Washington State Library

Maud P. Mitchell was born about 1883 in Oregon. She married Chas. R. Mitchell and by 1920 they were living in Chehalis, WA. Charles was an assistant cashier at the bank. Charles had become a banker by 1930. Between 1957 & 1958 Charles passed away. And Maud passed away on 29 May 1960 in Chehalis, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Maud Mitchell's history of Chehalis and Lewis counties, 1845-1858. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 391837453

The Children's Benevolent League was started by James and Annie Oakley, who had a son with Down syndrome that had been sent to live at the State Custodial School at Medical Lake, near Spokane, WA. Mr. Oakley began a correspondence with the director of the school about his idea for a parents and relatives association to support the school. The director agreed and encouraged his idea. Mr. Oakley began to locate the parents of children by word of mouth because of privacy issues at the school. The parents came together to form an organization that would help their children and each other. They organized, incorporated and elected officers for the organization they named the Children's Benevolent League in 1936. It was an organization composed primarily of parents whose children were in the state residential centers. During the 1950's parents began to recognize the value of raising their children at home rather than in state residential facilities and identified the need for public school education. In 1952 the organization became the Washington Association for Retarded Children and was instrumental in the establishment of the National Association for Retarded Citizens. In 1974 the organization changed its name to the Washington Association for Retarded Citizens. In 1992 it was renamed The ARC of Washington State. Throughout all the name changes, the mission of The Arc of Washington State has been a leader in the development of services and programs for people with developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, epilepsy and related neurological disorders which occur before age 18.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Washington Association of Retarded Children scrapbooks, 1953-1965. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 362799388

The Olmsteds were first invited to Seattle in 1903 to design a park system for the city. Their interconnecting system of boulevards brought swaths of green to neighborhoods along with grand vistas to the mountains, lakes and sound. The Olmsted plan discretely placed small parks along the boulevard system and in every neighborhood. Also in 1903, well before anyone had thought of the A-Y-P, the regents of the University of Washington hired the Olmsteds to redesign their new campus. John Charles Olmsted, the older brother, took charge of the project. (John C. Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. were stepbrothers and cousins. Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. married his brother's widow Mary. John was Mary's son by her marriage to Olmsted Sr.'s older brother.) The resulting 1904 design proposed two quads, one for arts and one for sciences at right angles to it. The northern quad survives and is known for its collegiate-gothic style buildings, quirky gargoyles and phenomenal springtime cherry blossoms. The 1904 work disregarded the two poorly sited buildings (Denny and Parrington Halls) dating from the university's move from downtown Seattle in the 1890s. When selected in 1906 to design the grounds of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, the Olmsteds used the southern two-thirds of the campus (260 acres) for the fair grounds. There they borrowed from the City Beautiful movement, siting the major buildings around a central core, called the Arctic Circle. It opened to a grand, green promenade with vistas to Mt. Rainier. Curving boulevards circled the site and made it easy to move from one zone to another. A major axis sprung out to the south from the main entrance at NE 39th Street and led to a water gate on Lake Union. This section, known as the Pay Streak, stood in striking contrast to the homogenous, orderly structures of the adjacent Arctic Circle. The Pay Streak consisted of a chaotic mix of eclectic buildings that formed the fair's entertainment zone. The cascading stream, fountain and the neoclassical designs of the central core combined with the peripheral but essential Pay Streak echo in designing the Chicago's World Columbian Exposition of 1893. Designed by the founders of the City Beautiful movement--architect Daniel Burnham and the Olmsted brothers' father, Frederick Law Olmsted--the Chicago fair launched the City Beautiful ethos in American design. Generally, the City Beautiful advocates sought to improve their city through beautification, which would sweep away social ills, as the beauty of the city would inspire civic loyalty and moral rectitude in the impoverished, achieve cultural parity between American and European cities, and create a more inviting city center that while not bringing the upper classes back to live there would certainly entice them to work and spend money in the urban areas. The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition reflects all three of that movement's goals. The Olmsted Brothers were among the founding members of the American Society of Landscape Architects and played an influential role in creating the National Park Service. The firm employed nearly 60 staff at its peak in the early 1930s. Notable landscape architects in the firm included James Frederick Dawson. The last Olmsted family member in the firm retired in 1949. The firm itself continued operation until 1980.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Olmsted Brothers landscape plans for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expostion [technical drawing], Mar.-Apr. 1909. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 457260249

The Washington State Library had been in the basement of the Temple of Justice until 1959. The Joel M. Pritchard Library was built in 1959 south of the Legislative Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia, WA. WSL was located in the Pritchard Building until 2001 when it was relocated to Tumwater, WA.

From the description of Washington room, 1959-2001 / [Washington State Library]. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 213099225

Frank M. McCully was born Oct. 2, 1857 in Harrisburg, OR. In 1866 the family moved to Salem, OR where Frank was educated. He graduated from Willamette University in 1877. McCully had lived in Dayton, WA for two years and had become the city Supt. of Schools when he was married on 7 April 1880. McCully was the city Supt. of Schools of Dayton schools for 6 yrs.; of the Ellensburg schools for 8 yrs; Columbia County school superintendent 1879-1881; school superintendent of Wallowa Co., OR, 1889-1891. Throughout his career he was associated with different newspapers. He was associated with the Columbia Chronicle (Dayton, WA), Pomeroy Republican (Pomeroy, WA) and Wallowa Chieftain for 6 yrs. In 1884 he established the School Journal at Dayton and published it five years at Ellensburg, WA. He published the Washington School Journal while he was in Olympia, WA. In 1901 he was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction and in 1905 he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State. Frank M. McCully passed away on 12 March 1907 at the age of 49 in Olympia, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Frank M. McCully's autograph and scrapbook, 1877-1880. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 319551763

The Washington State Library never had a formally established photograph collection that the public could order duplicates of the photographs from their collections. However, within different manuscript collections there have been photographs. At different times it has been possible for some individuals to borrow or duplicate the photographs within these collections. These are some receipts and notes pertaining to the borrowing and duplication of those photographs.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of miscellaneous notes about photographs and photograph duplicating services of Washington State Library collections, circa 1970-1975. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244394610

Morgan Morgans was born in Wales about 1830. He came to America in 1846. By 1880 he had married and was living in Nortonville, CA. He was a supervisor with the Black Diamond Coal Company. About 1882 the president of the company asked Morgans to accompany him to King County, WA to evaluate an area for mining. The area is now known as Black Diamond, WA. In 1885 he brought his family, miners and most of the community's miners' families to develop the Black Diamond coal mines. He was made general superintendent of the Black Diamond mines. In almost every respect, economic, social and physical, the town of Black Diamond was shaped by the demands of the coal industry and its management. The land on which most of the homes were built remained the property of the company; and the mine superintendent, Morgan Morgans, determined who could buy and sell to whom and at what price. He donated the town cemetery; controlled liquor, electricity, medical care and political rallies, permitted collection of relief funds, determined mine holidays, attended the state constitutional convention and were a signer of the Washington State Constitution. Morgans remained superintendent of the mines until Pacific Coast Coal Co. acquired them in 1904. After the acquisition, it is unclear whether he returned to California, remained in Washington State or moved in with his daughter that was living in Spokane, WA. On Dec. 9, 1905 Morgan Morgans passed away from kidney disease at his daughter's home in Spokane, WA. After he passed away, he was honored by the mining company by ordering the mines closed for the day of funeral. A special train was provided to escort the people from Black Diamond to his funeral. It was free fare for anyone that wanted to attend his funeral in Seattle, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the papers of Morgan Morgans, 1895-1970 1895-1906. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 302361585

Margaret McKenny was an author; conservationist; lecturer; naturalist with special interests in ornithology and botany, particularly mycology and wild flowers; photographer and teacher. She was born into the pioneering McKenny family of Thurston County, WA on 17 April 1885. She was the daughter of Gen. Thomas I. McKenny, who had been the Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Washington State. She attended Providence Academy in Olympia, WA, University of Washington in Seattle, WA and Lowthrop School of Landscape in Groton, MA. About 1919, she set up a progressive kindergarten and primary school in Olympia that she operated for six years. She developed a nature radio program that expounded on the beauties and resources of the State for the Washington State Progress Commission in 1943. She became the official photographer for Washington State Parks Committee in 1945. She later marketed the slides to schools and used them in her lectures. During the 1950's, she was very active in civic groups whose purpose was to beautify the area. From 1929 through 1968 she authored 15 books plus the Washington Nature Notes and numerous newspaper and magazine articles. From 1963 through 1967 she received several honors and awards. Margaret McKenny passed away on August 4, 1969. Her involvement, lectures and writings left a memorable mark on Thurston County because years later an elementary school, campground in Capitol Forest and a four-acre park are all named after her.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Margaret McKenny papers, 1871-1969 1940-1968. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 435619525

The Washington State Library (WSL) was the first American library north of the Columbia River. It was established in 1853. The first Territorial Governor selected and purchased over 2,000 books for the library which was the core of the collection until Washington became a state in 1889. WSL has promoted services and development of libraries throughout the State. Between 1886 and 1919 Andrew Carnegie's Carnegie Corporation gave more than $40 million to build 1,679 public libraries in 1,412 communities throughout the United States. The Port Angeles Public Library was one of the last libraries funded by the Carnegie Corporation. By the time is was completed in 1919, there were 37 other Carnegie libraries throughout the State. The Carnegie libraries were often the pioneer library in the community. WSL worked to develop and promote library services throughout Washington State. Many local and regional libraries have made great strides from the beginning of the local Carnegie library.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of photographs and history of Washington State libraries, 1938-1999 1966-1971. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 174981537

On Mar. 29, 1983 the Washington State Library put out a news release about establishing a Mt. St. Helens Collection. On 8 Apr. 1983 the Associate Director of Libraries for the University of Washington Libraries sent a letter to the Mt. St. Helens Project Coordinator explaining that the University of Washington Libraries had already established a collection in 1980. There was some correspondence between the libraries about the collection. It appears that the Washington State Library did not establish a significant Mt. St. Helens Collection. WSL had begun collecting materials for the collection. This includes bibliographies, newspaper clippings, magazine clippings and publications about the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Mt. St. Helens papers, 1980-1983. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 166885291

William H. Avery, with partners, G.A. Barnes and E.L. Smith started a bank in Olympia, WA about 1870. To raise his share of the capital for the bank, his partner, C.H. Brown, in Missouri was contributing funds. He ran the bank with a profit for 4 years. After 4 years, he left the bank and moved on to other business interests including owning orange groves in California. The bank then became the National Bank of Olympia. From about 1873 until late 1897 the country suffered what was called "The Long Depression". It has been debated whether this was a depression by economic definitions but it was definitely economic hard times for many people during this period. It was a time that people were prudent with their finances. In 1897 he wrote his daughter that the National Bank had suspended operations and all of his Olympia friends had come to financial grief. He felt that if he had stayed with the bank and adopted their principles he would have suffered the same fate.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of William H. Avery's correspondence, 1870-1911. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 351658235

Elisha P. Ferry was born at Monroe, MI on Aug. 9, 1825. After attending public schools, he began the study of law. He continued studying law in Fort Wayne, IN where he was admitted to the bar when he was 20 years old. In 1846 he moved to Waukegan, Ill and settled down there as a lawyer for 23 years. When the Civil War started, he served on the staff of Gov. Yates from 1861-1865 as assistant adjunct general with a rank of colonel. Not long after the War, he was sent to Washington Territory as surveyor general. President Grant promoted him to the Territorial Governorship in 1872. He served a full two terms as Territorial Governor. After he retired from the Terrritorial Governorship in 1880, he returned to Seattle, WA and resumed the practice of law. In 1887, he retired from the practice of law when he became the Vice-President of the Puget Sound National Bank. Once Washington State was admitted to the Union, Ferry was elected the first Washington State Governor and served the first term of three years. After retiring from the Governor's office in 1893, he lived a quiet retirement in Olympia and Seattle, WA. On October 14, 1895 he passed away.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Elisha P. Ferry photographs, circa 1889-circa 1895. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 235951246

The Carlisle Packing Company was founded at Village Point on the western shore of Lummi Island in 1896. The first commercial fishery on the Yukon River began in 1918 when the Carlisle Packing Company established a floating cannery at Andreafsky, now St. Marys, AK. By 1918 they had established a cannery at Cordova, AK. Nels Hawkinson managed the Carlisle Packing Company's canneries in 1918. In 1910 the Carlisle Packing Company was engaged in a civil suit that went to the Washington State Supreme Court. The case related to the inner workings of salmon selling and the role of the selling agent. The Carlisle Packing Company was involved in several lawsuits through the years. It is unclear what happened to the Carlisle Packing Company. They were probably purchased by Pacific American Fisheries because they were very aggressive in acquiring other companies.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Nels Hawkinson's notebook containing specifications and statistics of the commercial fishing industry, 1918-1919. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 352890941

By December 1932 unemployment in Washington State had reached 43,000. By the winter of 1933-34, the Works Progress Administration had been established by the federal government to employ citizens to be paid to work on approved projects throughout the United States.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Works Progress Administration's papers, 1934-1942. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 457064827

The Columbia Hall in Olympia, WA served as Olympia's Town Hall from 1869 to 1912. It was the grandest building in the Washington Territory and far superior to the Territorial Capitol. The ground floor rooms were occupied by the Fire Dept., City offices, and the City Council Chambers. The second floor was used as a ballroom, theater, opera house, and a home for many political rallies that led up to Washington's statehood in 1889, and the Women's Suffrage Movement. Over the years Columbia Hall hosted many events including mass political meetings for civic improvements, large community receptions, concerts, entertainment and lectures. The building was named after the beautiful hand-pumper fire truck from New York called the Columbia and the Columbia Fire Engine Company that owned her. The building was burned completely in 1914. The present Columbia Building was built on the site by two prominent Olympia business men.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a broadside and programs from Columbia Hall in Olympia, Washington circa 1883-1890. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 226300993

Myra Albert was born in Salem, OR in 1869 to John and Mary Elizabeth (Holman) Albert. They were both from pioneer Oregon families. Myra had attended two years at Willamette University when she transferred to Mills College in Oakland, CA. She attended the Art Students League in New York from 1891 to 1893. During her time as a painting student, she also was taking photographs. She became a member of a photography group known as the Photo-Secession, which was a select group that works were presented as a group in all the important exhibitions of the day. By 1894 she had made her way back to Salem, OR. She met and married Frederick A. Wiggins who had come to Salem in 1888. He managed one of the first car agencies in Salem. Myra continued to remain active with the group despite her location. In 1900 & 1904 she traveled to Europe and the Middle East taking a large number of photographs which became a souvenir book in Salem, OR. In 1907 the Wiggins family moved to Toppenish, WA where Mr. Wiggins established a nursery business. Although Myra continued to take photographs, her active period of photography was 1895-1904. Even though the photography slowed, down she continued to paint throughout her life and most of her adult life she maintained a studio where she taught. In 1932 Myra and Fred moved to Seattle, WA. In the early fifties there were several exhibitions of her work including Seattle, San Francisco and Salem, OR. Myra Albert Wiggins passed away on Jan. 14, 1956.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Myra Albert Wiggins papers, 1926-1985 bulk 1940-1956. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 309401117

John Miller Murphy was born near Fort Wayne, IN on 3 November 1839. His parents passed away when he was about 7 and he went to live with a sister, Mrs. George A. Barnes in Cincinnati, OH. The Barnes family crossed the plains and settled in OR in 1848. George Barnes was in the mercantile business and a member of the first City Council of Portland. Although Murphy was a boy, he became an efficient salesman. In 1852 the Barnes family including Murphy moved to Olympia, WA where George Barnes opened a store. After studying for several years in Europe, Murphy returned to Portland in 1857 and became an apprentice for 3 years with several Oregon papers. Then, he formed a partnership with a California man and issued the Vancouver Chronicle. It was the first newspaper for Vancouver, WA. After severing his relationship with his partner, Murphy returned to Olympia, WA in Nov. 1860 and began issuing the Washington Standard. When he retired in 1912, he had been the sole owner and had edited every edition of the newspaper for 52 years. In 1861 he married Eliza McGuire in Portland, OR and they had 10 children. Eliza (McGuire) Murphy passed away in 1895. Murphy remarried Mrs. Susan Sprague. Murphy was a member of the city council of Olympia for years and was responsible for the organization of the Olympia Volunteer Fire Dept. He also held these offices for varying terms: county school superintendent, territorial auditor and state auditor. In 1890 he built the Olympia Theatre, which was the first theatre built in Olympia, WA. Murphy passed away on Dec. 20, 1916.

From the description of Washington State Library's John Miller Murphy collection of papers, 1860-1994 bulk 1860-1869. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 308592354

John Harte McGraw was born in Penobscot County, Maine on Oct. 4, 1850. Since his father had drowned and his mother remarried, McGraw struck out on his own at the age of 14. At 17 he was a manager of a general store and by 21 he had formed a partnership with his brother. Through no fault of the brothers the business failed and John McGraw headed to the West. On Dec. 28, 1876 he landed in Seattle, WA where he was to make his home for the rest of his life. When McGraw arrived in Seattle, he was penniless. He soon found work at the Occidental Hotel and not long after became the proprietor of the American house, near Yesler's Wharf. He lost everything in a fire so he accepted work as policeman. He soon became city marshal, chief of police and sheriff of King County. He was sheriff during the anti-Chinese agitation which ended in a severe riot in Seattle, WA on February 7, 1886. In the elections after the riots, he and several other Republicans suffered defeat. He was re-elected as sheriff in 1888. While he was sheriff, he studied law and in 1887 he joined a law firm with two other lawyers. By 1890, McGraw declined to run for re-election and devote himself to his position as president of the First National Bank. McGraw had been active in the Republican Party and was elected Governor of Washington State in 1893. His administration was closed by the famous free silver campaign of 1896, when the entire Republican Party was beaten. After the governorship, McGraw had a very difficult time to face. During the Washington State Territorial days, the sheriff's office was on a fee system. At the end of his term as sheriff, the books were audited by independent and legal authorities more than once. Yet, six years later a surprising announcement was made that McGraw owed King County $10,000. It was economic hard times and no money could be raised and no property sold. So, McGraw placed the escrow deeds to all his property, to be sold as soon as possible to pay the debt to the county. In 1897, McGraw went to Alaska to try and recover his broken fortune. When he returned from Alaska, he formed the real estate and insurance firm called McGraw, Kittinger & Case. He never again sought public office but tried to continue to serve his community in various ways. He had been an advocate of the Lake Washington canal; President of Seattle Chamber of Commerce and a trustee and vice-president of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition. John H. McGraw passed away June 23, 1910.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a portrait photographs of John H. McGraw, circa 1893-circa 1897. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 234092727

Robert Montgomery was born about 1870 in Maryland. By 1916 he had moved to Puyallup in Pierce County, WA where he was the editor of the Puyallup Valley Herald. He was the editor for the newspaper from about 1916-1936.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a New Year's postcard greeting from Robert Montgomery, [1931]. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244632418

The Friendly Grove Community Club was organized in 1928 with 24 members, all residents of a rural neighborhood northeast of Olympia, WA. By November 1930 the organization had built a club house on property donated by Mrs. Alice Stookey. The members gathered for dances, box socials, meetings and holiday celebrations. It was one of the many clubs which had been organized and thrived in rural communities during the early decades of the century. The clubs began to dwindle and die as improved roads and fast cars brought formerly isolated neighborhoods into closer communication with outside communities. About 1960 the community hall burned down. Efforts were made to raise money for construction but failed. So, the Club had finally decided to disband the organization and turn over its assets to a worthwhile Olympia area project. So, in Jan. 1970 the Friendly Grove Community Club donated $3,000 and an acre of land to Morningside, a not-for-profit community rehabilitation program providing employment services to individuals with disabilities.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Friendly Grove Community Club's papers, 1928-1961. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 437483853

North and South traffic across the mouth of the Columbia River between Astoria, OR and Megler, WA was difficult for many years. In 1921 a scheduled ferry service from Astoria, OR to Megler, WA was established. The operation of the ferry service was taken over in 1946 by the Oregon State Highway Department. The ferry service did not operate during inclement weather. For many years, the idea of a bridge across this span had been simmering and by 1962 it had been decided to build a bridge. The Oregon Dept. of Transportation and the Washington Dept. of Transportation jointly built the bridge and construction began on Nov. 5, 1962. The bridge is the longest continuous truss bridge in North America. It had been a long-lasting question what the bridge should be named. To Astorians, it should be named the Astoria Bridge. They had thought of it, lobbied for it and suffered through the construction of it. The Oregon Highway Commission made the name Astoria Bridge official in July 1966. It is sometimes also known as the Astoria-Megler Bridge. The bridge was opened on Aug. 27, 1966. The bonds for the construction of the bridge were paid for by a toll of $1 .50 per car that was placed on the bridge. By 1993, the bridge bonds were paid off and the toll booths were removed on Dec. 24, 1993.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection on the Astoria Bridge, 1947-1978 1962-1968. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 185036597

Walker J. Lyons was born Sept. 1, 1854 in Sisterville, VA. By 1879 he had married his beloved Bertie and was living in Salem, WV. On June 11, 1879 he left West Virginia for the Washington Territory. After making his way to Olympia, WA, he walked to Montesano, WA. After the 2-day walk of about 40 miles, he arrived at his friend the Wades home. From his diary, his visit to Montesano, WA was for about 6 mos. before he returned home. During his visit, he worked at the saw mill and grist mill, hunted, fished, attended Church, wrote letters to his family and wife whom he missed very much, and visited and worked with his friends. Before Christmas 1880, he decided to return to his wife and family in West Virginia. In 1882 Walker, his wife, Bertie, and their children decided to move to Montesano, WA. Because Walker talked with such great affection about Grays Harbor County, his parents and the rest of the family moved to the area in 1883. Walker J. Lyons was one of the first post masters for the area. Unfortunately, he was killed in a hunting accident in February 1884. His father and he had gone hunting deer. When they decided to split up, they agreed to meet back at the river bed. Shortly after they split up, Walker's father heard a shot. Walker's father became tired after awhile and returned to the river to wait for his son. When nightfall came and his son hadn't returned, he was panicked. He went to town to seek help to find him. They searched and continued the search the next morning. Unfortunately, the shot Mr. Lyons' heard was that of his son's gun going off as he jumped a slough. The shot killed Walker instantly. When the party had brought him out of the woods, Gov. Newell was there to meet the party. And, he was in attendance at Walker Lyons funeral. The Lyons family continued to live and work in Cosmopolis, WA over the years. His sister, Tillie, married a man named Davis that was the first sheriff and fire chief. His parents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1904.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Walker J. Lyons diary and papers, 1879-1970, 1879-1880. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 315919980

The Moxee Company had bought land from the Bell Telephone Company prior to 1897. The Company had bought this land as a settlement project to reclaim this region for irrigation. In fact, the Company is mentioned in Irrigaton in the State of Washington by O.L. Waller listing the amount of the apportionments under the agreement of July 1906. There were approximately 1600 acres remaining after settlers had purchased land from them about 1897. John Bateman had been the secretary-treasurer of the Moxee Company. The Company had large holdings of hops and land in the Moxee, WA area. It is unclear whether the Moxee Company also owned a hardware company or whether the Company became the Moxee Hardware Company.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Moxee Hardware Company's business records 1906-1909. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244249704

May was a spirited and adventuresome woman who had spent her youth caring for her blind grandfather, Aza. May accompanied him to public meetings in and around Youngstown Ohio, where she was introduced to the hard life of coal miners and their mistreatment in the mining industry. Her formal education ended after grade three. She and her grandfather spent much of their time listening to street corner soapbox orators including William McKinley. These experiences made May politically aware and very interested in the issues of the day. May had heard that "gold out west was free for the picking," so, as a young woman of twenty-three, she left Ohio, joining 40 miners and headed for Idaho. Mr. Levi Hutton was born October 23, 1860 in Fairfield, Iowa but sadly, at the age of 6 was orphaned. He was passed around among relatives mostly living on a farm with an uncle and his family. Young Levi never felt a part of a family. His schooling ended after the third grade as he was expected to earn his way by doing farm chores. At age 18, he left his dreary existence and headed west to seek his fortune. In the spring of 1881 he headed north to Idaho. Levi, being a teamster, took on jobs as a fireman on both a steamboat and a locomotive before he was able to realize his first real ambition of becoming a railroad engineer. After some two to three years as an engineer, the Northern Pacific Railroad sent him to Wardner Junction, Idaho (now Kellogg) to drive an ore train into the mining country. These were exciting times as people had big dreams of one day striking it rich. It was in this setting that he met his wife, May Arkwright, who owned and operated a boarding house where Levi ate most of his meals. Shortly after they were married in 1887, Levi (called Al by his friends) was transferred to the new town of Wallace where they bought a two-room shack on a steep hill overlooking the tracks. May loved to work so she took the job of overseeing the dining room at the Wallace Hotel. Although Levi worked hard, he spent much of his time involved in the Masonic Lodge and later became a Shriner. The year 1897 was an important milestone in the lives of the Huttons when, along with five others, they invested in the Hercules Mine. After pouring money and hard work into their "hole in the ground," they struck it rich in June of 1901. As millionaires, life changed for the Huttons but not their values. In 1906, they moved to Spokane so Levi would have a broader field for his investments and May would have more political, social and literary opportunities. Levi began a string of businesses, invested in others and built the Hutton Building. The fourth floor of that building served as their home until 1914, when they built a house on the south side of Spokane. She worked tirelessly for the suffragists by becoming 1st vice-president of the Washington Equal Suffrage Association. After some dissention and disagreements with the Western membership of the Association, May founded her own group called the Washington Political Equality League. When women won the right to vote, she was one of the first. She fought for her cause until she passed away in 1915 at the age of 55. Since Levi had been an orphan and he and May had no children of their own, it had been his ongoing dream to build a home for children. It was to be a "home," not an institution. It had to be a secure place where families could stay together and not be shifted about. In 1919, the Hutton Settlement was born. The following year, Levi was recognized at the Shrine convention by the national Imperial Potentate who said, "If one man could build and do for children what Mr. Hutton has done, what could 500,000 Shriners do?" Consequently, at the next convention, a plan was initiated to start the Shrine Hospital for Crippled Children. For nine years, Mr. Hutton was able to enjoy the children and to be an intricate part of their lives. On November 3, 1928 Levi died. He fulfilled his dream and left a treasured legacy for the many children who have called Hutton Settlement "home."

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of May Arkwright Hutton's selected correspondence, 1908-1912. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 351988388

The Washington Correctional Association had its beginnings with the establishment of legislation in the State of Washington for care of dependent and delinquent children, when the original Juvenile Court Code was adopted in 1913. Probation officers and social workers would attend and join the Washington Association of Social Welfare. At these "get-togethers" an informal Probation Officers Association was formed. In 1947 the first written constitution and by-laws for the organization were formalized. In the 1950's the charge to the Committee on Statistics was to design and institute a method of keeping and reporting statistics on the activity of juvenile courts in the State of Washington. The work of the Committee resulted in the use of uniform statistics card and the development of a system of reporting now implemented by the Dept. of Institutions. In 1961 their name was changed to Washington Correctional Association. Through the years the Association has broadened its scope and focus to implement specific goals.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Washington Correctional Association's records of statewide reform in reporting statistics, 1950-1968. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 388481708

Washington State Library was the first American library north of the Columbia River. It was established by the passing of the Organic Act of the Territory of Washington on March 2, 1853. According to the Organic Act, the library was "to be kept at the seat of government." As the seat of government moved, so did the library. By 1917 the library was in the basement of the Temple of Justice where it remained until 1959. The Joel M. Pritchard Building was built south of the Legislative Building and the library was moved into this building in 1959. In 2001 the library was moved to its current home in Tumwater, WA.

From the description of Collection of Washington State Library's records, 1953-1959. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 173314764

In 1974, Washington State Library (WSL) wanted to establish a current listing of clubs and organizations in the State of Washington. WSL sent a letter requesting information from different towns and regions about the clubs and organizations in their area. Many of the letters were sent to the Chamber of Commerce of the area. They received a number of replies for different areas.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of clubs and organizations in the State of Washington, 1974-1975. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 166910684

Fort Nisqually was the first European settlement on Puget Sound. The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) of London, a vast fur trading enterprise chartered by King Charles of England in 1670, established it in 1833. The original site was on the beach and plains above the Nisqually River delta in the present town of DuPont, Washington. Today Fort Nisqually, including two of the original buildings, is located inside Tacoma's Point Defiance Park. Fort Nisqually is owned and operated as a Living History Museum by Metro Parks of Tacoma.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Fort Nisqually records and correspondence, 1982-1984? (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 443478246

Mary Randlett is a well known Northwest photographer. She was born Mary Willis on 24 May 1924 in Seattle, WA to Elizabeth and Cecil Willis. She and her sisters spent many of their summers on Bainbridge Island with her grandparents. Mary graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA in 1947. She was an apprentice photographer with Hans Jorgensen in Seattle, WA after graduation. By 1950 Mary had married Herbert Randlett and they had four children. She became earnest with her photography when her children began school in 1963. By 1972 Mary had divorced her husband and went to Virginia. In 1975 she returned to the Northwest where she became an established and known photographer. Ms. Randlett shot her photographs in black & white Tri-X film. She shoots in sharp focus and prints them in her dark room. She has five distinct bodies of work: architecture, nature, Northwest artists, Northwest writers and public art. She has won several awards including the 2001 Nancy Blankenship Pryor Award.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Mary Randlett's photographs of Northwest artists and authors / 1963-1967, bulk 1966-1967. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 228145477

R. Malcolm Bozarth hosted a radio program in the 1940's called "Of Words and Verse" that was aired from the radio station KMAC in San Antonio, Texas. Bozarth read love poetry with music in the background. The program must have aired on the radio station KGY in Olympia, WA because the correspondence in this collection was addressed to this station. Malcolm Bozath later married a woman who was a Russian immigrant and he became an Episcopalian priest. Malcolm Bozarth was the father to Rene Alla Bozarth, who was a published poet and one of the first women ordained as an Episcopalian minister. In October 1982 R. Malcolm Bozarth passed away in Oregon City, OR at the approximate age of 61.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Percie May Goudy correspondence with Malcolm Bozarth, 1940-1942. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 429515859

The Washington Monument's corner stone was laid on July 4, 1848. Although the capstone of the Monument was set on Dec. 6, 1884 and it was completed in 1885, it opened on October 9, 1888. During the construction, it hit several delays for many different reasons. One reason for a hiatus in construction was the lack of funds. During this time, one of the ways to try and trim costs was to have different states and organizations contribute stone slabs for the interior of the Monument. The different donations of stone were given over a period of time. Washington State began concentrated efforts to donate a stone in 1911. The Washington State Society of Sons of the American Revolution was instrumental in placing a stone that represented Washington State in the Washington Monument. Their efforts came to fruition in 1913.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of correspondence to William Douglas Johns, June 5, 1911-April 2, 1935 1911-1913. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 316066844

Since 1966 the Governor's Office and the Washington State Library had sponsored a ceremony to recognize Washington's authors. In 1967, the first list of works by Washington authors was issued. The list of recognized authors came from the previous year's publications. The Governor's Writers Day Awards and Ceremony involved virtually every department of the WSL. Staff of the Washington/Northwest Room coordinated the event but it required the involvement of the entire Library. By 1999, it was becoming very difficult for WSL to maintain and administer the collection and sponsor the Governor's Writers Day Awards and Ceremony due to budget cuts. In 2000, Seattle Public Library and the Center for the book assumed the responsibility for administration of the awards. The Washington Authors Collection is housed at the Seattle Public Library.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of papers and photographs about the Governor's Writers Day, 1988-1993. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 166887797

The Seattle Business & Professional Women's Club was founded in 1918. It was an organization that focused on the working woman. The Seattle BPW Club was affiliated with the state, national and international federations of business and professional women. Although the organization focused on working women issues, they also supported educational scholarships throughout the years. The women of the organization would hold different funding raising events to support their scholarships and other charities. At some point prior to 1971 the Seattle club must have changed its name to Seattle First Business & Professional Women's Club (Seattle First BPW) to distinguish itself because of the correspondence of Ms. Reimers to WSL. The BPW clubs had continued to grow and expand through the years and it would appear that there had been several Seattle clubs in the area. The focus of the BPW clubs had shifted with the times and had become more concerned with legislative and policy issues concerning women, their work environments and their pay. Although today (2009), Seattle and the region have several BPW clubs, it appears that the Seattle First Business & Professional Women's Club disbanded. This may be the reason for the inquiry of WSL about their interest in accepting their scrapbooks. There are many active BPW clubs that are still very active in the national federation.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Seattle Business & Professional Women's Club publicity scrapbooks, 1926-1968. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 374947929

Henry McBride was born in Farmington, Utah on Feb. 7, 1856. McBride was raised by his widowed mother, his father having been killed by Indians in 1857 while in Idaho. McBride lived in California for two years before moving to Whidbey Island in 1882. While teaching in public schools, first in Oak Harbor and then at LaConner on Fidalgo Island, he studied the law and in 1884 passed the bar. He started a weekly newspaper in LaConner, but by 1887 he gave up on the newspaper business and moved to Mount Vernon. McBride joined the Republican Party and served as Prosecuting Attorney for Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties from 1888 to 1891 and Superior Court Judge from 1891 to 1896. That year the Populists swept most Republicans out of office including McBride. Two years later McBride, as head of the Skagit County Republican Party, turned back the Populist tide and the Republican Party once again dominated Skagit County politics. In 1900, the State Republican Party rewarded McBride with the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor, which he won. On December 26, 1901, McBride became Governor upon the death of Governor Rogers. In early 1905, after losing the 1904 State Republican Convention nomination for Governor, he moved to Seattle and established the legal firm of McBride, Stratton & Dalton. While living at the house on Kinnear, he remained involved in Republican Party politics. McBride unsuccessfully sought the 1908 Republican nomination for Governor and later considered running for Seattle Mayor. In 1916, the Republicans nominated McBride for Governor but he lost to Ernest Lister. About 1908 McBride invested in the lumber and shingle industry. McBride's married life began in 1884 when he married Alice Garrett (1864-1925), who was born in Washington State to English immigrants. Henry and his wife had no children and the only other person who lived in the house was Alice's mother. At the end of the WWI, the McBrides moved from Queen Anne to Capitol Hill. Henry McBride passed away on 6 October 1937 and is buried at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home and Cemeteries.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a portrait photograph of Henry McBride, circa 1901-circa 1905. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 234089585

The Joint Committee on Governmental Cooperation was first created in 1967 by the Washington State Legislature. It was charged with the responsibility of investigating the various federal programs available for state and local participation; to study the extent of which such programs are being taken advantage of; to determine if greater participation is possible and to consider such other matters as the legislature may refer to it. It is unclear when it was disbanded but the last known reinstatement was for the 1971-1973 biennium.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of newsclippings of cases heard by Washington State's Joint Committee on Governmental Cooperation, 1961-1964. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 384818243

The Washington State Music Teachers' Association (WSMTA) was the outgrowth of the NorthWest Teachers Association 1908-1915, which was a loose knit organization of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The NorthWest Teachers Association held a three days convention at the Tacoma Hotel, Tacoma on June 15, 1916 with Miss Lucy K. Cole as President in the chair. When this organization adjourned at the end of the convention, it ceased to function under that name, and in December of that same year, the first convention, as the Washington State Music Teachers' Association was born. The Association is affiliated with the national Music Teachers Association, Inc. The object of the organization is to maintain and to work toward the improvement of high standards of musical education. From its inception in 1915, its membership has grown to nearly 1,200, which includes independent teachers, college faculty, and people who are interested in the promotion of music education.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Washington State Music Teachers' Association, Inc. records, 1930-2010. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 320364278

The McLane Community Club was a homemakers' club that had been established in Thurston County, WA. Homemakers' clubs were community organizations that made adult education programs about home economics available through county extension services. The Eld Community Club was a homemakers' club that had been founded in the community of McLane near Olympia, WA. It is unclear when it was originally established. On 12 February 1930 the Club took a vote to change their name from Eld Community Club to McLane Community Club. The minutes for the club continued until 1935. The Record of Home Demonstration Work for the Club exists for the years 1933 through 1939. It is unclear when the Club dispersed because there are still some homemakers' clubs in existence today [2009].

From the description of Washington State Library's McLane Community Club and Eld Community Club collection 1924-1939. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 424650003

John Dean Bush was born Oct. 19, 1799 in Tioga County, NY. He was raised, educated and learned the trade of millwright while living with his family. In 1820 he moved to Indiana. While living there, he married Elizabeth Winning. He and his wife had 11 children and lived in Indiana for 40 years before they moved to Effington County, IL. They lived there until he and his wife moved to Peoria, IL to live with his son, Wm. R. Bush. After living with his son awhile, they moved to Rising Sun, IN to live with a daughter. Shortly after they moved there, John D. Bush passed away on 11 July 1885. His wife, Elizabeth, passed away on 14 Aug. 1889. At least one of the Bush children had moved to Cowlitz County, WA by 1863. This Bush family is not related to the pioneer George W. Bush Family of Lewis County, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's Bush family of Cowlitz County, Washington collection, 1944-1953. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 456298374

At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown down or buried beneath volcanic deposits. At the same time a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet skyward and drifted downwind, turning day into night as dark, gray ash fell over eastern Washington and beyond. The eruption lasted 9 hours, but Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscape were dramatically changed within moments.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of photographs of the eruption of Mount St. Helens Volcano [picture] 1980 May 18 / Washington State Library in affiliation with the National Cartographic Information Center, U.S. Department of Interior /Geological Survey. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244102802

James C. Cantwell came to America from Ireland before 1861. By 1880 he had made his way to Washington State. He founded the town of Little Falls, WA where he owned and operated the store and post office. He and his wife had 6 children. After his death in 1912, his wife owned and operated the Cantwell Hotel in Little Falls, later known as Vader, WA. She remarried and when she passed away in 1941 she was buried in Centralia, WA. Jessie Cantwell was their daughter and she married in 1906, was divorced, and married Andy Hilburger in 1926. Mrs. Hilburger was known for her dressmaking, writing, painting and fortune telling in Chehalis, WA. Andy Hilburger passed away in 1956 and Jessie passed away in 1971. They were both buried in Lewis County.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Jessie Cantwell Hilburger papers, 1877-1971. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244252529

It is unclear which Washington State Court released these photographs. It may have been the Washington State Supreme Court. However, there is a note that states: "This box contains exhibits discarded from files being prepared for microfilming. All have been recorded in docket volumes. These are to be taken to the Washington Room of the State Library."

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of evidentiary photograph exhibits, 1908-1951 1935-1945. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 174146467

J. Webster Hoover was born about 1884. He grew up in and around Everett, WA. where he worked his way up the political ranks. Hoover was the City Engineer, Commissioner of Public Works, Manager of Highway Planning, State Highway Engineer and took the position of Director of Labor and Industries in May, 1940. When he was appointed State Highway Engineer in 1925, he was a relative unknown but he proved a capable and popular administrator until the Governor fired him two years later when the Governor fired 5 coded department officials. J. Webster Hoover passed away in Olympia, WA on 10 May 1954.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of J. Webster Hoover's papers, 1903-1941. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244253175

Isaac Ingalls Stevens (March 25, 1818-September 1, 1862) was the first governor of Washington Territory (1853-1857), a United States Congressman, and a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War until his death at the Battle of Chantilly on Sept. 1, 1862.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a portrait of Isaac I. Stevens circa 1940-circa 1950. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 237200318

Most of the legislation in this collection is introduced by a Representative or Senator. It is then referred to a Committee such as the Committee on Agriculture, Committee on the Public Lands, Committee on Agriculture and Forestry or the Committee on Banking and Currency.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of forests and forestry federal legislation, 1935-1941 1939. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 173993021

Ernest Warner Lilly was born 2 March 1866 in Iowa. His parents brought the family west in 1872. They stayed in Clatsop OR for a year before they moved to the Willapa Valley. They settled on the homestead of Lilly's grandfather, Reuben Lilly. This is where he made his home until he passed away. Ernest Lilly was married and they had children. He played a prominent part in community affairs, development and governmental affairs. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Fern Hill Cemetery. His wife predeceased him in 1902. He passed away on Feb. 13, 1947 and his burial was by his wife in the Fern Hill Cemetery.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Ernest W. Lilly's papers, 1883-1884. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 311551988

The Curtis family moved to the Puget Sound area (Washington State) in 1888. Edward S. Curtis, opened a photo studio in Seattle, WA in 1892, and his brother, Asahel began working there in 1895. Asahel went to the Klondike in 1897 to take photographs for the studio. Differences over credit for this work later led to a break with his brother. They went their separate ways. Edward S. Curtis continued to pursue his photography. He was invited on a few expeditions that set him on the path of his well-known photographs of the North American Indians. His set of historical photographs that he took in the early decades of the twentieth century was published in the 20-volume set The North American Indian from 1907-1930. His life and work hit a decline and for the remaining years he lived with his daughters in Seattle, WA and Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Curtis passed away in 1952 at the home of his daughter in Los Angeles, CA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the print of plate no. 309 titled Puget Sound Baskets, circa 1960-1970. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244194293

The Washington State Library has a long history since it was founded in 1853. The request for information from the librarians of WSL has come in varying forms. During the years many of the requests for information has come in the form of letters. The correspondence ranges from 1920-1991. In 1987, the Washington Room in the Pritchard Building underwent renovations. The renovations resulted in a new ceiling that covered brighter lights, and much better air flow. The renovations took the whole summer with Gene Bismuti overseeing the library during the construction. He was honored with a party in 1990.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of correspondence and other materials, 1895-2002 bulk 1945-1978 (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 166926217

The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C. on 19 Feb. 1864. The order has over two thousand lodges in the United States and around the world. Some lodges meet in structures referred to as Pythian Castles.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Knights of Pythias, Grand Lodge of Washington papers, 1912-1918. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 435673160

The Government Service Administration (GSA) Public Buildings Service operates the largest public real estate organization in the country managing and providing workplaces and facilities for federal customer agencies. The GSA Public Buildings Service includes an art program to incorporate art into the federal buildings. Some of the United States Federal art programs that began in the 1930's have been the foundation for current art programs policies that have been incorporated in municipal, state and federal buildings. The thousands of murals, easel paintings, prints, and sculptures created under the New Deal art programs are commonly referred to as WPA artworks. This classification proves misleading, as only one of the four programs, the Federal Art Project, operated directly under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). A more accurate classification of the works of art created under the federal art programs of the 1930's and early 1940's is New Deal artwork, as they were created during the era of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal economic recovery programs. The Department of the Treasury created the first federal art program in 1933, when it initiated the Public Works of Art Project. Two subsequent programs the Treasury Relief Art Project and the Section of Fine Arts also originated under the Department of the Treasury. In 1935 the Works Progress Administration, an independently operating federal agency established the Federal Art Project. A number of changes occurred in 1939, when the Reorganization Act created the Federal Works Agency. Incorporated into this new agency were the art programs of both the Department of the Treasury and the Works Progress Administration. In addition to these changes, the Act changed the name of the Works Progress Administration to the Works Projects Administration. By 1942, all of the New Deal art programs ceased to operate. No organized art program was attempted after the war until 1962 when President John F. Kennedy recommended, through the Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture, the incorporation of artworks of living Americans in newly constructed federal buildings. The New Deal art programs created works of art for public use, but differed in the way they operated. Some programs were set up to provide economic relief and paid artists an hourly wage, while other programs administered competitions to commission murals and sculptures for specific sites within public buildings.

From the description of Washington State Library collection of information about works produced in Washington by employees of the Public Works of Art Project and the Section of Fine Arts of the Treasury Department. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 181103121

Frank Stevens was born about 1835. In April 1880 he decided to make the overland journey to the Pacific Slope in Washington Territory. The wagon train consisted of 6 wagons and 29 men, women and children. They left on April 20 and arrived in the Pacific Northwest almost 3 months to the day. It appears that he spent most of his life around Thurston County, WA. It doesn't appear that he ever married. Stevens was living at Black Lake. He came into town for medical treatment at St. Peter's Hospital. He was in the hospital a few days when he passed away on March 11, 1908. He was buried in the Civil War Section of the Bush Prairie Cemetery.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection on Frank Stevens, 1880-1908 1800-1882. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 310373630

Washington State was part of the Washington Territory which was formed on Feb. 8, 1853 from a portion of the Oregon Territory. On Nov. 11, 1889 Washington Territory became Washington State when it was the 42nd state admitted to the United States.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Washington State centennial newspapers, 1988-1989. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 173643495

The first American library north of the Columbia River, the Washington State Library was established by the Organic Act of the Territory of Washington passed on March 2, 1853. This act provided for $5,000 to be spent on books for the territorial library. The first Territorial Governor, Isaac Ingalls Stevens, selected and purchased over 2,000 books with those funds. He had also asked for documents and published archives from the executives of each state and territory of the United States and from a number of learned societies. One month before Governor Stevens arrived in the territory, 1,850 books had already been placed on the shelves. Another 2,000 followed, shipped around Cape Horn. Most of the original collection consisted of law textbooks and law reports and a sizeable number of science books. However, novels were also included, as were five mounted maps, and terrestrial and celestial globes. These materials were the core of the collection until Washington became a state in 1889. According to the Organic Act, the library was "to be kept at the seat of government." As the seat of government moved, so did the library. The first books to arrive were stored in an Olympia warehouse. They were subsequently moved to a room in a one-story building between 2nd and 3rd Avenue on the west side of Main Street (Capitol Way) that had been rented by Governor Stevens from Father Pascal Ricard of the Oblate Mission. In the fall of 1854, the library was housed in a building located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Main Street in Olympia, presided over by the first librarian, B.F. Kendall. It was later relocated to the first Old Capitol building, which stood near the present-day Legislative Building. It remained there until 1891 when it was moved to the McKenny Building (again on the corner of 4th and Main). In 1901 the collection was moved to the Old Capitol Building on South Washington Street. The library was moved yet again in 1917 to the basement of the Temple of Justice where it remained until 1959 when it was moved to its next home, the Joel M. Pritchard Library, located south of the Legislative Building. In 2001 the library was moved to its current home in Tumwater at Point Plaza East on Capitol Boulevard.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of engraving plates of the Washington State Library, circa 1970? (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 430052509

John Alden Shoudy was born on Dec. 14, 1841 in Rockford, Illinois. John served in the Civil War and had made his way to Oakland, CA by 1867. John married Mary Ellen Stewart in the home of Dexter Horton, his brother-in-law, in 1867. They all went to Seattle where John and Dexter were part of a venture group trying to establish a wagon route across the Cascades. In 1871, John had moved to the Kittitas Valley and had bought out the owner of the Robber's Roost where he became a merchant. On 20 July 1875 John and his wife, Mary Ellen, filed an 80 acre plat comprising the town of Ellensburg. The town was named in honor of Mary Ellen, his wife. John Shoudy passed away on 27 May 1901. Mary Ellen Shoudy passed away in 1921. With the introduction of the train, Ellensburg grew. Ellensburg and Kittitas County have continued to prosper.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection on Kittitas County, Washington history, circa 1970-1980. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 173237575

Standard Oil Company of California gave out a series of prints called See your West, which was a promotion for the company. The promotion encouraged travel throughout the country. Different prints were distributed to motorists during the summer at three week intervals. The prints differed depending on the localities. The prints were available at Standard gas stations, authorized distributors and Standard Oil Dealers.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Standard Oil Company's See Your West scenic art prints, circa 1940. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 228508551

The National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) was formed in 1898 in an effort to coordinate the many local music clubs nationwide and provide them with programs and ideas which promoted their goals. In 1897 at the Music Teachers National Association a temporary committee was formed and in January 1898 the NFMC was founded. Each state has its own federation which is responsible for coordinating schedules and disseminating information to all the federated club members in the state. The states have two types of clubs. A senior club has an adult membership and the junior clubs have membership of children 18 and under. The Washington State Federation of Music Clubs (WSFMC) was founded about 1922. The Federation is responsible for promoting a great many ideas on which its members have the option to act, including music education, community service, political action, performance opportunities, scholarships and networking. The WSFMC past presidents have included several from Olympia, WA. The WSFMC has offered programs, scholarships, workshops, and concerts including sponsorship and promotion of National Music Week.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Washington State Federation of Music Clubs records and scrapbooks, 1930-1989. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 320378749

Calvin D. Johnson was born in 1925. He graduated from Northwestern and Columbia Universities. He had been a newswriter with the Associated Press in New York, NY. He also wrote for several Northwest newspapers. From 1960 until 1962 he was the supervisor of information and communication with the Washington State Dept. of Institutions. Johnson became Governor Rosellini's press secretary in 1962. He served the Governor until the end of his term in 1965 when he became the administrative assistant to Washington State Congresswoman Julia Butler Hansen. About 1973, he became an associate professor of journalism for Central Washington State College. On August 30, 1974 he had a severe heart attack and passed away about 2 weeks later leaving a wife and four young children. A memorial scholarship was established for print journalism in his name.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Calvin Johnson's papers, 1960-1964. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 406473073

Harry B. McElroy was the son of T. (Thornton) F. McElroy, who was one of the pioneering families of Thurston County, WA. T. F. McElroy owned one of the early newspapers and went on to become the State Printer for awhile. Harry was born on 23 Feb. 1861 in Olympia, WA. He became a prominent businessman in the area. In 1900 he had written to P.B. Van Trump requesting information about climbing Mt. Rainier. Mr. Van Trump was a pioneering mountaineer and writer. Mr. Van Trump had been one of the first to climb Mt. Rainier and had successfully climbed it many other times. Mr. Van Trump answered his letter with descriptions about what it would take to climb the mountain. In July 1904, H. B. McElroy must have written to Longmire Springs to inquire about their rates and the supplies he should bring for a climb up the mountain. Mr. Elcaine Longmire answered his letter quoting prices and what supplies he should bring with him. Mr. George N. Talcott, Charles A. Billings and Charles E. Kehoe made a climb up Mt. Rainier in Aug. 1886. Mr. Talcott describes their climb up Mt. Rainier. He goes on to describe their camp site and how the climbers decided to name the spot Camp of the Clouds. On 12 Aug. 1886, they left a sign with the name and date on the spot. That area, known as Camp of the Clouds, was at about 6,000 ft. altitude and often became a destination spot for climbers. It was a tent city from about 1898-1915. Today the area is known as Paradise Meadows.

From the description of Collection of Washington State Library's papers on Mount Rainier, 1900-1904. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 190825820

The booklet "Washington Schools in the Good Old Days" was a result of a combination of efforts that began in 1966. The U.S. Office of Education was encouraging state educational agencies to write histories of education in their states. Five school districts from across Washington State were requested to submit detailed histories of their local school districts. The superintendent in each of the five districts selected a local writer. The local writers were supplied with detailed guidelines and the name of the school which they should place their focus. About the same time, a history of Washington education was commissioned. The publication of the booklet is essentially a combination of these two projects. This booklet is the one that Mrs. Catherine Harder Peot took exception to and wrote a letter expressing her displeasure to Louis Bruno, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in July 1970. She gave her description of the history of the Kahlotus, WA schools. She states that she is the daughter of pioneer settlers in the area and that information was inaccurate and misleading about the history of the schools at the time.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of some Washington schools early history, 1960-1970. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 191700290

In 1951 WSL wrote a letter to the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association inquiring about the possibility of running a weekly column for newspapers primarily concerned with Washington State, its history and description. WSL was willing to supply a free column to newspapers highlighting the history of Washington. There was quite a bit of interest by newspapers to carry the column so WSL wrote a series of columns titled Evergreen Tales. The column was edited by Erik Bromberg, assistant reference librarian. When he left the library and took a new position, the column was discontinued in October 1952.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Evergreen tales series of newspaper columns, no. 1-73, 1951-1952 / Washington State Library, Erik Bromberg. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 287416138

Clarence D. (Daniel) Martin served two terms as Governor of the State of Washington from 1933-1941 as a Democrat. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1906. He joined his father running the Cheney Grain and Milling Co., which the family owned. He eventually took over management after his father retired. Martin was elected Mayor of Cheney, WA in 1928. He was then elected Governor in 1932 and served two terms. While Governor, he oversaw some large economic projects to put people to work during the Depression. After his terms as Governor, he was later elected to the State House of Representatives and to the City Council of Cheney. His position as city councilman in 1950 brought his political career to a close. Clarence married Margaret Mulligan of Spokane in 1907. They had three sons. After his divorce from Margaret, he had two subsequent wives. Mr. Martin passed away in 1955 in Spokane, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Clarence D. Martin's papers, 1933. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 190883950

The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Sitka, AK is the prinicipal representative of Russian cultural influence in the 19th century in North America. Sitka was the capital of Russian America from 1808, and after 1867, the capital of Alaska until 1906. From 1840 to 1872, Sitka was the seat of an Orthodox diocese which governed all of North America, and thereafter, it continued as the seat of the diocese of Alaska. The Cathedral was at the geographical center of the community and was also its educational and religious hub. From this post the Church reached thousands of Native Alaskans, having a profound cultural impact, offering them not only a new religion and way of life, but also providing them with education, health care, and often protection against civil authorities. The Cathedral was by far the largest and most imposing religious edifice in Alaska well into the 20th century. The present Cathedral is a reconstruction of the original due to fire that destroyed it in 1966. All of the icons and religious artifacts, many donated by wealthy Russians and government officials of the 19th century were saved from the fire. It continues to be an active church.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a photograph of the Old Greek Church, Sitka Alaska, circa 1880-1905. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244307089

George Watson Roup was born at Piney Creek, North Carolina. He came to Asotin County, Washington in 1904. In 1932 he was elected State Senator from the 9th District. He served in the Senate from 1933-34. His brother, Howard Roup, also served as the State Senate from Asotin County for some time. In 1934 he was appointed by the Governor to be Superintendent of the State Reformatory at Monroe, WA. He served there for seven years. His retirement years were spent in Tacoma.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection George W. Roup's roads and bridges bills from the Washington State House and Senate, 1933. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 434932598

In 1952 Governor Langlie established, by executive order, the Governor's Council for Aging Population. One of the Council's committees was the Recreation and Leisure Time Committee which felt it was important to establish and develop contact with the older citizens within the communities in which they live, and to work out plans which would reach into communities and touch older people directly. The Committee implemented a plan for creating a local organization of coordinating councils that they reported to the Governor's Council and its Committees and the Council provided help and materials. One of the Committees objectives was to help communities organize activities on behalf of their older citizens. It provided individual community help to establish at least 81 recreation clubs for older citizens. In 1954 there was a reorganization of the Council. By 1955 the Council's name had changed to the Governor's Council on Aging and the Committee's name had changed to the Recreation and Cultural Activities Committee. The Council would continue to go through name changes through the years and by 2008 the name is Washington State Council on Aging.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Washington State Governor's Council for Aging Population Recreation and Leisure Time Committee records, 1955-1958. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 392855480

Charles E. Williams was born May 2, 1829 to Samuel Williams in Newburgh, NY. After apprenticing with the retail store, Jessup & Miller for 3 years, Williams began a partnership with 2 of his brothers, Jonas & William. They opened a store in Princeton, NJ that did not do very well because it went into bankruptcy. However, they were able to pay off all their debts in 4 years. In 1852, Charles followed his brother Jonas to Portland, OR where they opened a store in Portland, OR and in Olympia, WA. Again they had to declare bankruptcy in the fall of 1855 due to several shipwrecks of merchandise. After paying the debt off during the winter of 1855, Charles carried money and treasure for Wells Fargo & Co. between Portland and Vancouver, B.C. for 3 years. When he bought the interest of Geo. A. Barnes in the hardware store Ayers & Barnes in 1859, it became Ayers & Williams. While he was in Olympia, he organized a fire company and donated a fire truck to the city. When he returned home for a visit in 1865, he met and married Margaret Ryerson. After their marriage they returned to Olympia, WA to live. They remained in Olympia until 1869 when Charles sold his interest in the hardware store to his brother and they returned to Newburgh. Later his brother, Jonas, induced him to become a partner in the T. Beveridge & Co., a brewing company. He went to New York to manage the company's office there. He remained in New York until he was called to Newburgh because of several deaths in the company. The Beveridge Brewing Company was incorporated in 1884. Charles became the President and largest stock holder. He remained the President until his death in 1886. He was very active and held offices in many civic organizations.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the papers of Charles E. Williams, 1856-1923 1855-1871. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 310362162

Neva L. Bequette (1910-1998) was the interviewer for the collection of sound cassettes titled the History of Southeast Washington. The cassettes were made for Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA. Ms. Bequette had been a librarian in Kennewick, WA for many years and was an officer in the Washington Library Association. The Keewaydin Park Branch houses the Neva Bequette Service Center which includes the Administrative and Technical Services Departments. She participated in many activities in her community including writing articles for the newspaper and involvement with the rose society.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of History of southeast Washington sound cassettes, circa 1976 / Neva Bequette, interviewer. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 232550915

The Century 21 Exposition (also known as the Seattle World's Fair) was a World's Fair held April 21, 1962, to October 21, 1962 in Seattle, Washington. Nearly ten million people attended the fair. As planned, the exposition left behind a fairground and numerous public buildings and public works; some credit it with revitalizing Seattle's economic and cultural life. The fair saw the construction of the Space Needle and the monorail, as well as several sports venues and performing arts buildings (most of which have since been replaced or heavily remodeled). The site, slightly expanded since the fair, is now called Seattle Center. The Space Needle is a tower in Seattle, Washington, and is a major landmark of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and a symbol of Seattle. Located at the Seattle Center, it was built for the 1962 World's Fair, during which time nearly 20,000 people a day used the elevators, with over 2.3 million visitors in all for the World Fair. The Space Needle was finished in less than one year. It was completed in April 1962 at a cost of $4 .5 million. The last elevator car was installed the day before the Fair opened on April 21, 1962.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the World Fair Commission's records and correspondence, 1957-1963. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244112141

Joey Cora was an infield baseball player with the Seattle Mariners from 1995 through 1998. On April 1, 1996 he made an appearance at High Point Library, which is a branch of the Seattle Public Library (SPL). Joey Cora met with students from the nearby Gatewood Elementary School at the Highpoint Library. Representatives from SPL and the Microsoft Corp. were on hand because Mr. Cora unveiled the new computers made possible because of a grant from Microsoft Corp. Mr. Cora was encouraging children to read, write, use libraries and stay in school during this appearance.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a photograph and press release for Joey Cora's appearance at the High Point Library, 1996 March 29. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244393744

Fort Vancouver, WA was originally founded in 1825 by the Hudson's Bay Company. 1925 would be the centennial anniversary of the founding and the members of the town began to make plans for the celebration. About February 1924 the Fort Vancouver Centennial Corporation was formed and incorporated with the State of Washington. There were nine signatories of Vancouver residents that made up the Corporation. Their objective was to conduct any business in connection with the celebration. The Corporation was supportive of the idea of having a commemorative coin struck by the U.S. Mint in honor of the celebration. After a lot of hard work and support, the U.S. Senate approved the request of the Corporation for a commemorative coin on Feb. 14, 1925. The coin was designed by Mrs. Laura Gardin Fraser with a profile of Dr. John McLoughlin on the front and a frontiers man superimposed over Fort Vancouver and Mt. Hood on the reverse of the coin. The Fort Vancouver Centennial Corporation was dissolved after the celebration on July 1, 1929.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of C. L. Robinson's records, correspondence and manuscript titled Fort Vancouver Centennial Half Dollar, 1970-1974. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 325131859

Edmund Sylvester is known as the founder of Olympia, WA. He was a native of Eastport, MA. He and his brother, Crowell H. Sylvester, came to OR in 1843. Edmund remained in the Astoria-Portland area for two years but, being a native New Englander, he felt that the salt water climate would restore his ailing health. Edmund took up a claim south of Olympia, WA with his business partner, Levi Lathrop Smith. After Smith's death, Sylvester laid out a town. He envisioned his settlement as a capital and center of timber trade although it did not reach its full potential in his life time. Sylvester and his wife, Clara, donated some land to the State of Washington. Their donation is now where the Washington State Capitol stands, where the old Capitol building stood, Sylvester Park and land for the school. Crowell Hatch Sylvester, Edmund's brother, married Nettie Longmire. Nettie was a member of the pioneering Longmire family in Washington State. Mrs. Clara E. Sylvester moved to San Diego, CA after Edmund passed away. She was living there in 1917 from her correspondence.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Sylvester and Longmire family papers, 1825-1970 1870-1920. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 310425430

The Eastman and McIntosh families were some of the early pioneer settlers in the Tumwater, Thurston County, WA area. The two families were active in their communities, owned businesses and helped establish the area. The Eastman and McIntosh families were united by marriage. And other family relationships with the Swan and Shattuck families developed through marriages over the years.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection on McIntosh, Eastman, Swan and Shattuck family papers, 1867-1905. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 173276057

Walter T. Vitous was born about 1929. In 1980 he married his wife. They were both employees of Washington State. Mr. Vitous was employed and retired from the Dept. of Transportation. In Robert M. Utley's book titled: Frontier Regulars he states "special thanks go to Walter T. Vitous of Olympia" [WA]. Mr. Vitous is cited on several books by Stephen Ambrose as creating the maps. About 1990, Mr. Vitous retired from the Dept. of Transportation. He passed away in 2000 in Thurston County, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Walter T. Vitous maps, circa 1969. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244486741

John Rankin Rogers (September 4, 1838-December 26, 1901) was the third governor of Washington State. Elected to two consecutive terms, he served between January 11, 1897 and his death. He was a Populist Democrat. John Rogers was born in Brunswick, Maine in 1838. After a common school education, he went to Boston, MA and learned the pharmacy business. He managed a pharmacy in Mississippi until the approach of the Civil War, when he became a farmer and school teacher in Cumberland County, IL. In 1876 he moved to Kansas and had a wide variety of careers including establishing and editing the Kansas Commoner. He went to Washington State in 1890. He resided in Puyallup, WA until he became Governor in 1897. In December 1901 he became ill with pneumonia and passed away on 26 December 1901. Because he had championed the "barefoot schoolboy bill" which equalized the financial support of education throughout the State, children collected money to erect a statue in his honor in Olympia, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a portrait photograph of John R. Rogers, circa 1890-1901. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 233541669

The Eastman family was one of the early pioneer families that settled in the Tumwater, Thurston County, WA area. The McIntosh family, Swan family and Shattuck family were also among some of the early pioneer families. The families were active in their community, owned businesses and helped establish the area. Not only were these families neighbors within the community but they were family because they were united by marriage.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Eastman family papers, 1866-1918 1867-1871. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 443621804

Swift No. 1 Dam is located on the southern flank of Mount St. Helens in Washington State. It is on the Upper Lewis River about 38 miles east of Woodland, WA and approximately 45 miles northeast of Portland, OR. Construction began in May 1956 and the plant was in service on schedule December, 1958. It was one of the highest earthfill embankments in the world. The project consists of a 2,000-foot-long, 412-foot-high zoned earth embankment; a service spillway with two 50-foot by 51-foot tainter gates; a 4,600-acre reservoir; intake structure; tunnel; penstock; and a powerhouse with a generating capacity of 240 MW. During the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, approximately 11,000 acre-feet of mudflow entered the reservoir. It is owned and operated by Pacific Power & Light Company. They operate several recreational facilities associated with the Lewis River projects. These facilities include 318 camping sites, 268 picnic sites, several boat ramps, swimming beaches, fishing access, and day use areas.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a photograph of the Swift No. 1 Project on the Lewis River, Washington State, circa 1958-1965. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244105118

Benjamin Franklin Brown was born in New Jersey but moved to Iowa while he was a young man. While he was in Iowa, he met and married Mary Olney. Mary Olney Brown was born in 1821 to William & Charlotte (Tanner) Olney. She was the sixth of 12 children. After a few years of married life, the Browns decided to try their fortunes in the West in 1846. They lost two of their children on the trip to Portland, OR where they made their first stop. They had three surviving children: Theodore L., Oscar & Harriet. In 1852 B.F. Brown, George Washington French and John French came up to the Puget Sound area to locate donation claims to homestead. When Brown returned to his family, he found all the livestock had perished in the previous winter. Cyrus Olney, Mrs. Brown's brother, had started the first fruit nursery on the West Coast near Portland, OR. Olney had brought seed from the East. The trees he started grew very quickly and soon he had enough stock to start selling fruit grafts. Once the Brown family moved to their homestead, B.F. Brown was very active in business and politics of Thurston County. Since he didn't have any livestock left, Brown began to sell the grafts of fruit trees from Olney's nursery. The grafts that Brown sold throughout Thurston, Lewis and Pierce Counties started some of the fine orchards in the area. Brown's next venture was to build wharf with his partner, John French, on the Westside of Olympia, WA. All the freight from San Francisco was unloaded at this wharf until Capt. Percival built a dock at a later time. Much of the timber from the wharf and from Brown's homestead were sold and hauled from his wharf. Brown owned several lots and real estate throughout the area. Mary's sister, Alameda Olney, remained in Iowa and married someone named Hardy. Charlotte Emily Olney, another of Mary's sisters, married George Washington French and they lived in Thurston County, WA. These families were quite involved in business and civic life in the early days. B.F. Brown was in the Territorial Legislature. G.W. French was a county commissioner. Theodore L. Brown, Brown's son, was a partner in a real estate & insurance business. Theodore was also very instrumental in the City of Olympia acquiring the land for the well known Priest Point Park. Mary Brown passed away on 17 November 1886. B.F. Brown passed away in 1894.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of B.F. Brown family correspondence and papers, circa 1861-1909. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 299785933

James Pattison was born on December 25, 1824 in Sparta, IL to Mr. and Mrs. William Pattison. He had at least five brothers, including a brother named Nathan. In 1847 James married Jane Wyllie, who had been born in Scotland. Her parents had made the journey to New York City and then to Illinois where she grew up. In 1849 William Pattison decided that he, his family including his son, James and his wife, would be making the cross country journey to the Pacific Northwest. Just two months before they left IL, Nathan had married a woman named Rachel. Just two months into the journey Rachel passed away and was buried along the trail. Because of William's position in the family, there was no dissension about his decisions throughout the course of the journey. Unfortunately, his decisions and management of the trip weren't always wise and it took the party much longer than expected to arrive. When they arrived it was in a winter with heavy snow. After staying near Oregon City and Portland, the family went north to claim donation claims. It is unclear whether the whole family came to Washington Territory or just James and his wife, Jane. However, James and Jane filed for land claims on the Chambers Prairie, near Tumwater, WA. Nathan was living with them at the time. In fact, he never remarried and lived with James and Jane for 44 years. They filed adjoining land claims so they had over 2,000 acres on the Chambers Prairie where they farmed and raised cattle. The property had a lake which is named and known as Pattison Lake. After a number of years and children, they decided to sell some of their property and moved into the town of Olympia, WA. They moved into town the week that President Lincoln was shot in 1865. This was where they made their home for the rest of their lives. Although James Pattison didn't hold public offices, he and Jane were well known among the pioneer families of Olympia, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Pattison family papers, 1849-1891. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 308677516

There were Granges in Washington Territory long before statehood was gained. In 1873 several were organized in the Walla Walla area, including Waitsburg Grange No. 1 which is still an active Grange. These local ("subordinate") Granges were under the jurisdiction of the Oregon State Grange. The Washington State Grange preceded by just two months the admission of Washington Territory to statehood. There was a direct relationship between the two events. The farmers of the territory were deeply troubled by some provisions in the proposed state constitution. Their concern resulted in the organization of a number of new subordinate Granges, enabling them to form a State Grange and speak out with a stronger voice. In 1885 the Columbia Council was organized at someone's home beginning with 7 representatives from each of Washougal and Cape Horn Granges. They met 4 times a year. A lodge room on the upper floor of the Pioneer Store building in La Camas (now Camas) in Clark County was the birthplace of what is now the largest state Grange in the nation. There, on Sept. 10, 1889, delegates and visitors assembled, and the Washington State Grange was organized. During the three-day session, delegates elected and installed officers, conducted other necessary business, and adopted strong resolutions setting forth the farmers' views on the proposed constitution. The first Grange in Washington State was Waitsburg Grange No. 1, near Walla Walla, organized in 1873. In 1891, there were 16 Granges in Columbia Council and they started building their hall. The first Pomona (county-wide) Grange was established in Clark County in 1902. The Washington State Grange coordinates the activities of the state's 293 subordinate Granges and the 41 Pomona (county and district) Granges. Washington enjoys the distinction of having more Grangers than any other state -- currently approaching 50,000 members.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Columbia Council Washington State Grange records, 1885-1902. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 363416070

It has been hard to find any information about the E. M. King & Company. It was an organization or outfitter that was selling supplies in the Olympic Mountains resort areas from 1890-1891. It appears to have been a wholesaler in Spokane Falls, WA because it lists several restaurants in its account book.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection E. M. King & Company's account books and record of sales in Olympic Mountains resort, 1890-1893. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 352928986

Hazard Stevens was born in Rhode Island in 1842 and educated in New England. His father, Major General Isaac I. Stevens was governor of the Washington Territory. Hazard served in the Indian War from 1855-1856 and later in the Civil War. His father requested that Hazard serve with him in the Civil War. Thereafter, he moved to Washington Territory where he worked for the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, then as Internal Revenue collector from the Territory and eventually became a lawyer. He worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Stevens, along with P.B. Van Trump, climbed what would later be named Mt. Rainier in the first recorded ascent to the summit. By the 1880s Stevens returned to the East Coast and built a home in Dorchester, MA. He became active in regional politics, including an unsuccessful run for Congress. Stevens passed away in 1918.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of selected correspondence, notes and reminiscences of Hazard Stevens, 1868-1913. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 310422420

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) quickly became the preeminent veterans' organization formed at the close of the Civil War. Membership reached its peak in 1890, when over 400,000 members were reported. By then the GAR had well over seven thousand posts, ranging in size from fewer than two dozen members in small towns, to more than a thousand in some cities. The organization of the GAR was based upon three objectives: fraternity, charity, and loyalty. The first ideal was encouraged through regular, locally scheduled meetings and joint gatherings with members from other posts. The annual state and national meetings, called encampments, attracted thousands of members. Cities in twenty-two states from Maine to Oregon hosted the veterans. To promote its second objective, charity, the veterans set up a fund for the relief of needy veterans, widows, and orphans. This fund was used for medical, burial and housing expenses, and for purchases of food and household goods. Loans were arranged, and sometimes the veterans found work for the needy. The GAR was active in promoting soldiers' and orphans' homes; through its efforts soldiers' homes were established in sixteen states and orphanages in seven states by 1890. The soldiers' homes were later transferred to the federal government. The GAR also had a number of auxiliaries: the Woman's Relief Corps (organized on a national basis in 1883); the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (1896); and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (1881). These three organizations along with the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War still carry on the work begun by the GAR in establishing and improving veterans facilities. Loyalty, the third ideal, was fostered through constant reminders to those who had not lived through the war of the significance of the GAR in reuniting a divided nation. The organization spent much of its time soliciting funds for monuments and memorials, busts and equestrian statues of Union soldiers and heroes, granite shafts, tablets, urns, and mounted cannon. The GAR also encouraged the preservation of Civil War sites, relics, and historic documents. Cannons and field-pieces were placed in many towns or courthouse squares and parks. The members also gave battle-stained flags, mementos, and documents to local museums. The GAR's principal legacy to the nation, however, is the annual observance of May 30 as Decoration Day, or more recently, Memorial Day. General John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the GAR, requested members of all posts to decorate the graves of their fallen comrades with flowers on May 30, 1868. This idea came from his wife, who had seen Confederate graves decorated by Southern women in Virginia. By the next year the observance became well established. Members of local posts in communities throughout the nation visited veterans' graves and decorated them with flowers, and honored the dead with eulogies. The pattern thus set is still followed to the present day. It was only after the First World War, when the aged veterans could no longer conduct observances, that the Civil War character of Decoration Day was replaced by ceremonies for the more recent war dead. The GAR Dept. of Washington was founded in Olympia on May 2, 1878. The Geo. H. Thomas, Post No. 5 (Olympia, WA) was organized on April 13, 1881. In 1887, Alaska was added to the Dept. of Washington's name, which became the Dept. of Washington and Alaska.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Grand Army of the Republic, George H. Thomas Post No. 5 minute book and records, 1881-1931. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 316865573

A short time before Washington became a state in 1889, a committee brought an elaborate design for a state seal to Olympia jeweller Charles Talcott and asked him to complete it in time for the meeting of the first Legislature in November of that year. The design submitted by the committee was very complicated sketch, depicting the port of Tacoma, vast wheat fields, grazing sheep and Mount Rainier. Talcott argued that the design was too complicated and would be quickly outmoded by the growth of the state. Something simple, he suggested, would be timeless. He picked up an ink bottle and drew a circle around its base. Next he placed a silver dollar in the circle and drew an inner circle. Between these circles he lettered the words, "The Seal of the State of Washington, 1889". In the center he pasted a postage stamp bearing a picture of George Washington. The design was quickly accepted by the Legislature. But making the die from the picture of George Washington on a postage stamp was no easy task. Under magnification the picture was poorly detailed and would have been unsatisfactory when enlarged. George Talcott was given the job of finding a suitable picture and cutting the die. After reviewing a number of pictures, he finally found what he was looking for -- a color drawing of George Washington on a packing box of "Dr. D. Jaynes Cure for Coughs & Colds"! Grant Talcott did the lettering and George cut the die. Over the years, more than two dozen variations of the Talcott design were used. In 1967, Seattle graphic designer Richard Nelms was commissioned to create a new insignia. He selected a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, which was accepted and made the official State Seal by the Legislature. By law, the Secretary of State is the custodian of the Great Seal, which is attached to official documents and certificates issued by the state. The original die and press for the State Seal -- now more than 100 years old -- is still used by the Secretary of State to impress the seal on official state documents.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Seal of the State of Washington, 1889. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 237240152

This collection is made up of the scripts of the weekly radio series that was produced under the direction of the Washington State Library. The program's opening phrase by the announcer was, "The public libraries of Washington are on the air" and the closing paragraph was the "State Library Hour ... ." They were weekly programs that were composed of three features: a brief discussion of library service, a brief sketch about a prominent Northwest author and a popular feature called, "What's New in the World." The series began April 18, 1938 and ran through March 7, 1939.

From the description of Washington State Library's radio scripts, Eastern Washington radio programs, 1938-1939. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 163893405

The Yakima Valley Historical Society had been established by 1917. Because the Society had voted to incorporate, on 2 January 1947 the Society was incorporated by the Washington State Secretary of State. The Society is an affiliated member of the Washington State Historical Society. The Yakima Valley Historical Society has continued to grow and is actively involved with the Yakima Museum.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Yakima Valley Historical Society records and papers, 1917-1968. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 317967823

Martin Beck had come to America from his native Austria with a troupe of German actors. The teenager worked as a waiter in a Chicago beer garden before going to San Francisco with the Schiller Vaudeville Company in the early 1890s. While there Beck befriended the owner of the Orpheum Theater, and when it changed hands in 1899 he helped new owner expand by acquiring other theaters. By 1905 he was running the whole organization, which soon extended from Chicago to the West Coast. Beck's chain of Orpheum theaters was one of two chains that dominated American entertainment. His rival in the East was the Keith circuit, owned by B.F. Keith and Edward F. Albee. By the 1920s, every major vaudeville house in America had "Orpheum" or "Keith's" on its marquee. Cooperation between the two giants made breaking into vaudeville even more appealing for performers like Houdini, who hoped to become as famous as possible. The Orpheum circuit was one of the largest vaudeville and variety franchises operating in the country. They had discovered such stars as Houdini, Eddy Foy, Lili Langtry, and The Marx Brothers. The Orpheum circuit was in large part responsible for making vaudeville a more respected art form. Before this time most shows were made for a mostly male audience, i.e. Wild West shows with dancing girls. Martin Beck turned it around to appeal to the "decent woman." Many Orpheum theatres were richly decorated to copy the fancy Parisian opera houses. The theatre quickly became a place people went to see, or be seen. The Orpheum not only presented stage shows, but they were great innovators in the motion picture industry. They would show movies, then named photoplays, in between acts. As the popularity for Vaudeville waned in the 1920's, the motion picture industry was there to take its place and keep crowds packing in. The Orpheum Circuit had many mergers over the years and eventually became Radio-Keith-Orpheum, the RKO famous for films like "King Kong" and "Citizen Kane". There were over 400 Orpheum linked theaters nationally. There are still many theaters that exist throughout the country that are Orpheum theaters that have been renovated and are still in use.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Orpheum Circuit, Inc. programs and posters, 1916. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 318923078

During the 1940's the Washington State Library (WSL) began to create a Washington Authors Collection when books by Washington authors that had been weeded from the general collection were set aside and collected. Letters were sent to authors requesting information to determine if they were eligible for the collection. Letters were sent to potential authors to determine if they could be included in the collection. They asked the author if they were born in Washington State, were a resident in Washington State at the time of writing the book or were they a resident of Washington State for a period of ten years or more. They requested that the author write a biographical sketch that included their place and date of birth, dates of residence in Washington State, other publications, education, family and any other information they might like to include. In 1967, WSL began a more concerted effort to collect the works of authors and the Washington Authors Collection was established. To further honor the writers, the Governor's Writers Awards Day was established. The Collection was organized alphabetically, unlike most collections that are organized by subject. By 1999, it was becoming very difficult for WSL to maintain and administer the collection due to budget cuts. In 2000, Seattle Public Library and the Center for the Book assumed the responsibility for administration of the awards. The Washington Authors Collection is housed at Seattle Public Library.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Washington authors and artists autobiographical sketches and correspondence, 1928-1971 1960-1967. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 173384305

The city of Olympia is located at the southern end of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet. The Deschutes River estuary at Olympia has been dammed to create Capitol Lake. Olympia is the capital of the State of Washington. It was incorporated on Jan. 28, 1859.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of B.J. Packard's charcoal drawings, 1970. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 231630190

When Gov. Gary Locke and his wife, Mona Lee Locke assumed the roles of Governor and First Lady of Washington State in January, 1997, expecting their first child, within two months' time, staff of the Washington State Library (WSL) began discussing the momentous nature of such an event. It was decided that a hand-made baby quilt would be a wonderful present for the new child. The style chosen was a "friendship quilt" that each quilt square was made by one individual. When all of the squares were completed, the group arranged them until they were satisfied with the final grouping. The quilt top was assembled and quilted, including a name block with Emily's name and birth date. Emily's quilt was presented on July 8, 1997. When it was announced that Gov. and Mrs. Locke were expecting their second child, WSL staff decided they would make a quilt for the new baby as they had done for the Locke's daughter, Emily. Dylan's quilt was made in the same style of a friendship quilt with some varied techniques in the individual squares. Dylan's quilt was presented to him in June 2001.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of books about quilts designed and created by Staff and Friends, 1997-2001. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 212409175

In December of 1888, Congress introduced an act to "enable" Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana to become states. Among other requirements, Congress asked each prospective state to draft and ratify a state constitution. An election was held to choose 75 delegates to frame a constitution for the State of Washington. The elected delegates assembled on July 4, 1889 in the Territorial Capitol Building in Olympia and labored through the hot summer to draft a constitution which would form the basis for all future Washington laws. On August 23, 1889, the convention concluded its work. Miles C. Moore, the last governor of Washington Territory, called for an election to be held on October 1, 1889 to ratify the state constitution and elect the officers of the new state government. A vote of 40,152 to 11,879 approved the Washington State Constitution. A certified copy of the Constitution of the State of Washington was sent by courier to President Harrison whose approval was necessary before Washington was proclaimed a state. Days went by with no word; finally on November 4, 1889 a message was received, stating that Governor Moore forgot to sign the Constitution and President Harrison could not approve it. Overnight a new copy was prepared (in long-hand since there were no copying machines in 1889), and it was sent to the President by courier the next day. On November 11, 1889 the President issued a proclamation declaring Washington's Constitution approved. The State of Washington was admitted to the Union.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of framed prints of the delegates to Washington State's Constitutional Convention, July 4, 1889, circa 1940-1950. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 237127580

The Puget Sound Steamship Company was organized about March 1897 and immediately began giving every service possible to people that were heading to the Alaska gold fields. By November 1897 there was an influx of investment from Dawson City, AK and the Company began building as many steamships as were possible. The prospectors would arrive in Seattle, WA and outfit themselves. Then, they would wait for the next available passage. In January 1898 there were at least 60 crafts being built for the voyage to Alaska. During 1898 there were at least six steamships along with a large number of sea-going vessels that were making the trips to Alaska. By the end on 1898 the traffic had begun to stablize and schedules were established.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a log of Steamship Victorian V kept by unknown person from Wrangle to Fort Yukon, 1898. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 310450834

During the 1940's the Washington State Library (WSL) began to create a Washington Authors Collection when books by Washington authors that had been weeded from the general collection were set aside and collected. During the 1950's letters were sent to authors requesting information to determine if they were eligible to be included in the collection. They asked the author if they were born in Washington State, were a resident in Washington State at the time of writing the book or were they a resident of Washington State for a period of ten years or more. They requested that the author write a biographical sketch that included their place and date of birth, dates of residence in Washington State, other publications, education, family and any other information they might like to include. Some sent information and photographs; some did not. In 1967, WSL began a more concerted effort to collect the works of authors and the Washington Authors Collection was established. To further honor the writers, the Governor's Writers Awards Day was established. The Collection was organized alphabetically, unlike most collections that are organized by subject. By 1999, it was becoming very difficult for WSL to maintain and administer the collection due to budget cuts. In 2000, Seattle Public Library and the Center for the Book assumed the responsibility for administration of the awards. The Washington Authors Collection is housed at Seattle Public Library.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of portraits and photographs of Washington State authors, circa 1950-1958. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 176262427

Ralph Wahl was born in Bellingham, WA. His father founded Wahl's Department Store in 1903. Mr. Wahl and his two brothers along with his son ran the store. Over time Mr. Wahl developed into an expert photographer, particularly on fly fishing for steelhead. His photographs appeared in many of the national sports magazines. After his retirement, he pursued his passion full time. In 1971 a book of his photographs was published called, Come Wade the River, the Photography of Ralph Wahl. The photograph Ledge Pool is in the book and was used as the photograph for the book cover. The book won the Washington Governor's Writers Special Award for the State of Washington.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Ledge Pool photograph, circa 1960-1971 / Ralph Wahl. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244112099

Roger A. Freeman was born in Vienna, Austria. He was an economist and became an expert in public finance. He had moved to the United States a year after Adolf Hitler took over Austria. Two weeks after his arrival, he wrote an article on chain store merchandising problems for a trade paper that resulted in a job managing the 21-store New York City division of W.L. Douglas Shoe Co. From there, he became the chief financial officer of the western subsidiary of Shoe Corp. of America and was called on in 1949 for assistance in a Washington State budget crisis. For six years he was Special Assistant to the Governor. He became an advisor to Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Pres. Richard Nixon. In 1962 he became a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He served as a special assistant to Nixon in 1969-1970. Throughout his career, Freeman had worked to slow or reverse the trend of centralizing the financing and control of education, welfare and other domestic services in Washington. On Dec. 30, 1991 Freeman passed away in CA leaving two surviving children.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Roger A. Freeman's writings, 1952-1955. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 424523610

L.J. Beaver was a writer-publisher that owned a business in Puyallup, WA called Historic Memories. The company sold slides and films of scenic, World's Fair, University of Washington and other historical and educational slides. In the letter of transmittal, Mr. Beaver asks if the Washington State Library (WSL) has a slide collection. It appears he may have been trying to determine if WSL might be a potential customer and these slides were samples.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of miscellaneous slides, circa 1963. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 244393343

Glen Cameron Adams was born in Trent, Spokane County, WA on June 19, 1912. While Adams was a student at Cheney Normal School, now Eastern Washington University, he learned to teach and he learned the art of printing books. In 1937 Adams registered as a private printer and established Ye Galleon Press, which printed regionally important books that otherwise would have been lost to researchers and historians. Adams produced his first book in 1939. He taught school near Walla Walla, WA to finance his first publishing. Then, he had to return to the family farm to help save it. Crops and livestock then took his time--and financed his press. Until 1974 Adams only used a handset type for printing his books and had primarily been a one-man enterprise. Multiple sclerosis struck Adams in 1947. In 1952 he built his wife, Jean, her dream home in Fairfield, WA. It was a large brick home with a tile roof, 3 fire places, flower garden, and small heated pool. His workshop for the Press was about two blocks away with approximately 13,000 square feet. By 1983 Adams' MS had progressed to the point that he required a wheel chair. Despite these physical challenges, he continued to work 5 days a week. Throughout his career, he was given a number of honors for his work including the 1998 Nancy Blankenship Pryor Award. In the year 2000, Adams' was still working 5 days a week although he didn't know how much longer he would continue. At the age of 91, Glen C. Adams passed away on October 17, 2003 in Fairfield, WA.

Ye Galleon Press was established in 1937 by Glen Cameron Adams. He had learned the art of book printing while he was a student at Cheney Normal School, now Eastern Washington University. Ye Galleon Press was a specialty press, located in Fairfield, WA, which is a few miles south of Spokane and a pinprick geographically. The Press printed regionally important books that otherwise would be lost to researchers and historians. Some were original works; most were reprints. Adams printed a total of more than 600 titles over the course of his career. Over the years, Ye Galleon had been a one-man show with Adams himself picking and choosing what he would publish, then bringing an extraordinary artistry to typography, choice of paper, and style of binding--in short, to the entire package that invites the eye and mind of the reader. If a book was rare, historically important, and of interest to Adams himself, he was likely to restore its life by reprinting it. These reprints make difficult-to-find materials accessible conveniently and inexpensively, a boon to readers and researchers. WSL had a standing order with Ye Galleon Press because they felt his books were of such importance. They also produced some new and original works including Pacific Northwest authors and local histories. Until 1974 Glen Adams used only a handset type for printing his books. Adams loved printing books and by his own admission he was not business man, the press usually lost money. Except for two years in the 1990's, he was operating in "red ink". Many of the works included a statement about the book's printing and construction. Most ended with Adams' words: "This was fun project. We had no special difficulty with the work."

The WSL had a long-standing, positive relationship with Glen Adams and Ye Galleon Press. His dedication to preserving and making history accessible was much appreciated by librarians and researchers throughout the Pacific Northwest. Among many other honors, Adams was awarded the 1998 Nancy Blankenship Pryor Award. The Award was given to recognize those who made unique contributions to the literary culture of Washington State. No one in Washington fit this description more than Glen Adams did. To commemorate and preserve the work of Glen Adams, WSL has established a special research collection of Ye Galleon Press books. The collection currently consists of approximately 450 books and staff continues to add works produced during the Glen Adams era (1937-2003) until the collection is complete.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Ye Galleon Press records and correspondence, 1985-2004. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 456285568

On July 5, 1919 a charter was granted for establishing an American Legion Post in Olympia, WA. There were three original members that were instrumental establishing and naming the Post. L. L. "Tommy" Thompson, Roscoe R. Fullerton and John Dunbar were friends from childhood. Thompson returned to Olympia, WA prior to the others coming home. It is believed that he presided over the preliminary and organizational meetings. When it came to deciding on a name for the Post, Roscoe Fullerton and John H. Dunbar influenced the decision. They had been childhood friends. Alfred William Leach was a few years younger but he still shared in Fullerton and Dunbar's mischievous childhood exploits. On May 10, 1917 Leach joined the military and eventually was shipped overseas to participate in World War I. His unit took part in every major action of the War. Leach was shot on October 7, 1918 in the Argonne forest in France. He died instantly. When names were suggested for the Legion Post in Olympia, Fullerton and Dunbar suggested Leach because they knew him. So, the Post was named the Alfred William Leach Post No. 3 after their friend. This made his father and family very proud. L. L. Thompson was elected the first Commander in 1919. Roscoe Fullerton was elected the next Commander and John H. Dunbar served as Commander in 1922. The Post had many activities that supported Veterans of all Wars. The Olympia Post had a band, sponsored a Boy Scout Troup, had an auxiliary group for the women and was a fraternal organization for the Veterans. Post No. 3 is still in existence at this time [2009].

Alfred William Leach was born March 18, 1897 in Olympia, Wash. Shortly before he entered the Army he helped his father run a small farm east of the city. With the approach of World War I, he and so many other young men were restless to become involved in the War. After War was declared in 1917, it was a question of how soon Alfred could close up the farm and enlist. He enlisted on May 12, 1917 at Fort Lawton in Seattle, WA. He was sent to join the 6th Field Artillery, a regiment of light artillery. The regiment was sailed for France on Sept. 29, 1917 and was in action later that fall. Alfred's regiment served in several engagements and battles. The Meuse-Argonne offensive began on the morning of Sept. 26, 1918. On Oct. 5, 1918 they had suffered heavy casualities and Alfred volunteered as a replacement. The following morning they were under heavy attack and Alfred took a direct hit that killed him instantly. He was buried in the Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. After the War, parents could ask that the bodies of their servicemen be returned home for permanent burial or allow it to remain in an American cemetery abroad. Alfred's family elected to leave him with his fellow servicemen in France. In Sept. 1927 the ninth annual convention of the American Legion was held in France. Charles Leach, Alfred's father, attended this convention. Charles gave a book titled Things about France to the local commander. There is a picture in the book of Charles with his son's headstone in France. Charles Leach was an active participant in the Alfred W. Leach Post # 3.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of records and photographs from the American Legion Alfred W. Leach Post No. 3 in Olympia, Washington, 1919-1970 1955-1968. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 318804564

The Church Committee for China Relief for the city of Seattle was first established in Oct. 1939. The Committee was made up of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, the Foreign Missions Conference of North America and the China Famine Relief U.S.A. Inc. Earl Dome was the Secretary of the Committee.

The China Club of Seattle was established in 1916 to promote friendship and trade with China. Its first meeting was held in Sept. 1916 at the New Washington Hotel in Seattle, WA. The establishing membership of the Club was the presidents of corporations and local businesses interested in trade with China. The mission of the Club was to increase the awareness, understanding and appreciation of developments in Chinese culture, history, philosophy and current affairs. The Club is still in existence today [2009].

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of minutes for the Church Committee for China Relief and the China Club of Seattle, 1939-1958. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 406607935

Lucian D. McArdle was born June 25, 1857 in Ohio. He was educated in Ohio and Tennessee when he came West with his family to Leadville, CO. In 1883 the family moved to Quilcene, WA. That same year he married his wife, Fannie, who had traveled West with the McArdle family. They purchased their first home site on Quilcene Bay and homesteaded on timber land. Mr. McArdle was in the oyster business. He served in the Washington State Legislature from 1911-1915. In 1921 he was appointed the first and last Director of the State Dept. of Efficiency, which later became the Dept. of Finance. He helped draft and adopt the administrative code for the State of Washington. He served a brief period as head of the newly formed State Highway Patrol. Mr. McArdle's hobby and recreation was collecting books, particularly books about the Washington Territory. Throughout his life he collected books, scrapbooks, pamphlets and articles about the Northwest. He saved any pamphlets issued by Washington State Agencies. He had a workshop that included a bindery where he would read and index the scrapbooks and articles. When he retired, he devoted his time working on his collection. During his lifetime he had amassed a large collection that was well regarded as an important collection of Northwest Americana. Mr. McArdle passed away on 8 November 1938 in Quilcene, WA.

Mr. Lucian D. McArdle had collected books, scrapbooks, pamphlets and articles about the Northwest throughout his life. His collection was well regarded as an important collection of Northwest Americana. Mrs. Blanche Mahlberg and her husband were friends with McArdle's son and wife while living in Olympia, WA. She was very familiar with the collection. Years later, Mrs. Mahlberg asked McArdle if he would be interested in selling his collection. McArdle said he would be interested if the collection would remain together. Mrs. Mahlberg was an active member of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington (D.P.W.). After his death in 1938, she continued to pursue the McArdle collection. McArdle's family said they would sell the collection to D.P.W. for $600 if they named it after their father. With the help of Mrs. Richard Burford, D.P.W. state librarian; Alta Grim, Assistant State Librarian and other members of the D.P.W., Mrs. Mahlberg was able to negotiate and purchase the collection in 1939. After the purchase, the collection was placed at the Washington State Library in Olympia, WA in a section reserved for the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington and was known as the L.D. McArdle Memorial Library of Northwest Americana. It is unclear at what time the collection was returned to the D.P.W. It is now at the D.P.W. Reference Library in Seattle, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of a portrait pencil drawing of L.D. McArdle and the acquisition papers for the L.D. McArdle Memorial LIbrary of Northwest Americana, 1939-1940. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 236099378

Washington State's Legislative Building, completed in 1928 after six years of construction, serves as both a working governmental center and a symbol of Washington's free and democratic government. It is the centerpiece of the five historic buildings designed by New York architects Walter Wilder and Harry White. Conceived in the architectural competition of 1911 and selected by the State Capitol Commission, Wilder and White's designs for the Legislative Building were completed and set into motion in 1922.

Expo '74, World's Fair was held in Spokane, WA, May 4-November 3, 1974. Nearly 5,200,000 people passed through the gates during the four month fair. In addition to the tourist impact, Expo '74 had a profound effect on the redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Spokane.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of oversized mounted photographs of the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Washington and Expo '74 in Spokane, Washington, circa 1940-1974, bulk 1940-1950. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 230325919

Washington State Library (WSL) had a manuscript collection of Garrett Heyns that consisted of about 45 boxes. About 1993, the Garrett Heyns family and Calvin College in Michigan went to WSL with a proposal to transfer the Heyns manuscript collection to Michigan where Heyns had been an undergraduate. Since the bulk of the collection dealt with Heyns' position as the director of Michigan institutions the proposal was accepted. The costs for microfilming the collection were paid by Calvin College and Jacky Rudeen (Heyns daughter). The microfilming allowed WSL patrons to continue to have access to the collection through the microfilm to the Heyns papers including the portion dealing with his tenure as Director of Washington Institutions.

Garrett Heyns was born on 21 September 1891 in Allendale, MI which was near Grand Rapids, MI. Garrett's father was a minister in the Christian Reformed Church. The family left for South Dakota in 1897 and moved around until 1901 when the family settled in Grand Rapids, MI where Garrett's father became a professor at Calvin Seminary. After high school, Garrett attended Calvin College for two years. He taught school to pay for his education at the University of Michigan where Garrett earned a Ph.D. in 1927. In 1937, he became Warden of the Michigan Reformatory in Ionia, MI. He continued a career in corrections which included the position of Director of the Department of Corrections. In 1957, the Governor of Washington State asked Heyns to become the Director of Institutions for the State of Washington because the department and institutions were in such bad shape. By the time that he retired in 1966, the State's institutions had made incredible progress. Two more psychiatric hospitals had been built. All three had been accredited. Great strides had been made in the administration, care and rehabilitation of all clients in institutions in Washington State. Garrett Heyns had been married in 1916 and they had two children. Robert, their son, was the Chancellor of the University of California and their daughter, Jacky Heyns Rudeen, was a librarian at WSL. Garrett Heyns passed away on 3 Nov. 1969 in Olympia, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection on Garrett Heyns, 1941-1971 1941-1952. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 233222831

Three small, light-brown, leather bound diaries are in this collection. The first has "Transit Book 366" embossed on the front cover. Written in ink on the front cover is "Diary #1 1912. From Sept. 10, 1912 to July 27, 1913." The second has "Transit Book 1309" embossed on its cover. Written in ink on the front cover is "Diary #2, From July 28, 1913 to." The last entry in this book is June 30, 1914. The third diary is embossed with "Field Book No. 400 T." It has not been written in. The diaries primarily contain handwritten entries on the weather and construction projects including road work, surveying, paving, sewer lines, a reservoir, and references to LIDs by number. Entries with place names apparently referring to Lewis County, WA, particularly Centralia. It is believed that the writer of the diaries either worked for a company that contracted to do construction work or worked for the City of Centralia. The diaries frequently mention "Stanley" or "Macomber."

This collection consisted of 132 photograph negatives that were a gift to the Washington State Library. When they were received, the negatives were in a clump; some were sticking together and some had a white powder on them. As a temporary fix, the negatives were wiped with a clean, dry cloth and each one was put in a separate envelope and then stored in an acid-free box. The negatives measure 3.5 in. x 6 in. It was determined that the negatives are cellulose nitrate in a level 2 state of deterioration. They were copied by digitizing as a preservation measure. During Jan. 2005, the negatives were scanned to create tiff files. To preserve the negatives as safely as possible, they have been stored at the Washington State Archives in Olympia, WA in climate-controlled conditions. Only 2 were not scanned because they were too dark. The negatives were not sorted when stored or scanned. Tiff files names and numbers were assigned as the negatives were scanned. The CDs contain scanned copies of: background information, a printout inventory in order by file name and number and a printout inventory by category and file number. WSL gave a copy of the CDs to the Timberland Centralia Library and the Lewis County Historical Society & Museum with the hopes that there would be some help identifying the photographs. An article was written for the Lewis County Historian to promote the photos and hope for help identifying them. Robert C. Godsey did some extensive research on the photographs and his conclusion was that the photographs were taken by Stanley Macomber and the diaries may have been written by Roy L. Greene, both employees of the City of Centralia. He wrote an article in the Lewis County Historian about the conclusions of his research. There is some correspondence between Ms. Lewis and him about his conclusions and copyright issues concerning the photographs that are included in the collection.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of diaries and photograph negatives, Sept. 10, 1912-Jun. 30, 1914. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 459794470

Washington State Library was the first American library north of the Columbia River. It was established by the passing of the Organic Act of the Territory of Washington on March 2, 1853. According to the Organic Act, the library was "to be kept at the seat of government." As the seat of government moved, so did the library. By 1917 the library was in the basement of the Temple of Justice where it remained until 1959. The Joel M. Pritchard Building (Pritchard Building) was built south of the Legislative Building and the library was moved into this building in 1959. Maryan E. Reynolds, State Librarian, was able to initiate and navigate all the hurdles that come with building a State building. WSL remained in the Pritchard Building until it was moved to its current home in Tumwater, WA in 2001. In February 2001, the Nisqually earthquake severely damaged many of the buildings, including WSL, on the Capitol Campus. By Sept. 2001, it was determined that WSL would move out of the Pritchard Building to make room for temporary offices during the renovations from the earthquake. WSL was scheduled to move to Tumwater, WA USA. On Sept. 19, 2001 the WSL staff held a formal wake for their departure from the building. WSL was decorated in a formal funeral design with white lilies, wreaths with black ribbons, black shrouds, and many old artifacts on display. There were a few musicians, plenty of food, and speeches were made. In Dec. 2001 the Governor announced that he favored closing WSL which shocked the WSL staff into action. They began educating the governor, legislators and the public on the roles of the library. In early 2002, the Sec. of State, Sam Reed and his chief of staff, Steve Excell, had become champions of WSL. They traveled the State promoting WSL and the need for it to stay open. By March 2002 support began to come from all of the world. The State Legislature passed a bill moving WSL from the Library Commission and governor to the Office of Secretary of State, which preserved WSL from closure. The WSL went about changing and transforming its mission and reinvigorating the library's leadership role as the library's library.

Kathryn Hamilton-Wang has been a librarian with the Washington State Library since about 1976. Her main focus throughout her career at WSL had been in the Washington Room, which specialized in materials and information about the history of Washington State. She became the Outreach Coordinator for WSL. On Sept. 19, 2001 WSL staff held a wake for the library because it was moving out of the building and moving to Tumwater, WA. Kathryn's husband, Steve Wang, came to the Wake and videotaped the ceremony. Mr. Wang does an excellent job of covering the ceremony by covering many aspects of the event. He captures shots of many of the staff, the speeches, and the decorations. He also does an excellent job of walking around the library to capture a pictorial remembrance of the working areas of WSL. When Kathryn retired from WSL in 2008, she gifted the original VHS-C and a duplicate DVD she had made of the Pritchard Building Wake to WSL.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of photographs, slides, videocassette and DVD of the Washington State Library circa 1945-2001 bulk 1945-1960. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 175307277

These collections of letters are photocopies and typewritten transcriptions of the original letters were microfilmed by the History Microfilm Project in 1971 which was co-sponsored by Central Washington State College History Dept., Washington State Archive, Ellensburg Public Library & Kittitas County Historical Society.

Samuel R. Thurston was born on April 17, 1816 in Monmouth, Maine. After attending Dartmouth College, he graduated in 1843 from Bowdoin College in Maine, graduating with honors. He then studied law under Robert Dunlap, got married and moved to Iowa. Thurston came to the Oregon Country in 1847 as an emigrant over the Oregon Trail. In Oregon he settled in Hillsboro, Oregon, where he practiced law. Then in 1848 he was elected to the Provisional Legislature from Tuality District where he served with fellow Hillsboro resident David Hill. Next, in 1849 Thurston was selected to represent the Oregon Territory in the U.S. Congress. Thurston's major political achievement was in helping pass the Donation Land Claim Act in 1850. The act legitimized existing land claims in the Oregon Territory and granted 640 acres (2.6 km²) to each married couple who would settle and cultivate the land for four years. The act is considered a forerunner of the 1862 Homestead Act. He died at sea off Acapulco, Mexico on the steamer California of disease in 1851 while returning from Washington, D.C.. Originally buried in New Mexico, he was reburied in the Salem Pioneer Cemetery in Salem, OR. Thurston County, Washington was named in his honor.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Samuel R. Thurston's letters, 1850-1851. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 318815522

The Asahel Curtis Photo Co. was the last in a series of photo studios associated with Asahel Curtis. The studio did primarily commercial work and specialized in documenting Pacific Northwest activities. Asahel Curtis was born in Minnesota in 1874; the family moved to the Puget Sound area (Washington State) in 1888. His older brother, Edward S. Curtis, opened a photo studio in Seattle in 1892, and Asahel began working there in 1895. He went to the Klondike in 1897 to take photographs for the studio. Differences over credit for this work later led to a break with his brother. By 1901 Asahel Curtis had joined with scenic photographer William P. Romans to form the Curtis & Romans studio. After a brief period in San Francisco and Tacoma, working sometimes as a photoengraver, Curtis returned to Seattle as a newspaper photographer. From about 1907 to 1911, he worked for Romans Photographic Co., becoming president and manager of the firm. A partnership with Walter Miller as Curtis & Miller lasted for several years before Curtis returned to the Romans Photographic Co. In 1920, this became the Asahel Curtis Photo Co., under which name it operated until his death in 1941. Curtis was an active outdoorsman and mountaineer, an advocate of roads and highways, and instrumental in the development of Mt. Rainier National Park, interests which are reflected in his photography.

The Jones Photo Co. located in Aberdeen, WA began in 1880 in Silverton, Oregon by William Jones. When business slowed in the area, William and his family, moved to the Grays Harbor County, WA in 1913. William started a portrait studio in Hoquiam, WA and his son, Bliss, bought an Aberdeen, WA commercial and photofinishing shop. It was closed in 2003 after the sudden death of Greg Jones, 4th generation to run the business. One client, Anderson & Middleton Company, had hired the Jones Photo Co. to document its business operations throughout the 20th century. After the unexpected death of Greg Jones forcing the closure of the studio, Anderson & Middleton purchased the Jones Photo Historical Collection. They were well aware of the valuable historic record held in the studio files, a collection of negatives and prints that would be impossible to replace. They understood that Bill Jones needed some help to keep these photographs together, well-preserved and forever accessible to the public. So these good neighbors with a deep sense of history purchased the Jones Photo Historical Collection from the Jones family. Work began with consulting curator Howard Giske to archivally store, inventory, and catalog these photographs as well as to create the collection website.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of photographs by Asahel Curtis and other Washington state photographers, circa 1920-circa1940, circa 1935. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 243474565

The Capital Music Club (CMC) was founded in 1939 with the name Capital Music Study Club. Only a few months after they were established CMC federated with the Washington State Federation of Music Clubs (WSFMC). They met in the homes of members until 1945 when they moved their meetings to the Women's Club House. At this same time, they changed their names to the Capital Music Club. CMC was founded to study music, promote music and music education. During the 1930's and 1940's the club held teas and had a local radio show every third Wednesday with music performed by local musicians and school children. They always supported and promoted National Music Week. CMC participated with the National and State Federation activities including hosting State conventions. Several of the presidents of CMC were active as officers in the WSFMC.

The Lyric Singers of Olympia were a thirty-voice women's choral society in Olympia, WA that was established in 1947. It was sponsored by the Capital Music Club. The Lyric Singers director was Mrs. Marguerite C. Agnew. The group provided the community with formal concerts, Christmas programs and special appearances throughout the area. Under the continuous direction of Mrs. Agnew, they participated in Federation activities throughout the State as well as locally. They participated in the local radio program "Voices of the Northwest". In 1958, the group decided to disband because of different obligations and life pressures of various members. The group continued to have an annual reunion dinner until 1975. There were two more reunions of the group held in 1981 and 1990.

Mrs. Marguerite Agnew was born on 10 July 1904 to Thomas and Lennie Saddler in Nebraska. She and her family moved to Bellingham, WA in 1909. After graduating from high school, she graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in public school music and education in 1934. While she was attending college, she studied vocal music privately. She moved to Olympia, WA in 1929 where she taught music and art in the junior high and elementary grades. She married Clifford J. Agnew in 1939. When she retired from teaching, she became very active in the Capital Music Club. She was a lifetime member of the National Federation of Music Clubs and an active member of the WSFMC. She was active in several other organizations as well. She was quite well-known as a choral director and had directed several church choirs for several years. She was the founder and director of the Lyric Singers. Several years after the Lyric Singers disbanded, she accepted the position of elementary school music consultant and served 13 years in that capacity. After her second retirement, she traveled visiting areas of the United States, Canada, Asia, Mexico, Israel, Egypt and European countries. She received several honors for her involvement in music and the arts in the Olympia area. In 1994 the Masterworks Choral Ensemble gave her Salute to the Arts award for her significant contribution toward fostering the arts in the South Sound area. On 14 June 1997 she passed away at home in Tumwater, WA. Her husband predeceased her and she was survived by her son and step-son. She was buried at the Masonic Memorial Park in Tumwater, WA. Her support of the arts survived her with her estate's contributions as a benefactor to Western Washington University.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Capital Music Club's records and scrapbooks, 1939-1985. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 320477608

Thomas McArthur Anderson (January 21, 1836 - May 8, 1917) was a career officer in the United States Army who served as a general in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. Anderson was born in Chillicothe, Ohio. He attended the Cincinnati School of Law and was admitted to the bar in Cincinnati. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the volunteer army. Under the influences of his uncle, Robert Anderson of Fort Sumter fame, he received a commission in the Regular Army and served in the cavalry throughout the war. He stayed in the army after the war's end and eventually rose to the rank of colonel. In 1886 he was placed in command of the 14th Infantry at Vancouver, WA. He led them to Alaska to keep law and order during the gold rush. Later he was given a temporary rank of brigadier general and took command of the first "Philippine Expeditionary Force" during the Spanish-American War. His troops were the first to land in the Philippines. When Major General Wesley Merritt arrived in the Philippines, he reorganized the U.S. forces into the VIII Corps. Anderson was appointed to command the 2nd Division, VIII Corps and led it into action at the 1898 Battle of Manila. When the Spanish-American War ended, Anderson stayed in Manila where he was placed in command of the 1st Division, VIII Corps and saw action in the 1899 Battle of Manila during the Philippine-American War. After the U.S. forces broke the Filipino siege, Anderson led his division in minor engagements at Santana, San Pedro and Guadalupe. In March 1899, he was given the permanent rank of brigadier general in the Regular Army. He retired in 1900 and died 17 years later in Portland, Oregon. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery with his wife who passed away in 1914.

Charles Anderson Gauld, grandson of General Anderson, was born in 1911 in Portland, OR. He majored in history at Stanford University were he received his A.B. in 1932 and his doctorate in 1964. He received his master's degree from the University of Washington. He had taught in California, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Miami, FL.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Charles A. Gauld's notes and manuscripts, 1972. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 352927718

George T. Thompson was born in Cavan County, Ireland on July 28, 1845. He and his family immigrated to the United States about 1850. By 1857 they were living and working a farm in Butler County, IA. Thompson studied law in Iowa and was admitted into practice in 1874. He moved to Walla Walla, WA in 1877. Thompson was active in political circles from his arrival to the Walla Walla Valley. In 1891, he had been appointed Commissioner for Oregon to reside in Washington which was a term of four years. He served in the first and second session of the Washington State Senate. He held the offices of prosecuting attorney of the County, Mayor of Walla Walla and Probate Judge of the County. He was a pioneer lawyer of Walla Walla City. In 1881, he married Nellie Thompson. Although they shared the same last name, they were not related. She had been born in Walla Walla in 1858. They had five children: Arthur, George, Bell, Mervyn and Herbert. When Nellie passed away on Aug. 16, 1921, she was survived by her husband and children. For the next 6 years, Thompson continued working at his firm with his son. George T. Thompson passed away on Mar. 12, 1927.

George T. Thompson had become a lawyer while he was living in Iowa. He had been admitted into practice in 1874. When he came to Walla Walla in 1881, he became one of the pioneer lawyers in the Walla Walla Valley. By 1884 he was a law partner of Senator John B. Allen in the firm Allen, Thompson, Crowley. It is unclear how this partnership changed, whether it dissolved or evolved. In 1900 Thompson had a law office at the Ronan Bldg. in Walla Walla, WA apparently on his own. The firm's offices would remain there through at least the 1930's. By 1911 Thompson's son, George W., had studied law and became a lawyer working with his father. It is unclear when the firm, Thompson & Thompson, officially was established. However, by 1915 they were firmly established as Thompson & Thompson, Attorneys-at-Law. The firm occupied rooms 6 to 8 in the Ronan Building. Until his father passed away in 1927, George W. Thompson practiced law with his father at the Ronan Building. It appears that about 1975 legal books and notebooks from the practice were given to the Washington State Law Library by Tom Mayer to disperse them to the most reasonable and useful places, which they were able to do. At this time the Washington State Library (WSL) was given all of the records and papers for George T. Thompson. It appears that the Thompson family may be still practice law in Walla Walla, WA at the firm Thompson Law Firm on E. Poplar St.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of George T. Thompson's papers, circa 1866-1915. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 419521629

Clifford C. "Click" Relander was born on a farm near Danville, IN. After his mother passed away, he lived with his aunt who was a school teacher. She introduced him to the world of books which made a lasting impact on him. In his late teens, he joined his father in California. He completed his formal education and went to Los Angeles to study sculpting. While in Los Angeles, he chose journalism as his career. When he returned to Tulare County, CA where his father was, he took a job with the newspaper. While working he continued to sculpt. This led him to study Native Americans. The patient character attracted him and found expression in some excellent busts of San Joaquin Valley Indians. His artistic interest gradually changed to that of historian and anthropologist. In 1945 Relander moved to Yakima, WA and began his position as city editor for the Yakima Herald where he remained until he passed away in 1969. While working he began an intensive study of a small band of Native Americans, the Wanapums of Priest Rapids. Because of his respect for their culture and needs, they eventually made him a confidant and he was adopted by their Chief in 1949 and given the name "Now-Tow-Look". This involvement with the Wanapums leads him on an extensive journey of study and writing about the history of the Yakima Valley and the Native Americans in particular. It involved historical research, advocacy, writing and sculpting the Wanapums. He wrote what is considered the definitive history of the Priest Rapids band titled Drummers and Dreamers. He was also active in preservation and distribution of local history information. His sculptures became part of the permanent displays at the Wanapum Tour Center at the Wanapum Dam. Over the years he had actively collected books, manuscripts, business records and other historical materials about the Yakima Valley. When he passed away on Oct. 20 1969, he had over 6,000 volumes of materials. Relander had been adopted by the Wanapums. He is the only Anglo-American ever buried by the Yakima Indian Nation on Native American land.

Click Relander, former Yakima editor and author, had collected a voluminous personal library related primarily to Pacific Northwest history and the Central Washington Native Americans. The collection consisted of books, private papers, microfilm and photographs which he used in his work as a writer and sculptor. After Relander passed away, the collection was sold to a Seattle, WA bookstore where it remained while several groups negotiated for it. The collection contained large quantities of material related to the Yakima Valley. A group of anonymous donors bought the collection and gifted it to the Yakima Valley Regional Library in December 1970. The collection consisted of about 400 cartons of materials. In about July 1971, Hazel Mills, from the Washington State Library (WSL) went to the Yakima Valley Regional Library to consult with them how to handle and arrange the collection. Sometime in 1971 the Yakima Valley Regional Library loaned the correspondence and records of the Yakima Indian Agency from the Click Relander Collection to WSL to microfilm, which they did. WSL made photocopies of the materials for the manuscript collection.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of material from the Yakima Indian Agency, correspondence and records from the Clifford C. Relander collection, 1870-1910. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 309317485

Lucian D. McArdle was born June 25, 1857 in Ohio. He was educated in Ohio and Tennessee when he came West with his family to Leadville, CO. In 1883 the family moved to Quilcene, WA. That same year he married his wife, Fannie, who had traveled West with the McArdle family. They purchased their first home site on Quilcene Bay and homesteaded on timber land. Mr. McArdle owned large tracts of timber land and was in the oyster business. He served in the Washington State Legislature from 1911-1915. In 1921 he was appointed the first and last Director of the State Dept. of Efficiency, which later became the Dept. of Finance. He helped draft and adopt the administrative code for the State of Washington. He served a brief period as head of the newly formed State Highway Patrol. Mr. McArdle's hobby and recreation was collecting books, particularly books about the Washington Territory. Throughout his life he collected books, scrapbooks, pamphlets and articles about the Northwest. He saved any pamphlets issued by Washington State Agencies. He had a workshop that included a bindery where he would read and index the scrapbooks and articles. When he retired, he devoted his time working on his collection. During his lifetime he had amassed a large collection that was well regarded as an important collection of Northwest Americana. Mr. McArdle passed away on 8 November 1938 in Quilcene, WA.

Timber cruiser's books and surveys are ways to exam and valuate standing timber. The old time timber cruisers were termed "land lookers" because they would return from an examination and give a verbal report about how much timber they thought was on a stream or in a township. The demand for complete and perfect land titles, increased competition and increase in value of timber required more accurate reports. So, the timber cruisers would carry field books that would record in detail information like: amount of each species, quality and specific gravity of logs, estimates of cord wood from tree tops, quantity of bark, and availibility of water, ice, snow, railroad or public transportation.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of L.D. McArdle's timber cruiser's books, timber surveys, 1857-1909. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 320258896

William Adair Bugge was born on July 10, 1900 in Hadlock, WA. After graduation from Port Townsend High School, he joined the Army during World War I. After his Army Service, he received his civil engineering degree from Washington State College (now Washington State University). After graduation he held several jobs with private firms, state and local governments. By 1949 he and his family had moved to San Francisco, CA where he was the managing engineer for the Pacific Coast Division of the Asphalt Institute. Washington State's Governor Langlie offered him the newly created appointment of Director of Highways for the State of Washington. Mr. Bugge accepted the appointment and retained it for 14 years. During his tenure as Director, his primary job was that of architect of Washington State Highways. He reorganized the department, administered 3,600 construction contracts and built 4,107 miles of highways. He supervised the construction of many well-known landmark bridges and tunnels in the State including the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. Bugge was very active in many associations and the national highway program. Bugge served in many significant positions within these organizations. Bugge resigned in 1963 to take the position of Project Director in charge of design and construction of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) in San Francisco, CA. William Bugge retired in 1973. He passed away on November 14, 1992 in Olympia, WA. He was survived by his wife of 62 years, Evelyn, and his son.

The Highway Department in Washington State was formally organized in 1905. By 1937 the Commission on Highway Transportation was formed to study the department's fiscal operations. On July 9, 1951 the Washington State Highway Commission convened for the first time. It was a five-member, bi-partisan citizen board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Washington State Senate to be responsible for all state highway planning. The Commission retained the previous Highway Director William Bugge to run the reorganized Department of Highways. In 1977 the Washington State Legislature created their successor the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT).

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of W.A. Bugge, Director of Highways, speeches, 1952-1963 1952-1953. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 180709430

Peter Cook was born on 1 February 1818 at Tinton Falls, Monmouth, NJ. In 1837 he married Theresa Hagerty. Shortly after their marriage, they went to Illinois and settled about 50 miles west of Chicago. Here they farmed and raised a family of 5 daughters and 1 son. Cook was bitten by the gold bug in 1850. He traveled across the plains to California where he did some gold mining. When he returned home to the family, they moved to Iowa to try their luck at farming. In 1861 the Cook family moved across the plains. By 1867 they had settled in Walla Walla, WA. About 1870 they moved to Olympia, WA. In 1892 after 55 years of marriage Cook's wife, Theresa, passed away. By 1900 Cook had gone to live with his daughter, Theresa Cook Swan Ball, in Harrington, WA. By 1900 Cook had met Mrs. Fidalia McGregor of Iowa. Shortly after their marriage, the couple returned to Dedham, Carroll County, Iowa. Unfortunately, his second wife passed away in March 1901. He returned to live with his daughter. When he was 90, he had successful surgery for mouth cancer. On Jan., 1, 1910 Peter Cook passed away at his daughter's home in Harrington, WA. Only three of his children survived him: Mrs. J.L. Ball of Harrington, WA; Mrs. S. N. Stilwell of Yelm, WA and J.L. Cook of Napa, CA. Cook was brought to Olympia, WA for his burial in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Theresa Ann Cook was born to Peter and Theresa (Hagerty) Cook in Kendall County, IL on Jan 12, 1845. Theresa was 16 years old when she made the trip across the plains with her family in covered wagons. She married Joseph Lightfoot Ball on Oct. 13, 1882. Joseph L. Ball was born on 26 Dec. 1843 in Jefferson County, Ohio. In 1886 they bought 1 1/4 section (abt. 800 acres) of raw land near Harrington, WA to start their farm. In 1902 he rented his, by then, 1320 acres and moved into town. He went into partnership in the retail lumber, paint and oil business. Theresa Cook Ball passed away on her 80th birthday, Jan. 12, 1925. J. L. Ball survived his wife 10 years. He passed away in Nov. 1935. Both are buried at Harrington, WA.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Swan/Ball family papers, 1867-1917. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 435496522

The Northern State Hospital opened in May 1912 in Sedro-Woolly, WA. By the 1930's there were 2,200 patients; 415 employees, including 200 attendants; and 12 graduate nurses. The patients were housed in 33 wards. There were 13 other buildings in all. Patients were sent there from the eight northwestern counties: Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, King, Jefferson, San Juan, Clallam and Island. The expanded acreage included 400+ acres for the farm and vegetable gardens, 440 for pasture and wood lots and 200+ in rocky buttes and hills. At the center were 40 acres of immaculately kept lawns and flower gardens. The hospital grew into a large, self-sustaining institution by the 1950's. The Hospital included a library; recreational program; poultry farm that produced eggs & dressed hens and fryers; pig farm produced hams and dressed pork; both a dairy and beef herd of cattle; crops included fresh fruit, berries, potatoes, and kitchen vegetables; produced hay to feed livestock; summer cannery that processed foods that feed 2,500 people daily. In 1973 there were state budget cuts that forced Northern State Hospital to close their doors. It was officially closed in 1976.

Wilkes Hall was the patient ward that provided geriatric services to its patients. In 1963 Wilkes Hall had an open house to display their new accommodations. They had moved into a colorful and spacious 2-floor one unit remodeled building that included large colored tiled bathrooms, a lounge with wide views on each floor, multipurpose rooms and a dining room. The residents of Wilkes Hall would attended and sponsor many activities. The scrapbook provides a snap shot of Wilkes Hall history.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Wilkes Hall scrapbook, 1963-1967. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 355568136

John R. Jackson was the first American settler in Western Washington State. He was born Jan. 13, 1804 in Ingleton, Durham County England. When he was 19 he left England and made his way to Missouri. He acquired a large farm on the Missouri River. By 1844 his Missouri farm was prosperous. The spring of 1844 there were torrential rains that flooded his farm. Although he was able to save his livestock, his farm was ruined. He gathered his livestock and joined a wagon train headed for Oregon Territory. When he arrived in Oregon, he went up the Cowlitz River and selected 640 acres on the prairie that has come to be known as Jackson's Prairie. The next spring he started building his one room cabin, called 'The Highlands'. During the summer Michael Simmons' party stopped at the cabin on their way to settle farther north. One of Matilda Koontz Jackson sons later married Charlotte, a daughter of Simmons. In 1848 Jackson went to Oregon City for supplies. He met Matilda Coontz (later spelled Koontz), a widow with four boys. After a whirlwind courtship, John married Matilda and took his instant family home to his new farm. Three more children were added during the next few years including Louisa Jackson Ware. Because the Jackson home was on the main route between Puget Sound and the Columbia River, the Jackson home became a frequent stopover for travelers. In 1850, John and his stepsons erected a two story courthouse on his land at the bidding of the Federal judge. It was used as a courthouse until Nov. 1851 when it was converted to a residence for his growing family. Jackson was appointed the first sheriff of Lewis County and held many public offices including court clerk, Justice of the Peace, census taker, territorial legislature and operator of a freight line between Tumwater and the Cowlitz River. By the age of 65, Jackson had acquired 2,200 acres of land. Jackson died at his home in 1873. Because he left no will, his widow was forced to sell the livestock but retained the land which her sons inherited when she passed away in 1901. Upon Matilda's death, John's body was exhumed and buried next to her at Fern Hill in Chehalis, WA.

Matilda Ann Glover was born Jan. 29, 1811 in Charles County, MD to John and Matilda Nettle Glover. The Glovers moved from MD to Missouri. Matilda Glover married Nicolas Koontz and they had 4 sons: Henry M., Alonzo Barton, Felix Grundy and John Nicholas. In 1847 the family decided to move to the West. Unfortunately in their journey to Oregon, Nicholas drowned in the Snake River leaving Matilda a widow with 4 young sons. In 1848 John R. Jackson went to Oregon City for supplies from his homestead. While there he met Matilda and after a short courtship they were married. She and her sons returned to the Jackson cabin where the family made their home. Jackson and Matilda had three more children including Louisa Jackson Ware, their youngest daughter. John R. Jackson passed away at home in 1873. Matilda Koontz passed away on Feb. 14, 1890. She is buried at Fern Hill in Chehalis, WA where he husband Jackson was exhumed and buried next to her.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the Jackson, Koontz, Glover family papers, 1837-1952. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 302292002

Joseph George Megler lived an industrious and interesting life. He was born in Saxony, Germany, on March 10, 1839 where he spent his earlier years. His parents died when he was a small boy and he accompanied his brothers and sister to New York, where he lived with an uncle for several years. When the Civil War broke out in this country, Mr. Megler enlisted in the United States Navy, serving with distinction on the gunboat Lexington throughout the war. In the early 1860's he came to Astoria, OR where he began working for a salmon cannery near Astoria and became manager of the plant. In 1873 Megler married Miss Nellie Smith of Brookfield, Massachusetts. After their marriage Megler and his brother, Alex, built a cannery on the Columbia River and named the town they established Brookfield, WA. Megler took a prominent part in many public affairs and civic clubs. He served 8 terms in the Washington State Legislature, both as a senator and representative including the position of Speaker of the House. He had been a member of the Beaver Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. On 10 Sept. 1915 J.G. Megler passed away. After his funeral, Mrs. Megler decided to sell the cannery.

Around 1871, Megler, his brother and some partners wanted to set up a small cannery operation in the area of Point Ellice, WA. The nearest deep water already had an operation active there so Megler bought some land in the first sheltered cove 1/2 mile past the Point. It was the best site between Ilwaco and Deep River. Megler's interest moved upriver after he married in 1873. At a site west of Cathlamet, WA, Megler built a cannery and small town. He named the town after his wife's hometown of Brookfield, MA. The cannery became so profitable at the time that he built a fine house with an ornamental garden. Megler and his wife owned the cannery until he passed away in 1915. Mrs. Megler sold the cannery as part of the settling of the estate.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of J.G. Megler's correspondence, papers and some newspaper clippings, 1863-1943. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 317987528

James J. Hill was born Sept. 16, 1838 in Ontario, Canada. By the age of 18 he had moved to St. Paul, MN where he worked with freight and fuel. Then, he moved into the steamboat, banking and coal industry. Mr. Hill met Mary Theresa Mehegan. On Aug. 19, 1867 Jerome Hill and Mary Mehegan were married. They had 3 sons and 6 daughters. Mr. Hill had become known as the "Empire Builder" because of his success building railroads across the country. Between 1883 and 1889, he had built railroads across MN, WI and ND to MT. If there wasn't much industry around his railroad lines, Mr. Hill would establish or encourage businesses to come there. In 1889 he wanted to expand his railroad into a transcontinental railroad. By Jan. 1893 there was a northern transcontinental route that ran from St. Paul, MN to Seattle, WA. Mr. Hill had control of both the Great Northern Railroad and the Northern Pacific Railroad by 1901. He had tried to get control of the Union Pacific Railroad but the negotiations weren't successful. After many successful business accomplishments, Mr. Hill retired as President of the Great Northern Railway Co. in April 1907. He became the Chairman of the Board of the Directors. He resigned that position in June 1912. On 30 May 1916 Jerome J. Hill passed away at his home in St. Paul, MN.

The Great Northern Railway that ran from St. Paul, MN to Seattle, WA was the creation of James J. Hill. It was developed from the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. The Great Northern route was the most northern continental route in the United States. It was a privately funded transcontinental railroad although some of its predecessor's roads received land grants. It was one of the few railroads to avoid receivership following the Panic of 1893. The Great Northern had branches that ran north to the Canadian border in MN, ND and MT. The Great Northern Railway Company continued until about 1971 when Amtrak took over the railroads.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection on the Great Northern Railway Company, circa 1970-1979. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 175280787

Elias J. Payn was born on the Island of Jersey in the English Channel on 24 June 1840. Payn immigrated to the United States and made his way to the middle of the country. He met and married his wife. In 1886 they moved to Olympia, WA. Payn's public-spirited vision, energy and persistence helped the city of Olympia acquire Priest Point Park. Payn and a small committee conceived of acquiring the land. After a two year pursuit, they were able to purchase the property for the park. Payn and George N. Talcott spent at least a quarter century trying to persuade the powers that be to do something rather than express approval for the Olympia-Grays Harbor ship canal. Payn worked tirelessly in the pursuit. At the time of Payn's death on Oct. 7, 1920, it had not been accomplished. Payn charged Talcott with the guardianship of all of his records concerning the canal and made him promise to maintain them. After Payn's wife passed away, their niece gave all the records pertaining to the canal to Talcott. Talcott continued the upkeep of the records until about 1946 when his was 88 yrs. old.

George N. Talcott was born about 1859. He came to Olympia, WA with his parents and they opened Talcott Jewelers in 1872. After a fire burned their building, they moved into a brick building in 1883. After George's father passed away in 1898, George inherited the business. George was very active civic affairs. He and Elias Payn were good friends, ardent advocates and workers for the proposed canal between Olympia and Grays Harbor. Talcott was a member of the Thurston County Pioneer Association. Before Payn passed away, he made Talcott promise to take all the records for the ship canal and take care of them, which he did. In 1949, George N. Talcott passed away and what would become a 5 generation jewelry store was passed to the next generation. In 2003 the Talcott Jewelers was closed in downtown Olympia, WA.

The idea of a ship canal connecting Willapa and Grays Harbor with Puget Sound was an old one. In the early days of the Hudson Bay Co. the company sent large boats from Fort Vancouver down the Columbia River out into the Pacific Ocean, then into Grays Harbor where they headed easterly via the Chehalis River, Black River and Black Lake to the southerly end of the same. Then, they were transported by land skids across the portage to the head waters of Puget Sound, which are not far the campgrounds of Newmarket. The camp of Newmarket is now known as Tumwater, WA. Elias Payn and George N. Talcott worked tirelessly trying to persuade the powers that be to do something besides express their approval. In the end, that was all that was accomplished because a canal was never built.

From the description of Washington State Library's collection of the scrapbook of clippings on Olympia-Grays Harbor canal, 1933-1943. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 356291610