Research the archive
Narrow 27,002 newspaper stories by words, years, place, newspaper and subject. See when and where they ran, then download what you find.
Put a phrase in quotes ("rent strike") or leave a word out with a minus (strike -baseball). Old scans misspell names, so when little is found, near-spellings are offered.
Refine1 on
Show the numbers
| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1863 | 1 |
| 1872 | 1 |
| 1876 | 14 |
| 1877 | 15 |
| 1878 | 9 |
| 1880 | 3 |
| 1882 | 3 |
| 1883 | 15 |
| 1884 | 11 |
| 1885 | 15 |
| 1886 | 12 |
| 1887 | 9 |
| 1888 | 3 |
| 1889 | 22 |
| 1891 | 16 |
| 1892 | 29 |
| 1893 | 36 |
| 1894 | 50 |
| 1895 | 57 |
| 1896 | 1 |
| 1899 | 5 |
| 1903 | 4 |
| 1908 | 1 |
| 1909 | 2 |
| 1910 | 2 |
| 1915 | 1 |
| 1929 | 1 |
338 stories matching render
- Seattle’s First 'Messiah' Performance
A chorus of 175 voices packed Plymouth Church in a landmark cultural event that hinted at the city's future as a musical center.
- The Strange Leniency of a Supreme Court Murder Verdict
After two trials and two death sentences, the Washington State Supreme Court abruptly commuted Albert Friedrich’s murder conviction to second-degree, sparking legal confusion and outrage from the defendant himself.
- The Day Seattle’s Streets Became a Minefield
In September 1876, the city’s main commercial artery was so full of potholes and water that officials warned it would become 'deplorable' before winter set in.
- Judicial Gridlock in King County
The Supreme Court intervenes when two Seattle judges refuse to finalize a case, each insisting the other should sign off.
- University of Washington Territory Opens Its Doors in Seattle
Newly established in Seattle, the territory's first institution of higher learning promises a rigorous curriculum and strict moral oversight.
- A Legal Dispute Over Ballard's City Debt
Attorney Fred H. Peterson defends his professional reputation after being accused of negligence by the Ballard City Council.
- The Isolation of a Refractory Patient
A county hospital patient is placed in solitary confinement in an outbuilding after her behavior renders her unfit for the general ward.
- A Silver Chest for the Political Boss
Prominent Republicans gather at the Rainier Club to honor John H. McGraw with a lavish testimonial of solid silver for his role in the senatorial contest.
- The Price of Forced Payment
A local court ruling clarifies the legal weight of a promissory note signed under the duress of property attachment.
- Seattle's Dance Hall Ordinance Faces Legal Challenge
Proprietors open their doors to test the legality of local ordinances targeting 'lewd and lascivious' variety dance halls.
- Judge Strikes Down State Road Laws
A landmark superior court ruling declares the state's method for seizing private property for public roads unconstitutional, throwing years of county construction projects into legal limbo.
- The Eight-Hour Day That Was Amended to Death
A bold proposal to limit public works labor to eight hours faces a grim fate in the Washington State Senate, where 'amendments' have stripped the bill of its power before it can even reach the House.
- The Mayor's Right to Fight City Hall
A landmark Washington Supreme Court ruling affirmed a mayor's authority to hire private counsel when the city's own legal department refused to defend the city against an illegal bond ordinance.
- The Unpaid Labor of Libbie Reinheimer
A rare 1876 court case highlights a wife suing her own husband's firm for unpaid wages.
- The City Judge Outlaws the 'Good Luck' Machines
A Seattle municipal court ruling draws a firm line between gambling and trade, declaring machines that pay out in 'trade checks' to be illegal.
- Inquest Held for Remains Found in Seattle Cellar
A jury convenes to address the discovery of unidentified Chinese remains in a cellar, raising questions about municipal neglect and health risks.
- A Ghastly Discovery at Marshall's Wharf
A missing sailor's body is pulled from the Seattle waterfront after a mysterious disappearance.
- The Investigation of the Friendless Dead
Seattle's medical establishment faces a reckoning over the exploitation of vulnerable patients.
- The Mysterious Fate of a Mutilated Man
A tragic case of labor, isolation, and identity emerges in late 19th-century Seattle.
- Rainier Street House Lost to Suspicious Fire
A vacant home burned for the third time recently, fueling suspicions of arson.
- The Army Is Coming—and Seattle Can Already Hear the Payroll
A federal military post looks all but certain for Magnolia Bluffs, promising construction spending and a steady stream of soldiers' pay.
- The Unlucky Traveler of Snoqualmie Pass
A man’s attempt to cross the mountains turns into a desperate struggle against the elements.
- The Wild Cow That Ran Amok: Seattle’s First Public Menace
A runaway bovine terrorized the streets of Pioneer Square before being shot dead, sparking a bizarre legal battle over who owned the carcass and whether rotten beef could be sold to unsuspecting diners.
- Plundering the Friendless Dead: King County Doctors Under Investigation
The medical society opens a probe into members accused of padding bills against the estates of patients who died with no heirs.
- Who Cares for the Broken Legged?
A public dispute arises over whether the city physician is obligated to treat emergency cases.