Multnomah [electronic resource] : the tumultuous story of Oregon's most populous county / Jewel Lansing and Fred Leeson.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The most important vote of the century (February 21, 1974) -- In the beginning (1792- 1854) -- The county's first hanging; early elected officials (1855- 1869) -- A magnificent courthouse, a pauper farm, and a push for consolidation (1864- 1880) -- Coxey's army and eight more hangings (1888- 1903) -- The progressive era, a crusading sheriff, and the county fair begins (1902- 1914) -- D-minus report card, the "king of roads," and a new courthouse (1913- 1922) -- County hospital, the kkk, kickback scandals, and more consolidation proposals (1909- 1927) -- An elegant bridge, a mighty dam, another jail, and World War II (1928-1945) -- Vanport is flooded, a sheriff is recalled, and sheriff Schrunk is put on trial (1946- 1956) -- Parks, roads, and three unrelated tragedies (1946- 1960) -- Commissioners feud, Delta Dome is rejected, and the first woman deputy is hired (1962- 1966) -- Home rule arrives, a sheriff is fired, Rocky Butte prisoners escape (1966- 1973) -- Freeways revisited; city-county consolidation fails (1970- 1974) -- The Don Clark era; charter upended; nursing home closed; metro created (1975- 1979) -- Employees strike, PERS, vote-by-mail, and Rocky Butte Jail closed (1980- 1982) -- The laudable "resolution a," city of Columbia Ridge is rejected, a power struggle at the library, and more charter changes (1983- 1990) -- East County discontent, first all-woman board, and "Willamette County" (1983- 1990) -- The infamous Measure 5, Columbia Gorge battles, and East County efforts to secede (1990- 2001) -- From pioneering women to "mean girls" plus a controversial sheriff (2001- 2009) -- Quo vadis?.

Description based on print version record.