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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., February 9, 1911, page 1

TALK ABOUT DIVISION

A meeting was called in the council chambers on Tuesday evening this week for the purpose of discussing the proposed county division. W.D. Gordon was appointed chairman of the meeting, who named Rob Ballou secretary. The situation was discussed at length, remarks being made by Attorney N.B Brooks, and others. It seems that our neighbors at White Salmon have lost no time with their petitions and have really secured a great number of names, possibly the majority in the district proposed for the new county. While these names are said to be principally transient people, who are not invested heavily, to any great extent, there is a decided movement, or agitation for a split in Klickitat in that district.
At the present time a division is entirely uncalled for. The total population of Klickitat is something like 10,000, which allowing the five names to a family, which give us approximately 2000 families scattered all over one of the largest counties in the state. The idea is unstaple in the prime factor of taxation. A division at this time will necessitate a considerable increase of taxes for both the old and the new county. The western part, which is proposed to be sliced from the main part, consists of rich taxable property as to such an extent as to injure the remainder of the county. The matter should be left as it until we are more densely populated and have secured a greater valuation for our lands.
The measure is by no means unanimous even in the limits of the proposed new county. Mr. Ed O'Neal, who holds property in that district addressed those present at the meeting and stated that the names on the petition are not representative, and that there is dissatisfaction among the residents. There is no question but what White Salmon will attempt to secure the county seat, which will not set well with Lyle and people in the Wahkaikus-Lyle vicinity.
Attorneys E.C. Ward and Senator Presby are at present in Olympia, and up to this time there has been no bill presented for the creation of such a new county. Should the measure be brought up, the people of all of Klickitat will be given an opportunity to express themselves on the subject either in petition or remonstrance. An opportunity to bring the matter before the people by direct vote is also essential for it is the people who will be benefited either by the change or under the present county boundaries, and they are the ones who by all means should have an active voice in the matter. This is another case where anything like political aspirations, interests or the promotion realities, should take absolutely no part.
A committee of N.B. Brooks, N.L. Ward and Dr. Collins were appointed to further investigate the matter, before the meeting was adjourned.