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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1861 | 13 |
| 1862 | 3 |
| 1863 | 4 |
20 stories matching river
- The Bachelor Frontiersmen of White River
An early settler describes the agricultural promise of the river valley and the social isolation of the men carving out homesteads in the dense wilderness.
- An Early Exploration of the Quillehuyt River
James G. Swan documents his journey into the remote Quillehuyt River country, naming landmarks and describing the indigenous villages encountered.
- Gold Rush Fever Hits Walla Walla
Fresh reports from the Salmon River mines ignite an immense excitement, drawing hopeful prospectors to the promise of incredible daily earnings.
- The Forgotten Navigator of the Pacific Northwest
A call to honor Captain Robert Gray, the man whose discovery of the Columbia River and Grays Harbor secured the region for the United States.
- The Perilous Journey to the Salmon Mines
Recent reports from the Columbia River confirm a trail of tragedy, as miners traveling in makeshift bateaux fall victim to capsizing boats and drowning in the treacherous rapids.
- A Bridge Across the Chehalis
Citizens in Claquato gather to replace a ferry boat with a permanent bridge.
- An Early Coastal Survey of the Quillehuyt River
James G. Swan documents his journey to the Quillayute River, describing the geography, the Indigenous stronghold at James Island, and the aftermath of the Southerner shipwreck.
- Steamer Pacific Wrecked on the Columbia
A local steamer strikes a rock in the dead of night, leading to the loss of its cargo and livestock.
- A New Territory Born from the Gold Fields
As the Idaho Territory is carved from Washington's eastern reaches, residents hope the split will bring order to the Salmon River mining region.
- The Steamer Stella and Her Pocket-Knife Crew
Traveling the Chehalis River was a rugged endeavor that relied on passenger grit and a box of matches.
- Vancouver Block Destroyed by Fire
A massive blaze erupts in the early morning hours, causing thousands of dollars in property damage and leaving a man critically injured.
- The Battle for the Cascades Franchise
Legislators trade accusations of 'blackmailing' and 'monopoly' while debating a massive infrastructure bill for the Columbia River.
- A Young Seattle's Ambition
A correspondent reports on the rapid development of Seattle in 1861, highlighting the construction of the Territorial University building.
- The Territorial Legislator and the Editor’s Ego
A fiery public feud erupts in 1861 between a Clark County representative and the editor of the Washington Standard, highlighting the volatile politics of the territorial legislature.
- The Carrie Ladd Runs Aground
A steamship meets its fate on a rock at Cape Horn, leaving passengers and crew to abandon the sinking vessel on the Washington side of the Columbia River.
- The Great Butter Hoax of 1859
A classic tall tale of rancid butter, two tipsy pioneers, and an elaborate prank on a local tavern keeper in Olympia.
- The Governor’s Vision for a Growing Territory
Governor William Pickering addresses the 1862 Legislature, detailing the critical needs of a frontier rapidly filling with settlers and miners.
- The Push for Idaho Territory
Residents in the eastern reaches of Washington Territory call for a split from Olympia, citing a government that is 'a supreme farce.'
- The Bold Bid for a New Pacific Emporium
Speculators and city-builders are betting millions on a new town at the mouth of the Columbia River, hoping to eclipse Portland and Victoria as the premier trading hub of the North.
- Quinault and Quil-ich-ulte Reservation Established by Treaty
Superintendent of Indian Affairs William W. Miller formally establishes boundaries for the Quinault and Queets lands, warning settlers of trespassing.