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1. An Early Exploration of the Quillehuyt River

   James G. Swan documents his journey into the remote Quillehuyt River country, naming landmarks and describing the indigenous villages encountered.

   Oct 5, 1861Washington StandardQuillayute River, La Push, Clallam CountyFollow the Money

2. The Forgotten Navigator of the Pacific Northwest

   A call to honor Captain Robert Gray, the man whose discovery of the Columbia River and Grays Harbor secured the region for the United States.

   Mar 2, 1861Washington StandardIlwaco, Pacific County

3. Volunteers Called to Guard the Frontier

   The War Department authorizes a new regiment of mounted volunteers to secure the Washington and Oregon territories as the Civil War escalates.

   Nov 9, 1861Washington StandardOlympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall

4. The Loyalty Oath of a Washington Surveyor

   Public official James Tilton defends his reputation against accusations of secessionism during the onset of the Civil War.

   Nov 2, 1861Washington StandardOlympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall · Scandal

5. An Escape on Scott Mountain

   A prospector narrowly survives a harrowing encounter with an armed man while traveling through the rugged wilderness near Tumwater.

   Jan 12, 1861Washington StandardTumwater, Thurston CountyTrue Crime

6. Boiler Explosion Kills Five at Port Madison Sawmill

   A tragic industrial accident at Meigs's steam sawmill claims the lives of five men, highlighting the dangers of early industrial milling in the region.

   Mar 23, 1861Washington StandardPort Madison, Bainbridge Island, Kitsap CountyWork & Pay · Disasters

7. The Explorer’s Widow Visits Olympia

   Lady Jane Franklin, still searching for answers about her husband's lost Arctic expedition, visits the Washington Territory.

   Mar 2, 1861Washington StandardTumwater, Olympia, Thurston County

8. An Election Scandal in Mima Prairie

   Cyru Vau defends his political integrity against accusations of back-room deals and ballot-box trickery in a letter to the editor.

   Jun 29, 1861Washington StandardMima Prairie, Olympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall

9. Thurston County Rallies for the Union

   As the Civil War ignites, Republicans in Olympia gather to declare their loyalty to the Union and choose their delegates for the coming struggle.

   May 18, 1861Washington StandardOlympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall

10. A Violent Dispute Over Laundry

    A domestic disagreement over washing services in the Pacific Northwest escalates into a targeted racial assault, exposing the local climate of 'Black Republican' tension.

    Sep 28, 1861Washington StandardUnknown, Snohomish CountyExclusion & Resistance · True Crime

11. The Bold Navigator and the Tatoosh Island Light-Keeper

    A maritime dispute over a salvaged anchor reveals the shady side-hustles of a government lighthouse official.

    Dec 7, 1861Washington StandardNeah Bay, Clallam CountyFollow the Money · Strange But True

12. The Mail Carriage Dispute

    Citizens of Olympia clash with their local postmaster over a controversial contract, suspecting graft in the transport of official mail.

    Sep 7, 1861Washington StandardOlympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall

13. Olympia Rejects Disunion

    While the nation moved toward the brink of Civil War in January 1861, local Olympia leaders declared their firm loyalty to the Union, even as some proposed renaming the capital city.

    Jan 12, 1861Washington StandardOlympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall

14. The Mail Service Sabotage in Olympia

    Local merchants and citizens are suffering as a political feud between the Postmaster and steamboat owners paralyzes commerce on the Sound.

    Sep 21, 1861Washington StandardOlympia Post Office, Olympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall

15. The Cynical Toll of Local Politics

    A satirical diary of a man who wins a nomination for public office, only to be ruined by the exorbitant financial and social demands of his supporters.

    Feb 9, 1861Washington StandardOlympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall

16. The Murder of Chief Swell

    A faithful ally to white settlers is murdered in a cold-blooded territorial dispute, exposing the impotence of the Indian Agency.

    Mar 30, 1861Washington StandardPort Angeles, Clallam CountyExclusion & Resistance · True Crime

17. The San Juan Island Standoff

    Tensions between American settlers and British authorities on San Juan Island flare in the territorial legislature, sparking a debate over sovereignty and the treatment of American interests.

    Jan 19, 1861Washington StandardSan Juan Island, Friday Harbor, San Juan CountyFollow the Money

18. The Capital Crisis of 1861

    A fiery letter to the editor captures the volatile politics of Washington Territory, as Pierce County residents accused the legislature of a 'corrupt bargain' over the location of the capital.

    Feb 2, 1861Washington StandardOlympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall

19. The Boiler Bursts at Five Twenty

    A mill boiler at Port Madison exploded before the morning shift was fully at work, killing five men and scalding a sixth. A witness wrote that ten minutes later would have killed more.

    Mar 21, 1861Puget Sound HeraldBainbridge Island, Kitsap CountyWork & Pay · Disasters

20. Four Subscriptions Canceled: Tumwater Punishes the Editor for Printing Olympia's County-Seat Pitch

    The Standard ran the Olympia town trustees' case for moving the county seat — and four Tumwater readers struck back the only way they could: 'Stop my paper!' The editor is not gracious about it.

    Jul 13, 1861Washington StandardOlympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall

21. The Land Office Money That Never Reached the Books

    Register Isaac W. Smith accuses Receiver Selucius Garfielde of holding land-claim payments on private deposit and refusing to account for them—an 1861 public audit fight in Washington Territory.

    Feb 7, 1861Puget Sound HeraldOlympia, Thurston CountyFollow the Money · City Hall

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