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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1854 | 59 |
59 stories
- The Struggle to Become a Citizen and a Tradesman
A legislator argues that the Donation Land Law is forcing tradesmen into failed farming careers, harming the region's economy.
- The Temperance Crusade Comes to Olympia
A prominent attorney argues for a 'Maine Liquor Law' to suppress the liquor trade in Washington Territory.
- The Special Agent's Plea for Peace
Michael T. Simmons, newly appointed Indian Agent, calls for an end to liquor sales and unauthorized violence in the Puget Sound region.
- The Fight Over Suffrage for Mixed-Race Citizens
Territorial legislators debate whether citizens of mixed white and Indigenous heritage should be granted the right to vote.
- The 1854 Territorial Criminal Code
A comprehensive look at the foundational laws of Washington Territory, detailing everything from murder and manslaughter to the prohibition of kidnapping and coerced servitude.
- The Pioneer Argument Against Prohibition
An 1854 speech by legislator Mr. Chenoweth argues that legal coercion is a poor substitute for individual morality in the fight against intemperance.
- The First Legislative Assembly of Washington Territory Adjourns
After intense deliberation and the drafting of a new legal code, Washington’s first territorial lawmakers closed their session in Olympia.
- The Rule of Law in the Wild West
A deep dive into the 1854 Washington Territorial legal code governing criminal trials, bail, and the rights of the accused.
- Establishing the People’s Court
Legislative action mandates the election of local probate judges to manage wills, estates, and guardianship for the Territory.
- The Struggle for Deep Water in Old Olympia
Boosterism meets the reality of geography as a local entrepreneur attempts to build a deep-water wharf to secure Olympia's economic future.
- The Governor’s Ultimatum on Indigenous Land
Governor Isaac I. Stevens issues a public warning regarding unauthorized settlement on lands reserved for Indigenous use.
- A Warning to Settlers on the Nisqually Reservation
Federal agents move to enforce strict control over timber and property rights on Indigenous land.
- Territorial Turf Wars: Defending Governor Stevens
A heated dispute between the Pioneer and The Oregonian over legislative representation and political representation in early Washington Territory.
- The Unfilled Chair
The Washington Territorial Legislature pauses in solemn tribute following the sudden death of a pioneer lawmaker.
- The First Territorial Legislature Debates Statehood Infrastructure
Lawmakers in 1854 wrestle with the practicalities of building a new government, from authorizing ferries across the Columbia to navigating relations with Governor Isaac Stevens.
- The Gold Fever Strikes Steilacoom
A local citizen hits a pocket of gold, sparking a frantic rush among town residents.
- The Struggle for Temperance in the New Territory
Legislators in the newly formed Washington Territory debate a strict 'Maine-style' liquor law, aiming to build a moral foundation for the burgeoning frontier society.
- Legislative Debate Over Land Rights for Discharged Soldiers
Olympia lawmakers clash over proposed land grants for discharged soldiers, fearing corporate land speculation.
- The Futility of Prohibition
A skeptical legislator warns that strict alcohol bans in Washington Territory will lead only to evasion, black markets, and public distrust.
- Prospectors Return From the Wild Olympics
An exploration party recounts the rugged terrain and gold-bearing quartz found near the head of the Hood Canal.
- Olympia Named Temporary Seat of Government
The Council debates and finalizes the definition of judicial districts, securing Olympia's status as the provisional capital.
- The Art of Professional Loafing
A satirical exchange in the Olympia Democratic about the 'Loafer Club' and the perils of career advice in the frontier.
- The Ghost Fleet of the Pacific
Senator William Gwin rails against the government's refusal to fund military presence in the Pacific, leaving the coast vulnerable to 'filibusters' and privateers.
- The Temperance Movement Comes to the Territory
A new petition arrives in Olympia calling for the total prohibition of liquor sales in the Washington Territory.
- Designing the Washington Territory Seal
An early proposal for the official seal that featured a log cabin, a settler’s wagon, and the Chinook jargon word 'Alki'.