| Notes |
- 1920 Federal Census of Washtucna, Adams County, Washington (3 Jan 1920)
Leon L. Bassett 44 M WA TN TN Head Manager ??? Store
Clemma 43 F MO WA MO Wife
Robert H. 16 M MO WA MO Son
Esther C. 16 F MO WA MO Daughter
Louise L. 14 F MO WA MO Daughter
Gertrude 12 F MO WA MO Daughter
Sara Hale (Wd) 83 F TN TN TN MotherL
BACK FROM THE FROZEN NORTH
Return from the Alaska Gold Fields (early 1900's): Mayor L.L. Bassett
and E.A. Dinsmore, president and vice-president of the Culross Island Mining
and Milling Company returned from Alaska Monday on the steamship Alamed
While at Valdez they chartered a launch to take them to the company's property
on Culross Island, a distance of seventy miles from the mainland. Although
greatly hampered by ten feet of snow at tide-water (which is exceptional at
this time of year) they managed to get into the mouth of the tunnel and
examined the lead from point of discovery to the face, a distance of 245 feet.
They brought home some very fine specimens of ore taken from this lead. Mayor
Bassett states that mining in the "land of the midnight sun" has been at a
standstill due to the fact that the exodus of all classes of miners to the
States, drawn by the high wages in the ship yards, and other contingencies due
to the war.
Now that the war is over, the boats going north are crowded and
reservations must be made weeks in advance. This year will mark the resumption
of that great activity in mining for which Alaska is noted. It is the aim of
the Culross Island Mining and Milling Company to continue the development work
as rapidly as possible. The main object of the trip north was to inspect the
titles and to bring them down to date, which gives company nine claims,
consisting of about 180 acres. Mayor Bassett returned with a slight cold which
he contracted in the frozen north, otherwise he is feeling fine and says he
gained two pounds in weight during the trip. Mr. Dinsmore went Mayor Bassett
"one better" by gaining three pounds. He says that he was just beginning to
"fatten up" when he got off the boat and if he had remained on the water a
month longer he would have made Same Glenn turn green with envy.
A History of The State of Washington
Volume III 1937, by Lloyd Spencer
Linn L. Bassett - In attaining distinction as one of the most
prominent and successful merchants, stockraisers and civic leaders of Adams
County, Linn L. Bassett, resident of Washtucna now retired, emulated the
illustrious career of his distinguished father, listed as one of the earliest
and most widely known pioneers of this section, where he resided for over half
a century. As one of the most influential figures of this part of the State,
Mr. Bassett has been called upon to serve in several important and responsible
public offices, including that of mayor of Washtucna, a post held by his
father and now occupied by his son, making the third generation of this family
to hold this office.
Linn L. Bassett was born in the city of Walla Walla in 1875, the son
of George W. and Alice C. (Lancaster) Bassett, who were of English-Welsh
descent. His father, who was born in the State of Iowa in 1845, and died in
Washtucna in 1928, struck out for the Far West by ox-team during the early
eighteen-sixties, and originally settled in Montana, where he work
freighter, operating between the aforementioned State, the city of Walla Walla
and Idaho until 1879, when he came to what is now Washtucna, took over a
preemption claim and entered the stock business. One of the interesting events
that transpired during this time was the offer he received to take over the
land that now forms the site of the city of Spokane. He declined explaining
that the territory in question did not appear to be good cattle land. T
elder Bassett was the founder of Washtucna, served as mayor, was postmaster
and ranked as one of the earliest merchants here. In this connection he
founded a hardware and implement business in 1901, which he conducted until
his retirement about 1910. Though he gave up mercantile pursuits at this time
he still retained an active interest in stock-raising and engaged in this work
until 1919. In public life he not only served as mayor and postmaster of
Washtucna but also was named a member of the State Legislature, was a member
of the board of county commissioners for several terms and during one campaign
was chosen presidential elector. He fraternized with the Masonic Order, was a
Republican in politics and worshipped at the United Presbyterian Churc
Mr. Bassett's early education was under the expert tutelage of his
devoted mother. School facilities had not yet been developed in this section
and the young boy was to master rudimentary subjects at home. Later, however,
a small school was organized at a farm located on Rattlesnake Flats. Mr.
Bassett and his sister rode horseback to and from this pioneer institution
until a small school was established about three miles from the present site
of Washtucna. He attended Whitman College. As a young man, Mr. Bassett became
interested in teaching and originally served in this capacity, acting as an
instructor for one term. At the expiration of this period he attended business
college in Portland, Oregon, and then became associated with his father in the
hardware and implement business and eventually acquired the store, taki
possession in 1910. At this time he formed a business partnership with Fred
McKissick, who he bought out a few years later. Mr. Bassett continued to
manage this firm and his wheat ranch until 1932, when he retired and turned
the establishment over to his son. Like his father, Mr. Bassett has
consistently supported the Republican party and is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He worships at the
United Presbyterian Church. The keen interest he has manifested in the civic
and political affairs of his surroundings led to his election as may
Washtucna, an office in which he served for many years and which is now
occupied by his son.
In 1901 Mr. Bassett married Mary C. Haile, who passed away in 1932.
They were the parents of four children: 1-2 Robert H. and Esther H., twins,
born in managing the business founded by his father, was graduated from the
Washington State College with the class of 1927. After completing his studies
he engaged in mining for one year in the State of Idaho. He then went to Los
Angeles, California, where he was associated with the Pacific Manifolding Book
Company as assistant sales manager, continuing here until 1932, when he
returned to take over the hardware and implement business in Washtucna. He is
a member of the Community Commercial Club and during his college days belonged
to the Theta Chi, social fraternity, and Sigma Delta Chi, honorary journalism
fraternity, and was a member of the Crimson Circle, honorary campus society.
2. Esther H. Bassett attended Otis Art School in Los Angeles before she was
called home, on the death of her mother, to keep house for her father, as she
is now doing. 3. Gertrude J., born in 1905, now married to L.A. Bury,
assistant graduate manager at the Wasington State College. 4. Louise L., a
teacher in the local high school. All of the children attended the Washington
State College, and are members of Zeta Tau Sorority.
FUNERAL HELD FOR BASSETT, SPOKESMAN REVIEW, August 31, 1954
Washtucna Man, Early Pioneer
Funeral services were held here Tuesday morning for Linn Lancaster
Bassett, 79, Adams County pioneer and one of Washtucna's most beloved
citizens.
Bassett died Saturday morning at the Adams County Memorial hospital
following a long illness. Bassett's father, George W. Bassett, was the first
white man to settle on the present site of Washtucna. His son, Linn, was three
years old when the family, attracted by the region's mild climate and three
springs of soft water, moved there in 1878. Russell Booher officiated over
the services for this early-day resident whose childhood home had served as an
informal way station for travelers on the old Mullan military road. Burial was
Tuesday afternoon in the Mountain View cemetery at Walla Wall
Born July 1875, at Walla Walla, Bassett grew up on his father's place
at Washtucna where he ranched for many years and later established the
Washtucna Hardware Company. He served as Washtucna's mayor in the early 1900's
and was a member of the Modern Woodman and Rimrock Grange. Bassett was married
to Mary Clemantine Haile on July 17, 1902, at Cunningham. His wife preceded
him in death in 1931. Bassett also was a charter member of the Washtucna
Community church, serving as a church officer ever since he joined in 1901. He
was an elder of the church at the time of his death.
Survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Loyd Bury of Pullman, Mrs. Bert
Burkland of Kelso, Miss Esther Bassett of Washtucna; one son, Lt. Robert A.
Bassett with the Air Force at Sacramento; a brother, C.S. Bassett of Pullman;
a sister, Alice G. Bassett of Ritzville and two grandchildren. During t
morning services, Mrs. Don Sperline sang "The Lord's Prayer" and "The Lord is
My Shepherd." Active pall bearers at the funeral were Walter and Delbert
Gildersleeve, both of Baker, Ore.; Sherman McGregor of Hooper; and C.R.
Morrison, John Gray and L.R. Sutton, all of Washtucna. Honorary pall bearers
were Dr. J.W. Sherfey of Spokane, H.F. Bachman of Ellensburg, Everett Kiehn of
Ritzville, and Kenneth Day, Earl Snyder, Frank Daugherty, Walter Little, Paul
Helme, W.E. Delano, Mason Ray and James Woodyard, all of Washtucna. It was
reported some local residents have contributed money towards purchasi
church pulpit as a memorial to Bassett. "Father of Washtucna" had lived in the
area for 76 years.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1875 - 1954 (79 years)