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Old newspapers, pinned to the places they wrote about — the streets you can still walk today.
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A corrupt order favoring railroad interests over public land rights has been rescinded by the General Land Office.
“It was nothing more nor less than the changing of a quantity of almost worthless land for a number of acres of land which is enormously valuable.”
A critical report on the railroad's failure to honor its land grant agreements with settlers in the Washington Territory.
“These lands were donated to the company, not to make its managers... millionaires, but to extend the facilities of intercourse and transportation through an undeveloped region.”
A freight car piled high with lumber capsized on a sharp curve, leaving a local blacksmith seriously injured.
“Such an accident is unique in the railroad history of Walla Walla, and it is doubtful if one ever occurred in the state before.”
A young, enterprising contractor met a gruesome end while attempting to jump from a moving freight train near Wallula.
“The whole lower part of the body was ground to a pulp and the skull was fractured in several places.”
Settlers are being shut out of a questionable land grant adjustment that may benefit the railroad at the public's expense.
“It is, at any rate, rather novel for the company to determine what is to their interest... and then turn blandly to the poor settlers and tell them that it was done because they desired it.”
A federal decision exposes how settlers were misled by illegitimate land claims near Wallula, Washington, setting off a scramble for government property.
“A recognition of the doctrine that purchase from one who had no title would establish an equity against the real owner would be subversive of all principles.”
A clash over mileage rates and interest terms strains the relationship between the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company and the Northern Pacific.
“A hitch has now arisen between the company and the syndicate, on account of the high rate of interest (9 per cent per annum) which the syndicate demand.”
Walla Walla merchants eye branch stores in Wallula, sparking a regional rivalry over trade and access to the mines.
“From this it would seem that the next act in the building of the 'Sacramento of the Upper Columbia' is to be performed at Wallula.”
Businessmen in Walla Walla look to dominate Columbia River trade by building a high-speed road and wharves at Wallula.
“It is impossible to bring the city to the river or the river to the city but commercially speaking it is possible to link the two together.”
County commissioners force a standoff over the local river ferry franchise, giving the operator three months to relocate or lose his rights.
“Because of the possibility of a freeze-up, the board gave him ninety days in which to make good his promise.”
A rare silver 'Peace and Friendship' medal from the Lewis and Clark era is discovered on an island in the Columbia River.
“In all likelihood the medal was given to some noted chieftain of the Yakima, Walla Walla, or Cayuse Indians by the explorers Lewis and Clark.”
A two-story home in Wallula burned on the night of July 3, killing three of four grandchildren inside. The youngest child survived; the others were found in the charred ruins.
“The youngest child was saved, and the others perished, their charred bodies being found in the embers.”
Local authorities drop charges against two Chinese men after confiscating smoking paraphernalia.
“The reason given was that there was no probability of securing a conviction.”
A historic Columbia River ferry, rendered obsolete by new competition, finds a second life upriver at White Bluffs.
“The old ferry, which in its day, had made a small fortune for different owners, began to lose patronage several months ago.”
Biological experts confirm rare prehistoric discovery along the banks of the Columbia River.
“The letter said that if there were more bones to be found in the district, an official of the government will be sent to make a thoro examination.”
A hungry drifter is sentenced to ten months in the penitentiary after stealing from a Chinese household in Wallula.
“Being without means and very hungry he went into a Chinese house to get something to eat.”
In the burgeoning town of Wallula, a grand hotel venture is failing despite immense investment, leaving a trail of broken spirits in its wake.
“The big hotel built at such expense appears to bring ill luck to every one who takes hold of it.”
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