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Old newspapers, pinned to the places they wrote about — the streets you can still walk today.
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A former minister exposes systemic abuse and torture at the territorial hospital for the insane.
“The tax payers of Washington Territory have a right to know of the dark and dreadful scenes that I have witnessed—the beating of patients, for no just cause.”
A mess-tent quarrel between two young soldiers ended with Private Thomas Vandiver shot through the body and Private Frederick Stubbs in the county jail, claiming self-defense.
“Stubbs claims that he feared violence at the hands of Vandiver and shot him with a 30-30 Krag-Jorgenson in self-defense.”
War Department designates Tacoma site as concentration camp for new national army training.
“It is not an army that we must shape and train for war; it is a nation.”
A state official dies suddenly at the Fort Steilacoom asylum, sparking local rumors and questions about the workplace environment.
“Why, your face is all covered with blood. Your nose is bleeding and your face is bloody.”
After an asylum superintendent told the public that a grieving family had accepted the official account, the parents of A. Shadle wrote to the Post-Intelligencer to say they believed their son was poisoned — and that nothing had changed.
“We wish that we could be reconciled and believe as Dr. Waughop claims, but circumstances and investigations point too strong to give us a shadow for a doubt.”
A schoolhouse in Lakenew was destroyed by an act of suspected arson, following heated community disputes over moving the building into town.
“The question of whether this relocation should take place or not had been a bone of contention, and some, it is suspected, thought to restore the disturbing element of the body politic in that district by fire, and they did it.”
Washington's citizen-soldiers spar over the location of their permanent training grounds and the pride of hosting a Fourth of July parade.
“It is impossible to open a new camp for the National Guard of Washington without filling friction. It is very trying to start in fresh each encampment.”
The sudden passing of Colonel F. E. Trotter, instructor of the Washington National Guard, leaves the militia camp in mourning and suspends all training exercises.
“The camp tonight is as quiet as the grave in honor of an officer whom the guardsmen thought the world of.”
A local fisherman reports an unsettling encounter with a mysterious pair living in a remote log cabin, sparking fears for a missing Tacoma girl.
“The appearance and general makeup of the girl aroused the fisherman’s suspicions, and, watching closely, he discovered that the man was very reticent about talking of his relations with the girl.”
Representatives debate whether Tacoma or Spokane should host the new regional military mobilization center.
“The American Lake site would be a far more advantageous site for the mobilization of troops.”
The Army selects a site near Tacoma for a massive new officers' training facility.
“The camp will have an initial capacity for the handling of 2000 civilian students, but will ultimately care for 5000 students.”
Mary Eirby is gravely hurt near Fort Steilacoom—the same woman who once held a robber at gunpoint in her father’s hotel.
““One passed through the cheek bone and had to be chiseled out; the other entered the brain.””
The War Department announces plans for a massive training camp at American Lake to prepare thousands of recruits for the Great War.
“Plans to establish a civilian training camp for reserve officers at American Lake have been announced by the war department.”
Federal officials eye the American Lake region for a permanent military mobilization ground.
“It excels anything else on the coast, they declare, both for the carrying out of maneuver plans and the mobilization of large bodies of troops.”
Thousands gathered at the plain near Lakeview to witness a massive review of state troops, marking the end of recent military maneuvers.
“As Captain Kenly's battery passed by the reviewing stand the last time, with the horses on a dead gallop, the crowd was thrilled.”
Where the 4th Infantry once drilled to fife and drum, a correspondent finds sagging fences, two overworked keepers to a men's ward, and a lone matron holding the women's department — all on an appropriation he calls 'a shame to our people.'
“It does seem to me that the economy which in any manner denies any alleviation or comfort to individuals devoid of reason is, say the least, a false economy, and a shame to our people.”
A recruitment notice for the First Regiment of Oregon Cavalry, seeking 100 men for duty on the frontier to combat the 'Snake Indians.'
“The Governor of Oregon, in his proclamation calling for these volunteers, says that they will be needed... for an expedition against the Snake Indians.”
A group of guardsmen, frustrated by poor rations, caused a late-night commotion by raiding a local fruit stall, leading to mass arrests and a disciplinary crack-down.
“The meat and butter, mein Gott! I can't eat it. The butter is rotten, so is the meat.”
Following a national order from President Wilson, local militia forces prepare to deploy amidst rising tensions with Mexico.
“Secretary Baker said the state forces would be employed only to guard the border, and that no additional troop movements into Mexico were contemplated except in pursuit of raiders.”
Thieves made off with $300 worth of fine apparel and food, leaving the Country club management baffled.
“It will be fairly easy to identify the goods if they are sold in Tacoma or Seattle, as they belonged to the most wealthy members of the club.”
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