Wagner had out-sized role in early history

This installment is one of the stories about Dr. L.F. Wagner.

The family of Mark Wetjen donated two leases, a business certificate, and a winter jacket once owned by Dr. L.F. Wagner, an early day physician in Harrington, to the Harrington museum. LaFayette F. Wagner, 28, married Ida A. Sierman on August 21, 1907 at Hope, Bonner County, Idaho. Since Dr. L.F. Wagner, formerly of St. John, Washington, had purchased a half interest in the business of Dr. J.M. Gunning, the Wagners moved to Harrington following their marriage, where they continued to reside until Ida’s death in 1951.

“Washington State Board of Pharmacy. This is to certify that L.F. Wagner of St John, Washington has been duly registered as a Pharmacist under an Act relating to Drugs and Medicines, the Licensing of persons to compound, dispense, buy and sell the same in the State of Washington, placing restrictions on the sale of wines, malt and spirituous liquors, defining crimes and misdemeanors and prescribing penalties in cases of violations of the provisions of this Act approved March 14th, 1899. And is therefore entitled to all the privileges granted by said act to persons holding this Certificate for the term ending June 1st, 1907. In Witness where of we hereunto affixed the seal and signatures of the Members of the State Board of Pharmacy this 28th day of February 1907. J.W. McArthur, Pres., Thomas W. Lough, L.L. Tallman. This Certificate must be conspicuously displayed in your place of business or employment. #1399.”

Dr. L.F. Wagner’s medical career was sprinkled with trivial lawsuits and full-blown scandals. As early as 1912, he came under attack. The particulars were not located. “Case Against Physician Fails. (From Spokesman-Review.) A sudden termination to the case in which Fred M. Taylor sought to recover $10,000 damages from Dr. L.F. Wagner, a Harrington physician, because of alleged malpractice, came when Judge F.K.P. Baske dismissed the jury Tuesday afternoon, deciding the case in favor of the doctor. Costs were assessed to the plaintiff.” (Citizen: 6-07-1912)

“Dr. L.F. Wagner, a young physician of Harrington, who appeared before Judge Webster in the superior court yesterday, entered a plea of guilty to a charge of contributing to the delinquency of Freda Woolsburn, was fined $750 and sentenced to serve six months in the county jail. He had been sought by the authorities for several months and surrendered Tuesday.” (Odessa Record: 5-19-1916)

Freda Wolsborn was a daughter of Conrad and Anna (Heimbigner)Wolsborn of Odessa. Her mother died in 1906 and by 1910 her father was in prison at Walla Walla. Other lawsuits were much more trivial, primarily Dr. Wagner trying to retrieve payment for services rendered.

“Judge Refuses New Trial In Estle Case. An order over-ruling the plaintiff’s motion for a new trial in the case of Walter Estle against Dr. L.F. Wagner, Harrington, was signed by Superior Judge W.M. Nevins at Davenport, Tuesday. This case, a damage action, was tried last month and dismissed by the court after the plaintiff’s testimony was completed.” (Citizen: 7-27-1934)

“Dr. and Mrs. L.F. Wagner left last evening for Spokane, and from there Dr. Wagner, accompanied by Dr. J.F. Patrick of Wenatchee, is taking a plane for Rochester, Minn., on telegraphic advice from Dr. Walters of the Mayo Clinic that they prefer the doctor return there until his convalescence is more advanced. Mrs. Wagner entrained on the Empire Builder this morning and will join Dr. Wagner at Rochester.” (Citizen: 8-21-1936)

“Dr. J.F. Patrick, who accompanied Dr. L.F. Wagner to Rochester, Minn. by plane last week, returned to Spokane Monday and from there returned to Wenatchee, his home. He says: ‘Dr. Wagner stood the trip fine and his condition was pronounced satisfactory. They (Mayos) expect to keep him there for a few weeks to put weight on him and for him to gain strength before his return. No more surgery contemplated.” (Citizen: 8-28-1936)

In September of 1936 it was announced that Dr. George V. Oliva, a physician and surgeon of Tacoma and later of Mineral, Washington, had taken up his medical practice in Harrington, occupying the office of Dr. L.F. Wagner. By April 1937, Dr. L.F. Wagner had returned to Harrington and attended the Lincoln County Medical Association which met in “the Harrington office of Dr. George Oliva”, implying that Dr. Wagner had not yet resumed his practice, but was healthy enough to attend meetings.

Dr. and Mrs. Wagner did not have children, but were very involved in their families, having taken in Jennie Wagner, his sister, for several years prior to her marriage to George Krumholz in 1912 at St. Francis of Assissi in Harrington. George was a partner with his brother Frank in a general store, Krumholz Brothers. George and his wife, Jennie moved to Fairmount, Minnesota and Dr. and Mrs. Wagner made trips to visit them, as well as Jennie coming to Harrington to visit her brother. Later the Krumholz family moved to Montana where George died in 1925. Dr. Wagmer’s nieces were quite fond of him and would come for visits from Douglas County, unfortunately, one niece contracted typhoid fever and spent one vacation in bed. Mrs. Wagner enjoyed traveling and made visits to her father as well as enjoying her husband’s education-based trips.

Dr. Wagner was heavily invested in the Harrington Wheat Belt, owning property and leasing it out, much the same as old Dr. Bonney did in the Odessa vicinity. If he saw the opportunity to make money or improve his holdings, he would buy and sell. “Dr. L.F. Wagner recently sold to Bill Ragan his ranch comprising one section of land near Mohler, known as the old Hinshaw place. The consideration was $8,000.” (Citizen: 3-12-1915)

In 1924, Dr. Wagner had 480 acres of wheat near Dick Doggett’s place which Dick said would go from 12 to 15 bushels to the acre. Like farmers of all eras, fire was a relentless enemy. “Fire of undetermined origin destroyed a barn on the L.F. Wagner place one mile west of Harrington Saturday night. Albert Timm, who rents and farms the ranch, was in Ritzville. It contained 70 tons of hay and 27 sets of harness. The loss is estimated at $5,000. The barn was insured for $500. None of the stock was destroyed.” (Odessa Record: 10-02-1925)

“J.H. and Mildred Walker filed suit against Mr. and Mrs. L.F. Wagner, Harrington, alleging that land owned by the plaintiffs was foreclosed by the Prudential Insurance company and that when it was sold at sheriff’s sale Mr. Wagner agreed to purchase it at a price that would give the Walkers $5,800. Instead of that he purchased the land for $4,613 and gave them $100 for a deed, which they accepted. They ask cancellation of the deed, return of the land and an accounting of rents, profit and interest.” (Citizen: 11-05-1936) Resolution of this lawsuit was not located.

“For Sale.—320 acres fine wheat land, five miles from Harrington. Half seeded. $17,000.00; 160 acres three miles from Harrington, all seeded, $8,500; 640 acres two miles from Harrington, 200 acres seeded, $27,000.00. Terms. Dr. L.F. Wagner, owner, Harrington, Wash.” (Odessa Record: 10-07-1937) This land sale followed his long medical leave from his medical practice and preceded the building of their new home. The two donated leases were between L.F. Wagner and Harold Jenkins in 1950 & 1951 for property in Sec 21 Twp 23 R 36 (180 acres), which had previously been leased to Wm. Moeller, that lease expires in Sept 1951; and part of Sec 20 & 21 of Twp 23 R 36 containing 186 acres, and portions of Sec 19 & Sec 20 of Twp 24 Range 37 containing about 228 acres. According to these leases Dr. L.F. Wagner was to receive 2/5 of the grain raised in the fields.

“Work Started on Wagner Residence. The contract for a new house for Dr. and Mrs. L.F. Wagner has been awarded to Klopher Brothers of Spokane who started work on the building Monday morning. The new house is to be a one-story structure of wood, with a full basement. There will be five rooms and a utility room; hard wood floors, and a fireplace; it will be air conditioned. E.J. Peterson of Spokane is architect. All of the interior details have not been completed, but the woodwork will be Philippine mahogany. A new garage will be built at the east side of the property. When the construction work is completed, the grounds will be graded and reseeded to lawn; a concrete retaining wall will be built at west edge of the grounds, and an automatic sprinkling system will be a part of the new yard. The house that was razed to make place for the new one, was built 41 to 42 years ago by Dr Setters, was sold to Dr. J.M. Gunning, and then in 1907 to Dr. L.F. Wagner. The new house is expected to be ready for occupancy in about two months, Dr. Wagner says.” (Citizen: 8-01-1941) This then became their home which Ida enjoyed until her death in 1951. Dr. Wagner retired in 1966 and moved to Spokane where he died in 1975 at the age of 96. They were buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Spokane. Dr. Wagner consistently tried to increase his learning and credentials, having traveled to Budapest, Vienna in 1931 for studies, and to New York for post- graduate work.