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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1858 | 1 |
| 1859 | 4 |
| 1861 | 5 |
| 1862 | 4 |
| 1863 | 1 |
| 1865 | 1 |
| 1871 | 1 |
| 1872 | 5 |
| 1876 | 17 |
| 1877 | 15 |
| 1878 | 11 |
| 1879 | 2 |
| 1880 | 1 |
| 1882 | 2 |
| 1883 | 14 |
| 1884 | 10 |
| 1885 | 11 |
| 1886 | 11 |
| 1887 | 11 |
| 1888 | 17 |
| 1889 | 24 |
| 1890 | 3 |
| 1891 | 41 |
| 1892 | 59 |
| 1893 | 60 |
| 1894 | 55 |
| 1895 | 86 |
| 1897 | 5 |
| 1898 | 1 |
| 1899 | 6 |
| 1900 | 5 |
| 1902 | 2 |
| 1903 | 23 |
| 1904 | 22 |
| 1905 | 1 |
| 1907 | 4 |
| 1908 | 7 |
| 1909 | 27 |
| 1910 | 5 |
| 1911 | 2 |
| 1914 | 3 |
| 1915 | 1 |
| 1916 | 10 |
| 1917 | 9 |
| 1918 | 1 |
| 1923 | 3 |
| 1924 | 3 |
612 stories matching payment
- The Revenue Agent’s Cigar Seizure
Federal agents seize counterfeit cigars in downtown Seattle, forcing shop owners to pay a 'compromise' tax to keep their stock.
- The Railroad Land Agent Who Embezzled for Ten Years and Chose Suicide
A Northern Pacific land agent's decade-long scheme to skim payments on timber and farm contracts unravels into a $350,000 shortage — and a bullet.
- The Street Contractor’s Gamble
When the city of Tacoma failed to pay up on street improvements, a contractor was left holding the bag—and a pocket full of worthless paper.
- A $25,000 View, a Deed, and a Debt: The Land Fight South of Olympia
Ben Turner says George A. Barnes took an 80-acre donation-claim tract as mortgage security—then refused to deed it back after Turner tendered the money.
- The Tax Protest on Madison Street
A Seattle property owner challenges the city's assessment for Madison Street improvements, calling the fees illegal and a cloud on the title.
- The Streetcar That Ate the Profits: Third Street Line May Shut Down
A federal receiver gets permission to issue $15,000 in certificates, but the order bars any more money from being sunk into Seattle's losing Third Street railway.
- A Judgment Against the Man in the Moon: Tacoma's $2 Million Water Bond Fight
Judge Stallcup tried to invalidate $2,130,000 in water bonds. The water company's lawyer shrugged—and warned that bondholders would haul the city into court if interest went unpaid.
- The Mayor's Conflict of Interest
Mayor J.M. Weatherwax considers resignation over city contracts issued to his own lumber company.
- The Courthouse War
A fierce battle between a judge and county officials leads to a standoff, a jail sentence, and a wild threat to tear down the jailhouse to free the prisoner.
- The Seattle Shakedown: A Klondiker’s Lost Fortune
Fresh from the gold fields, a miner’s life savings vanish in an instant at a local hotel, exposing a web of downtown con men.
- A $16 Sermon, a Political Pulpit, and a Hung Jury
A frontier preacher sued for his fee; the churchgoer said the sermon had turned into electioneering. Five hours later, the jury still couldn't agree.
- The City Cut a Street Through Four Lots, and the Warrant Went to a Stranger
A Seattle property owner sues to freeze $2,100 the council voted to pay out for a Water Street condemnation — money he says belongs to him.
- The Real Estate Fever of 1888: Selling 'Palatine Hill'
A classic 19th-century real estate advertisement lures workers to a future Seattle suburb with the promise of cheap lots and industrial prosperity.
- The Lumber Monopoly’s Messy Breakup
A multi-million dollar lumber corporation face an attachment suit after failing to pay for timber contracts in Walla Walla.
- The Dream of 'Palatine Hill': A Real Estate Fever Dream of 1888
Before Seattle grew into the metropolis we know, developers promised a suburban utopia just a ten-minute walk from 'Salmon Bay'—complete with rail access and schoolhouses.
- The Sheriff’s Engine
Snohomish County authorities seize a locomotive from the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway to force payment of delinquent property taxes.
- A Rescue at Sea: The Wellington Libeled for $15,000
A historic salvage claim surfaces as the captain of the San Pedro sues for payment after a dramatic ocean rescue.
- The Price of a Broken Marriage in Seattle
A landmark Supreme Court ruling confirms that bankruptcy cannot be used by a husband to evade alimony payments to his former wife.
- The Seattle Tax Trap: How the City Council Tried to Force You to Pay for Sidewalks
A Snohomish resident learns that Washington's territorial legislature lacks the power to create municipalities like Seattle—and whether your city can legally bill you for street improvements.
- The Man Who Fought the Law: Riley’s Brawl with Seattle Police
In July 1876, a drunken man named Riley didn't just resist arrest—he dismantled the entire police force. It took bystanders to finally pin him down.
- Building a Neighborhood on Easy Terms
A local firm introduces a development plan for the city's north side to help residents build their own homes.
- King County's Missing Money and the Governor's Bond
A settled suit against the sureties of defaulting treasurer George D. Hill brings payment from prominent Seattle names—but another case still includes Governor Ferry.
- A City Divided Over Its Water: Newport's Council Fights Over the Carter Springs Warrants
A taxpayer lawsuit over warrants for Carter Springs split Newport's council, with the mayor warning the city could not afford a $30,000 water plant.
- The Theater Owner's Divorce
John Considine, proprietor of the People's Theater, admitted to adultery and desertion, but claimed bankruptcy to minimize alimony payments.
- The Barter of Spirits
A saloon owner in Whitechapel is caught paying his laborers in liquor, leading to a quick legal resolution.