Author Talk "Cashup Davis: The Inspiring Life of a Secret Mentor"

Veteran journalist and author Jeff Burnside visits ACL to discuss an eccentric and perhaps forgotten regional homesteader.

One of Washington’s first “celebrity pioneers” known across America in the 1880’s was Cashup Davis, the man who became obsessed with building a grand hotel atop Steptoe Butte. When it opened against all odds on July 4, 1888, even the New York newspapers raved.

Meticulously researched, the book Cashup Davis: The Inspiring Life of a Secret Mentor recounts this amazing story of the forgotten homesteader in vivid detail. Indeed, the book reveals questions relevant today: “How do you define success?” “ What will be your legacy?” “Do you chase your dreams?” Cashup taught the Palouse he could build his hotel – and he’s still teaching us lessons today.

Lead author Jeff Burnside is a nationally acclaimed investigative journalist and co-author Gordy Davis is Cashup’s great grandson. Both are WSU grads.