Guide to the William Compton Brown Papers 1830-1963
Cage 196

Summary Information

Repository
Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
Creator
Brown, William Compton, 1869-1963.
Title
William Compton Brown Papers
ID
Cage 196
Date [inclusive]
1830-1963
Extent
10.5 Linear feet of shelf space, 22 Boxes
Language
Collection materials are in English.
Abstract
Papers of Judge William Compton Brown, cheifly concerning the annual Okanogan rodeo, Brown's historical research and the publication of his writings about the pioneer Pacific Northwest, and the Indian wars of eastern Washington.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]

William Compton Brown Papers, 1830-1963 (Cage 196)

Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Biography/History

William Compton Brown was born and raised in Minnesota. He received a law degree in 1891 from the University of Minnesota. His law practice began in Minnesota. Through a "freak fusion" of the local government, Brown was elected county attorney of Marshall County in 1893. He was 22 years old at the time of this appointment. Mr. Brown came out to the Pacific Coast in 1897, traveled extensively in the area, and after being granted the right to practice law in Washington he set up a practice in Republic, Washington. While in Republic he went on several mining excursions. In 1901 he married Caroline Sidney Burleigh. After his marriage, Brown moved to Okanogan County. He became the County Attorney in Ferry County, Washington in 1903. This was followed with the position of a Judge of the Superior Court of Ferry County in 1904. Nearly 26 years later he became a Judge of the Superior Court of Okanogan County. He retired in 1946, and passed away in 1963 at the age of 94.

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Scope and Content

Correspondence, diaries, notebooks, certificates, photographs, pictures, clippings, memoranda, printed matter, manuscripts of Judge William Compton Brown's writings for newspapers, books and pamphlets, and other papers. Correspondence chiefly concerns the annual Okanogan rodeo, Brown's historical research and the publication of his writings about the pioneer Pacific Northwest and the Indian wars of eastern Washington.

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Arrangement

The collection has been divided into 11 series: Diaries and Notebooks; General Correspondence; Historical Information; Manuscripts; Miscellaneous; Newspapers; Notes; Papers; Photographs; Scrapbooks; and Oversize. The Diaries and Notebooks are arranged chronologically, while the rest of the series are alphabetically arranged. The photos labeled "Portraits" are not in any specific order.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections  © 2021

https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/

Terrell Library

P.O. Box 645610

Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA

509-335-6691

mascref@wsu.edu

Revision Description

 The records were reprocessed by Lisa W. Bassett. 1988

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open and available for research use.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Acquisition Information

The papers were gifted to WSU Libraries by William Compton Brown in various accessions between 1960-1963.

Processing Information

This collection was reprocessed by Lisa W. Bassett in 1988.

Alternative Form Available

Some of the maps in this collection have been digitized as part of the Washington State University and University of Washington Early Washington Maps Digital Collection

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Related Materials

Related Material

Nez Perce Photographs, circa 1877-1905 (PC 83)

Lucullus Virgil McWhorter Photographs, circa 1868-1950 (PC 85)

Cull A. White Photographs and Negatives, 1861-1950 (PC 86)

Separated Material

A collection of photographs by Frank S. Matsura were seperated from the papers and processed as the Frank S. Matsura Photographs, 1907-1913 (PC 35)

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Names and Subjects

Geographic Name(s)

  • Okanogan County (Wash.) -- History -- Sources.
  • Washington (State) -- History -- Sources.

Personal Name(s)

Subject(s) :
  • Brown, William Compton, 1869-1963 -- Archives.

Subject(s)

  • Nez Perce Indians -- Wars, 1877.
  • Pacific Coast Indians, Wars with, 1847-1865.
  • Rodeos -- Washington (State) -- Okanogan County.
  • Indians of North America -- Wars -- Northwest, Pacific.
  • Washington (State)
  • Native Americans
  • Photographs

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Detailed Description of Collection

Series 1: Diaries and Notebooks 

box folder

1897 

1 1

1906-1907, 1917 

1 2

1912 

1 3

1918 

1 4

1920 

1 5

1928 

1 6

1930-1931 

1 7

1931-1937 

1 8

1932-1935 

2 9

1933 

2 10

1936-1937 

2 11

1938 

2 12

1939 

3 13

1940 

3 14

1940-1941 

3 15

1942 

3 16

1943 

3 17

1944 

4 18

1945 

4 19

1945-1946 

4 20

1947-1948 

4 21

1948-1949 

5 22

1950-1951, 1952 

5 23

1952-1954 

6 24

1954-1955 

6 25

1955-1958 

6 26

1955-1956 

7 27

1957-1958 

7 28

1959-1962 

7 29

1963-1964 

7 30

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Series 2: General Correspondence 

box folder

(A) To Judge Brown 1925 

8 31

Captain J.C. Ainsworth 1883? 

8 32

Mrs. Emmett Avery-Archivist WSU Libraries 1945-1962 

8 33

(B) To Judge Brown 1925 

8 34

To Judge Brown 1912, 1922, 1933-1944 

8 35

From Judge Brown's Father 1906 

8 36

(C) To Judge Brown 1925 

8 37

(D) To Judge Brown 1924-1925 

8 38

(E-F) To Judge Brown 1925 

8 39

(G) To Judge Brown 1925 

8 40

(H-J) To Judge Brown 1923-1925 

8 41

(K-L) To Judge Brown 1924-1925 

8 42

(M) To Judge Brown 1924-1925 

9 43

McBean Information undated 

9 44

Archibald McDonald (Cyanotype) 1830-1880 

9 45

From J.C. Murphy 1962-1963 

9 46

(N-Q) To Judge Brown 1925 

9 47

(P-Q) To Judge Brown 1925 

9 48

PNW HISTORY: To Judge Brown 1925 

9 49

PNW Affairs 1932 

9 50

Publication of Judge Brown's Book "The Indian Side of the Story"  1960-1961 

9 51

(R) To Judge Brown 1925 

9 52

(S) To Judge Brown 1924-1925 

9 53

Steptoe Butte undated 

9 54

(T,U,V) To Judge Brown 1924-1925 

9 55

(W) To Judge Brown 1924-1925 

9 56

RE: Changing the Name of the State of Washington 1955-1956 

9 57

(Y,Z) To Judge Brown 1925 

9 58

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Series 3: Historical Information 

box folder

Colville Indians - General Information 1947 

10 59

Old Fort Okanogan - General Information 1900s 

10 60

Fort Okanogan 1930-1940 

10 61

Osoyoos Lake Region undated 

10 62

Pacific Northwest History - Notes from readings 1914 

10 63

Pacific Northwest - Biographical Sketches 1890-1960 

10 64

Pacific Northwest - Notes 1911 

10 65

Riverside - Early History undated 

10 66

Stevens County, Washington - History 1904 

10 67

Walla Walla Indian Expedition to Sacramento Valley undated 

10 68

Willamette Valley undated 

10 69

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Series 4: Manuscript-"The Indian Side of the Story" 

box folder

Chapter 1 - Introductory undated 

11 70

Chapter 2 - Period of Joint Occupation in Oregon undated 

11 71

Chapter 3 - Basic Advances Coming On undated 

11 72

Chapter 4 - Immigration of 1843, Dr. Whitman's Ride, Fremont Presidential Election of 1844, Treaty of 1846 undated 

11 73

Chapter 5 - Further Revenues of Basic Developments undated 

11 74

Chapter 6 - Whitman Massacre and Cayuse War undated 

11 75

Chapter 7 - Washington Territory and Governor Stevens Enter the Scene undated 

11 76

Chapter 8 - Family Line of Ka-mi-ah-kin Introduced undated 

11 77

Chapter 9 - Early Life of Ka-mi-ah-kin Prior to 1855 undated 

11 78

Chapter 10 - The Year 1855 up to Signing of Treaties undated 

11 79

Chapter 11 - As to Why the Indians Signed the Yakima Treaty Proposals undated 

11 80

Chapter 12 - As to the Year 1855 undated 

11 81

Chapter 13 - The Year 1856 undated 

11 82

Chapter 14 - Second Walla Walla Council and Connected Events undated 

11 83

Chapter 15 - The Year 1857 undated 

11 84

Chapter 16 - The Crucial Year of 1858 undated 

11 85

Chapter 17 - The Year 1858 Between Steptoe's Defeat and the Start of Wright's Advance undated 

11 86

Chapter 18 - Summer 1858, Garnett's Raid undated 

11 87

Earlier Version of Chapter 18 - A General and Interim Discussion of 1858 undated 

11 88

Chapter 19 - Wright's Expedition: Its Organization and Advance from Ft. Walla Walla to Spokane Falls undated 

11 89

Chapter 20 - Wright's Expedition from Spokane Falls to Coeur d' Alene Mission and thence to Spokane Council undated 

11 90

Chapter 21 - The Spokane Council and Attendant Features undated 

11 91

Chapter 22 - The Hanging of Qualchen and Connected Matters undated 

11 92

Chapter 23 - Closing Events of Wright's Expedition undated 

11 93

Chapter 24 - Dept. is Divided and General Wm. S. Harney is put in Command of Oregon and Washington Territory undated 

11 94

Chapter 25 - For the Indians of Eastern Washington A hard period of Existence came in 1859 undated 

11 95

Chapter 26 - The Moses Agreement and Other Developments Bring on Changing Conditions undated 

12 96

Chapter 27 - Family History undated 

12 97

Chapter 28 - Escape of Steptoe's Command Further Mentioned undated 

12 98

Chapter 29 - No title undated 

12 99

Chapter 30 - Important Narratives and Reports undated 

12 100

"The Indian Side of the Story" - Miscellaneous Material and Information undated 

12 101

Journal Entries 1948, 1959-1960 

12 102

Journeys of Father Davis - PNW History undated 

12 103

Ka-mi-ah-kin - General Information undated 

12 104

Killing of Kee-low-pack-kin 1959 

12 105

Oregon History - Provisional Government of Old Oregon, Chapter 3 undated 

12 106

Oregon History - Beginnings of Indian Trouble in Old Oregon Grey's Expedition, Chapter 4 undated 

12 107

Oregon History - Developments in Old Oregon further discussed Gray's Expedition, Chapter 5 undated 

12 108

Oregon History - Gray's Expedition to Ash Hollow, 1837, Appendix 1 undated 

12 109

RE: Okanogan and Ferry Counties 1950 

12 110

Yakima Indians undated 

12 111

Unknown Source - Chapter 3, The Year 1853 and 1854 undated 

12 112

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Series 5: Miscellaneous 

box folder

Problems of Archeology in Central Washington undated 

13 113

Excavations of Two Fort Okanogan Sites 1952 

13 114

Executive Document - Judson's Check List Numbers 894, 906, 1099 undated 

13 115

Miscellaneous Information undated 

13 116

Notes from Course - History and Government of the State of Washington 1948 

13 117

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Series 6: Newspapers 

box folder

The Columbian 1852 

13 118

The Methow Valley News 1913 

13 118

Newspapers Clippings 1930-1960 

13 119

Newspaper Scrapbook 1930-1940 

13 120

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Series 7: Notes 

box folder

Abstracts concerning Ranald McDonald undated 

13 121

Information on Judge Brown's Parents 1900-1940 

13 122

Information on Income Tax 1940 

13 123

Pay receipts and licenses for Town of Ruby 1891 

13 124

Personal Information undated 

13 125

Political Information 1940 

13 126

Travel Log - Okanogan 1926 

13 127

Travel by Judge Wm. C. Brown 1899 

13 128

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Series 8: Papers 

box folder

Agreement for Building Wharf and Company 1908 

14 129

Articles of Association 1903 

14 130

Articles of Incorporation 1909 

14 131

W.T. Beck - vs - Defendents 1909 

14 132

Bill of Sale - W.C. Wilson 1924 

14 133

By-laws, etc. undated 

14 134

Criminal Cases - Brief undated 

14 135

Dedication - Crisalice Addition to North Alma 1908 

14 136

Deed Contract 1900 

14 137

Denny Contract 1910 

14 138

Divorce Agreement, Frank and Mahala Read undated 

14 139

Ferry Court Briefs undated 

14 140

Ferry - vs - Cleck undated 

14 141

Flaherty, William and Rose - Annexation of Said Lands 1909 

14 142

Green, J.H. - vs - Okanogan County 1908 

14 143

Historical Abstracts - G.B. Dandy, James Doty, General Harney, E.D. Keyes 1858-1859, 1923 

14 144

Lamotte's - vs - McKissick's 1906 

14 145

Land Agreements 1908 

14 146

Legislature to create new Judgeship 1900 

14 147

Little-Wetsel Company 1920? 

14 148

Mague - vs - Defendants 1910? 

15 149

Introduction to Archibald McDonald 1917? 

15 150

Miscellaneous Writings 1904 

15 151

Mortgages 1900, 1907-1908 

15 152

Chief Moses - Biographical Sketch undated 

15 153

Pace - vs - Ployart 1908 

15 154

Plumb - vs - Proctor undated 

15 155

Political speeches and information undated 

15 156

Rights of lode claims 1903 

15 157

Seymour, Paul - vs - Superintendent of Washington State Penitentiary 1961 

15 158

Sheep Licensing regulations 1903 

15 159

Smith, Harry and Morris, Bob - vs - Hanson, Thomas undated 

15 160

Stack Supply Company undated 

15 161

Starr - vs - Stutsman 1906 

15 162

Steamer, Frances  1870-1890 

15 163

Water Agreements undated 

15 164

Water Rights 1908 

15 165

Wills 1917-1918 

15 166

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Series 9: Photographs 

box folder

Brown Family 

16 167

Brown Family 

16 168

Brown Family Houses 

16 169

Brown Family Pet's 

16 170

Wm. C. Brown's Parents 

16 171

Ruth and Horace Brown 

16 172

Sidney Brown 

16 173

Brown Family Cemetery Plots 

16 174

Photographs- Individual Indians 

box folder

Chief Awhi (Owhi) 

17 175

Chiliwhist, Jim and Family 

17 176

Felix, Margaret 

17 177

Fisher, Sam 

17 178

George, Annie 

17 179

George, Sam and Family 

17 180

Homas, Jim and Wife 

17 181

Ina and Wife 

17 182

James, Chief and Wife 

17 183

Johnston, Robert 

17 184

Joseph, Chief 

17 185

Kamiakin, Chief Cleveland 

17 186

(Fried) Lander, Sam and George 

17 187

Loquat and Indian Police 

17 188

Moses, Chief 

17 189

Moses, Mary 

17 190

Nespelem, George 

17 191

Nespelem, Wolf 

17 192

Ollicot 

17 193

Pah-ween, Tom (Tom Powell) 

17 194

Penah Medicine Man 

17 195

Peo Peo Tho-lekt 

17 196

Peter, Wolf 

17 197

Red, Star 

17 198

Red Thunder, Joseph 

17 199

Sholaskin, Chief 

17 200

Simpsom, Billy 

17 201

Tomeo and Wife 

17 202

Tonasket, Chief 

17 203

Waters, Tom 

17 204

We-Yallup-Wa-Ya-Chika 

17 205

Wilpocken, Chief 

17 206

Wilpocken, Emma 

17 207

Williams, David 

17 208

Yellow Bull 

17 209

Yellow Wolf 

17 210

Photographs - Indian Miscellaneous 

box folder

Blackfoot Bonnet of Chief Moses 

17 211

Blackfoot Indians 

17 212

Indian Encampments 

17 213

Indian Graves and Monuments 

17 214

Indian Group Pictures 

17 215

Miscellaneous Indian Photos 

17 216

Miscellaneous Indian Photos 

17 217

Photographs - Miscellaneous 

box folder

Blacksmith and Tack Shop 

18 218

Calgary Stampede 

18 219

Caribou Road, British Columbia 

18 220

Chesaw, Washington 

18 221

Columbia River and Grand Coulee Dam 

18 222

Conconully, Washington 

18 223

Fort Colville 

18 224

Fort George 

18 225

Fort Taylor 

18 226

Hunting and Fishing 

18 227

Miscellaneous 

18 228

Miscellaneous Travel Photos of Montana 

18 229

Nespelem River 

18 230

Nespelem, Washington 

18 231

Fort Okanogan 

18 232

Okanogan Area Sites 

18 233

Okanogan City 

18 234

Okanogan High Bridge 

18 235

Okanogan Irrigation Project 

18 236

Okanogan River 

18 237

Okanogan Rodeo 

18 238

Omak, Washington 

18 239

Pendleton Round-Up 

18 240

Prince Rupert, British Columbia 

18 241

Republic, Washington 

18 242

Riverside, Washington 

18 243

Ruby City, Washington 

19 244

Stage Coaches 

19 245

Steamboats 

19 246

Steptoe Battle Site 

19 247

Tonasket, Washington 

19 248

Toppenish Mountain Battle Site 

19 249

Wapato Port Mission 

19 250

Site of Casey, Washington 

19 251

Waterville, Washington 

19 252

Photographs - Portraits 

box folder

Portraits - Women 

19 253

Group Portraits 

19 254

Portraits - Men 

19 255

Couples 

19 256

Family Portraits - Unidentified 

19 257

Horsemen and Women 

19 258

Portraits 

19 259

Famous Individuals 

19 260

Brown Family and Friends 

19 261-263

States 

box folder

Alaska 

20 264

California 

20 265

Mexico 

20 266

Minnesota - Part I 

21 267

Minnesota - Part II - Cyanotypes 

21 268

Montana - Hungry Horse Dam 

21 269

Northwest Sites 

21 270

Postcards - Pacific Northwest 

21 271

Postcards - States, Miscellaneous 

21 272

Puget Sound 

21 273

Spokane - Chinese Photographs 

21 274

States - Miscellaneous 

21 275

States - Miscellaneous - Cyanotypes 

21 276

Vieh, Edna - Photo Collection 

22 277

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Series 10: Scrapbooks 

box folder

Scrapbook 

23 278

Scrapbook 

23 279

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Series 11: Oversize - Map Case 

box folder

Galley Proofs - The Indian Side of The Story undated 

OS 1

Map of the State of Washington - Showing Location of the Colville Indian Reservation. Published by Nespelem Information Bureau, Inc. 1910 

OS 2a

Map of tract of land in the State of Washington where the Hudson Bay Company built Fort Okanogan on the Columbia 1838 

OS 2b

"Men Who Served as Volunteer U.S. Scouts and Couriers." Issued by J.W. Redington 1926 

OS 3a

Plat of Lot 7 Sec. 21 Tp 30N, Rng 25 EWM, Fort Okanogan and Surrounding Area.  undated 

OS 3b

Township 21N, Range 42 EWM/43 EWM, Spokane County, Washington. Copyright Chas F. Metsker undated 

OS 4a

Township 30N, Range 25 EWM, Douglas County/Okanogan County. Copyright by Chas F. Metsker undated 

OS 4b

Township 20N, Range 43 EWM, Whitman County. Copyright by Chas F. Metsker undated 

OS 4c

Fort Okanogan Overlook Proposed Parking Area and Entrance Road. State of Washington Parks and Rec. Commission, Olympia, Washington 1952 

OS 4d

Map of Fort Okanogan - Prepared from Field Notes by Garth.  undated 

OS 5a

The Canadian West. Compiled from the Government Maps. Revised. 1909 January 

OS 5b

Fort Spokane. Compiled by U.S. Department of the Interior undated 

OS 5c

Plan of Col. Steptoe's Battlefield on the Ingossomon Creek. Prepared under the direction of Lieut. John Mullen 1853 

OS 6a

Notice of Property Rights for the State of Minnesota. Crow Wing County. Photocopy 1873 

OS 6b

The Okanogan - Caribou Trail. Published and printed by Edward W. Pulver 1922 

OS 6c

Historical sketch of the Okanogan - Caribou Trail by Wm. C. Brown 1923-1924 

OS 6c

Map of the Salmon River Mines, Washington Territory. Compiled from Official Notes filed in the Office of Charles H. Ballard, U.S. Department of Mines 1888 March 

OS 7a

Washington - Railroad. Published by Rand McNally and Co. 1895 

OS 7b

Map of the Province of British Columbia. Published and Copyrighted by the Dominion Publishing Company, Vancouver British Columbia 1893 

OS 8

Certificates of Recognition for Wm. C. Brown. These awards spanned his entire life. 

OS 9

Album - Collection of Family and Friends for a total of (9) pictures. A directory is included in the front of the album.  

OS 10

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