Uploaded May 2017 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Washington Territory was established in 1858 and did not become a state until 1889. This is a very brief history of the early years of the territory. Washington's first governor, Isaac Stevens, may appear to be the villain of this story, but the treaties he negotiated with the native people are still in force today and he did accomplish some very important things for the state. His treatment and dealings concerning the native people were considered progressive in his day and in line with the ideas of most other government officials.
Stevens was shot and killed in battle during the Civil War while leading his men into a charge against Confederate forces.
Jessie and John Fremont were happily married for many years. John died in New York in 1890 at the age of 77. One year after her husband's death Jessie moved to Los Angeles, CA where she lived until the age of 78 where she died in 1924 after an accident left her an invalid.
Jessie was an amazing woman and led an exciting life. Her biography reads like a novel and is well worth the time. Their love story was made into a TV mini series in the '80s. While the producers took liberties with the facts it is worthwhile viewing. The series was called "Dream West" and starred Richard Chamberlain as John.
MUSIC
Navajo Night by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: audionautix.com
OTHER STUFF
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leschi_(Native_American_leader)
forejustice.org/wc/chief_leschi/chief_leschi.htm
http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu/masc/masctour/washingtonterritory/index.html
civilwarwomenblog.com/jessie-benton-fremont
senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/Featured_Bio_Benton.htm
britannica.com/biography/John-C-Fremont
amazon.com/Jessie-Benton-Fremont-Pamela-Herr/dp/0806121599/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_4?ie
mynorthwest.com/381266/remembering-first-governor-stevens
nisqually-nsn.gov
Washington Territory was established in 1858 and did not become a state until 1889. This is a very brief history of the early years of the territory. Washington's first governor, Isaac Stevens, may appear to be the villain of this story, but the treaties he negotiated with the native people are still in force today and he did accomplish some very important things for the state. His treatment and dealings concerning the native people were considered progressive in his day and in line with the ideas of most other government officials.
Stevens was shot and killed in battle during the Civil War while leading his men into a charge against Confederate forces.
Jessie and John Fremont were happily married for many years. John died in New York in 1890 at the age of 77. One year after her husband's death Jessie moved to Los Angeles, CA where she lived until the age of 78 where she died in 1924 after an accident left her an invalid.
Jessie was an amazing woman and led an exciting life. Her biography reads like a novel and is well worth the time. Their love story was made into a TV mini series in the '80s. While the producers took liberties with the facts it is worthwhile viewing. The series was called "Dream West" and starred Richard Chamberlain as John.
MUSIC
Navajo Night by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Artist: audionautix.com
OTHER STUFF
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leschi_(Native_American_leader)
forejustice.org/wc/chief_leschi/chief_leschi.htm
http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu/masc/masctour/washingtonterritory/index.html
civilwarwomenblog.com/jessie-benton-fremont
senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/Featured_Bio_Benton.htm
britannica.com/biography/John-C-Fremont
amazon.com/Jessie-Benton-Fremont-Pamela-Herr/dp/0806121599/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_4?ie
mynorthwest.com/381266/remembering-first-governor-stevens
nisqually-nsn.gov
