The Father of Walla Walla's Nurseries Dies
Philip Kite, the territorial delegate who helped bring the Northern Pacific Railroad to the Northwest and built a massive horticultural empire, has died at age 81.
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WALLA WALLA, Feb. 7.—This afternoon Philip Kite died at his home in the southern part of the city. For about ten days he had been in an asthmatic condition, the direct result of an attack of paralysis of the right side, which was superinduced by acute heart trouble of some months' duration. He died surrounded by his family and intimate friends, being unconscious but unable to make a sign. He left a will giving his directions for the management of his large and varied interests.
His death elicits general regret, as he was respected for his great worth and credited as the father of the fruit industry east of the Cascades, as well as one who was ever ready to do all possible to develop this section of Washington Territory.
Philip Kite was aged 81 years. He was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1827. He came to Marysville, Cal., August 14, 1850, to Oregon in November of the same year, and to Walla Walla county in November, 1871. In 1862 he was elected school examiner of Benton county, Oregon. Coming to Walla Walla, he started what is now a well-known and famous nursery, which he retained and took great interest in up to his last sickness.
He was United States member for the territory in 1871, and has ever taken great interest in public matters and development of the country. It was through his representations that engineers were sent out to inspect the route of the Northern Pacific railroad. As early as 1869 he commenced investigations by exploration of this northern route, and made several trips over the mountains, becoming thoroughly impressed with its importance and feasibility. In the winter of 1873-4 he determined to visit Washington and there urge this matter, though having to cross the continent in midwinter for that purpose. In March, 1874, at the instance of the Northern Pacific railroad directors, he turned a pamphlet in Washington that set forth the agricultural and mineral resources of the Northwest territories, which was printed and placed upon the table of every member of congress and otherwise extensively circulated, which had a great deal to do with the construction of the present transcontinental railroad.
Philip Kite’s death marks the end of an era where individual civic leaders could single-handedly sway federal infrastructure decisions through sheer persistence and pamphleteering. His role in securing the Northern Pacific route highlights how critical transportation corridors were to the economic survival of Eastern Washington, a dynamic that still defines Seattle's relationship with regional logistics and rail today.
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