The Political Legacy of 'Dad' Sharp
As a prominent Kittitas County senator falls gravely ill, the region reflects on his long career in territorial and state politics.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A special dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer from Ellensburg announced that State Senator John P. Sharp is dangerously ill at his residence in Monashtash precinct and grave fears are entertained that he may not recover. 'Dad' Sharp, as he is affectionately known by his acquaintances, is one of the best-known figures in Washington politics. He is completing his term as state senator from Kittitas county, having been elected in 1902. Prior to that he represented his county in the house of representatives. Senator Sharp has been a resident of the Oregon country for 51 years, coming west when ten years of age. After spending ten years near Eugene, Ore., Senator Sharp followed the mining rush into eastern Oregon. In 1874 he settled on a farm near The Dalles. He moved to the Yakima valley in territorial days and began stock raising near Ellensburg.
“'Dad' Sharpy, as he is affectionately known by his acquaintances, is one of the best known figures in Washington politics.”
The figure of the 'pioneer politician' defined much of the early legislative landscape in Washington. Today, Monashtash and the Kittitas Valley remain key areas where the intersection of agricultural industry and state politics continues to shape local representation.
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