From the desk of Steve Willis, former Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library:

After the voters of Washington State had approved a state-wide prohibition of alcohol in 1914, the clock started ticking for drinkers. The last legal drinks could be consumed on December 31, 1915. By that time, the town of Starbuck was the last town left in a two-county area that was still “wet.” The following article found at random in the January 8, 1916 issue of the Starbuck Standard describes the town’s transition into a Brave New World:

‘Mid Shrieks of Many Whistles Starbuck Sees a New Epoch

Starbuck, for the past five years the only wet town in either Columbia or Garfield counties is dry and for the first Saturday in over 25 years, liquid refreshments were not dispensed on New Years’ day.

 Many had anticipated an unprecedented New Year eve for the old town, and but for a shortage of malt, vinous and spiritous liquors, this might have been fully realized. At any rate there was “something doing” from early in the day Friday until the numerous engines in the yards proclaimed the dawn of nineteen hundred sixteen.

 The Star Hotel bar, owned by J.S. Fuller, for 20 years in business in Starbuck, was the first to run out of goods and closed its doors at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. The Columbia Bar, J.R. Hill proprietor, held on until 8 in the evening when a shortage of goods compelled the closing of the doors. The Starbuck saloon, Mike Ray proprietor, seemed better supplied with stock and remained open until midnight, although during closing hours only whiskey was on sale. Mr. Ray has been in business here for nearly 15 years.

 Saturday apparently was a blue day for many, and a quiet one for the town. Many of the imbibers, however, had laid in a supply of refreshments and this helped in making the world look a little brighter, for the moment at least. The stores were open during the forenoon, but in the afternoon the town took on a graveyard appearance.

 The Star Hotel bar will be transferred into a pool and billiard room, where cigars, tobaccos and soft drinks will be sold, and will be open for business in about another week. It is probable that the Columbia bar will be utilized to a similar purpose, but as yet nothing definite has been announced. No announcements have been made regarding the old Starbuck bar, and it is reported that the building will not be placed in use for the present.

 James S. Fuller (1860-1933) remained in Starbuck, running a “cigar store” until ca. 1923, when he moved to the Spokane area. Fuller died right before Prohibition was brought to an end. Toronto-born Mike Ray (1869-1943) also stayed in Starbuck for many years and worked as an employee of the railroad. James R. Hill (born ca. 1882) returned to his native Michigan and worked in auto mechanics and construction.

Originally a railroad junction, the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company was a major economic concern in Starbuck in the early 20th century.

The Railway Carmen’s Journal, a labor union organ, mentioned all three of the above gentlemen in the April 1912 issue. Apparently there are a few inside jokes in this song:

 OPENING ODE OF SHOP FEDERATION AT STARBUCK, WASHINGTON.

(Air, Casey Jones)

 

Dedicated to the Strikebreakers of Starbuck, Washington.

 

Come all you scalies, if you want to hear

The story of the strikers here.

Recognition is the strikers’ aim,

On the Harriman lines she will win her fame.

 

Caller called the scalies at half past four

To calk the flues and look her o’er;

‘Twas the old switch engine, No. 24;

They found “Bad-Eye” York in the fire box door.

 

J.F. Killeen to the scalies said:

“Get Kid Yorke out or he will soon be dead.”

Then he gave them all the big glad hand,

Said, “I’ll write you transportation to the promised land.”

 

He weighed 200 pounds when he started the stunt.

Put on the overalls and cached his white front.

With Farry you can tarry just as long as you please,

In the bull pen with scalies, your crumbs, and your fleas.

 

Old Jim Fuller is a big fat slob,

With scab loving Beck he is onto his job,

Catering to the scalies and picking up the change,

Having no respect for his son’s good name.

 

Mike Ray stands in front of his bar,

Drinking with scalies, puffing a scab cigar;

Here’s where you can get your drinks and your smokes,

For this bunch of union men are nothing but jokes.

 

Mr. J.R. Hill is surely our pard,

Having due respect for a union card.

When a scalie approaches him for a drink,

He points to his card and says, I don’t think.

 

 

 

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library:

Found at random in The Journal (Burlington, Washington), Sept. 27, 1900, page 1, top of the fold:

Another Saloon

“The question of another saloon in Burlington has been quite freely discussed among our citizens during the past week, since it had been reported that property had been purchased and arrangements made for the establishment of another liquor dispensary. From all that can be learned it seems to be the general concensus of opinion that for a town of Burlington’s size, and without police protection, even one saloon is enough and one too many. The Journal tries, as near as possible, to represent public sentiment in this community, whatever the faults of its editor may be. The town is yet in its infancy, but has advanced wonderfully in a legitimate business way during the past year, and it is to be hoped will increase in business and population to a still greater extent during the year 1901. It has been our idea that another large general merchandise store (and we have one already carrying a stock as large as any in Mt. Vernon or Woolley), a good blacksmith and wagon making establishment, a drug store, an oat meal mill and a fruit evaporating and drying plant would be more to the interests of our citizens than another saloon. Saloons only serve the worst appetites of men; and while it may be argued by one conservative element that they are a necessary evil, whereby trade in other lines is held against other towns, such conditions do not exist in Burlington.”

“This paper speaks for the community, and by request of many of our citizens. Nothing can or will be said against individuals. The sentiment is simply against the evil which results from an over-abundance of whisky and gambling, whether by one or more saloons.”

Burlington had a population of just over 500 in 1900. The town incorporated in 1902. Apparently over time the lure of liquor license fees overcame the reluctance to limit the consumption of booze in Burlington. But a new era was dawning– Prohibition was looming on the horizon.

As explained in Skagit Settlers : Trials and Triumphs 1890-1920:

“The first victory of the dry forces was ‘local option’ which permitted divisions of the state to decide for themselves whether they wanted saloons. In 1909 rural Skagit County outside the incorporated towns voted dry and the country saloons were closed in early 1910 … local option elections were held in all the incorporated towns of the county and only Mount Vernon, Lyman, and Hamilton went dry. Burlington, five miles away from Mount Vernon, celebrated the Glorious Fourth that year by permitting its saloons to stay open around the clock from July 1 to the 5th. The railroad fare from Mount Vernon to Burlington was only 10 cents, yet from one Saturday night to Sunday, the Mount Vernon depot sold $70 worth of tickets. The situation became so notorious, witness the 1911 cartoon in the [Seattle Daily Times], that in February of 1912 the Burlington City Council decided to ban saloons. The liquor interests fought the decision but it was upheld in the courts.”

 

In 1914 the voters of Washington approved Initiative No. 3, a measure making Prohibition the law of the land for the Evergreen State. You can read the text of the initiative in the 1914 voter’s pamphlet, available in digital form via the WSL catalog.

The Journal lives on but under two different titles. It is part of a complicated genealogy of newspaper mergers, splits and absorptions, all documented in one of WSL’s newspaper history charts.