1885
The Peoria Daily Freeman newspaper gave this opinion of Washington:
We found it a very thriving, energetic city, one that had been weighed down and almost ruined in a journalistic way by the old fogy sheets of the central city. Notwithstanding this the democratic portion of Washington gave us a kindly reception by taking the Freeman to a man, which gives it the largest circulation of any of our Tom Dick and Harry so-called rivals. In population this city has upwards of two thousand and five hundred, has splendid railroad facilities in the T., P. & W., C. & A., and the C., P. & S. W. It has two flourishing banks, the Danforth and Denhart; a splendid hotel, the New Sherman House; a live paper, in the Weekly News; while the public schools are all that could be desired, and churches abound in every portion of the city making it a very desirable place in which to live and do business. This city is noted for its many elegant private residences, among which may be mentioned the spacious homes of Henry Denhart, A. G. Danforth, A. H. Danforth, C. E. Anthony; W. B. Yale, Cress Bros., Lewis Holland, M. Gove, D. J. Chaffer, E. E. Heiple, Benj. Tobias and others which equal those of any in Peoria. The famous country hereabouts is unsurpassed, while the soil never produced richer harvest than this year. Among the live men we met may be mentioned, W. B. Yale mayor pro tem, a democrat of the staunchest dye, but a believer in the Cleveland idea; J. W. Doughterty, city attorney, is a Cleveland democrat—he is one of the oldest and most respected citizens; Benjamin Tobias, is also one of the leaders of democracy and will be the coming postmaster. Dr. E. F. Wood is an old timer having been here over forty years, and whose standing is one that any man might envy. A. A. Alphonso is a leading pharmacist, he also carries pianos and musical instruments on the second floor. The pride of Washington’s business firms is Messrs. Heiple & Portman, great dealers in dry goods, clothing and notions, whose stock is so large as to make them active competitors of any firm in Central Illinois. F. Waxberg keeps one of the leading restaurants, and enjoys a liberal patronage and in addition keeps boarders and lodgers. Zaneis & Miller hold the fort in all lines of furniture and undertaking goods. Mr. Zaneis is an old timer having been here since 1854. A L. Barnard has one of the leading confectionary and cigar stores, also a well kept restaurant during the busy season. He is having a large run of business as he is one of the live wide awake young men. C. C. Holland is the leading tonsorial artist, whose style and knowledge of his art gives him a wide patronage. Wm. Witte has the old time restaurant and bakery which for neatness and quality of goods is excelled by none. J. C. Tobias conducts an extensive manufactory of wagons and carriages, which on account of their excellence in workmanship have a ready sale far and wide. Wm. Ieuter and Frank Fisher conduct the most popular sample rooms where many a thirsty Peorian invigorates life anew. The most pleasing places we visited were Melbourne and North Hill farms, where some of the finest bred trotting and pure blooded draft horses may be seen this side of the Atlantic.
Wolf hunts were very popular in Washington in 1885, with teams of men heading out to the woods west of town to set to eliminate the species.