As the years pass and I learned more about the history of the Northwest I have earned a great appreciation for the city of Walla Walla and what it means to the history of Washington State and the Northwest. For a long while in the late 1800s Walla Walla was the largest city in Washington and second largest in the Northwest after Portland. Two gentlemen named Dr. Dorsey S. Baker and John F. Boyer were at the center of much of that history.
While review the banking folder I found three items concerning the Baker Boyer Bank. So I thought I would share what I found and maybe peak you interest in the importance of these two men along with a third the Hon. Miles Conway Moore who has special history all his own.
The first is a letter written in March 1949 to Mr. Leonard Thorp, Asst. Ref. Librarian, Washington State Librarian. The letter was from N. A. Davis, President of The Baker Boyer National Bank. The letter was written to explain why his bank, The Baker Boyer National Bank, was the "first bank established in the State of Washington, the date was Nov. 10, 1869. He talks about a conversation he had thirty years before with former bank President Miles C. Moore. [More on him later.]
The second document is a "Statement of Condition, December 31, 1948." Baker Boyer National Bank, Walla Walla, Washington. It is a short and to the point annual report. It does show three Baker family members as Officers and Directors. They are Charles F. Baker and D. S. Baker and D. F Baker. No Boyer is listed. The bank is showing Resources [assets] of $25,711,430.23.
The third document in the files is a brochure printed for the" Fiftieth Anniversary, 1869 - 1919, of Baker - Boyer National Bank". It was most interesting to me. Like most anniversary brochures it went on to explain how the bank was formed. Who the principle founders were, something about the present building and who the present officers are.
John F. Boyer was Dr. Baker's brother-in-law through Boyer marriage to Dr. Baker's sister, Sarah. Boyer was born in Kentucky, but made his home in several states. In 1849 he followed the money to California. Even though he made some money mining he soon figured the real money was not in mining, but in selling to miners. He opened a store in Sonora, California. Later he returned east leaving his business in the hands of a partner. Soon that old equalizer of the old west hit his business, fire. So he stayed in the east until he married Sarah. He then decided to return to Sonora, Cal. The moved to Walla Walla, W. T. to be closer to Sarah's brother. The two went in to the mercantile business. Then selling that business they started a bank.
Dr. Dorsey S. Baker is, I think, the most interesting of the two and the driving force. Much like Boyer, Baker came west to make something of himself. After studying medicine Dr Baker came to Oregon to start a new life. Like Boyer the lure of the gold fields was too much and off he went. There he found that sell to miners rather than mining was the more profitable thing to do. Later he came back to Portland, Oregon and started in business selling to miners around the west. In the mean time Walla Walla had become a center of trade with the miners in Western Montana, Idaho, and Southern Canada. If you wanted to be closer to the action Walla Walla was the place. Good were shipped up the Columbia to the port of Wallula, W. T.. From there is was freighted to Walla Walla. At Walla Walla the merchandise was purchased by miners, packed on horses or mules and packed into mining camps all over the inter-mountain west.
Baker was much more than just a store operator. He was a true western entrepreneur. Willing to try anything to make a dollar or two. Like most entrepreneurs he was a bit of a gambler. If not a gambler he was not afraid to take a chance when it looked like it would payoff well if worked right. His biggest gamble was the building of the Walla Walla and Columbia River railroad. His thought was that if a railroad could be built between Walla Walla and the Columbia river port of Wallula. People liked the idea, but getting them to back it with cash was another problem. So he went it alone for the most part. He had timber cut in the Blue Mountains of Easter Oregon and Washington and floated down various river for his use. At first the rails were made of wood with a iron strap nailed to wood rails. He purchased a steam engine and started to work. He was able to provide a cheaper freight and passenger service. It was slow, faster and cheaper then pack animals and wagons. Once in business he purchased iron rails form Wales. These were much more efficient and cost effective. This was to be the first true railroad built in the State of Washington.
An Ad from the Walla Walla Statesman
for
Dr Bakers Railroad in 1879
Dr. Baker went on to be come a force not only in banking, but transportation as well. Not only was mining in need of transportation, wheat and flour were starting to become a major economic factor as well. Now not only were goods coming up the Columbia, but goods were being shipped down river as well.
The third person in the brochure was is the Hon. Miles Conway Moore. He was president of the bank at it's fiftieth anniversary. He is interesting, but cause he did get involved in politics some. In fact he was the last Territorial Governor of the Washington Territory. Washington became a state on November 11, 1889. Moore accepted the duties of Territorial Governor for the months leading up Statehood. He knew it was going to be an interim job.
The bank is still in business in Walla Walla. It still stands on it's own feet continuing a proud tradition in old west banking. Look it up.
This blog is just the tip of the iceberg. I hope it entices you to learn more. Their history is not only important, but on some level it is part of you.
