.”
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