Daniel Oliver in Spokane

Daniel Oliver, his wife Amanda and their son Charles arrived in Spokane in November of 1878 after a journey by river and covered wagon. His wife Amanda would later describe Spokane at this time as “primitive in the extreme. There was one store, a sawmill located about where it is now, the Post Mill located at about where the Sears Roebuck building stands (where the current downtown library is located), the hotel and a few other shops of various kinds, with homes for forty or fifty people.”

J.N. Glover in recalling the establishment of Spokane said in Spokane and the Inland Empire (Durham, 1912), “I platted from my east line at Bernard to the west line of Post street, and from Sprague avenue to the river. Sprague street I named in honor of General Sprague, then general superintendent of the western division of the Northern Pacific. As I expected Riverside to continue westward as a boulevard or drive along the river bank, it was given that designation. Main street I rather expected to become the chief business thoroughfare, and Front was so-called because of its fronting on the stream. Washington was named jointly for the father of our country and the territory, Stevens for the first governor, Isaac I. Stevens, Howard for General O.O. Howard, who commanded the troops in the Nez Perce war, Mill because I expected the milling industry to center around its terminus at the river, and Post street in recognition of Frederick Post. I regret exceedingly that the name of Mill street was changed to Wall, a designation having no local or pioneer significance.”

This was the Spokane that Daniel Oliver, his wife and child, entered in 1878. The Olivers settled in some modest residence in Spokane, but we have no record of the actual locations. In an interview in 1931 Amanda Oliver described her home in 1889 as a “hut” near Division Street. That “hut” was likely a building on the grounds of a mill that Daniel Oliver owned with others during the 1880s. We know little of their social life in the 1880s, but in the same article Amanda mentioned that she had been good friends with Chief Spokan Gary as well as his wife and daughter Nellie.

One central character in this family drama never mentioned by biographies of Daniel Oliver was his brother John W. Oliver who joined the family shortly after they arrived and is shown to be living in Spokane in 1880. (A newspaper article in 1881 indicates that John Oliver may have been in Washington State as early as 1876 though not necessarily in Spokane.) Also not mentioned in earlier biographies was the partnership between the two brothers that resulted in their building wealth through the completion of many large construction projects during the 1880s when they were well known in Spokane as the Oliver Brothers. (More about this on the web page title “Oliver Bros.”)

To give you a feel for the social life of the city at that time here is how the city of Spokane, Washington Territory, celebrated the Fourth Of July in 1884. First, there was an Anvil Salute at sunrise, followed by a parade of the “Horrible Division of the Happy Knights of Momus,” then a match game of Baseball, and after that a National salute of twelve guns. In the afternoon there was  Horse Racing, Sack racing, foot-racing, wheel-barrow racing, catching a greased pig, climbing a greased pole and other athletic exercises. That evening a Grand Free Ball was held at Joy’s Opera House. (As recorded in the Spokane Falls Review, July, 1884.)

For the Oliver family the 1880s seem to have been a period of very hard work, the time during which they built their wealth by contracting to build many projects in both Spokane and Coeur d’Alene as well as buying, improving and running a sawmill in the center of the city.

The family of course brought their young son, Charley, born in  September in 1874 in Dallas, Oregon. There were a few mentions in the local papers when he made the honor roll in 1886 when he was 11 and enrolled in Mrs. Gilbert’s room in the local Spokane schoolhouse. He was later mentioned as one of the 8th grade pupils in the “Central School” in 1890. [Known as the South Central school house it had been built by Daniel and his brother John Oliver.] 

‍ We have little information on the daily life of Charles W. Oliver as an adult but for a few newspaper stories. In the 1880s and in 1890 there areµ mentions of him having attained the honor roll while in grade school. Later in life (In 1904 when he would have been thirty years old) he was a delivery driver for Mullen Brothers “ice dealers.” A newspaper story on July 8th of that year relates the incident in which the horse drawing the ice wagon became frightened by fire crackers exploding on the streets and “became unmanageable in the hands of the driver, Charles Oliver.” The horse collided with the public water fountain near the corner of Cedar Street, breaking a leg and damaging the fountain. Charles was not injured, but the horse had to be put down.  Later,  in an 1890s story about a mining claim owned by his father and a partner, the partner vouches for Charles Olivers value as a worker at the mining operation.

By 1889 the Olivers began to reap the benefits of their hard work when the brothers built the house for Daniel and Amanda at E 403 4th that would be their home for the rest of their lives. In 1892 they build the Oliver block at 334-336 W. Riverside that would be a source of income and social activity. The 1890s was also the period when Daniel would focus most of his time on politics and on his interest in mining. Judging by the newspaper stories I was able to find this transition from hard work and relative social obscurity seems to end in the year 1889 with the sale of the Oliver Planing Mill and the construction of their fine house at the corner of 4th and Washington. On February 16, 1890 a story in the Spokane Falls Review announced a surprise party for Mr. And Mrs. Waltman. “The party broke up about 11 o’clock.” Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Oliver. On October 25, 1890 was announced the Gibbs-Murphey wedding at the all-saints Episcopal church. Daniel Oliver was an usher at the wedding. On November 22, 1890, D.K. Oliver and his wife Amanda, were guests at the wedding and reception for Miss Tillie C. Saling, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Fred Saling, married to Mr. Frank W. Hobbs. celebrated in the home of Mr. Fred Saling. On March 1, 1891 the Friday Unitarian sociable featured the talented eloqutionist Miss Lena Feat. The reviewer described the tale “Tom’s Little Star,” as a strange mingling of the “tragic, comic and pathetic.”  Among those attending was Mr. and Mrs. Oliver. On March 28, 1891 (Spokane chronicle) another “fortnightly” sociable of the Unitarian society was “not as well attended as usual due to the opera and other distraction.”  Recitation by Miss Jennie Llewellyn and a character impersonation by Mr. L.M. Bowes. Among the ladies and gentlemen present were Mr. And Mrs. Oliver.  [NOTE: (Article in the review says that the couple was Mrs. J.W. Oliver and Mr. J.W. Oliver !!!!)] In the Spokane Review on June 28, 1891 it was announced the “Mrs. George K. Stocker’s home was opened to the entertainment of a company of her friends on Friday evening.” They played euchre. Attendees included “Messrs Oliver, Bowman, Weaver etc. On May 2, 1891 the crowning of the May Queen, who was chosen by ballot, the favorite being Miss Fanny Heller. The crown consisted of a coronet of natural flowers, unique and artistic, the gentlemen paying $15 for the fragrant imported gift from Flora’s kingdom. “The company were dressed in their full uniform, many elegant costumes were worn by the ladies..”  In attendance were Mr. And Mrs. Oliver.  Announced in the Spokane Review August 23, 1891, “Mrs. Robert E. Clark tendered an informal whist party to a small company of her friends on Wednesday evening. Guests included Mr. Oliver.” Another announcment in the Spokane Chronicle September 26, 1891 declared “A delightful birthday party given by Mrs. M.F. Bishop at her pleasant home, corner of Broadway and Nettleton avenue, to celebrate the eighteenth anniversary of her daughter Miss D.S. Bishop, Thursday evening. Guests included Mr. And Mrs. Oliver. The Spokane Chronicle October 19 1891 declared “The silver wedding anniversary of Mr. And Mrs. H.M. Mosely at their residence, corner of Seventh and Bernard streets. Among the attendees was Mr. Oliver.” On July 9, 1892 the Spokane Chronicle stated “the hospitable home of the Penfield’s on Sixth avenue, was filled with merry guests Tuesday evening. They played euchre and the parlors were adorned with beautiful flowers. The party was given in honor of Miss Barbour and Mrs. Addie Smith, recent arrivals in the city. Among the guest were Mr. And Mrs. Oliver.” These newspaper stories of celebrations, weddings and parties continued in the 1890s though they diminished as D.K. Oliver pursued his public political career.