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The Northwestern Industrial Army and the Battle at Sprague

The Northwestern Industrial Army and the Battle at Sprague

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: In the midst of one of the worst economic depressions of the 19th century, thousands of unemployed workers were called upon nationwide to march in protest at Washington D.C. in 1894. They gained the nickname “Coxey’s Army” after their Ohio-based leader, Jacob Coxey. The Coxeyites in the Pacific Northwest were among the most radical followers, and dubbed themselves the Northwest Industrial Army. If you consider…

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Mr. Fairweather Goes to Olympia

Mr. Fairweather Goes to Olympia

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: Although the word “snarky” wasn’t really used in 1889, the concept was there– as we shall see. In this case study we should start with the 1889 Constitutional Convention held in Olympia, where delegates from across Washington Territory met in order to hammer out a guiding document. When I read through the WSL copy of The Journal of the Washington State Constitutional Convention, 1889, I…

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Summer Library Reading and Lunch in Sprague, WA

Summer Library Reading and Lunch in Sprague, WA

From the Desk of Carolyn Petersen, Assistant Program Manager, Library Development How many libraries would be willing to take on the challenge of providing an hour long summer reading program four days a week for 8 weeks– and then top off that challenge with the additional duty of providing lunch to the children immediately after the program? That challenge would daunt most libraries who have multiple library staff. Sprague City (population 441) librarian Judy Boutain knows what her community’s kids…

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