|
|
|
||||||||
Othello, Washington
Central Washington was one of the last areas to be settled, but the land showed much promise. There were abundant water supplies and the volcanic soil was rich in nutrients. Winters were usually mild and there was a long growing season. In 1902 settlers began to move near Lower Crab Creek. Right away the farmers discovered it wasn't going to be as easy as they thought. They would first have to conquer the dust. When plowing, billowing dust clouds would blow up so the farmer could scarcely see where he'd already plowed. At school, kids couldn't play outdoor games. Some kids would walk home backwards to try to avoid getting a face full of dirt. Wash left out to dry in the morning would be filthy if caught in an afternoon wind.
Besides the dust, getting water turned out to be a problem. Though everyone was happy to share what they had, there were only a few wells. Many homesteaders had to walk two or three miles to fill a bucket of water. Many hitched up the horse and wagon so that several barrels could be filled at one time. Water from the family was often reused on the garden or on the fruit trees. Dish water was used to slop pigs.
Even though water was badly needed, sometimes it could be a menace. One year heavy snowfall stranded cattle all over the ranges. Many of them died. A chinook wind came through amd melted the snow, but it melted too fast. More cows were killed in the flooding since they were so weak from starvation they couldn't get away. Crab Creek overflowed and covered precious hay fields with sand. Eventually the water subsided, leaving several new small lakes. One of these new lakes was Shiner Lake, named for a species of carp with a small bend in its tail.
Despite the hardships, many stuck it out. During the early part of this century hundreds of people moved around the lower Crab Creek area and Deadman's Bluff. Fields were sowed with potatoes, winter wheat, and vegetables. Pigs, chickens, and cattle were reaised both for home use and to sell on the open market. Hotels, saloons, stores, and even a lumber yard opened. By 1908, there were around 40 families in the area.
In 1910, Othello was incorporated was a town. There are many variations on how Othello came by its name. Most people believe its obvious -- the town is named after a Shakespearean play. But there is disagreement over who named it. Was it a couple of fur traders who just liked the name? Or was it Mrs. Robert M. Chavis, who was known to have enjoyed Shakespeare and liked the unique sound of Othello? Still another story says a Milwaukee railroad official named the town. It may even have been a woman that named the town after her home town back in Tennessee.
Though a central town was growing, most residents lived some distance away. The nearest neighbor might be a mile or more away. The nearest grocery store could be as much as 20 miles away, depending on where the homestead was located. In 1908, the first Presbyterian church was built, but services could only be held every two weeks when a pastor visited from Connell. The nearest high school was in Ritzville and students often had to work for their room and board while they attended school.
While combating the isolation, homesteaders also combated jack rabbits. During the growing season, jack rabbits ravaged the potato crops. In the winter, the rabbits would feast on the hay set aside for the livestock. The rabbit population got so bad that a rabbit drive was organized to get rid of them. Farmers from all over the state participated in the drive. Angled fences were built and the rabbits were chased into them. Thousands were killed on the first drive; subsequent smaller drives controlled the rabbits.
Settlers found simple ways to entertain themselves. Everyone enjoyed the Fourth of July picnic at Crab Creek. Another favorite picnic spot was at the abandoned silica mine between Othello and the old town of Cunningham. There the columns of silica attest to the legions of visitors who carved their names in the rock. Lunch basket socials were held. Families often went camping and especially enjoyed the falls on Crab Creek. Even the coming of the railroad provided excitement; when their chores were done, children and adults alike took their turns watching the crews bring progress to town.
All that hard work paid off. Othello is now a town of about 4,700 and another 4,500 people life within six miles of town. Water is no longer a problem, four wells pump 7,500 gallons a minute to supply the town with water. And dust storms no longer plague the community. Potatoes, corn, alfalfa, and apples are still important industries in the area. Half the nation's french fries are made from potatoes grown in this area. Earning a living doesn't take so much time any more, so area residents have lots of recreational activities to choose form: bowling, golfing, tennis, youth sports, hunting, and fishing at the nearby Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and the Potholes Recreation Area. Seventy-five years since incorporation and the town of Othello is still going strong.
Last updated: 3/31/98