The Redmond Recorder

REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2017 • VOL. 19 • NO. 10

Every town has a history. Discover ours.

Saturday Speaker Series

Saturday, November 11, 2017, 10:30am – noon
Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center
16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA

Verona: The Story

of the Everett Massacre

On November 5th, 1916, 250 Wobblies aboard the steamer Verona were
met at the Everett City Dock by Sheriff Don McRae and 140 deputies.
The Wobblies were members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
When the shooting stopped, five men were dead, two were dying, and
dozens were wounded. How did they get to this point? Using primary
sources, expert analysis, and archival materials, documentary filmmaker
Denise Ohio explores the killing, the cause, and the characters in this
long-forgotten labor conflict. Ohio’s interest in the Everett Massacre
began in 2000 and resulted in a film called VERONA: The Story of the
Everett Massacre. This feature documentary received a William F. Brown
Award for historic preservation. See story on p. 4.

Every town has a history. Discover ours. • November 2017

 2017
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Joe Townsend • President
Mary I. Hanson • Senior Vice President
John Oftebro • Vice President Finance
Halee Turner • Vice President Collections
Indrani Bandyopadhyay • Acting Secretary
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Judith Simpson
Sharon Brocker
Indira Krishnaswami
Debra Pelletier
ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER •
Indrani Bandyopadhyay
ATTORNEY • Charles Diesen
Our finances are public record and may
be viewed at the office.
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THE REDMOND RECORDER
is published nine times annually.
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Laura Lee Bennett
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Teresa Potter - Urban Dakota Creative
redmondhistoricalsociety.org
PHONE 425.885.2919
WEBSITE redmondhistoricalsociety.org
EMAIL info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org
HOURS Monday, Tuesday, and Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
November 2017 • Every town has a history. Discover ours.
Society News
Welcome, new volunteers!
Breepthi Remani, IT Committee
Chair, and Bridene Fisher,
Collections Committee. Welcome
back, Halee Turner, former staff
member who returns as Vice
President, Collections Management.
Read about the women who helped
to build Redmond, p. 6.
The Society remembers Pierre
Bruneau, whose family owned and
operated the Skyline Chicken Ranch
in Redmond. See p.7.
Coldwell Banker
Bain real estate
broker Bliss Ong
has formed a unique partnership
with the Redmond Historical Society
in an effort to help raise money for
the Society. Coldwell Banker Bain
will give 10% back to support the
Redmond Historical Society when you
or someone you refer is looking to
buy or sell property. Coldwell Banker
Bain established its Community
Partnership program as a way for
the company and its brokers to
give back to the organizations that
are committed to the welfare of our
communities, For more information,
contact Bliss Ong at 425.445.8006,
or call the Society Office at
425.885.2919.
 President’s Notebook
Thank You, Stakeholders
By Joe Townsend
As I write this,
my colorful
maple leaves
are falling.
It’s the time
of year we
give thanks
to those who
drive the
continued
success of the Redmond Historical
Society’ our stakeholders.
We recognized the contributions
of more than 86 volunteers at
the June picnic, and again in the
August newsletter. Please join
me in thanking all our volunteers
at every opportunity. It’s the
volunteers who bring Redmond
history to the community.
No one has a greater stake in
the Society than our volunteer
Board of Directors. Thank you.
We appreciate your talents, your
energy, and your time. Thank
you all, named elsewhere in
this newsletter. Thank you to
our newest volunteers: Aashna
Tiruvallur, Membership Chair;
Breepthi Remani, IT Committee
Chair; and Bridene Fisher,
Collections Committee.
We see the auditorium bursting
with Saturday Speaker Series
attendees six times a year. Thank
you for demonstrating the depth
of community interest in local,
regional, and statewide history.
You make the Society relevant.
Every town has a history. Discover ours. • November 2017
Thank you for subscribing to and
reading this newsletter. From this
group of stakeholders we find our
members, volunteers, donors, and
community supporters. Thank you
for helping to steward Redmond’s
unique history.
Thank you, Indrani
Bandyopadhyay, our new
Administrative Manager, for
working to make the organization
click. Thank you Halee Turner,
for volunteering as Vice President,
Collections Management.
Thank you Laura Lee Bennett
for editing our newsletter, and
thank you Teresa Potter for
your elegant layouts and graphic
design.
Thank you, Tom Hitzroth, for
your contributions: walking tours,
Collections Committee, articles on
local history, and proofreading the
newsletter.
Stakeholders also come in the
form of donors—endowment
contributors, Lifetime Members,
Major Sponsors. Sponsor logos
are shown on the mailing panel of
this newsletter.
Stakeholders are also found in
government. Thank you, City of
Redmond, for support through
various channels. Thank you,
4Culture of King County, for
honoring our grant applications.
 Saturday Speaker Series
Filmmaker to Discuss Logging, Labor
and the 1916 Everett Massacre
Documentary filmmaker
Denise Ohio
Like most people, Denise Ohio
had never heard of the Northwest's
bloodiest labor battle: the 1916
clash in Everett that left seven men
dead and dozens wounded when
sheriff's deputies fired on 250
members of the Industrial Workers
of the World. As she learned more,
the Monroe filmmaker became
fascinated by the fact that people
who should have been on the
same side were turned against one
another.
What had started as a strike
between Everett’s shingle weavers
union and logging mill owners
turned into a free-speech battle
between the IWW and Sheriff
Donald McRae, a man elected
twice with labor's support. The
violence escalated when IWW
members aboard the steamship
November 2017 • Every town has a history. Discover ours.
VERONA were confronted at
Everett's port by McRae and
his men. Besides the dead and
wounded, Everett was torn in half
and the shingle weavers union
was destroyed.
A century later, the conflict's core
values are still relevant.
"We continue to debate issues
of civil rights versus security,
economic opportunity versus
economic exploitation, and
equality before the law," Ohio
says. "The arguments people were
having on the streets of Everett in
1916 were fundamental concepts
of what it means to participate fully
and equally in American society.
We continue these debates today
and continue to see when those
who have nothing defy those who
have everything."
For Ohio, the biggest takeaway
from her research was learning
"how courageous ordinary people
could be on behalf of the rights
of others. Townspeople joined
members of the IWW to stand
up for the right of free speech,
freedom of association, and
freedom of assembly and they
spoke up knowing they risked
losing their jobs or getting jailed
or beaten because it was the right
thing to do."

Spreading the Word about Redmond’s
Rich History and Heritage
The Redmond Historical Society
is committed to serving the
community through stewardship:
collecting, preserving, and sharing
Redmond’s unique heritage. Your
membership donation shows you
feel the same way.  Historical Society shop.
First, we’d like to extend a hearty
Thank you for this support, and
to confirm your membership
will continue through the end of
December 2017. Second, we’d like
to make sure you’re aware of your
member benefits.
The Historical Society offers
memberships at several donation
levels. Each level comes with a
package of benefits, and we’re
always looking to add more.
Membership means you enjoy our
activities, including:
• Saturday Speaker Series—
admission is free to members,
while we suggest a $5
donation from non-members.
Topics range from local and
state to regional historic
interest. We are producing
six speaker programs in the
2017–2018 season.
• Annual summer picnic at
Perrigo Park in June—food,
and entertainment.
Every town has a history. Discover ours. • November 2017
Society News
• Invitation to visit our Redmond
Historical Society office, which
houses an extensive collection
of artifacts of historical interest.
• 10% discount at the Redmond
Redmond-related books and
gifts for all occasions are for
sale in our office. (Please
check our website for office
hours before you visit.)
• Our website—great resource
for information about
Redmond’s history and
Society activities.
• This monthly newsletter, The
Redmond Recorder, with
news of upcoming events and
stories of Redmond’s past.
If you’d like to renew for 2018 as
well, of course we’d love you to
join us!
Thank you once again and on
behalf of the society, we look
forward to working together to
strengthen the Historical Society
and spread the word about the
history and heritage the city of
Redmond holds. 
—Aashna Tiruvallur,
Membership Chair
 Local History
Don’t Forget the Ladies
By Tom Hitzroth
As a rule, I don’t repeat previous
newsletter articles. However, I am
repeating this one from November,
2014, to emphasize the important
contribution of women in building
Redmond.
In 2011, while preparing for my
first tour of the Redmond Pioneer
Cemetery I noticed something that
struck me and I am sorry to say had
escaped my notice. Next to nearly
all of the familiar people I would be
talking about was a wife. We know
of Emma McRedmond White,
postmistress at sixteen, wife of Justice
White, and proprietor of the Hotel
Redmond. Anna McRedmond Smith,
first white child born in Redmond,
and proprietor of the boarding house
west of the Hotel Redmond. We
may remember one or two other
women who are memorialized for
their own works but how many know
of Elizabeth Tosh wife of John
Tosh, Elizabeth Tosh wife of Adam
Tosh, Laura Brown, Addie Reed,
Mary Stensland, Anna Graff, Lottie
Huffman, Rhoda Faulds, Lorina
Durkoop, and the list goes on. All
these women typify the adage “Behind
every man is a good woman.” Sadly
this phrase has become more a cliché
today than an appreciation of reality.
We tend to focus on the
accomplishments of the men who
made Redmond and often overlook,
undervalue, or underappreciate the
contribution the women made to
their success. Bill Brown was mayor
for nearly 30 years and a county
November 2017 • Every town has a history. Discover ours.
commissioner, but how well would he
have accomplished it without Laura?
When John and Adam Tosh were away
working at the Newcastle mines, who
managed the land while they were
away? Who was the social core of the
town? Who did the heavy lifting behind
the scenes that made progress in the
early days of Redmond successful?
Who often tended the sick, built the
first library, organized and oversaw
community social gatherings, and who
made the sacrifices and managed
the family without complaining? The
women.
While we shouldn’t minimize the role
the men played in building Redmond
into what it has become; the point is
they didn’t do it alone. The women did
as much to build Redmond as the men
we remember today, and they provided
the support needed for the men and
the community to become successful.
They need to be recognized for the
crucial role they played then and are
still doing today in so many important
ways.
John and Elizabeth Tosh.
Mrs. Tosh passed away in 1903.
Photo: Eastside Heritage Center

In Memoriam
Pierre Edmond Bruneau
1930-2017
Pierre Bruneau, a longtime friend
to the Society and a Lifetime member,
passed away on August 29, 2017.
Pierre moved cross-country many
times growing up. Born in Wenatchee,
he also lived in Milwaukee, Chicago,
Seattle, Silverdale. His family finally
settled in Redmond when his parents
purchased a defunct chicken farm
and established the Skyline Chicken
Ranch. Pierre attended Central
Kitsap High School in Silverdale,
Nathan Hale High School in
Milwaukee, Lincoln High School in
Seattle and finally, Lake Washington
High School in Kirkland.
Pierre and his wife “Bernie” had
two children and are survived
by Edmond Bruneau and
Renee (Bruneau) Colleran, five
grandchildren, and four great-
grandchildren. Pierre enlisted in the
Naval Reserve in 1947 and served
his country a total of 12 years. He
was a submariner and proud of his
military contribution. He developed
his upholstery skills at Lynch
Furniture in Seattle, worked for
Boeing—earning numerous awards
and accolades—sold and repaired
Every town has a history. Discover ours. • November 2017
Society News
mimeograph machines for Olympic
Distributors, began his own firm,
Bruneau Upholstery, and finally
returned to Boeing where he
retired as a senior supervisor.
Pierre donated several artifacts
to the Society from his family’s
business in order to help
document the many poultry
ranches that once dotted the area.
Most notably, he donated Skyline
Poultry Ranch’s “Eggomatic”―an
automated egg cleaner, grader,
and candler. The investment in
this “high-tech” machine made it
possible for the family of four to
manage a farm of around 5,000
laying hens without outside help.
As a participant in the recent effort
by the Society to document the
history of the poultry industry in
Redmond, Pierre gave generously
of his time and knowledge. 
Although Pierre struggled with his
health in recent years, he regularly
attended the Society’s Saturday
Speaker Series and eagerly
shared rope tricks from his days
as an accomplished magician. He
will be missed by many.
 Society News

EXTRA!
EXTRA!
Read all
about it!

Are you interested in past editions of the Sammamish Valley News?

Visit the Redmond Historical Society's fully searchable, digital archive at
http://rhs.stparchive.com. Editions in this collection date as far back
as 1946. And, thanks to generous support from 4Culture and Small
Town Papers, the Society has recently added digitized copies of the
Samammish Valley News from 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974!

Welcome, New IT Committee Chair

Breepthi Babu
Remani grew
up in India and
completed her
Engineering
degree,
graduating
from Calicut
University, India, in 2012. Before
relocating to Redmond in 2014,
she worked as an IT professional
in a leading multinational
company, Quest Global Services,
developing and testing digital
transportation dashboards for
clients in Japan and the UK.
Since her college days, Breepthi
has been passionate about
technology and is currently
pursuing a course in SDET
(Software Development Engineer
in Test) at Bellevue College in
Bellevue, Washington. She wants
to use these skills to contribute
to society, and that's what led her
to join the IT committee of the
Redmond Historical Society.

November 2017 • Every town has a history. Discover ours.

 Order
Now
Redmond
Reflections Book
$15 (INCLUDES TAX)*

SHIPPING & HANDLING: Please add $10.00 shipping & handling surcharge
for any order that you would like mailed.

ORDERING INFO*:
NAME____________________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER_____________________

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SHIPPING INFO:
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NOTE: REDMOND REFLECTIONS is also available at the Redmond Historical Society

OFFICE at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. (Hours of operation on page 2.)

Great Gift Ideas for History Lovers

Need something special for someone who appreciates our history?
These are available at our Society office:
BOOKS POSTCARDS
of historical photos
MAGNETS
featuring artwork
by Patti Simpson Ward
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
REDMOND WALKING GUIDE
The Redmond Historical Society’s
updated Historic Downtown Walking
Guide. Suggested donation is $8.

OUR TOWN, REDMOND

History of Redmond This painting of Marymoor Park, Flying Kites
at the Clise Mansion, is the work of fine artist
by Nancy Way. Patti Simpson Ward.
$12 (includes tax)
Visit her website to see more images of
Eastside settings— pattisimpsonward.com.

Every town has a history. Discover ours. • November 2017

 Society News

Huge Historic Thank Yous

Many thanks to our Saturday Speaker Series volunteers for their
generous donation of time and effort to ensure a smooth program day:
• Press release – Miguel Llanos
• Chairs setup – Tom Hansen
• Door greeters – Silvia Bernauer and John Couch
• Coffee – Judy Lang
• Baked goods – Bliss Ong
• AV – David Rossiter
• Setup and cleanup, signage, lights, intros – Saturday Speaker
program committee: Mary Hanson, Sherry Stilin, Bliss Ong, and
Julianne Rossiter
Many thanks to our Saturday Market volunteers: Cheryl and Gene
Magnuson, Aarthi Kingsley, Dean Jowers, Tom Hansen, Bridene
Fisher, Don Watts, and Mary Hanson.

Our Society Lifetime Members

Sharon Freeman, Ballisty Judy Aries Lang Frederick Springsteel
Pierre Bruneau Miguel Angel Llanos Beryl Standley
Marjorie Costello Jon M. Magnussen John C. Stilin
John Couch Dorothy Matsui Sherry B. Stilin
Cory de Jong Allison Francis Reed Fred Stray
Betty L. Emmanuel Morris Larry O. Sundholm
Tony Emmanuel Edward O’Brien Subhadra Terhanian
Frank Garbarino John Oftebro Doris Townsend
Madeleine Roberts Hagen Dale Potter Joe Townsend
Wayne Hansen Jo Ann Potter Roger Trepanier
Mary Hanson Bobbie Graep Rettig Arlyn Bjerke Vallene
Jerry Hardy Vivian Robinson Patti Simpson Ward
Chris Himes Laurie M. Rockenbeck Donald Glennister Watts
Rosemarie Ives Margy U. Rockenbeck Joanne Westlund
Patricia Weiss Jovag William Rockenbeck James Windle
Barbara Weiss Joyce Doris Bauer Schaible
Allen Lang Dick Shinstrom

A full listing of lifetime members, both current and in memoriam,

is available at redmondhistoricalsociety.org

November 2017 • Every town has a history. Discover ours.

 Membership

Join
Redmond Historical Society
Every town has a history. Discover ours.

CONSIDER A GIFT MEMBERSHIP FOR A FAVORITE HISTORY BUFF.

LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP (Check one only.)

$5.00 _____ TRAILBLAZER (Student)
$25.00 _____ PIONEER (Individual)
$40.00 _____ HOMESTEADER (Family)
$200.00 _____ ENTREPRENEUR (Supporter)
$250.00 _____ CORPORATE (Business)

$1,000.00 _____ HISTORY MAKER (Lifetime)
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Fill out the form below, cut out and mail with your check to:
Redmond Historical Society
Attn: Membership
ORSCC, Room 106
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16600 NE 80th Street Now!
Redmond, WA 98052
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Every town has a history. Discover ours. • November 2017

 November 2017 • Every town has a history. Discover ours.
Redmond Historical Society
16600 NE 80th Street, Room 106
Redmond, WA 98052
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