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The story of Republic Camp for some time after its establishment is, practically, the history of Ferry county. It was the only settlement of note in the territory now comprised in the county of Ferry for many months, and to-day it is the one town of importance - and the capital of Ferry county. Its elevation is 2,925 feet above the level of the sea; the census of 1900 gave it a population of 2,050.Republic Camp is the center of an exceedingly rich mining region, scattered over grass-covered benches overlooking the valley of the Sans Poil river. It is considered a very healthful city, located as it is on a plateau far removed from malarial sections of county. The climate is mild and the summer seasons have no extended periods of extreme heat; the nights are invariably cool. The census returns of 1900 show that Republic Camp was the sixth city in eastern Washington in point of population. And this, in face of the fact that it was without railway connection proves conclusively that the resources of the country must be considerable to bring to the front a place of such relative importance in the state.
With the sensational opening of the "North Half" of the Colville Indian reservation to mineral entry, February 21, 1896, prospectors flocked into the present site of Republic Camp, and throughout the contiguous territory made many rich mineral strikes. Quickly spread the glad tidings abroad on the wings of rumor. Two months after the opening of the reservation we find that there were sixty-four men in the camp. They were prospectors and miners. They made their homes in tents; their provisions were freighted in from long distances at costly prices.
But a camp containing sixty-four men, and with a glittering prospect for a large increase of population in the immediate future, could not remain long without a "store". To W. C. OTTO belongs the credit of being the pioneer merchant of Republic Camp. With two drivers, a saddle horse and a pack train of twenty mules laden with tools and general merchandise, the enterprising Mr. OTTO threaded his way along the trail which followed up the bank of the Sans Poil river. He had abandoned Almira, a small town in Lincoln county, and was heading in for the new, and then famous, Republic Camp. It was a "Hazard of New Fortunes." Mr. OTTO pitched his tent on Eureka creek May 17, 1896, and opened sale of his wares. Thus came the first merchant in the camp; a representative of the interests of the J. C. KELLER Company of Almira.
While the first "business house" was thus established in 1896, it antedated the erection of the first building in Republic by a year. Harry KAUFMAN, one of the earliest pioneers of the camp, ran up the first edifice. This was a substantial log structure and was located just over the gulch, northwest of where the main portion of the town now stands. Early in July, 1897, Philip CREASER, having secured a valuable and eligible townsite, began the erection of a two-story frame hotel building on the summit of the hill overlooking what is now Clark street, and the principal business thoroughfare of Republic. This was the town's second building. July 22, John STACK opened a store in a tent adjoining KAUFMAN's cabin. With him became associated some of the most prominent mining men of the camp, and together they erected a commodious two-story store and office building, and under the firm name of John Stack & Company, opened out an extensive line of general merchandise October 30, 1897. But there was no much building activity until the following spring.
The Blue Jacket Development Company, through its officers, James CLARK, president, and Charles S. ELTINGE, secretary, laid out the town-site March 22, 1898, and the lots were thrown on the open market. This site was later combined with North Republic (platted by the Lost Lode Gold Mining Company, by its officers, Hector McREA, vice-president, and Charles S. GRIFFITH, secretary, May 21), and other town-sites in one large town named for the famous mine which gave it universal notoriety - Republic.
It is a town with a surprisingly large number of additions. The original one was platted April 29, 1898, by the Tuesday Development Company, by Patrick CLARK, president, and Charles S. ELINGE (sic), secretary. This plat, however, was vacated by order of the board of county commissioners August 10, 1900. Other additions to Republic were made later, as follows:
Second Addition - June 3, 1898, by J. W. McCANN. Third Addition - September 14, 1898, by Philip CREASER. Mono Addition - November 19, 1898, by J. M. BEWLEY and W. C. OTTO. Court House Addition - February 17, 1899, by Fred M. WELLS. Delaware Addition - June 12, 1899, by the Delaware Mining Company, by C. C. WOODHOUSE, Jr., president. Conlan's Addition - December 20, 1899, by Golden Eagle Mining Company, by J. D. MILLER, president. School House Addition - December 1, 1899, by C. C. WOODHOUSE, Jr. Portland Addition - July 31, 1900, by George W. WOODHOUSE and Martin A. MITCHELL. Wabash Addition - May 10, 1900, by Moses EDIAMS and George MILLER. Erdmann Addition - October 29, 1901, by Erdmann Mining Company, by Frederick STONE, president; attest Edward H. KNIGHT, secretary. Finch's Addition - November 23, 1901, by Edward C. FINCH and Fred G. FOSTER.
Deer Park Addition - January 31, 1903, by Grant A. STEWART, W. R. HUGHES and James COTTINI. Elgin Addition - April 3, 1902, by Elgin Mining & Milling Company, by Joseph ROSSLOW, president. Erdmann Addition - May 26, 1902, Erdmann Addition to Republic was amended by the same company. Hunner's Addition - June 3, 1901, by Washington Gold Mining Company, A. HAUSON, vice president. North Star Addition - April 9, 1902, by C. F. HAINE, trustee for Matt HORN, Frank RITZNER, R. W. HUNNER, John McGEE and W. J. BEACOM.
The lots comprising these additions were thrown upon the market in the spring of 1898. It was the signal for a general rush to the locality. Within the space of two months nearly two thousand people had come in to Republic. Canvas tents and shacks of hasty architecture and picturesque appearance were made to serve for residence and business purposes, while a few substantial two-story structures "towered above their less pretentious neighbors". Every branch of business that could possibly thrive in a mining town was represented. Reports of new strikes daily set people wild with excitement. Stock companies were incorporated at Spokane and quotations were telephoned in twice a day, and as prices steadily advanced, mining shares rapidly changed hands.
*** (report of "the boom" from the Republic Pioneer, April 16(
Friday afternoon, May 6, 1898, Republic Camp was connected by telephone with the outside world. Local and long-distance wires were united, and President Oakes conversed with other members of his company in various localities.
The public schools of Republic are such as awaken pride in any community which takes an active interest in educational affairs. From the date of its establishment, the city has made fruitful efforts to maintain an efficient school system. In 1899 the district was bonded for $15,000 for the pupose (sic) of erecting and equipping adequate and comfortable school houses. With the money thus obtained, a large, two-room school building was erected in North Republic - the oldest portion of the camp - and a four-room, two-story edifice built in a central location in South Republic. This school has been carefully graded and will favorably compare with other excellent schools throughout the state. Arrangements have been made whereby pupils may transfer to Republic and continue their curriculum, without inconvenience. During the past three years a high school department has been maintained.
Commercial activity in Republic Camp in 1898 was in the nature of a surprise to everyone. As the "Pioneer" of May 14 said: "Large quantities of whiskey, flour and other necessities arrived during the week. when the camp is older some of the luxuries will be on hand. One day, fifteen heavily loaded wagons arrived. This shows what quantities of goods are coming this way. Along the wagon road for eighty-five miles there are freighting teams coming and going. Still, it is impossible to clear the blockade at Marcus. Considerable freight is, also, coming in from Seattle and other Sound cities. It is not an unusual sight to witness a dozen four-horse teams in one block at Republic."
During the month of May, 1898, the justice's court room and a jail building wee completed. The latter contained two cells constructed of pine; the walls of 2x4 scantling, laid flat and securely spiked together. While not so impregnable as steel cages, they were sufficiently strong to retain the ordinary criminal a prisoner.
July 16, Rev. F. M. GUNN, D.D., of Seattle, and Rev. J. E. STEWART, of Loomis, Okanogan county, organized a Presbyterian congregation with seventeen members. The elders were W. H. WILLARD and Joseph HALL. The trustees were John W. SEWARD, R. F. SCOTT and Mrs. Ora M. DRAKE. Eligible lots were secured and a subscription paper circulated for the purpose of realizing funds with which to erect a church building. Cash to the amount of $67 was collected. But the building project wa permitted to drag until the following summer, when more energetic steps were taken to push the matter to a conclusion. Rev. Linn EARHART, of Turner, Oregon was selected as pastor. Although lots had been donated and money contributed for a church edifice, the building, for some cause, was never erected. The Presbyterians, however, held regular services until 1903, under the pastorate of Rev. E. J. EARHART. A Methodist church society was also formed, holding regular services at the "lower school house", and in various halls. No church building was erected, and, at present, no Methodist services are being held.
The second house of worship to be built in Republic Camp was that of the Baptists, in 1902. At present the Baptists and Catholics are the only church organizations in town. The former church was organized in December, 1900. Rev. E. G. BARNUM was pastor, remaining, however, but a short time.
Throughout the summer of 1898 immigration to Republic was sensational. While vast volumes of freight billed for the camp were congested at Marcus, much more which as brought up the Okanogan river by steamboat was piling up at "Republic Landing" on that stream. E. L. HALLENBECK, an Okanogan river steamboat man, was in Republic early in June, and, in speaking of freight at the "landing", billed for this camp, said:
"There are acres of it, all destined for Republic; and more arriving every trip made by the steamer. It is piled to the roof of the big warehouse; there are tents full of freight and plenty more stacked up on the outside. It arrives faster than teamsters can take it away, although the road is springled with wagons. A train of seventy-five wagons could not transport the freight at "Republic Landing" when I left there."
At this period the Republic Trading Company, alone, had thirty-five tons of merchandise at the landing.
Up to the year 1898 what is now known as North Republic, which was the original location of the camp, was named Eureka. But that year the name of the post office was changed to Republic, owing to the fact that there was another post office called Eureka in the southern part of the state. Mail for the Eureka office was directed to Nelson, now Danville, and was brought to Eureka by a system of mutual accommodation sanctioned by the postal authorities, where it was distributed to the residents of Eureka. That same year, the post office of Republic was established, named after the famous mine, and soon after the name of the town was changed from Eureka to Republic. The post office transactions of a municipality are eloquent indices of the amount of business done therein; they certainly illustrate the marvelously rapid growth of Republic. The "Pioneer" said in July, 1898; "Not only has the mail been enormous for a town of this size, but the sale of stamps has footed up a round sum. From April 1 to June 30, one thousand and three registered letters were forwarded from Republic. This, in itself, is significant. No other town in Washington of the same size can present such a wonderful postal showing."
The postal business of Republic Camp continued to increase. In the registered letter department, especially, was the business heavy. In this section, at the opening of the year 1899, the Republic office was transacting more business than were the offices of Los Angeles, Seattle, Spokane, Portland and other cities in their class. In other departments, the volume of business in the Republic post office was proportionately voluminous. A dispatch from Washington, D. C., at this period, stated unreservedly that the Republic office was doing more business than any other town in eastern Washington, outside of Spokane. It outclasses Walla Walla, a city at that time of from 8,000 to 10,000 inhabitants. But despite the fact that the post office department at Washington was fully informed concerning the volume of business handled at Republic, it was impossible to secure necessary supplies for the office. One time it would be a shortage of stamps; another registration blanks would become exhausted. Although the business transacted fully warranted it, the Washington authorities refused to give Republic a money order office at that time, and not until July 1, 1899, was it raised to an office of the third class and made a money order depository.
The future of Republic was brilliant with promise October 10, 1898. On that day, the Republic Gold Mining & Milling Company declared its first dividend. Many miners who had been industriously prospecting on the "South Half", returned to town. The name and fame of Republic Camp resounded abroad and the excitement was intense. Stages arrived daily loaded with passengers and many extra conveyances were pressed into commission. Hotels and lodging houses were uncomfortable filled. Numerous promoters and mine experts entered the field to procure claims. Hardly a square foot of ground within a radius of eight or ten miles of the Republic mine could be found unoccupied, and every claim that showed a quartz vein of any description was immediately bonded and stocked. Many high assays were obtained from the numerous prospects, and each fresh "strike" reported stimulated development in the camp. Those who were pecuniarily interested became enthusiastic over the "great future"; those who had not yet invested became anxious to do so. As was naturally to be expected, real estate advanced rapidly; choice lots on Clark avenue originally purchased for $200 apiece sold as high as $1,450, and as much as $2,600 was asked a year later.
In December, 1898, we find that the steady inflow of people to Republic which had continued during the preceding summer had not abated with the advent of cold weather. During, preceding and following the holiday season, stages to Republic Camp could not accommodate all of those who were anxious to become passengers to the new town. The place was fairly well supplied with hotels and lodging houses, yet it was found impossible to care for all the new arrivals. Tents were utilized for sleeping apartments; they were filled to overflowing.
Early in August, 1898, Edward BOYCE, then president of the Western Federation of Miners, with headquarters at Butte, Montana, arrived in Republic Camp. Thursday evening, August 11, he organized a miners' union. This meeting was held at the school-house and was well attended.
Officers of this local union chosen were: Michael CALLAHAN, president; William PIERCE, financial secretary; William CALDER, treasurer. The minimum of miners' wages was fixed at $3.50 per day.
During the month of March, 1899, there was a great activity in building operations. Store buildings and private residences went up by the score. Town lots sold readily and at good prices. It was an era of general prosperity for the camp.
Initial steps toward the organization of a fire department in Republic were taken Saturday, March 18, 1899. A mass meeting was held in Keck's Hall, where it was decided to organize the fire-fighting force immediately. The town was built almost entirely of wood, and in compact form, and the necessity for protection was realized by every one. The meeting was adjourned to assemble on the Mondoy (sic) evening following, at which time the fire company was duly organized by the election of Burt MACHLEY, chief, and Fred M. WELLS, assistant chief. Frank KECK was named as treasurer, and O. M. ROSE, James WHIPPS, and C. C. WOODHOUSE, Jr., composed an executive committee. The chief and assistant chief were named as fire commissioners and clothed with authority to adopt such measures as were considered necessary to safeguard the town against fire. It was decided to purchase a chemical extinguisher, hose-cart, ladders and other fire-fighting apparatus at once, and subscriptions were solicited to defray the expense. Within a week the sum of $800 was realized. Following are the names of the members of the company at the period of its organization:
H. T. MEYERS, J. A. McDONALD, F. M. JEFFERY, Fred M. WELLS, C. C. WOODHOUSE, D. E. WALTER, P. R. BURKE, M. E. JESSEPH, James WHIPPS, B. W. BORSAN, D. M. YEARGIN, A. C. COOK, H. L. PERCY, J. K. ORR, Peter McPHERSON, M. W. A. MINER, John STANLEY, J. E. WAGERLEY, Frank TRUAX, O. M. ROSE, J. M. GALVIN, G. R. BEARD, C. M. KEENE, Julius PFEFFERLE, W. S. PERKINS, R. MULROY, G. H. ELLIS, George UMBACH, J. A. McEVRY, B. S. HARRIS, E. A. MACKLEY, James DUGGAN, J. T. SULLIVAN, Thomas McKINSLEY, B. F. KECK, Henry HATKE, H. H. FRITZ, T. B. WALSH, W. H. MOORE, E. R. CLEVELAND, W. C. MORRIS.
A fire-house was at once constructed at a cost of $200. Early the following May, the company was reorganized and the following officers elected: H. L. PERCY, president; F. M. JEFFERY, vice-president; F. M. WELLS, chief; Richard SWAN, assistant chief; B. F. KECK, treasurer; M. E. JESSEPH, secretary. Messrs. PERCY, WOODHOUSE and YEARGIN were selected as trustees. This new fire department was largely volunteer, although the chief was paid a small sum for duties which were imposed upon him by the city council. The apparatus consisted of two chemical engines, hose-cart and one thousand feet of hose, a hook and ladder truck and a supply of ladders, trucks, ropes and other apparatus. The material was, and is now, housed in a two-story building on Clark avenue. A portion of the upper story is used for the city clerk's office and council chamber. In the first ward of the city, known as North Republic, there is, also, a neat fire-hall. Clark avenue is provided with seven hydrants supplied from a 140,000 gallon tank located 135 feet above the street, which is a portion of the system of the Curlew Mining Company, which suppkies water for domestic purposes.
The spring of 1899 witnessed a depression in labor circles. There was a serious underlying cause for this. Widespread notoriety of Republic Camp had excited considerable interest throughout the state, and in other states adjoining. It was recognized every where as one of the richest mining centers in the country, and this fact precipitated an unusual rush to this locality early in the spring. As a consequence of this influx of workingmen, the labor market became congested. While contiguous mines were being rapidly developed, affording employment to many men, it was estimated in April, 1899, that there were fully two men for every "one-man" job. As a result there were many idlers in camp; every stage brought in more.
The first disastrous fire in Republic Camp occurred Saturday morning, June 3, 1899. One hundred thousand dollars' worth of property was destroyed. The recently reorganized fire department did good service in fighting this calamity, but it was seriously handicapped through lack of apparatus. At this period there was not adequate system of waterworks. Two chemical engines of 55 gallons each, which had been ordered by the department, had not arrived. Dynamite was the principal weapon employed in fighting the flames. At 6:30 a.m. smoke was observed pouring from the rear windows of the SPIGGLE building, on the west side of Clark avenue, and in the center of the business portion of the town. Soon after the alarm was sounded, flames burst forth and began eating their way along the roofs and sides of the structure. Dozens of men immediately rushed to the scene and began a fierce contest with the flames for the preservation of life and property. Within an hour and three-quarters all of the buildings on the west side of Clark avenue, from the lodging house of Mrs. DAVIS to Seventh street were wiped out. The buildings on the east side of the avenue suffered a less serious fate. Those that were burned were the Montana saloon, the DEWEY, WALTER's drug sore, two restaurants adjoining, and the large log building occupied by Ira BLACK as a saloon. Other buildings on the east side suffered damaged fronts. Owing to heroic efforts on the part of the firemen, and a favorable wind, the flames did not sweep the entire block. Members of the fire department were early at work doing their best to tear down the shacks south of the bank. At the same time the entire population was out assisting in removing goods. While the flames rapidly swept away the SPIGGLE building, the bank was being emptied of its contents. All valuable papers, the cash and book accounts were soon at was considered a safe distance from the fire.
The Eureka News Company's building was the next to succumb to the flames. Some of the goods were removed but a heavy stock had to be abandoned. Ten minutes from the inception of the fire, the bank building was a wreck, and the fire swept onward south. So intense was the heat that it was soon apparent nothing could be done to save the buildings on that side of the avenue, and attention was directed to saving those on the other side. The three-story building of WOODHOUSE & WELLS was saved, as was also the office building adjoining. Meanwhile the fire was sweeping southward, consuming everything in its course. a building adjoining the hospital was blown up with dynamite, but the expected good effect was not apparent. At 6:50 o'clock the hospital building was in flames. THRELKELD Brothers' stock of goods was saved in part, but fully two-thirds of the contents of the room was abandoned. The law office of W. C. MORRIS, adjoining, was emptied of its contents in time to save them. The next building to go was a new one adjoining, occupied by G. V. ALEXANDER as a low office, and McKENZIE, the tailor. A moment later George BRADY's store was enveloped in flames. This was a log building. But a small portion of the goods were removed. A light but increasing breeze had sprung up; the flames were carried high in the air and across Sixth street. H. L. PERCY's house was ablaze by 7 o'clock. While it was being rapidly consumed a charge of dynamite was placed within and it was blown to atoms in the hope of checking this terrible calamity. But the effort proved useless; by this time the fire was burning more fiercely than ever. The little frame building occupied by DODSON, the barber, Peter McPHERSON and Mr. PETERSON as offices, and the buildings in the rear used by MANARD, the real estate agent, and Scotty's Union Cafe, were quickly reduced to ashes.
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