The story of James Monaghan

FORT SPOKANE - James Monaghan was an early pioneer of eastern Washington and one who paved the way for many other pioneers that followed him. He is mentioned in the history of Lincoln County on the county's web site, although most of his accomplishments were outside of the county.

He was born in Ireland in 1840 and went to New York when he was 16 years old. Two years later he came to Washington territory via the isthmus of Panama [The other alternatives would have been overland via the Oregon Trail or by ship around the horn of South America].

This was just five years after the territory was s...